So what do you think about it? What do you think about the technique it teaches?

I think it is a great book!

Very helpful in making you relax by focusing on breathing in and out before saying anything.

It takes away some tension, usually one is a bit too self-centered at auditions and if one dare to not think too much and just try Harold Guskin's technique "Taking it off the page" one can really get a very good being alive experience.

Personally I have used it for a Strindberg play audition once.
The director and the crew sat silent afterward and then explained they just realzied I was such a more alive actor than the actor I had cold read together with.
The other actor had the main role and they had already casted him two months prior to this.

If you have little time and don't feel you have any other techniques working for you his breathing technique is really good!

However, I think a complete novice actor would not be able to use it without having first worked on his or her instrument.

Without a good voice, body movement training, being able to to create a fourth wall, etc. maybe it can be too difficult to create anything theatrically worthy... But it is just based on what I have seen when people with little training have attempt to try it out.

But as with everything you need to work on it until you get it!

What is your own opinion and experience?

Kind regards,
Chris

FREE MIND --

I just mentioned to someone that this forum is viewed by people from all over the world.

What country do you live in?

Enjoyed your comments, incidentally.

www.robertkim.com

Hi Robert!

I am glad to hear you appriciated my comments.

I live in Sweden right now.

-Planning to move to New York for acting studies.

Where are you from? Korea or?

I used to live in Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Really enjoyed that time!

Christoffer

Good call!

I am of Korean descent ("Kim" is more actually more common than "Smith" over there).

How lucky you are to live in so many divergent places. What do you do?

Give me a call then you arrive in NYC, I'll be pleased to show you around.

www.robertkim.com

Thanks, what a great welcome!

Right now I am working on my acting carreer.

That's why I will go back to the States, joining a good acting school, and make a breakthrough.

Hey Robert!

I just looked through your Before / After photos.

Wow!

Really nice!

Wish I could have photos like that one day.

Really like those shots with the more earthy colours in the background, really warm and with a lot of depth! (pon intended)

Ha, ha, when I look at my own photo now in comparison it looks completely flat.

If I get to New York I will look you up!

Ciao!

I think it is brilliant. The techniques in this book have landed me many roles and callbacks, but most importantly have taught me a wonderful INVALUABLE way to explore a role on my own and I look forward to working on new roles even more now than ever.
I don't think it is a complete picture of everything that needs to happen when creating a role, but I would absolutely recommend this as the single best book I have ever read about acting and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a little direction or guidance.
The absolute most important part of this technique is to allow mental pictures to come into your head and respond to them authentically. It is the best tool I have ever learned as an actor (and a person) and if you can let your mind freely just sort of fire away, you will bring new life to your performances every time! It's great!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by vayacondiosdude:

"I don't think it is a complete picture of everything that needs to happen when creating a role,"

I agree with this that it is not complete but that it does "allow mental pictures to come into your head and respond to them authentically."

If you combine How to Stop Acting with Eric Morris book No Acting Please and really apply both of their exercises on a dayily basis your acting will defientely develop beyond your present imagination!

They complement each other very well.
I have used both and they surely work, but you have to really work on them, don't stay in a mood of adoring them.

Make them your own and go further!

I absolutely agree with Free Mind.

Mr. Guskin leaves a heck of a lot of what professionals do out of his book.

But combine a few books, like Morris's, Larry Moss's, and Mr. Guskin's and you get a pretty well-rounded approach.

What works for some, isn't what works for others. What works in one situation, isn't what works in others. The tools you need for one role, are different than you need on another.

Exposing yourself to a modern teacher, who synthesizes many of the great theories and techniques is the way to go.

- Jason Bennett