Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #252275 in Books
• Published on: 2006-12-28
• Released on: 2006-12-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 104 pages

Customer Reviews

This book is the best I've read on this subject!
I am a musical theatre performer who has recently returned to show biz after taking a number of years off to have kids, etc. I have always been an actress with a great voice but have seriously fallen into the habit of "winging it" at auditions and not REALLY fully engaging myself in the words, just touching on the surface, and while giving "natural" performances, probably ones that have lacked real depth and interest. Here's a big THANK YOU to David Brunetti for writing this book! After reading it (in one sitting, it's that good) I see what I have somehow forgotten to do with my songs. Brunetti so brilliantly and understandably puts into words exactly what I must do to achieve the performance that I know I'm capable of giving. His easy to follow steps are spot on and as I started working on a new piece this morning, I was already brought to tears while experiencing the real truth of the words. It is wonderful that this NYC based master coach is sharing what he knows with all of us via this wonderful book. It also contains great interviews with some of New York's leading directors and casting directors. You get insight into what the folks behind the desks are thinking about and looking for during your auditions. Invaluable!

A+++
This is the best book I've found on how to prepare a song for an audition. I've actually worked with David for several years now in NYC, and his methods of preparing an actor for an audition are fantastic. He approaches the song from an actor's point of view, rather than solely from a singer's, guiding the actor toward infusing the song with meaning and intention. All songs must be sung with a clear intention; otherwise, it's just empty lyrics set to an empty tune. Anyone who auditions for musicals should buy this book.

Food for thought, but other ways should be acknowledged
Mr. Brunetti clearly writes from a place of passion and care for what he does. He offers a step by step guide to working on songs from an acting point of view. He embellishes his writing with quotes from industry professionals, who say what one needs to hear all the time - basically, that song presenation should be about creating a truthful moment in life, albeit heightened.

In getting there, Brunetti is pretty adament about Method Acting or shall I say the traditional resorting to one's own life experience. This is where I personally find I need another tool. There seems to be an obsession about the greatness of using one's own personality, and a scolding and accusation of an instance when the artist "hides". This observation usually comes from directors or casting people who simply don't see what they want the throw a word they've heard all too much. Personally, I find that Pycho-Physical form of work - whereby the body and the mind work together and affect each other - are better for me. If you will, working from the outside in, for a lack of a better term.

If Method works for you, and you are interested in getting into musical theatre, this book might serve you well. If not, seek other physical acting training routes. Don't be frustrated if you find that some of these suggestions just don't work for you. Yes, absolutely be willing to jump in with 150% commitment, but don't be too hard on yourself... There is no one way, no one fixed technique,and I really wish someone pointed that out more often to instructors and teachers. GOOD LUCK!