Product Description

This is the second volume of Stanislaviski's enduring trilogy on the art of acting. The "System" which he describes is a means both of mastering the craft of acting and of stimulating the actor's individual creativeness and imagination. It has become the central force determining almost every performance we see on stage or screen, and still remains today the only comprehensive theory of acting we possess.

In Building a Character Stanislavski discusses with mastery and insight the actor's physical means of expression for realizing character on stage, such as the use of body, movement, voice, tempo, expression, make-up and costume.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47838 in Books
• Published on: 1989-04-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 207 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780878309825
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
"Indispensable for the actor, stimulating for the layman." -- The Nation

Anyone who attempts to train actors or to direct plays will find here a great mine of practical wisdom, all informed by Stanislavskis grasp of the art itself.
–Francis Fergusson, Educational Theatre Journal

In (this book) Stanislavski, assuming the readers familiarity with the inner technique, proceeds to study costume and the wearing of costume, bodily movement, voice, speech and the use of language, and tempo and rhythm-- the more external but essential techniques whereby the actor learns to use his physical instrument . . . and he expounds them as only a master can; i.e., with the insight and authority of talent plus expeirence. Anyone who attempts to train actors or to direct plays will find here a great mine of practical wisdom.
–Francis Fergusson, Education Theatre Journal

Indispensable for the actor, stimulating for the layman.
–The Nation

The chapter on Diction and Singing offers an analysis of basic problems of singing that is unrivaled.
–Musical America

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Russian

Customer Reviews

A Foundation of knowledge for the actor
Stanislavki is considered a master of theatre and often called the "father of the method." In this, the second installment of his acting technique books(very wittingly alphabetically titled An actor prepares, Building a Character, Creating a role) he goes into the external technique an actor must use to become a character.

Like an Actor Prepares, he uses fictional characters obviously based on the actors from the Moscow Art Theatre, with the director, Tortsov (think Stanislavski) being the one with all the knowledge. While a lot is to be learned from the book, one can't help but notice how egotistically the book is written. While there is no denoting how wonderfully he lays out the principles taken in building a character, I wonder how much easier of a read it would be if he just came out and said, these are our principles. Instead he cloaks himself behind a character and we lose a lot trying to muddle through a student's undying love (Kostya, who's "journals" make up the text) for his teacher. If you can get past the text, you'll learn a lot.

Classic
This book is the second in Stanislavski's series. Deals with the "external aspects" of the System. A great read, in spite of the poor translation; this book (and the entire series) completely transformed my acting almost overnight, as if a fog had lifted from my eyes. This book/series helped me understand, fundamentally, what I should be DOING onstage. I received numerous compliments on the next role I played after reading this book and several comments on my improvement, etc.

Great advice for actors. Strongly recommended for both actors and directors.

One of the best acting books out there

"Building a Character" is certainly one of the books that you can add to your collection if you are an actor, professional or otherwise. Stanislavski discusses the physicalisations and vocalisations that are the product of a character. He also discusses some ethics and attitudes he thinks necessary to maintain in the theater.
Highly recommended.