Acting for Film

"It will not disappoint . . ." —Ian McKellen, from the Foreword

An Authoritative Training Manual for Film Actors and Teachers

“In today's entertainment industry of buff bodies and beautiful faces, it's easy to think that a couple of sit-ups and high cheek bones can create a movie legend,” writes film veteran Cathy Haase. However, she adds, what the actor really must have are “technique, craft, and a depth of self-knowledge.” In Acting for Film, Second Edition, Haase shows actors how to develop all of these, sharing her secrets (developed through years of on-camera work) for creating characters who come alive and who touch the souls of the audience.

Readers will learn how to apply theatrical training to film acting and hone a personal approach to rendering a character. Acting for Film, Second Edition, is an essential guide for aspiring performers, acting teachers, and anyone interested in gaining a greater understanding of the craft. This new edition includes:

• Advice on dealing with new technology including CGI and motion capture
• Concentration and relaxation exercises that will enhance facial expressiveness
• Exploration of sense memory techniques for on-camera work
• Animal exercises and their usages
• Tips for maintaining proper eye focus in front of the camera and conveying the “beats” of a scene, even in the shortest takes

For any performer who intends to make a living in front of the camera, Acting for Film, Second Edition, is the most authoritative resource! With Haase’s experience and advice in their pocket, readers will be prepared to land the film role they’ve been dreaming of.

Cathy Haase has been acting professionally for over 30 years. A faculty member at the School of Visual Arts and a workshop leader for the Actors Studio, she lives in New York City.

Ian McKellen is an Academy Award®-nominated actor and the recipient of six Laurence Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a British Independent Film award, among many others, during his more than half a century on stage and screen. He is beloved by fans worldwide as Magneto in the X-Men films and Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. He resides in London, England.