Mary Lou Belli » Acting For Young Actors

If you are going to act learn to do it well!

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When I see young actors audition for the TV shows I’m directing, I have one of 2 reactions: Who taught you? (subtext: You are wonderful and on your way to having a great career) or Who taught you? (subtext: I didn’t believe one word you said.) “Acting for Young Actors” ensures that every time you dare to become another character and speak their words, and think their thoughts you will transport your audience into a story that they will be emotionally invested in because you are too. It begins with the five W’s: WHO am I? WHAT do I want? WHY do I want it? WHERE am I? WHEN does this event take place? Sounds basic – but many young child actors are told simply to “get up there and act.” This book explores each of these questions, using helpful exercises to allow young actors to work through problems of building a character and motivation. With comprehensive chapters on auditioning, rehearsal, and improvisation, plus a primer on how young actors can break into film, theater, and television, “Acting for Young Actors” is every kid’s ticket to the big time. [background-end]

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Acting for Young Actors: The Ultimate Teen Guide
(Backstage Books, 2006)

by Mary Lou Belli and Dinah Lenney

ISBN-10: 0823049477

ISBN-13: 978-0823049479

Buy Here

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[blue-background-start]Review: “Instructive, imaginative and fun to read…I couldn’t earmark pages fast enough to note all the excellent suggestions and wise counsel I was finding between the covers. Don’t miss this one, folks, go get it, you’ll thank me- and you’ll thank Mary Lou and Dinah, too.
John Rowell (“Inside Ink” Show Business Weekly)

Review:” …in clear and straightforward terms, and without ever talking down to the presumably young reader, they explain objectives, substitution, the magic “as if,” subtext, and many other Stanislavsky-based techniques for constructing a character and working with others. The 11 chapters address virtually every question an aspiring youngster might have before making career-related decisions.”
Jean Schiffman (Backstage)

Review: “This book is a fantastic investment for anyone with any interest in acting. Written with young adults in mind, this book shows what it means to act and all the things you need to know to become a good actor in a way that is both simple and sophisticated, so it’s appropriate for any age.”
Abe Carnow (Amazon)

Review: “WOW! That’s all I can say. Wow.”
Danielle (Amazon) [background-end]