Customer Reviews

Acting Techniques for Everyday Life: Look and Feel Self-Confident in Difficult, Real-Life Situations

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got this book out of the library, but it is so useful, I am buying a copy. One of the very rare self-help books that actually has techniques that do help. The author gives us insights as to how actors develop their "presence" in the world, how they overcome stage fright and get through difficult situations, etc. How to "create" a better life with methods that work. Good book.

I teach Oral Communication at the college level, preparing my students to make presentations in the business world.

My students have bought and used Jane's book, and they tell me it works!

It offers practical, useful advice ... for everyone.

I highly recommend it.

My previous anxiousness and inability to do well when stressed are well on their way to disappearing. The best thing about the book is that there are easy and quick exercises that produce good results right away. I keep it on my nightstand and read a little every night. It's very fun and entertaining, too.

This book encompasses multiple techniques that anyone can use in situations
where they may feel uncomfortable or insecure. It is cleverly written and fun to
read.

As I was reading "Acting Techniques" I started applying the author¹s techniques
to everyday circumstances in which I felt insecure, or when I felt inadequate.
Gradually I gained genuine self-confidence and the same situations were a breeze. Basically, protein is to
muscles as this book is to your confidence.

This is a wonderfully healing, challenging book about the art of self-transformation. Jane Marla Robbins describes acting techniques and shows how they can be applied to all sorts of difficult everyday situations. I'm here to say that these exercises work! Acting Techniques for Everyday Life will make you feel terrific about yourself.

More books should be written on this subject. I bought an acting book and was on the verge of trying to find an image consultant or taking acting classes to learn how to act like I was totally confident and in control of every situation. When I felt insecure or lacked confidence, everyone knew it, I didn't know how to hide it in my facial expressions or body language. This book has really helped. More could be written on everyday life acting techniques, there are many more situations that could be addressed.

I wasn't sure what to make of this book when I first opened it. I am an actor and an entrepreneur - so currently "act" on stage and believe in Shakespeare's oft quoted phrase, "All the world's a stage....."

I wasn't prepared to find so many valuable tips and tricks to begin to use immediately both in my acting (I am looking forward to my next audition!) and in my everyday life. I will also try some of this out in my coaching practice - and perhaps modify accordingly.

Another bonus is Ms. Robbins writing voice. I have no idea what the voice that springs from her body sounds like, but I just "get" that it is warm, engaging, open and has a melodious quality to it.... just like her book. I had to put the book down last night to go meet a friend and I found myself wanting to read "just one more suggestion, just one more...." And I think it was partially because I wanted to "hang out" with the author some more.

This book would be handy for EVERYONE. Go ahead, you know you want a copy, too.

As an academic physician and professor, I am called upon to give many lectures to lay and medical audiences. The goal in lecturing is always to convey the intensity and drama and importance of the message, without blocks by personal inhibitions. Whether you are a doctor, or an actor, or a singer, or a lawyer,or businessperson, or speak at PTA meetings, Jane Robbins wise suggestions and instructions will enable you to reach your best performance potential.

So many how-to books are full of vague platitudes. This one actually has sensible, easy-to-use tips on dealing with a variety of challenging situations. Very helpful, indeed!

My first reaction about the author when I started reading the book was "this chick is from California". My second reaction was "my God, what a miserable life this poor woman must have had!"

Overall, I think the book has some good techniques. I do sales presentations for a living, and I bought this book to share with my presentation team. While many of the techniques are valuable, including some of the spiritual aspects, the author assumes that anyone reading the book has a lot to overcome because of the oppressive, abusive childhoods we all had. Unfortunately, the book is peppered with such comments and examples. I feel sorry for anyone who feels like they have to look at life that way.

Granted, everyone has "traumatic" memories, more out of our immature perception of things, rather than because of the way our parents treated us. Even people with warm, loving, caring parents still suffer from stage fright and anxiety from time to time. I think this is probably where your focus should be when reading these points.

For those of you who aren't into spirituality and/or metaphysics, some of the exercises might seem a little strange - "breathing white light into the spaces between your vertebrae", etc. But they really do help. You just need a little imagination.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trashing the book, just the way some of the ideas are presented. Even if you only read the last few chapters (chapter 24 to the end), you will still get the essence of the book, and a lot of value. Of course, at the amazon.com price, it's even better!