The Actor's Choice [Paperback]

Thomas Babson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 20, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0435070096 | ISBN-13: 978-0435070090

This book shows actors how to take their theatrical craft and vision, and communicate them on screen.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

As an actor and teacher for twenty-five years, Thomas Babson has been doing and teaching more than a thousand others how to do just that in his own LA Film Actor's Lab and with the Screen Actors Guild Conservatory throughout the country. With countless stage productions as both actor and director, and over 200 film, television, and commercial projects (including recurring roles in Paper Chase, St. Elsewhere, Hill St. Blues, General Hospital, and, for eleven years, Cheers) to his credit, Babson creates a specific, efficient way of making the transition from stage to screen.

Product Details

• Paperback: 138 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann Drama (May 20, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0435070096
• ISBN-13: 978-0435070090
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,795,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative!!, February 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Actor's Choice (Paperback)

I got this book yesterday and couldn't put it down until I was finished! Babson, might not be superstar with Academy Award winning performances under his belt but, he is really helpful in describing the process of film work. I have read so many books that come off with a cold, textbook quality and found his personable writing very refreshing. Babson gives you the hard facts peppered with reasons you should still remain confident in your craft. If you are trying to break into film or television this book is definitely worth your time.

4.0 out of 5 stars A real insight into method acting., October 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Actor's Choice (Paperback)

I had the pleasure of taking a class in which Tom Babson taught us the various choices and techniques actors make when performing for the big screen. Though I am studying film and directing, the insight Babson gives is a helpful tool to communicating with actors and the secrets behind method acting. Too many times directors do not know how to communicate their vision to the actors. This book goes through step by step of the actor's choices that bring forth their character. It is tough to practice, and after reading and experiencing the material in this book, I now have a larger respect for actors and their "work". Babson was an actor on Cheers, various other TV movies and films, and has been instructed by the likes of Lee Strasburg.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars It seems Tom Babson has gone out on limb with this one., August 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Actor's Choice (Paperback)

It was extremely difficult to read through the chapters of this book. Tom Babson's view on the subject is blocked by his lack of experience in the field. His acting seemed wooden in the episode on Cheers where he portrayed a lawyer and he seems to have branched out beyond his abilities in this book too.