Coming to Terms with Acting: An Instructive Glossary-What You Need to Know to Understand It Discuss It Deal with It and Do It [Paperback]

Doug Moston (Author), Frank Corsaro (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Like all professions, acting has its own special vocabulary. Its terminology continues to evolve, and with this book, actors, students, directors, and playwrights will have access to clear definitions of the words and phrases they will need to know and use regularly. Everything from accents and dialects to verse technique is defined. A single sentence followed by a detailed explanation, often with an example, comprises each entry. Selected words appearing in capital letters are cross references to their own definitions in the book. The author has been involved in theater for over 25 years and currently teaches acting in New York. His highly useful reference book will be of value to anyone interested in drama.
- Howard E. Miller, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Missouri Lib., St. Louis
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Quite Specific Media Group; 1st edition (June 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896761215
• ISBN-13: 978-0896761216
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #646,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, Concise and Funny, October 24, 2000

By 

"lstenner" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coming to Terms with Acting: An Instructive Glossary-What You Need to Know to Understand It Discuss It Deal with It and Do It (Paperback)

A student from Yale had this book and that made me curious so I bought it. I have studied with some really good acting teachers but this book has made an incredible difference in my understanding of the craft of acting. Professor Moston's discussion of issues like sense memory, collusion, objectives, character and other Method and non-Method acting styles are really wonderful. I don't think anyone can learn acting from a book, but if you could, this would be the book to do it. I like how Moston gives you a fast answer and then, if you want to learn more, you can read the entry and get where the term came from, how it came about, and what's really great, how to use the idea in your acting. Also, I carry it in my backpack and I've even used it to settle arguements. Check it out!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Straight to the point, June 8, 2003

By 

Paul Fidalgo (Maine) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Coming to Terms with Acting: An Instructive Glossary-What You Need to Know to Understand It Discuss It Deal with It and Do It (Paperback)

Forget the emotional posing and the masturbatory use of the "method" in today's actors and acting teachers. Doug gets right to the point and gives you the raw, essential tools provided by the Stanislavski/Strasburg Method. Stop letting the "feelings" of attention-seeking actors confuse you. Great tools are to be found in this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Is the Actor's Bible!!!, February 9, 2002

By 

Terry Mchugh (LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coming to Terms with Acting: An Instructive Glossary-What You Need to Know to Understand It Discuss It Deal with It and Do It (Paperback)

I have heard so much about this book. Well, now I finally got it and I am mad that I waited so long. Every time I pick it up I learn something from it. I re-read it all the time. I am learning sense memory in my acting class and I use the book and my teacher say "great!" but I know I got it from the book. I love that it's so clear. That is awesome. So far I have bought 3 of them, 1 for me and 2 for presents. This is a must have book.