Customer Reviews

The Intent to Live: Achieving Your True Potential as an Actor

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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At last an insightful appreciation of the art of acting by one of the profession's foremost practitioners and teachers, which can be enjoyed not only by actors but by lovers of great acting. If you've ever marvelled at a performance, Larry Moss tells you why. With wit and clarity, as good a writer as he is an actor, he takes you inside the actor's mind so you understand the choices that enter into the shaping of a memorable characterization. And his range of references is remarkably eclectic and star-studded -- Groucho Marx, Bette Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Clint Eastwood, Uta Hagen, Robert Preston just to mention a few of the hundreds of performers whose work he illuminates, on stage, screen, television, in musicals, tragedies, slapstick and sitcoms. Nothing escapes his discerning eye.

As is obvious from the testimonials given by well-known actors -- on this Amazon screen (above), and on the back cover and introductory pages of the book -- Larry Moss has no shortage of fans. However, I think it's important to note that this book has value for anyone working in theater and film, not just actors.

As a playwright, I think it's critical that we writers seek to understand how actors and other professionals do their work. Theater (and film) is a collaborative medium, requiring the talents of many people in order to fully realize the potential of a story. By gaining a better knowledge of how directors, designers, actors and others use their skills to bring a play or film to life (on the "back end," if you will), I can write pieces (on the "front end") that interest, inspire and challenge them -- and, as a result, have a stronger effect on audiences. There's nothing worse for a writer than writing something, in isolation, that we think is the greatest thing since tuna casserole, only to have it completely incomprehensible -- or worse, uninteresting -- to actors, directors and, as a result, audiences.

In this search for information, Moss's book is one of the few that I've discovered that offers insights into the actor's process in clear, reasonable language, that makes the necessary connections between the actor's work and the writer's text. I have no doubt, after reading this book, that I will be that much more effective as a playwright, better able to create a solid foundation for those who choose to bring my work to life.

This book is excellent! Larry Moss makes clear the terms that are commonly used in acting class (Objectives, intentions, relationships). I have heard these terms used many times in acting class, but didn't realize how important they are until I read this book. Larry Moss describes them in simple and pratical terms and uses examples from classic and current films.

I broke down in tears after practicing the exercises taught in the "Emotional Trigger" chapter. I cannot wait to get new scripts in acting class so that I can utilize the skills that I learned in this book. I highly recommend this to any actor who wants to improve in their craft. This book was the Epiphany that I was waiting for!

Contrary to what most non-actors think, the bulk of an actor's work takes place before a foot is ever set on a stage or in front of a camera. The hours required to explore a script or a role are mostly spent alone in a room with a notebook, a script, and some reference books. This is one of the best references.

If you want to know exactly what makes the difference between a drop-dead wonderful performance and an excruciatingly bad one, it's here. If you need words of encouragement after an awful rehearsal as well as suggestions for making it better, they're also here. Lots of actors don't know HOW to work. This book is packed with techniques for reaching into one's own psyche to build and enrich a character, working smart, and overcoming pitfalls facing all actors. It also contains many entertaining and very honest anecdotes illustrating the necessity for preparation and absolute integrity in all things theatrical.

For someone who finds Stanislavski inaccessible, is stumped when faced with playing a difficult character or has difficulty analyzing a script, this book is gold. An invaluable aid when preparing for an audition or a role, it's like having an understanding and gifted coach on call. Early on, Mr. Moss quotes Stella Adler as saying, "An actor must have the soul of a rose and the hide of a rhinocerous." Larry Moss wrote this book as partial fulfillment of a promise to her, and it's a fine tribute.

The Intent to live is an illuminating book on the craft of acting. Mr. Moss gift for writting down his approach to acting is nothing less than inspiring. He has put down on paper what many others have tried, but failed in some respect. Larry Moss expresses his thoughts on the craft of acting with simplicity,clarity,humor,truth,humanity,and passion. I highlly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this most humane craft, and art.
I believe this book is one of the most insightful,and inspiring books on acting ever written.
Thank you Larry Moss.

Larry Moss has a unique gift to help actors enlarge the vision of their craft and the purpose of their professional development. Larry is on a mission to help cleanse the toxic emotions and personal wounds that incapacitate and keep actors from developing their true potential. This is a book every actor should keep by their bedside and slowly mediate on key passages that speak a freeing message to them. This book is also for those who love great theatre and film acting. It will help them appreciate the enormous sacrifices actors make to honor the writer and create moving art that enables us to see the depths of the wonder, the beauty, and the dark fragility that mark our human condition.

Wow! This is a great book

One of the jobs of an actor when interpreting a part is to put into place his or her experiences, to take advantage of the past in the present moment. In his book, Larry Moss not only gives us, actors, tools for acting, for the technique of acting, but he shares his personal experiences, showing that acting is also living and being able to re-create specific moments in your life. That is the secret that makes this book different from many other acting books.

Moss's personal experiences tie The Intent to Live together with a thread of powerful emotional content. I responded particularly strongly, for example, to his account of a dinner party with Stella Adler. The conversation and inspiration felt so personal and true that I found myself weeping together with everyone around the table.

In addition, Mr. Moss offers many exercises that, as a professional actress, I believe useful, creative and unique: "The System of Wants" and "Thesaurus" exercises are a couple of my favorites.

Larry Moss tells us his truth. He reveals himself as a human being and as an actor who benefits from lived experience. When he talks about his life, it could be my life he's talking about. When he talks about his path as an actor and growth as an artist, his story resonates so closely with my own that he becomes a companion in the quest for the career as well as the art of acting. I applaud his honesty and humility.

This is a basically a conservatory training condensed into a book, without pretension, and with some well earned wisdom from working in the business. I use it time and time and time again from stage to film to TV. But anyone who wants to know what it means to be an actor, or work in the entertainment industry, should check this out. Well worth the price and investment.

I went to college for theater. I've continued to take classes and study my craft. After reading this book, I realized that every good acting teacher has read this book and uses it to teach their students. It's obviously always beneficial to get to stand up and perform scenes in front of a teacher. But do yourself a favor and put yourself ahead of the game by reading this book first.

I'd certainly say this book was worth the while. While much of what it teaches you may have already learned from another source (he does borrow from better well known teachers he has worked with, such as Stella Adler and Sanford Meisner,) there are a few unique lessons and exercises Moss offers. But what really drives this book home is the amount of attention he places on an actors work ethic. This book can be a huge wake up call to get actors to realize how much effort they must put into their craft. I will say though, I felt he did share a few personal experiences, intended to offer examples of what was being taught, that I don't think your average actor is likely to encounter and were therefore hard to relate with. I wouldn't recommend it as to be your primary book for acting info, but all the same, this book has much to offer for both new and experienced actors.