Killer Monologues [Paperback]

J.P. Pierce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1998 | ISBN-10: 1892553007 | ISBN-13: 978-1892553003

Subtitle of book: Highly Actable Monologues and Performance Tips to Give You an Almost Unfair Advantage in the Auditioning Game.

Contains 50 original monologues and a section of performance "How-to" information to help actors to maximize their auditioning skills.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"J.P. Pierce is one of the truly most dedicated teachers I know. In KILLER MONOLOGUES, he has compassionately put his wisdom to the page. Don't cheat yourself-listen to all of his good advice and do what is necessary to make your dreams come true. -- Adam Hill, acting coach and artist-in-residence Wilkes University

About the Author

J.P. Pierce lives and works in the L.A. area. He has been teaching the craft of acting for over 12 years. He is a working actor and screenwriter and has sold two screenplays to date. He also directs and produces various projects for film and video.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Impact Films (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892553007
• ISBN-13: 978-1892553003
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,052,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars NOT for serious actors, April 27, 2001

By 

A. Foster "mother of five" (avon lake, ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Killer Monologues (Paperback)

I ordered this book in hopes of finding what it promised...some fresh new material that could possibly give one "an unfair advantage" in the audition process. In spite of a few negative reviews I'd read on these pages, I chose to believe the positive ones because I had some important auditions coming up and I WANTED this book to be all it promised. I NEEDED it to be ~~ and it wasn't. I eagerly read every single piece and there was not one monologue appropriate for or worthy of a serious adult actor or actress, no matter what his or her level of experience. These might be "okay" for introducing high school students to drama. But with all due respect to Pierce and Onorato, as an acting teacher as well as performer, writer, and director, I just couldn't justify asking a student of ANY age to chose to commit to any of this material over the works of some of our great - and even not-so-great - playwrites.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Killer Monologues, November 15, 2002

By 

M. F. S "darkkisses" (Renton WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Killer Monologues (Paperback)

This book has some good monologues in it, but its mainly a technique training book. ALSO.....ALL of the monologues are 2 minues and under - this is important for some actors to know.

1.0 out of 5 stars TOTAL load of crap! Don't listen to this guy--he'll make you worse!, August 12, 2008

By 

Eustacia Vye (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Killer Monologues (Paperback)

First of all, to anyone perusing through here, it looks like most of the 5-star reviews are fake--notice how they say generic things like "I would recommend this to anyone, aspiring or professional" and they're by "A Customer." Secondly, no offense to younger reviewers out there, but it also looks like the other 5-star reviews are by younger, less experienced actors.

Honestly, DON'T LISTEN TO THIS GUY. He doesn't know the first thing about acting, monologues, or the auditioning process. First of all, take a monologue from a PLAY, not something some hack wrote. ANd if you do take a stand-alone monologue that someone wrote, make sure it's good. These are HORRIBLE! They're cheesy, hackneyed, uninteresting, melodramatic and general. Also, you CANNOT use stand-up comedy routines as a monologue!!! No, no no no no! Acting teachers across the world--the universe--would cringe at the things he tells you.

I've seen the video, too. Here are some additional tips:
1. a "prop" is not a person, especially not a person lying down on the stage. You shouldn't really use props in a monologue unless it's really simple, but even then. You also can't do a monologue to someone when you audition, though it's a good way to practice.

2. YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE WORDS! While it's helpful to paraphrase a monologue in the rehearsal process, you cannot--absolutely CANNOT--change the words of the playwright. You can cut them, yes, but you can't just make it up.

3. "Just making 'em laugh" is NOT an acceptable strategy!

Okay, I could go on, but basically, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! If you're a young person, check out monologue books by Craig Slaight--he knows his stuff.