Customer Reviews

The Power of the Actor: The Chubbuck Technique

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As someone who has studied acting for the better part of his life, Mrs. Chubbuck's book comes as a breath of fresh air. Anyone who studies acting finds himself surrounded by teachers who preach techniques that sound great in the classroom or the lecture hall, but fail miserably onstage or in front of the camera. The actor always blames himself; if he fails, he tells himself it's because he hasn't worked hard enough...it's never that what he has learned simply doesn't work.

Thankfully, Mrs. Chubbuck's book suffers from none of these problems. Yes, it's an excellent, entertaining read, and yes, the anecdotes about major stars whom she has coached are insightful and relevant, but the true strength of this book is in it's relentless pragmatism. There is nothing in this book that does not WORK; every word has been thoroughly tested against thousands of scripts from every imagnable genre of stage and screen. Mrs. Chubbuck's technique can take you from line readings and pre-conceived ideas into real human behavior; neurotic, fascinating and wild...in other words, the way people really are.

This is, in my opinion, the most important book about the craft of acting written in the last 20 years. It doesn't discount the work of those teachers who have come before, but respectfully pulls it all into the 21st century in a way that has never been done before, and is desperately, desperately needed. Regardless of what you've studied, your work cannot help but be enriched by this technique. Five stars.

I have searched for years to find a technique that I could connect with and really dig into and I have finally found it. Her concepts are explained in understandable ways and the real life examples in the book are relatable and inspiring to see what well-known actors have gone through to get their great performances. I can't wait to apply this technique to future work and see where it brings me as an actress. I recommend this book to any actor or performer who wants to take their work to the next level.

This is a definate must read for any actor! Ivana's technique completely simplifies making a character human. After reading this it's like a light bulb went off and I finally get it. I highly recommend this book.

As I finish reading Ivana Chubbuck's "Power of the Actor", I am overcome with gratitude. After years of studying with some of the finest acting teachers on both coasts, I find just what I have been searching for... COURAGE. Ivana Chubbuck's book is an intimate private coaching session. She is speaking directly to me. Ivana's ability to share her personal life experiences has EMPOWERED me to be BRAVE enough to do the same in my work. As an actor, my life is my art. Ivana Chubbuck has taught me to WIN in my art and in my life. No more need to make the choices of a victim. I can use everything I've got and everything that I am, (the good, the bad, and the ugly), to WIN... not just in acting, but also in my life. She makes me proud to call myself an actress! I will be forever grateful... from the bottom of my heart... Thank you Ivana Chubbuck.

I wouldn't recommend this book for raw beginners, but someone who has a working knowledge of acting and stagecraft will find it immensely valuable. With its full exploration of the "why" of techniques mentioned in other texts, Ms. Chubbuck's technique refines Stanislavski to a practical and accessible recipe for creating believable and powerful characters. Highly recommended!

Her premise is spot on. If you are going to expend the effort to bring up emotions, use them for courage: the courage to do incredible things that will inspire the audience.

I really liked the sound of that, so I checked out this book. Her 12 step technique is pretty much a rehash of method techniques. There may be some twists lent to them from her empowerment philosophy, but I didnt see many real, applicable differences. I wasn't drawn in by her writing style either. I have read some acting books that got me burning to get back on stage, and this wasn't one of them.

I will admit, I enjoyed chapters 9 (which talks about making the most out of business) and 10 (inner monologue). I think it's because these are ways to get your impressions OUT THERE for people to look at. Even though she says she is trying to get away from it, most of her technique is too internal and too analytical.

Ivana Chubbuck, like many others, preys upon the insecurities of actors, and their need to be "the best." Don't fall into the trap of buying into yet another self-righteous acting coach/guru.

A technique like this is far too rigid, and will do more harm than good. You will end up wasting your time and/or money and hurting your acting. Trust me when I tell you, you DO NOT need this book to act with courage or act to win.

If you are looking for a modern, fresh approach, buy "How to Stop Acting" by Harold Guskin instead.

What amazes me the most about this book is how Ms. Chubbuck has a knack for understanding the human condition down to it's very core. It's not only remarkable but liberating. She helps an actor not only understand the character but BE the character because in essence it is you, a living, breathing human being.

As an actor starting out you don't necessarily have the luxury of picking your auditions & some parts you go in on it is nearly impossible not to judge your character then in turn making yourself "blow the audition" because either you don't understand or like the character very much (ie. prostitute, stripper, killer, cannibal, parent). Power of the Actor not only goes in depth to how to achieve being a character at it's most visceral element Ms. Chubbuck plain as day gives you constant references to her brilliance at work.

To either an untrained eye or sceptic, reading The Power Of The Actor might seem to have a lot of name-dropping but on the contrary what Ms. Chubbuck does in detail is allow her reader to want to jump off the couch, run to the nearest video store & check out the brilliant performance achieved by an actor she coached & the reader can see first hand how her technique works. How many books does an adult read & rushes out the door to do their homework? That's fabulous. Constantly Ms. Chubbuck refers to "the work". You HAVE to do the work & her technique not only teaches you how to do it, but allows an actor to enjoy it with such fervor & freedom.

Lastly, what I love about this book is that you don't have to be an actor to love it. It is once again her inate understanding of the inner workings of human beings & Ms. Chubbuck understands full-heartedly what makes us tick. I'd buy this book for a friend for any occasion, actually, I bought this book for my mother as a way for her to see the true art in acting & that I am not wasting away my life. Instead what she got from the book was how some of the choices she made in her life lead to some of the results she received. She too thought it was liberating, who knew Power Of The Actor could also double as a self help book? I wish this woman much great success & I commend her for the great risks she took in writing it. Buy this book, do the work & "Let It Go".

,this book literally reignited my pure base love of acting. I could not wait to act again. I found it difficult to read more than seven pages in a sitting because I kept getting too fired up! There are tools that she gives you that you can literally play anybody, doing anything! I practically feel that nothing is out of my reach as an actor (character wise) with what I learned in this book. The whole not playing the victim energy ever in a scene and why, is something Ive never known, and to me is the single greatest tool an acter can have if he wishes in any way to have an audience enjoy him and root for him even if hes "morally bad." You can literally steal any scene your in with what`s taught in here.
The best part though is her explaining how all the countless clasic performances in films and TV that we`ve all admired came about and were created with this technique that goes far beyond just being real and emotional, but a truly completely modern and up to the minute new way to make a character compelling and award winningly magical. MY career is going to rock!

This book will blow you away and inspire you!! Even if you are NOT an actor.. it will give you awesome insight into the thinkings and inner workings of today's top actors. As an actor who started in stand-up comedy - I cannot say more positive things about this book... Ivana explains exactly how to do what so many extraordinary actors have done. She really gets behind the mind of the actor and shows you how to conquer any role.

A truly MUST READ for any actor - well-known, currently working, or aspiring. I keep it by my bedside at night, and carry it with any script that I am currently working on.

I would even say that it's a great book for the screenwriter - for them to realize what goes into an actor's mind to create a role.

My Two Cents,
THE Tim Coston

This book is a gift to any aspiring actor...a treasure. It will change an actor's career. As it's been said before, her technique "empowers the actor". She's a brilliant teacher...for me the best so far.