Customer Reviews

Strasberg's Method As Taught by Lorrie Hull: A Practical Guide for Actors, Teachers, Directors

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

 

 

The best technical manual available for an easy to read understanding of those techniques and procedures used in "Method" acting. Extremely rich in detail, laced with dozens of examples and personal anecdotes, this book leaves nothing out as it takes the reader through every element of the "Method" and its vocabulary. Relaxation, Sense Memory, Concentration, Imagination, Substitution, Justification, Animal Exercise, Personal Object, Private Moment, Affective Memory, Song and Dance, Inner Monologue, Narrative Monologue, Speaking Out, Moment-to-Moment, and Subtext are just a few of the terms which Ms. Hull explains with crystal clarity. The book also includes advice to Directors, an exhaustive scene list, a glossary, suggested reading and tons of other valuable information.

For those of us who have been blessed to have studied with Lee Strasberg, a man who genuinely cared about the positive growth of the individual actor, and who encouraged honest exploration of all aspects of the actor's art, and for others interested in a complete and accurate manual of Strasberg's work, "Strasberg's Method As Taught by Lorrie Hull" is indispensable. -- TheatrGROUP

Amazon also sells a 2005 issued 2 hr. DVD to complement this book. The DVD is titled "The Method With Lorrie Hull, Ph.D." UPC: 689076281522, and ASIN: B0008EWRAE. The DVD is viewable in all countries,as well as the U. S. and Canada, as it is a Region 0. It is movie quality technically, and features printed and picture menus for easy access to each section. Teachers, actors, directors, and audience members click on to the sections of interest.

Martin Landau, Shelley Winters and Cloris Leachman appear on the DVD. The Emmy and Academy Award winning Leachman critiques scenes of Hull's students in an informative, enjoyable manner.
The book and the DVD explain Method acting and directing techniques, including those of Elia Kazan [Part III in the book].
The book has been a best seller worldwide, and is the basis of Dianne and Lorrie Hull's acting and directing classes and private coaching [along with Kazan techniques] in Santa Monica and Santa Barbara.
To read more about the book, see the author's statement on the video page, "The Method Based on Stanislavski and Strasberg."

This book is not only a must for actors, teachers and directors, but is of fascinating interest to film and theatre goers as printed in the "L. A. Times" review:...if you ever wondered how some of our better actors arrived at their skills, this book will provide some answers.
On"The Method" video and on Hull Actors Studio brochures,
Shelley Winters claims: Lorrie Hull is the only teacher I trust to send students to. Her teaching and book of the method are the best I've seen since Srasberg.Lorrie teaches you how to work deeply with great effect. (and) it's the beginning of very good careers for lots of people."
As a longtime owner of the lst publication , and a new owner of the 2004 reissue edition, I can testify that the 2004 edition is more interesting than ever with the updated new pictures and captions illustrating the book's world wide use and acclaim, as well as depicting how well-known artists use the book. Dianne and Lorrie Hull were master teachers at the Paris Stanislavki conference after the book's publication.
After attending Hulls' classes, I think the warm, supportive, skillful, creative teaching is also evident on the pages of the book. I heartily agree with the 5 star reviews by Governick of St. Louis and the longtime Actors Studio member.
ISBN: 0-9710401-1-7

As a longtime member of the Actors Studio, we believe that method acting is what fine actors have been doing for over 2000 years--using themselves and what they know, but often adding their imagination to their own thoughts and feelings to be able to think and feel as the character.The actor is the clay from which a character is molded.
Hull explains all of this thoroughly in her book, as well as explains how modern method acting is based on modern psychological discoveries. Appendix C, "Behaviorial Psychology as a Basis for the Method," explains this concept clearly.
The book lays out an entire course of training exercises in the most explicit, practical down-to-earth manner I've ever encountered. It is of enormous value to actors, directors, and especially to those who teach these disciplines.
Fellow Actors Studio member, Shelley Winters, wrote for the Santa Monica Hull class brochure: "Lorrie Hull is the only teacher I trust to send students to. Her teaching and book of the Method are the best I've ever seen since Strasberg. Lorrie [and her book] teach- you how to work deeply with great effect. And it's the beginning of very good careers for lots of young people.
For the general public interested in enlightened theatre and film going, the "L. A. Times" review stated, "If you ever wondered how some of our better actors arrived at their skills, this book will provide some answers."
Not only is the book for actors, but directors also find it most helpful with Part 3, "Directing," based also on Kazan, and quoting fine directors such as Martin Ritt, Mark Rydell, Sydney Pollack, and of course, Elia Kazan among others.