Tools and Techniques for Character Interpretation: A Handbook of Psychology for Actors, Writers, and Directors [Paperback]

Robert Blumenfeld (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006

A must for both the aspiring and seasoned artist. Uniquely geared to the work of theatre and film artists, this book, for the first time, sets out clearly and concisely the ideas, principles, and character typology of various psychological schools from Freudian, Kleinian, and Jungian to contemporary developments. The practical uses and applications of their theories are graphically demonstrated throughout the book by means of numerous examples and in-depth analyses drawn from classic and contemporary theatrical and cinematic literature. Stanislavskian methods are also discussed. An immensely useful, essential tool for character creation and analysis. Features a foreword by noted acting teacher Alice Spivak.

Product Details

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: Limelight Editions (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879103264
• ISBN-13: 978-0879103262
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #563,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hmmmm....., April 11, 2006

By 

Arena Connery "Arena" (Wisconsin USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tools and Techniques for Character Interpretation: A Handbook of Psychology for Actors, Writers, and Directors (Paperback)

In his preface, Blumenfeld explains how his book "takes from the science of behavior tools and techniques that will be useful to the actor in practicing the art of behavior, to the writer in creating characters with depth, and to the director in interpreting scripts." This handbook is fairly heavy reading, but is still accessible to people who are not very familiar with the world of psychology. Thankfully, Chapter 8 is nearly 50 pages of alphabetized psychology terms and topics. Blumenfeld covers basic psychological principles and theories with examples from film and television.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich resource for creating deep and individual characters, July 4, 2006

By 

Stephanie Cowell (New York, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tools and Techniques for Character Interpretation: A Handbook of Psychology for Actors, Writers, and Directors (Paperback)

Anyone who acts or writes should aspire to creating the deepest characters they can -- and what a wealth of contradictions, loves, fears, resentments, childhood hurts, faith and joy is every person on this earth, both the ones born with flesh and the ones someone writes and acts and who often seem realer than your neighbor. (I refuse to even consider that Hamlet or Shylock never lived.) Robert Blumenfeld's new book gives us a history of psychology and how it can be applied to creating many-layered characters; even more fascinating, he delves into specific interpretations of many great characters, and the psychology he himself used when portraying the Marquis of Queensberry in the off-Broadway long-run, complex drama, "The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde."

This is a book about not saying lines as an actor, or writing scenes as a novelist, but portraying the deepest soul of a character, no matter how short the role may be. Doing this is a great joy, and will make the audience member, or casting director, or reader sit up slowly in their seat and find themselves rapt with attention, listening to the endless reverberations under every word and gesture before them.

Keep this book on your shelf and consult it often!

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An informative study of the interpretive science of psychology and the methodical analysis of acting & character interpretation, May 7, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tools and Techniques for Character Interpretation: A Handbook of Psychology for Actors, Writers, and Directors (Paperback)

Tools And Techniques For Character Interpretation: A Handbook Of Psychology For Actors, Writers, And Directors by New York actor, dialect coach, and writer, Robert Blumenfeld is an informed and informative study of the interpretive science of psychology and the methodical analysis of acting and character interpretation on stage or before cameras. Presenting a superbly written instruction manual on the performance art of acting, Tools And Techniques For Character Interpretation provides readers with a thematically appropriate interpretation of the great psychologists Freud, Klein, and Jung, as well as a practical understanding of the applications of psychological analysis in acting. Tools And Techniques For Character Interpretation is to be given high praise and strong recommendation for all aspiring or practicing actors, directors and screenwriters for its remarkable coverage of the psychology involved with the art of acting. Also very highly recommended by Robert Blumenfeld is "Accents: A Manual for Actors" (Limelight, 2002) and "Acting with the Voice: The Art of Recording Books (Limelight, 2004).