Building A Character (Paperback)

by Constantin Stanislavski (Author), Elizabeth Reynolds Hapgood (Translator) "AT THE beginning of our lesson I told Tortsov, the Director of our school and theatre, that I could comprehend with my mind the process..." (more)
Key Phrases: psychological pause, inner creative state, stage charm, Expressive Word, Ivan Ivanovich, Madame Sonova (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Indispensable for the actor, stimulating for the layman." -- The Nation

Anyone who attempts to train actors or to direct plays will find here a great mine of practical wisdom, all informed by Stanislavskis grasp of the art itself.
–Francis Fergusson, Educational Theatre Journal

In (this book) Stanislavski, assuming the readers familiarity with the inner technique, proceeds to study costume and the wearing of costume, bodily movement, voice, speech and the use of language, and tempo and rhythm-- the more external but essential techniques whereby the actor learns to use his physical instrument . . . and he expounds them as only a master can; i.e., with the insight and authority of talent plus expeirence. Anyone who attempts to train actors or to direct plays will find here a great mine of practical wisdom.
–Francis Fergusson, Education Theatre Journal

Indispensable for the actor, stimulating for the layman.
–The Nation

The chapter on Diction and Singing offers an analysis of basic problems of singing that is unrivaled.
–Musical America

Product Description
This is the second volume of Stanislaviski's enduring trilogy on the art of acting. The "System" which he describes is a means both of mastering the craft of acting and of stimulating the actor's individual creativeness and imagination. It has become the central force determining almost every performance we see on stage or screen, and still remains today the only comprehensive theory of acting we possess.

In Building a Character Stanislavski discusses with mastery and insight the actor's physical means of expression for realizing character on stage, such as the use of body, movement, voice, tempo, expression, make-up and costume.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 207 pages
• Publisher: Theatre Arts Book (April 28, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878309829
• ISBN-13: 978-0878309825
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,569 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Foundation of knowledge for the actor, August 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Building A Character (Hardcover)

Stanislavki is considered a master of theatre and often called the "father of the method." In this, the second installment of his acting technique books(very wittingly alphabetically titled An actor prepares, Building a Character, Creating a role) he goes into the external technique an actor must use to become a character.

Like an Actor Prepares, he uses fictional characters obviously based on the actors from the Moscow Art Theatre, with the director, Tortsov (think Stanislavski) being the one with all the knowledge. While a lot is to be learned from the book, one can't help but notice how egotistically the book is written. While there is no denoting how wonderfully he lays out the principles taken in building a character, I wonder how much easier of a read it would be if he just came out and said, these are our principles. Instead he cloaks himself behind a character and we lose a lot trying to muddle through a student's undying love (Kostya, who's "journals" make up the text) for his teacher. If you can get past the text, you'll learn a lot.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic, October 21, 2005

By	The Actor (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This book is the second in Stanislavski's series. Deals with the "external aspects" of the System. A great read, in spite of the poor translation; this book (and the entire series) completely transformed my acting almost overnight, as if a fog had lifted from my eyes. This book/series helped me understand, fundamentally, what I should be DOING onstage. I received numerous compliments on the next role I played after reading this book and several comments on my improvement, etc.

Great advice for actors. Strongly recommended for both actors and directors.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best acting books out there, November 11, 2007

By	Thomas V (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

"Building a Character" is certainly one of the books that you can add to your collection if you are an actor, professional or otherwise. Stanislavski discusses the physicalisations and vocalisations that are the product of a character. He also discusses some ethics and attitudes he thinks necessary to maintain in the theater.
Highly recommended.