Film and Television Acting: From stage to screen Ian Bernard 9780240803012

Film and Television Acting offers solid techniques for creating a natural, believable performance for film and television. The reader will discover techniques for listening and reacting, blocking and business, character, focus, the closeup, and comedy as they pertain to acting in front of a camera. The book analyzes the differences between theatre, film, and television acting, providing the theatre trained actor with specific approaches for making the transition to on-camera work.

This second edition is thoroughly revised and updated. The book contains numerous scenes and exercises, including sample scenes from Cheers and Seinfeld, which provide the reader with ways to practice the specific techniques outlined by the author. Included are interviews with well-know actors and directors: Don Murray, Norman Jewison, and Emmy award winner, Glenn Jordan, to name a few. These interviews illustrate how the professionals apply their training and technique to filmed performances. There is also a chapter-length interview with John Lithgow, in which the actor provides a first-hand account of the differences of acting for the theatre and for the camera.

"I suppose if I had to say that someone discovered me, it would be Ian Bernard."
Harrison Ford, Actor

"{Film and Television Acting} is extremely valuable and rare. There really is a need for it. My first experience with film was quite difficult and I've seen that over and over again with actors who have never been on camera before."
John Lithgow, Actor