Synopsis
An Attitude for Acting - How to Survive (and Thrive) as an Actor
Published by Nick Hern Books
Feeling despondent about the acting profession?
Been out of work for longer than you care to remember?
Starting to resent the injustices of the job and the success of other actors?
If so, An Attitude for Acting will inspire you to break out of the cycle of despondency and start to view yourself as a creative and autonomous individual who is valuable and employable
The book focuses on ...
* Maintaining a healthy attitude
Dealing with negative emotions
Keeping productive and motivated
Developing self-belief and getting the support you need
Turning discouragement into activity and opportunity
Coping with nerves
Preparing for auditions
Being included and not feeling left out
Building a value system that includes trust, responsibility, flexibility, creativity, adaptability and courage
The book contains a series of intensely 'hands-on' exercises some for practising alone, others for doing with friends or colleagues
These techniques will enable you to free yourself from potential states of inertia and hopelessness, and prevent any feelings of worthlessness becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy
Instead, you will develop a self-confident, 'can-do' mentality that will help you shape the career you want
Whether you've just completed your training and want to start your career with confidence or you've been acting a while and are having difficulty planning the next stage, this book will help you on your path to surviving and thriving as an actor
Andrew Tidmarsh is a theatre director, film-maker and teacher. He has taught at leading drama schools and currently runs the Foundation course at RADA
Dr Tara Swart is an executive coach with a background in psychological medicine and neuroscience. She has written widely for journals of neuroscience and coaching