John Howard Swain - The Science and Art of Acting for the Camera: A Practical Approach to Film, Television, and Commercial Acting

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The Science and Art of Acting for the Camera

The Science and Art of Acting for the Camera provides a precise yet practical approach to help unlock the mysteries of acting for film and television as well as commercials. Written by veteran actor, producer, director John Howard Swain, the book offers a clear-cut, no-nonsense technique that equips aspiring or working actors with the necessary skills to succeed on camera. The technique teaches you how to build multi-dimensional characters; construct truthful and exciting relationships; ignite stimulating emotions; craft a series of discoveries guaranteed to energize your work; and much, much more. The book also provides instruction for actors working in commercialsfrom slating, to the dreaded tell us about yourself interview, to nailing the tag and embracing the clichand provides sample copy for students to practice.

John Howard Swain has coached a myriad of clients ranging from first-time performers to Emmy Award-winning actors, Supreme Court Justices and Fortune 500 executives. In addition to his New York stage credits he has also guest-starred in dozens of televisions most iconic shows, including such classics as Hill Street Blues to Law & Order: SVU. As a director he has staged over twenty plays, including such hits as ThatChampionship Season, Veronicas Room, and The Owl and the Pussycat. He has also directed four films: Whose Life, Uncommon, Stand-by, and the multi-award winning short, A Younger Man. Students from his program continue to work across the globe, and can be seen starring on Broadway, in television, and on film.

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Praise for The Science and Art of Acting for theCamera

John offers practical, common sense advice for actors on how to approach a text from both the analytical perspective as well as from the inner life of a character. He emphasizes that along with the importance of clarity and economy in technique and analysis, that the actors work is also deeply personal and individual. It is the fusing of these elementstechnique, analysis and individualitythat is the foundation of all great work.

Tony Glazer, Director, Junction, After the Sun Fell, Hostage, Those Things We Hold, Mired

John uses a clear and concise approach to simplify an incredibly complicated art form. In addition, his honest and realistic outlook on the business is refreshing and will be a great help to aspiring actors.

Philip Huffman, Casting Associate, Law & Order: SVU

Johns approach to acting is the foundation of my work. Hes given me a set of tools that I continually rely on. As I learn more from my experiences, Ive gained even more respect for the depth and flexibility of his technique.

Sumalee Montano, Actor, Nashville, Nip/Tuck, Big Love, Boston Legal, Losing Control, West Wing, GloryDaze, Transformer Prime, Lincoln Heights, Shark, Final Approach

Since I started studying with John Ive booked six national commercials, ten regional commercials, about twenty industrials plus roles in two different television series. Do I believe in whats hes teaching? You bet.

Dave Boat, Actor

I know when I see John Swains name on an actors resume that actor is serious about his craft and will be prepared. This is high caliber training.

Joan Spangler, Owner, Look Talent Agency

Youre booked are words our clients who study with John hear on a regular basis.

John Erlendson, Owner, JE Talent Agency

Johns students are more confident, better at taking directions, and seem to be having a damned good time at their auditions. Thank you for making my job easier.

Martha Sherratt, Sherratt Casting

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Film acting is, indeed, a science and an art. How many times has a young actor gone to a Meryl Streep or Johnny Depp film and marvelled at their ability to communicate a difficult or emotional scene so naturally? Luckily for the reader, John Howard Swain demystifies a medium that for many actors proves to be daunting and elusive. The Science and Art of Acting for the Camera should be on the bookshelves of every actor hoping to have a career in film and television.

Jamie Harris, Agent, Clear Talent Group

In his book, John takes something that can be so complex and makes it easy to understand. Hes developed a wonderful technique that allows actors to do honest and compelling work on camera.

Fred Rubeck, Department Chair, Performing Arts College, Elon University

One of the dichotomies of acting is that, while it is difficult to do, it is even more difficult to teach. John Howard Swain understands the actors challenges, and he understands filmmaking. He combines his knowledge of both in an invaluable handbook of practical, manageable techniques for bringing a character to life on the screen. The Science and Art of Acting for the Camera should be required reading for actors new to film, and experienced actors will be gratified to find the tools of their trade so comprehensively presented in one volume.

Mike Langworthy, Golden Globe Award winning writer

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The Science and Art of
Acting for the Camera

A Practical Approach to Film, Television,
and Commercial Acting

John Howard Swain

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First published 2018
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

2018 John Howard Swain

The right of John Howard Swain to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
A catalog record for this book has been requested

ISBN: 978-1-138-23366-9 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-23367-6 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-30903-3 (ebk)

Typeset in Times New Roman and Optima
by Swales & Willis Ltd, Exeter, Devon, UK

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To put what Ive been teaching in a studio onto the pages of a book required the help of many dedicated people. Its impossible to name everyone so let me express my thanks to a few that represent the many.

To the teachers that taught at Full Circle Productions in San Francisco where this technique was developed: Celia Shuman, Joie Seldon, Janice Erlendson, Mary Moore, Kate London, David Skelly, Tom Kelly, Mary Mackey, Elizabeth Ross, and TJ Metz. To the administrative staff who held everything together so we could do our work in the classroom: Jennifer Skelly, Kristie Cox, Soraya Knight, Ginger Nicolay-Davis, and Jessica Raaum. And to Elizabeth Pickett for her many contributions.

To my New York crew: Stacey Scotte, class assistant and editor extraordinaire who made more corrections on this book than I would like to admit; Jessica Raaum Foster (same person as listed above, only married now and living in New York), ace camera operator; Sarah Ann Rodgers for her outstanding assistance; to Bill Brooks for the fantastic design work he did, inside and outside, on the first iterations of this book; to Al Wright for his wonderful photograph; and to the people at Routledge Publishing, especially Simon Jacobs, for championing this project.