The Illusive Craft of Acting: An Actor's Preparation Process

By Marneen L Fields

"The Illusive Craft of Acting: An Actor’s Preparation Process" is a short nonfiction work written by award-winning SAG/AFTRA actress, stuntwoman, scriptwriter, director, and producer, Marneen L. Fields. Marneen has been a student of the craft of acting for over forty years and is considered to be a specialist in both Konstantin Stanislavsky and Anton Chekhov methods of theatrical acting. Her "Illusive Craft of Acting" is a nuts and bolts approach to the craft of acting geared towards novice actors and directors to give them a solid foundation to work from as they chisel a shield made out of their talent to fight any rejecting foe they may encounter. By following the bullet points Marneen has learned along the way like dramatic structure, the words of dialogue, memorizing lines, the actor’s subtext, creating a character, a character’s relationships, environmental influences, and more beginning actors or directors can rest assured that they are on the right path towards developing a sure-fire craft they can depend on. After all, acting is an illusion and preparation the process of achieving that illusion. The first draft of the book was started around 1988, after 100 aspiring actors asked Marneen to teach them the craft of acting and asked her to tell them how to get a foothold in the entertainment industry she decided to release her technique in eBook, paperback, and audiobook. Marneen feels an actor should not stop until they have all the tools and knowledge needed to slide into the skin of the characters they’ll be portraying. A character that is only mere ink on a page until the actor steps in and gives that character three-dimensions and a soul. If you’re serious about becoming a brilliant actor with a strong craft start with Marneen L. Fields, "The Illusive Craft of Acting: An Actor’s Preparation Process," you'll be glad you did.

Since 1976 to present, Marneen Fields has appeared in over 150 films, television shows, web series, music videos, and theatrical productions. She was a top Hollywood stuntwoman and stunt actress from 1976 to 1991. She’s worked with many A-list producers, directors, and stars like Clint Eastwood, Stanley Kramer, Irwin Allen, Dick Van Dyke, Priscilla Presley, Shirley Jones, Patrick Duffy, Jeff Goldblum, Linda Carter, Bruce Boxleitner, Jane Seymour, Tom Jones, Michelle Phillips, James Garner, and many more. She has studied acting and directing at major universities, with Hollywood casting directors, and with celebrity acting coaches: Jeff Corey, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"; and Victor French (son-in-law to the great Lee J. Cobb), and Co-star on two Emmy winning TV series with Michael Landon, "Highway to Heaven" and "Little House on the Prairie." Marneen is the CEO, executive producer, and creative director of award-winning Heavenly Waterfall Productions Company. For more please see herIMDB page at, http://www.com/name/nm0276312

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marneen L Fields
• Release date: Nov 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463348543

Marneen L Fields

Since 1976 to present, Marneen Fields has appeared in over 150 films, television shows, web series, music videos, and theatrical productions. She was a top Hollywood stuntwoman and stunt actress from 1976 to 1991. She’s worked with many A-list producers, directors, and stars like Clint Eastwood, Stanley Kramer, Irwin Allen, Dick Van Dyke, Priscilla Presley, Shirley Johns, Patrick Duffy, Jeff Goldblum, Linda Carter, Bruce Boxleitner, Jane Seymour, Tom Jones, Michelle Phillips, James Garner, and many more. She has studied acting and directing with celebrity acting coaches, Jeff Corey Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Victor French (son-in-law to the great Lee J. Cobb), and Co-star on two Emmy winning TV series with Michael Landon Highway to Heaven and Little House on the Prairie. She's taken many casting director workshops and college courses on acting also. Today she is the CEO, executive producer, and creative director of award-winning Heavenly Waterfall Productions Company. For more please see Marneen’s IMDB page at, http://www.com/name/nm0276312

Book preview

THE ILLUSIVE CRAFT OF

ACTING

An Actor’s Preparation Process

By

Marneen L. Fields

The Illusive Craft of Acting: An Actor’s Preparation Process

Copyright © 2020 Marneen L. Fields. All rights reserved.

Cover Design by John Harrison

ISBN: 9781655690006 (paperback)

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in retrieval systems or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or email, except for inclusion in a review without written permission from the author or publisher. While we have made all attempts to verify the information provided in this publication, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretations of the subject matter herein.

This book is an independent work of research, training, study, and commentary by the author. It is for entertainment purposes only, and is not authorized, endorsed by, or otherwise affiliated with any of the filmmakers, performers, writers, and studios discussed in this work. All uses of names, images, and likeness of celebrities and all other individuals, and all copyrights and trademarks referenced in this book, are for editorial purposes only and are pursuant to the Fair Use Doctrine. The views and techniques expressed are those of the author alone and should not be taken as expert instruction or commands. The views and opinions of individuals quoted in this book do not necessarily reflect those of the author.

The promotional photos and publicity materials reproduced herein are from the author’s private collection (unless otherwise noted), and are Copyrighted by their respective owners. These images date from the original release of the films, TV shows, theatrical productions, web series, etc., and were released to media outlets for publicity purposes and are in the public domain.

The reader is responsible for his or her own actions. Adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, including international, federal, state, and local governing professional licensing, business practices, advertising, and all other aspects of doing business in the US, Canada, or any other jurisdiction is the sole responsibility of the purchaser or reader. Neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility or liability whatsoever on behalf of the purchaser or reader of these materials. Any perceived slight of any individual or organization is purely unintentional.

Marneen L. Fields

Award-Winning Scriptwriter, Actress, and Director

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

Chapter 1. Dramatic Structure 9

Chapter 2. The Words of Dialogue 13

Chapter 3. The Actor’s Subtext 21

Film and Primetime TV Photos 24

Chapter 4. Memorizing Lines 34

Chapter 5. What is Character? 43

Chapter 6. Creating a Character 47

Chapter 7. Character Reactions 53

Chapter 8. Creating a Character’s Relationships 55

Chapter 9. Environmental Influences 57

Chapter 10. Scene Pacing 63

Chapter 11. Conclusion 65

Chapter 12. Marketing Yourself as an Actor 68

Chapter 13. Theatrical Productions 70

Special Notes 75

Introduction

Born to act? No matter what age you’re bitten by that ferocious yet funny thing called the acting bug be prepared to live the impossible dream. To learn how to fight off the unbeatable foe known as rejection with a shield of craft chiseled out of your many talents. Just make sure your shield covers and protects your heart at all times because to survive in Hollywood or on the stage, you need to be made of much more than mere flesh and bones. Heed the warning Elton John taught us in his heartfelt tribute to icon Marilyn Monroe in Candle in the Wind, Loneliness was tough, the toughest role you ever played. Hollywood created a superstar and pain was the price you paid. Graced with that knowledge, get your talent in the ring and come out swinging at the sound of the bell, giving your greatest one-two punch at every audition and performance.

Reviews for The Illusive Craft of Acting

[Michelle A · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

THE ILLUSIVE CRAFT OF ACTING: AN ACTOR'S PREPARATION PROCESS by Marneen L. Fields is a highly informative guidebook and must have reference for both acting novices and seasoned professionals. An entertainment industry veteran of four decades, the multi-faceted Marneen Fields was a top Hollywood stuntwoman from 1976 to 1991, has appeared in over 150 movies, TV shows, stage productions, music videos and web series, and worked with the likes of Clint Eastwood, James Garner, Jane Seymour, Tom Jones, Dick Van Dyke, Jeff Goldblum and many other A-list talents. Marneen has also studied with renowned acting coaches Jeff Corey and Victor French and is considered to be a specialist in the Stanislavsky and Chekhov methods of theatrical acting. In THE ILLUSIVE CRAFT OF ACTING, Marneen shares invaluable advice on how to prepare oneself for the thespian world in a clear, straightforward and honest manner. She stresses that it is particularly important for all actors, regardless of experience, to know your lines, characters and scripts inside out. Even if you think you’re prepared – rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. And not only memorising, but investigating all aspects of your characters and well and truly breathing life into them is a sure-fire way to stand out from the pack. Marneen provides hints and tips which she’s learned and successfully put into practice herself during her long-running career to achieve this. Above all, Marneen emphasises that in order to become both a resilient and formidable talent in the often cut-throat world of showbiz, he or she must build “a fortress of the strongest foundation you can build packed with the knowledge of script breakdown, character creation, line memorization techniques, intentions, gestures, postures, focal points, blocking, audition stills, camera techniques, dialect, make-up, hair and wardrobe, pacing, timing, and more.” Marneen’s book will help not only put into place these foundations, it will also provide the tools to cement them into an unbreakable tower of strength. An essential publication containing information that’s both easy to read and absorb, THE ILLUSIVE CRAFT OF ACTING: AN ACTOR'S PREPARATION PROCESS is a standout work of this topic which will undoubtably have those in the performing arts world, or even anyone considering this vocation, referring to it time and time again.