Reviews
The Viewpoints Book: A Practical Guide to Viewpoints and Composition, by Tina Landau, Anne Bogart
johnson6686's review against another edition
4.0
While the content is excellently written, in order to do all of the material you would need a ridiculous amount of time. A portion of the guide should have been sample workshops and more options of exercises to cut due to rehearsal time.
meganb392b0's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
fossen's review against another edition
3.0
I was looking for an introduction to Bogart and Viewpoints.
I'm still looking.
I can't say I "read" this book (it was more "skimming"), and my comments are limited to it as a book ... not as a technique. This is a reference work, and might be excellent after you've taken some Viewpoints work and are trying to "bring it home". But as an introductory work it's not presented well, emphasizing lists of exercises over theoretical groundwork.
What little I can extract seems interesting, and a perfect example of codified common sense: we know these things, we just need to name them.
I've been guided by friends toward And Then You Act, and it looks like they were right.
I'm still looking.
I can't say I "read" this book (it was more "skimming"), and my comments are limited to it as a book ... not as a technique. This is a reference work, and might be excellent after you've taken some Viewpoints work and are trying to "bring it home". But as an introductory work it's not presented well, emphasizing lists of exercises over theoretical groundwork.
What little I can extract seems interesting, and a perfect example of codified common sense: we know these things, we just need to name them.
I've been guided by friends toward And Then You Act, and it looks like they were right.
morgankailackerman's review against another edition
4.0
Very helpful guide to integrating viewpoints in your theatrical curriculum and within rehearsals. As someone who wants to teach theatre and someone who is currently directing a show, this gave me good exercises and new views of teaching actors to work in harmony, create an ensemble, and get out of the pressure of impressing the director. It teaches people to believe in their instincts and that there is /truly/ no wrong answer. For anyone going into acting, directing, or theatre teaching, I'd recommend this quintessential book.
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