Screen Acting

Exploring the relationship between script and performance, and drawing out the individual elements of performance, such as the awareness of the frame, and the use of voice and physique to embody a character, "Screen Acting" reveals the centrality of the actor's performance to a film's impact and offers new directions for the study of performance on film. The book also discusses the acting styles of different stars, including Bette Davis, James Mason, Susan Sarandon and Morgan Freeman.

Contributors include: Cynthia Baron, Sharon Marie Carnicke, Susan Knobloch, Paul McDonald, David Mayer, Roberta E. Pearson, Gianluca Sergi, Martin Shingler, and Carole Zucker.

While not everyone would agree with Alfred Hitchcock's notorious remark that 'actors are cattle', there is little understanding of the work film actors do. Yet audience enthusiasm for, or dislike of, actors and their style of performance is a crucial part of the film-going experience. Screen Acting discusses the development of film acting, from the stylisation of the silent era, through the naturalism of Lee Strasberg's 'Method', to Mike Leigh's use of improvisation.The contributors to this innovative volume explore the philosophies which have influenced acting in the movies and analyse the styles and techniques of individual filmmakers and performers, including Bette Davis, James Mason, Susan Sarandon and Morgan Freeman. There are also interviews with working actors: Ian Richardson discusses the relationship between theatre, film and television acting; Claire Rushbrook and Ron Cook discuss theri work with Mike Leigh, and Helen Shaver discusses her work with the critic Susan Knobloch.

1. Introduction Peter Kramer and Alan Lovell; 2. Silent film acting - which legacy of the theatre? David Mayer; 3. Crafting Film Performances: acting in the Hollywood Studio Era Cynthia Baron; 4. Bette Davis: Malevolence in Motion Martin Shingler; 5. A Star Performs: Mr March, Mr Mason and Mr Maine Roberta Pearson; 6. Lee Strasbourg's Paradox of the Actor Sharon Marie Carnicke; 7. In Praise of Older Women: Susan Sarandon Alan Lovell; 8. Resistance through Artistry: Helen Shaver Susan Knobloch; 9. Actors and the Sound Gang Gianluca Sergi; 10. Secrets and Lies: acting for Mike Leigh Paul McDonald; 11. Making friends with the camera: an interview with Ian Richardson Carole Zucker; 12. Bibliographical Notes Peter Kramer 13. Bibliography

Contributors: Cynthia Baron, Sharon Marie Carnicke, Helen Day-Mayer, Susan Knobloch, Paul MacDonald, David Mayer, Roberta E. Pearson, Martin Shingler, Janet Sonenberg , Carole Zucker^l Alan Lovell is Senior Lecturer in Media Studies at Staffordshire University. Peter Kramer is at the University of East Anglia.