No Acting Please: A Revolutionary Approach to Acting and Living Paperback – April 1, 1995

Brilliant, introductory volume of Eric Morris' legendary insights on acting. A fundamentally sound and effective technique to creating truthful, grounded, affective, still and full performances. He is truly one of the greats and still practices what he preaches to this day. If you are seriously committed to looking for a bonafide, practical and practicable 'method' to study, read this book first and if this approach speaks to your soul, go study with Eric while he still teaches in Los Angeles, or with his protege in NYC, Anthony Vincent Bova (one of the best instructors on the East Coast). You will not be disappointed. In fact, you will likely come away a changed person....and in the process, an artist to be reckoned with. Break a leg.

This book is quite refreshing when compared to most acting books. Usually you get books that talk very theoretically: "Be the character, when given the script, look for the shifts in tone, mark the changes in emotions, become one". It works for some but not all. The issue with these types of acting books is that they force the actor to remain in their head. We've all done it. Every actor who is serious about their craft has been down this road, many remain on this road. You know the one I'm talking about. The "Do your homework but forget about it when you go up on stage" type of training. The "I need you to be spontaneous but still remain within the structure of the script and play". The "Bring yourself to the character...but more like the character!".It's nauseating. You're told to memorize and remember each beat but then are criticized for being to mechanical and "not in the moment". See how these two thoughts don't really mesh well? You're telling me to do mental math but then chastise me for thinking too hard.Enter this book! The Method! In a nutshell, this book teaches you to use your life as a means to be believable on stage or on camera. While this book doesn't discuss on camera acting, the principles are no less effective. From exercises that free you of tension to exercises that removes you from your ego, this book is incredibly practical. There are no theories in this book. No "if you want to see this in action, come to my class!" type of lessons. It's "Do exercise A to reduce or relieve stress. Then use exercise B to ground yourself. Then use exercise C to assimilate your emotions into that of your character". It's very effective and it's nowhere near as challenging as many professional method actors make it seem. You don't need to go homeless to act dejected and hopeless. I enjoyed this book and will use these exercises in my scenes to come!

This is a great book for the Actor or any other person as for that matter.The book is filled with good philosophy for any individual: performing or just plain living and relating. The exercises are easily understood and very productive. I would recommend this book to any actor or individual that wants to connect with themselves and "be real."

Excellent resource book for those who would like to try acting. It works for the experienced actor or for those who have never tried acting.

Besides the weak foreword by Jack Nicholson, which was seemingly put in just to draw readers, the book does a great job articulating how to express truth rather than act emotion. There is no immediate application, but great longterm awards if applied with patience.

good read for those with an interest in furthering their acting skills and practices. an effectual approach to acting and stage

This book includes many drills, exercises, and games to help develop an actor's basic skills, but not much more than that. Don't expect anything on acting as you'd find in books by Uta Hagan, Stella Adler or Sanford Meisner. Even so, many of the drills and exercises can be helpful. The book goes into great depth on training sense memory.

Great Book! If your a true actor you need to have this in your collection. All the exercise work to better your instrument.