Script Analysis for Actors, Directors, and Designers

by James Thomas

Script Analysis for Actors, Directors, and Designers applies directly to the experience of theatrical production; students will immediately be able to relate the concepts and procedures they learn to their artistic work. The author's procedural method is detailed and precise. The parts of a play are learned progressively, which fosters an understanding of the concept of artistic unity. Examples are clear and comprehensive. Actors, directors, and designers will benefit from end-of-chapter questions and summaries meant to stimulate their creative process as they engage in production work.

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction, Reference, Academic, Textbooks, Writing

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 1992

About the author

James Thomas is a Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Wayne State University, Detroit.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and relatively straightforward look at script analysis. It was really enjoyable and had many examples and exerpts from multiple plays. I learned a lot. The biggest problem was that after spending a lot of time outlining elements of script analysis for realistic plays, it went back and did the same thing for nonrealistic plays. That got pretty lengthy and repetitive; sometimes was needed and sometimes was not. Overall would recommend.
(R rating)

[Mohamadjavad Taghipour · Rating 4 out of 5]

اگر می‌خواهید نمایشنامه را به مثابه یک موجود کالبدشکافی کنید، این کتاب را پیشنهاد می‌شود.
چراکه در خوانش، فهم و نقد با کیفیتتر مسائل ابزار خوبی در اختیار می‌گذارد.
14.بهمن ماه.1399

[Isabella Abigail Ow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful! Some parts were technical, but I gleaned a lot of useful handles and possible strategies I could employ in my writing. It was good too that it was easy to read. Most ideas were easy to understand. :)

[Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Woo. I read this for my Script Analysis class. It certainly is very wordy and in some places overly complex. It was tiring to read at times, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't read anything of value. I'll remember a lot of the good advice for actors from this book, but boy, the last chapter on postmodernism, in the edition I read, left a sour taste in my mouth. Maybe it was just a personal preference but postmodernism is not the most uplifting thing to read about after you've spent a semester trying to find meaning in every play you read. Anyway, I like a lot of the other parts of the book. The plays it references it explains well enough so you don't need to go looking for further context which is nice. I might go read a few of them though, because they sounded intriguing. Overall, okay book, if you gotta read it.

[Dirk Hennebel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-structured and compete guide to understanding the study of the written part of a play that constitutes the basis of a well-developed and inspired production. The book covers action analysis, given circumstances, background story, external and internal action, progressions and structure, character, 'adaptations', idea, dialogue, tempo-rhythm-mood and style. Keen theatre goers (not only drama students) "will be able to incorporate the concepts and processes and benefit from clear examples". The in-depth analysis of Non-Realistic plays is particularly interesting.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the textbook I used for Play Analysis this semester, on a recommendation. Definitely actor-heavy and grounded in formalist practice and Stanislavski (and his followers) technique, but I found it quite useful for breaking down texts (especially with acting and directing students). I would use it again.

[Stephanie Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in class along with another method of script analysis. I recommend this style every time.

[Bethany Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed and full of possibilities for future analysis of plays.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lengthy. It's not a miserable or even a bad read, very explanatory and informative, but a bit long and boring in some of the descriptions. The explanations and examples are worth it, however.

[An Awkward Human · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although, it's contains examples for plays, it's been incredibly useful for my short film.

[Mina Hagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

کاربردی و خوب.

[Sergio · Rating 4 out of 5]

El libro está muy bien y contiene una grandísima cantidad de información muy útil, pero se hace algo pesado de leer.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good guide to criticism and script analysis. Helps both creative and analytic sides of the coin.