The Method of the Mind: 100 Audition Scenes for Deep Psychological Embodiment.
The Method of the Mind: 100 Audition Scenes for Deep Psychological Embodiment.
The Method of the Mind:
100 Audition Scenes
for Deep Psychological Embodiment.
A Training Manual for Actors and Producers, Based on Behavioral Science and the Subconscious Self.
By Samuel Arcelay
The Method of the Mind is inspired by the principles of The Movie in Your Mind, one of my previous books.
That work proved that your subconscious mind runs on physical commands. Your brain does not distinguish fantasy from reality—it gives you real adrenaline and dopamine when you visualize intensely or "fake" a strong emotion. We do this everyday and even though we are unaware of it, we are glued to the screen of The Movie in Your Mind.
Take for example when you are glued to the screen of a good movie. If someone were to watch you from a distance, they would see how your facial expressions and body language change as you watch the movie. Another example is when you and I are in a hypnotic state. We are deep into thought and the images in our mind and the words that we are saying to each other are causing our brain to release chemical messengers that create emotional states and perceptions.
The Method of the Mind teaches you the specific five-step protocol to harness this power: You become the director of your own neurochemistry, consciously using Breathing, Tone of Voice, Facial Expression Body Language, Posture, Self talk and Mental Imagery, to instantly generate the character’s authentic emotional state for a guaranteed, powerful performance.
The Movie in the Mind details how we write the script we choose the characters, and we decide who plays what role. We create the plot, and we control the ending. We are glued to the screen of The Movie in Your Mind. From that book I became inspired to write this book for actors and producers. The Method of the Mind.
Prologue — “The Mind as the Movie Screen”
Scene I — “Reality / Imagination”
Scene II — “The Brain as the Studio”
Scene III — “Actors’ Fragments”
Scene IV — “Door of Light”
Scene V — “Director’s Desk and Mirror”
Epilogue — “Empty Director’s Chair”
