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THE ACTING WEAPON: THE ESSENTIAL ACTION

 

INGREDIENTS TO COME UP WITH ESSENTIAL ACTIONS:

 

 

1. Be physically capable of being done.

2. Be fun to do.

3. Be specific.

4. Have its test in the other person.

5. Not be an errand.

6. Not presuppose any physical or emotional state.

7. Not be manipulative. (make someone feel...)

8. Have a “cap.”

9. Be in line with the intentions of the playwright.

 

List of Powerful Essential Actions

Try and substitute or upgrade “get” and “someone” with something a little more meaningful for you.


To get someone to be truthful
To make a loved one take a risk
To get someone in my corner
To get a friend to admit a fault
To get someone to get their act together
To knock someone off their high horse
To get a lazy person to take responsibility
To lay down the law
To bring a layman up to speed
To get someone to respect my boundaries
To teach a rookie the ropes
To show a rookie the ropes
To let me join the party
To get someone to be straight with me
To get someone to put their faith in me
To get a stupid little bitch to shit the fuck up / cut the crap
To get someone to respect what is rightfully mine
To excerpt an unfit rival
To get someone to demonstrate their loyalty
To get a liar to admit the truth
To retrieve what is rightfully mine
To get a rival to see me as equal
To get someone to accept my authority
To get someone to crown me king
To get someone to seize a great opportunity
To get someone to be a friend
To take someone under your wing
To put someone on the right path
To get someone to let go
To make someone surrender
To get someone to take responsibility
To get a loved one to keep a secret
To make a loved one confess
To get someone’s forgiveness
To get a confession
To get someone to spill the beans
To show an inferior who’s boss
To burst someone’s bubble
To get someone to wake up and smell the coffee
To pull someone’s head out of their ass
To convince a friend to take a big step
To force someone to observe the departure of a loved one
To assure a loved one of my devotion

To hear out a subordinate's case
To light a fire under a friend’s ass
To get someone to accept my authority
To get someone to face the facts
To convince a loved one to accept their place on the pedestal
To knock someone off their pedestal
To reassure a friend of my support
To get someone to accept my sacrifice
To reassure someone of my loyalty/devotion
To get someone to trust my judgment
To get someone to take the blinders off
To school a rival
To put as an asshole in their place
To get a jerk to grow up
To get someone to see the bigger picture
To get a loved on to take a chance on me
To get a much-needed ally
To get someone to cut the shit
To snap someone out of their world
To bring a friend back down to earth
To get someone to reassure me of their loyalty
To get someone to play ball
To get someone to see the ramifications of the actions
To settle a score
To get someone to step up to the plate
To get a guarantee
To get the respect you deserve
To get a cookie / to get someone to give me a cookie
To get a bully to back off
To get someone to sweep up the broken glass
To get someone to accept my iron clad agreement
To get someone to respect my boundaries
To get someone to fulfill their obligation
To get someone to make me a priority
To get someone to grow some balls
To get someone to grow a spine
To get someone to keep a promise
To get someone to join the winning team
To get someone to make a real commitment
To get someone to give you a crucial aid
To get someone throw you a lifeline
To get someone to see the gravity of their mistake
To get someone to do their share
To sell someone on a great idea
To convince a cherished friend to take a risk
To get someone to look in the mirror

 

 

 

 

 

Bruder, Melissa, et al. A Practical Handbook for the Actor. Vintage, 2012.

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