Acting and How to Survive it
Film and TV is stalled globally – but in New Zealand production for both domestic and overseas shows is proceeding at a gallop. The government is investing millions in screen production. There has never been a better time in our history to upskill and refresh your acting. Start by buying this book!
EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ACTING BUT WERE TOO AFRAID TO ASK…
Buy here, on Amazon or UK Book Depository, or at one of the NZ bookstores below. RRP NZ$45 (first print run with minor typos now reduced to $30).
A generous and impressive read, well-written, entertaining and packed with invaluable information.
Karen McMillan, NZ BookLovers
‘Acting and How to Survive’ it is exactly what Kiwi (and Aussie) actors need as they try to make their way in Show Business. A highly regarded actor, director, writer, casting director and acting tutor who runs boutique acting school Actors Lab Studio in Auckland, Peter has spent two decades working in NZ and Australia to develop an approach that combines the best of traditional knowledge with the very latest practical know-how. He doesn’t shy away from the hard truths about just how challenging it is to make a career in acting, but his writing is entertaining, full of passion for the craft, and truly insightful about creativity in all its forms. Peter’s book is so chock-full of local relevance, good advice, fascinating quotes, funny and perceptive anecdotes, practical suggestions, good ideas and so many pearls of wisdom, that if you are serious about acting, you’re sure to keep it by your side for a long time.
Peter Hambleton, actor, on Radio NZ
Peter is a very gifted actor who will always be genuinely interested in exploring his work and finding new approaches to it, and opening this out to his fellow actors.
Cicely Berry, OBE, Voice Director,
Royal Shakespeare Company
Available at these stores
AUCKLAND
Auckland University Campus Shop
Kate Edger Information Commons Building
Level 1, 2 Alfred Street, Auckland Central 1010
Unity Books Auckland
19 High Street, Auckland, 1010
Dear Reader Bookshop
436 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021
Wardini Books,
16 Te Mata Road
Havelock North
WELLINGTON
Unity Books Wellington
Willbank House, 57 Willis Street, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011
Vic Books – two locations in Wellington
Easterfield Building, 1 Kelburn Parade, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn, Wellington 6012
Rutherford House, 27 Lambton Quay, Victoria University of Wellington, Pipitea, Wellington 6011
Schrödinger’s Books
137 Jackson Street, Petone, Wellington 5012
CHRISTCHURCH
Scorpio Books
120 Hereford Street, Christchurch 8011
DUNEDIN
University Book Shop
378 Great King St, Dunedin North 9016
More to come…
AUCKLAND
Auckland University Campus Shop
Kate Edger Information Commons Building
Level 1, 2 Alfred Street, Auckland Central 1010
Unity Books Auckland
19 High Street, Auckland, 1010
Dear Reader Bookshop
436 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021
NAPIER/ HASTINGS
Wardini Books
16 Te Mata Road
Havelock North
WELLINGTON
Unity Books Wellington
Willbank House, 57 Willis Street, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011
Vic Books – two locations in Wellington
Easterfield Building, 1 Kelburn Parade, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn, Wellington 6012
Rutherford House, 27 Lambton Quay, Victoria University of Wellington, Pipitea, Wellington 6011
Schrödinger’s Books
137 Jackson Street, Petone, Wellington 5012
CHRISTCHURCH
Scorpio Books
120 Hereford Street, Christchurch 8011
DUNEDIN
University Book Shop
378 Great King St, Dunedin North 9016
More to come…
Reviews
Review from Karen McMillan at NZ BookLovers
There is a lot of information about the creation of characters, which is helpful for writers as well as actors. Peter discusses everything from physical characteristics to social aspects and their psychology. He asks us to imagine their jobs, how they express their feelings and their natural rhythm.
I also found the section on sub-text interesting and loved the idea of ‘interviewing your character.’ There is also a section on script analysis that would be helpful to use as a checklist for many creative writing projects. The chapter where a variety of well-known actors share how they prepared for their roles is also a highlight of the book. And the section of the book dealing with rethinking failure is relatable to the writing life as well as the acting life.
Read the full review here
This book gives any aspiring actor the very tools the ‘big players’ use by default – the ability to empathise and inhabit their character, understand and assess the motivations and desires, drives and defects that make the character real on screen.
Peter’s trademark wry and dark humour has been refined over the years through his acting gigs and he has distilled a lot of the lessons learned through hard experience into 280-odd pages of treasure-packed learning – this fine volume. I was also pleased to see a few familiar names popping up throughout, people I have worked with or met through various work-related channels, and seeing their influence in the text added a second level of inspiration for me.
I would, have and will encourage aspiring stars-to-be to grab a copy from Peter’s website and absorb decades of wisdom in an easy-to-consume format that leads the reader from the basics to the advanced skills required to be a headline actor one day, in a smooth and easy progression from the front cover to the last page.
Karl Tucker
