100 Books - True and False

One Hundred Books. This is a short list of 100 books I have read, listed here in no particular order.

True and False by David Mamet 

An excellent book by Playwriter/Screenwriter/Director David Mamet is packed with helpful advice for the actor/writer/director gleaned from his years of experience in writing for the stage and film industry. The central message to the actor here is to get out of the way, don't act, and let the words of the script simply come alive within you. Like the old adage, hit your mark and say your lines; the terms will tell the story, and the actor need only be present now and let the truth of the words come through. The key is understanding what the scriptwriter has written, understanding the moment and relationships, and being honest with the lines.

I love Mamet's somewhat minimalist approach, not that his ideas are simplistic, but the point is to get at the truth. The action, and the reality of the story, can be kept simple and communicated more authentically if left unadorned by acting theory and deep discussions of motivation, psychology, and over the direction. David Mamet writes:

The well-made play, scene, design, direction, the good performance must be true. The simple truth may stem from a natural disposition, or come from years of arduous study -- its nobody's business but your own.

The blandishments of fame, money, and security are great. Sometimes they have to be quieted, sometimes they have to be compromised with -- just as in any other sphere of life.

What is true, what is false, what is, finally, important?

It is not a sign of ignorance not to know the answers. But there is great merit in facing the questions.

David Mamet was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Glengarry Glen Ross. Among David's more well-known works include screenplays for many successful and memorable films, including Oleanna, We're No Angles, Hoffa, The Untouchables, The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Verdict, House of Games, Homicide, Wag The Dog, and several other plays, and both fiction and non-fiction books.