The Viewpoints Book: A Practical Guide to Viewpoints and Composition

by Anne Bogart and Tina Landau

Book Overview

The Viewpoints is a technique of improvisation that grew out of the postmodern dance world. It was first articulated by choreographer Mary Overlie, who broke down the two dominant issues performers deal with--space and time--into six categories. Since that time, directors Anne Bogart and Tina Landau have expanded her notions and adapted them for actors to function together spontaneously and intuitively and to generate bold, theatrical work. The Viewpoints...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1559362413
• ISBN13: 9781559362412
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Theatre Communications Group
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

The Viewpoints Book - a valuable guide for actors and dancers

The book is a useful source for training in acting and in dance. Exercises are suggested to improvise and explore in different ways, the basic elements that underlie all movement, which are time and space. Ideas of flow, force or shifts in weight (as in Laban)are not discussed, but the many ideas on ways to think about, to experiment and to experience relationships of bodies in space make this book a practical and a valuable guide.

Bogart and Landau Are the Best

I have worked with both Anne Bogart and Tina Landau and grew to appreciate their unique approach. It is good to see their way of working in print finally. The book is a great resource for all who have some appreciation for what goes into making a piece of theatre. It will especially pique the interest of those who see the physical nature of the theatre as paramount. The book outlines an way to replicate the work of these two great theatre artists in their own process. Dancers and choreographers will perhaps find a new perspective on what they do in this book.

Indeed a "practical guide"

This book was highly recommended to me by a dancer friend, and I've found it to be extremely useful for dance improvisation sessions I'm leading with a group of non-dancers. The authors offers numerous exercises that groups can build on, experiment with, and use to generate skill and teamwork. If you're looking for inspiration for your own performance project or creative ideas for group activities, you will find them here.

Must Own

This book is a must-own for actors looking to learn about the physical traning of Viewpoints. It's great, and practical, and you'll find yourself learning. A must for every actor's shelf.

FINALLY!

It took forever to finally arrive.. both in the sense that it kept getting delayed, but more importantly as a director who has trained with Viewpoints and wanted to impliment them into my work. The book is very accessible to even those who have not taken any Viewpoints classes with a laid out ground plan for how to introduce each Viewpoint as well as how to use them in rehearsals and creating new pieces. The end of each section includes several options to eithe expand or replace, making the plan fit perfect for whatever you're doing. I read it cover to cover in a sitting and will be referencing it in the future as I direct those new to Viewpoints as well as those previously exposed.