Mime - Recommended reading

Uno · #1 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 05:35 AM

I would like to incorporate mime as an enhancement to non-verbal communication while in clown.

Does anyone have suggestions as to books and/or videos that would be a good resource?

Thanks!

tim · #2 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 06:29 AM

I've been meaning to get this DVD for some time:

http://www.dube.com/video/splash.php?cd=mime

And I hear a lot of good comments about this book:

http://www.bordersstores.com/search/...chType=Keyword

Uno · #3 (**permalink**) 10-29-2007, 06:45 AM

Thanks for the recommendations! I appreciate you help.

Snugglesnort · #4 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 01:59 PM

I have the "Be a Mime" book, but I really haven't delved into it like I should. It looks pretty good though.

The other thing to do is look up mime on youtube and just soak it in.

Uno · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 04:56 AM

The "YouTube" suggestion is another excellent idea.
Thanks for your input.

Jamdealie · #6 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 09:15 AM

I purchased the training CD from Tony Montanaro (he's now deceased but his wife is still running the theatre instruction) called 'Mime Spoken Here'. It's a 2 DVD set and is an excellent training instructional series. See Mime Spoken Here to order. It was around $50 and worth every penny.

Chance Marmalade · #7 (**permalink**) 01-04-2008, 04:27 AM

I have a few you should definitely look into! They are pretty old so may be available at your library. Also, the libraries in Washington State will order any book for you that they don't have, if they do that near you it should be relatively easy to get your hands on them.

The Art of Pantomime by Charles Aubert

I studied this book a great deal and applied it to regular old legit theatre and it is immensely helpful. Even more so for straight forward miming.

Respect for Acting by Uta Hagen

In my theatre classes Uta has always been called Uta the Buddha. She is probably the single best author I have studied in the craft of acting. Stanislavski has nothing on the Buddha! She has a section in this book about sense memory. I use the technique in acting but its actually a mime skill!

The Mime Book by Claude Kipnis

My copy is beat to dust and the pictures are hilariously outdated but the art form hasn't changed much!

Be a Mime by Mark Stolzenberg

I can't recall if I've read this one but I have definitely heard of it.

Happy Chappy & Daisy · #8 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 08:37 PM

If you're going to get into this, you need to take it seriously. After all, a mime is a terrible thing to waste!

Hopper · #9 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 11:26 PM

I'll be the second, or third, to reccomend the Be a Mime book by Stolzenberg. It is written with the beginner in mind and is very well explained and illustrated.

Actually, you can't go wrong with Stolzenberg. He's got books like Be a Clown, Clowning for Circus and Stage, and a neat one called How to be Really Funny.

Chance Marmalade · #10 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 01:51 AM

I was in the used bookstore today and I found a Mark Stolzenberg mime book called "Exploring Mime". I am guessing it is the same book as "Be a Mime" with a new title. Not sure though! I bought it as it's super basic but still covers some tricks and sketch ideas. "The Mime Book" is hard for me to get into.

Also, since it was my Birthday yesterday I got some money and put $20 bucks into "The Moving Body" by Jacques LeCoq. Amazing book and from what I have read is must read clown material! It covers commedia masks, movement, mime, and clowning. If you bring up LeCoq in certain circles you will have people swooning at his brilliance. I had to see it for myself!