So you want to be an actor? Meisner's On Acting

Here is another recent read for January. Meisner and Longwell's On Acting, with an introduction by Sydney Pollack.

I think this is the last book for January. I was thinking of posting this during the time of James Gandolfini's (of "Sopranos" fame) untimely passing. Gandolfini studied the "Meisner technique." At the time of this entry, I have yet to see Gandolfini in Inside the Actor's Studio.
But, thinking about Meisner reminds me of Dustin Hofmann's impression of Robert Duvall.Hofmann did his impression when he was a guest at Inside. Let us just say that Duvall had no kind words for Lee Strasberg, Hofmann's teacher. Well, Meisner also has no kind words for Strasberg in On Acting.One instance of Meisner's dim view of Strasberg, is his claim that Pacino is good in spite of Strasberg!

Meisner's book might not be the best place to start if one is just beginning to study what actors do. But it is worth a read for those who have gone thru some experience and training. Even for those who write plays and have worked with actors, I would add, might benefit from reading Meisner's .

Call for Papers: PAP Conference (“Philosophy, Spirituality, and Secularity”)

CALL FOR PAPERS  [c/o Mark Calano. I made this shorter for readingandphilosophy]
Midyear Conference
Philosophical Association of the Philippines (PAP), Inc.
“Philosophy, Spirituality, and Secularity”
San Beda College, October 25, 2013 (Friday)

This year’s midyear conference aims to engage philosophers from both the continental and the analytic traditions on the theme of philosophy, spirituality, and secularity.
Taking its cue from recent developments in philosophy, the midyear conference aims to focus on the following questions:

1. What is the relationship between philosophy and spirituality?
2. What becomes of this relationship in the advent of secularity?
3. What is the conception of spirituality that operates within secularist regimes?

The keynote speaker for the midyear is Rev. Fr. Ranhilio Calangan Aquino, Ph.D., J.D., with a paper on “Faith in a Secular World.”

The PAP midyear conference will be held in San Beda College on Friday, October 25, 2013.

Since 2013 is also a commemorative year for philosophers, such as Paul Ricoeur, Albert Camus, and Søren Kierkegaard, a special panel for each philosopher is also provided for scholars who wish to share their papers/research.

We welcome paper abstract submissions from academics, graduate students, and independent scholars on the theme “Philosophy, Spirituality, and Secularity” and also commemorative papers on Ricouer, Camus, and Kierkegaard. Please send a 300-word abstract, a clear and complete outline of the argument of your paper, and a short bionote to philoassocphil73@gmail.com. The deadline for applications (abstracts, outline, and bionote) is on September 06, 2013 (Friday). A letter of acceptance will reach successful applicants by September 09, 2013. Please note that due to the limited structure of the conference sessions, we will be selecting only eighteen (18) papers for presentation.

Hunter S. Thompson's Hey Rube: Another read for January

Hey Rube: Blood Sport, the Bush Doctrine, and the Downward Spiral of Dumbness is Hunter S. Thompson's final book before his death in 2005. I posted about his death on Multiply! That's how long ago that is.

I believe espn.com has some of  Thompson's articles also. Here is my pic of the book:

Hohoho, I found out here that Thompson also commented on the XFL. Then again, maybe Nixon would have also commented on it.From the title, it is easy to surmise what else Thompson commented on. It was also from Thompson, though not in this book, that I learned of the
Lisl Auman.