The Intent to Live: Achieving Your True Potential as an Actor

There is no one book out there that will make you a great actor, or there would be a lot more great actors. However, if you want to take your acting skills to the next level, "The Intent to Live" is an indispensable addition to your library. Larry Moss covers everything from script and character analysis; development of motives, intentions, actions, and back stories; being in the present; to practical vocal and physical exercises to unlock new physical, vocal and emotional flexibility. Best of all, the author is not partisan about acting theory. He incorporates a lot of ideas from past noted acting teachers (Meisner, Adler, Strasberg) and others), but allows the actor to use the techniques that work for them in a given situation. Overall this is an outstanding book which teaches a variety of theories and practical techniques without being dogmatic.

I've been taking acting classes for years, and have also read basically all the acting books. Most of the books are pretty useless, because most of what you need to learn comes from *doing* in classes which you can't get from reading, and the books treat aspects of acting either too superficially (e.g. a single page on substitutions) or else are too opinionated and polemical (you *must* do it this way and not that way). This is the book to read *after* you've taken classes for a year or two. Larry covers *everything*, describes everything with tremendous detail and justification, and tends not to take sides but explain how different techniques work for different people. Basically, he goes a level deeper that most acting coaches do, so you get a lot of the "why" you might be missing from class, or just fills in gaps of knowledge you have. So, it's just a masterpiece. BUT... the book bothers me because the cover is SO, SO, SO bad, SO cheesy. I had refused to buy it for years because with a cover so tasteless -- looks like it's from 1985, with the blood-red handwriting, the super-dramatic author headshot, that I couldn't believe any good coach would ever approve a cover so "slick" and faux-"serious" and completely devoid of life or joy. Even the title "Intent to Live" sounds fake-dramatic. It was only after an acting coach of mine told me it was the best book out there, that I took the plunge and read it. So buy the book and ignore the cover. Hopefully someday a new edition comes out with a cover that seems to actually reflect the book's content, instead of communicating the exact *opposite* of what's inside.

This is one of the books I use as a text book for the acting classes that I teach. Moss is able to clearly and succinctly share with the reader, the tools needed for acting (and *directing). Divided into useful chapters he breaks the process down in such a way that the reader can apply and fairly quickly put into action what they are reading. Universally my students have found it incredibly useful. *Any student of directing will find this book useful as Moss articulates the acting process in such a way that it parallels script analysis.

Wow! This is a great book One of the jobs of an actor when interpreting a part is to put into place his or her experiences, to take advantage of the past in the present moment. In his book, Larry Moss not only gives us, actors, tools for acting, for the technique of acting, but he shares his personal experiences, showing that acting is also living and being able to re-create specific moments in your life. That is the secret that makes this book different from many other acting books. Moss's personal experiences tie The Intent to Live together with a thread of powerful emotional content. I responded particularly strongly, for example, to his account of a dinner party with Stella Adler. The conversation and inspiration felt so personal and true that I found myself weeping together with everyone around the table. In addition, Mr. Moss offers many exercises that, as a professional actress, I believe useful, creative and unique: "The System of Wants" and "Thesaurus" exercises are a couple of my favorites. Larry Moss tells us his truth. He reveals himself as a human being and as an actor who benefits from lived experience. When he talks about his life, it could be my life he's talking about. When he talks about his path as an actor and growth as an artist, his story resonates so closely with my own that he becomes a companion in the quest for the career as well as the art of acting. I applaud his honesty and humility.

It's an amazing book with more hands on information than you can imagine. But it, read it. You'll love it

I am not an actor. I purchased the book because I am an artist and wanted an actor's perspective for my work. I chose to read this book because in an interview that Larry Moss gave. He mentioned that at one time he found it hard to express himself creatively and as a result of that he became very angry. I could relate to what he said so I decided to read his book to gain some insight in how he might have overcame such a restriction. From an actors point of view it couldn't hurt to read such an interesting and generous book.

Questo è uno dei coach migliori del mondo, ha lavorato con Leonardo di Caprio, Jim Carrey e tanti altri. Se siete attori dovete avere questo libro in casa e leggerlo spesso!

Ce livre coute 10 euros et regorge d'informations précieuses! Si vous voulez devenir acteur et que vous ne l'acheter pas, c'est que vous ne vous donnez pas les moyens de réussir. C'est 10 euros et j'ai corné presque toutes les pages, et surligné des pants entiers à apprendre par coeur. Il parle (entre autre) beaucoup d'objectif, d'implication émotionnelle, et de comment bien aborder le texte. Les bouquins d'Eric Morris sont plus axés sur les blocages de l'acteur.

If you want to become an actor, or are an actor, this is the book for you. You can never learn enough to exceed in your field. Great book, highly recommend.

LARRY MOSS IS A LEGEND!! One I hope to meet one day! I’ve watched his interview over and over and over and this book is GOLD! He knows SO much about the business and is SO incredibly potently passionate. He trained with the best! I’ve no doubt if I am to sit in a class / coaching session, I would be transformed in the first 5 mins. Looked him up right after the interview - and so glad I could find this GEM!

Larry Moss is a godsent genius. He has a gift of putting the essential messages for actors, playwrights and lovers of the craft into accessible language. I could hardly stop reading once I opened this book. This book is about life, about human beings, about each and everyone of us. Plus, it gives you tools so you can start working right away, on your own. Super inspirational, a must read for everyone.