THE SCIENCE OF ACTING

Written by Sam Kogan, edited by Helen Kogan

 Published by Routledge on Thursday 22^nd October 2009, priced £16.99 pbk

 Ever noticed how your mood can change throughout the day even when you are just spending time by yourself? Or, do you have a friend that makes the same relationship mistakes, but does not recognise the pattern reappearing each time? In The Science of Acting Sam Kogan explores the notion that there is undetected thinking, which seemingly controls many parts of our everyday lives. This concept is known as ‘invisible thinking’.

In The Science of Acting, Kogan uses his theories on the relationship between neuroscience, psychology and acting to help people identify their invisible thoughts; thoughts which they may have been thinking over a number of years that they no longer realise are being thought. He goes on to explain that it is these thoughts which shape our presents and our futures, but not necessarily the futures we want. The Science of Acting is more then a new milestone in acting technique, it presents the reader with a groundbreaking understanding of thinking and how it can be applied to their everyday lives. These changes can be easily implemented and can yield positive changes on a daily basis and for the long term of one’s personal life, or in one’s acting ability.

 The Science of Acting is written in a user-friendly style making its chapters on topics such as Complexes, Awareness, Actions, Attention and Imagination accessible for all types of readers. Kogan explains how personalities are formed from Mind Erosions and how these occur. Consider the thought ‘I can’t belong’ – you may have first had this thought when you did not have the same trainers as everyone else at school. You walked the path of thinking this thought every time you wore those trainers, but then weeks, months or even years later when you happen to find out you were not invited to Jane’s birthday party when everyone else in your class/gang/department/social circle was; again you thought, ‘I can’t belong’. Over the year that path became so well trodden it got deeper, until eventually it became a ditch – you had formed a Mind Erosion. Now when you go to parties you are slightly anxious when you walk into a room full of people that you do not know, as the thought you are still thinking is: ‘I can’t belong’.  

Fortunately, Kogan goes on to describe the process of ‘Finishing-Off Thinking’, the knowledge that fills in the ditches and helps people see life from a different perspective, one which puts them back in control. The reader is encouraged to question what it is that they think will make them happy; what are their purposes? These vary from individual to individual and can be anything from they want ‘to be cared for’ or ‘to be admired’, or even ‘to be rejected’. Kogan explains that once people start to see the thoughts that are getting in the way of them living the life they want, they can start to unravel them. This process creates space which can then be filled with thoughts that will make them happy – thoughts of their choosing rather than thoughts of the past playing over and over.

Kogan once asked, “How can an actor understand a character if they do not understand themselves?” This was one of the fundamental catalysts for this work. The Science of Acting takes the reader on a fascinating journey of understanding, which ultimately explains why people think the way they do and how to change it.

Before Sam’s death in 2004, his daughter Helen promised that his life’s work would be published. Using transcribed videotapes, draft chapters, and class notes from previous students, together with help from teachers from The Academy of the Science of Acting and Directing (of which Kogan was the founding principal), Helen pulled together the book The Science of Acting. 

For more information about The Academy of the Science of Acting and Directing, please visit www.asad.org.uk/actingschool