Question 1

What is The Intent to Live by Larry Moss about?

Accepted Answer

The Intent to Live is Larry Moss's comprehensive acting textbook that teaches actors how to deliver authentic, emotionally compelling performances. The book explores foundational acting techniques including given circumstances, superobjectives, emotional triggers, and character analysis. Moss shares methods he developed over thirty years to help actors "set their emotions, imagination, and behavior on fire" by teaching them to truly live in their roles rather than simply perform.

Question 2

Who is Larry Moss and why is he qualified to teach acting?

Accepted Answer

Larry Moss is a renowned acting coach who has trained Academy Award winners and nominees including Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby, Boys Don't Cry), Helen Hunt (As Good as It Gets), and Leonardo DiCaprio (The Aviator, The Wolf of Wall Street). He studied under legendary teachers Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, and Warren Robertson, taught at Juilliard and Circle in the Square, and founded The Larry Moss Studio in Los Angeles. His expertise spans over thirty years of developing actors' craft.

Question 3

Who should read The Intent to Live?

Accepted Answer

The Intent to Live is essential for professional actors, aspiring performers, acting students, and anyone seeking deeper insight into the craft of acting. The book benefits stage, television, and film actors who want to create more authentic, emotionally truthful performances. Even non-actors interested in understanding acting greatness or character analysis will find the book instructive and inspiring, as it provides detailed examples from classic and contemporary plays and films.

Question 4

Is The Intent to Live worth reading for actors?

Accepted Answer

The Intent to Live is considered a definitive acting textbook that has influenced Academy Award-winning performances and is widely respected in the industry. The book offers practical, actionable techniques rather than abstract theory, with detailed examples from productions like Hamlet, As Good as It Gets, and Chicago. Moss's personal credo and respect for the actor's craft make every page valuable for anyone serious about developing authentic, living performances rather than merely seeming to act.

Question 5

What are "given circumstances" in The Intent to Live?

Accepted Answer

Given circumstances are the irrefutable facts about a character and their situation provided by the writer, forming the foundation of any performance. Larry Moss emphasizes thoroughly reading the text to identify these circumstances, which include the character's background, relationships, setting, and specific situation in each scene. For example, in As Good as It Gets, Melvin's given circumstances include being obsessive-compulsive, middle-aged, needing a specific table and waitress, while Carol's include being a single mother with an asthmatic son.

Question 6

What is the superobjective in The Intent to Live by Larry Moss?

Accepted Answer

The superobjective is the character's overarching goal or dream that drives all their actions throughout the entire play or film. According to Larry Moss in The Intent to Live, every scene objective should connect back to this central superobjective, representing what the character ultimately wants to achieve. Moss uses President Nixon as an example, explaining his superobjective was becoming the most revered president, with each scene reflecting this driving ambition.

Question 7

What is the "System of Wants" exercise in The Intent to Live?

Accepted Answer

The System of Wants exercise encourages actors to list their daily personal wants to better understand character motivations and desires. Larry Moss designed this technique to help actors draw parallels between their own wants and their characters' objectives, enabling more authentic embodiment of roles. This exercise promotes active engagement with the character's objectives, helping actors tap into genuine desire and motivation rather than indicating or pretending, thus enhancing their portrayal of wants on stage or screen.

Question 8

How does The Intent to Live teach actors to use emotional triggers?

Accepted Answer

The Intent to Live teaches that using emotional triggers and inner imagery can evoke genuine emotions, making performances more relatable and truthful. Larry Moss provides techniques for actors to access their own emotional experiences and memories, then channel them appropriately into their character's circumstances. This approach helps actors avoid superficial emotional indication and instead create performances that appear to be "actually living" rather than merely acting, which is the core philosophy behind the book's title.

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Key takeaways

The Actor's Mysterious Alchemy

Building Your Character's Reality

Objectives, Intentions, and Stakes: The Engine of Performance

Creating Inner Life Through Imagery

Finding Your Unique Interpretation

Living Truthfully Moment to Moment

The Power of Yes: Embracing Your Full Humanity

The Intent to Live by Larry Moss Summary

Overview of The Intent to Live

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More like this

Key takeaways

The Actor's Mysterious Alchemy

Building Your Character's Reality

Objectives, Intentions, and Stakes: The Engine of Performance

Creating Inner Life Through Imagery

Finding Your Unique Interpretation

Living Truthfully Moment to Moment

The Power of Yes: Embracing Your Full Humanity

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