Book of Sides: Original, One-Page Scenes for Actors and Directors

Dave Kost

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9781138022263
• eBook ISBN: 9781317692768
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Film & Video

Looking for fresh, original scenes for your fast-paced acting or directing class? Tired of the same old material everyone recognizes? Want the flexibility to play any character in any scene?

Book of Sides: Original, Short Scenes for Actors and Directors offers scenes that are considerably shorter than those in similar books but still feature the structure of typical scenes with arcs, clear playable objectives, and stakes for both actors. Here you will find scenes that are:

• One-page in length and specially designed for new, high-intensity exercises that help students develop quickly
• Printed in an easily readable, film-script format that provides plenty of room for annotations
• Completely original, allowing you to produce and distribute reinterpretations without worrying about copyright restrictions
• Universally castable, with roles that can be assigned to actors regardless of gender, appearance, skill level, or race
• Simple and conducive to performing in the classroom without props, costumes, or sets
• Perfect for audition workshops and crowded directing or acting classes where everyone wants an opportunity to perform
• Written in accessible, contemporary language that keeps student actors engaged

Don't miss out! In Book of Sides, Dave Kost brings two decades of teaching experience to the table to deliver the ideal set of scenes for busy classroom settings, auditions, and general training.

Am I Attractive?

CHRIS Am I attractive?

JODY What? Sure. You’re young, you’re goodlooking. What are you worried about?

CHRIS Not just my looks, I guess. Am I an attractive person? The whole package?

JODY Okay… what’s this about?

CHRIS Nothing. I just wanted to know.

JODY Nobody “just wants to know” something like that.

CHRIS Can we not get into this?

JODY Ah-ha, there’s somebody isn’t there?

CHRIS Yeah, kind of, but really, that’s all I’m going to say.

JODY Ainsley? Harper? Shawn? Jude? Mel? C.K.? You have to tell me. I can go on like this all night.

CHRIS You. Okay? You.

JODY Me?

CHRIS Yeah. So… am I an attractive person or not?

Jody takes it in for a long moment, then smiles.

JODY Yeah.

Are We Really Friends?

RIVERA Are we really friends?

SYDNEY Whoa! Where’s this coming from?

RIVERA It’s just that… I always pay.

SYDNEY Is that what you think? I only like you for your money?

RIVERA Well we do stuff together, we club, we go out, travel even, but when do we ever just hang out?

SYDNEY So what? You don’t want to go out tonight? No worries. I don’t care.

RIVERA Really? That’s a relief. Because, I need to tell you… I’m broke.

SYDNEY What? Like no money on you, right?

RIVERA No. Like no money left. Period. It’s a whole thing with my dad. He’s in real trouble, but yeah… broke.

SYDNEY Wow. Bummer… Really sorry to hear it, but yeah, of course we’re still friends. Of course! We’ll hang out… When were you thinking?

Sydney heads for the door.

RIVERA Not tonight?

SYDNEY Oh, not tonight, busy, but soon. I’ll call…

RIVERA Yeah, call.

Are You A Liar?

Alva walks in and Tracie looks up.

ALVA Why’d you tell Mickey you were out of town last weekend.

TRACIE Oh, I was just trying to avoid a whole thing.

ALVA What whole thing?

TRACIE Nosey much?

ALVA I don’t care about Mickey, I just want to know, did you lie or are you a liar?

TRACIE What does that even mean?

ALVA You’ve told me you were busy before.

TRACIE That’s different.

ALVA Is it? Maybe you were avoiding a “whole thing” then too.

TRACIE Really? Mickey’s Mickey and you’re you. You know we’re good don’t you?

ALVA I thought ...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half Title page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Scenes
• About the Author