Acting in Film
Michael Caine's masterclass on the craft of screen acting
Overview
Acting in Film by Michael Caine is a concise and practical guide to screen acting from one of cinema's most enduring performers. Caine shares the specific technical skills required for film work, from hitting your marks to working with the camera.
The book covers screen-specific techniques including eyeline control, continuity, working in close-up, and the subtle adjustments that distinguish great screen performances from great stage performances. Caine's advice is drawn from decades of experience.
How It Works
Essential reading for theater-trained actors transitioning to screen work and for any actor who wants to understand the technical demands of film acting. The advice is immediately applicable to auditions and on-set work.
Available in paperback and digital formats, typically priced between $12-15. A companion video masterclass is also available and highly recommended.
Who Uses It
One of the best books on screen-specific acting technique available. Caine's practical wisdom cuts through theory to give actors exactly what they need to know about working on camera. What makes Acting in Film uniquely valuable is that Caine writes from the perspective of a working actor who has been on thousands of sets, not as a theoretician or teacher observing from the outside. His advice addresses the real, practical challenges that actors face when the camera is rolling — hitting marks while maintaining emotional truth, adjusting performance scale for different shot sizes, and building continuity across multiple takes and shooting days. The book has remained essential reading for decades because the fundamental principles of screen acting that Caine articulates have not changed, even as technology and production methods have evolved around them.
Pricing & Plans
Acting in Film is available in paperback from Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, typically priced between $12 and $15 at major retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores. Digital editions for Kindle and other e-readers are generally available for $8 to $11, making it one of the most affordable acting technique books on the market. A companion DVD masterclass featuring Caine demonstrating his techniques with actors is also available separately and is highly recommended as a supplement to the book, typically priced between $15 and $20. Used copies of the book are widely available for as little as $3 to $6, and the combined cost of the book and DVD together still represents an extraordinary value compared to a single session with a private on-camera acting coach. The book's slim profile and low price make it an ideal impulse purchase for any actor's library, and many professionals keep a copy in their set bags for quick reference before shooting.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The greatest strength of Acting in Film is Caine's ability to articulate the specific, concrete technical adjustments that distinguish effective screen acting from stage performance, conveyed in language that is refreshingly clear, practical, and free of jargon or theoretical abstraction. His advice on eyeline control, the relationship between the actor and the camera lens, and the art of doing less while communicating more is immediately applicable and can transform an actor's on-camera work from a single reading. Caine writes with the authority of someone who has delivered brilliant performances across every genre imaginable — from comedy to thriller to prestige drama — giving his advice a breadth that more narrowly experienced actors or coaches cannot match. The book's brevity is itself a virtue, as every page contains actionable wisdom without the padding and repetition that inflate many acting books beyond their useful content. His famous dictum about not blinking on camera alone has improved more audition tapes and screen tests than perhaps any other single piece of acting advice ever written.
What Could Be Better
The book's conciseness, while a strength in many respects, means that Caine necessarily treats each topic at a relatively surface level, and actors seeking deep, systematic training in on-camera technique may find themselves wanting more detailed instruction and exercises. Caine's perspective is shaped by his experience working primarily in the British and American film industries during a particular era, and some of his specific advice about on-set etiquette and production dynamics may not perfectly reflect contemporary independent film, streaming television, or international co-production environments. The book focuses almost exclusively on the technical and practical aspects of screen acting and does not deeply address the emotional, psychological, or imaginative preparation that underlies compelling performance, assuming that actors will bring these skills from their prior training. Some of Caine's advice, particularly around the politics of working with directors and fellow actors, reflects a confidence and professional standing that actors earlier in their careers may not yet have the leverage to emulate. The absence of exercises or structured practice routines means the book functions more as a collection of expert wisdom than as a training program that actors can systematically work through on their own.
Our Recommendation
Every actor who works on camera or aspires to work on camera should own Acting in Film — it is the most efficient and practical introduction to screen-specific technique available, and its advice will immediately improve your self-tapes, auditions, and on-set performances. The book is particularly essential for theater-trained actors making the transition to film and television, as it directly addresses the specific adjustments in scale, technique, and awareness that screen work demands. Pair this book with a deeper technique text like Ivana Chubbuck's The Power of the Actor or Larry Moss's The Intent to Live to ensure you have both the inner emotional preparation and the outer technical skills that great screen performances require. If you can find the companion DVD masterclass, purchase it alongside the book, as watching Caine demonstrate his principles with live actors adds a visual dimension that dramatically enhances comprehension and retention. We recommend rereading Acting in Film before every significant on-camera job or audition, as its concise format makes quick review possible and the reminders about technical discipline can prevent common mistakes under pressure.
Pro Tips
Before your next self-tape or on-camera audition, read Caine's chapters on eyeline and the close-up, then practice the specific techniques he describes while recording yourself to see the immediate difference in your screen presence and believability. Develop a habit of watching films featuring Michael Caine's performances with the sound off, observing how his eyes, subtle facial movements, and physical stillness communicate complex emotions without theatrical amplification. Practice Caine's advice about not blinking during close-ups by running through your audition material on camera and reviewing the footage to identify moments where unnecessary blinking or eye movement undermines the power of your performance. When you arrive on a film or television set, apply Caine's guidance about learning the crew's names, understanding the technical setup, and being aware of your position relative to the camera and lighting, as this professional awareness distinguishes prepared actors from those who are merely talented. Keep a copy of Acting in Film in your work bag and review a chapter during downtime on set, as the practical reminders about continuity, hitting marks, and adjusting for shot sizes will keep your technical discipline sharp throughout long shooting days.