Gijon International Film Festival

Toma 3 Bookshop, Gijón.
We brought the books actors have been waiting for. The ones that get you seen. The ones that get you work. No fluff. No theory. Just pages that do the talking

Scott Cleverdon and Assumpta Serna at the Gijón International Film Festival presented their four books, recently published on Amazon by OFF BOOK: Monólogos para protagonistas Vol. 1 and Vol.2 and Take the lead – Monologues to help you act like a pro- Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.

Its authors attended the Festival together with a couple of professional actors, former students of the Assumpta Serna School, Jasmina García and Daniel Ramos-Lorenzo . Both members of the Familia de cine community, they performed four monologues before an audience of moviegoers and book lovers. Santiago Blanco, actor and member of Familia de cine, came from Oviedo to document the event. And the local newspaper Comercio covered the event.

The film director, Antonio Morales, appreciated the atmosphere of immediacy and theatrical presence in the nearby event at the bookstore, where“the monologues shone for the professionalism of the actors“.

“To be able to participate as an actress with Daniel Ramos, performing monologues written by Assumpta and Scott, in a space as close as Toma 3, was an experience that filled me with warmth. For an actor, these books are fundamental tools, since they are varied writings, of great quality, that allow to explore a great amount of nuances and moments, which enriches the interpretation. They do not limit, but open the field to fly higher. In addition, the colloquium afterwards was a real delight. It was very enriching to be able to listen to the audience’s questions about the world of acting and “directing”, creating communicative bridges between the different roles in this industry and even more so to hear the answers full of wisdom from Assumpta and Scott.” Jasmina Garcia

“A beautiful evening in which we had the opportunity to perform 4 monologues in front of a very cinephile audience. But as interesting as the presentation was the subsequent colloquium in which we discussed the work of the director and how his role can be more that of a companion, than that of a boss. It was wonderful to see such an enthusiastic and participative audience. The evening went on for more than an hour and it seemed as if it could have gone on for several hours more”. Daniel Ramos.

Questions from Bene, a film and theater buff interested in the actor, director relationship, discussed the importance of encouraging creativity in actors. Scott Cleverdon noted”Never interrupt your friend when they are doing something great.” The limits of artificial intelligence were also discussed . He said,”Until Artificial Intelligence is afraid of death, it will not be able to appreciate beauty.” When Assumpta Serna was asked why she wrote the books, she said:“I want the actors to have at hand, what I never had, texts that serve to teach many registers as an actress”.

The books can be purchased in Asturias at Librería Toma 3, at Marqués de Casa Valdés, 27 (Gijón) , and on Amazon. They are a collection of one hundred short stories, inspired by each of the students who have attended the School’s training programs over the last five years.

“We have designed this book for everyone, without exception. Even for reading in the bathroom, in your favorite corner, in the shade of a tree or by the fireplace in winter. Perfect with a glass of wine, a cup of tea or a glass of water on the side. Here you will find pieces of life that will make you think, laugh or start a conversation. If it has made an impact on you, give the book to a friend now, at Christmas. If he shares his impressions with you, you’ll have another volume ready for his birthday. And of course, you’re sure to know a friend of a friend whose son wants to be an actor. This book is your perfect companion for those moments of reflection and fun – don’t miss it!” Scott Cleverdon and Assumpta Serna

Jasmina G. Pizarro in the Maiden, at the April 2024 medieval workshop in Vilert, Girona, in the book Take the lead.

Daniel Ramos acting out one of these texts, Gabriel from the book Take the Lead. It was filmed in the intensive course Primer Plano, given at the Ateneo last July 2024. The next course will take place on May 2025 here

https://youtu.be/Z-QfG0YaKRo?si=lN9_g04Of_eM8ISK