Camera or Scalpel?

Discipline and skill are fully available in formal training programs but academic settings have been slower to prepare the Actor for life off the stage.

I am not fond of the casual terms we have come up with to describe this want in training TOO BIG or OVER THE TOP, is it any wonder actors come to me as if they have done something wrong, something shameful? Grrrr.

We don’t expect a cardiologist to be a brain surgeon. We adjust to the simple truth, it's not their specialty. They are not trained in that area. Yes both are in the field of medicine just as the specialties of The Stage and Television / Film are dependent upon Actors acting. But one field does not always easily translate to the other.

And yes, for some the transition happens quite easily.

But for the actor who is hearing, "too stage-y" "too big" "we want to see YOU", let's get together. Let's figure out just how much of YOU the camera can handle before You start to flow over the sides.

Recently,  Randi Hiller, Vice President of casting for feature films at Disney came and spoke with one of my LA classes. She was so charming and had such great information and when the subject came up re: U.K. Actors vs. American Actors, there was respect paid for the way UK actors prepare, their reliability. And I countered with Yes But... is "reliability" an interesting enough goal for any actor.

Is RELIABLE on the resume of breakout performances?

Let's be more than Reliable. Let's prepare characters that are Interesting, Fascinating, Present, even Dangerous.

Let's supplement your training to include the necessary skill to compete in television and film.

Let’s get to work!