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!

Resilience vs. Resistance

I was recently reminded of how actors need to remain resilient in the face of what one of my students called "resistance". Here's the email he sent to me:

Resistance kicked the shit out of me today. A role in an indie that i was all fired up for. 4 pages of monologues I got so late yesterday I didn't even have time to think about meeting with you on em.  Went in the a.m., felt prepared, then let every unexpected, tiny thing in that room totally sack me for a loss.  So frustrating.  I've been having so many great rides home of late, then this f&%ker sneaks in.  Rats. Just needed to vent to someone who SO gets the process. thanks for reading :] onward and upward!!!!

Resistance is a great name for it and I love the fact my wonderful student has given it a name. Doing that means it doesn't live in some mysterious, "what's happening to me?!" kind of place.

It's a great lesson.  No matter how prepared or skilled you are these things will happen. The strength of an actor lies not in the ability to conduct a soul destroying post-mortem, endlessly analyzing why it happened, spending days wringing hands wondering what it all means; strength lies in simply recognising it, accepting it and moving the hell on. Ensuring there is no residue from these experiences in your next casting or audition is what matters.  Go in to succeed, don't apologize, don't ask permission and tell your story.

How Receptive Are You?

A young university student of mine in Austin, Texas had a "big" audition come up, his word not mine. He asked for my help and so I went in, guns blazing and bless his heart. He is so theatrically trained. A slight young man with an unconventionally handsome but interesting look. As he presented his sides I realized I was familiar with the project, they had been casting in LA and were quite interested in another student back in California.

So I worked with him, created outlets for him so he found gravitas and when the session was over I really had hope for him doing well.

Here's what was key, there was absolutely NO resistance. All information I gave him flowed right into his brain and he immediately, IMMEDIATELY turned the advice from theory into practice.

So refreshing.

Well. They loved him and he had a meeting with the director the next day!

I so admire this emerging actor, his curiosity, his love and excitement and his complete willingness to jump!