Reflecting on Teaching for Almost Half a Century
(You read that correctly - I’ve taught for over 48 years of my life) When I started teaching and coaching things were a lot different than today. Everything changed when social media became the main source of “word of mouth” to promote acting coaches and acting schools. 48 years ago, acting coaches did not advertise, research and deploy Google trigger words. They did not speak of empowerment, branding, booking, or spiritual awakenings. We grew with our students with /by the word of mouth of our students. We spoke about the craft, dedication, integrity, and the search for truth from within. We helped to instill in actors the...
What to Consider When Choosing an Acting Class/Coach
An acting coach or teacher is the only service provider I know, who, when they fail to help you can turn around and tell you that you aren’t talented. If any other service provider where to do this in your life you would ask for your money back. In the acting world you end up thinking you are the problem. This is especially true in University and College programs.Acting Studio’s and higher learning institutions are just that, and no more. They have become confused by many as churches, where somehow the coach/teacher is elevated or elevates themselves to the status...
Should you thank a Casting Director after booking?
I often get asked from actors whether or not it’s appropriate to thank a Casting Director after a booking. There is a tendency to adopt a “us” VS “them” mentality when it comes to casting. The first thing I love to remind actors is that casting WANTS you to book the job. They WANT you to perform your best in the room. Acquiring Casting Central a few years ago has been a blessing in shifting this mindset as actors are taking acting classes in the same rooms where they audition for major network TV shows and movies. Having both...
The Fourth Element: The Powerful and Invisible Element of Rhythm
We come to the last of the 4 elements of human communication. This one is a little more complex and harder to define. I call it the invisible element because it is something we don’t see as much as sense. It is like the air we breathe but do not see. Thought, Action, Behavior are buoyed by it. We all have different rhythms and each of us has different rhythms depending on our mood, what we think, if we are hungry or have just had a big meal. If somebody you know comes into work or comes home, and you pick something up about their movement...
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