How To Find The Right Acting Class

Just like school age children, fall means back to school time for actors. Many actors take a summer break to visit their hometowns and recharge their batteries.  Once they return to Los Angeles, they need to get back in the swing of things and find an acting class to attend on a regular basis.

There are more acting classes in this town than most people realize. It's not hard to find a class to attend.  The hard part is making sure the acting class you choose is the right place to refine your skills.  How does an actor make sure the class they attend is the best fit for them?

1. Area of study - Are you interested in scene study? What about improv?  Are you interested in learning stage acting or on-camera acting? Once you decide on your preferred acting technique, make sure that any acting class you are considering focuses on that aspect of the craft.
2. Becoming famous - If a prospective teacher promises to make you rich and famous, run as fast as you can from his class. That teacher is a liar. An acting teacher can help bring out your natural talent and abilities but they can't turn you into Tom Hanks or Julia Roberts. The teacher can show you techniques and exercises to help realize your potential but it's up to you to bring your talent to the surface (and beyond). 
3. Research and auditing - Finding the right class can involve a few steps.  Researching acting teachers on the Internet is a good start. Once you find someone that has the qualities you're looking for in a class, contact the teacher to see if you can audit the first class. Most teachers will let you watch a class and absorb everything that happens during the session. A teacher who is not willing to let you audit a class might be an instant sign that it's not the right choice for you.
4. Make a list - Do your acting interests run the spectrum from comedy to Shakespeare to TV dramas? If so, write down what you're interested in studying and find a teacher willing to help you navigate the wide range of your interests. You could find your attention is more focused on certain parts of your list.  A good teacher helps you move away from the "kitchen sink" list of interests to what really sparks your acting passion.
5. It's all about you - A good acting class shines the spotlight on the students. It's a bonus if the teacher is a working actor because he will know the daily challenges that come with being part of the acting world. A good acting class focuses on you and not the ego or success of the teacher. Find a supportive environment and not a class where the teacher constantly tells you why his acting choice was better than your acting choice in a scene.

Don't forget that networking and asking the advice of friends is an invaluable tool in finding a class that is right for you. Sometimes your friends and fellow actors know you better than you know yourself. Trusting their advice and insight can be the first step in finding the perfect class for you.

This guy attends an acting class on a regular basis and loves it!

What Makes An Actor Successful?

There are plenty of actors that are viewed as being successful. Whether they star in a box office smash or on a successful TV show, the definition of successful (in the minds of the general public) is being famous and making big money for each role.

While these actors are doing well in their chosen field, the fact that they are big stars is not what makes them successful. Here are some of the real reasons an actor is successful in their career.

1. Having a positive frame of mind - There are few actors who enjoy the luxury of not having to audition for parts. Don't enter an audition thinking your career is going nowhere because you still have to drive to Santa Monica on a Friday to make a 5pm audition.  Be happy that you got the call to fight traffic and audition for the role.
2. Don't settle - You might be booking background work on a regular basis. You might even make pretty good extra money standing in the back of crowd scenes.  A successful actor is happy for the work but still strives for bigger and better parts.
3. Have a realistic attitude - Not settling and being realistic go hand in hand. Don't think that you will be able to walk up to the casting director of the show you do background for and let them know you're ready for a bigger part.  They might be taking notice of you (might!) but any moves up the acting ladder of the show will be set in motion by the casting office.
4. Be proactive and network - Do more than just learn the lines for your next audition. Take time to analyze the parts you read for to determine what "type" casting directors see you as at this point in your career. Don't like the parts you audition for on a regular basis? Attend casting workshops to show the casting community different sides of your acting personality. Take acting classes to expand your range and become the "acting type" that you see in your mind. Get yourself out there and network with casting directors as well as other actors.  A little networking can go a long way in changing how others see you.
5. Shut up and listen - Actors love to read lines and share the sound of their voice with an audience. One of the qualities that makes an actor successful is learning to shut up. Being quiet and listening to feedback from casting directors as well as the wisdom shared by veterans in the entertainment industry can be a valuable learning experience for actors of any age and experience level.

Don't pigeonhole your idea of success as being rich and famous. Success comes in many shapes and forms and is not measured solely by the amount of money you male. 

Can you follow the tips above? Do you have what it takes to be a successful actor?

This actor is good about following the advice of his teachers and actor mentors.

Exploring The Relationship Between Acting And Sports

Football is in the air and baseball playoffs will be here before you know it. Sports and acting are actually connected in many ways beyond Michael Jordan being the least animated actor in "Space Jam".  Not sure what I mean? Take a look at the examples below!

• Sports happen when two or more players gather on the field.  An acting performance occurs when the various players (actors) play off one another in a scene.
• The director (coach) trains his team and teaches them the game plan for the scene.  Just like a sporting event, things change in the heat of the moment and the actors (players) have to react as a team to move forward and achieve their goal. 
• The odds of being chosen to work as a professional actor and become part of a production (team) are almost as large as being drafted by a professional sports team.
• Much like professional athletes, actors improve by learning new skills, practicing daily and studying their script (playbook) until they know it by heart,
• Acting and sports are both physical activities that require timing, the use of a variety of muscles throughout the body, mental sharpness and working in unison with your teammates.
• A big acting cast is much like a team sport. A sports team has to learn the moves of their fellow players and when to weave in and out of the action. Actors need to know more than their own lines. They have to work as a team and know the overall direction and playbook to succeed as a unit and reach the goal line.
• Sports teams wear uniforms when they hit the field. Actors wear costumes (uniforms) when they are ready to play their part.
• Both professions use the term "break a leg" even though it is only a good phrase in the acting world.

Being part of a team of actors can be a very rewarding experience. Are you ready to take a chance and join a team of actors? If so, get in the game!

This teen has been an actor and a youth football All-American.

The Biggest Enemy For An Actor Is ???

After spending a lot of time with actors, I've come to the conclusion that there are two types of actors. There are the actors who work hard, audition for parts, understand they can't get every part and try to learn from each audition. There are also some actors who always seem to be looking for a reason why they didn't land a part.

If you're an actor, here are some reasons why you might turn out to be your own worst enemy:

• Each actor is unique and brings their own set of skills to the table. Unfortunately, some actors don't remember this fact.  They get hung up on trying to be a certain "type" who is currently hot.  There is always going to be an audition room filled with actors who look like that certain "type". The key is to stand out from the crowd.

• Stop obsessing on things that are beyond your control. You can't control how young, how old or how ethnic the production office is casting the project. You can't control if you were the first person cast for the part or the "Plan B" choice because the first choice for the project wasn't available.  All you can focus on is doing the job you've booked.  Whether you are the first choice or the 50th choice, count yourself fortunate to be a working actor.

• It doesn't matter one bit to the casting director if you "just got the sides".  All the casting director wants to know is if you can play the part as envisioned by the director, producers, etc. Showing confidence is more important than giving excuses.

• Don't complain about how the profession of acting is unfair.  It is not unfair. It has the same amount of uncertainty and lack of stability as almost every other profession currently being practiced. The only thing that makes it "unfair" to you is no one is buying your excuses.

• What do you mean you don't have a headshot and resume?  Have two or three in your car at all times. If you get an audition for that afternoon in Hollywood but you are currently in Long Beach and live in Woodland Hills, you won't have time to swing by your home to pick up a headshot. ALWAYS have spare extra headshots (and audition clothes) in your car!

• Don't beat yourself up over lines you messed up in the audition.  Did you inhabit the character? Did you roll with the bungled lines and keep going?  Don't obsess while you're in the moment and don't obsess after the audition.  Congratulate yourself on getting the audition and look towards the future.

• There will always be other actors more successful than you at any given point in time.  I'm sure even Tom Hanks or The Rock watch other actors and wish they could land some of the parts they see on screen. Obsessing about the good fortune of others leads nowhere.

In the end, your biggest obstacle to success might be your inability to stay out of your own head. Success means different things to different people. Decide what your ultimate acting goal is and focus on achieving that goal. By focusing your energy on the positive parts of the journey, the less likely the chance you'll end up getting in your own way.

This actor is focused and realizes the acting journey is a long one.

Enjoy A Quiet Labor Day Weekend Because You'll Be A Reality Star When It's Over!

I just realized it's been a few months since I shared any casting notices with you.  There have been a ton of reality TV casting notices that have made me laugh in the past couple of weeks.  Here are some of my favorites. Do they fit your daily reality?

• Is your cat turning your life upside down?  Our expert cat behaviorist never met a cat he couldn't help! Let us transform your ferocious feline back into a cool cat. 
• Seeking interesting couples at the breaking point. Ready to get divorced?  We'll pay each couple $570 to tell their story on TV. Must have nice smile and full set of teeth.
• Love the Dodgers and hate the Giants? Broken off relationships because your loved one loved the Giants more than you?  Tell us your story and you might be featured on our show. (Must know baseball terms and teams)
• Are you American but can fake a Russian accent?  Are you also an experienced chef?  If so, get ready to cook while fooling actual Russian customers. (Must be ready to defend your cooking to angry customers)
• Casting female rappers for a reality show about your struggle for success.  Long rap sheets and/or prison record will be discussed in person with producers.
• What do you eat and drink that is strange or shocking? Do you enjoy wood, foam, perfume or dog food?  Let us know your odd snack of choice!
• Do you dance like you have two left feet even though you're missing a leg?  Learn to dance with only one leg in front of a live audience.
• Overworked? Undervalued? At the end of your rope? Quit your job in the most spectacular fashion possible on TV! (Producers not responsible for finding you a new job)
• Addicted to plastic surgery on your loved one? Hate the thought of going under the knife yourself but don't mind if your spouse completely changes their look? Tell us why you're a cosmetic surgery chicken!
• Have a teenage child but you're only in your 20s or early 30s? Feel like your teen is more of an adult than you?  Like to party with the teens even though your kid hates it?  We want to hear the craziest story involving you and your teenage posse! (Story must not involve sex with a minor)

I feel bad for you if any of the above casting calls fit your life but I wish you good luck being a reality television star!

This actor likes watching a few reality TV shows.