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AING TRINING:COHES ND TEHERS

Remember your teachers and give them thanks in your Oscaracceptance speech.

Besides my husband and children, these are the teachers I want tothank: Bill Kerr, Greg Quandt, Bob White, Rick Davis, SamanthaHarper, Joan Darling, Steven Nash; current acting coaches Caryn West,

Scott Sedita, Kimberly Jentzen; life coaches Dee Wallace, Wendy Hainesand literature tutor, Chuck Rossman.

Te mediocre teacher tells. Te good teacher explains. Te superior teacherdemonstrates. Te great teacher inspires. -William A. Ward

Great teachers have always been measured by the number of their studentswho have surpassed them. - Don Robinson

It takes many teachers in life to develop an actor. Following areteachers, tools, suggestions and recommendations that have helped meand others to develop our lives and careers. ere are countless paths,and part of an actors job is to keep exploring new ones.

You should always be studying. Your training will be a constant expen-diture so dont skimp in this area. Your technique and acting knowledgewill make you more employable.

Choosing an acting coach is an important choice, but it is not a life ordeath one. Choose one, take a months classes, give it your all and thenevaluate what you have learned. If youve improved and others in classhave grown and improved, then stick with it.

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Acting Is Everything46

Jeffrey Marcus, an inspiring acting coach, answers, Why train?

An athlete, musician or doctorwould never ask such a question. If act-ing were such an easy career, why wouldnt everyone want to do it?

Acting is a discipline that demands such skill, and yet, can be donewithout any. Of course, we can all act passionately and emotionally all byourselves. But when the stakes are high and tension and self-conscious-ness creep in, we need techniques to fall back on in order to soar.

William H. Macy, when asked in Back Stage Westabout what kind of

teachers actors should seek out, said, I believe that an actor is held inbetter stead if he doesnt rely on his talent. What you rely on is technique.Talent is given by God and theres no negotiating. Technique is some-thing anybody can learn, and for a technique to be a valid technique,its got to be scientific. Its got to be repeatable. Its got to be testable.ats what they should look for in a teacher.

Eve Brandstein, Casting Director, Producer, Career Coach, says about

choosing an acting coach:I think you have to see a teacher work.You could have heard that thisis the greatest teacher in the whole world and theyve taught some ofthe biggest names in the business, but if theres no chemistry, forget it.Some actors are better off in a negative situation and others in a positiveone. One teacher says, Why do you bring that piece of s into class?

Youre a terrible actor; who ever said you could act? And this inspiresthe actor to greatness. Another teacher says, at was beautiful work,

but what about this? And that works for that actor. You have to findout if the teacher and you are magical together.

Joan Darling, legendary acting teacher and director:

Q: Should working actors still go to class?

If you find yourself starting to be disappointedafter you finish a jobinstead of feeling that you grew and things are wonderful and you cant

wait to act againthen you should get into a class where the workingon ones art is respected and you have fun. If you dont exercise youracting muscles at top capacity, youll lose them.

Q: What if an actor cant afford to study?

Find a teacher that you can apprentice yourself to. Or get other actorswith the same desire and meet in your living room once a week. Ask afriend who knows about acting to conduct this workshop for you.

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Section One: Acting Training: Coaches and Teachers 47

Larry Moss, respected acting coach, when asked about acting teachersin aBack Stage Westinterview, said:

I believe that the aim of a teachershould be to help the individualstudents find the tools to realize their greatest potential. When youtry to teach from a singular point-of-view or method, youre goingto hurt the student.

About the expense of acting classes.

I have actors who hold down two jobs in order to take class. I

think that your education as an actor is something that you payfor because you care about it. Its like therapy. I had a therapistwho once said to me, If you dont think enough of yourself topay for therapy, how do you think youre going to get well? Idont think the classes would be as productive for the studentsif they werent making some sacrifices. I dont think that life isabout getting it easy. I dont think being an artist is easy. I thinkyou get to earn things in life.

Cherie Franklin,actress, acting coach and well-known dialogue coachon feature films and television:

Q: What should an actor gain by working with a coach?

Te value of workingwith an acting coach on an ongoing basis isthis: they can offer a safe environment that can allow you to revealyour fears and bring your work to a place where you can face yourtruths. is work state will invite you to trust in yourself, creating

confidence and steering you clear of self-sabotage throughout yourjourney as an actor.

Q: Who is your ideal student?

One who is committed to excellence, to daily homework, to in-vestigating his emotional levels, to understanding his blocks, andunderstanding what he does and doesnt do well. Someone who wantsto be the best actor they can be, who is willing to do all that it takes

to get what they want. Homework might include journal work todiscover emotional blocks, practicing cold reading, vocalizing, thereading of a play, seeing a V show or a new directors work and soon. Bottom line, an actor should remember that perfect is an endstate. erefore, as actors, we have the privilege of becoming a bettercraftsman with each new day, whether working on set or at home.

We can continue learning and advancing as the business changes.

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Acting Is Everything146

146

SECION TWOPICUE AND REUME

HOW TO TAKE

GEA PICUE

Your 8x10 pictures put you into the acting business; they are yourmost important career marketing tools. An 8x10 picture or a small onlineimage is usually your first introduction to the people who will be calling

you in for interviews and auditions, and casting you in their productions.You must have pictures, they must look like you, and you must like themso you never have to apologize when handing them out.

Color pictures are recommended when submitting for castings in LosAngeles. Black and white pictures are used for specialized submissions.

Agents, casting directors, producers and directors will arrange to meet

you because of something they see in your eyes, attitude, look or style. Anactor always brings an 8x10 picture to every interview; or at least has themavailable in the car. Actors at a higher casting level no longer bring a picture.Agents and managers send headshots to the casting office electronically.

Consider your photo shootan important acting assignment. You will beinvesting a great deal of money, time and energy. Preparation is the key. Toresearch various looks, characters and attitudes you can play, use the pictures

from the websites, tear pictures out of magazine ads, watch shows, com-mercials and rent movies. Gather the appropriate clothes for these aspectsof yourself from your wardrobe, thrift stores and new purchases. Dontborrow clothes; what you use for your photos will soon be your auditionwardrobe. Have the clothing items altered, cleaned, ironed and ready.

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Section Two: How To Take Great Pictures 147

Here are recommendations from renowned photographer Ray Bengstonfor different looks to consider when shooting headshots.

Men Scruffy/Tough Guy: Unshaven, garage mechanic, criminal, grunge, undercover cop Business Man: Suit, power look, glasses Dad: Smiley, warm, casual shirt and khakis Sexy Leading Man: Best outfit Goofy/Nerdy Guy: Grad school geek, Laptop/software whiz, witty techie

Women

Down and out/victim: No makeup or hair styling whatsoever Casual Mom: Smiley, warmWorking Class: Blue collar look, earthy Secretary: Quirky, cute look, funny assistant Business Woman: Power suit, hard-edged, ice queen Sex in the City: Attitude, sure of herself Lawyer/Doctor: Nurturing professional

Your first step is shopping for a photographer. Study the photographer

websites in the following listings and on my website: JudyKerr.com.ey use their best pictures in the latest Los Angeles styles on the sites.Look at the pictures of people who look like you. If you have blue eyes,check out the blue-eyed actors to see how the eyes look. How do theyhandle your gender, ethnicity and age bracket? If you are 18, dont lookat the 30-year-olds. If you are 40, dont look at the 20-year-olds. If youare a woman, dont look at the mens shots. Print out shots that youwould like to achieve for yourself. Narrow your photographer choices

down to three and interview them.

e photographers personality and environment are very important.You must feel comfortable in order to take the risks of letting thecamera see inside you. Certain personalities click with our own andothers make us uncomfortable. Your instincts will tell you what feelsright. Dont ignore your gut feeling and go with someone because allyour friends got great shots or the photographer is famous.

e price for a photo shootcan be from $150 to $900 plus makeupfor women and also men who need it, though some photographersdo their own. My students and I have obtained good pictures fromphotographers in all price ranges. If the picture helps you get inter-views, it has done its job. Pictures are one of your biggest expensesand greatest payoffs. is is the place to use a good percentage of youravailable promotion dollars.