Acting

Difference between acting on-stage and acting on-camera
Stage actors worry they’ll be “too big” on camera.  Often their solution is give small, whispered, lifeless performances lacking feeling, intention and point of view.  That’s the exact opposite of every great film performance I’ve ever seen. Great performances come in all shapes and sizes.  What they have in common is that they are all intensely human and humanity can be loud, obnoxious, aggressive, dance on the ceiling happy, heartbreakingly funny or shamelessly stupid.  The camera handles larger than life-sized performances beautifully – as long as they’re genuine.  Acting is acting in both mediums. The moment to moment work is the same.  You must know where you come from, who you are physically and emotionally, what your specific, personal relationships are to the people you encounter and talk about, what your dream is and what you are willing to do to get it, etc. The differences are technical.  Knowing the […]

The Difference Between Acting on Stage and Acting On Camera

are you ready for an agent?
One of the biggest questions students ask is “How do I get an agent.”  Some of these people have coached with me for awhile, have credits and are truly ready for representation but many are just starting off and need to get a few more ducks in a row before seeking representation.  Here are 5 ducks you need to have lined up before you ever contact an agent! . . 1. Training  In no other profession would you advertise your services for hire without being trained to provide that service.  I’d like to be a doctor but I know before I start performing surgery I should probably go to medical school.  Yet “actors” think they’re ready for an agent just because they want to be an actor.  To be an actor you need to learn your craft.  Start by reading books.  For a list of great suggestions, click here.  Take […]

Are you ready to get an Agent?

8 ways to create your own audition opportunities
Last week I was asked a wonderful question by a young actress named Jen. How can I find opportunities to perform outside of school if there are no community theatres in my area? Milton Berle once said “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” If there are no performance opportunities- make your own. Here are 8 ways to create your own acting opportunities. 1.  Local colleges or universities sometimes use people from the community in their theatrical productions.  Inquire there.  If they have a film program you may also be able to submit yourself for student films which will be an excellent opportunity for you to get experience acting on-camera. 2. Start a club. If you are in highschool or college start a drama, improv, scene study, or shakespeare club.  3. Start a play reading group.  You could meet at a different person’s house once a month and read a play. […]

8 Ways to Create Your Own Acting Opportunities

acting without fear, bad habits or tension
What we do in our lives, we do in our work.  This is great because how we respond to our world is what makes us unique and that is what makes us interesting to watch!  But it’s a double edged sword.  What makes us unique doesn’t necessarily make us more effective communicators nor does it help us to empathize more deeply with others. Actors learn by observing the behavior of others.  But we must also become more keenly aware of ourselves and the things we do without thinking.   Our mental and physical habits develop over many years, often as defenses to shield our emerging selves from a world in which we feel small or powerless.  Around the time of puberty, in response to our newly developing bodies, otherwise buoyant, adventurous girls and boys start to withdraw physically, protecting their hearts and genitals.  It’s sad to watch a daring tomboy become […]

Acting Without Fear, Habit or Tension

10 things everyday to become a better actor
I’ve gotten so much helpful advice through the years but the most useful piece of wisdom for building a successful acting career is simply “Do at least one thing for your art and one thing for your business every day.”  In Part one of my answer we focused on the “business” part (CLICK to read PART1). Now in part 2, I’ll address the “Art.”  Here are some things you can do to turn this sage advice into action. . Do one thing a day for your Art… 1. Hone your audition material: Every audition is a career opportunity.  Spend time carefully choosing great monologues and songs.  Tinker with them like a craftsman until they’re beautiful.  Work on your cold reading skills to become skilled at scene analysis and making strong, positive choices.   The only thing standing between you and the job is the audition.  Learn how to nail that and you’ve got […]

20 Steps to a Successful Acting Career (Part 2)

20 steps to a successful acting career
Ebony writes: Dear Philip, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Great question!  I’ve gotten so much helpful advice through the years but the most useful piece of wisdom for building a successful acting career is simply “Do at least one thing for your art and one thing for your business every day.”  In  Part one of this equation I’ll focus on the “business” part.  Stay tuned for my next post where I’ll address the “Art.”  Here are some things you can do to turn this sage advice into action. . One thing a day for your Business… 1. Build a website:  it needn’t be fancy or expensive.  No one is going to “discover” you if they can’t find you.  Look at actor’s websites and use ideas from the best of them.  Create a presence online and make it what you want it to be. 2. Build an audience: Show […]

20 Steps to a Successful Acting Career 

acting lessons from my 7 month old
My little girl is an acting genius. The ramblings of a proud dad, you say? Though she’s only memorized two lines (“hoo-hoo,” and “ha-goo”) the proof that follows is irrefutable. . Her world is full of wonder and her desire to explore it is insatiable. Great actors are innately fascinated by and curious about their surroundings. . She desperately wants to communicate. She is passionate about what matters to her, especially getting fed and needing to have her diaper changed. . She lives completely in the moment. She is always present, listening and responding, even when she should be sleeping. . She always knows what she wants And she usually wants me to help her get it – RIGHT NOW. . She loves language She is always finding new ways to communicate, explore sounds and the impact they have on her audience. . She explores her world through her senses […]

Acting Lessons From My 7-Month-Old

casting director workshops
This week, one of my students considering attending an acting class taught by a casting director asked me if I thought it was a good idea. It’s a question that’s come up several times before so I thought it might be an interesting topic for a blog post. I feel you should take an acting class from an acting teacher. Acting class is where you learn how to make choices, unite your body, mind and spirit to communicate effectively, to stretch your limits, fail gloriously and explore who you are in a safe environment. That’s not what most casting directors know how to do or are trained to teach. . I understand why casting directors offer classes and why actors take them. Actors want to meet casting directors. A good casting director can offer a perspective actors don’t often have. They watch hundreds of actors audition while the only auditions […]

Casting Director Seminars: To Pay Or Not To Pay