I Quit!

I quit!   I am over acting, and I never want to do this again.

Every actor that is anything in the world of actors has had this thought.  This can be a tough world, and I cannot tell you how often getting out of the industry all together crosses ones mind.  Those who make it aren't always the best of the actors at the time.  They may not be booking because they are the best for the part.  Some actors make it because they never quit. They were no longer a new face. They were the option that is deserving or that casting knows they can count on.  If this industry truly doesn't make you happy anymore, then quit; and do what makes you happy.  If you feel frustrated, sometimes a break is in order; but if you have a passion for what you do and it makes you happy, then don't give up.  Tough, hard, and disappointment can be things you learn from.  Sometimes you need to clear the mind and the focus.  Sometimes you need to just be.  Just sit there.  Often when frustration sits in, I choose to take a day to myself. Do something "brainless", shut up that brain, and stop letting your thoughts run your life.  You are the observer of those thoughts; and that gives you the right to ignore them.  Understand that attachment to things or your career can hurt you. Work hard, focus, and plan on achieving; but don't form so much attachment to an outcome that it breaks you if you do not achieve it.  Happiness should not rely on anything but you.  Breathe.

%50 Perfect!

My acting coach use to always say, "You are %50 perfect every time if you can just simply talk and listen."  Well, guess what?  Majority of people are not listening to you when you speak with them.  Majority of people are else where in their mind, or thinking about what they would like to say when you are finished yammering on.  Here is a read about Mindful Listening..

MINDFUL LISTENING

A great time to practice mindfulness is when listening to others.  By remaining completely present to what they are saying and avoiding the tendency to be distracted by our anticipated responses or judgements we can notice subtle cues we would normally miss.  Paying full attention to the person you’re talking with allows the best quality of communication to happen and also avoids what’s known as ‘communication anxiety’. The practice requires ‘on the go’ introspection to ascertain whether you have become distracted or preoccupied with thoughts and judgements.Similar to formal mindfulness training, simply bring your attention back to mindfully listening as soon as you discover you’ve been distracted, without any further internal dialogue about your distraction.As Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh suggests, “The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like FLOWERS.

“When your attention moves into the Now, there is an alertness.It is as if you were waking up from a dream, the dream of thought, the dream of PAST and future.
Such clarity, such simplicity. No ROOM for problem-making. Just this moment as it is.”
~ Eckhart Tolle

Energy is in everything

The more we understand how our world works, the more we are aware of.  The more we are aware of the more we are what is called Enlightened.  Understanding how our Body, mind, and spirit work allows us to create real life inside these imaginary circumstances more freely.  It allows us to let go of all of the labels, and rules we have grown up with that we no longer need.  Becoming more and more enlightened allows us to do away with the BOX..  We no longer need the safety of those 4 walls.  When we understand we are infinite and ever expanding we are free to Create without judgment or guilt.  We no longer worry about others judgements of us either.  

Nothing is Solid -Here is what Quantum Physics tells us.

Behavior.

Life is created not by words or dialogue.  It isn't real because you say the right words.  It's your intent your behavior.  Don't just be a good liar.  Create truth.

It's not always what you left out, sometimes it's what was already there.

Character work.  It's not always what you left out... sometimes it's what was already there that is causing a separation.  Judgment can be our own worst enemy, but observation is our best.  Human beings are creatures of habit.

Understanding the primal need as a human being can take you to the truth.  Start there.  When your objective stems from a primal need it will be come stronger.

Every human being has a soul, an aura, an essence of who they are.  Don't leave out the soul or you have only created a character not a human being.   Find out what that human being breathes for, what makes him or her tic.  What feeling do you get when you step into the shoes? You have to make those shoes your own. Your choices have to be strong, but let me follow that by saying they have to stem from the truth!!  Don't make your character based on things you made up out of the blue.  Everything has a reason.  Find it.

What inside you is it that is stopping you?  That could be a number of things.  If you are working on a character that may be gay and you have some issue about being gay, then you can't find the truth. If you are taking on the part of a prostitute but you can't get past thinking prostitutes have to be sluty, then you will not create a human being.  If you create a human being based on one word like "slutty", "mean", "dumb" or anything that sheds a negative light on that character, then you are going to create a one-sided character.  Others can call you these names, but not many people call themselves those names.

Take your EGO out of the equation.

Acting will never be a dance

If you do not take the time to understand what you are saying and why you are saying it, then why do you think the lines should sound truthful?

I was reminded today how easy it is to learn the lines without ever knowing what you are saying.  It becomes what some people mistake acting as: a dance.  Acting can never be a dance.  Not if you want to truly live.  It must be seamless like life that is being lived for the first time every time.  It can't be choreographed or seem familiar.  Every time I see it, I should wonder what is going to happen next?

Article for parents and working with your kids

I have been working with different groups of kids a few times a week.  And, I know what you're thinking if you're in any of my adult classes...   "How does he tame his dirty mouth?!"  My answer is easy - I am not having to deal with adults that make me cuss!
Really quickly, let me explain why I say "dirty mouth".  In an adult acting class, we have to deal with the real issues that people in almost any lifestyle may have to go through.  If an actor comes in to work on building a character that is a cop, I may tell him/her to start looking into law enforcement.  Go find a friend that is a cop to do a ride-a-long.  Take a course on how to carry a gun.  We also may talk about how it affects you killing someone?  Things that change your life.  I do not judge any walk of life, I just observe it.

Simply stated, what do you think I have to talk about with a woman who decides to build the character of...  Let's say a "HOOKIE", for G rated sake.  My niece used to want to be 2 things in life.  Either work at Walmart or be a "Hookie", because she could wear the click click shoes and dress up.  Anyway, her dreams have changed, I think.  The point is, I focus not on who you are, but the root of how you became that human being.  As adults, we "human beings" don't just grow up and decide, "I want to be a bum!"  Even a bum, at one time, had hopes and aspirations of being astronauts, fire truck drivers, hell when your a kid you even dream to be a "Hookie"!  But, what led them on their path to be who they are now?

As for children, one of my most favorite things is the imagination.  I love a kid who is still allowed to day dream a little.  I don't mean hyperactive A.D.D. action, but the ones that can hear me say what if "insert circumstances".  EX: What if you were a bird flying in the sky?   Kids do not care if they look silly or get judged, they just become and believe what we tell them.  If I tell a child to be something or someone, then they do not judge the character like an adult would.  They do not care what they will look like, or what people will think of them.
Learn to stop judging other human beings; and you can help yourself figure out why or how they became who they are.  Who knows, you may think completely different after you get to know them.  The bible says, "He who has not sinned can cast the first stone."  All of you have sinned; so shut your mouth and stop judging!
EX: If I were playing a serial killer, I would NOT think that I was doing something negative or wrong.  I would understand why I do what I do, and how I became who I am.  Assuming or making negative statements about your character, is what I call "judging a character".  EX: "He is a dumb jock."  Well, maybe he has a learning disability; so I don't think, "I am a dumb jock."  I would think, "I am really good at sports and try really hard in school."  Or "I don't do homework and answer questions because people will think I am not smart, and it's less embarrassing to let them think I am lazy."

We have to let kids keep their freedom and their independence..  If a child looses his/her confidence, they will not feel comfortable doing things out of the box.  That goes for any age of actors.  Confidence is important in this business, but delusion is not.   Just to be clear.  An ego can get in your way every day; so make sure you know the difference when it comes to confidence.

As actors, I have to re-train people everyday that they can be who they are..
We grow up hearing:
-  Ladies don't shout
-  Men don't cry
-  Kids should be seen seen but not heard
-  That's a sin don't do it
The list could go on forever....

Also, per working with kids in acting... Know that just like adult acting, there are different tones of films and tv shows.  If the tone of the show is a 30 minute comedy such as, iCarly, then the style of acting will obviously be different then the tone of a 1 hour episodic such as, TrueBlood.  However, regardless the tone, I must believe you.  If I see you acting happy, then it's bad acting.  If I see you acting angry, then it's bad acting.  If I don't see you acting like anything and all I see is the truth, then you're doing a wonderful job.  As long as you're acting always stems from the truth and not you lying to yourself about feeling a certain way, then you're on the right path.

Any questions or if you would like a blog to focus on anything specific feel free to leave a comment...

It's not about the Audience anymore.

When our venues were only the stage for actors we developed certain training techniques so that the audience could hear us, and see us and understand all of our complex emotions we human beings have.  As a modern day film and Tv actor many of the rules to make us perform are gone.  If we act as though we were on stage we look like fools on the camera. The camera will catch every little nuance in your life.  It is no longer important to worry about the audience.  They are not there, they do not have to hear you or see you.  As a matter of fact if your shooting something that in the script takes place with you and one other person then guess what, it is only important if that other human in the scene hears you.  The Gaffers, and the hair and make up don't care if they can hear you.  Guess what? Your not on set to entertain the people on set.  You are there to truly live in the circumstances they have given you.  If you ever questions yourself, "am I over acting or under acting", then start with the truth.  Do you believe that aliens are coming to get you to suck out your brain?  No?  Then, neither do we.  You have to find a way to make everything real to you.  If you don't know how, then get to an acting class.  Respect your career.  If you think your giving acting a shot by taking some photos and getting an agent to send you on auditions then your wrong.  Doctors don't just give it a shot and try to heal someone.  They go to school, they train, they perfect their craft.  They have respect for what they do.  Have respect for this craft and industry and be willing to learn.  Humble yourself and be like a sponge.  If you don't respect your career then don't expect others to take you serious or respect what you are doing.  In the end this is a job, a career.

NO ONE CAN SELL YOU A DREAM.

In a career where there is no such thing as a guarantee, you must be strong-willed, focused, and willing to possibly FIRE your friends and/or family.  My acting coach told me this when I first started his classes.  He also told me, "You cannot sleep your way to the top; but you may be able to fuck your way to a good middle."  What I am saying is: you need support, not someone pulling you down, slowing you down, or telling you that you will never make it.

The entertainment industry has many roads that may lead to getting a foot in the door; but in the long run, you have to get started now.  If you have an uncle that has the last name of Cameron, as in James Cameron, then maybe you can take advantage of that.  If you are like the rest of us and do not have any relatives at the top of the ladder, then you better get ready to work and I mean work hard.   This industry is a job - %100 work.  You are basically starting your own business; so you have to know "who" you are and how to market yourself.

First thing to know about acting!!!  GET A JOB!  I don't mean an acting job - I mean get a job that can pay your bills and keep food on the table.  You don't need to party like a rock star - you need to drive a hooptie, if need be, so that you can afford your training and gas to get back and forth to auditions.  This industry is not glamorous unless you are Brad Pitt.  Otherwise you are not making a lot of money; and you need to know how to save it.  You don't need to like your job; but if you want your career to be acting, then you have to pay to play right now.  I call acting my habit, like a drug habit, because I had to keep a regular job to pay for acting class and keep myself afloat between acting jobs.  Eight years is considered an overnight success; so if you are in a rush, then strive to be a burger flipper at McDonald's and it won't take as long to reach your dreams.  No one is going to give you anything; and if you are waiting around to get discovered, then just quit now.  I am not here to discourage you, but to give you the honest truth about this industry. 

Extra work - it isn't a bad gig.  If you are a green (new) actor, then do some extra work and learn what happens on set.  Learn the roles of everyone and what their job entails.  Pay attention to the lead actors, and see how they handle themselves.  Hopefully you are watching a professional who isn't an asshole.  After you have done it a while or when you start auditioning for real acting roles (speaking parts), then you may need to get out of extra work!  You don't want to meet a director on set as an extra, then go in for an audition for them the following week.  It's ok every now and then if you need to catch up on some bills; but overall, in a perfect world, get out of extra work.  There is no job that is not good enough.  You need money; and you need to know how and where to spend your money.  You also need to know how to do your homework before you spend any of your money on photos, acting coaches, etc.  NO ONE CAN SELL YOU A DREAM.  NO ONE CAN MAKE YOU A STAR.  NO ONE GETS DISCOVERED.  If it were that easy, then you wouldn't want to be an actor.

Remember acting is a journey, not a destination.  Enjoy your trip!

Directors this one is for you... Touch for an actor at the end.

As a director sometimes we want to be really detailed in our vision of the scene.  We already know where we want to shoot from, where we should light the actors, and what the physicality of the scene should already be.  Just like an actor we must not give ourself physical and emotional decisions and choices until we see what the scene's potential is.  If you have done a wonderful job in casting then give the actors a chance to create the real human behavior and movement of what that scene may be.  After you see what and where it could go then make your decisions, then see where you want to set up camera, you may see some wonderful and beautiful natural shots that you would not have seen if you would have projected your expectations of the scene on the actors.  Plus many times when a first time director gives directions they only give the physical direction which takes away from the natural human behavior of the actor.  It puts the actor in their heads about what they should physically be doing and they stop living.  I am not saying do not direct, but direct after you see what the natural blocking of the scene may become.  Film and television is not a stage play, it is human life and behavior that as a director it is our job to capture that reality on film.  Learn to direct an actor by choices, and objectives, keep them living, not roboticaly walking through the scene and spitting out lines that someone put on a page.

As for the actor, do not try to become the director.  Do not try to act the scene the way you see it in your head, if you do then you have now become a stage play.  You took any chance of that scene being real right out of the equation.   Live in the moment.  The blocking and the emotions must come from a natural state of being.  It must come from living in those circumstances.  "ACTING-creating real life in imaginary  circumstances."-A.S

What do you study? What is your method? Tooo many questions..

Every METHOD to me will work for someone. However, we have to let go of old ways of specific strict methods. Not all actors are a like there for not one method is perfect. I teach for tv and film, to name a method for madness would be like me telling you, "I can teach you exactly what women want"... If anyone ever tells you that. They are lying or ill... Women, replace women with men to get the full picture.

The moment before.....

Home work for this industry. Making good choices aren't by luck.

When I say "homework", I mean it in so many ways.  Homework starts immediately after you decide to be an actor. This industry is, as I always say - "TOUGH".  As green or "new" people in the industry, you are a target for a way to make a lot of money.  If you don't know what a quality acting coach is, then you won't know if he or she is any good or not.  If you don't know what a quality head shot is, then you don't know who can take a GOOD head shot.  The same goes with agencies.  If you are the consumer, then you should always compare their prices to the industry standards (the average prices of class/headshot/etc).  Also, agents will not charge you to represent them.  They will get a percentage (usually 10% - 15%) of what money you make once you book your jobs while you are working with them.  

Do your homework and look up information on your acting coaches - google them or go to imdb.com and check to see what movies they were in that were speaking roles.  Also, you can maybe find their resume and/or reel online.  Most acting coaches should have a reel, or video clips of them acting online.  If they don't, then maybe they haven't been acting long enough to be coaching you.  Try to find bio's on the acting coach to see if he or she mentions how long they have been in the entertainment industry.  Ask other friends/actors what they have heard, seen, or experienced with them as well.  Most acting coaches will have a time that you can come sit in during class, which should be free, to see if you feel like it is a good learning environment for you.  Do you feel comfortable with the coach?  Is he/she someone you could listen to and learn from?  You should always walk away from class feeling like you got a little bit better and/or learned something.  If you have been with that coach for a more than a few weeks and do not feel like you have learned anything, then maybe you should try another coach.  Go to a few coaches and check out their classes before you settle on one specific coach.  Even some good acting coaches may not be a great fit for you.  Also, ask the acting teacher what type of acting he teaches.  If he says theatre then ask yourself - "Do I want to learn how to act for the theatre, or for film and TV?"  Make sure your dream is the same as what he or she teaches.  An acting coach is not going to get or promise you work.  He is not going to tell you that you will be a star, nor will he get you an agent; but maybe he can help you or give you advice.  However, you have to take the initiative to do that homework also.  

Headshot photography is one piece of the pie that looks a lot easier than it is.  A great photographer, may not be a great headshot photographer.  Go to someone that shoots almost only headshots - it is what they love to do, like you love acting.  Look up some of the best headshot photographers in Los Angeles or New York; and get to know a good headshot.  Check out some of the ones that you really like; and then look in your local market for someone that shoots similar headshots.  The headshots should all be about the person in the photo.  When I say that, (for example) I mean don't wear big earrings unless you are shooting head shots for a certain type of character.  Most of the time you are going to need a headshot that looks just like you do in person.  When a casting director brings you in to their office based on a headshot they saw; then that is who they expect to see.  A head shot shouldn't make you look a lot younger, older, skinner, or sexier.  It should look just like you; so put that in your notes for when you shoot - no big jewelry, loud shirts, or anything that could distract someone from looking at that photo and being drawn directly to your eyes.  

I know most actors think you need an agent as soon as you start - Not true!  Treat this industry with just as much respect as a doctor treated his when he decided to learn how to do what he loved.  An overnight success in this industry is, once again, between seven and nine years; so if you truly want to make it in this industry, then "getting discovered" isn't going to cut it.  Now, agents are going to help get you auditions; but you don't want to go on auditions until you know act or create real life in imaginary circumstances.  Therefore, take a step back; and start by looking for an acting coach.  I say "coach" because most schools don't focus on film and television acting.  If you want to learn how to act in the theatre; then again, focus on an agent that works for theatre actors.  When choosing an agent, check out their IMDB page.  Also, check to see if they have a website that may give you more information on the agency.  Ask anyone you know who is with that agency that can tell you anything more; or you can ask your acting coach which ones are the good ones.  Usually, acting coaches will be up to date and current with what is going on in the industry - at least they better!  This is what they are suppose to be teaching you, as this is what you are paying them for.  That is the business of acting.  If they don't know what is going on in the current industry, maybe they aren't the right coach for you.  Plus, if you are at the point in your career that your ready to go on auditions and show them your BEST, then you should already have a wonderful acting coach that can give you some advice in any and all directions of this industry.

Remind me later, or just come to class.  Then, we can talk about a whole other book.  It's about homework when it comes to all the training and knowledge it takes to become a great actor.  I hope you want to be a great actor - not just a good one.  I don't mean a star.  I just hope that you are in this industry because you love it.  To be completely honest, if it isn't your passion, I don't think you should be an actor.  Follow your passion and your life will be happy. 

Maybe this isn't the industry for you.

Dedication, commitment, drive, focus, and unimaginable time.  These are just a few things it takes to become a working actor.  I know many people dream of becoming an actor and think that it is what they should do for a living.  I am not here to bust your bubble or ruin your dreams.  I think if that is your passion than you should follow it.  However, I am here to give the hard honest truth.  If this article makes you want to work harder and put all your time to your career then I have done my job.  If it frustrates you and makes you not want to do this career anymore, then I have done my job.

When I first started acting I was in class 5 to 6 days a week, every day I was reading scripts, and working on my articulation and working on my imagination and focus.  This is a career that is a 24/7 job.  You need to learn to enjoy your time alone and the time you will be spending working on character work, reading scripts, studying the things that your character's lives are about, etc.  There is tons of work to be done before you even look at a scene.  The last thing you should worry about is learning your lines!  Have you ever noticed when you do auditions or scenes that it sounds like you have the same rhythm every time you do your scene?  That is because you learned the scene for the lines and you never worked on the character and objective that the character is after in that scene.  Almost every time you do a scene it should come out a little different.  The actor or actress your working with can change the tone in his or her voice which could change the way you perceive something.   You should truly be talking and listening, not worrying about what your next line is.

Long story short.  Dedication, if you don't have it then get out of this industry.  If you don't have enough respect for your career to put your time in every day or to be in class, "present" every time class is in session then this is probably not the career for you..   If you are waiting to be discovered, get out of this industry, if you think doing extra work everyday is going to get you where you want to be in the acting world then follow another dream.

OUR JUDGMENT IS ONLY OF UNDERSTANDING.(character)

In life our philosophy and the way we view everyday as an actor, human being, artist, has to be different than most people you know. You have to be in a place of freedom and endless imagination. We have to be able to get ride of all of our judgment about human beings. We have to be able to only observe and understand everyone and not judge their choices in life, but understand why they chose them.  When you can look at anyone and understand why they make those choices only then can you develop that character without judgment.   By judging our character we have already gotten rid of any original thought.  If we do not agree with our characters then we can never be in the moment.  I am not saying if you play Hitler you have to hate Jews in your everyday life, but when you are in the moment and working on set then you have to see it from his shoes and the wonderful things he was doing for the world by getting rid of a race that was dirty and spreading disease..  This is of coarse not what I think, this is the view of Hitler.  He did not think of himself as an evil man but a man that was helping the world.   We can not Judge, we have to be able to understand every side of the story non objectively.

Some wonderful words by my students. Thanks..

Just a few messages I have gotten from a few of the students. Thank you guys for working hard, it makes me proud to be your coach.

dean.

I had a great time last night. Looking forward to next week.
K.S.A.

Class has been phenomenal btw I love it. Hope you have a blissful day.
R.P.

Good class tonight! I thought it moved at a good pace and you worked well with each group; giving each of us our personal time.
Just a kudo for the teacher!
T.L.K.


Guys if any of you from the classes want to say anything about the class please feel free. Also if you guys ever have questions on any of the postings feel free to make a comment and I will get back to you in time.

A great Prop!

A prop is anything you may use in the scene. There is no such thing as a great prop or a bad prop.. A prop is just a prop. Lets take a book for instance. If the book is in a scene with you and you are reading the book then it is just a book. "If" you are truly reading it. As soon as you act like your reading and are just skimming the pages or aren't truly reading, your just holding the book to act like your reading... Then it is a BAD prop. Because now I am watching you fake read, and that bothers me. That is not truly living, that is bad acting. A prop should never be more important than you. If the prop becomes more important than you or the story line, then you are not using it correctly..

A sense of time in this industry. .....HONESTY.....

Many actors never get to hear the truth about this industry until you have spent close to 7 years or so in it. I had an honest and wonderful coach. Lucky me. I agree with my coach, I like for my students and other actors to know the truth right when they decided this is the career they want.

Truth: Acting is not a dreamers industry anymore. The reality of this industry is that it is tuff, ruff, and full of NO's. Please don't take the No's personal, but get use to them so that you can move on and focus on learning what acting really is. If you have no respect for your career and you think it is suppose to move super fast, and you don't need class, and you don't need to work every day at perfecting your craft then you might as well quit now. I think I have served my students well if after a while of studying with me they either decide to work super hard for their career, or quit. If this is not your passion, and at any point you feel that your passion has changed, then follow it. In the long run just be happy. But please, have the respect for your career that a doctor has for his, or a pro athlete. He doesn't sign up and they throw him a scapulae and a liver. He studies for many years before he even gets a chance. Pro Athletes practice almost every day of their lives! They practice for a living!!!

You can not fail until you have given your self a chance.

And don't listen to all those damn groups, schools, and ads that say they will get you in Twilight or any of that bull shit. Just find an acting coach that you believe in and trust. Get to work! Learn what you want them to hire you for. Then hang on, because it's a long road. Know that I am not saying you can't make it shorter, but you do it by working harder. Not by waiting around, and not by someone discovering you. Sorry if there were any Bubbles that just got busted, but know you can make your decision knowing more honesty.

Older actors feel free to leave a comment on this one.

Character, emotions, and a booger.

Scene work. After you have truly let go of the character to live fully in their shoes and circumstances are you then forced to forget all of the work you have just done. If you are thinking about what your next line is then you have already taken yourself out of the moment. In life we never think about our next line. All we do is live and go after things we want. We all do things for specific reasons. We as human beings never do anything with out a meaning behind it. As an actor we must have meaning. If we move, or pick our nose, we must have meaning! For example, if we pick our nose because the director said to, then it is a technical move. That move needs to be natural. It has to be because you have a booger. As goofy as it may sound to use something that simple, this goes for something that is even as heavy as crying. Do not cry because the script says to cry. Find the understanding of the scene so that you do not have to choose an emotion. You should never choose an emotion, you should only choose your objective. Let the objective, and relationships, and circumstances create a natural emotion in the moment. You could cry, laugh, or get angry. None of which would be wrong if you are truly living in the moment and the circumstances.

reply: One on One vs Class room setting?

This was a reply to an email that was focused on whether I thought a Class room setting or a one on one setting is the best for actors...

My passion happens to be acting; and I come from many years in the industry on many levels, as well as many years of studying with a wonderful and amazing coach. With that being said, I am in the hopes that I can train some wonderful actors here in Louisiana, so that we have a quality talent pool for producers and directors to choose from.

There are only a few coaches that I would recommend in the Louisiana area. If you need some advice, I am more than willing to help you. As for me, I do think every actor is different; and that is one of the reasons I do not teach a specific method. If I did teach only one method, then I would be saying that there is a perfect way to teach TV and Film in that method alone. I think most of the methods were devised for stage; so to use methods that were devised years before my creative venue(tv/film) was even invented, would be wrong.

As for class settings, there are benefits to both one on one coaching, as well as a class full of students.

I think one on one is wonderful when you focus on an audition or rehearse and prep for a role you booked. It is also interesting, later on, when you have moved past the basics and are delving deep into your work. Even then, many things can still be done in a class setting for others to learn and for you to share.

A class setting is one of the best ways to learn and to absorb the fastest. Our jobs as actors are to be observant and pay attention to the human condition and to create truthful behavior. How better to do so than with a nice group of people to observe? I think many actors find they learn more by sitting and watching a scene or waiting until I speak about the scene rather than sometimes being in the scene themselves. Sometimes it is easier to see your own problems in someone else's work. However, you also have the advantage of working with many different personalities and walks of life that you would not have in a one on one session. Then once you are in the scene study class and you need to work on a scene, there is no hesitation from "living" in front of people in your imaginary circumstance. Acting is- creating real life in an imaginary circumstance.