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...

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.

Preparation on set.(The Ledge)

On set today in Baton Rouge for a movie called "THE LEDGE" starring Charlie Hunnam, Liv Tyler, Patrick Wilson and Chris Gorham, who is playing my boyfriend in the film.  I play a character named Frank.

As preparation when you are on set. You will always check in with one of the AD's and they will give you a quick idea of how the day is going to run.  Then, depending on your budget of coarse you will get a trailer and your sides for the day.  It is always great to look over the sides that are being filmed just incase something may have changed last minute, which happens often.  Your character work should be done and so should any breakdown of the script, scene, etc.  The only thing you have to worry about is your egg white omelet with spinach and turkey.  Not pointing any fingers, but someone forgot to add my TURKEY!

You will go through wardrobe, hair and make-up and then most likely have a whole lot of time to "hurry up and wait".  This business is always in a hurry, but as an actor you will have down time between shots during which you should always be ready to go in a seconds notice.   Earlier I said that things can change at a moments notice, which brings me to this.  Always know your scenes really well, not necessarily your dialogue, but know your moment before, your object, and where you are coming from.  The scope of the scene is more important than the lines because the director may decide to change something on set, or heaven forbid one of your co-stars says the wrong line.  Don't worry, it happens.  This is film, all you have to do is shoot another take.

Time to get prepared.