Greetings Group... Below is a re-post taken from the Austin-yahoo group. It was submitted by a casting director and coach in Austin...(Thanks Donise, I hope to make it up and Class-with-you soon) Please consider its content...BTW..Along with others good teaches in our area, I take actors headshots and teach private and group lessons...Message me if you are Be Well and Act Well, LArry,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, FOR WHAT ITS WORTH. Lets talk about training and coaches. Today, Im taking off my Casting Director hat and putting on my Coach hat. To all you actors who think youve had plenty of training and no longer need any, you couldnt be more wrong. An agent friend of mine was just telling me this morning that one of her talent had pretty much figured he no longer needed any more training. Yes, he was booking some small roles here and there but they were more about a look than his acting ability. The really big ones were slipping away. After having a very heated conversation with him, he reluctantly agreed to start training again. And, he has just booked a co-starring role on a major TV show. Oh, the power of training! Even the major stars in Hollywood, seek continued training. Shortly after wrapping a project, they can be found right back in the studio with their coach! I always compare actors to athletes. Each has to learn the fundamentals about their chosen career; and then, they have to zoom in on their strengths and weaknesses. Nobody ever learned anything from doing things right; we only learn when we make a mistake! Actors and athletes need to rise above all their competition. There are only so many positions on a baseball team or football team, etc. And those athletes probably started playing their sport when they were 5 or 6! They played all through their first 12 years of school and then went on to excel in college to the point where the professional scouts noticed them. (Actually this probably starts in middle school or high school!) And before each new season, all athletes go through a spring training type session which can last for months. Think about it. Even before each game you see the athletes out on the field or on the court doing warm-ups, running, catching balls, stretching and practicing. An actor needs that same dedication before any audition! Studying with a coach is incredibly important; but just as important is the coach with whom you study. It is up to you to do your due diligence when selecting the coach. Think to yourself, Is this the person with whom I want to trust with my next career move? Talk to your agent, if you have one. Then talk to talent who are studying in your area. They, more so than anyone else, can give you the truth about the various coaches, how they liked them, what they learned, what the coachs experience is in the market place as well as in the industry. Do they charge a reasonable amount for their class? Was it worth it? Does the coach have legitimate credentials to be working with actors? Go to imdb and check people out. Anybody can label themselves a coach but it certainly doesnt mean they are qualified. Many people sweep through Texas and drop big names, i.e. Disney, Nickelodeon, General Hospital, etc. The reality is they are not connected with those companies and are gone before they can be held accountable. Quit falling for it! Ask questions! And when you have made a commitment to a coach, it is incredibly important that you honor that commitment by showing up to each class ready to work. Talent who dont show up create havoc for the rest of the class because your scene partner is left with no one or the class is just more suited to a even number of actors versus an uneven number. Just for your information, unfortunately, anybody can open a talent agency and call themselves an agent. Many have recently done this without so much as ever having even worked in a talent agency. Just because you are flattered that someone wants to represent you doesnt mean you should sign up! Investigate these people! The bottom line always is be very careful out there. Do your research and make certain that you are making the very best choice for yourself. And that extends to the photographer, agent, coach and anyone else you turn to for professional advice or services. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Thanks to all of you who have been kind enough to write about the monthly column. And, as always, thanks to Dan Eggleston for his approval in doing this and posting it to his various sites. Let me know if you have any specific questions youd like answered. And remember, I am expressing my opinion only, not that of any other CD. Also, always keep in mind, that your agent has the final word on everything pertaining to your career, so listen to him/her! Happy Yom Kippur, Columbus Day and Halloween! May all your tricks be treats! Hope to see you at the Network Austin Mixer on the 8th! Our speaker for the evening is the Director of the TX Film Commission, Heather Page! Come find out about the status of our industry in the State of Texas! networkaustinmixer for additional information. Donise L. Hardy, CSA C October 1, 2014 [email protected] acastingplace.net
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 02:17:11 +0000
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