uta hagen

The next step on how to become an actor is about getting serious about training and by doing that, obtaining help. The right teacher can help you build connections and skills that will facilitate the rest of the process. The following is a brief summary of the different types of acting classes you may want to consider.

Scene Study: 

Scene study classes are meant for actors that want to learn how to read and analyze a script. So that they can derive what part of the text is the most important or meaningful in each scene. These acting classes are useful when an actor needs to find out a way to analyze text. Most performers work from a script that has already been written. If an actor wants to convey the meaning of this text to his or her audience. He or she must understand every dimension of the text.

You must learn how to clearly transmit the meaning behind your given response.

After that you’ve learned to listen and answer to your fellow actors. It’s necessary to understand what each character is aiming for with each hint, either verbal or physical. These classes can provide an actor the tools required to discover which emotions and situations actually drive a scene forward. With urgency and help the actor answer the question, “Why should my character say these words now?”

Acting Technique:

Sooner or later, you may want to start looking for acting classes and coaches. That are primarily based in specific acting techniques. You have to remember that these techniques, while they can appear as old school, aren’t to be used solely onstage. A lot of film and television actors look back to classical techniques to help them improve their performances. It is also necessary for you to remember that not every side of one technique may fit you. Several actors choose different aspects of different techniques working for their process. And may also use different techniques depending on the type of material on which they are focusing. This is why it is helpful to get experience in a number of techniques. To help you decide on where to start, we have enclosed a brief run-down of the most popular Stanislavsky-based techniques on the following pages.

On-Camera, audition for film and television:

Once you have found out how to communicate and understand the meaning of text, you may want to differentiate stage acting and camera acting. Even though the basic skills of communicating still apply in both situations. The two industries have completely different jargon, different processes, and even different personnel with which you must be familiar. When the time comes, it may be helpful to take classes primarily based in commercial and on-camera technique. To determine which industry fits you the best. Try taking a Shakespeare class. Or one that focuses on more stylized movement techniques if you lean more toward stage acting.

Auditioning and Cold Reading:

Once you have reinforced your acting skills, it’s time to focus on the LA casting. Audition technique and cold reading skills classes can strengthen actors confidence in their ability to think on the fly. And put their best foot forward in what can be an intimidating situation. 

Singing, Musical Theater, Voice, Dialects, and Accent Reduction:

An actor should use every dimension of his or her instrument to its fullest capability. Just remember that vocal training is not only for actors who sing. Learning how to speak correctly, enunciate while not harming one’s voice is a vital ability for actors to manage. Voice, dialect, and accent reduction classes can also help actors adjust their natural voices. To match that of the characters they are playing. Singing and musical theater classes are more focused on singing technique and performance. 

The Business of Acting and Career Coaching:

If an actor wants to achieve success, he or she must have the capabilities necessary to navigate his or her career. These classes can help actors set realistic goals. Create networking opportunities, understand unions and contracts. Also find ways to include challenges of an acting career into their busy lives.

Private Coaching:

Throughout any part of your process, it may be helpful to find time where can focus on your own specific process. A situation and growth. Once you have collected all of the tools in your toolbox, you may want to hire someone for a few sessions of private coaching. Private acting coaches can give you very specific notes and assist you in achieving your career and personal goals. For example, they may help prepare you for a specific audition you are worried about. Help you overcome challenges with a particular role. Choosing a private coach is a very challenging process. And you should make sure that the person you select connects to your personal style. 

Vocal Techniques:

Kristin Linklater Technique: Help actors release the “natural function of the vocal mechanism”. By asking them to find their individual voice and use its full expressive capacity.

Improvisation Technique:

Viola Spolin created an improv technique based on theatre games. Which became the foundational bedrock of the famous Second City in Chicago in the 1950s. 

Konstantin Stanislavsky (1863–1938)

Stanislavsky’s acting techniques evolved over time, and his work influenced various successful teachers, including those listed below.

His Early Work: Actors use specific actions to formulate emotional or “affective” memories, and then use these emotions to portray their current role.

Stanislavsky’s Later Work: Actors improve the character’s thoughts and feelings through physical action, a targeted use of the imagination. And a belief in the “given circumstances” of the text.

Lee Strasberg (1901–1982): Referred as the father of “American Method Acting”. Later became the director of the Actors Studio in NYC. Based mostly in Stanislavsky’s system, this method is focused on improvisation and effective memory, also referred as substitution.

Uta Hagen (1919–2004): Created the term “transference”. Stating that while an actor ought to use feelings and circumstances from his own life to portray characters. He must also use these feelings to encourage actions in the moment.

Stella Adler (1901–1992): Originally studied the affective memory technique under Boleslawski, but later went to Paris and studied directly with Stanislavsky himself. During this time, she learned of Stanislavsky’s revised theories. Upon her return to the U.S., she then focused on using the actor’s imagination. Along with mastering the characters’ physical and vocal characteristics.

Michael Chekhov (1891–1955):

 This technique targets the actor’s creative imagination through more physical, non-analytical means. If we first find the physical core of a character, that emotional core will follow. One of the most famous terms used is the “psychological gesture.”

Robert Lewis (1909–1997): Lewis focused on applying Stanislvasky’s system to acting styles outside of realism. According to him, actors also need to rely on transformation into characters by using external and physical techniques. Not only on personal emotional expression.

Sanford Meisner (1905–1997): Originally a close friend and colleague of Clurman and Strasberg. Meisner later resisted affective memory, and started instead to specialize on building reactions and subtext as responses to current situations. This technique does not ask for emotional recall, but instead asks an actor to be extremely present in the moment.

Learn Acting at one of the Best Acting Schools in Los Angeles 2437 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: 310.392.0815 Email: actingclass@michelledanner.com

Learn Acting at one of the Best Acting Schools in Los Angeles
2437 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: 310.392.0815
Email: actingclass@michelledanner.com

LEARN ACTING FOR FILM BY ACTING IN FILMS

If acting is your passion, attending our acting school will help put your dream into practice. Our performing arts school in Los Angeles trains actors to become professional working actors in theatre, film. An actor or model wanting to prepare for auditions should take on camera auditioning classes. After an 8 week acting workshop  you should be ready to look for and apply to: Auditions | Casting calls | Open casting calls | Casting call | Open casting call, auditions and roles on Backstage. Click here to read acting tips for actors. Our acting school in America, training actors to become professional working actors in theatre, film.