A week or so I participated in the first annual Experience NoHo Arts Festival. And by participated I mean I went to it. I wanted to see the great unknown wonders my community had to offer. I love these kind of things. I planned on perusing through art galleries and checking out what sounded like some pretty cool bands, but while killing time til other friends could join me, I thought I'd do some personal-minded stuff. There were acting classes being offered. I figured there's no better idea than being a part of the festival while actively being engaged in the betterment of my career. I'd see the galleries later with friends.
So I went to three classes. The first was at a place I think I had been getting newsletter emails from, so I decided to see what it was all about without really having an idea of what I'd be participating in. I walked into a Meisner exercise. I will admit, I was disappointed, as the Meisner repetition exercise is one of the few acting tools I know I don't like. But that's no reason not to participate, so I sat down and re-affiliated myself with Meisner. When the acting coach asked me if I was familiar with it, I told him I dabbled in it. I knew of it, I had done it, but I never really studied it. Even though I don't really care for it, when my turn came to go through the exercise, I felt comfortable with it and did my best. After two rounds of repetition, he told me that I've clearly done this before and knew what I was doing. I kinda found that surprising.
After the short workshop, the acting coach encouraged everyone to leave their information and consider checking out the full class. He came up to me and one other person specifically to tell us that we really should look into it. I forget the specific reason why, but it was very much the ‘you’ve got something in you’ kinda thing. So when they called me up to see if I was interested in auditing a class, I went for it.
This morning he interviewed me to learn a little bit about where I was in my career, as well as to tell me what the class is like. He gave me a scene to read over and told me I’d be working it later in the class. I have to say, the character he had me reading for was perfect. Anyway, we did the repetition exercises, which were a range of experiences in comfort and sincerity. The class continued with some improv scenes, which was interesting to watch. Then it was time for me to do my scene. I had read it enough times to connect to it, not enough times to be stuck in an idea of how it should go, but unfortunately still not enough to have the lines down. I had a good idea, but at one point I had to close my eyes and hope I got the words right enough not to throw off my scene partner. I had a fair grasp of the scene, but still had to look at the pages repeatedly. I wanted to keep eye contact with her and not risk breaking the connection I was making with her, but those damn lines were not there! The first read was not to my level of standard. Much to my surprise however, the coach said it was a good read. The next one was much better. We connected. Eye contact was there. It was real. I wasn’t reading the lines, I was in it. At the girl’s request we did it a third time, and that was just as good. I was much more satisfied with myself. The coach said it was a great read, though it still wasn’t perfect, and didn’t have any notes to give me. At least not yet. He wanted to speak to me after class.
He asked me what I thought of what they did, and whether I got something from it. He said he could tell I knew the exercise and had done it before. Then he told me I was a good actor. And he said it in a way that meant more than just "good". I don't know what, but he made it clean I should feel proud and confident in my acting. He restated it, then continued to tell me that I was a good type, I looked young, and that I should be getting a lot of work. But he also told me that I need to be anchored somewhere. I told him I had been in LA for two years and I hadn’t gone to any classes. I performed weekly with iO West for about six months, but that was about it. I wasn’t with a class, a company, or any acting institution where I was getting myself seen, meeting with people, or just plain being involved in my business. If I had that I could grow, get opinions from peers, and network. Which is important! His biggest advice for me over anything else was simply to find someplace that worked for me and be a part of it. I was a good actor, and I’ve got a lot going for me, I just needed to be somewhere.
This was all very nice to hear. I appreciated all he had to say to me, and I was grateful to discover he thought I was so good at what I do. But I’ll admit the comment needing to find a class and stick with it was a bit of a bummer. I always enjoyed my gyspy-esque lifestyle, bouncing around a number of places without being tied to any particular one. I completely understand his opinion, and I agree with it, but I just like variety. It’s fun.
So now my goal, aside from finding representation, is to figure out some singular place to work on my skills. I already have a class or two in mind, but then I also have to find the money for it. Which would be a lot easier if I had an agency backing me up when I’m auditioning. But it seems I’ll need to take a class and network with all of them first. But then again… that means I need to… Gah. It’s a tough business out here. And I’m well aware of that, don’t get me wrong. I’m going to take everything he said in consideration and keep working at all of this from all the angles I can. I’ll find my way into this cycle and then things will really get moving. I’m very confident in all of this. Nevertheless, it’s great to hear that I’ve got a lot going for me as a very good actor.
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