WEEK #1 - ACTING TIP & THEME OF THE WEEK.
Okay Halifax Actors...it begins!!! A brand new year with a lot of new opportunities coming up. For those who don't know me, my name is Naomi-Joy. I have been performing in various capacities (singing/acting/dancing etc) my whole life. I am now 30, with three kids (a 7 year old, and two year old twin boys...which is scary sometimes LOL), two bands (AQuestrya & SheMachine), a new production company, one short film in pre production and a rock opera / musical stage play in the development stage with AQuestyra. I am also currently a member of ACTRA, and represented by Sky Talent Group. My acting career really just began to take off in 2011 with acting, principal, lead roles and stunt work for television, digital media, theatre and my 1st role in a feature. That said, I am by no means a tenured actor in Halifax. I, just like you, am still learning and growing. However, I am very hard working, and have taken it upon myself to learn as much as I can. So, this year, I am committing to sharing via my blog what I have learned, and the things I continue to learn, with all of you. This is my personal contribution to my membership in the HalifACTS actors support group.
Last year was great for me. Many people said "Wow, you must be lucky." Luck my dear friends, is when preparation and hard work meets opportunity. There are no shortage of opportunities in Halifax, whether you choose to believe it or not. Begin telling yourself that TODAY. All that's left, for you to do is to prepare yourselves to rise to the occasion - to be ready to perform when opportunities arise. NOW is the time to do it BEFORE the season picks up in the spring. Before you begin pursuing roles, or even representation (for those of you without an agent) first make a commitment to train. We must constantly develop our craft. A dear friend once told me when I was 14, "If you want to be successful, you've GOT to do what Successful people are doing." Many working professional actors - even the ones who've made it - are ALWAYS developing their craft. My friend Joshua Young, put it into perspective when he told us that even Sir Anthony Hopkins has read scripts up to 200 times before he would perform. The saying "If you don't use it, you lose it" is applicable to acting.
In the 1st quarter of this year, make it your goal to seek out some coaching. Find out who the local acting coaches are and what programs are available to you. Plan to receive / participate in that coaching at some point this year (ideally start in the 1st quarter and or the end of the year. Do more if you can). Sure we all have talent, but believe me, that's only 10% of making it in this business. Some of us have a natural talent for making certain choices as actors, but to really be great, we must learn to accompany natural talent with solid technique. Acting coaching may cost you some money, but you need to spend it to make it. You are an independent business on to yourself. You may write it off in your taxes, and it is an investment in your career - IF you are serious about acting it as a full time or part time career. Keep in mind, BG work is not acting. I'm referring to speaking roles - acting (3+ lines), Principal (6+ lines) or lead roles. The more coaching you can take, the better. Of course, that is not feasible for all of us. There are lots of workshops offered at a cost, so you have lots to choose from, but if you're on a budget then do your research, and be selective of which coaching you pursue. Ask other working actors who they recommend, who they use. Remember, you've got to do what successful working actors - actors who are regularly getting cast for roles or who have an impressive resume - are doing. Or take the advice of aspiring actors who have found a coach who has helped teach them a lot of new techniques that improved on their auditions, or that taught them a lot about the biz. Take their recommendations. When it comes to paid coaching, if someone you know of were to charge you $150 for three hours and hadn't had a solid speaking role or any substantial work in Eons, and you had to choose between him and Jeremy Webb, (who brings many years of acting in diverse roles, producing and directing to the table), the smarter choice would be to put your money toward coaching with Jeremy Webb....as an example. You are also very lucky that many experienced and trained actors in Halifax are willing to offer training and one on one coaching for very low rates. In bigger cities it is significantly more expensive.
Some experienced actors here in Halifax may even be willing to run lines with you for free, and assist with audition preparation if they can make the time - which still gives you some coaching, gives them the opportunity to reiterate what they know (if they are young in their careers), or the opportunity to mentor (if they are seasoned), and for you to make a new acquaintance. The more you practice techniques with other actors, the stronger your skills will become. Working on techniques or different character types will have a greater impact on performance techniques you learn, when you have to perform against another real person. Some times all you have to do is ASK. We're all very busy, so you may not get hand outs. This is a business where you have to make the initiative, and ASK. You'd be surprised at how many yes' you may get. Also, attend AS MANY FREE WORKSHOPS AS YOU CAN!!! I will offer a few and there have been many others who have as well, to support the HalifACTS group. The only excuse for not making it out to a free workshop, is if you're already busy working in some capacity. Even then, depending on what the workshop is about, if it's really worth it to you, find a way to make time.
As a Torontonian, I can tell you, we are so lucky here in Halifax. Even Casting Directors Like Erin Hennessey for example, have been extremely gracious in offering coaching in other ways via tips in her newsletters, presentations and advice in the casting room. When generosity like that happens take note and take heed to any recommendations or advice they give. Pay attention and follow it to the LETTER. Trust me, in bigger cities, they will not be so generous. I once had an audition for a certain type of character I never expected to be considered for. When I auditioned for Shiela at Filmworks I failed miserably. She took extra time - which she did not have to do - to explain to me the psychology behind that sort of character. She then gave me the opportunity to try it again. In any big city, you'd have only ONE CHANCE and no feedback. Period. I took what she said to heart and worked on it for months. The next time I had a similar character to audition for, I got the part. We have PLENTY of opportunities to learn and receive support if we pay attention. I could have just heard her words and left them in the casting room. The fact that I took her words to heart meant future success for me in a similar role, and the opportunity to work with a big actor I respect.
If you cannot afford to take a workshop or one on one coaching, then take it upon yourself to find videos, or read books about techniques. Prepare a comedic, and dramatic monologue, from two films and two plays. If you can sing, prepare a ballad and an up tempo piece from a musical play, and always be ready to perform all six at the drop of a hat. I've got 4 of those down, and I'm working on the other two. All require different performance techniques. Work on them and perform them for fellow actors. Have a peer run lines with you the way you may do it in the casting room (with them reading straight and not performing), to help you prepare for that sort of environment. Do this with someone who can give you honest feedback.
Last, but not least, do not take criticisms personally. If you run lines with someone and they straight up tell you that it wasn't a very good performance, be grateful. They just did you a favour. You need to uncover the weak spots in order to make them strong, so you can be confident in your performance. Your objective, will then be to find out why it wasn't believable. Whether you were over acting and need to tone it down, or whether you didn't go as far emotionally as you needed to, because you weren't able to find that emotion from a real place where you could truly feel it. Or maybe it was because you couldn't remember your lines, or were afraid etc..Maybe it's as simple as learning techniques to help you remember your lines.
The more you develop your skills as an actor, the more prepared you will be to develop any character or take on any appropriate role that comes your way (because not all roles are appropriate); the more prepared you'll be to show a good agent that you are worth investing time in, and the more you will be able to show producers and directors that they should cast you in their productions.
My recommendations for Acting coaching this year:
- JEREMY WEBB:
He is one of Halifax' BEST actors both on the stage & in front of the camera. He has directed & produced several plays and films, helped develop the Neptune Theatre Pre-Professional Program and taught it for 6 years. He has over 20 years of experience coaching actors. He is the cream of the crop and one of my all time favourite local actors. I personally intend to work with him in 2012. He is my personal choice for an acting coach in 2012, and his rates are amazing!
http://www.offtheleash.ca/acting-coach/
-JOHN DUNSWORTH:
I've had the pleasure of working one on one with John. He has the ability to really push your limits. This is very important. Even when he feels that you've done a perfect performance, he will help you get into the mind and psychology of your character. He is amazing at creating backstory to help you become the character. He is one of Halifax' BEST method actor.
Visit faces for films or www.johndunsworth.com for more details / bookings
-GLEN LEFCHAK:
Glen is an old friend and colleague. He is an incredibly talented actor and is especially known for his voice acting. If you are interested in working as a voice actor for cartoons, commercials or are interested in ADR looping, Glen is the guy to talk to!!
Visit http://voiceswithglenn.com/
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