One of the best texts I've ever received as an acting coach came the other day after my student Marc finished shooting an episode of “Law & Order” in New York. It read: “You prepared me so well for everything today. Even with all the people there on the set, I have felt more pressure in class...”
This actually made me laugh, the fact that he felt more pressure in MY class than on the set of one of the most iconic series in American television! And it so perfectly describes what I believe class is for: to prepare you to work in the big leagues.
I strongly believe that if you intend to be a working actor on a professional set one day, there is no getting around being in class. None. When I say professional set, I mean a union job with call sheets, call times, stars, wardrobe and make-up trailers, set decorators, gaffers, sound crew, Teamsters, etc. etc. etc. If it's your first job, it can be absolutely overwhelming, and chances are, your adrenaline will be in overdrive, even if you only have one line. Sometimes having one line is more nerve-wracking than an entire scene because, well, you only have that one line, and if your heart is racing and your throat is dry, that one line can feel like a five-page monologue. Trust me, that's how I felt on my first job.
So, why is class so important, even for that one line? Because class is to professional jobs that training is to the Olympics – you are learning all the skills you will need to perform under pressure. I purposely make my class demanding, only because I know as a working actor myself, that's the only way to impart the discipline necessary to be successful.
This discipline can feel like the “pressure” that Marc was talking about. But every single one of these points has a direct correlation to working on a set. They include:
BE ON TIME – TV and film crews have a saying: “Fifteen minutes early is late.” Many shoots are in busy metropolitan areas with heavy, unpredictable traffic, and you want to get to the set in plenty of time to park (which even with the best directions can sometimes be confusing) and check in with the AD. You do NOT want to be the actor signing in late on the SAG-AFTRA Time Sheet. And that is why in my classes, you get in the habit of showing up on time, ready to work.
BE PREPARED – One of the reasons why you've been hired to work on a set is, not only was your audition good and you had the right look for the role, but it's assumed that you can be trusted to do your job. You are memorized, you have the correct pronunciations for difficult words, and you've rehearsed any potential activity that you might be doing in the scene. When you do a scene every week in class, this works the preparation muscle that is crucial for your working actor career.
BE FLEXIBLE – And then sometimes, things change. The director might have a different idea that you haven't thought of, a line or two – or several – might change, blocking might change. You have to be fluid and flexible, and ready to adjust in a moment's notice. In class, you might get notes that you weren't expecting, and you'll need to learn how to incorporate them into your performance. It's also the reason why we do improv exercises to keep you loose and ready for anything.
BE NERVOUS – Nerves are part of the acting business. You will be nervous on a set, especially if it's your first job. You will also be nervous when you do a scene in class. And you know what? That's okay! You will learn that you can still do good work, even with nerves, and the more you work in class, the more you will learn how to manage your nerves. That's why it's so important to continue challenging yourself with different types of material to build up your confidence, so that you know when you're on a set and the director says “Action!” that you can deliver the goods.
Acting teachers want you to be great. We all have our different methods and ways of explanation, but at the end of the day, it's all about preparing you to have the skills you'll need as a working actor. But, we can't want it more than you do. Ask yourself if you really want to achieve that dream of being on a set and if that's what you really want, then get into a class. When you invest that time and energy, you are signaling to the universe that you are ready to work. I've seen it happen over and over again – the hard-working students are the ones who make it happen.
You can make it happen too. No pressure!
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