Monthly Archives April 2012

Acting Techniques – The Meisner Technique

Acting Advice
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The Meisner technique is just one of the many acting methods that can be learned at an acting school. This acting method was named after its creator, Sanford Meisner, a professional actor and acting coach at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York.  It was incepted in the 1940s and is still popular today. It’s also inspired by the Stanislavski’s system – a Russian-born acting method.

The Meisner technique involves a series of repetition by the person performing the exercise. It helps an actor make a scene more believable, as they get into character. As an actor, the technique is essentially asking you: How does it really feel to be in this person’s shoe? (the character you’re playing), and how can you draw upon your own experiences to connect with this character at an emotional level?

Benefits of the Meisner Technique:

The most beneficial aspect of this lesson is that actors will be able to adapt to a scene or circumstance, by living truthfully in the moment. It also helps actors learn more about and master improvisation.

Examples of famous actors who’ve benefited from this technique include Sandra Bullock, Grace Kelly, Dianne Keaton, and plenty more.

An acting school – a good one – can help actors in various stage of their acting career, master the technique, to ultimately be a better candidate for a role.

Course length times will vary from school to school, but as students, it’s important to do your own research to find an acting coach that teaches the Meisner technique the way the originator did.

Preparing For An Audition

Acting Advice
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You may already know what to take with you on an acting audition, but do you know how to mentally prepare yourself for it?

What does it take to stand out from the countless numbers of individuals that are vying from the same position that you are?

An acting school can help to train your thoughts, gestures and mind to focus on the task at hand. An acting coach can also give you knowledge to win in all types of acting genres.

Here Are A Few Tips:

• Be confident – when you believe in yourself, it’s easier for others to do the same
• Smile – It helps connect with directors and break the ice (for you at least)
• Build your stage presence – this can be learned through an acting coach
• Practice – it makes the monologue or dialogue run perfectly
• Project your voice – doing otherwise comes off as timidity

Other Considerations:

• Bring a head shot and resume, this shows preparedness
• Dress for a job, but not for the part, costumes are usually provided
• Early birds catch the first worm, so get there 20 minutes early

Whether you’re going to an arranged audition, or an open casting call, these tips should better prepare you to land the role you’re trialing for. Get the full actor’s checklist at an acting school in LA, who will teach and practice with you.

Emasla is a top-acting school in the heart of Los Angeles. To learn more about class schedules and tuition for the Emasla studio, go here.

And on a final note, believe in yourself, do your best, and everything else will fall into place. Remember, with time and practice, all things become feasible to those who think they can.

THE MEISNER TECHNIQUE SUMMER INTENSIVE

Acting Studio
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The Meisner Technique was developed by Sanford Meisner over 65 years ago, and remains one of the leading actor training techniques today.  The summer intensive is a month-long course that meets three days a week for three hours. It’s purpose it to give student actors a full exposure to the philosophies as well as the structure of this demanding yet dynamic process. It develops sensory and emotional skills and introduces actors to the strength of using one’s own uniqueness within performance.  Students are expected to present work at each class. In addition, Ms. Mestnik expects students to rehearse in preparation for each class.

 

If you are ready to ignite your imagination, reconnect to your emotions, trust your instincts and develop the essential skills of great acting, and work harder than you have ever worked before…

This program is for you!

Auditing:

EMAS does not permit auditing of technique classes. We consider technique classes at EMAS to be a personal laboratory, where the students are encouraged to take risks. There is a sense of safety created by the closed classroom that allows for such risk-taking. EMAS does everything to encourage and support the actor in this endeavor.

Preparation:

We recommend reading On Acting by Sanford Meisner or The Actor’s Art and Craft by William Esper before interviewing for our program.

Attendance:

Students presenting themselves to EMAS for training must be prepared to undertake the rigorous and demanding work required to ready themselves for the demands of a professional career.

Ms. Mestnik is very strict about class attendance and students rehearsal in preparation for each class. Students who are not professional in conduct or undependable as partners and class members will be discontinued. Many of our students are working professionals and every effort will be made to accommodate student’s professional demands.  Students are allowed two absences in this 5-week session.

 

Tuition:

 

14-Class Core Acting Program $595

Add 4 Body/Voice classes for $150

 

Class Schedule:

Session A:  Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7:00, Saturday mornings at 10:00.

Session B:  Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 10:00

Physical Voice:  Mondays:  7:00pm

The Reasons You Need An Acting Coach

Acting Advice
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Here’s why every serious actor or actress needs a coach:

• You are a brand
• You need to increase your weight lifting from good to great
• You need the advice from someone who has worked in the industry

The choice between going to an acting school or not attending, is almost like deciding to skip or prepare for college.

The truth is, acting schools give actors a competitive advantage in a very competitive industry. This is done through techniques that have been learned and taught through decades. These acting techniques are what directors look for during auditions. Acting schools also produce skills in individuals to make showcases perfect – and on any stage.

Yes, some skills cannot be taught. These include natural talent, in-born motivation, and others. Then, there are those abilities which can be learned.

What acting skills are taught in an acting school? Here goes:

• Learning timing, as in when to move based on settings and signals
• Rhythm, meaning gestures and the way your body moves freely and naturally
• The display of emotions, to increase and nail believability
• Voice control and pitch, for getting into character

These skills are just scratching the surface. If you’re new to acting, you may need to start a beginner course. Actors who are already in business can continue with acting classes to improve upon current skills.

The Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio is an acting school, that has realized numerous successful actors and actresses. To learn more about Emasla, visit www.emasla.com.