Best start..? I appreciate any replies - Actors Forum is the Community to Talk, Learn and Study Acting.

vipe · 03-04-2007, 08:47 AM

Hello, I'm new within the acting industry in US (moving from UK, not decided what city yet..). I wondered what's the best way to start up with if I dont have any official training so far. (Only been in 7 school plays, however I did not learn a lot from that due to bad teachers+ singing in chorus for 7 years,no solo)
I am prepared to spend all my time on this, so I am prepared to do anything that needs to be done. Financially there are no problems, as long as it will help me in my situation...

Schoolcreative · 03-04-2007, 03:31 PM

Hello:

I own an acting school in Vancouver B.C. in Canada. (Schoolcreative - info@schoolcreative.com). I can tell you that you are in a similar situation to most actors when they start out.

In terms of American Schools you could and should look at the Playhouse in Santa Monica or in NYC. Also in NYC try Circle in the Square. Often there is a local audition for Circle. You can contact them and see when and where they will be having auditions. My student is auditioning for them in Seattle in a few weeks.

If you are looking for a school in Canada please give me a call at 604.408.8550.

Very good luck. And please don't hesitate to email or call if you have any questions. I know it is a scary thing sometimes to start the journey of your dream but it is well worth it.

Kirsten Clarkson
Artistic Director
Schoolcreative Studios Inc.
www.schoolcreative.com

Russjns · 03-04-2007, 10:49 PM

I say the best place to start is research the most reputable schools you can find, and enroll, audition to enroll, and continue auditioning until you get in. And then train your butt off! You'll do great!

Best of luck!!!

Billy1970 · 03-05-2007, 05:23 AM

I agree with Russjns...find a solid school and act as often as you can. Audition for everything you can and keep your chin up! It's a long road, but perseverance pays huge dividends.

Best of Luck and Welcome to the Boards!

SWK78 · 03-06-2007, 05:11 PM

I've always said, stow the school. Rubbish. Pick up your favorite book, pick your favorite character, memorize a monolgue of their dialogue in it, record yourself while you're acting that out, play it back and critique yourself. You can only teach yourself, as long as you know what you already know and what you need to learn. Otherwise, school, in my opinion, is a waste of money. They will teach you things a $15 book can teach you. If you want to take it a step further get a friend who's into acting or just having fun, give them a part in your favorite book, or whatever, and act out a scene together. Do it again and again til your satisfied. Then get some new material and do the same. Watch your fav movie over and over until you can plug in the soundtrack and see the movie frame by frame playing in your head. The best teacher is those who act every day, not those who sit and plan workshops every day. Pick up a book on acting. [Acting for the Camera, Actor's Field Guide] Whatev. Just dont waste your money on school if you can find other ways of teaching yourself. The best teacher is experience, so if you want, try doing auditions right now. You may have the natural talent you need already!

Hope this helps,
SWK78

PS. DONT WASTE MONEY. DONT WASTE TIME. TIME IS MONEY.

Russjns · 03-09-2007, 06:55 PM

I agree with "the best teacher is experience", but that's about it. Critiquing yourself can be extremely dangerous, escpecially for those who aren't self aware. How can you judge yourself, when your ego tells you that what you did was great? How can you be truly objective? And friends are great at sugar coating, and giving you half truths in order to spare your feelings. Not a wonderful place to receive truly valuable direction. I have read a ton of acting books, and I've learned a great deal from them, but I have only TRULY improved and found my technique by studying in a reputable school. Nothing is better than finding a teacher with credentials so strong that you can just trust their critiques and have faith that they are right in their teaching.

Sorry, just totally disagree....to be a good actor requires MONEY and TIME. The money for the training, and the time to rehearse it until it sticks.

SWK78 · 03-11-2007, 09:02 AM

I guess we all have our set ways of learning...

Malka · 03-16-2007, 03:03 PM

Hi, I'm new here too. Never take classes, only actors teach classes, and those actors only talk about themselves in class. For instance, I'm in an acting class with Prairie Theatre Exchange and a guy named Darcy Fehr teaches me (even look him up on IMDB.com he's been in lots). He's such a bad teacher, all he does is talk about what he's been in, and brags, and calls us amateurs. Books CAN help, and so can tutorial videos. The best way to go about it is observe movies or watch plays and other actors. That way you can be just like an experienced actor when you start.

SWK78 · 03-18-2007, 08:45 AM

Thank you Malka...!
That is what I am trying to say here....
Dont WASTE money in things you can learn on your own!!!!

SWK78

Russjns · 03-18-2007, 10:05 AM

You guys are speaking with not enough experience in REPUTABLE schools. You NEED to be trained...I cannot stress that enough. I've been in Los Angeles for over 10 years, and the ONLY reason I'm getting paid to work is because of my training at the Sanford Meisner Center (a reputable school, taught by an incredible teacher). If it weren't for that training, along with other training with reputable, wise teachers, i would be an "actor acting". The idea is to be able to be "real" under given circumstances....if you think that you can do that without the training and guidance of an intelligent teacher, then you are either one of the VERY FEW "chosen ones", or you are in for a very loooooong and frustrating career.

(This of course only applies to working in television/movies and large theatre productions.....doing small theatre or performing as a hobby is another story altogether)

Sorry if I seem abrupt, I'm just passionate about this topic.