Comments on: Why The Method Is Best For Film And TV http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/ The Acting Room is a place by actors for actors. Wed, 8 Sep 2010 01:52:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Kirsten Tretbar http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-270 Kirsten Tretbar Mon, 25 May 2009 16:57:24 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-270 Dear A.O. - I wish you luck too. I wish I knew of acting programs in London. The only one I know of is the New York Film Academy program in London. I don't know enough about the teachers there to make a formal recommendation, but as I did teach at their Los Angeles location, in Burbank, I know that they are pretty thoughtful about helping disabled students. Maybe you could call their offices and see if they have wheel chair access. I would think there are laws that require wheel chair access for businesses. If they don't have access, maybe you could work something out with the head of the program to help you get up into the room, and then they could bring your chair in after. Sorry it took so long to get back to you, and I hope this suggestion helps. One good thing about the New York Film Academy for acting classes, is that they offer all sorts of summer programs of various lengths (from two day, half day, week long -- etc...) Good luck and you have been in my thoughts so much the last few weeks! Dear A.O. -
I wish you luck too. I wish I knew of acting programs in London. The only one I know of is the New York Film Academy program in London. I don’t know enough about the teachers there to make a formal recommendation, but as I did teach at their Los Angeles location, in Burbank, I know that they are pretty thoughtful about helping disabled students. Maybe you could call their offices and see if they have wheel chair access. I would think there are laws that require wheel chair access for businesses. If they don’t have access, maybe you could work something out with the head of the program to help you get up into the room, and then they could bring your chair in after. Sorry it took so long to get back to you, and I hope this suggestion helps. One good thing about the New York Film Academy for acting classes, is that they offer all sorts of summer programs of various lengths (from two day, half day, week long — etc…) Good luck and you have been in my thoughts so much the last few weeks!

]]> By: Abdifatah Osman http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-257 Abdifatah Osman Fri, 08 May 2009 12:58:42 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-257 I would love to take a method acting class. I have called several places ,but i can't attend those classes i'm disabled and they don't have wheelchair access. Does anyone know of a good affordable method acting class in london their is accessible to wheelchair users? I would love to take a method acting class.

I have called several places ,but i can’t attend those classes i’m disabled and they don’t have wheelchair access.

Does anyone know of a good affordable method acting class in london their is accessible to wheelchair users?

]]> By: Clark House http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-229 Clark House Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:25:42 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-229 hi rb5k0492w25516i4 good luck hi
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good luck

]]> By: Hope Bailey http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-227 Hope Bailey Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:38:10 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-227 hi rb5k0492w25516i4 good luck hi
rb5k0492w25516i4
good luck

]]> By: Kirsten Tretbar http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-186 Kirsten Tretbar Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:39:46 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-186 Are you looking for a program in Ireland? I am confused? If you are looking for good one year or college programs I would recommend ACT in San Francisco, or Julliard, or any actual University Programs -- over the month or year long programs at The New York Film Academy, or at other bigger professional programs. Having taught at the New York Film Academy, and knowing some bad things about their program, I do not recommend it -- even though they do have very good marketing and websites and several different programs of different lengths and prices. I don't know of any month or year long programs in England or Ireland. Again, if you go back to my original article about professional programs, I really recommend working with private teachers, for a year, several at a time over each week, and that would be much cheaper than doing a whole big program. You say you can't go to NY or LA. If you are in Ireland, anywhere near Dublin, I would think you could find some very excellent private teachers. If that's where you are, let me know, as I have lots of friends who are actors in Dublin and London, and I can get you some names of private teachers or smaller schools, in those two cities. Good luck, and thanks for your kind words about my site! Are you looking for a program in Ireland? I am confused? If you are looking for good one year or college programs I would recommend ACT in San Francisco, or Julliard, or any actual University Programs — over the month or year long programs at The New York Film Academy, or at other bigger professional programs. Having taught at the New York Film Academy, and knowing some bad things about their program, I do not recommend it — even though they do have very good marketing and websites and several different programs of different lengths and prices. I don’t know of any month or year long programs in England or Ireland. Again, if you go back to my original article about professional programs, I really recommend working with private teachers, for a year, several at a time over each week, and that would be much cheaper than doing a whole big program. You say you can’t go to NY or LA. If you are in Ireland, anywhere near Dublin, I would think you could find some very excellent private teachers. If that’s where you are, let me know, as I have lots of friends who are actors in Dublin and London, and I can get you some names of private teachers or smaller schools, in those two cities. Good luck, and thanks for your kind words about my site!

]]> By: Micheal http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-185 Micheal Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:50:28 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-185 Hi, i really enjoyed reading your comments about not doing a full time 1 year course. At the moment I am considering in doing a full time 1 year course as I am from Ireland and dont have the opportunity to be in any of the movie places such as NYC and LA because of work permit reason and avail of part time acting courses. I want to learn acting for tv and film in a really good school that really focuses on developing the craft. Are there anyones that you would reccommend? Thanks, Micheal Hi, i really enjoyed reading your comments about not doing a full time 1 year course. At the moment I am considering in doing a full time 1 year course as I am from Ireland and dont have the opportunity to be in any of the movie places such as NYC and LA because of work permit reason and avail of part time acting courses. I want to learn acting for tv and film in a really good school that really focuses on developing the craft. Are there anyones that you would reccommend?
Thanks,
Micheal

]]> By: enussyaners http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-166 enussyaners Sun, 03 Aug 2008 03:16:56 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-166 Thanks for the post Thanks for the post

]]> By: Kirsten Tretbar http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-163 Kirsten Tretbar Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:12:15 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-163 I agree with everything you say. I am not saying that you can not be classically trained. I was. I have an MFA from USC, and have studied with some of the best acting teachers in the world, there, and later. I didn't say that Brando was trained by Strasberg, I said he was a method actor. You can take Method based classes that aren't taught by traditional method teachers, too. In fact, Many of the exercises I learned at USC, in my more drama/theater based classes, were based on Stanislavsky, the inventor of the beginning of what later was known as "Method". Stella Adler, and others, like Michael Checkov, and Strasberg, also based their teachings on what they learned from Russian teachers, during their time there in the late teens and early twenties, when they then brought their new work in "senses" etc... back to NY, and began to reteach actors -- which was later called "Method". Most American acting schools are based on the Method, at this point, in one form or other. I love all forms of training. When I disparage traditional programs, it's only the length and the price of such programs, as I find you can learn all those same things for cheaper in private classes outside of traditional academia. It's also the fact you come out of those programs not knowing so much how to act for film or tv, and my blog is more speaking to younger actors who want to come to LA to do that, instead of theater. I do tout getting a liberal arts education first and foremost, and then adding to that with private classes (group classes). I also believe in taking voice, movement, speech, and improvisation classes. Even some Meisner training does not hurt. Thanks so much for your comment, I really appreciate it! I also adore Meryl Streep as well, and would offer up the thought that although she is amazing, she is also a very broad actress, and I would bet that she had to retrain herself to keep it simple, after she got out of Yale. Also, I think it's very important to take Anthropology classes, and Art History, Sociology, and Psychology classes, so you can understand human nature, and create the nuances that you describe, and which help one create deep and meaningful characters! Keep coming back, and thanks for your thoughts! It's important to have everyone's thoughts on this -- it is a forum after all. I'd love to hear if you're an actor, and what kinds of classes are your favorites, and why. You might be interested to know that a friend of mine had a lead in a movie with Laurence Olivier, in The Jazz Singer (Catlin Adams -- she played his daughter in law) and she'd trained with Strasberg, and she said that Olivier (one of my all time favorite actors!) said his lines exactly the same way every single time, and although good, it was like acting with a cardboard cut out. No spontaneity, no real, honest reactions. Olivier? Wow! Sandord Meisner would have rolled over in his grave!! ha ha! After all, he said that acting is most importantly, reacting to others, reacting to yourself, reacting, then acting, then reacting, nothing more. But the most important thing. Method based study (and that even includes, in my opinion, Meisner) helps you learn how to be honest and real in the moment, and how to react quickly, and realistically. Something I'd never really learned at USC. Hopefully that's changed. Have a great day! And good luck with your acting career! Interesting story, in my opinion. Kirsten :-) I agree with everything you say. I am not saying that you can not be classically trained. I was. I have an MFA from USC, and have studied with some of the best acting teachers in the world, there, and later. I didn’t say that Brando was trained by Strasberg, I said he was a method actor. You can take Method based classes that aren’t taught by traditional method teachers, too. In fact, Many of the exercises I learned at USC, in my more drama/theater based classes, were based on Stanislavsky, the inventor of the beginning of what later was known as “Method”. Stella Adler, and others, like Michael Checkov, and Strasberg, also based their teachings on what they learned from Russian teachers, during their time there in the late teens and early twenties, when they then brought their new work in “senses” etc… back to NY, and began to reteach actors — which was later called “Method”. Most American acting schools are based on the Method, at this point, in one form or other.

I love all forms of training. When I disparage traditional programs, it’s only the length and the price of such programs, as I find you can learn all those same things for cheaper in private classes outside of traditional academia. It’s also the fact you come out of those programs not knowing so much how to act for film or tv, and my blog is more speaking to younger actors who want to come to LA to do that, instead of theater.

I do tout getting a liberal arts education first and foremost, and then adding to that with private classes (group classes). I also believe in taking voice, movement, speech, and improvisation classes. Even some Meisner training does not hurt.

Thanks so much for your comment, I really appreciate it! I also adore Meryl Streep as well, and would offer up the thought that although she is amazing, she is also a very broad actress, and I would bet that she had to retrain herself to keep it simple, after she got out of Yale.

Also, I think it’s very important to take Anthropology classes, and Art History, Sociology, and Psychology classes, so you can understand human nature, and create the nuances that you describe, and which help one create deep and meaningful characters!

Keep coming back, and thanks for your thoughts! It’s important to have everyone’s thoughts on this — it is a forum after all. I’d love to hear if you’re an actor, and what kinds of classes are your favorites, and why.

You might be interested to know that a friend of mine had a lead in a movie with Laurence Olivier, in The Jazz Singer (Catlin Adams — she played his daughter in law) and she’d trained with Strasberg, and she said that Olivier (one of my all time favorite actors!) said his lines exactly the same way every single time, and although good, it was like acting with a cardboard cut out. No spontaneity, no real, honest reactions. Olivier? Wow! Sandord Meisner would have rolled over in his grave!! ha ha! After all, he said that acting is most importantly, reacting to others, reacting to yourself, reacting, then acting, then reacting, nothing more. But the most important thing.

Method based study (and that even includes, in my opinion, Meisner) helps you learn how to be honest and real in the moment, and how to react quickly, and realistically. Something I’d never really learned at USC. Hopefully that’s changed.

Have a great day! And good luck with your acting career!

Interesting story, in my opinion.

Kirsten :-)

]]> By: josh http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-162 josh Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:20:32 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-162 Also, the method isnt the be all end all of acting...there are many classically trained film stars who graduated from rigorous training programs who have went on to become some of the greatest actors ever to be captured on film (Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins). There are American actors/actresses who come from acclaimed drama schools with many years to count who are also legends. Merryl Streep, who has portrayed some of the most complex, nuanced, characters seen on screen had many years of formal training. (BFA/MFA Yale).Before you base your biases on why "professional training programs are a waste of money" think about the grandeur you brought to whatever characters you played as a lack of sensitivity in observing nuances in human life (which separates good from great actors), rather than defects in your training. Also, the method isnt the be all end all of acting…there are many classically trained film stars who graduated from rigorous training programs who have went on to become some of the greatest actors ever to be captured on film (Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins). There are American actors/actresses who come from acclaimed drama schools with many years to count who are also legends. Merryl Streep, who has portrayed some of the most complex, nuanced, characters seen on screen had many years of formal training. (BFA/MFA Yale).Before you base your biases on why “professional training programs are a waste of money” think about the grandeur you brought to whatever characters you played as a lack of sensitivity in observing nuances in human life (which separates good from great actors), rather than defects in your training.

]]> By: josh http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-161 josh Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:04:56 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/05/15/why-method-is-best-for-film-and-tv/#comment-161 Strasberg only taught Brando a couple of classes...(He is quoted in a book - "Brando Unzipped" - as studying with Lee Strasberg to "see what the enemy was teaching"..He thought Strasberg was a swindler who often tried to take credit for Brando's success...His main mentor was Stella Adler Strasberg only taught Brando a couple of classes…(He is quoted in a book - “Brando Unzipped” - as studying with Lee Strasberg to “see what the enemy was teaching”..He thought Strasberg was a swindler who often tried to take credit for Brando’s success…His main mentor was Stella Adler

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