Tips and Insights, by John Boylan. He offers film acting classes and personal coaching for Toronto-based students.
That’s what you need when acting on camera. It’s both literal and figurative.
Let us see you.
When you drop in and believe, your skin literally changes. It softens and opens. We go in with you. As you have …
Read MoreTry not to get diverted, so you can do your job well.
Take note of what diverts you.
Do you sit in the front seat of the transport vehicle and talk to the driver because you want to ...
Read MoreThese are the two main themes in Hollywood.
Hollywood reflects the ideas of those who make the movies and America itself.
And as an actor you’ll be asked to fulfil these themes.
To land roles you’ll have to learn where you and your type fit ...
Read MoreThe late excellent acting teacher, Arif Hasnain, called passing on knowledge ‘The rubbing of shoulders’.
The phrase is sometimes used in the context of mingling with the rich, but that’s not what Arif meant. He didn’t care for the rich.
People who know something well teach it to those ...
Read More“In acting, I always try to go back to what would actually be the real situation, the real human behaviour in life. It’s the most difficult ...Read More
On set and in acting class put yourself first.
If you look after yourself, take your space then you will be a good scene partner.
Putting yourself first is key in your relationship with the collective of film workers making the movie. Each must do their job the best they can making the whole better.
Don’t get confused by
Read MoreAs you rehearse add the word point to the end of a line.
Better still, say it at the end of each point you are making, which may be more than one per line.
Say it with the same tone, intent, and volume as you’re saying the …
Read MoreDevelop your ability to see parts of the scene that have potential for you to play. Particular and specific moments of playing. Moments that are describable and definable.
At first glance, something in a scene may appear problematic, but upon examination, you can see it as potential.
Let’s look at an example from an audition scene.
Read MoreWhen you feel attacked or put on the spot it’s great to have a good comeback answer.
Even a simple, common question from a fellow actor can throw you off.
If you meet colleagues every day and answering the usual questions puts you down that makes for a long day of …
Read MoreThere are many wonderful writers on acting: Stanislavski, Sanford Meisner, Lee Strasberg, Keith Johnstone, Uta Hagen, Harold Clurman and others.
When you want to be inspired and enlightened pick up one of their books and open it.
Anywhere.
Read until you get …
Read MoreIt’s easy to get overwhelmed.
As the world gets more and more chaotic, so does the movie industry. More competitive, faster, lower pay, harsher and tougher.
You have goals and want to improve, dream in colour, work hard, push …
Read MoreAs an actor you need skin as thin as glass in front of the camera and thick as leather in the movie business.
Finding an opposite can help you see what the thing is and what it isn’t.
Asking questions allows an answer which in turn allows the opposite …
Read MoreThat’s a terrible place for you to be working.
One half of your mind going one way, and the other half going the other. Causes a disconnect.
Why?
There could be lots of reasons. Perhaps you think the movie’s content is …
Read MoreYou and all of us want to be needed.
It’s only human.
When you’re cast in a show part of the good feeling is that the movie needs you. It can’t be made without you playing that role. You’re now an integral part of the whole.
You’re needed.
If you’re not booked on a show and not getting auditions you can start to feel like you’re not …
Read MoreThe audition you do at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning is the best audition you can do at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
If you could have done better you would have.
There’s no need to set yourself up for constant regret. You’re already in the business of auditioning and acting in ...
Read MoreSome actors are movie stars.
You may be one now or in the future.
Most of what you need to learn as a movie star is different from what you’ve learned as an actor. They’re two – often overlapping – different jobs.
Everyone knows the things movie stars do. Interviews on talk shows, red carpets, posing for pictures, promoting movies, getting involved with social questions of the day, being famous. You know all this …
Read MoreThat means you mean it.
The you is understood. It’s a useful reminder phrase to keep you playing truthfully. It’s simple and direct.
Try using simple guide phrases like this one and see if they assist you. Just before they call action you can …
Read MoreFind moments in the scene where you have to struggle.
To fight.
The first part of the scene you’re only giving your partner 50% of your attention. When she gives you the news you’re jerked to 100% attention. You’ll be caught off …
Read MoreThe ruling elite are good at lying.
Every ten-year-old schoolboy knows that.
Actors must be good at it too. Plenty of it’s done on TV and in the movies.
Our familiar characters in procedurals – cops, doctors…
Read MoreWhen you prepare your audition put your energy into the acting.
Under pressure you can wish that by dressing perfectly you’ll get the part. And that includes – both literally and figuratively – your socks.
How you dress, your hair, are all important. Make the decisions based on the show and the scene …
Read MoreJohn Boylan | Toronto Acting Coach
The best work is often the result of an intense and in-depth period of concentrated effort. This is also the way an actor makes significant gains in their overall abilities.
Over four days this October, five hours each day, you’ll work with a small handful of like-minded actors to develop your skills in working effectively – and successfully - in front of the camera.
In this class …
These are professional track acting classes with practices that meet the actor's needs to work in the film and TV industry.
This course is right for you if: you are committed to being a professional actor; you have some experience in theatre or film; you have some actor training; you recently graduated from theatre school; you have an agent or are actively seeking one …
This is a one-hour session over Zoom geared to discuss the work in your most recent class or anything relating to your acting career.
For years I’ve been frustrated that I don’t get to speak much to the actors …
Working on Zoom this method of recording all the takes while I coach you has proven successful. We keep working, hone the scene, make adjustments …
I can help you make a demo reel and we can schedule it at whatever time suits us both. Please send your photo and resume.
The first step is a one-hour consultation where we discuss who the reel is for, what types suit you, which scenes to do, your hair and wardrobe.
Second step is …
IT'S YOUR SPACE. TAKE YOUR PLACE.
All posted class times are Eastern Time Zone (EDT/EST). A photo and resume must be submitted before registration is confirmed. Scheduled classes and coachings cannot be re-scheduled. If you’re unable to attend you forfeit the time and fee. Make up classes are not held over to future sessions, there are no refunds and money cannot be used towards another class. We reserve the right to change the time, date, and price of our courses.
john@centreforthearts.com
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