This has been on my mind for quite some time... Are acting classes a waste of time? I think Marlon Brando said it best. Connie Chung once interviewed him and He asked her "Do you want to be in a movie" She said "No I can't do what you do..." He then laughed and said.. "everybody acts" and its true!

Acting is a part of surviving. How many times have you seen someone and said "Hi how are you!" then pass them up and think I hate that
(enter your favorite expletive). Everybody acts... for example, you wouldn't tell a woman you have just met "What an ugly dress you have on" you say "That's a nice dress" just to be polite. Its acting!

So if acting is something we do all the time and we have to be good at it cause we have survived in the world this long... Why do we need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to learn something we already know? Some classes going for over 500 bucks a month! All of these supposed gurus tell us stuff we already know or have done for years. Yet people still spend $100,000 to go to NYU or Juilliard. Remember this, Strasberg is dead, Stella Adler is dead, Sanford Meisner is dead. All those great teachers that the supposed guru's have been taught by are gone. Those teachers all learned acting by doing it. As much as these supposed guru's claim to know they are not those great teachers. Acting classes are much more expensive than they were thirty years ago because all these guru's are making profit off a name or supposedly enlightening you to stuff you never knew.

What we don't understand is that we have it in us all along, nobody can tell you how to act. Lets think about this in a very basic way. Acting teachers always talk about objectives... well you know all about that!! We all have objectives every day. If we didn't we would bounce off the walls. These supposed guru's tell us stuff we already know.

If as an actor you can say "I don't need you, I know I'm an actor because I made it this far in life by using it to survive" you will feel much more confident. Many great actors such as Marlon Brando being have said I see people give their best performances when the cameras shut off. There you have it. Just remember to give yourself a lot of credit because you have survived this long by acting. It can be hard to say I don't need an acting teacher but you will be a much stronger actor for doing it. Everyone is a great actor they just don't realize it. After reading this I hope you do.

I not an a-list actor claiming to know it all but I feel much more confident knowing I don't need to rely on a teacher and also that I have a technique I can call my own. This is especially for young actors who have applied to big schools and have not been accepted. I can't say I have been through that and I know it must hurt but remember you have it in you. Just teach yourself. These 100,000 dollars schools are not the be all and end all.

I'd love to hear everyones opinion! Lets keep this topic going.

Good actors (and the type I want to be) create characters that are often unlike themselves. When one lie and says a dress is nice when it not (which I do not do, by the way), the person would be playing him or herself. There are actors that make careers by playing themselves in different situations, I don't find the very interesting.

I would also argue that even those that do play themselves can benefit from acting class as acting can call for an actor to convey moments of great emotions, and no everyone can call upon these emotions at the drop of a hat.

Can some people benefit from classes more then others? Yes. Are there people that don't need class? Yes. Can almost everyone benefit in some way from classes? Yes.

The dress example did not mean everyone on this planet does that. I meant certain people do try to be polite and not hurt someones feelings. This tells you something about that person hence CHARACTER. You say you don't do that... ok so that tells us something about you, your very honest once again CHARACTER. But everyone has the ability to do the opposite. I may be polite like the first example but I know how to be honest and if I were honest in such a scene well that wouldn't be me now would it, it would be a different character.

Everything has to come from you or else its a lie. Its what you DO that makes you a character. Dressing up in a different clothes and growing a beard does not make you a different character. At one point in time everyone does something unlike themselves. Don't tell me you never lied in your life

I think you took would I said out of context up until the last few sentences. I never once said play yourself. I said you have the ability to be any character and that is based from what you DO. That comes from rising to the size of the character and doing actions the character would do. Thanks for the input! Anyone else?

I agree with Kavorka, but I think acting classes can teach people how to bring these parts of them up and/or to be able to consitently bring in the event of a long stage run (also known as technique). Classes can also teach people what to think about when approaching a script, or things to think about before you start a scene with someone. They can also teach people to get in better touch with their emotions, or how to strengthen their concentration. Yes, we do have everything we need already, we are able to learn in classes however, what we need to bring them up.

Like a great, or even a bad, violin. It has everything it needs to make music, but it needs a musician to bring it out. Classes aren't required like the musician is to actually make the music, but they are definitely helpful.

I think one doesn't need to spend tens of thousands of dollars to study acting..that is another topic. The spending of loads of money is never a guarantee to make one a good better or great actor. But taking classes is a necessity. Because it is a skill as much as a talent. Everybody acts, but as an actor you (if one has a busy career) are portraying different characters.The objectives and choices you make in your day to day life..are not the same with every character. And an actor with little script analysis or training does not exercise their muscles in nuances. Because on a movie set or in a rehearsal, it's not usually the time for the training grounds..it's the time to bring something to the table. With classes an actor developes confidence. So when they are in a play or in front of a camera..all that work that looks so easy is a result from the effort and learning experience they received prior. Classes are just a foundation. A dancer has the body and talent to move, but who would imagine a ballerina to get onstage and not have spent hours learning and focusing so that on stage she moves like a bird.
As I said the amount of money is subjective. people feel that they need to spend a load of money..no you can learn alot from any class where you interact with other actors and flex your muscles exploring the choices a character makes from a particular play or movie. it's something you want to do, because it's the joy of the process.

I would like to disect your comments a little. In some senses, yes, natural talent is a much needed attribute in this profession, but, it takes more than that to be a PROFESSIONAL.

This has been on my mind for quite some time... Are acting classes a waste of time? I think Marlon Brando said it best. Connie Chung once interviewed him and He asked her "Do you want to be in a movie" She said "No I can't do what you do..." He then laughed and said.. "everybody acts" and its true!

This is coming from Marlon Brando, who did study, and who did take classes on the craft. He said this statement after years of being a professional. At this stage in his life, and in his career, a simplicity comes along with answering such questions. Sometimes when my friends ask me "how do you get on stage in front of so many people and do this?!" I tell them, "It's easy, I just get up there and put that mask on and BE." Now, I'm oversimplifying things, but its what I do in a nutshell.

Acting is a part of surviving. How many times have you seen someone and said "Hi how are you!" then pass them up and think I hate that
(enter your favorite expletive). Everybody acts... for example, you wouldn't tell a woman you have just met "What an ugly dress you have on" you say "That's a nice dress" just to be polite. Its acting!

You're absolutely right. I've stated this before in another topic. We act EVERYDAY. We play the role of the father, the mother, the student, the boyfriend, the garbage man. We play our roles in our everyday society. We gravitate towards serving the societal values of our time. You're talking about sociology here, which is only a part of what acting is about. Its one thing to play the role of the "nice guy" when talking about how nice a dress looks even though it looks like someone vomited all over a potato sack, but its another thing to play the role of a demented serial killer who has a love for fuzzy puppies (I have no idea what strange gutter my mind is in).

So if acting is something we do all the time and we have to be good at it cause we have survived in the world this long... Why do we need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to learn something we already know? Some classes going for over 500 bucks a month! All of these supposed gurus tell us stuff we already know or have done for years. Yet people still spend $100,000 to go to NYU or Juilliard.

Someone above stated that you don't have to spend hundred's of thousands of dollars for education in acting. I've spent $80,000 on my education, but I've received my MFA so I could teach. Now, if I didn't want to teach, I wouldn't have gone to Grad school. I've honestly learned a lot more in undergrad (GO Frostburg!) than in any other acting program I've encountered. That cost me $24,000. Four years worth of training...not bad in my opinion, with a degree as well!


Remember this, Strasberg is dead, Stella Adler is dead, Sanford Meisner is dead. All those great teachers that the supposed guru's have been taught by are gone. Those teachers all learned acting by doing it. As much as these supposed guru's claim to know they are not those great teachers.

Yes, these folks are dead, but its not to say there aren't other acting instructors out there that are reinventing what we know as acting today. I've seen incredible posts from JBActors, Robert Kim Photography, and Jim Chevalier (among many others) that go indepth on how their methods and approaches are changing the face of what we know as modern acting. This craft is ever-evolving. It always will be. Even Stanislavski knew that. He wasn't finished with his technique when he died.

Acting classes are much more expensive than they were thirty years ago because all these guru's are making profit off a name or supposedly enlightening you to stuff you never knew.

This is why you must do your research before you go to any school (hows THAT coming from a JRP instructor! hehe)

What we don't understand is that we have it in us all along, nobody can tell you how to act. Lets think about this in a very basic way. Acting teachers always talk about objectives... well you know all about that!! We all have objectives every day. If we didn't we would bounce off the walls. These supposed guru's tell us stuff we already know.

Yes, we all have objectives, and here, you're not talking about acting classes, you're talking about one localized portion of script analysis. Finding objectives for your character is but .00001% of what should be taught in acting classes.

If as an actor you can say "I don't need you, I know I'm an actor because I made it this far in life by using it to survive" you will feel much more confident. Many great actors such as Marlon Brando being have said I see people give their best performances when the cameras shut off. There you have it. Just remember to give yourself a lot of credit because you have survived this long by acting. It can be hard to say I don't need an acting teacher but you will be a much stronger actor for doing it.

I disagree 100% here. Having an acting instructor, or private coach is only going to benefit you. This business is too hard to go it alone. Let's figure this out. By your logic, you can wake up one morning and say, "Im going to be a professional actor, and achieve goals such as getting an oscar, or getting a multi-million dollar deal just because this is what I do everyday anyway." What if I woke up one day and said, "You know, Im going to be an astronaut today. I don't need any training. I've acted like an astronaut when I was a little kid, and it was a snap!" Do you think I'd have the slightest chance in hell of being an astronaut? Education in this field is just as necessary as education in any other field, in fact, its even more demanding of it. We as actors have to physically and mentally fit to play specific roles. That means endless hours of studying our character, rehearsing our role, finding the concentration level needed to make our work stand out. That takes time, dedication, and instruction and guidance.

Everyone is a great actor they just don't realize it. (THIS IS WHY CLASSES ARE NECESSARY) After reading this I hope you do.

I not an a-list actor claiming to know it all but I feel much more confident knowing I don't need to rely on a teacher and also that I have a technique I can call my own. This is especially for young actors who have applied to big schools and have not been accepted. I can't say I have been through that and I know it must hurt but remember you have it in you. Just teach yourself. These 100,000 dollars schools are not the be all and end all.[/quote]

I think you should've titled this "we don't need expensive classes", rather than no classes at all.

You only have a few minutes left to do it before your time expires. But if you could edit your post so the quotes are clear, avidactor, it would make it a lot better. As it is, it will confuse many readers, I think. You are quoting the original post all over the place without letting readers know. - Jason

Sorry, I don't have permission to edit the post. I tried to separate my comments from the others by spacing it out. Basically every space separates what the other poster wrote with my response. I know, after posting it, I looked at it and said, yikes, its hard to read! But I left the computer for a while. Anyway, if anyone has questions about it, I'll do my best to clarify.

Quoted from Avidactor

"I disagree 100% here. Having an acting instructor, or private coach is only going to benefit you. This business is too hard to go it alone. Let's figure this out. By your logic, you can wake up one morning and say, "Im going to be a professional actor, and achieve goals such as getting an oscar, or getting a multi-million dollar deal just because this is what I do everyday anyway." What if I woke up one day and said, "You know, Im going to be an astronaut today. I don't need any training. I've acted like an astronaut when I was a little kid, and it was a snap!" Do you think I'd have the slightest chance in hell of being an astronaut? Education in this field is just as necessary as education in any other field, in fact, its even more demanding of it. We as actors have to physically and mentally fit to play specific roles. That means endless hours of studying our character, rehearsing our role, finding the concentration level needed to make our work stand out. That takes time, dedication, and instruction and guidance."

Buddy your comparing apples and oranges. Of course you have to study to be an astronaut its a complicated TECHNICAL process.

And yes as harsh as it sounds anyone can wake up out of bed and say I want to be an actor. Is it that hard to believe someone could do that. I don't think so. Its fascinating though because it angers you and many other actors to think so.

Now yes there are a lot of things to consider when we discuss acting objectives are a part of acting. Read more carefully though I never said that objectives are the ONLY thing in acting, its merely an example.


Acting is not complicated its basic stuff. Its not stem cells, chemical engineering, or even brain surgery. You said you teach. Now that you bring it up how much do you charge avidactor? Why don't you teach for lets say 30 bucks a month? Would that be good for you?

Hello,

I thought I'd wait awhile to let other people comment before I took the bait.

So, here I go. I'll state right now that my response is for the readers, and I do not intend to get into a long back-and-forth with this anonymous poster who hasn't stated any credentials for our review. We have no reason to believe this person has any training or understanding of actor training that would merit a strong opinion about the matter.

1) The fact that this poster has this position proves, quite simply, that this person has never been in a great acting class. They exist. And there is no way someone could have the extremist position Kevorka has if they had ever been in a great acting class.

Great acting classes not only change the acting of many actors in amazing ways, they change lives. Actor training -- and the study involved in and out of class -- has changed my own life many times over. This has resulted in far more deeply rewarding performing -- both for me and audiences. I have learned so much about myself, people, what audiences want, and on and on and on, from great classes with great teachers and great actors. I am a better and more evolved human being because of studying acting. Most great actors I know, work with, or studied with share this opinion.

2) Kevorka reveals he or she suffers from rather regrettable bigotry against the Art and Science of Acting. It is a field which merits scholarly prestige just as any of the other fields of study in this world. Kevorka cannot possibly be able to understand, or has never studied, formal acting theory. Great acting arises from a well developed imagination, an emotionally liberated mind, an expressive and free body and voice...it requires a deep understanding, intuitively or otherwise, of psychology, geopolitics, classism, religion, culture, physical language, vocal language, the psychology of costume and more.

Do you need all these ingredients to get a role or two? No. Do you need all these ingredients to be Meryl Streep? Yes. Anthony Hopkins? Yes. Tom Wilkinson? Yes. Leonardo DiCaprio? Yes. Denzel Washington? Yes. Angela Bassett? Yes.

And if you argue I'm wrong, you are insulting all these actors. And if you are an actor, you are insulting yourself.

3) Kervoka, by making his/her ill-informed arguments, apparently denies that ALL the great actors and actresses of our time are sane. Kevorka would apparently insist they are lying or deluded when they talk about the importance of studying acting, voice and movement for years -- if one wants a chance at a long and varied career in the arts.

4) No one can name an actor who does the caliber of work that Dustin Hoffman or Meryl Streep does that hasn't studied acting extensively because there probably aren't any.

5) Is there a lot of TERRIBLE, scammy acting training out there? You are darn right. It's awful. It's part of why my school has the highest teaching standards around.

6) Do most people who call themselves actors know almost NOTHING about what the great actors know? Yep. Most people who call themselves actors are ignorant fools, frankly.

But the elite, educated, amazing actors I work with and know are among the finest human beings I've ever encountered. They are introspective, disciplined, educated, compassionate, honest, political, emotionally available, connected, spiritual, healthy, physically fit, respectful, and on and on. They value SERVICE -- as the highest function and maybe the ONLY function of the performing artist is to SERVE THE AUDIENCE.

What actors provide audiences with is vital for the future of humanity and for the stability and progress of our culture and world.

The fact of the matter is that my students tell me on a regular basis that our work "has changed their life." I've witnessed this for years in my own classes. Apparently, we're all insane -- these award-winning professional actors I work with.

A Broadway actor came into my class a few days ago. She has studied with me for a year. She said this, "I can't stay, I have to go to a callback. The Casting Director, who I haven't seen in about 9 months said, 'You are so different, are you studying with a new teacher? You are the smartest actor I've auditioned all day."

The actor thanked me through tears.

Perhaps she imagined the casting director saying this?

Perhaps I imagined this whole thing?

Nope. Great actor training changes lives, revitalizes and creates careers and is, simply, a requirement if one has a prayer of having a versatile, amazing career as a performer.

And to answer your question before you ask it --

Our school charges average rates for superior service. The service I provide is the result of over 15 years of my own studies. And it is worthy of my being paid. We are proud to offer scholarships and work-study. NO ONE WHO IS COMMITTED IS TURNED AWAY FROM OUR SCHOOL, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. Period. I was a starving artist most of my life. And I will never turn away talent because they can't pay me. That being said, I am an expert in the field of acting, and deserve to be paid accordingly. That is why we have work-study and scholarship programs.

This isn't a commercial for my school, which is almost always filled these days. I'm making all these points to substantively respond to your post. I am not attempting to encourage ANYONE to come to my school. I'm merely arguing for the values I believe in -- that the benefits of great training are real and are not at all controversial. And everyone who knows anything about acting knows it.

Kind regards, Jason Bennett

By the way, I noticed that in another discussion Kevorka inaccurately stated that Ivanna Chubbuck's book "rips off" Stella Adler.

In fact, Ms. Chubbuck's technique advocates numerous concepts Stella Adler was militantly against. To compare their approaches is ludicrous.

Ms. Chubbuck's technique is far more closely (and I mean VERY closely) similar to Uta Hagen's work.

The only thing similar to Stella Adler's work is what is similar about ALL the great teachers -- objectives, actions, etc.

- Jason Bennett

First off spell the name right if your going to try and argue. And yes I am anonymous there are a lot of wackaloons on the internet, do you suggest I give my home address and phone number? I have extensive training including a B.F.A. and have taken many acting classes. That is why I am at a point that I hear the same stuff over and over again and I decided to discuss its simplicity and ask peoples opinions on this DISCUSSION BOARD because that's ultimately what is is a DISCUSSION BOARD. JB I never once said all you people who take classes are stupid and I am smart. If you read the last few sentences of my post I even said I am not some a-list actor claiming to know it all.

By your post it seems you make accusation that I am ignorant to many things that do with acting. Far from it buddy I am doing what a lot of actors do at one point or another. There comes a point where you try to become independent from classes. I wanted to see if any other actor felt the same way or could see this point of view. When you can say I am going to learn on my own I believe you are really growing. That's my opinion.

You discussed this topic but at the expense of slamming me and any other post I have. There is a difference between discussing and attacking. I find it amazing that an "acting teacher" such as yourself does not know the difference.

I find everyone on this board to be an equal with an equal right to discuss and argue. I never said everyone was dumb. I have the right to discuss. You start getting into credentials like your somehow are the authority on acting. So let me ask you how many broadway shows have you been in? How many feature films? I'd like to know and a lot of people would like to know why people should pay you 250 bucks a month. Oh and I highly doubt you would let actors take classes for free based off that extensive price list and the fact that you charge 25 dollars just for an audit!

Dear Kavorka,

I apologize for spelling your anonymous handle inaccurately. I did it because I found it ironic that you chose a handle that reminds us of Jack Kervorkian. He is a doctor who believes in helping people to kill themselves.

If actors choose to believe some of what I respectfully consider are your absurd thoughts about acting, they will be killing their own chances at a meaningful career.

I couldn't help but notice the amusing coincidence. And it's cool that you have so many grammar errors in your posts, it has nothing to do with substantive discussion.

I noticed you didn't respond to even one of the substantive points I made. You claimed to be interested in a discussion. Yet, your post is completely devoid of any substance.

Please re-read my post and respond substantively to the points I made. Otherwise, there is no "discussion."

Once again, there is no evidence you have ever been in the kind of acting class you would find a great actor in. Otherwise, you wouldn't make such absurd statements about the career of acting.

Oh, by the way, Stanislavski never appeared on Broadway or in any feature films. Neither have many of the greatest acting teachers in the world. But, nice try. You missed the point.

I wondered about where you studied formal acting theory. I wondered which theories you have been exposed to, and by what teachers. Perhaps you can prove your knowledge of acting theory by answering the following practical dilemma (Sally Field had something similar to this happen to her, for example):

Describe various processes a great actor might use on a film set to create a "nervous breakdown" repeatedly when the director says action. Take into consideration the fact that the actor has NO other actor to work off of and is in front of a green screen. Take into account that the actor has recently gotten bad news about a mistake in their contract and is royally PISSED, which is NOT what the character is feeling. Take into account that the scene needs to be shot multiple times because of technical problems and to get various shots. Take into account that the director demands true emotions and intense vulnerability, as well as other dimensions. Take into account that the actor used to be blocked emotionally, but that a great acting class fixed that, but that sometimes when the pressure is high, the actor reverts to blockage. Take into account that "focusing on the objective" doesn't accomplish anything for this actor at this time.

I look forward to your substantive responses to how one learns these techniques "just by doing it" and to your answering all my previous points in my first post.

Otherwise, in fact, there is no discussion.

I'm actually not trying to attack you personally at all. I'm trying to teach the readers, and if you are at all teachable, you too -- at no charge -- just like in all my posts on here.

Am I passionate? You bet. Is it personal? Nope. But when you tear down and degrade the Art and Science of Acting, you attack what my life is devoted to. And it deserves the full force of my heart and mind in my responses. Because this is how I approach what I do. And it is why I'm a very good performer, and why I'm surround by successful professional artists.

Kind regards, Jason Bennett

Hello,

I would add, and this is no comment on Kavorka, that I have worked with MANY actors who graduated with both a BFA and/or MFA and who realize they hardly learned anything in their program, once they got to New York and studied with us. It is a VERY painful realization for some. Others knew they were hardly learning anything.

I knew more about acting, after a couple years of training PRIVATELY outside of the University, than any college professors I had after that. It's nothing personal, I love those professors and had a great time. But the work I was doing in their own classes was coming from Master teachers I had studied with at other places. They knew that. They knew I knew more than them. For some that was ok. For others, it was really threatening, as you can imagine.

The sad fact is that BFA acting programs in this country often teach very little about what professional actors need to know -- very little. It's why I don't work for any. I might one day, but they would have to meet incredibly high standards for me to be a part of it. I've learned to assume that just because someone has a BFA in acting, means essentially nothing about their knowledge of what the great teachers taught, and what the great teachers know.

Perhaps, Kavorka, and I say this very respectfully, you've simply had crappy training...It's really, really painful to consider this. But most training in this country stinks. Sad, but true.

Kind Regards, Jason Bennett

Kavorka edited into his/her post later: "Oh and I highly doubt you would let actors take classes for free based off that extensive price list and the fact that you charge 25 dollars just for an audit!"


1) We charge $25 for an audit to those who have already taken classes with us...who are on Broadway and don't have the time to take on-going classes...not to people who try out the school for the first time. This is quite a reasonable fee to be in a 3-4 hour class filled with working actors, whenever you want.

2) You may call me a liar if you wish, but unfortunately that stops the "discussion" you said you wanted. How strange to call me a liar when you complained my substantive posts "personally attacked" you.

But nice try...and good luck. - Jason

quote:

Oh, by the way, Stanislavski never appeared on Broadway or in any feature films. Neither have many of the greatest acting teachers in the world. But, nice try. You missed the point.

I'm sorry is this your way of telling me you never been on broadway or a feature film? Oh and Stanislavsky may have not been on broadway but he revolutionized Russian theater. Don't forget he was an actor as well.

I am purposely ignoring your questions because I am here to have a DISCUSSION not prove myself to some supposed "teacher". By you having such an odd request you are still attacking me. This is a DISCUSSION not proving of anything. Once again the communication is broken down. You seem to think I am claiming the ultimate technique. I will humor you a little. Oh an by the way my grammar does suck.

I can do all the preparation work but the "how" is spontaneous therefore not answerable. Why is she having a nervous breakdown? What were the events prior to her having a nervous breakdown? What is her social situation? There are numerous questions that need answered before you can get to this. You don't just have a nervous breakdown. What were the circumstances? If I went off the info you just gave me then it would be indicating an emotion and not real. You mentioned that the actor has pressure and blockage. Focusing on the objective would not work because you looking for the end result. Also if an actor does the preparation then pressure is minimal and manageable. Outside factors always add pressure you just take a few deep breaths and relax. It works for me so its that simple. If it doesn't work for other people, thats fine. Maybe jumping around like a monkey releases pressure for them, thats fine. I am big into Stella Adler so that is a LITTLE insight as to how I would go about it.

Most importantly it works FOR ME. So if you think its absurd how I look at things I really don't care. The whole idea that these great acting teachers tried to push is "if it works, use it".

Now Strasberg would say do the background work, but he may also say use all that you mentioned (contract problems, technical problems, pressure from the director, etc.) As a source to have a nervous breakdown. Kind of like Dustin Hoffman did in that movie with Sir Laurence Olivier when he stayed up all night long so he could have the feeling of being tortured. Some people strive for that. Again, if it works, use it.

Those are just basic things to consider. I could be here all day but I won't humor you any longer with that.

JB you have to understand that I am not knocking acting technique. Those teachers such as Adler, and Meisner Etc.. revolutionized acting theory just like Stanslavski did. I am highly influenced by those teachers. The point I am making is that since so many people today are more concerned with money then making breakthroughs in technique. Maybe its better to just pick up a book from of one of those great teachers and teach yourself. Thats all. Nobody talks about acting they way they do. The big difference between them and the teachers today is those great teachers learned acting by DOING it. Read up on them they will all say that.

Now I didn't have to answer your questions but I did. Even though it is way off topic and I may be guilty of that too. Maybe avidactor was right. We should say lets not spend tons of money on acting classes. There would be lees blood shed, lol.

Why don't you answer my questions. What have you done? and why should we be asked to pay you 250 dollars a month? This is important because you are saying that you are in a position to teach acting which is 2000 years old. You are saying you know enough to be able to charge people money and that they should listen to you. So why do you feel these wonderful actors should pay you 250 dollars a month?

P.S. Kavorka is Kramer's lure of the animal from Seinfeld.

Kavorka, This will be my final post engaging you in a "discussion," although I may respond to what others write at my leisure.

1) You failed to respond to almost all of my points and questions.

2) The few responses you gave indicate only a very basic level of training.

3) Most of the greatest acting teachers in the world did not appear on Broadway or in feature films. It is a virtually irrelevant consideration when looking for a teacher, and the fact that you consider it the ONLY important question to ask me simply reveals how very, very, very little you know about acting theory. I am a highly trained singer and actor. I have performed plenty of roles in plenty of settings, all over the country. I'll be doing my own show in June, in fact.

The path I am on is completely of my choosing.

But again, what actually matters is that the actors I work with GET WORK in feature films, on Broadway, in the Opera world, in the pop world, on cable, Off-Broadway, in regional theaters, and on national television and international television. In addition, I have coached politicians, attorneys and activists of all kinds.

What also actually matters is that I've studied acting with about 25 teachers -- more if you add in all the movement, voice, theater methods I've studied. I've also formally studied psychology.

That is what matters. When I was younger, I had a belief I could teach. The professional actors who call me to serve them PROVE my belief was valid.

Just because you play a role in something doesn't mean you can teach. How utterly absurd. Again, it reflects a complete lack of understanding of acting theory.

5) Just because one way works "FOR YOU" doesn't mean it is all that is needed for the thousands of actors in this world. That is why I am able to offer my actors hundreds of very specific tools.

6) Actually, a well trained actor doesn't need ANY of the questions answered that you asked about that real-world dilemma, in order to create a nervous breakdown. If the director wants to roll the film and have you breaking down while saying some lines, you should be able to do it. Period.

And I know how to train people to do it, using their imagination. And I can do it, personally, because of my training. I'm sorry you can't. It is further evidence you could use some professional actor training of the highest caliber -- and there are numerous teachers that offer it, all over the world.

7) The work I teach professional actors includes, but is not limited to, a system of psychology called Archetype Work and The Psychology of Selves. It unites ALL the previous actor training methods into a single, unified, revolutionary theory. It is my contribution that builds on the work of all the Masters, and integrates the latest psychology into actor training. And it gets amazing results. Brag about your limited knowledge all you want. Our actors experience the awesome power of this work, coming from almost all of the traditional schools you can name...

Frankly, I teach all the concepts Stella Adler taught. Because I have trained actors who studied with her, I'm quite confident Stella and I would get along VERY well. They have told me, "If only Stella could have met you...She would have loved you..." And on and on. I hear crap like that all the time. I also happen to know our work improves upon the methods of all the great teachers. And that was my original goal.

I started the book last summer. But I will take many years to complete it. Until then, only our students get the benefit of our faculty's awesome knowledge.

8) You said the "how" of acting, in the real-world situation I gave, is not answerable. Yes, my Kavorka, it is. I can answer it in about 100 different extremely specific ways. It's part of what I get paid to teach to successful professional actors.

You say you cannot explain the "how" of acting.

I rest my case.......................

The revolution continues. Stanislavski would be proud.

Kind regards, Jason B.

LOL!!! This is your response to why people should pay you $250 a month!!! OMG you can't be serious.

Wow you studied psychology, look out now! Here is a big point I am going to make. If you don't get work... don't charge people to take classes from you. That is what's utterly absurd.

1. I answered all the questions you asked.

2. Once again the stuff I said was very basic because well.... it is!! You really want me to sit here and type all there is to know about acting just to impress you??

3. Stella Adler was on broadway and in feature film! So was Lee Strasberg have you ever heard of the group theater???

4. Tons of actors can't teach because they have developed a technique exclusively for themselves. (Tom Hanks, actor studio episode)

5. Duh! I said over and over use what works for you.

6. I know a well trained actor doesn't need to answer the question. But you asked because you were so insistent on "proving yourself", lol.

7. Blah Blah Blah what actors??? "Acting teachers" like yourself CLAIM to have trained great actors. Thats funny.

8. Just cause you know students who have taught Stella Adler doesn't mean you know Stella Adler. When I was in ninth grade I wore Air Jordan's. I guess that means I knew Michael. Your not telling anyone stuff they don't already know about acting so don't claim to be revolutionizing acting. If you didn't study with Stella, how can you teach it?

9. Oh and you said the "how" is answerable?? Then I hope your actors know your teaching them to indicate and not act.

250 bucks a month, Thats funny.

You can lead a horse to water, but if the horse doesn't know what water is, they'll make fun of it or insult it or run away from it.

And the horse will die...

Poor horse. The horse looks in the mirror and doesn't even know it is a horse! Or does it?

Poor horsey. I love horseys.

Survival of the fittest. The dumb ones just sorta die, some quite self-righteously. God is SO cruel. God, spare the horses! Let them evolve! Horses should be able to talk!

I think we need more horse trainers in this world.

Horses have rights!

Oh well...I'm off to rip off some more professional deluded actors and make up some more lies!!! Muaahhahahaaahahahahahaha......