I just saw an ad in Backstage for a commercial workshop by Kate McClanaghan, "How to Get Cast in Commercials".

Anyone have any thoughts or comments on the workshop or her teaching methods/ideas/etc?

It's at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International on Franklin Ave in Hollywood.

Included with the $17 charge for the workshop, is a book, "The Problems of Work", by L. Ron Hubbard.

I'm not a Scientologist, and I respect anyone who is, but a concern is that since it's at a religious institute and you recieve literature from the founder of said religious institute, is the class all about commercials?

If she's a knowledgeable teacher about commercials, it'd be something I'm interested in; but if the class ends up being an informational meeting about Scientology, I'd rather save what little money I have.

The included book's review on Amazon:
"Written by L. Ron Hubbard in 1956, The Problems of Work is the application of the principles of Scientology to the work-a-day world. By use of these principles, the basics of work are shifted from the conditions and attitudes of drudgery and interiorization to the abilities of free and able men."

Any thoughts?

If you want inspirational reading that never goes out of style, read anything by Dale Carnegie. He teaches you to be inspired and depend on yourself, and have faith in your decision making process. Not that I have anything against anyone practicing their chosen religion, but I think that you're going to get a bellyful of Scientology if you go to their seminars on acting.

If you remember that the founder was a science fiction writer, it puts the whole 'religion' in perspective.

I'm hoping George Lucas starts a new church soon. We can call it Starsentology.

I swear I was not wisecracking - this time. I ran across a pile of Dale Carnegie books at a yard sale for like a dollar. I know, his work is older than dirt but really sweet and positive without a religious overtone. The only belief you need to have is in yourself and you will do fine. And all that other stuff your momma told you but you forgot the minute you got out of her sight.

I know Kate McClanghan personally. She's a cool person, but she's more of a voice actor for commercials rather than an on-camera actor for commercials. She's a good teacher for voiceovers. Actually, a lot of the stuff she teaches in vo is relevant to on-camera commercial acting.

She has a voice over and casting company called Sound Advice:

http://voiceoverinfo.com

I've gone to several of those Seminars. They are informative but ultimately it's a bait and switch into getting you to take Scientology classes. After an informative seminar about the acting industry, they'll try to sell their Dianetics or Problems of Work course saying how it will remove any barriers of success you may be facing with regards to acting. They act as if it's the "ONLY way" to helping you succeed, but it's NOT!

I've read those books at my local library and can tell you that those classes are NOT worth the high costs. It's really all common knowledge or knowledge you can find for much cheaper.

I agree with Nonstagemom, you're better off saving your money on books by Dale Carnegie, Napolean Hill, Jim Rohn, or Tony Robbins. The public part of Scientology is really overpriced "positive thinking."

I forgot, if you go there, they'll ask you to watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOoFnLYaUOI

Go to 2:18. I was laughing so hard that I had to excuse myself.

Also, DON'T give them your real address, email, or phone number! They'll spam you with Scientology related junk, even AFTER you tell them to take you off of their mailing list!

quote:

Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:
I forgot, if you go there, they'll ask you to watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOoFnLYaUOI

Go to 2:18. I was laughing so hard that I had to excuse myself.

Also, DON'T give them your real address, email, or phone number! They'll spam you with Scientology related junk, even AFTER you tell them to take you off of their mailing list!

Lol Thanks for the info TRUTHTELLER I figured as much, but on the chance she was someone notable to have on a resumé, I thought it might be worth a shot.

I'll definitely take a pass on the class then. I'd probably have to excuse myself from that presentation as well.


And thanks for the responses everyone. I was just looking for a commercial class/workshop to possibly learn something and have some more training. I may look in to some of the authors you all mentioned, but right now I'm in the thick of some other good ones

Thanks again all!

Yeah here are some book recommendations:

How to Make Friends and Influence People-Dale Carnegie

Think and Grow Rich-Napoleon Hill

Jim Rohn-Challenge to Succeed (CD, you can download it as a bittorrent)

-Creating an Unshakeable Character (CD)

Tony Robbins

-Awaken the Giant Within (CD)

-Lessons in Mastery (CD)

Top Commercial Classes in LA:
-Hey, I Saw Your Commercial!
-Stuart K. Robinson
-Chris Game (study with him at the Elephant theatre)
-Stuart Stone
-Killian McHugh
-Carolynne Barry