Hey, I asked this in the Working Actor section but I think that was the wrong place so I will ask again here. Anyway, I'm not totally new, I've done student films and I spent a year doing classes and auditions in San Francisco. Now I'm in LA and I don't know where to start. I want to find some good classes that aren't for total beginners (I know about beat breakdowns and all that stuff) but I also don't want to jump into coaching with someone uber-prestigious. I would like to find group classes at a reasonable price that can help me shape up my skills, meet people, and give me some feedback before I start trying to find an agent or randomly submit myself to different projects. I live between Hollywood and Silverlake, so anywhere around Hollywood would be good. Thanks!

Actually, yes - you are totally new. My advice is to get into a good L.A. audition class that will bring you up to speed and will also look good on your resume. Towards that end, I would suggest Brian Reise - for his audition class, not scene study.

Welcome to the party!

quote:

Originally posted by Secret Agent Man:
Actually, yes - you are totally new. My advice is to get into a good L.A. audition class that will bring you up to speed and will also look good on your resume. Towards that end, I would suggest Brian Reise - for his audition class, not scene study.

Welcome to the party!

Haha yes I suppose I am. Thanks very much for the tip. I'm also considering taking classes at the Actors Boot camp - has anyone taken their course? Thanks very much!

I don't know if they do workshops/classes in LA, but Joey Paul and Deborah Dion (casting directors) are pretty good.

Sandra K. Horner. She does private coaching and group technique classes. I took her class for a while until I had some massive health issues which made me completely put the brakes on classes and acting on hold. She's affordable and heavy into the Robert Lewis technique. (she studied with him). OH! Also if you mosey on down to The Impro Theatre, you'll find some great improv classes which are essential to acting training.

Olivia,

I just moved out here from Boston and was given great advice by the photographer that did my headshots. Coincidentally, his studio is in Silverlake. He suggested I take acting classes that are taught by casting directors or their casting associates. Either way, the point is to take classes with someone who can get you into an audition if they like your work. Very smart, huh? He gave me some suggestions but I can't remember who he said. I knew I should have written them down.

I'm going to look through this forum to see if I can find a lead.

Does anyone know an audition technique or on-camera class taught by someone in casting?

Personally I wouldn't take a class taught by a cd until I knew I was on my A game. It's not an audition...sure, but at the same time this is someone who could help you significantly. It couldn't hurt to have some auditioning classes and scenework classes under your belt before you get in front of someone who see's great actor's every day.

quote:

Originally posted by Secret Agent Man:
Actually, yes - you are totally new. My advice is to get into a good L.A. audition class that will bring you up to speed and will also look good on your resume. Towards that end, I would suggest Brian Reise - for his audition class, not scene study.

I often heard that people take audition classes instead of acting classes.

Don't you think they miss out on some technique? Or what is it they teach there? I have never been in an audition class, only acting classes.

What's the difference?

quote:

Originally posted by Truthie:

quote:

Originally posted by Secret Agent Man:
Actually, yes - you are totally new. My advice is to get into a good L.A. audition class that will bring you up to speed and will also look good on your resume. Towards that end, I would suggest Brian Reise - for his audition class, not scene study.

I often heard that people take audition classes instead of acting classes.

Don't you think they miss out on some technique? Or what is it they teach there? I have never been in an audition class, only acting classes.

What's the difference?

Auditioning and acting in a scene are too different worlds. Starting out, it's better to take a cold reading/audition class first. Most Scene Study classes don't prepare you on how to effectively cold read or audition. In an acting class you're told to memorize your scene and come up with choices and other deep backstories, etc. When you go to an audition and cold read, you don't have the time to memorize and come up with detailed choices,etc. An audition/cold reading class teaches you how to make the sides make sense in a short period of time.

One Cold Reading teacher that I recommend is Margie Haber. She has a really great book called How to Get the Part Without Falling Apart

I will look into Ms. Haber's class (hope she allows auditing) Mr./Ms. golden man59 (El Dorado).

Learn auditioning before you learn acting? Cold reading before acting? Are you sure?

We actually do cold reading, too, in my acting class.

Not that I could do it, as I'm already in the middle of acting. But for newbies... I don't know...


But I see Mr. Bond didn't react to my last post.

Maybe he hasn't seen it.

I'd really like to see his point of view about what you can learn in audition classes that you don't learn in acting classes.

And how do you choose if you decide to get into one?

A reply would mean a nice quantum of solace to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Truthie:
I will look into Ms. Haber's class (hope she allows auditing) Mr./Ms. golden man59 (El Dorado).

Learn auditioning before you learn acting? Cold reading before acting? Are you sure?

We actually do cold reading, too, in my acting class.

Not that I could do it, as I'm already in the middle of acting. But for newbies... I don't know...


But I see Mr. Bond didn't react to my last post.

Maybe he hasn't seen it.

I'd really like to see his point of view about what you can learn in audition classes that you don't learn in acting classes.

And how do you choose if you decide to get into one?

A reply would mean a nice quantum of solace to me.

I'm a guy and love the 1959 Cadillac El Dorado. I'm pretty sure that Margie Haber does allow audits. Check out as many Cold Reading classes by auditing them to see which one is for you.

In L.A., when auditioning for TV/Film and Commercials, cold reading and auditioning are pretty much one and the same. You're lucky if you can get the sides or copy the day before!

Yes! A cold reading class before scene study class. How do you book a part? By auditioning! When you audition for the CD and others, they're not going to be doing a scene with you. They're most likely going to read it straight from the paper without acting. If you suck at cold reading, then you won't be able to use what you learned in scene study because you didn't get the part. If you never taken a scene study class but aced an audition because you took a good cold reading class, then you or the production can get you a good acting coach.

Cold reading is being able to make sense of a side or copy in a short period of time. You don't have time to memorize it! If you try to memorize it, you might get nervous when you accidentally flub a line. Generally in cold reading, you just need to memorize the first and last line. Cold reading classes also teach you how to quickly glance and your lines and be able to look up when you deliver it to the camera or directed eyeline. Also, when you cold read, no physical acting movements are involved. You're generally standing in one spot and must make the script work within your limited space.

Once again audit as many cold reading classes before committing.
Margie Haber and the one SAM recommended are some good ones worth checking out.

Also, read Margie's book before taking her class and check out other good books like: Audition by Michael Shurtleff and Secrets to Successful Cold Readings by Glenn Alterman.

I like Alan Feinstein's class because his approach helps you with cold reading while at the same time being a scene study class. I am really happy to be back in LA taking his class. I have gotten some bad habits that need serious breaking!

TIM PHILLIPS, is a great auditioning coach.
He has auditioned over 30,000 people and his success rate at people booking auditions are 70%.