As we mentioned earlier this week, Studio C Artists co-founder, Michael Sonntag, finished Part II of his interview on radio and online for Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat. Rex and Michael again had a fantastic time talking about the film industry, this time focusing more on what role a casting director can play in making your film a success – as well as answering a lot of viewer e-mails from the previous session, regarding things that an actor should be aware of in the casting process.
In case you missed either day, both hour-long interviews are available archived online – either through the Movie Beat site, or via BlogTalkRadio.com as either a streaming audio file or a podcast downloadable into iTunes. Check out the links below for more details – if any of your questions were not answered, feel free to e-mail us here, and we’ll do our best tackle the responses.
This post is another in our new series which highlights the major discussions from each week’s acting classes.
You could say the buzzword in class this week was focus.
To start off, we are continuing our classwork on the Matrix throughout the month of May. Last week, we discussed what the Matrix did – and how it applied to film/television acting. In this week’s Wednesday night class, the goal was learning to use the Matrix to ground the actors’ work, bring in an even greater level of depth, and get the actor out of his or her head. I think the students were surprised to see it in action. The funny thing about the Matrix is that in theory, it can seem like it’s very heady. Lots of students get stuck on exactly what it means to connect to an “energy point” – they try to think their way through it, rather than feel it. What makes the Matrix interesting, however, is that in practice – the exact opposite happens. Once a student jumps in – and just applies the concept – they are pulled out their heads, and are able to just deal with the talking and listening necessary in the scene. What I always love about the Matrix is that it is like tying off a boat to the dock – once it is secured, the waters can get choppy, but the boat can just go with the flow – because it’s not going anywhere. What our students discovered this week – is that the Matrix can provide the same structure – the same sense of groundedness – that no matter where the scene goes, they will not become lost at sea.
The other area of focus we discussed this week had to do with pinpointing your focus, while things in the industry seem so crazy right now. There are a lot of doomsayers out there about the status of the entertainment business – and actors often feel the brunt of it. So, you basically have two choice… you can either go stick your head in the sand, and where for it to get better… or you can take advantage of this time, and use it to your advantage. Obviously, I suggest the latter. So take advantage of this slower time – get those things done that you’ve been putting off. What better time to put together your reel, get those headshots in order, contact people on your target list – and above everything else – GET CREATIVE. Everyone’s contacting casting directors – maybe you want to focus on contacting writers. Everyone’s sending out postcards – maybe you want to come up with something that stands out more. Don’t let the state of the economy stop you from doing the next thing in front of you. Trust me… you’ll kick yourself afterward if you do. Challenge yourself. Push yourself. Remember, you’re in the actor olympics – if you’re not ready to compete against the top 1% in your field, then you might as well pack your bags and go home. So, focus – on what it is your really want – and it’ll push you through the down times.
As we mentioned a few days ago, Studio C Artists co-founder, Michael Sonntag, was interviewed on radio and online for Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat today. Well, the interview went smashingly, and Rex and Michael had so much fun and so much to talk about, that they didn’t have enough time to cover everything, and Rex invited Michael back for a second interview. So, part 2 of Michael’s interview is scheduled to air LIVE this Friday, May 15th at 1pm PST. They will be discussing casting options for indie filmmakers, as well as picking up on more details about the casting process for actors. Plus, a lot of people IM’d and phoned in questions for Michael during Part 1, and Michael and Rex plan to address as many of those as possible during the second part of the interview.
In case you missed today’s portion of the interview, have no fear. The complete hour-long session is available archived online – either through the Movie Beat site, or via BlogTalkRadio.com as either a streaming audio file or a podcast downloadable into iTunes. Check out the links below for more details – and if you like what you hear, be sure to catch part 2 at the end of this week.
Producer / Casting Director and Studio C Artists co-founder, Michael Sonntag, will be the guest on this week’s Movie Beat with Rex Sikes. Be sure to tune in online or on the radio at 10am PST, Wednesday, May 13th. Michael and Rex will be discussing the state of the industry for actors, how the casting process has changed dramatically in the past couple of years, and what actors and filmmakers can do to stay in the game – as well as many other topics. The interview will last two hours – and will be available for podcast download shortly afterward, for those of you who miss it.
When it comes to auditioning... are the you "The One"?
Last Wednesday night’s class was a continuation of our month-long dip into the world of acting technique. Now a lot of you hear the word “Matrix” and think of the film(s), but the Matrix is also a technique used by actors, which originated at Yale. It’s based on the principal of connecting to energy points (much like an extension cord to an outlet), which allow the actor to create their world, and to have something outside of themselves to connect to (rather than going inside – in their head). I know the description of it sounds somewhat ethereal – but in practice, the technique is incredibly grounding, and helps the actor focus and live in the moment in a scene – and that, my friends, is the ultimate goal of any actor. By giving an actor a structure in which to play and be free, attention can be given to just talking and listening, knowing that the access to their world, and by extension, their emotional life, is right there. It truly allows an actor the chance to bring themselves to the role – because every Matrix point is specific, and based on the unique qualities of the actor.
The beauty is in seeing the work in action. The Matrix really shines when it comes to auditioning or working in film/TV, because so much needs to be created these days by the actor (often with green screen, it’s all imagination). I always explain to people that the Matrix is not “a way” to act or some kind of new method, it’s just technique – much in the way that sense memory or creating the fourth wall, is just an acting technique. It should be used as part of the actors toolbox – not the only tool, but one of many to be called on when needed. There are times when you’ll need it more than others – but when put into service, it can help an actor to really stand out as “The One”.
This is part of a series we’re starting on our blog – where the each class for the week is recapped – with a quick post about the discussion that occurred the previous evening. Monday night’s class will be summarized each week by our guest writer, Michael Lamb.
Today’s media is certainly presenting itself as an ever-changing entity as the internet explodes with new media options. As the Board of Directors of Studio C Artists met this week, which consisted of agents, managers, casting agents and producers, the dominant conversation aside from Board matters was all about the unknown. “We don’t know what is coming next.”
So what does that mean for the actor?
In the past, the optimal approach would be to get your name out there by doing a one-man show, or create your own short. You could be reviewed or get a better agent and mostly create a buzz about yourself.
Nowadays, it’s fairly easy to produce your own work and upload it to YouTube, then send out the link to all of your business contacts. Actors today are turning into entrepreneurs.
Amidst all of this change, there is one thing constant that will always work for an actor. What makes you unique? What makes you different from the next actor who reads for a role? Knowing this uniqueness and having the courage to share it is what will make you stand out of the crowd.
Being in touch with who you are and letting others see it is tantamount to any acting ability you may have. Through the techniques studied at Studio C Artists, students discover how other people see them, how they see themselves and reveal sides of themselves that has always been kept secret. Facing both the light and dark qualities of yourself, and then being able to offer them publicly, you can bring out a more unique person and subsequently a more unique and interesting actor.
Starting today there is a new way to stay in touch with Studio C Artists – text messaging. Want to receive alerts from us about casting notices, upcoming classes, or just plain old news about Studio C? Well, now you can. Just go to our Studio C Tatango Group and click on the “join” button or text JOIN9694Y to 68398. You’ll only need to enter your mobile phone number. It’s that simple.
Remember, your cell service may charge you for text messages if you don’t have an unlimited messaging plan – but don’t worry, we won’t bombard you with messages – we promise to send them out occasionally. And if you want to sign up later, there’s a form that will always be on our blog to allow people to join anytime (you can see it on this page, in the sidebar on the left side).
The latest issue of BackStage Spotlight on Acting Schools and Teachers has a nice article written by Jean Schiffman about acting schools and classes who are re-inventing Stanislavsky with new and modern techniques that are clicking with their students. We were lucky enough to be interviewed by Jean for this article – and are featured under the section on “Archetypes“. Check out the excerpt of that section of the article:
“How can you expect to be discovered if you haven’t even discovered yourself?” is the provocative teaser on the website for Studio C in Los Angeles. Founder John Coppola explains his philosophy this way: “It’s about ‘What happens to a role when I play it?,’ not ‘How do I go to the role?’” His aim is for each student to discover, through improvisation and traditional acting exercises, his or her seven or so basic archetypes, including the primary archetype.
Archetypes — recognizable in folk tales, myths, and literature — are the embodiment of personality types. The belief is that we all have elements of many archetypes within us, but your primary archetype is your dominant one, probably established in childhood. Coppola mentions king, magician, witch, and fairy as some of the basic archetypes. “Archetypes are in every story, and acting is about storytelling,” he says. When you get in touch with your archetypes, “it gets your ego out of the way so your soul can show up and act.” Actors practice by doing scenes and monologues several different ways, using the energies of their various archetypes. “Getting in touch with your archetype empowers you,” Coppola says.
One of his students, Isabel Shaw, hasn’t found her personal archetypes yet. “You do a lot of improv to get to know yourself,” she says. “Once you understand a scene, you bring your archetypes to the scene, and it really comes from you.” Actors at Studio C, she adds, are challenged to dig deep.
We’re thrilled to be included in this interesting piece on different acting methods. If you’d like to read more of this article, click the link below.
BBoppin‘ is a new kid’s show that’s part of B-TV, and our newest teacher, Kris Kelly, is one of the show’s producers. Kris will be teaching our upcoming kid’s session, Pilot Prep – Audition Technique Intensive For Children & Teens, which runs for 6-weeks, starting on Saturdays in February. The first episode of BBoppin’ has just been released – check it out:
Studio C Artists, Inc. is a production, casting, and arts education collective based in Los Angeles, CA. The company was founded by Director John Coppola and Producer/Casting-Director Michael Sonntag.
As we mentioned earlier this week, Studio C Artists co-founder, Michael Sonntag, finished Part II of his interview on radio and online for Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat. Rex and Michael again had a fantastic time talking about the film industry, this time focusing more on what role a casting director can play in making your film a success – as well as answering a lot of viewer e-mails from the previous session, regarding things that an actor should be aware of in the casting process.
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