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:
If you’re having trouble getting started on your goals for the New Year, you’re not alone. It’s something that most of us struggle with – especially moving out of the “down time” most of us take for the holidays. Here is a great article about how to move through this difficulty – mapping it out is always the part that I tend to get lazy about – it’s the thing that I allow myself to push off all of the time. Good to remember how necessary that is to do. More on Spirituality Read the Article at HuffingtonPost
No, this is not a mistake. Yes, there are only FOUR days left before the big election this year. But there are only THREE days left to register early (at a discount) for our upcoming weekend seminar The Filmmakers Guide To Archetypes – with Jim Curtan. This 2-day workshop is being offered November 15th & 16th, and if you sign up by Monday, November 3rd, you can save $50 off the price of admission. So, don’t delay – go to our website before Tuesday to register for this workshop. And yes, then please GO OUT AND VOTE!
Read on for more details about The Filmmakers Guide To Archetypes…
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 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.
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