Tips and Insights, by John Boylan. He offers film acting classes and personal coaching for Toronto-based students.
Before the audition an actor whispers, ‘Watch out, the casting director’s in a bad mood.’
She might be. And, if so, why?
It’s probably got nothing to do with you and everything to do the high pressure of the …
Read MoreDon’t forget that casting directors have seen everything.
Enter the casting room how it best suits you - in character, or not.
Maybe you work best always in character. Then after the audition is finished you break out of …
Read More‘If only the reader would play the scene with me I’d do better auditions!’
A reader is there to facilitate the audition. They aren’t there to play the scene with …
Read MoreIf you’re auditioning then you’re earning them money.
The agents most important business relationship is with the casting directors. By submitting good actors to the casting director that lets the casting ...
Read MoreThe former Manchester United football coach Sir Alex Ferguson says:
“Prominent in the category of principles that are as important to me now as they were 30 years ago is the certainty that good coaching relies on repetition. Forget all the nonsense about altering training programmes to keep players happy. The argument that they must be stimulated ...
Read MorePinchas Zukerman, the conductor, violinist, and teacher says if you find a good teacher - stay with them.
I fully support this idea.
Learning from a different teacher is fine but jumping from class-to-class to see ...
Read MoreWhen preparing a scene you should ask questions.
The answers aren’t the point; the point is the ‘asking of the questions’ and getting your mind active. The questions will stimulate your imagination, one of the best ...
Read MoreYou enter the audition room and are greeted by the person behind the camera saying, ‘Stand on the mark.’
Try not to get diverted and take that ...
Read MoreActors are loved by the people.
This doesn’t mean knowing movie stars.
You are part of art and culture and, therefore, play a key role in the life of the society.
People have always ...
Read MoreThere’s a limit to what you would let someone say about your mother.
No way will you allow your mother to be humiliated beyond a line of acceptable social humour or criticism.
You defend …
Read MoreIt’s a nice image when you’re trying to affect the other actor.
How sharply can you send your point? How much bloodshed do you want to cause?
In this moment of the scene are you going to prick your fellow actor, or are you going to ...
Read MoreTry to like how you’re playing the scene, doing an audition, acting in close-up, blocking for camera.
Sounds obvious but think about it.
The wonderful acting teacher Keith Johnstone asks the question after an improv finishes …
Read MoreFollow how the scenes are built.
Something is happening, maybe a spy is lying, so you change your tack and pretend to retreat, drawing in the spy.
The one thing leading to the …
Read MoreAlways be looking to when you can have your face away from the camera.
Your first impulse might be to give your partner all your attention and look them in the eye.
Decide what suits and is most …
Read MoreIn your close-up, as you think and speak, your head movement can follow a triangular pattern.
It looks good on screen.
And it’s part of film language. We recognize the pattern of the movement from …
Read MoreYou hear actors say they’re going to call their agent and ask that question.
If your agent represents fifty or a hundred actors and they all call twice a week to ask…boy! That’s tough on your agent.
It’s difficult to ...
Read MoreShowing up is everything.
If you’re trained, have an agent, do auditions, act in movies and plays - you’re going.
That’s the opposite of stopped.
It means you’re walking down the road and ...
Read MoreAlways be going to the thing.
A joke can be a useful lesson to you as an actor because it always goes to a punch line. That’s the thing. And when you start to tell a joke you …
Read MoreWhen you send a line it can be like sending an arrow.
You could send that arrow right through the other character and out the other side into a wall ten feet behind.
Or you could send the arrow just to their chest, letting it stick there…
Read MoreRead the original authors on the subject of acting.
That way you get to have your own first impressions.
It’s key to the development of your ability to think. Observing and having your experience in a conscious way as you read, then reflecting on …
Read MoreJohn Boylan | Toronto Acting Coach
These are professional track acting classes with practices that meet the actor's needs to work in the film and TV industry.
This course is right for you if: you are committed to being a professional actor; you have some experience in theatre or film; you have some actor training; you recently graduated from theatre school; you have an agent or are actively seeking one …
Using a feature film scene and typical TV scenes you will have time and space to pursue questions that you need to work on. With only one other actor there is a peaceful atmosphere to do detailed work that can most assist you…
These are professional track acting classes with practices that meet the actor's needs to work in the film and TV industry.
This course is right for you if: you are committed to being a professional actor; you have some experience in theatre or film; you have some actor training; you recently graduated from theatre school; you have an agent or are actively seeking one …
The Intensive is right for you if: you are committed to being a professional actor; you have some experience in theatre or film; you have some actor training; you recently graduated from theatre school; you have an agent or are actively seeking one.
The only course of its kind in Canada.
The best work is often the result of …
This is a one-hour session over Zoom geared to discuss the work in our most recent class.
For years I’ve been frustrated that I don’t get to speak much to the actors …
Working on Zoom this method of recording all the takes while I coach you has proven successful. We keep working, hone the scene, make adjustments …
I can help you make a demo reel and we can schedule it at whatever time suits us both. Please send your photo and resume.
The first step is a one-hour consultation where we discuss who the reel is for, what types suit you, which scenes to do, your hair and wardrobe.
Second step is …
IT'S YOUR SPACE. TAKE YOUR PLACE.
All posted class times are Eastern Time Zone (EDT/EST). A photo and resume must be submitted before registration is confirmed. Scheduled classes and coachings cannot be re-scheduled. If you’re unable to attend you forfeit the time and fee. Make up classes are not held over to future sessions, there are no refunds and money cannot be used towards another class. We reserve the right to change the time, date, and price of our courses.
john@centreforthearts.com
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