Some Sage Advice on Acting...
Sage interviews Celebrity Acting Coach & Teacher Michelle Danner
& Casting Director, Jane Jenkins discusses actor, William Hurt.
Sage interviews Celebrity Acting Coach & Teacher Michelle Danner
& Casting Director, Jane Jenkins discusses actor, William Hurt.
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Jane Jenkins, Casting Director |
The inspiration for this piece occurred while I was attending Casting Director, Jane Jenkins’s seminar being held at The Acting Studio at Edgemar (aka Larry Moss Studios). Ms. Jenkins has been the casting director for such films as: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Frost/Nixon, Transformers, When Harry met Sally, The Princess Bride, Stand by Me, etc.During Ms. Jenkins’s talk with The Acting Studio at Edgemar’s Artistic Director (aka Larry Moss Studios) and Internationally Acclaimed Acting Coach, Michelle Danner, Ms. Jenkins commented on a conversation she had with an actor, who had no idea who William Hurt was. Ms. Jenkins, was indeed surprised that this fellow thespian had never seen, nor heard of William Hurt. How could this be? How can someone pursuing a career in acting not be aware of the shoes they need to be filling?
It puzzles me as well, that some of my acting colleagues have very little knowledge regarding the history of their profession. Some of you may think that the past is irrelevant, but I disagree. It would behoove you to watch & study the films of actors that have won awards from decades past, since that is what you are being compared to. You need to have a frame of reference for how great you need to be and what performances you are aspiring to transcend or at the least, be equal to.
By the way, for those of you who do not know about William Hurt, here is a brief history: He had 3 straight Oscar nominations for Best Actor from 1986-88 and won his first Oscar with his first nomination for his role in, Kiss of the Spider Women, with his latest Oscar nomination being in 2005 for a History of Violence. My personal favorite was 1981’s, Body Heat, but that may also be because of Kathleen Turner, other classic ‘Hurt’ films that should be seen are: Broadcast News, The Big Chill, Children of a Lesser God, The Accidental Tourist etc…
So, if you want to be a great actor what characteristics and personality traits does it take to achieve that? What makes a good or average actor great? Here is L.A acting coach Michelle Danner's response ---
Question: Can you talk about discipline, emotionality, and stage presence?
Michelle Danner: On Discipline - Make lists, visualize, accomplish what the goals are, and let yourself know how painful it will be if you don’t get your dream. Follow through is the key.
1. Stage Presence-Work on having great emotional access. That will get you in the zone of telling the story.
2. Emotionality-Work on exercises to be emotionally open everyday.
3. Character Work-Watch people who fascinate you and take them on. Pick vivid and idiosyncratic people.
4. Thoughts on being prepared- Fine tune a way of working that works for you
Triggers, and Sense Memory work at least 5 min everyday on exercises that fine tune your instrument. Being in the moment, never anticipate whats coming next.
Question: This is an incredibly competitive field. What must every actor who is interested in having a career do?
Michelle: Perseverance, thick skin. The balance of being open and emotional when they call action, but to let everything else roll off your back when they say “cut”.
Question: How do actors get in their own way?
Michelle: By derailing, they have to stick to a strong vision of what they know they can accomplish with their talent, time and love of the work.
Question: Why is acting important?
Michelle: Because its a contribution to the world we live in. Storytelling holds up a mirror to our society, and can change what people think and do.
Question: What frustrates you most as a teacher?
Michelle: Apathy.
Question: What is the most satisfying thing about teaching?
Michelle: Growth
Question: Do you have any upcoming projects?
Michelle: I directed a film called “Hello Herman”, written by John Buffalo Mailer. A very socially relevant story about youth violence and the role media plays in it.
Michelle Danner has added a new class called "Script Analysis" alongside of her many “On-Camera” classes, also not to be missed, is her famed GoldenBox workshop that is held once a month. Michelle Danner is a celebrated acting coach who has worked with Gerard Butler, Chris Rock, Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek, and many more, both privately and on-set.
It puzzles me as well, that some of my acting colleagues have very little knowledge regarding the history of their profession. Some of you may think that the past is irrelevant, but I disagree. It would behoove you to watch & study the films of actors that have won awards from decades past, since that is what you are being compared to. You need to have a frame of reference for how great you need to be and what performances you are aspiring to transcend or at the least, be equal to.
By the way, for those of you who do not know about William Hurt, here is a brief history: He had 3 straight Oscar nominations for Best Actor from 1986-88 and won his first Oscar with his first nomination for his role in, Kiss of the Spider Women, with his latest Oscar nomination being in 2005 for a History of Violence. My personal favorite was 1981’s, Body Heat, but that may also be because of Kathleen Turner, other classic ‘Hurt’ films that should be seen are: Broadcast News, The Big Chill, Children of a Lesser God, The Accidental Tourist etc…
So, if you want to be a great actor what characteristics and personality traits does it take to achieve that? What makes a good or average actor great? Here is L.A acting coach Michelle Danner's response ---
Question: Can you talk about discipline, emotionality, and stage presence?
Michelle Danner: On Discipline - Make lists, visualize, accomplish what the goals are, and let yourself know how painful it will be if you don’t get your dream. Follow through is the key.
1. Stage Presence-Work on having great emotional access. That will get you in the zone of telling the story.
2. Emotionality-Work on exercises to be emotionally open everyday.
3. Character Work-Watch people who fascinate you and take them on. Pick vivid and idiosyncratic people.
4. Thoughts on being prepared- Fine tune a way of working that works for you
Triggers, and Sense Memory work at least 5 min everyday on exercises that fine tune your instrument. Being in the moment, never anticipate whats coming next.
Question: This is an incredibly competitive field. What must every actor who is interested in having a career do?
Michelle: Perseverance, thick skin. The balance of being open and emotional when they call action, but to let everything else roll off your back when they say “cut”.
Question: How do actors get in their own way?
Michelle: By derailing, they have to stick to a strong vision of what they know they can accomplish with their talent, time and love of the work.
Question: Why is acting important?
Michelle: Because its a contribution to the world we live in. Storytelling holds up a mirror to our society, and can change what people think and do.
Question: What frustrates you most as a teacher?
Michelle: Apathy.
Question: What is the most satisfying thing about teaching?
Michelle: Growth
Question: Do you have any upcoming projects?
Michelle: I directed a film called “Hello Herman”, written by John Buffalo Mailer. A very socially relevant story about youth violence and the role media plays in it.
Michelle Danner has added a new class called "Script Analysis" alongside of her many “On-Camera” classes, also not to be missed, is her famed GoldenBox workshop that is held once a month. Michelle Danner is a celebrated acting coach who has worked with Gerard Butler, Chris Rock, Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek, and many more, both privately and on-set.
