Exactly how effective are acting classes anyhow?

Question

I'd like to be an actress, but I seem to have natural ability to act really well, and I don't want to spend thousands on uneffective acting classes. I also think acting classes may lead me to over-think everything I'm doing. What are some of the things you learn in acting classes anyway? What kind of exercises do you go through? Why should I take acting classes? (Please note that I'd like to act in feature films and not stage productions).

Just so you know in the future "d_cider1", Tommy Lee Jones never had an acting lesson in his life.

Answer 1

My acting coach Cliff Osmond (see link below, he is the bomb, and no, I am not saying you should study with him because he only takes advanced students on audition. I am using this as an example ONLY that you should find a teacher at your level in your area and study), told me once that a student came walking into one of his classes and had such a huge level of confidence, that everyone in the room looked up and noticed it. He was not cocky, but was just so confident in himself and who he was, that when he was performing a scene, he was a true "natural". This guy took 3 weeks of acting lessons and then landed a contract role on a tv show. He is now a huge celebrity actor. But Cliff told me he has seen that happen only twice in his career as an acting teacher. So don't fool yourself into believing that you are one of those rare people. Just go with the odds and study study, perform, practice, and study some more. Why wouldn't you want an edge on the competition when you are getting that rare audition before a great casting director for a great role in a great film? Those doors do NOT open very often, so BE PREPARED for when God (or whatever you want to call that "greater power that be") gives you that chance!! There is no worse feeling in the whole world as when you go in and audition for something really big, and all the casting director says is, "thank you". And you walk out the door and realize that you just stunk up the joint. I have been there and done that. You DO NOT want to go there. The casting directors remember those stinky auditions and you end up burning bridges. I eventually got smart and took acting lessons, cold-reading workshops, private coaching. And finally when I was in my late 20's I finally became a "succesful" actor. So just skip all of that trial-and-error crap and just learn as much as you can before you get those chances to audition for big roles. You can't go wrong, and you will have that special extra edge on the competition.

Be smart, and be prepared. Even the Boy Scouts know that motto!!

http://www.cliffosmond.com

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Answer 2

Exactly how effective? Impossible to say. You get out of classes what you put in to classes. I have been onstage for a number of years( well, to be honset, I DID get off the stage once in a while), and for me, the best training was doing.

I tend to give a jaundiced eye to over-emphasis on "feeling" as opposed to "acting". Anyone can feel. It takes an actor to convey the feeling successfully night after night, or in your scenario, take after take.

EVERY successful actor has had at least one acting coach, and sometimes dozens. You cannot be an impartial judge of your capabilites and potential. If $$ is a factor(and when isn't it?), Community Colleges are usually inexpensive, and often a great resource. I did most of my real "learning" onstage at a community college.

Incidentally, why not the stage? It is very rewarding, a lot of work, and can lead to greater things. Unless you only want films for the $$, in which case you have just wasted the time and free advice of a bona-fide expert.

But you would never do that, would you.

Answer 3

Ok. You are right to be wary of acting classes, especially if they stress things like script analysis or character analysis. They do make you over think your acting which needs to be natural. The main benefit of acting classes is learning about the industry from the teacher and other students. You will always have to be in a class, so enjoy what acting opportunities it may offer
You sound like a level headed and wise aspiring actor. I mentor aspiring actors for free. Maybe I can help you get started in your career. Read my profile and write my at my aol address. Doc

Answer 4

You may get a chance to break in my upcoming movie, I don't think you need acting classes but you need to follow the directors rules.