Videos We Liked (transcribed by Web For Actors)
Do I need to take acting classes?
Recorded by Kat Elizabeth
One of the most common questions I get asked from new actors and even those that have been working for a while is, "Do I need to take acting classes?" After all, they can be expensive, and if you're trying to find time to shoot short films or do community theatre it's not easy to find the time! Here's why I think all actors should take acting classes regularly. ---
Full Transcription:
00:00:
If you've ever found yourself wondering whether it's worth taking acting classes, whether you're an amateur actor, aspiring professional or working actor, then this is the video for you. Welcome back to beginner's luck. I'm Kat, And in case this is your first time here, you have found the one stop shop for all things marketing, mindset, and mentoring for actors of all ages and experience levels. So if that's the kind of thing you think might help you and your potential acting career, then consider subscribing so you don't miss out on any future videos.
00:30:
For some reason, there can be a little bit of debate about whether it's worth doing acting classes. And I think it's because yes, there are, like anything, some dodgy ones out there that are a waste of money and maybe even a bit of a scam. But please let me assure you there are good ones out there and there are some really good reasons for doing it, no matter where you are in your career or hobby.
00:53:
First of all, I just want to talk about the fact that we should never stop learning. I think this applies in pretty much any industry. I think it's important that everyone keep learning and that we don't get complacent and stale, because there's always something else to be discovered and there is always room for improvement. But also I think the discovery in acting is what makes it so fun. So by not doing acting classes, you're kind of robbing yourself of half of the point of acting. There are so many other benefits to acting classes. I think a big one is confidence. Without confidence, it's really hard to be a good actor because you're in your head, you're questioning your choices. And it's gonna be hard to convince anyone of what you're trying to sell because they're going to sense your insecurity.
01:39:
So acting class is a really safe space to become more confident, to experiment, to have some fun and to develop a foundation of confidence so that you can actually feel good going into an audition, or standing up on stage, or ... I mean, even the confidence you get that could translate to other things like when you need to do it for customer service or making a speech in front of your school. And then of course there are skills that need to be learned in acting that that get you really agile and very versatile, so that if you are in a situation on set, where a director throws something crazy at you, you don't freak out.
02:17:
While I'm not big on the name-dropping, very technical acting approaches that are all about sort of being in a book and writing pages and pages of backstories and over-complicating things, there's still something to be said for being just flexible and being used to someone throwing crazy stuff at you so that you can just get up and do it without feeling awkward or insecure.
02:46:
This is also a fantastic place to explore your brand because you aren't actually being judged here. You're not using this to get cast in a certain project. So why not take some risks and play around with scenes and push boundaries that you wouldn't normally be able to in the audition room, or at least without taking a bit of a risk. And just see where you go. See what you discover about your brand and the kind of scenes that work well with you, trying out different accents without being judged. This is a really safe space. I mean, it's meant to be a really safe space. If you haven't found a class that does make you feel safe and comfortable, well then you're not in the right one and keep looking.
03:27:
It's also a wonderful place to network and to make new friends. I mean obviously, you all have a common goal and common interests. And if you've got the right mindset where you're open to collaboration and just meeting up with people and saying let's just do something, this is the perfect place to find them. Because they've got the skills you probably need. And I mean, as we always say, it's not what you know, it's who you know. I like to think about acting classes like the gym. If I stop going to the gym, of course I'm going to lose muscle. I'm going to lose my cardiovascular fitness and I'm going to start to feel a bit out of shape. So that if suddenly someone tells me, "Oh, I need you to run this marathon." Not that anyone's ever asked me to do that, but you get the idea. I'm going to be ready to do that.
04:12:
Acting class exactly the same. You can't expect to just do nothing for six months and then land a big audition and go in at your peak if you haven't been working on your skills up until that point. That's where acting class comes in. And I think equally importantly, it keeps you in the actor's mindset. I don't know about you, but when I'm not on set or on stage for an extended period of time, i.e. over a week, I start to question my value as an actor and [inaudible 00:04:46] my identity as a whole. And I start to feel like less of an active every day that goes by that I'm not doing those things.
04:52:
But as soon as I get back in in an acting class, I go, "Yes, yes. I am an actor. I do actory things. I've got homework to do and I've got all this preparation and I'm learning and I'm growing and I'm having fun and I'm in it." And that keeps me in a really good head space, which is so important, so important in this industry because it's very destructive. It can be very upsetting at times. But if you can stay positive and stay strong in your belief that I am an actor and I am worthy of good opportunities, well then those opportunities are much more likely to come than if you're sitting in the corner rocking back and forth going, "I wish I was an actor." Never done that before.
05:33:
Long story short, classes are awesome. I love them so much. I think they are such good value for money. However, it's really important to find the right ones. So important that I have actually going to do a video on how to choose the right acting classes. Because yeah, just like the good ones can build you up, the bad ones can tear you down, and it can be disastrous. So stay tuned for that one and make sure you're subscribed so that you don't miss it when it comes.
06:00:
As always, thank you so much for watching. And if you liked the video and found it helpful, please give it a thumbs up. And let me know below in the comments what your thoughts are on acting classes. Are you in any? Have you had any great experiences or nightmare stories you'd like to share? The more drama, the better please tell me. And I'll see you next time. Bye.