Master Class Actor Training: Gene Pope Interview

[Updated 02/25/18. Master Class for Actors begins 03/28/18.] The master class actor training at the Maggie Flanigan Studio is a ten week advanced scene study class for professionally trained actors. In this video Gene Pope talks about his decision to take the class and how it directly impacted his audition process.

Acting Master Class with Maggie Flanigan (917) 789-1599

Why Did You decide To Take Master Class with Maggie Flanigan?

When I left the two year acting conservatory I was a little nervous but I felt that I had gained a lot of knowledge and I started applying it. Then something interesting actually started happening as I was auditioning more and more. I started and this was when I realized I was working with different kinds of actors, different kinds of people, who are asking different things that of me in a different way and I said to myself, “I’m starting to drift”.

“The small class size allowed me to have as much time with Maggie as possible. I was starting to drift. This class helped to recenter myself."

Gene PopeStudio Alumni

I felt like i was starting to drift that I was in danger of going away from the core but the answers that I was applying to the question we’re not were not necessarily up right in line with what would be the most effective, whether it was on stage or on camera. So I decided that if a masterclass came up I wanted to get right back into that to recenter myself, to remind myself of why I’m an actor and what how I can do my best to be an actor. That’s exactly why I came back to the course was to get that done plus the fact that Maggie offered so kindly to allow me to do a scene which I’ve always been excited about which is a scene of a person who is not normal but has something wrong with them. It’s more challenging, its layered but it just was something I wanted to get my teeth into and she felt that I would I was ready for it. I was thrilled and and it was extraordinarily effective that way.

How Important Was It That The Class Was Small In Size?

When you take into effect the idea that Maggie has such a wealth of information, I can’t think of having too small of a class size with with her because you want to have as much time with her as possible. It is a very relaxed atmosphere and she knows you’re there to work hard and she accepts that and she accepts you as an actor who now has some experience and that wants to take their their work to another level. So with knowing that she spends a lot of time compared to the two year conservatory, relatively speaking, because you don’t have to cycle through endless scenes. You get your 20 minutes and that’s it. If you are having an issue shows she’s able to take the time to work on that issue with you and work on it and work on it. There is plenty of time because there is 10 people in the room. That is a revelation because you want to hear as much as you possibly can from Maggie Flanagan about how you’re doing, what are you doing right, what are you doing wrong and how to improve it. So for me in a smaller class is just a decision that they made that is just a gift to actors anywhere in my opinion.

What Was It Like To Work So Closely with Maggie?

Maggie is one of the most respectable people I have ever worked with in terms of respecting actors no matter what your level is. That empowers you to experiment more. You don’t feel like “Oh my God, it’s Maggie Flanigan, I am going to have to be on my best behavior”, no it’s just Maggie and she’s talking to you one-on-one. She’s guiding you and you go okay “Let me try this”. At the end of it she’s not going to say “Oh my God, what was that?” She’s going to say “No, just think about this try it again.” That’s what I thought our relationship was like and it it was a gift again to get she’s giving you. You’ve got to take these gifts when you can, when they are available. She’s one of the best minds around in terms of acting, in my opinion and you have to take it while it’s here or you’ll be very sorry that you missed it.

“The small class size allowed me to have as much time with Maggie as possible. I was starting to drift. This class helped to recenter myself."

Gene PopeStudio Alumni

What Did You Find Difficult About The Class?

What I found difficult about the master class with the first two minutes I sat down with Maggie and with my partner and I started to do my first reading. The reason for that was because I was trying to please Maggie too much. I mean I didn’t her to think that I was a wanker or something and that I had learned something from the class because you know i did all this work. After about two minutes she simply said “Gene stop for a second. Stop. Relax, take a breath. I just want you to react and respond.” I said “You’re right, I’m trying way too hard.” That was it. Once that was off the table and then the rest of it was just a pleasure of work.

You are really working intensely. When you’re working that intensely on something that you love I mean and this is your career that you want here, it’s always a joy, it’s not a difficulty. It’s a difficulty in that somebody is critiquing maybe but it’s never in something that’s going to pull you down. It’s something that is going to lift you up.

So where’s the downside? I didn’t find a downside other than those first two minutes which was basically my own doing.

Gene Pope – Master Class for Actors with Maggie Flanigan – Call (917) 789-1599

How Did the Class Get You Back On Course with Your Career?

A few weeks literally after the class I was sitting at a Ruddy Productions reading and I’m sitting in the front row and one of the people that within my class was sitting in that same row, and all of a sudden she started hitting me in the shoulder saying, “Gene, Gene, Gene, I have to introduce you to somebody” and she starts poking the other person from the other studio and bring them over. “Gene was in the my class and he was doing how I learned to drive and he was and he was playing Uncle Peck. You’ve got to let him read for the part.” She says “We’ve already done our auditions are doing callbacks.” She was non-stop. Long story short I went there. They did a callback. It lasted for hours and it was so much fun.

Of course, I was there looking around thinking “Well, that guy looks like he could be the part. That guy looks pretty good too. There is a lot of competition here.”

I knew in my mind exactly how I wanted to do this scene and do this character. I felt the strength of that and so I just did what I was going to do and took the direction that I was given. I kept everything that I’ve learned in my head at all times. I survived the four hours. At the end they announced that they were going to do another callback the next weekend.

Acting Master Class at Maggie Flanigan Studio (917) 789-1599

That weekend we started out with 16 people and it just started whittling away another four hours went by until is just two of us. Then they had us come in and do the scene that I have done in class with Maggie. The exact same scene. They had us do it three times with three different points of view of direction which was so much fun. The next thing we knew we were both going home. I was driving home and I get the call from them offering the part.

That’s not that’s not the way it’s going to always happen but I do believe that you make your luck. I feel that I’ve been lucky since I left but I want to come back again because I want to always make sure that there’s always more to learn. I want to make sure that I always have my tools as sharp as humanly possible because you’re going to walk into that audition one day and all the sudden you are just right for it and at that moment, you have to be perfect.

This is the way to do it, to come back and and refresh yourself.

Register For The Acting Master Class

Master Class for actors at the Maggie Flanigan Studio is a ten week scene study class for the trained and professional actor who is looking to challenge themselves with complicated materials from the greatest playwrights in history. To schedule an admission interview for the Master Class with Maggie Flanigan, contact the studio directly by calling 917-789-1599.

Acting Classes NYC

The post Master Class Actor Training: Gene Pope Interview appeared first on Meisner Acting - The Maggie Flanigan Studio New York NY - 917-789-1599.

via Master Class Actor Training: Gene Pope Interview
by Maggie Flanigan

Master Class Actor Training: Gene Pope Interview

[Updated 02/25/18. Master Class for Actors begins 03/28/18.] The master class actor training at the Maggie Flanigan Studio is a ten week advanced scene study class for professionally trained actors. In this video Gene Pope talks about his decision to take the class and how it directly impacted his audition process. [caption id="attachment_7955" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Acting Master Class with Maggie Flanigan (917) 789-1599[/caption]

Why Did You decide To Take Master Class with Maggie Flanigan?

When I left the two year acting conservatory I was a little nervous but I felt that I had gained a lot of knowledge and I started applying it. Then something interesting actually started happening as I was auditioning more and more. I started and this was when I realized I was working with different kinds of actors, different kinds of people, who are asking different things that of me in a different way and I said to myself, “I’m starting to drift”. [post_author] I felt like i was starting to drift that I was in danger of going away from the core but the answers that I was applying to the question we're not were not necessarily up right in line with what would be the most effective, whether it was on stage or on camera. So I decided that if a masterclass came up I wanted to get right back into that to recenter myself, to remind myself of why I'm an actor and what how I can do my best to be an actor. That's exactly why I came back to the course was to get that done plus the fact that Maggie offered so kindly to allow me to do a scene which I've always been excited about which is a scene of a person who is not normal but has something wrong with them. It’s more challenging, its layered but it just was something I wanted to get my teeth into and she felt that I would I was ready for it. I was thrilled and and it was extraordinarily effective that way.

How Important Was It That The Class Was Small In Size?

When you take into effect the idea that Maggie has such a wealth of information, I can't think of having too small of a class size with with her because you want to have as much time with her as possible. It is a very relaxed atmosphere and she knows you're there to work hard and she accepts that and she accepts you as an actor who now has some experience and that wants to take their their work to another level. So with knowing that she spends a lot of time compared to the two year conservatory, relatively speaking, because you don't have to cycle through endless scenes. You get your 20 minutes and that's it. If you are having an issue shows she's able to take the time to work on that issue with you and work on it and work on it. There is plenty of time because there is 10 people in the room. That is a revelation because you want to hear as much as you possibly can from Maggie Flanagan about how you're doing, what are you doing right, what are you doing wrong and how to improve it. So for me in a smaller class is just a decision that they made that is just a gift to actors anywhere in my opinion.

What Was It Like To Work So Closely with Maggie?

Maggie is one of the most respectable people I have ever worked with in terms of respecting actors no matter what your level is. That empowers you to experiment more. You don't feel like “Oh my God, it's Maggie Flanigan, I am going to have to be on my best behavior”, no it's just Maggie and she's talking to you one-on-one. She's guiding you and you go okay “Let me try this”. At the end of it she's not going to say “Oh my God, what was that?” She's going to say “No, just think about this try it again.” That's what I thought our relationship was like and it it was a gift again to get she's giving you. You've got to take these gifts when you can, when they are available. She's one of the best minds around in terms of acting, in my opinion and you have to take it while it's here or you'll be very sorry that you missed it. [post_author]

What Did You Find Difficult About The Class?

What I found difficult about the master class with the first two minutes I sat down with Maggie and with my partner and I started to do my first reading. The reason for that was because I was trying to please Maggie too much. I mean I didn't her to think that I was a wanker or something and that I had learned something from the class because you know i did all this work. After about two minutes she simply said “Gene stop for a second. Stop. Relax, take a breath. I just want you to react and respond.” I said “You're right, I’m trying way too hard.” That was it. Once that was off the table and then the rest of it was just a pleasure of work. You are really working intensely. When you're working that intensely on something that you love I mean and this is your career that you want here, it's always a joy, it's not a difficulty. It's a difficulty in that somebody is critiquing maybe but it's never in something that's going to pull you down. It's something that is going to lift you up. So where's the downside? I didn't find a downside other than those first two minutes which was basically my own doing. [caption id="attachment_9668" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Gene Pope - Master Class for Actors with Maggie Flanigan - Call (917) 789-1599[/caption]

How Did the Class Get You Back On Course with Your Career?

A few weeks literally after the class I was sitting at a Ruddy Productions reading and I’m sitting in the front row and one of the people that within my class was sitting in that same row, and all of a sudden she started hitting me in the shoulder saying, “Gene, Gene, Gene, I have to introduce you to somebody” and she starts poking the other person from the other studio and bring them over. “Gene was in the my class and he was doing how I learned to drive and he was and he was playing Uncle Peck. You've got to let him read for the part.” She says “We've already done our auditions are doing callbacks.” She was non-stop. Long story short I went there. They did a callback. It lasted for hours and it was so much fun. Of course, I was there looking around thinking “Well, that guy looks like he could be the part. That guy looks pretty good too. There is a lot of competition here.” I knew in my mind exactly how I wanted to do this scene and do this character. I felt the strength of that and so I just did what I was going to do and took the direction that I was given. I kept everything that I've learned in my head at all times. I survived the four hours. At the end they announced that they were going to do another callback the next weekend. [caption id="attachment_7960" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Acting Master Class at Maggie Flanigan Studio (917) 789-1599[/caption] That weekend we started out with 16 people and it just started whittling away another four hours went by until is just two of us. Then they had us come in and do the scene that I have done in class with Maggie. The exact same scene. They had us do it three times with three different points of view of direction which was so much fun. The next thing we knew we were both going home. I was driving home and I get the call from them offering the part. That's not that's not the way it's going to always happen but I do believe that you make your luck. I feel that I've been lucky since I left but I want to come back again because I want to always make sure that there's always more to learn. I want to make sure that I always have my tools as sharp as humanly possible because you're going to walk into that audition one day and all the sudden you are just right for it and at that moment, you have to be perfect. This is the way to do it, to come back and and refresh yourself.

Register For The Acting Master Class

Master Class for actors at the Maggie Flanigan Studio is a ten week scene study class for the trained and professional actor who is looking to challenge themselves with complicated materials from the greatest playwrights in history. To schedule an admission interview for the Master Class with Maggie Flanigan, contact the studio directly by calling 917-789-1599. Acting Classes NYC

The previous article Master Class Actor Training: Gene Pope Interview See more on: NYC Acting Classes

via Master Class Actor Training: Gene Pope Interview
by Maggie Flanigan

Studio Alumni Carly Sullivan on “Happy!”

For her latest project, Carly Sullivan entered the bizarre world of Syfy’s Happy!, which recently aired its inaugural season. On the TV show, the actress plays Gala Scaramucci, wife to the big bad guy of Francisco Scaramucci, or Mr. Blue (Ritchie Coster). The two try to outwit and outsmart the efforts of Nick Sax (Christopher Meloni) and his imaginary blue horse, Happy (voiced by Patton Oswalt).

“Happy!” SyFY – Carly Sullivan Maggie Flanigan Studio Alumni

This is not your grandparents’ type of television.

The arc of the Gala character was profound for audience members tuning in each week, and Sullivan seemed to love her role. However, it almost never happened for the accomplished actress.

“It’s been such a pleasure working on it,” Sullivan said in a recent phone interview. “Basically back in January of 2017, I was asked to audition for the pilot, so it was a very formal audition. I went in. I think probably about a week later, my agent was like, ‘You’re one of the top picks.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, cool.’ And then a couple days later he called me, and he’s like, ‘Unfortunately they’re going to pass on you because they’re going to go with somebody who has more of a name,’ which I have heard many times before in this industry. And I was like, ‘OK, no worries.’ And then a week later, he called me, and he was just like, ‘You got it. I don’t know what happened, but it’s all yours.’ So that was kind of the process of getting the part.”

When she secured the Gala role, Sullivan was excited and intrigued by the potential of the character and the offbeat series. Right before the audition, she acquainted herself with the graphic novel by Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson.

Acting Program NYC – Carly Sullivan – Happy! on SyFy

“I had read the graphic novel actually probably the day before I auditioned,” she said. “I was familiar with Grant Morrison, but I had not read the Happy! series. And when I read it, I just thought, how are they going to do this? It’s a really out there graphic novel, and it’s so different. And I was like, wow, this is really exciting stuff, so, yeah, I was very, very, very excited. And it turned out to be all the things I thought it would be and more honestly, so very cool.”

Sullivan’s character of Gala is not in the original graphic novel, but Morrison and showrunner Brian Taylor decided to branch out from the source material and fill in some narrative blanks.

“So when I read the graphic novel, I was like, OK, I don’t see Gala in it,” Sullivan said. “It’s interesting, too, because in my audition, I think it was like maybe only two pages of [dialogue], so I didn’t have a real in-depth understanding of my character. But I could tell from just those two pages, I got a sense of who she was and what her marriage was like with Blue. Blue is the main bad guy this season, and I thought, wow, there’s a lot I can do here, a lot. And it’s interesting, I watched Big Little Lies this year [on HBO], and I remember Nicole Kidman’s character. I was like, you know, I feel like there’s part of Gala here, and so Nicole Kidman’s performance not only excited me but really inspired me. I was like, OK, I can do a lot here, and I can bring this repressed woman to life. I don’t know why. It just really excited me. I feel like it’s the perfect time in our environment to kind of play these women who are in abusive relationships and then become very empowered, so, yeah, I was very excited when I realized what I would be doing.”

Sullivan said that even if she wasn’t involved in Happy!, she probably would be watching the show. She counts herself as a “sci-fi nerd,” and she loves TV, especially in this time that she calls the “golden era” of dramas and comedies.

“I just loved the structure of it,” she said. “I love the longer work schedule because I love to work. Even if I was not in it, I would love to watch it, and I’m not just saying that. I like shows that push boundaries. I like shows that make you think. Happy! has that element of everything is connected, fate, there is no such thing as coincidence. And it reminds me a little bit of Lost or The Leftovers, two of my all-time favorite shows. Yeah, I definitely like shows that are out there, and I love comedy. I mainly work in comedy, and this is definitely a very dark comedy.”

Acting Program NYC – Carly Sullivan – Maggie Flanigan Studio – (917) 789-1599

About Carly Sullivan

Born in Plantation, Florida, Carly began her artistic career as a ballet dancer where she studied with The American Ballet Theatre and Miami City Ballet. After an injury at 17, she decided channel her artistic passion into acting and after graduating from the University of Florida, moved to New York to study at the Maggie Flanigan Studio and UCB. She has gone on to appear in numerous commercials, films, television shows and voice overs. In 2016, she created Baus Lady Films with her creative counterpart, Caroline Duncan. They went on to co-produce, co-write and co-star in their short films, “Fashion Faux Pas” and “Pick Me”. Most recently she can be seen working opposite of Chris Meloni is Syfy’s adaptation of Grant Morrison’s graphic novel Happy!.

This news about Carly Sullivan and Happy! on Syfy was first seen online here:
https://www.hollywoodsoapbox.com/?p=19338

The post Studio Alumni Carly Sullivan on “Happy!” appeared first on Meisner Acting - The Maggie Flanigan Studio New York NY - 917-789-1599.

via Studio Alumni Carly Sullivan on “Happy!”
by Maggie Flanigan

Studio Alumni Carly Sullivan on “Happy!”

For her latest project, Carly Sullivan entered the bizarre world of Syfy’s Happy!, which recently aired its inaugural season. On the TV show, the actress plays Gala Scaramucci, wife to the big bad guy of Francisco Scaramucci, or Mr. Blue (Ritchie Coster). The two try to outwit and outsmart the efforts of Nick Sax (Christopher Meloni) and his imaginary blue horse, Happy (voiced by Patton Oswalt). [caption id="attachment_9655" align="aligncenter" width="800"] "Happy!" SyFY - Carly Sullivan Maggie Flanigan Studio Alumni[/caption] This is not your grandparents’ type of television. The arc of the Gala character was profound for audience members tuning in each week, and Sullivan seemed to love her role. However, it almost never happened for the accomplished actress. “It’s been such a pleasure working on it,” Sullivan said in a recent phone interview. “Basically back in January of 2017, I was asked to audition for the pilot, so it was a very formal audition. I went in. I think probably about a week later, my agent was like, ‘You’re one of the top picks.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, cool.’ And then a couple days later he called me, and he’s like, ‘Unfortunately they’re going to pass on you because they’re going to go with somebody who has more of a name,’ which I have heard many times before in this industry. And I was like, ‘OK, no worries.’ And then a week later, he called me, and he was just like, ‘You got it. I don’t know what happened, but it’s all yours.’ So that was kind of the process of getting the part.” When she secured the Gala role, Sullivan was excited and intrigued by the potential of the character and the offbeat series. Right before the audition, she acquainted herself with the graphic novel by Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson. [caption id="attachment_9656" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Acting Program NYC - Carly Sullivan - Happy! on SyFy[/caption] “I had read the graphic novel actually probably the day before I auditioned,” she said. “I was familiar with Grant Morrison, but I had not read the Happy! series. And when I read it, I just thought, how are they going to do this? It’s a really out there graphic novel, and it’s so different. And I was like, wow, this is really exciting stuff, so, yeah, I was very, very, very excited. And it turned out to be all the things I thought it would be and more honestly, so very cool.” Sullivan’s character of Gala is not in the original graphic novel, but Morrison and showrunner Brian Taylor decided to branch out from the source material and fill in some narrative blanks. “So when I read the graphic novel, I was like, OK, I don’t see Gala in it,” Sullivan said. “It’s interesting, too, because in my audition, I think it was like maybe only two pages of [dialogue], so I didn’t have a real in-depth understanding of my character. But I could tell from just those two pages, I got a sense of who she was and what her marriage was like with Blue. Blue is the main bad guy this season, and I thought, wow, there’s a lot I can do here, a lot. And it’s interesting, I watched Big Little Lies this year [on HBO], and I remember Nicole Kidman’s character. I was like, you know, I feel like there’s part of Gala here, and so Nicole Kidman’s performance not only excited me but really inspired me. I was like, OK, I can do a lot here, and I can bring this repressed woman to life. I don’t know why. It just really excited me. I feel like it’s the perfect time in our environment to kind of play these women who are in abusive relationships and then become very empowered, so, yeah, I was very excited when I realized what I would be doing.” Sullivan said that even if she wasn’t involved in Happy!, she probably would be watching the show. She counts herself as a “sci-fi nerd,” and she loves TV, especially in this time that she calls the “golden era” of dramas and comedies. “I just loved the structure of it,” she said. “I love the longer work schedule because I love to work. Even if I was not in it, I would love to watch it, and I’m not just saying that. I like shows that push boundaries. I like shows that make you think. Happy! has that element of everything is connected, fate, there is no such thing as coincidence. And it reminds me a little bit of Lost or The Leftovers, two of my all-time favorite shows. Yeah, I definitely like shows that are out there, and I love comedy. I mainly work in comedy, and this is definitely a very dark comedy.” [caption id="attachment_9658" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Acting Program NYC - Carly Sullivan - Maggie Flanigan Studio - (917) 789-1599[/caption]

About Carly Sullivan

Born in Plantation, Florida, Carly began her artistic career as a ballet dancer where she studied with The American Ballet Theatre and Miami City Ballet. After an injury at 17, she decided channel her artistic passion into acting and after graduating from the University of Florida, moved to New York to study at the Maggie Flanigan Studio and UCB. She has gone on to appear in numerous commercials, films, television shows and voice overs. In 2016, she created Baus Lady Films with her creative counterpart, Caroline Duncan. They went on to co-produce, co-write and co-star in their short films, "Fashion Faux Pas" and "Pick Me". Most recently she can be seen working opposite of Chris Meloni is Syfy's adaptation of Grant Morrison's graphic novel Happy!. This news about Carly Sullivan and Happy! on Syfy was first seen online here: https://www.hollywoodsoapbox.com/?p=19338

The preceding article Studio Alumni Carly Sullivan on “Happy!” Read more on: Acting Classes Blog

via Studio Alumni Carly Sullivan on “Happy!”
by Maggie Flanigan

Unlocking Artistic Versatility – Voice and Speech Class

Raife Baker teaches voice and speech class at the Maggie Flanigan Studio. In this video Raife discusses what it means for actors to be versatile and authentic. [caption id="attachment_9644" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Voice and Speech Classes - Raife Baker - Maggie Flanigan Studio[/caption] Often on the first day of class at the Maggie Flanigan Studio, I ask students to tell me who their favorite actor/actress is and why. First of all I always find it funny to see people’s minds go completely blank when they have to answer this question on the spot, and secondly I usually notice a theme in many of the answers. One thing that seems to draw the admiration of other actors is a performer’s ability to “disappear” within a role. I’ll sometimes hear things like “I love Daniel Day-Lewis because I forgot I was even watching him and just saw the character.” Or “Meryl Streep is great because she can do so many different parts so well.” I think this can be summed up as “versatility.” I also think that voice and speech work is crucial to realizing the true potential of our own versatility as actors. [post_author] Obviously learning to speak with a different dialect or with a speech impediment can vastly alter an audience’s perception of an actor. But paradoxically, I believe learning to become more aware of and in touch with oneself is the actual path to unlocking this artistic versatility. In other words, being your self is the key to being someone else. Without examining our own habits, insecurities, tensions, and beliefs, any external elements (like dialects, or physical impairments, or even a GREAT costume) will ring hollow because we won’t have allowed our inner life to breathe and express itself. [caption id="attachment_9645" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Voice and Speech Classes for Actors - Raife Baker - Maggie Flanigan Studio[/caption] This is where voice practice comes in. It’s probably not shocking to hear that our voices are really made up of two simple components: our body and our breath. And so many of our habitual tensions and insecurities manifest themselves physically in our bodies or in our breathing. In order to become integrated actors, both the body and the breathing must be uninhibited so that our emotional life can be dynamic and expressive. Have you ever caught yourself holding your breath when you are frightened, or clenching your jaw when you are frustrated? These are ways of controlling or hiding these emotions that we have deemed socially negative. But as actors, we don’t want to control them, we want to share them with our audience. So much of voice class is about physical release and breath allowance for this very reason. We have to cultivate new habits around our emotional lives and allow ourselves to be genuine and honest with each passing moment. It’s not always an easy task to simply breathe and let ourselves be seen. It can feel dangerous and even foolish sometimes. It is a profound act of bravery, though and it is the only way to truly be ourselves as artists. That’s where we have to start in voice and speech class. We show up with each other. We perform exercises designed to help us be present and focused and relaxed. We try to be a little bit more of our self each day, so that we can start to become whomever we want. Part of the versatility that students admire so much in actors is also the fact that they believe the truth of those performances regardless of how different the roles themselves may be. There must be authenticity within that versatility, and the breath/body work of voice training is a great place to cultivate that authenticity. As Brene Brown says, “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we’re supposed to be, and embracing who we are.” [caption id="attachment_9646" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Voice and Speech Classes NYC - Raife Baker - Maggie Flanigan Studio[/caption]

Learn More About Voice and Speech Classes at the Maggie Flanigan Studio

Acting Classes NYC To learn more about the voice and speech class, as well as other acting classes at the Maggie Flanigan Studio visit the studio website at maggieflaniganstudio.com or call the studio during business hours at 917-789-1599.

The above article Unlocking Artistic Versatility – Voice and Speech Class was first published on NYC Acting Classes

via Unlocking Artistic Versatility – Voice and Speech Class
by Maggie Flanigan

Unlocking Artistic Versatility – Voice and Speech Class

Raife Baker teaches voice and speech class at the Maggie Flanigan Studio. In this video Raife discusses what it means for actors to be versatile and authentic.

Voice and Speech Classes – Raife Baker – Maggie Flanigan Studio

Often on the first day of class at the Maggie Flanigan Studio, I ask students to tell me who their favorite actor/actress is and why. First of all I always find it funny to see people’s minds go completely blank when they have to answer this question on the spot, and secondly I usually notice a theme in many of the answers. One thing that seems to draw the admiration of other actors is a performer’s ability to “disappear” within a role. I’ll sometimes hear things like “I love Daniel Day-Lewis because I forgot I was even watching him and just saw the character.” Or “Meryl Streep is great because she can do so many different parts so well.” I think this can be summed up as “versatility.” I also think that voice and speech work is crucial to realizing the true potential of our own versatility as actors.

"Voice and speech work is crucial to realizing the true potential of our own versatility as actors."

Raife BakerVoice and Speech Class

Obviously learning to speak with a different dialect or with a speech impediment can vastly alter an audience’s perception of an actor. But paradoxically, I believe learning to become more aware of and in touch with oneself is the actual path to unlocking this artistic versatility. In other words, being your self is the key to being someone else. Without examining our own habits, insecurities, tensions, and beliefs, any external elements (like dialects, or physical impairments, or even a GREAT costume) will ring hollow because we won’t have allowed our inner life to breathe and express itself.

Voice and Speech Classes for Actors – Raife Baker – Maggie Flanigan Studio

This is where voice practice comes in. It’s probably not shocking to hear that our voices are really made up of two simple components: our body and our breath. And so many of our habitual tensions and insecurities manifest themselves physically in our bodies or in our breathing. In order to become integrated actors, both the body and the breathing must be uninhibited so that our emotional life can be dynamic and expressive. Have you ever caught yourself holding your breath when you are frightened, or clenching your jaw when you are frustrated? These are ways of controlling or hiding these emotions that we have deemed socially negative. But as actors, we don’t want to control them, we want to share them with our audience. So much of voice class is about physical release and breath allowance for this very reason. We have to cultivate new habits around our emotional lives and allow ourselves to be genuine and honest with each passing moment.

It’s not always an easy task to simply breathe and let ourselves be seen. It can feel dangerous and even foolish sometimes. It is a profound act of bravery, though and it is the only way to truly be ourselves as artists. That’s where we have to start in voice and speech class. We show up with each other. We perform exercises designed to help us be present and focused and relaxed. We try to be a little bit more of our self each day, so that we can start to become whomever we want.

Part of the versatility that students admire so much in actors is also the fact that they believe the truth of those performances regardless of how different the roles themselves may be. There must be authenticity within that versatility, and the breath/body work of voice training is a great place to cultivate that authenticity. As Brene Brown says, “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we’re supposed to be, and embracing who we are.”

Voice and Speech Classes NYC – Raife Baker – Maggie Flanigan Studio

Learn More About Voice and Speech Classes at the Maggie Flanigan Studio

Acting Classes NYC

To learn more about the voice and speech class, as well as other acting classes at the Maggie Flanigan Studio visit the studio website at maggieflaniganstudio.com or call the studio during business hours at 917-789-1599.

The post Unlocking Artistic Versatility – Voice and Speech Class appeared first on Meisner Acting - The Maggie Flanigan Studio New York NY - 917-789-1599.

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by Maggie Flanigan

Voice and Speech Class - Unlocking Artistic Versatility - Call (917) 789-1599

Watch video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/mHofwhjR110
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via Voice and Speech Class - Unlocking Artistic Versatility - Call (917) 789-1599
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Summer Acting Programs: Elise Tollefsen Interview

The Summer Acting Programs at the Maggie Flanigan Studio are considered by many to be the best Meisner Summer Acting Program and Acting Conservatory in the United States. In this interview Elise Tollefsen discusses how the Meisner Summer Intensive was different than the typical summer acting program that she was expecting. [caption id="attachment_9633" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Summer Acting Programs Interview - Elise Tollefsen[/caption]

What did you think it meant to train as an actor before you started the six weeks Summer Meisner Intensive?

That's a great question. I don't think I knew exactly. I didn't train as an actor before this. I came in here almost blind. I worked for a Broadway show backstage. I've been around the environment but I've always done the technical aspects of it. I think you have this idea that it's going to be the typical, all these exercises and doing different scenes and getting a feel for everything. It's the complete opposite of that. I knew that this was going to be a different program coming in and I think that's why I chose it ultimately. You have an idea of what actors do and you think that it's just going to be an all fun and games and being on stage and being showy and all that good stuff.

How did the six week acting program that change your perspective on acting and training?

So much, so much happened. I think I was very thrown off by not doing scenes immediately. You come in assuming that you're going to be doing that kind of stuff automatically and that's just what happens in training. We did the exercise first. You have to come to terms with a lot about yourself as a human and I think that that's the scariest part of acting, is because you can't necessarily be anybody else in a role unless you know yourself first and you're completely comfortable with that. I think that was the biggest thing, is me getting comfortable with myself as a person which is a weird thing to get from an acting class or at least for me. I feel like that's the most important thing that I could have gotten here. [caption id="attachment_9635" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Meisner Intensive - Summer Acting Programs - Maggie Flanigan Studio[/caption]

What did you learn about yourself during the program that surprised you?

I learned that I have a very hard time speaking up for myself. I'm a very outgoing person, I'm talkative and I have no problem speaking to other people. You think that what you do outside in society is speaking up for yourself when in reality we're so trained to be a certain way. In the worlds that you don't realize how much of yourself that, you're hiding and not consciously, you just are. I think it's changed me a great deal here because I've learned the different aspects of myself that I had never really explored before.

How would you describe Charlie as an acting teacher?

I'll start by saying he is probably one of the most supportive teachers I've ever had and he pushes you and he is very knowledgeable and inspiring. He also won't cuddle you or tell you that you're great or give you anything like that. I prefer that kind of teacher, I don't like to be told good job every single day. I like to be told when something isn't going right and when something needs to be worked on and I am here to train and to learn. I think a lot of other teachers try to baby their students thinking that it's going to help them ultimately to open up when I think it's of the opposite if you start to poke at people and get into their deeper selves. I think they'll open up completely on their own when they're ready. I think he's very supportive but very, very tough and amazing all the same time.

What would you say to someone like you who has trained before, think they understand what it means to be an actor and that they don’t need to train?

Many people think "Maybe I don't need training, maybe I could just do it on my own." They're watching these videos or they looked at the website, they're curious but maybe they think don't have time, or the money. They're making a lot of excuses about why they couldn't do something like this. What would you say to that person? The people that don't think they have the time or money, it's a complete lie. I am a firm believer in that if there is a will there's a way. Also, I work a full-time job plus doing fitness on the side and then I also do this during the day and it's a big time commitment and especially this plus the on-camera auditioning class that I do. I'm here way more than at home these days. I think I would just say just go for it and if you really, truly want to do it you're going to find a way, you will always find a way. If you think that you don't need training to become an actor, that is a horrible idea. God bless you but it's a bad idea. I feel people go out and think that as long as you can read a script and you come from on camera you can act, which I'm starting to find that it's the complete opposite. Even after this intensive, I feel like I'm ready to go and get more training just because I know that I'm not at the level I want to be. It becomes very clear when you're doing the intensive, that there's so much more to learn. [caption id="attachment_9634" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Summer Acting Programs - Meisner Summer Intensive 2018 - Maggie Flanigan Studio[/caption]

Summer Acting Programs and the Six Week Meisner Summer Intensive

Acting Classes NYC Learn more about the Summer Acting Program and the Meisner Summer Intensive at the Maggie Flanigan Studio by visiting the acting programs page on the studio website or by calling the studio during normal business hours at 917-789-1599.

The previous blog post Summer Acting Programs: Elise Tollefsen Interview Find more on: Acting Studio NYC

via Summer Acting Programs: Elise Tollefsen Interview
by Maggie Flanigan

Summer Acting Programs: Elise Tollefsen Interview

The Summer Acting Programs at the Maggie Flanigan Studio are considered by many to be the best Meisner Summer Acting Program and Acting Conservatory in the United States. In this interview Elise Tollefsen discusses how the Meisner Summer Intensive was different than the typical summer acting program that she was expecting.

Summer Acting Programs Interview – Elise Tollefsen

What did you think it meant to train as an actor before you started the six weeks Summer Meisner Intensive?

That’s a great question. I don’t think I knew exactly. I didn’t train as an actor before this. I came in here almost blind. I worked for a Broadway show backstage. I’ve been around the environment but I’ve always done the technical aspects of it. I think you have this idea that it’s going to be the typical, all these exercises and doing different scenes and getting a feel for everything. It’s the complete opposite of that. I knew that this was going to be a different program coming in and I think that’s why I chose it ultimately. You have an idea of what actors do and you think that it’s just going to be an all fun and games and being on stage and being showy and all that good stuff.

How did the six week acting program that change your perspective on acting and training?

So much, so much happened. I think I was very thrown off by not doing scenes immediately. You come in assuming that you’re going to be doing that kind of stuff automatically and that’s just what happens in training. We did the exercise first. You have to come to terms with a lot about yourself as a human and I think that that’s the scariest part of acting, is because you can’t necessarily be anybody else in a role unless you know yourself first and you’re completely comfortable with that. I think that was the biggest thing, is me getting comfortable with myself as a person which is a weird thing to get from an acting class or at least for me. I feel like that’s the most important thing that I could have gotten here.

Meisner Intensive – Summer Acting Programs – Maggie Flanigan Studio

What did you learn about yourself during the program that surprised you?

I learned that I have a very hard time speaking up for myself. I’m a very outgoing person, I’m talkative and I have no problem speaking to other people. You think that what you do outside in society is speaking up for yourself when in reality we’re so trained to be a certain way. In the worlds that you don’t realize how much of yourself that, you’re hiding and not consciously, you just are. I think it’s changed me a great deal here because I’ve learned the different aspects of myself that I had never really explored before.

How would you describe Charlie as an acting teacher?

I’ll start by saying he is probably one of the most supportive teachers I’ve ever had and he pushes you and he is very knowledgeable and inspiring. He also won’t cuddle you or tell you that you’re great or give you anything like that. I prefer that kind of teacher, I don’t like to be told good job every single day. I like to be told when something isn’t going right and when something needs to be worked on and I am here to train and to learn. I think a lot of other teachers try to baby their students thinking that it’s going to help them ultimately to open up when I think it’s of the opposite if you start to poke at people and get into their deeper selves. I think they’ll open up completely on their own when they’re ready. I think he’s very supportive but very, very tough and amazing all the same time.

What would you say to someone like you who has trained before, think they understand what it means to be an actor and that they don’t need to train?

Many people think “Maybe I don’t need training, maybe I could just do it on my own.” They’re watching these videos or they looked at the website, they’re curious but maybe they think don’t have time, or the money. They’re making a lot of excuses about why they couldn’t do something like this. What would you say to that person?

The people that don’t think they have the time or money, it’s a complete lie. I am a firm believer in that if there is a will there’s a way. Also, I work a full-time job plus doing fitness on the side and then I also do this during the day and it’s a big time commitment and especially this plus the on-camera auditioning class that I do. I’m here way more than at home these days. I think I would just say just go for it and if you really, truly want to do it you’re going to find a way, you will always find a way. If you think that you don’t need training to become an actor, that is a horrible idea.

God bless you but it’s a bad idea. I feel people go out and think that as long as you can read a script and you come from on camera you can act, which I’m starting to find that it’s the complete opposite. Even after this intensive, I feel like I’m ready to go and get more training just because I know that I’m not at the level I want to be. It becomes very clear when you’re doing the intensive, that there’s so much more to learn.

Summer Acting Programs – Meisner Summer Intensive 2018 – Maggie Flanigan Studio

Summer Acting Programs and the Six Week Meisner Summer Intensive

Acting Classes NYC

Learn more about the Summer Acting Program and the Meisner Summer Intensive at the Maggie Flanigan Studio by visiting the acting programs page on the studio website or by calling the studio during normal business hours at 917-789-1599.

The post Summer Acting Programs: Elise Tollefsen Interview appeared first on Meisner Acting - The Maggie Flanigan Studio New York NY - 917-789-1599.

via Summer Acting Programs: Elise Tollefsen Interview
by Maggie Flanigan

Summer Acting Programs - Meisner Summer Intensive - Maggie Flanigan Studio - Call (917) 789-1599

Watch video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/YetYSpYwQLk
via Maggie Flanigan Studio
via Summer Acting Programs - Meisner Summer Intensive - Maggie Flanigan Studio - Call (917) 789-1599
by Maggie Flanigan

5 Star Review

I consider my four years in undergrad to be some of the most formative years of my life... https://flic.kr/p/23eK5TZ

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by Maggie Flanigan

5 Star Review

Among the many enhancement courses offered at MFS, Script Analysis played a huge part in... https://flic.kr/p/23uraSS

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by Maggie Flanigan

5 Star Review

Before Maggie's I did not know what it meant to craft and work like a true professional... https://flic.kr/p/21MwUgE

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by Maggie Flanigan

Bye Bye Chocolate

I watched a Netflix comedy special last night: Lynne Koplitz, and something she said reminded Cranky of herself. Lynne said, "I accidentally gained 40 pounds." Which is hilarious in attitude and also kind of refreshing to Cranky who has always said, "Sometimes I gain weight. Sometimes I lose weight. It's a mystery." I recognize my friends by who they are and have never much noticed a few pounds here or a few pounds there. As a child I had a friend named Flora. I loved Flora. I used to walk a different way so I could pick Flora up and we could walk to school together and laugh. Flora reminded me of the sun. She laughed at my jokes. One day in fifth grade Flora was absent and the teacher said we needed to talk about Flora's problem. I said, "What problem?" The class laughed at me and assumed I was making a joke (which was my specialty). I said, "No really? What problem?" The teacher, Mrs. Ney (the meanest teacher in the school who was later transferred to being a librarian because she stuck a pencil in a kid's head) said, "Flora's limp." I was shocked because I never noticed any limp. So I've had a life long proclivity for noticing important things like who laughs at my jokes and who is sun-like. Which brings me to a recent incident when a friend told me her boyfriend was prejudiced against me because of my size. True, I had burgeoned to a size 12 due to stresses at work and my partner's and mine habit of popping nonpareils while chanting, "Let's close a deal" But as always I knew I would once again go back to a smaller size when the mood hit me. I play squash 4 hours a week, take Pilates and dance, so it can fall off pretty easily. The prejudice remark hit me hard. I was jettisoned into some kind of minority I hadn't known I belonged to. And the sad thing is I haven't eaten one beloved nonpareil since. Those nonpareils were my one fucking joy in life. They have been replaced by vegetables. People keep saying, "You lost so much weight" But really I lost something more that that. I lost nonpareils. This blog post appeared here first: https://crankyactress.com/2017/09/03/bu-bye-chocolate/