3 tips: how to be the best acting student - and move your craft & career to the next level

As a 30+ year veteran casting director, filmmaker, and teaching artist, I've taught and collaborated with tens of thousands of professional actors and students.

Those who make the greatest strides approach class in three ways:

show up.

Acting class is a gift to your inner artist.

Be prepared, focused...approach the commitment of time and your fellow participants with gratitude.

The rigor of showing up with consistency & concentration will pay off as this, in itself, is an acting muscle that is expected on set.

be willing to fail.

The ability to let go of results, after fully preparing for a scene, is the holy grail of authentic performance.

It takes courage to be willing to openly fall on your face (metaphorically speaking)...but this is exactly what is needed to make room for spontaneity and discovery. Yep, this is what is expected on set too.

approach class as an equal collaborator.

Film/tv is a collaborative art form. Acting class is no different.

Your contribution as a student includes sharing your point of view, articulating intelligent questions, and participating in discussions. Your curiosity & artistry makes the class more beneficial to everyone.

Plus, the process of contributing to class is actually a practice of navigating when, where, and how to creatively contribute to a film/tv project.