Demo Reel Q & A Presented by Retta Putignano
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Four Resources Available to Actors – Part 4: THE MOMENT
“Live each present moment completely, and the future will take care of itself. Fully enjoy the wonder and beauty of each instant. Practice the presence of peace. The more you do that, the more you will feel the presence of that power in your life.”
Paramahansa Yogananda
Paramahansa Yogananda
This quote is by my Guru, Yogananda, and yet it could just as easily become an acting lesson that very much aligned with this lesson I am about to write about.
My mentor and acting coach, Sally Kirkland, once said; “You have to stay very human, from moment to moment. You can’t in any way let the audience know what’s going to happen next.”
This is yet another inspiring quote on being in the moment. How very true. Once we harness the ability to stay in each instant, allowing it to take us to the next, then we can call ourselves actors.
The antithesis of that would be to practice thinking of our next line or anticipating what the other actors line will be. All of that is the opposite of being in the moment.
Many times, I ask actors to keep going when they feel they have made a “Mistake”. Mostly because that mistake can keep you in the moment more quickly than if you had stopped and started all over again. These are the golden moments we live for in our work. Those moments when we go up, the hair stands up on our arms and our mind is a blur. Those precious moments are something that can take you on a journey in a split second from being in your head, thinking about your lines, how you look to others or wondering what the heck to do, to the NOW. They are golden moments that Meryl Streep says she hopes for when she works. They bring you immediately into your own skin, your body, and your mind and then you must KNOW where you are in the story and live in it. Allow those moments; do not be afraid of them, for they will take you places that are delightful, organic and raw. They not only give us a little journey to the NOW, they also keep your scene partner on their toes, wondering, “Where is she going with this?” Thus, needing to follow along on the trip to our truth, our moment. Giving us the opportunity to live through the role and surprise not only ourselves, but also whomever we work with. Of course, having confidence in our Improvisational ability and trust in our scene partner goes a long way. But if you can relax and allow those moments, they are truly what we strive for in each moment of our work as truthful actors. When I say relax, I mean really don’t worry about what will happen, just go with it. Just as Yogananda believed each moment will take care of itself, I also believe that will happen when we forego any upset or frustration and just allow the voyage to take you to yourself to your soul. To performances full of surprise and wonder, much like the journey of Life.
Four Resources Available to Actors – Part 3: IMAGINATION
I’d like to preface this installation with a quote by Albert Einstein before I elaborate on the lesson.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
Casting Director Jason La Padura: Audition Advice & Tips – Part 3
Jason La Padura has been a Casting Director for 30 years and his long list of Television, Film & Theatre credits include casting all three films of High School Musical, Heros, and Touch to name a few. He also had the privilege and fun of being a judge for The Miss America Pageant. Jason started out casting theatre in New York and eventually moved to Los Angeles forming La Padura/Hart Casting.
I met Jason in New York when I had my first job as a Casting Director at an Off-Off Broadway Theatre Company called Manhattan Punch Line. Jason’s partner, Gary Murphy, was the PR person for MPL and we had cubicles next to each other. Jason was quickly establishing himself as a theatre Casting Director and with his casting partner, Stanley Soble, transitioned with ease into casting television. He eventually moved to Los Angeles and with Natalie Hart, formed La Padura/Hart Casting.
Jason came to speak to my students in one of my Audition Workshops at Holly Powell Studios, and we taped his visit for my Master Talent Teachers Video Series on “Auditioning”. He gave the students so much incredible advice that I have made it into a 3 Part Video Series for MTT.
Part 1
- The difference in casting for TV, Film and Theatre
- Chatting with the Casting Director before starting the audition
- Props or miming in an audition
- Is there ever a time when it is Ok for an actor to start the audition over?
- What’s your opinion about when an actor gets through the entire audition and asks if they can do it again?
- Stage directions
- What an actor should wear to the audition
Part 2
- What does a Casting Director expect from an actor in the “callback”?
- Memorization
- Non-Represented Actors
- Non-Union Actors
- Best way to keep in touch with a Casting Director
Part 3
- Testing at the Network
- Going on tape for Executives
- Do you have any questions?
- Self taping
- When do you advocate for an actor?
- Pet Peeves
Jason La Padura: Audition Advice & Tips Part 2
I first met Jason La Padura in New York almost 30 years ago. I had my first job as a Casting Director at an Off-Off Broadway Theatre Company called Manhattan Punch Line. Jason’s partner, Gary Murphy, was the PR person for MPL and we had cubicles next to each other. Jason was quickly establishing himself as a theatre Casting Director and with his casting partner, Stanley Soble, transitioned with ease into casting television. He eventually moved to Los Angeles and with Natalie Hart formed La Padura/Hart Casting. Read more
Emmy-winning Austin Powers director Jay Roach on Comedy and Directing
Here are some lessons derived from Gerry Katzman’s (www.standupcomedyclass.com) interview with director Jay Roach (“Meet The Parents”, “Campaign”, “Austin Powers”)
Lesson #1 – Everyone is afraid. Just because someone can successfully direct Zach Galifianakis, Mike Myers and Will Ferrel doesn’t mean he has faith in his own comedic ability. Says Roach: “I’m not funny… When I walked up at the podium, I just hoped I wouldn’t start gushing sweat and blubbering because I really do have actually horrible stage-fright. it’s not healthy.”
Lesson #2 – The only person who gets to decide whether you “have what it takes” is YOU. “You do not have to be funny or good at speaking to direct, thank goodness” added Roach.
Lesson #3- Surround yourself with the best.
Lesson #4- Balance. According to Roach, comedy direction is about creating a free, uninhibited atmosphere while the camera is rolling- while being analytical, obsessive, and painstaking while you prepare your next shot.
Lesson #5- Work hard enough to earn your lucky break. Jay didn’t get to direct “Austin Powers” (his first feature film) until after he was 40 and had been working for years at every conceivable job in the entertainment industry. But when Mike Myers asked him to take on the job of a lifetime, he was ready.
Lesson #6- Success doesn’t look how you think it will. Sometimes your dream job comes later in life than you had imagined it would. Sometimes Emmy-winners have stage-fright. And sometimes, the world’s best comedy directors don’t think they’re funny.
For more great information visit www.StandupComedyClass.com and join our newsletter. Thanks!
How to be Great in a Meeting
Award-winning comedy coach, actor, and comedian Gerry Katzman gives valuable tools and secrets about how to pitch yourself and be great in an interview or industry meeting…
In any business, your results are usually dependent on how well you perform in a meeting. Getting the job, the raise, the contract or the sale is almost alway contingent on how well you are able to sell yourself or your product.
This video will show you how to talk about yourself in such way that you cannot fail to get people excited, eager, and hungry to work with you.
After decades of preparing myself and others for high-level industry meetings, I have found three important questions which, if answered, will prepare you to shine like a star in any presentation, meeting, conference or audition.
Knowing and practicing the answers to these three questions will enable you to talk about yourself masterfully. They’ll also add focus and drive to your career.
Question #1: Who are you like?
Name 5 successful artists/people/businesses in your field that you are similar to. Who do people compare you to? Whether the resemblance is physical, personality, or just an intangible essence- who are you like?
People cannot spread the word about something unless they have some reference-points that will help other people understand it.
What are 5 successful examples of people (bands, artists, businesses) in your field that have something in common with you?
“As a comedic actor I’m like Ben Stiller meets Jason Schwartzman meets Adam Sandler meets Josh Radnor meets Paul Rudd. ”
“Our band sounds like the Beatles meet Daft Punk”
“Her comedy feels like Ellen Degeneres and Woody Allen had a baby.”
“Our restaurant is the McDonald’s of Greek Food.”
Right now, try to write down your 5 examples. You may need to call friends for help.
Question #2: What do you want and who are the gatekeepers?
Write the three goals you want to achieve in your career this year and who you need meet with to attain them. Be specific. For example, actors- is your dream job on TV, Film, Web or Theater? Comedy or Drama? Single-Camera or Multi-Camera? Which shows exactly? Who are the casting people? Decide.
“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” -Yogi Berra
Question #3: Why are you doing this/ What is your inspiration?
Why do you love what you do? When did you fall in love with your art, craft, or business? How long have you cared about it? Why is it important to you?
People want to work with people who are passionate.
How can you show your passion? Learn to talk about it.
Conclusion:
Answer these questions at home. Then, have a friend read you the questions and get comfortable answering them in front of another person. Knowing how to talk about yourself, how to pitch your business- could be one of the most high impact activities that you can do. Start by knowing the answers to these three questions. The results (clarity, focus, confidence, and purpose) should be satisfying and immediate.
Please share your thoughts with me and sign up for my newsletter at http://www.standupcomedyclass.com/
