Yes, you read correctly. Action tells a story! Amazing stunt men and women know that fight sequences are not just a string of kicks and punches, but a great story telling device that can reveal a lot about the character. It takes incredible artistry to it pull off.
As actors, we are constantly looking for more ways to express ourselves, tell the story, and enrich the character. Wouldn’t it be awesome to lend more of your physicality to your work? We aren’t saying everyone needs to go practice high falls or set themselves on fire, but training yourself to be physically able to perform basic stunts and fight sequences will indeed help you to become a more versatile artist and performer.
Action drives the story forward.
How boring would some of our favorite blockbusters be without the amazing action sequences that had you sitting at the edge of your seat, white knuckling the arm rest, laughing, then crying, gasping, then sighing in relief?! Remember that awesome “hell yeah!” feeling you got at the beginning of The Avengers when the Black Widow kicks a supreme amount of ass from a chair? Not possible without action actress Heidi Moneymaker doubling for Scarlett Johansson. Anyone see Lone Survivor? Their actors went through an actual Navy Seal training program, where they did special operations conditioning and tactical training just so they could portray an incredible story.
As our own Blue8 Tactical Advisors say, “Legitimate creativity is rooted in reality.”
Looking to get started? Wanna dip your toe in the stunt pool? Come on in the water is fine! Here at Blue8 we train multiple disciplines to ready our bodies for anything the entertainment industry can throw at it! From Kung Fu to Yoga, Dance to Parkour and Military Tactics; we love it all and practice on a regular basis. Throw in a few specialty workshops and you are well on your way to feeling more confident in those action film auditions, not to mention the built in physical fitness benefits that come along with it.
Now go clear out some space on the special skills section of your resume! You’re going to need it! 🙂
https://www.mastertalentteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Slick8-Blk-bg.jpg240293MTThttp://www.mastertalentteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Logo_New_MTT-300x50.jpgMTT2014-05-13 14:02:162020-08-30 20:09:32Stunt work is acting too!
This paper is the last of my three articles on this super important subject… How to get a mentor. In my first and second articles I looked at: Why should we have a mentor? What is a mentor? Who makes a good mentor? How do you approach mentors? What do you want from a mentor? And the importance of being prepared when you get on a phone or in a meeting with your mentor. This time, I will focus on mentor etiquette… the “Do’s and Don’ts” that go along with having a mentor.
Firstly, here are a few of the don’ts to keep in mind. Don’t put them on the spot by asking them to hire you, audition you, or read your screenplay. If they request it, that’s fine. But don’t put them on the spot by asking.
Don’t have them be the one who works to generate the conversation. It’s your job to be totally ready. And don’t ever use their name without permission. Just because they might mention a show you would be great for and they mention that they know someone associated with that show, if you decide to get in touch with that person, and you want to use your mentor’s name, it is imperative that you get their permission to do so. Remember, you are going to them for their wisdom, not their rolodex.
Here are a few items to remember as far as the do’s are concerned. Always be prepared, really prepared, with your list questions as well as information on them and their company. Make sure you’ve done your homework. Make good use of their time. Keep your word. Call when you said you’d call. Show up at the meeting on time. Really respect their time and acknowledge them and thank them for their time and wisdom.
Remember that it’s a business relationship. So respect the term of your arrangement. If you’ve agreed to have three meetings or phone calls over a month long period and you decide you want to continue the relationship then get permission to do so.
When I was shooting my YouTube series for my YouTube channel on this subject of getting a mentor, I interviewed film and video game producer, Ruby Lopez. Ruby has been a volunteer at Women in Film for many years and their mentor program is a year long, so they are very strict about mentor etiquette.
“Having a mentor is not a time for you to look for a job or be an intern” she says. “It’s more about gaining knowledge. Also, remember that their time is valuable so if you say you’re going to meet them at certain time, do that. If it’s a ten minute phone call or a half hour meeting, keep to your promise and don’t go overboard.” She tells us that “this is not about you pushing yourself on them. If the relationship is meant to evolve, it will. Sometimes all you need from a specific mentor is the knowledge they give so you know how to move forward in your career.”
Ruby feels that “it’s a perfect time to explore different people, different areas that you’re interested in and to find out where you’re missing your knowledge. So when you’re meeting with them, know what you want to talk to them about and what to address.”
One of the do’s that I really really want to spotlight is acknowledgment. It is so so so important that you acknowledge your mentor each and every time. As I’ve mentioned in my other MTT articles and videos, acknowledgement is sadly missing in our industry. When MTT’s acting coach, Diane Christensen, joined me for my YouTube series she shared about the importance of giving and receiving acknowledgement. “I know that having a mentor in Hollywood is special,” she says “since they are the busiest people of all and they are so busy that they don’t even know they need acknowledgement. So for them to receive it and have that gift given to them is so special and such a truly needed moment in their lives. What better reason to mentor than to receive that acknowledgment and to have people grateful for it.”
That’s brilliant advice from both Ruby and Diane. They are giving you gold here, so be sure to use it. And remember, we all should have mentors in our lives and careers. As I mentioned in my first article, everyone loves and wants to contribute and there are thousands of people in our industry who have many years of experience and would be honored to share their knowledge and expertise with you. So take the information in all three articles and of course watch my YouTube channel and the Master Talent Teachers video series on this subject, and go out and get yourself a mentor or two. I promise it will be well worth it.
https://www.mastertalentteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Getting_a_Mentor-part3.jpg557998MTThttp://www.mastertalentteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Logo_New_MTT-300x50.jpgMTT2013-06-25 14:14:082020-08-30 20:12:15How to Get a Mentor – Part 3
If you ever have the opportunity to sit down with Suzanne Lyons, you will quickly realize that you are in the company of a powerhouse. She is as passionate about producing feature films as she is life, and she has the essential ability to bring the most joy to both. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview her for my acting class recently and was honored that she opened up and shared about her illness as a child. Despite countless surgeries and losing the sight in one eye, she has gone on to produce nine movies with more on the way. Suzanne Lyons accomplishes because of her positive attitude, fearlessness, and business savvy.
Why I chose to highlight Suzanne Lyons in the Actors section of Master Talent Teachers is because much of life is about overcoming. Her story of triumph against all odds is what life is made of when you go after something that matters deeply to you. Actors must be passionate about the study of being human and what motivates and drives us on. All great acting touches on the parts of us that make us who we are.
Filmmaking is very much about overcoming odds. It’s a miracle productions get completed, especially small films.
My Experience Directing and Casting
Recently the film I directed, Reign, won the New York International Film Festival. After winning both the Best Short Award and The Audience Award I was asked what I look for in actors. So I thought I would take a moment here and share with you my experience.
When I direct a project, be it film or theatre, there are always roles that are open that need to be cast, and my producing partners and I hold auditions. I love actors who are passionate about the role and bring a perspective that is fresh. I love the collaboration process. I want the shaping of the character to live under the skin of the actor. Often that shaping is about the depth of the life of the character.
In Reign, I cast a wonderful actress, Sheetal Sheth in the role of Fadwa, an Iraqi woman, who loses her family during a firefight in the middle of the desert. Sheetal and I had many discussions regarding her character and the direness of her situation. What attracted me to cast her was her passion for the role, her experience and training. I knew that Reign was going to be a rigorous shoot. We shot the film 52 miles North East of Palm Springs outside of 29 Palms, in a desolate desert terrain. The conditions were pretty tough. The women had to take a 15-minute ride down to base camp just to go to the bathroom and all the women were such team players, none of them ever complained. It was in February, extremely cold without the sun and hot with it, the wind was harsh and constantly blowing the dry desert sand. Now, I write all of this with a smile because I love directing so much, I was far too involved in the gig to concern myself with any of these challenges.
We had an A-list crew (for our budget) so we were cutting corners anywhere we could. I knew that anyone I cast would have to know how to concentrate and deliver a depth of emotion regardless of the pressure of filmmaking and the challenges of the conditions. It truly was a passion project for myself as well as everyone involved.
We shot Reign on 35 mm film, which is beautiful but expensive. I knew I would have to get all of my performances in one or at the most, two takes. I had a lot of faith in Sheetal. Her process was flawless and her preparation served her in the field. I’ve worked with both non-actors and trained actors. I feel that it is more advantageous to work with the trained actor because they have invested in their skill and understand the process. But the most important part of working with an actor is that we both feel a positive connection and both care about the project. I think my favorite aspects of a great actor is their passion, skill, and desire for perfection within themselves to bring their best to the work. I think all great artists have that.
Kimberly Jentzen
Reign has gone on to win “Best Direction” and “Best Casting Director” from the Actors Film Festival, “Best Short Film” from the Louisville International Film Festival, “Best Short Film” from the New York International Film Festival, “The Audience Award” from both the Louisville International Film Festival and the New York International Film Festival and the “Award of Merit” at the Best Shorts Competition.
Videos from Kimberly Jentzen on Acting can be found in the archives of Actors
Kimberly Jentzen has been teaching actors for more than 20 years, she has won the Backstage “Best Acting Coach Award” and “Favorite Teacher Award” multiple times, and is regarded as one of the top acting coaches and teachers in Los Angeles.
https://www.mastertalentteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/suzanne_lyons_inspire.jpg447669MTThttp://www.mastertalentteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Logo_New_MTT-300x50.jpgMTT2013-03-12 04:02:202020-08-30 20:12:44Producer Suzanne Lyons – An Inspiring Force!
Listening Part 2 – An Actor’s Workout
By Kimberly Jentzen
Kimberly Jentzen guides Roman Banfield and Brianne La Flair in an Actor’s Workout using the play Danny and the Deep Blue Sea by John Patrick Shanley. Read more
https://www.mastertalentteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Kimberly_Jentzen_listening_2.jpg125125MTThttp://www.mastertalentteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Logo_New_MTT-300x50.jpgMTT2012-05-12 04:44:462020-08-30 20:14:09Listening Part 2: An Actor’s Workout
