CLASS METHODS / Studio Classes
The class practice consists of several methods and techniques that have been applied and taught by well known teachers in New York City throughout the decades. Lee Strasberg’s “The Method” concepts are taught for students to grasp known concepts to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances.
Weekly classes are in New York and other cities listed on thelocation section of the website (cities will be added for classesand seminars). Classes are 3 hours long from 7-10 PM.
FIRST THIRTY MINUTES: A series of warm up exercises are used and implemented to free the actor’s instrument from
inhibitions that restricts the creative instinct to flow andexpress the actor’s emotional stimuli. Every student actor
participates in this exercise.
Once the actor is warmed up, then we move toward “moment to moment” exercises with two actors working together.
Sanford Meisner developed this technique. This implements the communication between two actors listening and
responding to each other in a naturalistic way. This is considered the heart of acting by many actors and teachers in
the industry.
SCENE STUDY: Scenes are assigned by the teacher, or students can select scenes they’d like to work on. We
encourage to work on characters that you would be cast as.
Students who have prepared scenes to view and have analyzed perform them for the class, (but this process takes four weeks to prepare in a series of stages -- of readings, walk through
readings, a motivational analysis, character analysis and script breakdown).
This technique gives the student knowledge of the process of acting and develops appreciation for the craft and art of acting.
Scene analysis varies from scene to scene. Depending on what was achieved in the scene work, the scenes are done over
several weeks till they are finely tuned and perfect.
SKYPE Virtual Online Classes: I offer classes online with Skype. This is a convenient way to save on travel time and
money. Once the student pays via Paypal, or the $Cash app / Then we set up a session (1 hour - $80 / 1 1/2 hours - $110 / 2 hours maximum - $150) that is convenient for both. Classes are usually from 11:00 am till 7:00 pm; Monday thru Friday. Last minute emergency classes over the weekend will have and added $25 fee to the sessions.
I would like a photo and resume sent to me via email @actoralberto@yahoo.com / or Text Only @ 917-331-3850
for my review of your level of experience and your physical type. This helps me select scenes that fit you if necessary.
Prior to the class, I will FAX, email, or text a scene to read and prepare for the online session. You can choose a scene you want to work on, or have to prepare for an audition. You can get instruction when I email you the scene to read and
you prepare the process for the class, e.g., make choices about the character, the scene fundamentals, i.e., what is the
relationship, what do I want, where am I, who am I, etc.
Thereafter, we read the scene over as an audition first, then we discuss the scene in detail. Once we log in, we read the scene over and discuss the scenes elements. We then read it over like an audition to see what is working and what isn’t working based on what choices you have made to make the scene come to life. Then we work on the changes we discussed to reach that acting level necessary to book a job. We work on the scene till we both feel satisfaction and it is
ready to present. This process can be ongoing weekly with different scenes each week.
"Teaching is my way of giving back what teachers, directors and this industry has given me over the years. I do it because I love doing it. It is my own personal life force!"
"Relaxation before acting on stage is vital for the artist. It opens all channels of concentration and that is very important in acting."
"The most important thing is teaching people that they can be successful in whatever they do. If they have a passion for something, then they can achieve what they want. You need passion, there's no way around it."
"Sometimes the least talented actor can produce better work through discipline and study than the more talented lazy actor."
"The best actors I've ever worked with have a childlike quality about them. I assume it is because playing imaginary games like acting requires us to be like a kid and let our imagination fly.”
"The best actors I've ever worked with have a childlike quality about them. I assume it is because playing imaginary games like acting requires us to be like a kid and let our imagination fly."
"Acting is creating truth under imaginary circumstances."
"All the clues to the character are hidden inside the script."
"The audition is what gets you the job."
"When you see natural talent, it is undeniable."
BEGINNERS CLASSES: How does my method work with beginning actors?
Acting is telling the truth. Let’s get that straight immediately. Many people think acting is telling a lie. For the beginning actor, he must learn a few steps to achieve truth.
A neophyte in the acting environment must learn a few basic things in the beginning class. A student actor must first learn to relax on stage. There are several relaxation techniques I go through in the beginning of the class to reach that level. Once a student (or actor) is relaxed, then concentration becomes easier. Acting takes concentration.
Secondly, he has to learn to listen to the other actor and not anticipate what he will say but engage himself in taking in the whole other person like we do in life to make a scene realistic (this is called moment-to-moment).
Thirdly, the student actor should learn how to make meaning of the dialogue and making it come from himself (from his inner personal experiences),i.e., personalization.
These are a few basic elements that I initiate for beginners. There are many more, but I shall send that out later in another blog.
Advanced Classes for those who work will work towards:
Students who want to refine their technique and have experience stage, TV and film experience are handled differently from the beginner.
I want to have the actors come prepared to do a scene of their liking. A character they would be cast in. They should be prepared and off book (unless we work from a first time reading analysis to a three-step (or week) process. I do this to show development in a scene and character.
This is a good way to work because it deepens the experience of finding the essence of the character. Once the scene is done properly, then the actors move on to another scene. I also like to have scene presentation done in full costumes for realism to the audience and actors. This helps the actor work not only from the “inside out’ but also “outside in.”
