Making a Website to Boost Your Acting Career is Easy. Here’s How:

If you’re an actor that wants to be paid for your work, you are running a business. In fact, you are a business. As such, it’s imperative that you act like one and properly represent yourself.

What’s the needed big picture? Websites.

Many people have either are too intimidated to have a website and will toss the idea all together. Others are striving to build a fast career and will clutter their page with too much information that overwhelms anyone viewing it.

Avoid both extremes with these easy website building tips for actors and performers.

Keep it Simple.  You don’t need 20 pages of information. The truth is, you can even have a one page / cover page that features your best headshot and a brief bio, talking about your education, passion, work experience, bonus talents and what you’re looking for. Connect a link to your online portfolio, your IMDb and other important links (not too many though). Then leave a contact button or link where people can reach you easily. You can easily and affordably do this via Wordpress, Squarespace, Weebly and other website providers.

Grab a host and a name. Personalize your site by using your name if possible; such as www. youractingname .com or something similar. These keeps you easy to find without the confusion. Also, no personalized website works without a host. Some top hosts are godaddy, a small orange and host gator. We are not affiliated with any of them, but do know they provide quality hosting.

Personal Brand. Know your personal brand. No, don't be so 'branded' that you are type casted.  But define your strengths and see that they are communicated on your page.  Are you bold and confident with class?  Are you kind, gentle and determined?   Let these things show through in your layout, graphics and color scheme.

You are talented and have chosen performance as a career so don’t be afraid or limit yourself by avoiding this step. You are in a business that desires to succeed, so do all the work.  

At The New York Acting School we desire to support your journey to the red carpet and beyond. Don’t hesitate to call and ask about our educational programs and coaching options. Create your success today.   

MARK STOLZENBERG, Founder and Director of the New York Acting School for Film and Television has been in the business for a very long time and can help you find the scammers.

NYC Acting Class for Film — the Essentials

You have come to this page for only one of two reasons - You want to get into the business or you want to gain the skills necessary to act on camera. Either way, we can help you!

Take a test spin before you buy the vehicle! Call (212) 877-2219 and ask for Mark. Tell Mark you want to take advantage of our special trial class offer. For just $29.95 you can join us on any Wednesday or Thursday night for one of our two hour classes and see if this is the right direction for you.

You will get on camera. You will interact with other actors in various stages of their careers. You will establish networking connections. And that after just one night of class.

Acting on camera is different in almost every way from acting on stage.  Even gifted and experienced stage actors sometimes have great difficulty making the transition.  If you are hoping to build up your career in TV, movies, commercials, or the budding new YouTube channels, this class is for you.

Our acting school was named by CBS as one of the top 5 acting class schools in NYC.

The classes teach acting for camera - film and television - all classes are on camera and you review your work at the end of each class on a TV monitor.

The classes are intimate, 6-12 people, so if there is anything in particular that you want to work on, I can give you personal help. All levels accepted.  Check out this video about the class

You will work on Eye Line (where to look), how to project your voice, emotions, and physicality. I stress believability and vulnerability and have many tricks of the trade to share. I spend time working on close-ups. We do monologues, improvisations, cold readings, audition technique, commercials, and some scene work-most of the material is from movies. I teach "acting technique" with an eclectic approach. All the work is geared to making you look most effective on screen.

After two terms of Essentials classes, you will be eligible to enroll in the Advanced class and to have your work screened in a theatre for casting directors, agents, managers, etc.

You can email some of my students from last term for recommendations. Students love the class. Some students continue with me for years.

Amazing Deal - SAVE $485 off a HALF TERM OF STUDY- Finally fulfill your New Years Resolution to learn film acting

MARK STOLZENBERG, Founder and Director of the New York Acting School for Film and Television has been in the business for a very long time and can help you find the scammers.

If you would like to speak with me about which of our courses might be most suited to you at this time, I would be more than happy to discuss that with you.  Call (212) 877-2219 and ask for Mark.
All acting classes are taught in NYC at our studio, located at:
New York Acting School for Film and Television
150 West 46 St, 7th floor, between 6th and 7th Ave
Studio 150
New York, NY 10036

How to Present Yourself Confidently Before Any Crowd or Audience

How to Present Yourself Confidently Before Any Crowd or Audience

If being a crowd pleaser makes or breaks your career, you don’t have time to waste on fears or forgetfulness. You need to know that when you walk on that stage, that you are going to presenting your best self; confidently, before any crowd.

So how do you do that? Well, we at New York Acting School for Film and Television are asked this question over and over again, so much so that we have created multiple class and coaching options to help you get through it and face the crowd boldly.  

In the meantime, here are some simple ways to help you present yourself more confidently before any crowd or audience.

Prepare well.

Good presentations require great preparation, but do not start by writing your presentation out like an essay. Caroline Goyder, a former acting coach at the Central School of Speech and Drama who helps business leaders to communicate effectively says, "Writing it down tempts you to just read it out, which gives a dead, impersonal delivery."

Practice often.

Practice well and often into an audio or video recorder so you get used to what you sound and look like to an audience. Then deliver it to a small live audience of colleagues, friends or family and be open to constructive feedback. This is a very helpful tool.

Use support.

If you are a speaker or presenter, always have a visual tool or engaging story to help make your point. This helps the audience to go from listening with just their ears to also with their heart, emotions and memories. When they can relate, they’ll pay close attention.

Personalization.

When Anthony Hopkins was playing serial killer Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs, he used a technique called personalization  that helped him convey the inner anger of Hannibal by reaching into his own experiences of anger that he actually felt like killing someone. (we're all glad he didn't, right?) But you can use this technique and tap into your own emotional experiences to bring their impact and authenticity into your performance and presentation.

Slow down.

When you are reaching a point of importance or dramatic climax, be sure to slow down or pause. The silence or change in flow gives the presentation contrast and dynamics; a must for all performance and art. Also try to imagining you are delivering to one member of the audience and wait until you can see from their face that they have got it. This is a technique used by stand-up comedians.

The New York Acting School for Film and Television is always here to support your growth and education on your way to success. For more information and guidance, call us today!

MARK STOLZENBERG, Founder and Director of the New York Acting School for Film and Television has been in the business for a very long time and can help you find the scammers.

Don’t Ruin Your Acting Career. 6 Reasons To Take Acting Classes.

You’re a great actor. But talent doesn’t make you go the distance. It’s a key player - but not enough. Many talented actors are out there starving and wishing more about their career than creating it. To create success, you have to take smart action. Acting classes are a key ingredient in that action.

At the New York Acting School for Film and Television, we pride ourselves in our connection with our students and the results they achieve. We provide acting coaching, great for one on one help and a big part of many actor’s success. But the benefits that come from classes are incomparable. Why?

• You’re likely going to be doing more than just monologues right? That means you’ll be engaging with other actors. Some will be good and others won’t. A class helps you to still be your best regardless of what others can and can’t do, while a seasoned professional can give you tips as you go along.
• Classes provide you with solid techniques that you can fall back on and call upon time after time in different situations.
• Classes help you to be able to access and master your emotions amidst the challenges of situations and people dynamics.
• You will receive good, constructive and personal feedback to help you improve your craft.
• Classes help you gain confidence and learn to be more comfortable with performance.
• Attending classes will help you improve your listening skills, by training you to heed instruction and accept constructive criticism, which are essential for an actor.

Those are just the starter reasons to enjoy the benefits of taking acting classes. You'll soon find that not only your skills are improving, but you will also begin to know yourself better; both your strengths and weaknesses alike. Ultimately, you’ll see yourself succeeding as an actor. And that’s what you want, right?

MARK STOLZENBERG, Founder and Director of the New York Acting School for Film and Television has been in the business for a very long time and can help you find the scammers.

Tips for Character Development that Boost Your Acting Career!

Knowing how to develop your character is one of the most important skill you need in the film and television industry. Without knowing how to develop your character, you are only so believable and only so talented. This ultimately means, you’re only so booked, right? So don’t let a limited skillset limit your career.  At the New York Acting School for Film and Television, we understand the need for mastering different skills and we want to share some character development tips with you today.

The method we want to share with you is actually called Method Acting. With this method, the actor is asked to internalize the emotional life and thought processes of the character. The actor is expected to literally feel the same emotional impulses as the character would in circumstances described in the script. The classical approach, in contrast, focuses on externalizing these processes of character development by developing a certain set of skills. Here are the main points and processes:

Real Life Observation  – In developing the character, the actor must first spend time observing how the character’s real life counterparts move and operate in the world. Where do they go? Who do they interact with? How do they interact?

Character Motivation – The actor needs to ask a series of questions to determine motivation: how would the character react in the given situation? What situations would need to occur to motivate the character in a particular direction? What events would trigger particular emotions within the character.

Emotional Memory – Key to the method acting approach is the shift away from the actor’s portrayal of emotion toward the actor’s internalization of that emotion. The actor is expected to feel the emotion rather than simply pantomime it. This process is typically enabled by the memory of a past event within the actor’s own life that triggers the same emotion.

Re-Training – The method acting approach focuses on the portrayal of lifelike and “believable” characters rather than theatrical caricatures. The actor is expected to readjust the way s/he thinks and feels to fit the portrayal of the character.

Method acting is a great way to practice authentic and believable character development and can be applied in all forms of acting from stage to camera. If you have any other questions or would like information on classes or coaching, please contact us at the New York Acting School for Film and Television today.

MARK STOLZENBERG, Founder and Director of the New York Acting School for Film and Television has been in the business for a very long time and can help you find the scammers.

Seven Tips to Talent Agency Scams

https://actingclassforfilm.com/

Rip-off Talent Agencies Can Cost You More Than Money

You want success and you want it now!  The scam acting agency knows your mind set, and that is how he is going to be able to exploit you, grab your cash, max out your credit card, suck up your time, and leave you wondering "what the heck just happened?"

Almost any profession requires years of dues paying and hard work before there is a payoff.  Acting is no different, except that, as an actor you are constantly exposing your emotions to total strangers who are judging the quality of your work.  Day after day you are opening yourself up for rejection, which no matter how many times you are told that the rejection isn't about you, there is no way you can keep from questioning your skills, your auditioning style, your looks, and everything else that might be going into those rejections.

When people are vulnerable, they are the best targets for cons.  Who could be more vulnerable than an artist who believes they have a gift to share with the world, but who has been beaten up by rejection.  You may indeed have those gifts, but try to stay real.  The first thing the scammer is going to tell you is that you are amazing.  You need to hear that.  He knows you need to hear that.  The con is going to paint a beautiful picture of your future with him.  The two of you are going to get rich and famous together.  Right away, red lights should be going off in your head.  Let's break it down.

7 Telltale Signs that an Talent Agency Cares More About Your Wallet than Your Talent

1.  Who pursued who? - Established, legit talent agencies don't need to advertise, run free classes, or hang out around the exit doors of casting calls.  That is not to say that legitimate agencies are not showing up in venues to scout talent, or never notice a great face at the deli.  But if an agent is pursuing you, make sure that the pass every other test on this list.  In most cases, you will be working just as hard or even harder to get an agency to take you as you do to get a role.

2.  Money - If the agency requires up front fees to sign you, put you on their lists, add you to their website, or provide you with various other services, they are very likely scammers.  Legitimate agencies work on a commission based on finding you work.  There should not be other fees.  Publicizing you is their investment in you.  You do need to spend your own money on head shots and resume's.

3.  Use my guy - Scam artists usually hang out in packs.  They will have a photographer, resume writer, acting class set up, publicist, mailing house, and any other racket they can think of to add to the total payoff.  Legit agents may have relationships with photographers and other service providers, but they will not be pushy about sending you to their guy.  They may have a list of trusted companies for any materials you'll need.

4.  Past successes - In order to establish credibility with you, the con will typically tell you all about their past success with this actor or actress.  Ask to see the letters of recommendation from those clients.  How long ago did this success take place?  Are they still handling that actor?  Why not?  In most cases the entire send up is just that, and totally a figment of the agents imagination.

5.  Office at Starbucks - Not to say that there aren't plenty of folks who work out of their homes today that are running totally legit businesses.  And meetings with home businesses might commonly be held at a coffee shop.  If this is the case for the agent in question, or if they are in shared office space, or the offices are shoddy, this should be a cautionary sign.  How are they doing on the other elements of this list?

6.  Listed? - Where can you learn more about this company.  Amazingly a simple Google search may be all you need today to expose the phonies.  Yelp, Google+, or other online review sites may tell you in detail about the quality of the agency, good or bad.  Check with the Better Business Bureau.  They should be listed with one or more unions such as SAG or Actors Equity Association (Equity).

7.  Charm first - Con artists are charming.  Right?  They will have an answer, story, excuse, or pitch to cover their scheme.  And the good ones are very, very good at closing the deal.  Never, never sign or give them money under pressure of time, "we have others waiting," or other hard ball approaches.  Thank the person for being a fan, then go do your homework.

Even when you go home and do your homework, beware of the temptation to ignore all the warning signs.  If something is too good to be true, it probably isn't.  Call your friends in the business, teachers, other agencies, and find out what is and isn't real.  Remember, you have more to lose than money.  Even time wasted may not be the hardest part of this lesson.  The toughest part might be the emotional setback when it all turns to nothing.  The last thing you need is another emotional stress point.

MARK STOLZENBERG, Founder and Director of the New York Acting School for Film and Television has been in the business for a very long time and can help you find the scammers.

Kick Your Nerves And Act With Confidence and Poise!

So many talented actors aren’t seen for what they can do because their anxiety gets the best of them. Part of the problem is that they start overthinking and it all goes downhill from there. Don’t let the camera stop you from being in your full potential. I’ve got some tips to help you step out of the trap and into your success.

Important to know: Getting up in front of people to perform is a vulnerable place to be, and you are also at the mercy of their judgement and choices. A little bit of stress here, is normal. However, if it's an overwhelming amount of stress each time, you may need to reconsider whether this is your true calling or not, or also consider that maybe you need more classes first, before going for the audition.

Breathe. Taking a deep breathe brings oxygen to your nerves and helps to calm the senses. Be sure to take a long deep breath in through your nose and out your mouth as soon as anxiety hits. You may be surprised at how fast this works.

People want you to succeed. Remember that the casting director and everyone else in the room wants you to succeed. It doesn't mean you'll always get the part, but this is a fun art and the others in the room are cheering you on.

Keep going. If you do forget your lines, don't stop. Finish the rest of the scene and do your best, improvising naturally. If the casting director needs you to do the scene again, he or she will let you know.  Additionally, choosing to move on and past the mistake, shows your ability to recover under pressure and your talent for improvisation. Of course, don't do it on purpose, but don't be afraid to do your best with what you've got. The worst thing you can do is to stop. Keep going and do your best.

Keep your lines close by. It's totally fine, and in fact, expected for you to hold your highlighted line cards in your hand during the audition. Many actors put theirs away, thinking they'll impress everyone, but then they end up forgetting their lines and slow the flow. Keep your lines in hand. If you forget a line, all you have to do is glance down and grab it.

Rehearse and memorize well.  Yes, use your cards to remind yourself where you are and what's next, but don't just stare at the cards or read off of them. Watch the other actors when they are talking, and when it is your turn, know your first line and glance down quickly to grab the next one. Do not simply read from the page - that's not acting and it's not what will get you hired.

Learn more tips on acting and classes at the New York Acting School for Film and Television in New York City. We'll get you on your way.