The Most Important Skill An Acting Coach Should Teach You:

People think that all you have to do to succeed as an actor is show up and perform. But there’s so much more to it than that. A good actor is able to pull the audience into their emotions and into the mood of the moment. Being able to pull people into the story, causing them to feel like they’re right in the middle of it it is no small skill.

In fact, the best word to to describe what actors must master is vulnerability. Because in order for actors to do their best work, they have to totally open up, to experiment and allow all that is inside to be exposed. This requires tremendous amounts of discipline. Actors work with their emotions, their experiences, traumas, feelings, and memories. Bodies and voices become finely tuned instruments that express and convey the character. Since the actor is the instrument, he or she is in a very different position from the film's other collaborators.

There are hundreds of colleges and universities that offer a major in Film/Cinema studies. Some schools offer a broad look into acting, while others focus on specific techniques and skills needed to be successful in the business. What many actors have found is that the need for coaches and teachers to help develop the craft is critical. William A. Ward once said, "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

Most actors do not rely on one specific teacher to show them all the skills needed to be successful. It takes many classes and teachers throughout an actor’s career to develop as an actor. Like most professions, there is not one single person who can know all the ins and outs of a business. For example, while one teacher may be an expert on visualization, another may be more helpful in reaction techniques.

For those just starting out in the business, and also for the more seasoned performers, it’s important to stress that choosing an acting coach is important, but it is not a matter of life or death whether your first coach is the best or not.

It’s your job to take the time to determine what will be most beneficial to you, and therefore it is important to allow time to decide whether you are gaining beneficial knowledge or if time is just being wasted.

"Acting is living your life, then using those experiences to enable the audience to experience their lives and emotions," Judy Kerr from her 

book Acting is Everything.

At the New York Acting School for Film and Television, we provide high quality classes as well as coaching to meet your need and level. If you’re not in the New York area, I encourage you to do your research. Visit schools and interview coaches. Have a mentor that gives you their honest feedback about your skill level and see where your findings take you. Have questions? Contact us today!