Frequently asked questions

What ís your overall approach? 

Primarily, three things:    
1. Training in acting for the camera. 
2. Practicality - Preparing the actor  for what he will 
    actually have to deal with on a set. 
    No psycho-babble, imitating  trees, chanting or 
    discovering why you hate your Uncle Fritz. 
3. Self-reliance    
    Learning techniques that help the actor to arrive
    on the set fully prepared to do a part, expecting 
    little or no guidance from the director
(something stage actors find extremely disconcerting).

Do you teach or adhere to a particular  approach 
such as the "Method" or the "Meisner Technique?"

No. 
Acting is not like socks. One size does not fit all. 
An actor should be exposed to many ideas/techniques 
in order to find out what works best for that actor. 

Do you use videotape? 
Yes, standard VHS tape. 
If you own a VCR you can take your tape home and 
watch it until your spouse threatens to divorce you if you
play that ##@$$%!! scene one more time. 

Will I work every week? 

Yes. To ensure this, all classes are  limited to a 
maximum of 14. 

Do you permit and/or encourage other 
actors to critique my work? 

Never. Doesn't work. 
Quickly deteriorates to "Okay, you didn't like   
my scene last week, so I don't like your scene this week."
Besides, who are you paying, the students or the teacher? 

Will you help with auditions?

 If you're studying with me, yes. 

Do you teach privately? 

For an audition/cold reading,  possibly. 
On a continuing basis (like a "personal trainer") no. 
Much of acting is reacting. To learn that, you need other 
actors in the scene with you. 

Will  you look at my resume, resume shots 
and give advice?

 Yes if you're studying with me. 

Will you look at my tape and give me advice? 

Yes if you're studying with me. 

If I do well, will you recommend me to an agent? 

Nope.

Do you invite  industry persons 
(agents, casting directors, etc.)
to watch the class? 
Also, do you have "showcase nights?"

No in both cases. 
I believe an acting class should  be one of the few places 
an actor can go to be bad. If there are industry people 
watching you, it is highly unlikely you'll take chances or 
experiment in the fear that you'll "look bad".
There are many good showcases and classes that    
do this if that's what you want. 
Here we concentrate on your weaknesses as well    
as your strengths, safe in the knowledge that 
your work is private. 

May I bring  friends and relatives to class? 
Only if they're actors looking for an acting class. 

I've heard you work with European actors here in 
Hollywood and that you also teach in Europe. 
True? 

Yes. For more information, contact 
The Hollywood  Acting  Workshop and/or 
The Internationale Filmschule in Cologne, Germany.

 If I'm interested, what's the next step? 

Simply give us a call. (310) 394-2511.   

Be prepared to tell the person on the line about your 
background as an actor in order to help us have you audit 
the level of class that's best for you. 
(There's no charge for the audit.) 
When you come to audit please bring a resume and picture.    
After I audit, how do I go about getting into the class? 
After an interview, I'll set up a separate audition for you 
(usually the following week) using the scene we're 
currently working on. You'll rehearse that scene with an 
actor already in the class. 
I do not look at pre-rehearsed monologues and, while I 
will be glad to look at a presentation tape and 
advise you on it, you will still need to do an audition.