The On Location Education Blog
Spotting A Scam
Actors Beware: How to Uncover a Scam
Scams, unfortunately, are abundant within the entertainment industry. This is especially true when it comes to young performers. Unscrupulous talent agents, service providers, and other so-called industry professionals are focused more on collecting their fees than they are in helping your child succeed.
Acting Styles
When it comes to choosing an acting style, there is no shortage of options. Fortunately, many of these techniques are well-established and widely acclaimed by some of the most well-known names in the industry. Whether you are a budding young performer or a veteran of stage and screen, you can always up your game by studying the principles of a legendary acting teacher.
Acting Styles: Konstantin Stanislavski’s System
Improv games are great as a training aid, a creative exercise, or just a fun diversion. And the good news is that actors can't lose at these games. As we discussed in our last article, improvisation mastery builds confidence, skill, versatility, and courage on stage, in front of the camera, and in auditions.
Improv is an invaluable tool, for any actor, but especially for young performers. Beginning in childhood, improv games help sharpen character development, creativity, and on-the-spot decision-making to a fine point. And they can be played just about anywhere at any time. Think about it: Fun and free. All work and all play. What’s not to love?
Here are a few tried-and-true improv game suggestions for your young performer:
Acting Styles: Lee Strasberg's Method
“Method acting is what all actors have always done whenever they acted well.” ~ Lee Strasberg
Lee Strasberg (1901-1982), actor, director, and teacher, has been called the “Father of method acting in America.” His technique is based upon a system created by Konstantin Stanislavski, where actors strive for a realistic performance by utilizing their “emotional memories.”
Acting Styles: Sanford Meisner’s Technique
"To be an interesting actor – hell, to be an interesting human being – you must be authentic and for you to be authentic you must embrace who you really are, warts and all." ~ Sanford Meisner
What do Michelle Pfeiffer, Tom Cruise, Stephen Colbert, Alec Baldwin, Diane Keaton, and Robert Duvall have in common? Besides being A-List actors and performers, they have all been trained in the Meisner technique, a specialized acting style that teaches students to “Live truthfully under imaginary circumstances.”
Acting Styles: Stella Adler's Technique
Stella Adler (1901-1992), actress, teacher, and founder of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, devised a unique style of acting that centered on an actor’s imagination. As the daughter of professional actors, Stella Adler made her own acting debut at the age of four, as a member of her parents’ Independent Yiddish Art Company.
Improv Games for Young Actors
Improv games are great as a training aid, a creative exercise, or just a fun diversion. And the good news is that actors can't lose at these games. As we discussed in our last article, improvisation mastery builds confidence, skill, versatility, and courage on stage, in front of the camera, and in auditions.
Improv is an invaluable tool, for any actor, but especially for young performers. Beginning in childhood, improv games help sharpen character development, creativity, and on-the-spot decision-making to a fine point. And they can be played just about anywhere at any time. Think about it: Fun and free. All work and all play. What’s not to love?
Here are a few tried-and-true improv game suggestions for your young performer:
Off the Cuff: 4 Benefits of Mastering Improvisation
Learning and mastering the art of improvisation can be the difference between landing a coveted role and blending in with the rest of the pack. It can also be a powerful tool that boosts your child’s acting to a new level. Just as important: Becoming an improv pro can build confidence, courage, and creativity. Improv actors learn to trust their instincts, tune in to the scene unfolding around them, and respond naturally. In short, improv is a vital skill to add to your talent repertoire, and here’s why:
Life Lessons from the Marvel Cinematic Universe
“Heroes Aren't Born. They’re Built.” Four Life Lessons from the Marvel Cinematic Universe
When it comes to movies, there’s no such thing as a ‘sure thing.’ There are, however, juggernaut franchises that are more likely to produce a solid-performing film than not. Marvel and its cinematic universe is one of those franchises. As we write this, the MCU marketing machine is preparing for both the DVD/Blu-ray release of Spiderman: Homecoming and the theater roll-out of Thor: Ragnarok. As fans anticipate both, wallets at the ready, they buzz about next year’s Avengers: Infinity War, Black Panther, and Ant-Man and The Wasp.
MCU fans, perhaps yourself included, are reaching for their collection of DVDs with plans to binge watch their way from Iron Man to Spiderman ahead of the next wave of films. Forget the debate over the proper viewing order. (Should we watch by release date or place in the story line? Do we watch Capt. America’s origin story before Tony Stark’s and where does Agents of Shield fit in anyway?) As you sit back and revisit Marvel’s heroes, watch for the life lessons imbedded in each story. Remember, as the marketing tag for Iron Man said, “Heroes aren’t born. They’re Built.” Catch these four life lessons to be your own kind of hero:
Math Tricks: Simple Strategies Teachers Don’t Want You to Know, Part 2
If you have MUCH better things to do in your life than figure out mathematical calculations, then you’ll be glad that you stumbled upon this article. We’re going to show you how you can save so much time (well, maybe a few seconds) by using simple, fun math shortcuts.
In an earlier post, we offered techniques to simplify multiplying by 5 and 25. In this post, we will explore a couple of amazing tricks with other numbers that will come in handy.
Math Tricks: Simple Strategies Teachers Don’t Want You to Know, Part 1
Now that school is back in session, it’s time to get serious about your favorite subject: Mathematics!
In the old days – before calculators and computers – people used an archaic tool to calculate mathematical equations. It was called the “brain.” And while it’s rumored that humans still possess this rusty relic, it may need some serious dusting off if they want to take it out for a spin.
Industry Voices: Part 2 of Our Interview with Denise Simon
When you think about the team of people who support a young actor’s career, a broad group of professionals come to mind: Directors, coaches, casting directors and agents all fill important functions in the success of a child performer. But let’s not forget about the critical role that parents play in supporting, protecting, encouraging, and overseeing their children’s acting careers.