with John Markland

LOS ANGELES
December 5th - december 7th

A director must have vision as an actor must have truth - together they must have Authentic Play. The backbone of integrating these three aspects is trust. Trust is the most valuable and seemingly most elusive element of the relationship. Both must trust their gut, their intuition and ultimately their feelings, so, then how do we allow this partnership - this collaboration of play?

This class will be an intense “how-to” of the relationship between director and actor. There is often a language gap between director and actor. There is also a bridge between the director’s translation of the story into an original vision and the actor’s translation of character into an authentic journey. We will each partake in the other’s process of that translation and begin a connection that will allow a clear understanding of each other.

The clarity of intention and motivation both director and actor must navigate and having a deeper understanding of the emotional map an actor uses is priceless to any director. Instead of pointing with a finger, and saying, “we need to see you crying by the time you get here,” you will find the language to ask and understand the steps towards this vulnerable place.

Often there is little or no rehearsal time at all, so we will practice simple and effective methods for cultivating the trust and emotional language essential to elevate rehearsal. The Director will guide each scene with intention, vision, and collaborative curiosity. The purpose will be to interpret and invent together, creating something that captures both the Director’s vision and the Actor’s truth.

The director will offer a breakdown of your character as he/she sees them within their vision. They will then offer notes on the scenes prior to your beginning your rehearsal. We will build the scene as if we were blocking, shooting, and adjusting.

This will be an intensive 3-day workshop with the expectations of professionalism that come with any film or TV production. Learn tools that apply to life as they do to art.