ACTING CLASS LINKS

Classes
The best way to learn about acting is by studying with a coach or instructor, preferably in an acting class. Classes are good because you learn both by participating and by watching the process others go through.

The class you're enrolled in this quarter, Beginning Acting, is an excellent one to start with. For those who would like to continue after this class ends, I recommend two other classes, which are offered every quarter:

Beginning Acting 2 (offered this quarter as a one-day workshop, on the Saturday after Beginning Acting ends)
Let's make a movie (offered every quarter as a five-week class; a great class for getting a sense of what it's like to act in front of a camera, as well as learn some basics about how movies are made)

For those interested in acting in film or television, I also recommend taking classes in writing (particularly screenwriting) and filmmaking, to give yourself a broad working overview of the field.

Links to upcoming classes:
Acting classes
Art classes
Film classes
Writing classes
List of all upcoming classes

(If you're curious about my background, and how I ended up teaching in so many subject areas, check out the Nils Osmar home page)

About my films
I spend most of my time these days, when I'm not teaching, working as a filmmaker, writing, editing and directing movies. My films have played in major international festivals. (And yes, students who've been through my classes are welcome to audition for my upcoming projects.) You can watch clips from my past and upcoming movies, as well as some complete shorts, at these links:

Wonder Productions home (Wonder Productions is my company; this web page has information about my current and upcoming projects)
My films on IMDB (Internet Movie Database) (IMDB is an online database for people in the film industry. Inclusion on IMDB means that a film has premiered at a major festival)
My films on Vimeo (includes some completed films, and fragments of some projects currently in production)
My films on Youtube

Books
You can't develop your acting skills by reading about acting; it's one of those things that's best to learn in person. But you can learn some useful things about the history and philosophy of acting, and find helpful exercises to practice.Some books I recommend include:

Acting for the Camera by Tony Barr (an excellent guide to the philosophy and foundation of acting; includes some helpful exercises)
Impro: Improvisation for the Theater by Keith Johnstone

I also recommend this book for anyone considering pursuing a career in Hollywood:
All you need to know about the Movie and TV business by Gail Resnik and Scott Trost

Monologues and auditions
Some auditions are based around cold readings (You show up for the audition and they hand you a script you've never seen before, and are asked to try reading for a character.) Other directors might ask you to prepare a monologue, and present it at the beginning of the audition.

You can find monologues from movies (clips from movies with monologues) and also actors performing monologuesfor the camera on Youtube.  Just go to Youtube and type in Actor monolog or actor monologue. Here's the link I got when I typed that in:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=actor+monologue&aq=f

Here are a couple of monologues on Youtube (be aware before watching, some of these have graphic sexual references):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrsPxZZZ-sQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcqiBwI1Ahc&feature=related

If you haven't seen it, watch the end of American Beauty, for Kevin Spacey's monologue; this version includes the lead-in to the ending monologue:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POmCxeIgK1g&feature=related

Where to find auditions in Seattle
When you're ready to go out and start auditioning, check out these links. Note: Always check auditions out carefully to make sure they're legit. If you have a weird feeling about an audition listing, take a friend with you, or don't go. Students sometimes ask where they can find auditions for my films; I always list them on Performers callboard and TPSonline.org.

Performers Callboard (a Yahoo group; when you join, you can specify daily or weekly emails or digests) (If you only subscribe to one group, I recommend this one) (You'll find auditions on performers callboard for stage, screen, video, commercials, paid and unpaid jobs, etc.)
TPS (Theater Puget Sound) (a valuable resource, particularly for stage actors) (You have to become a member to view the listings) (So it does cost money)
Seattle Actor.com
Craigslist Gigs: low or non-paid acting jobs
Craigslist Jobs: TV, film and Acting jobs on Craigslist
The Stranger audition classifieds
Seattle Weekly Audition classifieds

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