Congratulations Erica!

Often this “holding back” is because of a director or teacher gave them that note for a different performance in the past.  Don’t generalize your notes from a director or teacher and bring them forward. At least run these old notes by your current teacher and get their feedback.

Take into consideration that every Casting Director I’ve met has said that it is better to be too big because they can always tell an actor to bring it down, but rarely can an actor take the adjustment to turn it up.

Know that when you’re holding back – you’re not risking going outside of your comfort zone and so your performance will probably be safe.  Instead, trusting your instincts, go for it and don’t hold back.

Are you holding onto any notes?  Share with other actors and get some feedback below.

I find most actors attend the University of MSU (Make Stuff Up) and fail to look for the answer in the script.   The clues are in the script! Before going to MSU, read the script again with the intention that it will tell you what happened the moment before.

Remember it’s the moment before, not the hour or day before. What happened the second before your scene started?  Think logically what did the last person say before you entered or logically what would have happened before this scene.

Use your moment before to make a strong choice. Come in expecting the opposite of what actually happens in the scene. For example: The script says your character asks your boss for a raise and the boss says “No.”  Enter the scene expecting your boss to say, “Yes” and allow yourself to discover the disappointment of not getting the raise.

Comment below to let other actors know how your choices for the moment before helps your auditions.

“Don’t be too conscious of what the next move in your career will be.  I’ve seen many actor friends turn down alot of gigs because they think, ‘Now I’m a big actor. I can only do these kinds of movies.’ Well, they often just stop working.”  ~ Neal Patrick Harris, star of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER.

Which do you want be? Working and happy or not working and resentful?

I’ve seen the same attitude with actors who haven’t even started working! They turn down auditions, opportunities, agents  because they think, “I’m better than that.”  They are not working either.

Work begets work. Turning down acting opportunities begets sitting at home and fantasizing about working as an actor and resenting those who are working.

Success = Preparation meets Opportunity.  Be in class. Be prepared for any audition when it comes.  Take every opportunity to act you can – you never know what it will lead to.

Before starting production, Steven took Neil and his parents to dinner and gave him this advice:

“A career in acting is like surfing. You paddle out and paddle out and get wet and hit by the waves.  When you finally get out where you’re supposed to be you have to sit on a surfboard for a long, long time, just waiting.  If you’re really lucky, you’ll catch a wave, and it’ll be the most amazing feeling.  ut the key is that that wave will inevitably crash to the sand.  Then what you have to do is paddle back out and get hit by a bunch of waves again.  But trust that in the long term there will always be waves to catch.”

Thinking back on this advice, Neil Patrick Harris said, “It turns out (to be) absolutely accurate.”

Where are you in the process, do you agree with this?  Start the conversation with a comment below.

This film is a must see for any child and parent planning and/or venturing to Hollywood to pursue the child’s dreams of making it big.  The documentary follows the life and auditions of five “Show Biz Kidz” staying at the infamous Oakwood Apartments.

The film premiered at Hot Docs in Toronto, and has played a number of major festivals, including Sheffield (England) International, Melbourne, and has been selected for the Cleveland International Film Festival in late March. It has already played on Channel 4 in the UK, and is selling around the world – France, Germany, Finland, Japan, and Australia on Qantas Airlines.

Check out the Showtime schedule and share your thoughts in the comment section below about the journeys of these Show Biz Kidz.

Sunday February 10th, 2012 – Oakwood Apartments – North Clubhouse

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Attendees can enter to win a FREE 45 Minute Coaching with Loren!

Tuesdays 4:00 – 6:00 pm.

Industry Day Saturday, February 18, 2012

INTENTIONAL ACTING Ages 18+

Tuesdays 7:00 – 10:00 pm

REQUEST AN INTERVIEW: Loren@IntentionalActing.com  or call 818-985-8504