Ask Judith: Submission #6

Submission Number: 6
Submission ID: 90
Submission UUID: 40b2dad9-a2c7-4326-8b70-62ba048c9431
Submission URI: /web/ask-judith

Created: Mon, 07/12/2021 - 07:40 PM
Completed: Mon, 07/12/2021 - 07:40 PM
Changed: Tue, 12/26/2023 - 12:58 PM

Remote IP address: 103.217.167.160
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
Webform: Ask Judith
Submitted to: Ask Judith
Chris Michaelides
Hi Judith,

I'm working through your "Directing Actors" book at the moment, and you recommend directors to take an acting class. I am quite keen but wondering what "style" or "method" of class to take? Also, I imagine you would recommend doing courses in the flesh rather than over the internet? If you have any recommendations for particular teachers in the Melbourne, Australia region, that would be helpful too.

Thanks, really enjoying the Audible narration by yourself as well.

Regards,
Chris
Dear Chris. Thank you so much for your question. Yes, I do believe that directors can benefit tremendously from taking an acting class. I'm afraid I don't have any recommendations for particular teachers in Melbourne - but I am sure there are good ones there. You must do the "leg-work" to seek them out. I do feel that anyone who is beginning acting training, whether as an actor or as a director, can benefit from the Meisner Technique - because it prioritizes "listening," that is, the connection between an actor and their scene partner. Listening/connection/responsiveness to one's acting partner is the most important foundation of acting that feels real and believable to an audience. In response to your question about acting courses "in the flesh" versus over the internet - I have to say that it is very difficult to teach anything important about acting over the internet. I know Australia is under lockdown again right now, so we have to do the best we can! As it happens, I will be doing a free webinar for Australian actors and filmmakers later this month. The organizer is Serhat Caradee. He can be reached at serhat@bonafidepictures.com.au. Sending you all my best, Judith
Yes

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  • “I took a seminar with an acting teacher named Judith Weston. I learned a key insight to character. She believed that all well-drawn characters have a spine, and the idea is that the character has an inner motor, a dominant, unconscious goal that they’re striving for, an itch that they can’t scratch. I took to this like a duck to water.”

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