My blog

Label... Jeanne Hartman Acting Weekend Update! Category... Standard Entry Video Information Press Release Event News

• A Simple Lesson in "Live and Death"

  Monday, Nov 30, 2009 1:23AM / Standard Entry

  
  
  

  A SIMPLE LESSON IN “LIVE AND DEATH”

   

  How many times has an acting teacher, or director said to you the actor, “Make it more important. It is life or death.”  I know that I was told that over and over.  And yes I have said that too.  But sometimes a picture has more affect than words.  So with that in mind take a look at the short piece that definitely clearly shows how riveting “Life and Death” is. 

   

  Life and Death Scene

   

   

  As actors you  must instill into your role what is important for your character.  Yes we know that intellectually but what happens is that actors don’t practice enough and yet they expect to have consistent results in their work. 

   

  Now that you know you must give more meaning to what your character wants now it is time to come practice this and many other techniques that help actors create believable, exciting roles. 

   

  Talk to actors, directors and writers who have taken my workshops.  They know that we go way beyond the words written on the page.  That is what makes the difference for the audience.  The words are just the “tip of the iceberg”.  You must bring the 90% which is not in the words.  Come learn and practice how to make that happen every time you pick up a script.  Every time you get up in front of an audience, whether as an actors, a singer, a speaker and a director.

   

  Jeanne Hartman Workshops Take 3 coming next week to Hong Kong.

   

  See you all very soon

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  
  
  
  

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• BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

  Friday, Nov 27, 2009 6:24AM / Standard Entry

  
  
  SIGN UP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE TO GET
  THE BEST DEAL!!!
  
  
  
  
  
  GET THE EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT BUT IT IS CLOSING SOON SO GO TO EVENT PAGE
  
  Jeanne Hartman's Workshops Take 3
  
  
  
  

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• A Day of Gratitude

  Friday, Nov 27, 2009 12:36AM / Standard Entry

  
  Today is Thanksgiving here in the US.  Of course as my Thursday is beginning your Thursday in Hong Kong is over but I wanted to include my friends in Hong Kong in this day of gratitude. 
  
  Of course we all have challenges each year but this day for me is always a day to put those challenges in perspective. 
  
  I have two dear friends who have been facing and continue to face serious medical challenges.  As I have watched them, I truly am honored to know them.  Both facing some really tough stuff I watch people who are heroic.  They are strong, positive and continue to fight.  I stand with them to help them to continue to fight.
  I give thanks today that they are still here sharing their lives with me and the rest of their family and friends. 
  
  Today I am grateful for the wonderful people I get to meet and work with both here in the states and also in  Hong Kong.   It is always a joy to watch creative people blossom.  It is truly one of the highlights of my life.  So thank you all for allowing me to be a small part of helping you grow. 
  
  As I bake in my kitchen and take my "famous" Corn Casserole and my decadent Pumpkin Sticky Cake to my friend's home later today I will think of all of you who have graced my life with joy, laughter, vulnerability and honor.
   You all are truly the jewels of my life. 
  
  
  

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• A singer you will enjoy

  Monday, Nov 23, 2009 1:20AM / Standard Entry

  
  
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  A wonderful Irish Singer

   

  Lots of you probably think that I think about acting, teaching acting and helping actors, directors, writers, public speakers and who ever asks me a question about communication and acting 24/7.  I understand that is what I usually write about here and I do love that very much.  But I think the way to be a good artist is to always listen and learn.  That’s why I love to listen to a Sunday morning program as I was doing today. 

   

  They had a singer that I really enjoyed that I want to share with you.  Her name is Imelda May.  It is such a joy to hear a new voice, a new spirit that I have not heard on the regular stations.  So here is her story and some of her music.

   

  Imelda May

   

  Yes Jeanne has a life outside of teaching actors and I hope that it adds to what I can offer to artists as they grow.  I know that artists like Imelda and many of you on AnD have added joy and inspiration to my life.  Thanks. 

  
  
  
  

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• The BEST Actor!

  Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 12:35AM / Standard Entry

  
  
  

  The Best ACTOR!

   

  Well we are coming into the “Awards” season here in Los Angeles.  And there is a lot of talk about who is the BEST!   What does that mean?  I know sometimes it is the most well known actor or actress in the biggest movie.   But really what does that mean? 

   

  I was thinking about this and realized that my favorite artists sometimes have a great performance and then of course there are times that I feel like they just didn’t nail it.  Yes, of course, it is just my opinion but that is what BEST is based on. 

   

  I believe BEST can only be determined by each individual performance by that individual choice by that individual artist.  I know that probably makes no sense so I’ll try to explain.

   

  I don’t believe that there is only one way of performing a role.  How you choose to perform it will always be different than another actor or actress. 

   

  When I see what I would possibly call BEST PERFORMANCE.  It is always, yes always, a unique performance.  Why do I use the word unique because if you think about it no one but that person could perform that role in that way and create such an amazing phenomenal experience. 

  If anyone tried to do it, it just wouldn’t work.  Like a snowflake.  They always say there is no snowflake like another snowflake.  Now I don’t know if that is true since they melt so fast and are so small but I like the example. 

   

  This is why we are willing to see a story that really is not much different than another story when we look at the plot points.  How many movies and TV shows and plays are about two people who meet fall in love, have a fight, fall out of love and then find their way back to each other. 

  Now of course the place is different and the reasons are different but the basic story is pretty much the same.  And yet we want to watch that same story again,  WHY?

  Because each time we see it being performed by different people it is unique to them.  They bring their individuality to the story and we want to watch. 

   

  I watch writers being asked which of their books or movies do they love the best.  And almost always the answer is something like this.   “Each creation is like my child.  And how would you say which one of your children can you say you love the most?”   I often wonder if some parents really do love one child more than another but that is a whole different discussion but the concept or example tries to show you that each one is unique and you can’t compare one to another. 

   

  That’s why I tell actors when they go on auditions sometimes no matter how good you are you may not be what the director and producers want.  You may be the most fantastic apple but they want want a pear.  So no matter how fantastic an apple you are  they want a pear today and you are not a pear.  Still when they want a fantastic apple they will remember you!

   

  So when you think about who is the best actor or best actress  just remember that you have to be the best you.  No one can compete with that.  That category is very unique.  Only You fit that category.  No one can do that except one person, YOU.

  
  
  
  

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