Monday, Nov 24, 2008 9:04AM /
Standard Entry
/ Members only
Hi Everyone,
After finishing several very large projects, I finally got to look at my alive not dead page and, wow, has the site been active. Thanksgiving is coming up here, and Hollywood shuts down for a week, so I'm looking forward to being able to to answer everyone. I've acquired some great new friends who have hung in there quite a while and I thank them all for waiting to hear back from me.
I'm so excited that Jeane Hartman's acting classes were such a success and so many of you got so much out of them. Jason, Chau: thanks so much for your very astute message, I'm going to pass it along to Jeanne, if that's okay. Jason Tobin: I'm very much looking forward to getting over there to Hong Kong, sooner rather than later.
I shot a couple of unusual videos that were not my standard fare but pretty interesting, so I'll upload some highlights during the week along with some other stuff and see what you guys think. One was a real "fairy-tale" wedding in Montecito, California. Those people sure like to dance!
2 comments– Add a comment
Thursday, Oct 2, 2008 5:22AM /
Event
/ Members only
A film and TV editor’s work is never done and, it turns out, that leaves little time for blogging. But! Something is coming up in Hong Kong that is so exciting I had to stop everything to write about it. My friend and colleague Jeanne Hartman, a foremost Hollywood acting coach is traveling to Hong Kong to share her, nearly infinite, knowledge of the art and craft of acting that will take place over one intensive weekend in October.
Since this is a blog, in fact my blog, ☺, I’m going to indulge myself a little to muse about the art, craft, and, yes, secrets of this great profession, drawing on the many discussions that Jeanne and I have had over the years during personal coaching sessions that I myself have had with her and, informally, almost every time we talk.
As a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada, a veteran of the Stratford Shakespearean Festival of Canada and a successful actor for many years on stage, screen and in commercials, before I moved behind the camera, I share at least some of Jeanne’s knowledge and feel educated enough to discuss her coaching abilities with some authority.
“Secrets” is a word that is greatly overused but I feel some people are in possession of major secrets concerning this art. One of them is, unquestionably, Jeanne. Drawing on a lifetime of knowledge gained, beginning with her studies at Juliard and her belief that no single “method” is appropriate for all acting situations, she has culled the secrets of the great masters beginning with Constantin Stanislavsky, the Russian father of the acting techniques that came to be known as “the method,” through the Actors Studio in new York led by Lee Strasberg, that spawned a plethora of brilliant performers, among them, Marlon Brando.
Having passed through Europe, beginning at the Moscow Art Theatre, and then through New York, to Hollywood, Ms. Hartman now carries these acting secrets, personally, to Hong Kong. If that ain’t exciting; I dunno what is!
What is the fundamental secret? The art of acting is different than all other disciplines, both scientific and creative. Within that blanket secret lies a collection of techniques that once mastered brings the ultimate requirement of performance; believability. Without the foundation of believability, success is not possible. Once mastered, the art can be taken to astonishing heights and affect millions, even billions, of people regardless of language or culture.
Take a look at Jeanne Hartman’s syllabus for the weekend. It will allow each actor in attendance to uncover (or release from within themselves) a collection of skills that result in the revelation of the basic acting “secret;” believability.
Having spent a lifetime in this magic profession, on both sides of the camera, I would still be in attendance at Jeanne’s workshop if I possibly could, and am truly envious of those who will be there.
1 comment– Add a comment
Thursday, May 29, 2008 7:35AM /
Standard Entry
/ Members only
Hi Everyone!
It was quite a thrill to read Jeanne Hartman's blog about me. As she says, we've known each other a very long time and I have been proud to be counted among her friends, as she guided so many actors in Hollywood with her insightful coaching! I think the first time I got to know her was at a mutual friend's party while I was still acting and I was blown away by her knowledge of the craft. We talked for hours!
Since then I have been present, videotaping many of her acting clients, and watched her masterful "detecting" work as she draws wonderful performances from actors, often by merely asking questions. She is in constant demand to coach actors as they head out to their auditions, which as you all know, are often more challenging than performances themselves.
At one point, I had the sudden need to revive my singing voice and asked for her help. Not only was I almost immediately "acting" the song but within just a few short sessions she had extended my range by at least an octave and probably more.
As a graduate of Juilliard, she truly knows her stuff and is a wonderful performer in her own right. Do check out her one-minute acting videos. It's amazing what nuggets someone with her talent, knowledge, and experience can impart in just one minute!
Thank you, Jeanne, being such a wonderful guide, as well as, "detective" and, most recently, for introducing me to Alive Not Dead.
5 comments– Add a comment
Monday, May 26, 2008 5:23PM /
Standard Entry
/ Members only
Jason Tobin and Jeanne Hartman brought me to the Alive not Dead site and I am happy to say that I qualify!
I'm an actor who earns his living as an editor in Los Angeles and am an Apple Certified Final Cut Pro Trainer and Avid Instructor. I specialize in making reels for professionals, (how I met Jason).
Thanks for this opportunity, It's great to be here!
Lar
4 comments– Add a comment
