Does college or training really matter?

[fishbowlfreshman]

<p>I’ve pimped An Agent Tells All by LA agent Tony Martinez around here enough that I outta be getting a take! LOL In a Chapter entitled “Tools of the Trade,” he starts out by listing them as 1) Headshot 2) Resume 3)Demo Reel and 4) Training. He then rearranges them to put training first on the list to emphasize its importance. I wish I had time to hack out the whole chapter, but here are some quotes as he sees things …</p>

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Acting is one of the few careers in this world that constantly attracts people with no training. I’m always meeting young actors who haven’t done any real studyinig and yet, they still think they’re ready to work. Can you imagine if doctors behaved this way?</p>

<p>Granted, there are plenty of people out there who possess natural acting ability but trust me, that will only get you so far. Craft and technique are still very important and that’s why you absolutely, positively must always be in class.

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<p>In response to what impresses him about an actor’s training …</p>

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For me, it’s variety. Let me explain what I mean. Remember Bruce Lee? He’s still considered one of the greatest martial artists who ever lived. Do you know how he attained that level of ability? Bruce spent his entire life studying every martial art in the world. His background was Chinese fung fu but he also trained in Japanese karate, American boxing, and many, many others. He took what he liked from each style, discarded the rest and created Jeet Kune Do, his own personal martial art.</p>

<p>I challenge you to do the same thing. As an actor, it is your duty to get out there and learn as much as possible about the craft of acting. Try everything at least once. See what works for you. You will end up bringing a little bit of each technique to your own personal style.

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I recently took a meeting with an actress who moved out here from New York and had been living here for over a year. Her resume had plenty of New York training on it but I didn’t see any LA teachers. When I asked her about this, she told me that she hadn’t gotten around to it yet.</p>

<p>Excuse me? How can someone live in LA for that long, surrounded by actors, and not act? It doesn’t make any sense. If you love acting, you have to act. It’s that simple.</p>

<p>Needless to say, I passed.

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<p>Here’s another from the same chapter that ties more in with another discussion, but is worth repeating …

And never, ever spend more than you can afford. It’s not worth going into debt just so you can brag about studying with Mr. Pretentious at the Super Popular School of Acting. Paying more in no way guarantees a better class of education.

:)</p>