student news: class reviews
...so, I am beginning to realize that all Ten Object Exercises are continually alive and kicking every single second of the day, it just takes awareness and observation to hone in on them....
Deb Landman
***
I had an awesome audition...I saw!...Hagen's process really works...It was the best audition I ever had. And I was in control of the room!!!...I did it! I did it!...Thank you so much! I finally get it. I understand the process and what I need to do. I felt so free.
Deborah Cox - R&B Recording Artist
***
I just wanted to take the time to thank you for your encouraging words to us in class. I believe that not only do we trust ourselves, but we have at some point put our trust in you because you have made a difference. It doesn't matter if we see the light at the end of the tunnel, but how much are we willing to walk through the darkness to reach it...Thank you once again..
Valeska Castillo
***
Your teaching is so true and right on target. You helped me see in my acting that I have to see it. Then acting is effortless and a joy. It might have been all the laundry folding at home by myself or the funny things you say that I think about when I get home from class or your insightful emails during the week. It was something because last Tuesday I felt I made a breakthrough. I felt my acting ability start to take shape. We all have pivotal moments in our lives and last Tuesday was one of those moments for me. Thank you for doing what you do and for being my teacher.
Kendra Wright
***
I feel proud of all the things I've accomplished as an actress, and I have to thank you Marc as my bridge to that invaluable knowledge I receive every teaching session. I'm happy to announce that my Hagen Exercises paid off since I got to be your student. I went to an audition that required me to use Exercise # 5 of Ms. Hagen's, "Recreating Physical Sensations" and since I have done it many times in class I knew exactly how to prepare for it. The good news is I got the job, they hired me, and interestingly they did not hire me as the part I auditioned for, they wanted me for the other principal character of this project. That only tells me that my work was appreciated so much that they made me part of the project. This project is a very well paid project and I get to go to North Carolina for a month. I want to tell everybody in this business that preparation is the only secure tool for continuos success.
Carla Sanchez
***
I would like to thank you for having the passion to teach the fundamentals of true acting and for being straight to the point. I can tell you that by attending two classes, so far it has already impacted me to a new level of understanding of what an authentic actor really is. The home exercises are a big help also.(fantastic!) I am looking forward to the next class. Thank you!
Carmelita Hughes
***
I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed last night's class. I really got a lot from it. I listened, I laughed, I learned, and in that order. It was great and I left the class feeling great. Thank you.
Nataline Poe
***
First, your energy is great.....Secondly, I feel like I am learning the foundation to great acting...I find it amazing how doing such simple chores (tasks) have such profound depth. I love to learn. I love to really get to the core of things. Your class is giving me a whole new perspective on life and acting that I never knew was there. I can`t wait to learn more. You are teaching me to view movies, plays, and people in a completely new way. This class is broadening my mind. Thank you again...I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed last nights class. I feel like I have already started to move forward. (maybe just one step but that is a start)
Dara Ann DeFalco
***
I am seeing the principles that you taught in class ring with greater truth in every movie I see and in real life as well. It is fascinating to have the insight into observing human behavior! I am very excited about the Excercises and really feel improvements in my own personal growth. I have learned many things this past month and hope to keep learning and put them into practice.
Jeanine Castle
***
Hey Marc, Thanks for the great class on the weekend, I really enjoyed and benefitted from it. It was fantastic to do the Linklater exercises and be reminded of the simple things that make the imaginery real, that is what it is all about. Thanks for keeping it real.
Marc Caldera
***
I enjoyed the workshop a lot, and, as a matter of fact, I can't wait for you to come back and give us an opportunity to work with you for a longer period of time. I liked the overall format of the class. I think it was interesting to be able to watch from masters of the craft specific examples of what you were trying to convey to us. Watching those tapes truly helped visualize what we had to work for. I was happy to be reminded of how much the relaxed voice in its natural state is a great part of a performance. I tend to sometimes try to "sound sexy" or "sound worried", etc, without realizing that if the body and behavior are allowed to be a part of the process, all the changes will automatically happen by themselves.
As many classes and teachers as I have had, I don't think I had ever actually realized (as you made me do it) how unimportant words are in any event. How behavior is what really dictates what is going on in a specific moment. I believe this will especially be helpful in my career... especially at the moment of auditioning, because I am now more confident and secure that I do not even have to learn the actual words on the script so long my behavior, actions reflect what's on the paper. This is what a director really wants. Now, the most important thing I learned is how it all begins with "Simplicity." I did not underestimate the laundry exercise at any point. Although it sounded a bit strange at first, I had decided at the beginning of your class that I was going to blindly and without prejudice jump into anything you asked us to do. I figured trusting you completely from the beginning was the only way to actually get the most out of the experience and then discard what I did not feel would be a best approach for me. Well... I can't really think of anything I might discard from that weekend.
Simple... if you don't fully understand the concept of simple, and you cannot freely perform a "simple task" how can you possibly be convincing when the big "Oscar moment" comes. This was invaluable Marc.
Sevy DiCione
***
Thanks for the class today. I enjoyed it tremendously. It was great to hear some of the same feelings, and processes that I've had about acting reinforced through a professional.
Matthew McKerrow
***
I am working on a movie, Out of Time with Denzel Washington. You have taught me how to learn by watching so my eyes will be peeled all the days I'm there.
Kendra Wright
***
The workshop was obviously amazing and very helpful. I feel I also became empowered out of the workshop as an actor... and as always you are always giving us tools to perfect our acting skills and to take with us into the audition process. thank you for a wonderful workshop.
Eva Leung
***
The first class was very insightful. It is what I have been hoping for from an acting class...Everyone wants it quick and easy; thus leaving themselves wide open for any scam, gimmick or scheme. I know that acting is an art form and that there is a process by which to find out its truth. So many actors don't have a clue as to what it takes and I am still learning, but some of the things that I hear from them is so backwards it is amazing. Just yesterday I was talking to someone on a set and I mentioned to him that I am studying with you and he said he does not believe that an actor has to take classes, that the director will direct you, i.e. "more tears, more drama, more anger..." (his actual words) UNBELIEVABLE. Anyway, I loved the class and look forward to many "truthful" moments. Thank you for the opportunity
LaJuan Edwards
***
Yesterday, I stopped at my local Publix on Biscayne and 48th. Just as I turned my car off I heard this guy swearing about the fact that his key didn't fit in his ignition because his &%$*@ of a girlfriend bent it up in the short amount of time that the key was in her possession. The guy was thin, tanned, and had a look that his social and eonomic status did not match the new Nissan truck he was driving. He was wearing a black and white stripped shirt and his truck had seat covers in it. He looked hot sweaty and I could just imagine the smell of his favorite malt liquor still heavy on his breath. His dialogue was to no one, but it seared an indellible impression on my mind: "*&# %#$@, my &*#%$@ key doesn't fit into the ignition. I bet that &%$*@ bent it up the few &# %#$@ seconds she had my &*#%$@ truck. I can't even believe it." He carried on as if he had just lost the crown jewels of the Monarchy. It was riveting and astounding. I got out of my car and started imagining what that "&%$*@" that he was talking about must look like, then I imagined her driving my truck, bending the key and not telling me a thing about it. I got so hot that I practiced a diatribe of my own. I would have previous to ActTrue, not paid that incident the least bit of attention. I felt like I had the guilty pleasure of having a spontaneous acting lesson on the spot and that guy was the character I was to play. It was fun and challenging. That is what ActTrue has done for me. It enables me to look at real life situations and the people behind them with "new eyes" and gives me the chance to practice anytime anywhere with any circumstance.
Michael King
***
I really love your skills and what you do for us actors. You talk about truthful actions...One thing I need to do is create a list of active verbs. It's "not strong" to constantly repeat these general'action verbs for lack of investigation of more descriptive ones. I'll work on that... Thank you SO MUCH for last week's critique/assistance/idea/leadership/etc. I loved the process!! I always looked forward to working that way with you...
Nicole Henry
***
Thank you for your class. It was very inspiring and really made me realize why I love acting so much.
Monet
***
I just finished folding my laundry and I just wanted to drop you a note of thanks and appreciation. You taught an awe inspiring class this weekend and I was so grateful to be part of it. As a teacher myself, I appreciate the great effort you put forth to drive home your lessons. As a student, I am grateful, for the knowledge I learned this weekend.
Yalene Bloom
***
I loved doing the Duos Structured Improvs! Even though we already knew this, you realize how important ACTION is. It is what creates you, and then the speech just follows. The duos were great because you never new what the other person was going to do, and from their actions you then created your own actions in response to what they were doing. I think it is easier when you are working with someone else. However, it definitely forces you to be in the moment(to focus) and to be aware of where you are and of your surroundings. I found it very engaging. As I progress, I am discovering that I am not afraid to show people who I really am. To be open, willing and uninhibited will help me a great deal in my professional work. I feel like I am coming out of my shell!
Amanda Eder
***
Thank you inmensely for the wonderful weekend intensive. I had lots and lots of fun in the workshop, and learned abundantly about acting, the art/business/profession, my fellow man (woman), about life in general, I can not forget how much I learned about myself, (what makes me tick?) and millions of valuable insights and experiences, (too many to even try to account) it will keep on teaching me for many years to come, (moment to single moment). It was the first time that I was introduced to, and had a glimpse of the soul of Shakespere. What a discovery!! What a joy!! What an English language!!!
Humberto Armengol
***
I just have to say thank you! for being the kind of teacher who shares this kind of work. When I´m sitting there in the dance studio listening to all the great things you have to say about this career I feel full of energy and that is something you do with all the knowledge you give to us. For the first time I feel challenged by a class, I am sitting there and feel afraid about an exercise and I see it as a challenge, a class that I needed to take in my life as an actress. I hope I can keep working with you so I can absorb all the knowledge you have and learn my craft and live as an actor which is what I wanted my whole life.
I always have your inspiring words and the knowledge you have taught me in my head, and I definitely want to continue working because I know I have a long way to go, and I am not afraid of how long or what it will take to get there!
Carla Sánchez
***
I just want to say that the Excercise that I did, (Physical Destination) was very interesting. Man! I never knew some of things I do and why I do them until you asked me why I did it and for what reason--you know the who am I question. I just want to tell you that I really enjoyed your class and was moved for your passion of crafting the art of acting. I just need to know a whole lot about the business and know the true essence of how to really act, how to make the character that I am playing come alive or the situation I am in in a scene come alive as well. Mr. Durso I am looking forward to continue your class and I believe it will make me an effective actor.
Genji Jacques
***
I just wanted to let you know what I got from the workshop. First, you went into greater detail of the Linklater exercises and I understood so much of every single thing there is on this process. So much that I already practice it in my house which I did not do before. And the Hagen Exercises, oh Marc, you don't know what it does to hear over and over and over... "Image into thought is behavior" IT GETS TO YOU!!!!!! Well at leats it got to me. And I learned so much from so many people, and what you told them, it made me extract every bit of knowledge there was. I had an advantage that I felt helped me so much: I have read a lot of the Ms. Hagen's book and watching you say what I read over, and over reinforced the knowledge I had to the point that I think about it every second. I see my boyfriend and I apply his reactions to imagine what he is thinking, I see a child and I do the same thing, I see a waitress same thing. It's amazing.
The workshop helped me so much, I feel full of knowledge and understanding, I feel hungrier than ever before, I definetely want to keep doing this, and keep working with you.
Carla Sánchez
***
Thank you for sharing beautiful and inspirational words on our art and our lives. I am always moved by your communications. Through the use of the practices you suggest, specifically, yoga, imagery, reading and dance I am able to realize my dreams of living and working as an artist. This is the life that truly nourishes me and for this, a beautiful family and great friends I am grateful everyday.
Mari Coscarelli
***
Again, thank you for a wonderful class, I am learning so much, i.e., you are responsible for your reactions, for the way you feel; only you can choose to be affected or not affected. When you put things into this perspective it is then that you can take responsibility for your actions, for your choices, for your life. As an actress, how can my characters make choices, if I as a person don't understand this fundamental principle?
I guess what I mean by the next level of thought is taking it from the who and what and why to the deeper, almost subconscious level of meaning. Past the surface into the deeper elemental feelings that exist but are rarely shown. For instance in your Action Example-husband/wife, instead of just playing the character being "annoyed", you showed us the action within "contempt, frustration, maybe things that were going on before she asked him to take out the trash". Maybe things that had nothing to do with the trash even, maybe your character's attitude stemmed from something she did yesterday, or last month, and in that moment, he was reminded of that and then and there those feelings came back up.
It was more than just a husband being annoyed that his wife asked him to take out the trash. At least to me. I want to get past the "she feels this way because he was mean to her" and move into more of "she feels this way because he betrayed her again and she has lost trust in him," then when the tears come, they are coming from a different place. A more real, authentic place. I think it will take my characters to a deeper level of understanding. The deeper you go with them, the more real they become. And what is real is true! Thank you for making me think about my answers, this too develops a deeper understanding in myself of why I want to learn this. Thank you for challenging me! To pick out just one thing from last night would be impossible, I really took a lot from the class! I personally loved learning how in depth you can get with a character. The roles I have played, I would do some of the Hagen exercises I guess, without really knowing they were hers. I would ask myself who this person was, why were they saying what they were saying, what did they want or how did they feel etc... But your and Ms. Hagen's ideas took me to the next level in this thought process... I loved how much you can draw from something so simple as laundry, but like you've said, if we can't be truthful in the simple, how will the audience believe us in the great moments of conflict?
I am excited to go slow, to be perfectly honest I am not that into the "quick fixes," I want to learn it the best way...I am not in a rush; practice makes almost perfect!
Christy Lee Taylor
***
I particularly liked the stress you put on less acting and more natural, real life reaction. There is always the self-conciousness an actor must overcome in order to be realistic. The relaxation techniques you use are further aids the actor can use in order to overcome the tension that accompanies performance in front of judgemental eyes and concentrate on his character. I was further impressed with your insistence that I keep my eyes on myself in the mirror and really look and focus on what I saw. I need to feel comfortable with myself to be a success is what I came away with...Your class is inspiring...
Kim Algarra
