Getting started

There it was, the first day of school! After the formal stuff like registration, I got to meet my classmates. There were so many nationalities! People came from Canada, Australia, Venezuela, Sweden, Brazil, Greece, The Philippines, Argentina, a few Americans and there’s even another Dutchie :)

We started classes right away, I didn’t see that one coming! The school day commenced at 9.30 am and ended at 6.45 pm. Now that’s something I have to get used to… But the classes are so interesting and so much fun. These are the classes I’m taking:

– Acting for Film
– Scene Study
– Acting Technique
– Voice
– Monologues
– Comedy/Improvisation
– Movement
– Business of acting/Auditioning technique

After school, I got to my apartment/room for the first time. I met the people who own the place and they’re so nice! More of my place and life  in Hollywood in the next blog :)

On stage @ Universal Studios

The next day we started with a tour at the backlot of Universal Studios. That’s THE place where plenty of big tv-shows and movies are made. We were just right in the middle of where the real action happens. We got on set of a film project of major NYFA students. It was so professional: there were a couple of settings, where people were busy running around fixing the lights and preparing the sets. At the stage next to us, they were shooting a scene of CSI. Unfortunately we couldn’t enter that stage. Outside the stages are plenty of trailers where the actors rest or change/get hair and make-up done. There are simple and luxurious trailers. Of course the big and luxurious trailers are for the big stars and the smaller ones for the supporting cast.

When we got back to school, we did some exercises that really put you out of your comfort zone. It kind of feels like you’re in a therapy session. But it really helps to get to know yourself better and get connected to other actors. So I already know I’m getting so much more out of this course than only learning the art of acting.

Scene 1, take 1 and action!

The first Acting for Film class, was the first on camera experience of the course. We got a few lines that we performed in front of the camera. Honestly, the camera itself doesn’t scare me anymore. But it’s really helpful to learn techniques of being in front of the camera. We also learned a few filmmaking aspects, like how to work with the boom operator, the general director lines and working the slate board.

At the end of the day we got introduced to the business side of acting and auditioning. This class was so helpful and
full of  information about the acting industry in LA. We learned about a perfect headshot, how to pick your agent/manager and contracts. I also learned that you will lose about 60% of your salary to taxes, agents, managers, publicists, etc. That was shocking! The life of an actor isn’t easy, but  it’s damn fun! It has nothing to do with usual standards set by society and that’s what makes it excited to me!

Work the lines

Wednesday I had a looong day, classes were from early morning until 9.45 pm. Before I got to school I had to prepare a my first script which I was performing that day. But even though I practiced my lines, at the moment I forgot some. It’s hard to focus on different things that aren’t in your automatic system. Acting is multitasking, you have to focus on so many things! On your lines, your acting, the co-actor, the scene, your physic, your character, etc. But that’s why I’m here, to learn all of this stuff.

Thursday was the last day of school for this week. It was the first time the alarm clock had wake me up. I was so tired! But when I wake up every morning, I’m really excited to go to school again :)

I started this morning with my usual stop at Starbucks on my way to school. While I was drinking my Soy Latte, I was running over my monologue. Today we had to do our first monologue in front of the camera. I picked a monologue from The Notebook. First I was struggling with some lines in the middle, but after a running it over and over, I was ready to go.

The next Jackie Chan

We started this morning with Stage Combat. Yes, we learn how to fight! Not the real deal though, but the fake one ;) I already have some experience in ‘real’ kickboxing. But fighting without actually hitting something (or someone) is not the same. We need to be very lean, so there’s a lot of stretching. And we have to do that every day as homework. So my goal is to do the total split by the end of this course :p Next we learned a little fight choreo, you actually can approach it as a dance. Another very fun class!

Wrap it up

Then it was time again for Acting for Film. We were gonna shoot the monologues. After being in front of the class so many times, I don’t get tense anymore when I’m standing there. So that’s a good thing. But the monologue went okay, I don’t think it went great. I remembered the lines, but I feel like I could have put more emotion into the shot. Next week we’re shooting for real, so I’m gonna practice a lot this week!

The first week of school ended with all of us actors doing a kind of audition to the Filmmaking students. They gave us directions and we had to improvise in front of them. I remark that my fear of performing in front of a group of people has totally disappeared after this week. Never expected this to happen so quickly! I stood there and I could really let myself go. Not only I did, but also my other classmates did. So I think we did a great job this first week!

I abstract that the first week was an intensive, but above all very fun and educational! I’m already looking forward to next week. But at the same time I’m glad that I can relax for the next 4 days :)

XOXO Mariella KvO

Acting is different from pretending, it’s an art.