Acting Techniques Archives - David LaPorte Studio

Oct 22

by davidlap0rt3 in Acting Tips & Secrets 0 comments tags: Acting Classes, Acting Seminars, Acting Techniques, Casting Directors, Headshots, Hollywood, Talent Agents

The Real Hollywood

Hollywood is about mystique and hype. The studios and publicity machine set it up that way. I’ve had clients come in for their first headshot and now, as a A-rated actor, can only be contacted through agents, managers, entertainment attorney’s and publicists. Actors are drawn into the business not only because of the glamour, but because of the creative work. It is more than the parties, prestige, and media hype. To make it in Hollywood one needs fortitude, discipline, and a clear focus on where you are going. From the outside it looks so easy and carefree, but ask any actor, it’s hardly anything but. The Real Hollywood is hustling to get auditions, classes and seminars. It’s sitting in traffic for hours only to have the audition last only 5 minutes. The real discipline is sitting in the waiting rooms with group of actors and staying focused. It’s dealing with the nerves of a casting session with a casting director, director and producer glaring at you without expression. It’s replicating the same brilliant work that you did in a first audition for the first, second, third, and who knows how many call backs there will be. The Real Hollywood is […]

Oct 22

by davidlap0rt3 in Acting Tips & Secrets, Actor Marketing 0 comments tags: Acting Techniques, Actor, Actress, Casting Directors, Film Set, Movie Making, Movie Roles

The Positive & Negatives of Making Your Own Movie

In Hollywood there’s an adage that if you can’t get work- do it yourself. Nothing is handed to you in Hollywood. Success is the result of hard work and diligent consistency. Some actors make the mistaken notion that once they land an agent or manger their career will just coast – nothing can be further than the truth. An actor must be continually working on their career regardless if they have an agent or not. I’ve always believed that we should take charge of our career. Sometimes an actor can feel helpless waiting by the phone to ring. But the creative process is an interesting animal. As we focus on our craft we build more confidence in our ability to be more in control of the path we take. Making your own movie is one way to do this. I asked one of my clients Aylia Colwell to share her 5 positive and negative experiences in making her own movie. I was impressed by her resolve that I thought it might help other actors that wanted to be in control of their career. As you will see the experience is very rewarding but there will challenges that go along with […]

Oct 22

by davidlap0rt3 in Acting Tips & Secrets, Actor Marketing 0 comments tags: Acting Techniques, Actor, Actress, Apple Computers, Casting Directors, Social Media

What We Can Learn From Apple

This was a big week for Apple. Not only did they unveil their new iPhone 6 models, but also the new revolutionary Apple watches and mobile payment system. Since its early days Apple has led the tech market with all of its innovations. For it to stay on top it needs to continually put out products pertinent in today’s fast moving highly technological world. Like Apple, we too, must stay on the cutting edge of our career. I always make it a practice to ask my acting clients if they utilize the available social media. Surprisingly, many have yet to tap into the potential of how it can benefit their career. What may not be realized is that social media is free advertising. It allows us a platform where we can shape and create a marketing advantage. Successful companies do not rest on their laurels, and neither should we. Our career, or marketing image, should always be evolving to stay in pace with trends and new ideas that are always flowing. Can we afford to rely on the old system of waiting for things to happen? Don’t we have at our disposal the very tools to make things happen? Our […]

Oct 22

by davidlap0rt3 in Acting Tips & Secrets, Actor Marketing, Actor Showcase 0 comments tags: Acting Classes, Acting Techniques, Auditions, Mad Men, Martha Graham, Peter Lewis

Acting Tips From Actor Peter Lewis

His slight southern accent and quiet demeanor exemplifies an actor from somewhere in the south; or just bordering it. Peter Lewis has had an interesting acting career. After growing up in Louisville Kentucky he was accepted and eventually graduated from the Yale school of Drama. Not only had he met and studied with many great actors there, he continues to maintain friendships today. One such actor is Edward Norton. Together they worked with Bruce Dern in the film, “Down in the Valley.” Other great actors include Robert Dinero from the movie “Stone” and “Untraceable” with Diane Lane. His Television credits include “Mad Men,” “30 Rock,” and “Law and Order,” to name a few. Apart from a successful career he’s had an interesting life. During our photo session he talked about the day he called in sick to work. That wasn’t an ordinary day. He was working on the 40th floor in the World Trade Center the day it was attacked on September 11, 2001. Fortunately, a stroke of luck (or destiny) had him call in sick that day. He was also fortunate in that he survived a life threatening illness. His life experience, from Yale, to being a survivor, all […]

Oct 22

by davidlap0rt3 in Acting Tips & Secrets, Headshot Tips, Photography Techniques 0 comments tags: Acting Techniques, Casting Directors, Headshots, Talent Agents, Talent Managers, Wardrobe

Reinvent Yourself

Life is not different from acting- everything is based on change. We get bored with seeing the same thing over and over again, and look for something that will bring freshness into our awareness. What was once so new and different, is now viewed as boring. So we have to look at acting the same way that we look at life-we have to continually reinvent ourselves. Casting agents and agents aren’t much unlike ourselves in that they get tired of seeing the same thing time and time again. They respond to something different. They like to see you in a new light, an updated version of your possibilities. The reflection in your headshots gives them that information. So it makes sense to present a side of yourself that you want the business to see. This includes thinking of ways to bring out more facets of your personality. This can be in a new look, change of wardrobe, specificity in terms of characters you can play, and most importantly a clear and concise headshot that looks like you today; not 5 years ago. Keep Your Headshots Current I’ve talked with casting directors and the number one thing that gets them upset […]

The Real Hollywood

The Positive & Negatives of Making Your Own Movie

What We Can Learn From Apple

Acting Tips From Actor Peter Lewis

Reinvent Yourself

Here About Our Specials 1st

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