The Real Life Actor

Stop staring when you act. The best way to stand out in an audition. 18.11.2019 30:50 ↓

Once again, Jeff offers up solid acting advice about some common acting problems.

Lose the obligation of result. It’s the best way to go. 07.11.2019 21:09 ↓

Jeff discusses the importance of never focusing on the notes you plan to hit, but rather the path to those notes.

Getting rid of the self doubt that denies your instincts 14.10.2019 24:55 ↓

Jeff questions why actors are so quick to deny their instincts.

The perspective you need to make it personal 04.10.2019 35:40 ↓

Jeff goes over the best way to care about the thing we’re supposed to care about in a scene by making it a personal issue, not an acting issue.

Approaching a scene. A practical demonstration. 15.09.2019 30:57 ↓

Jeff puts you in a scene and takes you through it, pointing out the things an actor should be concerned with and focused on.

Stop being stingy with support and compliments, you’ll be a better artist for it. 01.09.2019 27:07 ↓

Jeff explains why being generous to fellow artists with support and compliments will make you a more confident actor.

Why bending like a reed in the wind is an actor’s most powerful stance. 19.08.2019 35:29 ↓

Actors need to loosen up on the reins a little and stop taking redirects and criticisms so personally. There is more power in being fluid. Learn to relax your grip on your one idea.

Remember this: Story is King 12.08.2019 30:33 ↓

Jeff explains the importance of clearly understanding the story you’re trying to tell.

The best way to keep from “falling out” while you’re acting 08.07.2019 30:38 ↓

Actor’s seem to be forever struggling with staying in a scene. Jeff offers up some great advice as to how you can keep your mind exactly where it needs to be.

When in doubt, choose humility. 09.06.2019 22:53 ↓

If you’re interested in having a healthy career, listen to this.

In pursuit of character 31.05.2019 33:23 ↓

Jeff has covered this topic before but some lessons bear repeating. He hits it from a slightly different angle in order to drive his point home.

Self tape tips 23.05.2019 27:56 ↓

Here are some simple things you can do to make your self tapes look and sound better.

All the things you never want to do in the audition. Ever. 06.05.2019 33:38 ↓

All the things you want to avoid from the moment you get your audition, all the way through to the ride home.

Stop dropping bread crumbs for your audience. They can figure it out without your help. 10.04.2019 29:38 ↓

Jeff addresses the actor’s compulsion to make sure the audience gets every little thing and why it’s a huge mistake.

Without question, the most important tool in the actor’s toolbox 03.04.2019 27:31 ↓

Acting is the definition of this word and it is the single most important ability the actor must have.

The type of information you need to be able to own your scene 25.03.2019 38:50 ↓

Jeff breaks down a scene from The Savages and gives a great demonstration on focusing on the info that will make it much easier for an actor to “own” the material.

The importance of trusting your instincts and using good common sense 09.03.2019 32:41 ↓

Jeff speaks to the frustrations of 3 different actors and reminds them to always trust their instincts.

The best way to handle direction you were not prepped for 04.03.2019 30:49 ↓

Jeff answers a listener’s question. What is the best way to handle direction, on the set, when it goes opposite to what you had prepared?

On directing and the best way to deal with actors 15.02.2019 36:03 ↓

Here is some great advice for any director to become a proper, “actor whisperer."

New Years resolutions and some thoughts for 2019 31.12.2018 22:11 ↓

Wrapping up a year that seemed to go by for too quickly and why that probably is. Getting more done in 2019 by slowing things down.

How to keep it fresh, take after take, performance after performance. 25.12.2018 27:03 ↓

Jeff answers a listener's question. Here is the best way to keep your performance from getting stale or becoming robotic.

Making the scene more important than your acting. 17.12.2018 24:16 ↓

It’s a common mistake. Actors focus too much on the medium and not enough on the message.

What to do when casting directors say, "make interesting choices." 30.11.2018 26:04 ↓

We've all heard it. It's that sage advice casting directors love to offer, "make interesting choices, be unique, dare to be different." But how? what does it all mean?

The Aussie files: The difference between a useful backstory and a useless one. 22.11.2018 24:58 ↓

Backstories are very important but the actor needs to know the difference between what is playable and what is not. Here is a good explanation.

How to keep on, keeping on. Some useful life hack advise. 24.10.2018 33:45 ↓

How to remain healthy and sensitive in a generally insensitive business.