June-September 2008
Tuesdays, 7:00 to 11:00 pm; June 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15
Mondays, 7:00 to 11:00 pm; July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11
Tuesdays, 7:00 to 11:00 pm; July, 29, August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2
$350 for directors
$300 for actors
3402 Motor Avenue, Los Angeles
310 392-2444 / judithwestoninfo@aol.com
The Actor-Director Lab is a performance laboratory that combines the very different energies, needs, and talents of actors and directors. A project-oriented workshop, where actors get to work with directors, and directors get to work with actors - with supervision and support. It's a directing class and an acting class put together. Actors and directors find inspiration, collaboration, communication, and insight into each other's problems and idiosyncrasies.
For directors, the Lab offers the opportunity to learn and practice rehearsal techniques – a subject of confusion and anxiety for many directors. For actors, the Lab provides a safe, challenging preparation and exercise for television and movie sets, where typically the actor’s process is a low priority and the actor must direct him or herself.
In the course of the six-week Lab, each director presents three scenes – and receives individual feedback and guidance from Judith in their progress toward deeper understanding of their scripts and better communication with actors. And most directors who take the course say that watching the work of the other directors in class is equally valuable to working themselves. Actors in the Lab work every week – usually with a different director each time. It is an intense opportunity to meet and work on an equal footing with working directors.
Directors as well as actors need to keep a daily or weekly practice with your craft. The benefits of continued participation in the Lab go beyond a one-shot injection of insight and excitement. It’s a weekly work-out in getting the emotional truth out of the scenes and out of the performances. Participation in the Lab sharpens your skills, extends your range, builds confidence, and takes your work to a new level.
The work in the Lab often leads to work outside the Lab. For more details of film, television and stage appearances, projects and awards - please click on KUDOS. And, for those of you who have taken the Lab, please keep me posted of your new activities!
Features:
- Guidance in script analysis and preparation for rehearsal;
- Critique of work presented by directors and actors, that’s been rehearsed outside of class;
- Instruction and guidance in “scene-shaping” – creating the events of the scene;
- Instruction and demonstration of blocking techniques
- Guidance in achieving pace, tempo-rhythm, tone, and style;
- Demonstration of rehearsal techniques;
- Demonstration of improv and warm-up exercises;
- Opportunity to sign up for rehearsal time at the studio, when available;
- Directors choose the material they wish to work on, and are welcome to use original work and workshop scenes from upcoming projects.
Directing slots in the Actor-Director Lab are open to directors who have taken ACTING FOR DIRECTORS, or who have significant professional acting experience. Acting slots are open to selected actors from my scene study classes, or by invitation, after a personal interview, to experienced professional actors who are new to my Studio. Space is limited. All decisions on casting, choice of material, and who will present what stage of work on any given evening, are subject to Judith's approval. It is required of participating directors, and preferred for participating actors, that you have read either "Directing Actors," or "The Film Director's Intuition" - or both! They are available at most bookstores, or at Amazon.com or mwp.com. You will get the most out of this workshop if you have read both books.
Participants in the Lab may attend the six-week Scene Study/Masters Class concurrent with the Actor-Director Lab at half price. Click on the CLASSES FOR ACTORS page for more information on these classes.
Participants in the Lab are eligible for other benefits at the Two Lights Studio:
1) The Classroom Stage Production Project. Directors are selected to co-direct our Two Lights Studio stage productions based on their participation in the Actor-Director Labs. Auditions for roles in the productions are open to all actors from the Lab. For more information on how to participate, check the Productions page of the website, and look at the Guidelines for participating.
2) Two Lights Cinema. We now have projection equipment (for VHS, DVD, PAL, HDTV) plus an 8 x 6 feet screen - and have begun a wonderfully successful program of screenings of films by students and participants at the Studio.
Visit WORKSHOP SCHEDULE and DIRECTIONS TO THE LOS ANGELES STUDIO for further information on scheduling and location.
There are no refunds for missed classes. There are no observers permitted in the classes.
To sign up, or ask questions, call 310 392-2444, or info@judithweston.com.
A few informal comments from participants:
From directors:
"Fantastic class - I am amazed at how much more fully-equipped I feel as a director than seven weeks ago. Thank you for your guidance in demystifying the process of rehearsal and overcoming obstacles."
"I've never seen anyone go to the heart of a scene so quickly. You take every scene to a new level."
"Every week, I go 'wow' at least twice. Every time."
"This class finally demystified communication with actors - it suddenly feels like a simple thing to tell them what I want."
"I cannot tell you how helpful it was, when I directed a television episode recently, that I had studied with you and was able to allow what was happening in the moment, as opposed to clinging to ideas about how I thought things should unfold. What's happening in the moment is invariably better."
"The thing I was worried about was working with actors, and now, after taking the class, it’s the thing I most look forward to."
"Having taken this class over and over, I am amazed that it never feels repetitive - every week you explore new territory and fresh insights."
"It's a great pleasure to get to work with actors who are willing to work at this level, and do this exploring. I am learning techniques that I can use in professional situations."
"So inspiring. I used to think you couldn't get away with using these techniques on the set (directing sitcoms). But now I see times when I can slip them in, and I have the confidence to do it."
"I'm so glad I didn't get to direct my feature before taking that class. I'm sure you've heard this many times before, but working with you is a transforming experience - both personally and professionally. And it's also a great pleasure."
"You said one thing to me that triggered an open door in my mind to the missing piece of my current directing evolution. Simply put, you are a magical instructor."
"What a valuable service you provide to the creative community."
"Your love of the work and the process are really inspiring. I love the way your thoughts on the process really get me thinking about so many more possibilities."
"It's so great to feel like more than a bystander when working with actors. The crew [on a recent shoot] seemed to have no awareness that acting isn't something to be turned on and off in the midst of raunchy jokes and pratfalls and whatnot. I feel that the way that the crew treated the acting process was probably exactly the way I used to think of it, before I learned and became sensitized in your classes. Thank you for that. It makes directing so much richer."
"Thank you so much for an amazing and exciting and inspiring six weeks."
From actors:
"Taking this class on a regular basis has given a huge boost to my confidence. I'm getting more call-backs and more bookings."
"Doing this workshop has gotten me more disciplined. And it’s showing in my auditions this pilot season. I’m getting more callbacks."
"Of all the classes I’ve taken, this one most prepares you for working professionally."
"This class makes me remember what it's all about."
"Thanks again for making such a safe and supportive space for me to 'dance on the head of a pin.' I have less fear of falling now..."
"Your class is an anomaly in Hollywood - you are so loving and supportive and you bring together such creative and intelligent, cool people."
"I had a fabulous time in the class and love the opportunity to collaborate each week on new material with a new director. I've felt a deepening level of confidence in my own process and it’s showing up in my auditions and work. Thank you!! Last week, I booked a co-starring role on an episode of Entourage which I shoot tomorrow!"
"I’ve been getting more callbacks just because of this class. When I don’t take the class, I don’t get the callbacks! That’s why I’m back, again and again."
"My confidence has gone sky high."
"In the two classes I have taken with you so far, I have rediscovered a part of myself that I feared was forever lost under a pile of hopelessness and discouragement."
"Working every week with different directors is like working out at the gym on steroids. I feel the gains."
"I am LOVING this class! It's just the best class I've ever found in LA!"
"Being in your class reconnects me to my passion for the craft (super airy fairy and actor-y of me to say, I know) and reminds me WHY I deal with all the crappy-crap involved with being in the business...and fuels my desire to persevere."
"Your class is a magic mirror entrance to the essential oneness of the actor's art and story telling. And, with your guidance and support, everyone in the room, actors and directors alike, clearly felt free to move as deeply as they were able into that powerful truth."