Acting Studio Chicago Review: On Camera II

I have in no way be compensated or solicited for this review. This is solely my opinion. 

I cannot believe that it's been 8 weeks since I started my On Camera II class with Chris Agos at Acting Studio Chicago. The time has absolutely flown. Pretty frightening if I think too hard about it. I've got a lot I want to accomplish on my arbitrary timeline.

Now, for the review. I am going to preface this by saying that, if you can, you should absolutely take this class. You can stop reading now, or continue for a more detailed examination.

I am not a person who responds well to a bullying teaching method. This class is absolutely NOT that. I write this because some people do need someone to push and prod and make them feel bad about themselves to make progress. If that's you, that's fine, but this isn't the class for you. This isn't to say that Chris won't get you were you need to be. In fact, you'll sometimes do take upon take until the objective is achieved. But it's never from a place of destructive criticism, it's just the opposite.

Which leads me into: take upon take upon take. You are on camera every. single. class. Then, the whole class watches your first take and your last take and you and Chris discuss the changes that were made, whether they were good, etc. Before coming to Chicago I had one on camera role. Since March, I've completed three and one I'm currently in wraps up, weather permitting, next week. I've also been auditioning for on camera things pretty regularly. This was a bit overwhelming at first given my utter lack of experience (theatrekid4eva). However, I was at an audition yesterday and I felt at ease. I went in, felt the floor, and did my thing. I came out happy with how I did and, as you know, that's the most that you can ask of yourself in this business. It was invaluable, confidence and technique wise, for me to literally be on camera every week working with, most often, unfamiliar copy. (We were given copy in advance only twice. The rest of the time was devoted to semi-cold reading.) Also, a word about that copy: we used real scripts from things that were, mostly, shot in the area. Being able to work off of the kind of copy that we are most likely to encounter here was (can you sense a theme?) indispensable. (JK. I used my thesaurus for invaluable).

Finally, the last part of class was always devoted to the business of the Chicago acting market. As I've written before, Chicago is different from the coasts. We talked about everything from agents to headshots/resumes to the confusing world of the unions specific to Chicago. This might have been worth the cost of the class alone.

Take it. That's the verdict. Their contact information follows.

Website: Acting Studio Chicago
Phone: 312.527.4566

LATE!

Yesterday (Monday (I know I'm late)), was the first rehearsal for The Hamlet Project, a show I'm doing. I've even got my own page under The Company. Mayhap I'm unreasonably excited about that. Anyway,
[Oh wow. Two Steps From Hell's Heart of Courage just came up on my Pandora station, this post just got super epic feeling. Back to it, sorry....] I absolutely hate to be late for commitments. I get a little ball of stress deep inside my soul if there's even an inkling that I might hold something up. [This STATION IS AWESOME!!! Gaelic Storm just came up. Seriously, do yourself a favor and add the Epic Soundtrack station to your Pandora. And now Pirates!!!!! GAH!!!! My life feels so EPIC right now!!!!] What was I even talking about?

Right. So my bus broke down. I would have been early had the universe aligned for me. Nope. It breaks down a twenty minute walk from the theatre. I text the CTA bus hotline to see when the next one arrives. 29 minutes. This is, of course, after four buses had gone by while my fellow passengers and I were communing on our non-moving metal-chariot. Off I go, setting out into the great Chicago unknown. I get there 10 minutes late. Hate that.

But, rehearsal was awesome. I'm beyond excited to be working with the amazingly talented cast and director.

What's the point of this post? You ask. No idea. You're going to be late to stuff so no worries???? Meh.

Sirens in Chicago

Here's some extremely good news for the Chicago acting community: The Sun Times reports that the USA show Sirens is shooting its second season in Chicago. All rejoice, more work more work.

I'm a little tuckered out so that's it for tonight. But, considering the magnitude of the news, I don't feel so bad. ;)

Rose Byrn's Get Him to the Greek Audition Tape

Do people call them tapes anymore? Anyway, I love audition tapes. I think with active viewing, much can be learned about acting craft and audition skills.
My favorite example is Rose Byrn's for Get Him to the Greek. In addition to awesome comedic timing, I love the suggestion of the character. We get "hot mess" immediately with nothing more than a few strands out of place and a subtle smudge of eyeliner. She's not "dressed up" for the role, she's hinting at it.
However, this isn't to say that dressing up, when done well, can't be a successful tactic. Check out Jason Momoa's Game of Thrones Audition for stellar use of costuming elements in an audition.

WARNING NSFW!!!! (cursing, etc.)

Be Unapologetic About Your Acting Career

After I watched Killer Joe last week, I was perusing interviews with William Friedkin (director) when a reporter's question stuck out at me. I can't remember which article it was or I would link it, but the gist of the question was whether Friedkin held Matthew McConaughey's romantic comedy past against him. Seriously? The blatant snobbery of the question got me thinking.

It also sent me back to my first year in my theatre undergraduate program. Down in a basement classroom the professor asked for a show of hands for who wanted to do movies. I raised my hand. Solo. I was pretty surprised that no one else had the desire, or at least wasn't admitting it. He asked me whose career I would like. "Meryl Streep." I quickly replied, thinking that she at least had some major theatre cred. "Well, at least you didn't say Jessica Alba." The class laughed and we moved on. In another time (like now) I probably would have countered with a statement along the lines of "if I could, I would have her's." Because what is Jessica Alba doing that I'm aspiring to? Working. As. An. Actor.

Sometimes you're going to take roles where you sell a car to a regional audience or (if you're blessed with good genes and work out a lot) run around an exotic location in a bikini or maybe be Elf #7 in a children's Christmas show. And that's ok. I promise. Your career is up to you. The shape of it is no one's business but your own. You get to decide if you're going to take the Elf #7 job and get paid or pass.

Don't let someone make you feel less than worthy as an actor for taking an acting job.

If it's time to re-brand because you are unsatisfied with your career, say stopping romantic comedies and seeking grittier fare a la McConaughey, do it. If you've gotten to the point where you can make 89 minute romantic comedy space travel adventure movies for the rest of your life and want to do it, do it.

We're going to have misfires now and then. Passion projects will turn out horrid and roles we hated may take us to previously unassailable career opportunities. Do what you do. You know whether you are willing to sell mops on a commercial or that you will never, ever do commercials. Either choice is a valid one. It's your career, don't apologize for it.

Here's a little inspiration from Kacey Musgraves. Appropriately titled "Follow Your Arrow."

Chicago Talent Agents: Expert Curators of Marketable Talent (<--I'm coining that)

Chicago is a secondary market. It's not New York or LA, though, as I reported in a previous post, it is making some major headway in film and television production. I had not made this connection until class last week, but being a secondary market means that things are run a little differently here. Makes sense right?

*Note that from here on out I will be writing about things that are generally true. The business relationship between a specific agent and actor may be different from what I describe. 

Chicago is a "scale" town. In other words, most working actors in the Second City do not command paychecks beyond those mandated by the unions. This in turn, means that the role of a Chicago agent is oftentimes a little different from that of a coastal agent. Due to the realities of his/her respective market, an agent in New York or L.A. is going to be more heavily involved in the shaping of an actor's career, as well as, negotiating an increase in pay (or as the adage goes, negotiating you out of a job). Here, for the most part, an agent acts as the first line between the actor and the job. They are, if you will, expert curators of marketable talent. More than likely, before you get called in to read for Chicago Fire you need to have been picked up by an agent. His/her relationships with the casting directors in town are invaluable. If you want to move up the ladder of work in this city an agent's partnership is necessary.

HOWEVER, this is absolutely NOT to say that the lack of an agent keeps you from submitting directly to casting directors. Absolutely do that. Even after you get an agent don't stop doing that. Even the greatest agent in the world is not responsible for the shape of your career. You are.

Acting Studio Chicago (where I'm currently enrolled) has a list of agents and casting directors. They also have a ton of other useful information on their website. Check them out.

Comments? Concerns? Corrections? Let me know.

And, because I mentioned Chicago Fire, I give you Severide. You're welcome.

Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide -- (Matt Dinerstein/NBC)

Why Chicago: An Interview with Justin Kimball

This is the first of (hopefully) many interviews that I will be doing with artists that have chosen Chicago as the place to build their career. When deciding where I wanted to base my acting career I had a lot of questions. I googled things like "best city to live in as an actor" and "where should I live to work as an actor" etc. Obviously, there were loads of articles and opinions about acting in Los Angeles and New York. I hope that this series of interviews will make the case for acting in Chicago, or at least provide enough information so that you can make an informed choice when deciding where you're going to work. I also wanted to know how people support their acting habit so I'll try to find out what their actor survival jobs are as well.

I've known Justin Kimball since approximately the fifth grade. We didn't live in the same town, but, much like Chicago, the arts community where we're from is pretty small. There's a lot going on if you are willing to drive 45 minutes to get there. I knew when I thought of this series he would be the perfect person to kick this off. So, without further ado, Justin Kimball.

Where are you from?

Benton IL. Southern Illinois. ACTUAL southern Illinois... not like.. by Springfield.

Tell me a little bit about what you do. 

I am mostly an actor/improviser. I do love to write but mostly for sketch and am currently directing/writing/acting for  a few web series. [Right now] I am in Theater Unspeakable's touring production of "Superman 2050" as Superman. We recently had a run at the Lincoln Center in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington and are in the Chicago's Children Theater festival til the end of May. I am also currently working on the sketch comedy web series "Some Guys I Know" and dancing for the DLD dance company.

Why did you choose Chicago as the place to build your career?

I have always heard that Chicago is the place to go if you are a little unsure of where exactly you want your career to go. It's a great mix of theater, film and different types of comedy. I wanted to be able to explore what I wanted to do and not just be put into a "film" or  "straight theater" box. A good friend of mine told me when I first moved here "Chicago is the place people go to make art, LA is where you go to make money" and that really stuck with me.  PLUS its wayyyyy cheaper here than in LA or NY. I would probably be three different types of homeless if I lived there.

Do you have an actor survival job?

I have MANY. I teach hip hop/ break dancing at two studios. I also work for a party entertainment company called the "Ice Cream Team." Mostly I dress up like Spiderman or do stand up comedy for little kids. I also do some video editing (film/dance reels) on the side for some extra money. A "normal" job with "normal" hours just wasn't working for all the auditions/rehearsals/classes I had when I moved to Chicago.

What is your best career experience in Chicago?

The Second City Conservatory was probably my favorite part thus far. The people that I met and the experience I gained regarding how to live as an actor/improviser in Chicago really made me feel like I had a chance. I highly recommend that training program for both how much fun it is and the name recognition on your resume. The worst experience.... I have done a few "we will feed you, but won't pay you at all" plays that were very frustrating. A LOT of time put into something that I don't even put on my resume. It was also kind of a good experience though because it taught me that I really need to think about the companies I want to work for and to make sure that they are legit. Places like the "Gorilla Tango Theater" are great for new artists but ANYONE can do shows there and sometimes you can get cast in a horrible Halloween play, asked to [go] topless for no reason, and kill someone by force feeding them poison pudding. Ya know, that old story.

Dream job?

I would LOVE to be a Neo-futurist OR have my own sketch comedy show that I can be in, write, and direct.

Any advice for those considering making their home in Chicago?

Learn the CTA (Chicago transit). It can be your best friend or your worst enemy. 

Chicago seems like a big place but the arts community is surprisingly small. Go out of your way to meet people. I have gotten most of my jobs by just knowing the right people. A professor of mine gave me this advise about Chicago, "It's not about how you were on stage that night, it's about how well you drink at the bar after." 

And now, a game of Chicago favorites:

Theatre Company: The Neo-futurists! If you haven't looked up/already seen "Too much light makes the baby go blind".. what have you been doing?

Neighborhood: I love me some Lincoln Park. So much comedy.

Restaurant: Sushi Thai 3! Its kinda up north but seriously.. best Thai food. Period. No...Exclamation point.

Bar: Beer on Clark. They give out free parties almost every time you go.

Place: The planetarium. Just go there. It's the knees of bees.

Only in Chicago:

I was in an R Kelly music video where we had to ride around on the L for 13 hours while R Kelly serenaded us. I got to hang and swing on the bars! It was like a dream come true. Since then all of my train rides feel empty...

Parting words:

Come to Chicago. Come be funny/dramatic/weird/poor/musical-y with us.

You can email Justin at justinkimball88@gmail.com

Find him on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7qDZ_LkTpYz2Wp53ua9TqA