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The Acting Coach Frequently Asked Questions
Hosted By Allan Miller
For the past 30 years Allan Miller has offered private acting classes and coaching for beginning and professional actors, as well as teaching at the Actors Studio. His students have included Barbra Streisand, Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Geraldine Page, Lily Tomlin, Judd Hirsch, Jeff Goldblum, Jessica Walter, Ron Leibman, Sigourney Weaver, Peter Boyle, Rue McClanahan, Dianne Wiest, Madeline Stowe, and Bruce Davison. Mr. Miller is also a theatrical director/producer, and the author of A Passion for Acting: Exploring the Creative Process and the videotape Auditioning.
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About Allan Miller
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Allan Miller is the author of the book, A PASSION FOR ACTING, and a video titled, AUDITIONING; both of which, hundreds of actors - beginning and professional - have found valuable. They can be purchased at a special discount from DYNAMIC PRODUCTIONS, 13340 Valley Vista Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. The book is only $12.95, and the video is $19.95. Postage and handling is included.
Click here to read more helpful advice for actors from Allan Miller and A Passion for Acting
Ref 2497. Mr. Miller,
Just recently, (3 or 4 months now) I have become very interested in acting. I have a good understanding of what it takes to deliver quality performances and feel that I am one of the best undiscovered actors around. However, I am 19 years old and feel that I may be too old to just be getting started. I am confident that I am only one break away from a fine career in the industry. I was just hoping that you could help me out with some tips on how to get discovered if you aren't around the business. I'd appreciate anything you could give me.
Thank you,
Chris Gallo, NY.
Ref 2498. Dear Mr. Miller, Greetings from Portland, Oregon. I have a 9 y/o son that enjoys reading movie scripts found on the internet with me ( fun ).
What can I do to help further (develope) his growing interest ? Where might training be available in this area besides at his grade school ?
From the Rose City, Thanks
Ref 2499. Dear Mr. Miller,
I am a 27yr. white male considered good looking (bld. hair, blu. eyes. great facial features) professional and very smart. I want to know how might I find someone who can seriously look at my talent and modeling skills and direct me in the right direction.
Thank You Sir,
John
Ref 2500. Dear Mr. Miller,
I am 22 yrs old, and i just graduated from college with a business degree. I have decided recently that i want to become a producer. I have astrong business background and i have produced wrestling shows for local tv.
This is something that i could be great at. I'm not really interested in the acting or artistic side of tv/film. Seeing that you have an experienced background in this industry, i wanted to see if you could recomend how
i can pursue this field of work. I can't just show up at Paramount and tell them i want to produce!? Are there programs or schools that will teach Producing. Are there books that i can read? I also don't mind going back to
college to pursue this field. I live in Southern California. Any help will be much appreciated, and thank you for your time.
Hossein
Ref 2501. hello my name is reggie wright i am just starting acting what are the best college in the newyorkk area that give acting
Ref 2502. Mr. Miller,
I have an agent interview next week and am preparing my monolouges. I have a dramatic and a comedic. My dramatic one starts of with reading a letter. Is it better to pretend to read a letter or should i use my book. Is it a major faux pas to read part of your monolouge instead of memorizing it?
Ref 2503. i would like advice on whether i should take dialect classes to get rid of my Kentucky accent or try and get parts with it. any advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you
Ref 2504. Dear Mr.Miller,
I am only 11, but I love acting, and a lot of peaple say I'm quite good at it. I go to California every summer and my parents say maybe I can see an agent. Should I? If so do you know any good ones?
Ref 2505. Mr. Miller,
I'm 18 years old and live in Colorado. I attended an audition with John Robert Powers representatives and made their callback list. The next day, they told me I didn't have enough experience in acting and modeling to sign with an agent, and wanted me to commit to enrolling in their seminars. Unfortunately, finances are an issue and I couldn't afford to make a commitment with a company I don't know much about. Is it common for talent agencies such as JRP to ask for such a pricely commitment on such short notice? Can you give any feedback about JRP? What I see on the outside appears good, but I can't afford to waste money on a scam.
Ref 2506. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT AN ACTOR'S RESUME SHOULD LOOK LIKE. I AM APPLT FOR A JOB A DISNEYLAND AND I NEED A RESPONSE AS SOON AS POSSIBE. THANK YOU.
Ref 2507. Dear Mr. Miller
I have quiet a delema on my hands. My one passion in life is acting. It is all I have ever wanted to do. What I had planned was to go to college, get a B.F.A. and dive in to showbiz with as much experiance behind me as possible. Somewhere along the way I got scared and landed myself a iron clad 4 year job as an Air Traffic Controller with the United States Airforce. I wanted money for college (Mountgomry G.I. Bill) but now I really regret it. I am only 19 but this will probably set me back. However I will try to squeeze as much training in as I can. I really have two questions for you. The first one is, do you know of any good schools/conservatories in Fayetteville, N.C. or near by that I can look in to? Also do you think that in the long run this will hurt my career? Any words of wisdom for someone who has almost lost her dream? Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
-Jennifer
Bioloxi, MS
Ref 2508. Hi, my name is Joey Ross i am a 13 year old boy that live in Las vegas NV. I have one simple question for you, this question im sure you have heard a million times, and the possiblity of you answering myine is one in a trillion, but I'm going to ask anyways. My question is how can i find an acting part? I know i should join an acting group and take it one step at a time, which i an going to do! I want to try for a part now though. i don't expect to get it but I'm going to see what they think of me, how good i am now, how much i need to improve, and so on. Well that is it, Please answer my question. Even if you have answered it a million times. Write me back at Patriot620@AOL.com Thank you
Ref 2509. Hello I'm a sixteen year old boy who is 5'11 with shoulder length hair and l am wondering how l would get started in the world of tv and film l have been acting for nine years now at my school and local theatre group, but l am hoping for a break in to show bussness. l live in Scotland but l am willing to move. If you have any tips you can contact me at devils@satanbites.demon.co.uk My Name is David
Ref 2510. Hello,
My name is Amanda Jacobs, and I would like to become an actor, but I have know
idea where to start. I was wondering if you could help me? I have
always want to become an actor. I live in Pennsylvania about 1 away
from Pittsburgh. The town I live in is Somerset. If that can help you any
Oh, by the way I'm 15 and going to be 16 in Dec. If you have any tips or
where to start contact me at
aj_15_2002@yahoo.com
Thank You,
Amanda
Ref 2511. how do i get into acting
Ref 2512. Hello Mr. Miller,
This is a really neat site. I am interested in live musical theater
productions. I am a bit experienced.....
1)I have taken two years of private voice lessons and sang in our city
festival
2)in the festival (both years) I have done musical theater solos,
which I absolutely enjoy. I have been told that I have talent for this
and that I am very graceful on the stage (no one knows who I am [jekyll
and hyde]) I have also done without you (My fair lady). In both classes
I recieved very good marks. I've also done I dreamed a dream (les mis)
for a recital.
3)This year I plan on going to a college a majoring in voice and minoring
in piano...but this will not focus on musical theater music...(more classical)
I am in grade 9 piano
have taken 5 years of clarinet at school
lv 4 suzuki in voilin (don't play much anymore)
I love music....but singing is the most fun
My question is .... if I want to be in musicals do they look for musical
talent or acting....so should I be doing some kind of acting?
I have been in two school plays as the chorus and an small part here or
there.
How did barbra striesand get started?
I would appreciate it if you could write to me at
lindsay_barkman@hotmail.com
from lindsay barkman
Ref 2513. Mr. Miller,
Do you know of any theater company or play I could get experience with
in Winnipeg, manitoba, canada.
or steinbach
Scott Bairstow from Wild America is from steinbach originally.
Although he's not around to talk to anymore.
Lindsay Barkman
Ref 2514. Dear Mr. Miller,
I am 12 I never wanted to be an actor I never wanted to be an actor till the end of fifth grade but in fourth grade my teacher said I would be I could comedian since I was the class clown. Also alot of other teachers said I am great actor. I have been the lead role alot in plays and I really want to go pro but I don't know how do you have any suggestions?
sincerly,
Mark
Ref 2518. iam only 15 and dying to have a professional acting job i aint that experienced but i do plays at high school and my teacher says iam pretty good.I live in australia though and its kind of tough to get an acting job hear and i dont know where to look and where to start I need some tips and if I do get success then i will move to america.
Ref 2519. hi iam the person who wrote just before the 15 year old from australia i forgot too write some more info iam male and my email is jimmyfadul@hotmail.com.au
Ref 2522. Aloha from Hawaii,
I will be starting to coach television acting (quite by accident), do you have any suggestions? What is slating ? Mahalo Joy
Ref 2530. Mr. Miller,
Hi! It's me again, Jeffrey. I asked you a question, and I wanted to thank you very much for answering. I have some other questions though. After I join the theatre, what do I do? I am going to purchase the book and if I have any more questions I will ask you again. Where, if anywhere, in Indiana can I get acting jobs? I want to be in T.V. and Film and it has to stay in my area until I have a more extended means of travel. I have also signed up for Speech. At the end of the semester we put on a play. That will give me some experience. After I get the experience, where do I go to get an agent?
Sincerely,
Jeffrey
Ref 2531. Mr. Miller,
It's Tove, ref#2493. Yes, I do have training. I have acted at the Arena Players Theater in Baltimore from 1991-1997 and I have done a play at Morgan State in addition to the teleplay.
Thank you for the address. I will be sending my headshots, tape, and resume for your perusal. Do you need references? I can send those also.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Ref 2532. Hi Mr.Miller My Name Is Nicholas.And I'm Only 20 years Old.My Dream Is To Become An Actor. I live in West Virgina And There's Nothing Around This Place I would like To make Somthing Out of myself But I dont have any Opertunites To do that or know body Won't help me.This state here is Son Dang Poor You Can't get Nobody to help. I've try everything writing pepole and actor's it's like There so dam Stuck UP! like every one else.And You might Be the Same Way I don't Know That I just Have to Wait And See if you can help me. Thanks Nicholas E-mail is OzzY_h@yahoo.com
Ref 2533. Mr. Miller - Could you please give me some names of acting agents in
Michigan. Thank you very much!
Ref 2535. Dear Mr. Miller
This is the first time I have seen this site and I want to thank you for answering all of these questions :)
At 10 yrs. old, my son was in his first Community Theater play and was a natural! This suprised me because he is very quite and shy except on stage. He has been in many local plays since and loves it. Of course, now he wants to be an actor. He makes VERY high marks on the College ACT test, esp. in Math and Physics. I told him that he needs to go to college and major in Math, Engineering or Computers (which he likes all of these) and get a paying job first. I told him he could be involved in the college theater and after he graduates and gets a job he could act on his time off.
Do you think I did the right thing?
Do you know of any good colleges for Math/Engineers/Physics that also has a good Drama dept.?
We live in Oklahoma but the college could be anywhere.
Thank you
Cynthia
Ref 2536. Hi, I am 15 years old and I am interested in becoming an actor. I live in Northern California in Palmdale and I really badly want to get into acting. Unfortunatley where I live there are no agencies. Although a friend of mine told me that there are some in Burbank, but Burbank is quite a drive from here. How can I get an agent and where? Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
Thank you soooo much.
-SuperGhost@jps.net
Ref 2537. Hi, I am a 14 year old male born and new jersey and iam interested and becoming an actor. i always want to be a actor but i never told any one. i think the i wont be nothin in life the only think i have is faith i was born with out a father only my mother the only person hu support my
and i just want to do is act.i never was in a play i dont nothing about acting and i think if somebody help me i would be the greats actor.but any way does are dreams i no you pepole wont respone my letter any way but i just wont to let you now the there is a kid out there the you could help.
i dont now any shool a could go to start acting.
sincerly
abby torres
comcast3@bellatlantic.net
Ref 2538. what day of the week do you answer these questions usually?
Ref 2539. Dear Mr. Miller,
I've read your book and found it extremely helpful in a variety of ways. However, after just recently finishing Michael Caine's book, "Acting in Film", I have become very intrigued in the vast differences between film acting and stage acting. Could you possibly point me towards a few more helpful books on the subject of acting for the camera? The next book I'll probably tackle is Tony Barr's "Acting for the Camera", but I could never get too much reading done on this subject! I'm a fifteen year old male that wants to get as much knowledge recieved and preparation done as possible before I start anything, and these books are a great help.
Thanks for any and all help,
Dan Doggett (remember the name!)
Ref 2540. Dear Sir,
I am a 30 year old Spaniard, speak English like a native. Studied theatre in college and acted in community theatre wherever I had a chance. I married after finishing my graduate degree to a man in the military and have two children. I feel confident if a bit rusty in my acting talent and have gotten great reviews in community theatre. My husband is getting out, in part to have freedom of movement so I can try to act in larger cultural centers. I feel that my age might be a handicap in acting since I am starting later. Where is the best place to go to try to make it, New York or LA? I check the internet and all auditions seem to be for erotic movies. Are there legitimate places in these cities where you can search for real auditions? Would it be in Backstage magazine? I have heard New York is more picky as far as only considering people with non-stop training or top drama schools. Is Los Angeles a bit easier? Would like to work in either film or theatre, as extra would be great at first. Do you lean towards a particulat place? Which one is more "child friendly"? I mean a better place to raise children?
Thank you for your time.
Paola Hornbuckle
Ref 2541. Dear Mr. Miller,
I am interested in acting as i feel it is a way of expressing yourself and also it is a good way to promote beliefs and values to others.
I am 21 live in Perth Australia. I feel i have what it takes to be an actor and have the determination. Am i too late to get into the acting business?
I study computer software which is certainly a big difference but i feel that you need something to fall back on to as not everyone makes it. I am very imaginative but i know with out the right training and contacts it is hard to get into even an audition i hope you can help me
Thank you
Marty
marty_88@yahoo.com
Ref 2542. Dear,Mr. Miller I am 14 years old and I have had experiance in acting and I love it so much! The actress that moved me and inspired me to love acting was Jodie Foster. I really want to have a career in acting but my friend one night said " ya know their is alot people who want to be actresses just as bad as you do but they dont make it" and I was up all night thinking about it do you think if I stick my mind to it and want to do it really bad that I will make it? I also have another question well I am kind of slow at memorizing scripts do you have any suggestions at becoming better at that? and also I do great at plays when their is a bunch of people around and when I am with someone on stage so I am not alone I do fine but when their is a couple of people around I am really nervous do you know of anything that I can do to overcome this fear? I am also in cheerleading at the time and I heard that was good for your acting skills.So I hope! Oh yeah I live in Georgia do I have to live in Hollywood to become succesful because I will do anything!
Well I will let you go thank you so much for listening!
Yours Truly, Kay
Ref 2543. Oh Mr. Miller its me again Kay well I was just wondering I heard you go to differant states to teach classes are you ever going to come Atlanta?
Yours Truly, Kay
Ref 2544. dear mr.miller hi my name is victoria jordan an i always wanted to be an actress,but i dont know where to start from.i tryed to look for agents but i just haven't found one.can you please give me some tips
because i really want to be a actress i cry a lot to my mother about it because i really have good talent in it is going to waste please give me some advice where i should start off from.
yours truly,victoria jordan
Ref 2545. Dear Mr. Miller:
I was just wondering if teenagers that have their high hopes on becoming known in the show business actually have a chance? I know you get a lot of questions about how to become known, but I don't understand why you people set up colums where teens can write you about how much they would die to become known, and you hardly never respond. I, myself, have always wanted to become an actress, but I relized it's the 90's and we teens have very slim chances. I am just entering my sophmore year and I have had my dream as becoming an actress for the longest time. I know how these people writing you feel. I took a couple of days to read your messages and I still don't understand why you get people to write you if you are not going to have any kind of auditions or help them at acheiving thier dreams. I was going to start heading in that direction. I even had introduction to theatre on my schedule, but I took it off because no one ever goes out of thier way to find talent in people. I just wanted to tell you that there is a lot of talent in this world and no one ever takes the time to open there eyes and see it. Please start giving "real world" people a chance!
Thanks a million,
Vanessa Fuette
Ref 2547. Dear Mr. Miller,
My name is Travis. I am 16 years old and just recently caught the acting bug, I suppose. I am stuck in Fairbanks, AK where the best acting 'training' is my high school drama program which I did sign up for already. I am just starting acting but I have no idea how to start! It is difficult for me to even ask questions, but here goes:
- Do you think people like me can learn how to act from watching movies and studying the actors in the movie?
- What is an acting agent and how can he help me?
- How can I find out my talent, let alone improve on it, when I'm stuck in Alaska?
I think it's great you have a little site here and you help out all these hopefulls just like me. Thank you.
trav23@hotmail.com
Ref 2551. How do I find good high school performing arts for my daughter?
Ref 2558. For Ref #2497: Chris, you "get discovered" by giving a wonderful performance in a play or in a film. No one will discover anything about you without seeing your work. Try reading K Callan's book, HOW TO SELL YOURSELF AS AN ACTOR" - AM
Ref 2559. For Ref #2498: For further training tips check some of the good theatres in Portland - AM
Ref 2560. For Ref #2499 In the right direction for what, John? Acting? Modelling doesn't help acting skills, you need acting training for that - AM
Ref 2570. For Ref #2500: Look up producers you admire and write them. I have no expertise in this area - AM
Ref 2571. For Ref #2501: Juilliard, The Actors Studio program at The New School For Social Research, New York University - AM
Ref 2572. For Ref #2502: It's better to do whichever gives you the most freedom to act well - AM
Ref 2573. For Ref #2503: Add accents, don't get rid of anything - AM
Ref 2574. For Ref #2504: No good agent will do anything for you without seeing your work. Read K Callan's Book, THE LA AGENT BOOK for listings - AM
Ref 2575. For Ref #2505: If you're interested in acting don't bother with a modelling course or agency. Join a local community theatre group, try yourself out in parts. Ask other actors about studying. You'll learn more and save a lot of money - AM
Ref 2576. For Ref #2507: Check in at the Arkansas Repertorty Theatre in Fayettville and inquire there. At nineteen you have plenty more years to fullfill dreams. Build your acting skills, career will follow - AM
Ref 2577. For Ref #2508: You find professional acting parts by being skilled and imaginative in your work. But first you try anything onstage to get experience. You've got to be able to read scripts to get a part. You've got to hunt down every community theatre near you and try to join one. Acting is a craft. Learn it well and you'll be ahead of all the millions asking the same question - AM
Ref 2578. For Ref # 2509: Read K Callan's book, HOW TO SELL YOURSELF AS AN ACTOR - am
Ref 2579. fOR rEF #2510: You start like every terrific actor did by studying and getting onstage Look up a local community group and try to join. And Train. Train as hard and as well as you would to reach the top in any profession - AM
Ref 2580. For Ref #2511: Read my previous reply to Ref #2510 - AM
Ref 2581. For Ref #2512: Barbra Streisand studied acting with me from the time she was fifteen until she got the part in Funny Girl. Yes, you must studyacting - AM
Ref 2582. For Ref #2513: Nope. But there has to be a community thatre group there somewhere nearby, or a college drama dept. Try to join up. That's how you start getting valid experience - AM
Ref 2583. For Ref #2514: Read K Callan's book, HOW TO SELL YOURSELF AS AN ACTOR - AM
Ref 2584. For Ref #2517: Do you mean an acting teacher, or a coach? A coach does one-on-one work and is far more expensive usually. Read Larry Silverberg's book, GUIDE TO QUALIFIED ACTING COACHES IN LA
Ref 2617. fOR rEF #2518: Look up a professional theatre group near you and try to audition for them. Ask actors there for advice - AM
Ref 2618. For Ref #2522: "Slating" is a marker that is put on camera - either by a written clacker-board, or by voice and a hand-clap - to set the starting point for any given sequence on film, so the editor and director know where to cut the film - AM
Ref 2619. For Ref #2530: Jeffrey, one play does not mean you have experience. How would you train to be a top athlete? You would practice and practice and practice and you would get into as many games as as possible and you would learn from the more experienced players as you went along. It's the same for acting! Ask the older actors around you about agents - AM
Ref 2620. For Ref #2532: Nicholas, look for a nearby community - or professional - theatre and try to join up. Or go to your local college's drama dept. and ask for suggestions - AM
Ref 2621. For Ref #2533: Don't know any - AM
Ref 2622. For Ref #2535: Sounds like fine advice to your son, Cynthia. I have no knowledge of such colleges there, but you might inquire at the Oklahoma Arts Festival. There should be folks at the festival to advise you - AM
Ref 2623. For Ref # 2536: You won't get an agent without experience in acting. Study and train first. Watch and learn from older actors onstage. Go to the Palmdale Playhouse or Antelope Valley College (their drama dept) and ask for suggestions - AM
Ref 2624. For Ref #2537: Abby, every good actor starts by training somewhere. Look up a local community theatre group and try to join. Get experience onsatge, find out how older actors do it - AM
Ref 2625. For Ref #2539: Dan, every great film actor I know of, including Michael Caine, learned how to act first onstage. Adjusting to film is easy after that - AM
Ref 2626. fOR rEF #2540: Paola, of course there are legitimate auditions out there. Stay away from Internet auditions! Yes. BACKSTAGE is a good source in LA and NY. Better place for children - I don't have any idea. It's always best to get training and experience where you live before trying to become a professional in LA or NY - AM
Ref 2627. For Ref @2541: Marty, join a local theatre company. Learn the craft. You can become a wonderful actor at almost any age - AM
Ref 2628. For Ref #2542: Cheerleading does no lead to acting skills. You lose fear when you gain confidence in your craft. So far, Atlanta is not on my itinerary - AM
Ref 2629. For Ref # 2544: Victoria, you start off by learning and practicing the skills necesssary to become a wonderful actress. Join an acting class. Join a community theatre - AM
Ref 2630. For Ref 2545: Vanessa, all teens have dreams. What are you prepared to do to fullfill them? There are plenty of producers and casting people out thtere ready to audition talent. But the talent has to come with skills. Learn your craft, just like you would for any other profession. Then go look for work like everybody else in every other field. It doesn't just come to you - AM
Ref 2631. For Ref #2547: I have professional friends who have auditioned to work at the Alaska Rep Theatre. There's plenty going on in Alaska. You learn about acting by getting onstage not by imitating film actors (all the best film actors come from the stage). An agent is usually necessary only to book you for professional acting jobs - AM
Ref 2632. For Ref #2551: Ask at a good college drama dept - AM
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