How Important is an Acting Coach?
August 23, 2011
There are just as many actors who feel that they don’t need an acting coach, as those who are slavishly dedicated to one. This is a subject that is not often discussed, but I think it’s essential to present my perspective on that relationship.
Even as a coach I would say that a coach isn’t the right fit for every actor. There is no replicated formula when you’re working intimately with any talent. Each actor brings his own set of personal and professional skills/issues. Yet, if I’m able to find the right language and connection to the person, the relationship can be glorious.
While sleuthing the script and exploring character choices with the actor, I’m also evaluating the actor’s ability within those potential choices. I must understand the actor’s current skills and limitations so I can aid in shaping an end result that presents the actor in the best possible light during the audition or shoot.
A simple parallel that I can draw is the Olympic figure skater that, along with her coach, chooses a routine that will be judged through a combination of risk and execution. The actor, like the skater, might have a grand idea of what choice would be perfect at a certain moment. However, the likelihood of failure, based on the skill of the performer must be taken into consideration when guiding the artist. Conversely, the coach might have a risky choice for the performer, but failure is almost certain because the coach isn’t in tune with the performer’s current skill set.
One of the worst things for an actor is to be pushed to play too far out of his current abilities. Yes, there is a chance that it will ‘hit’ in the room. However, if it fails in the room, the actor is the one left with that feeling of insecurity and self-doubt. From there forward that painful experience reverses the actor’s progress and creates more barriers to work through. The actor must feel that each audition draws from all his abilities and leaves the best impression on the room.
As a coach, I not only responsible to help shape each audition, I must push the actor’s talents in the right ways so that growth and confidence are part of each session. If the process is effective, the actor will notice my tone changing as we work together. Where I was once giving strong suggestions in multiple moments of a scene, I’m now exploring possibilities in the scene with the actor.
This is one of the most satisfying aspects of my work. When I’m helping an actor discover a potential instead of suggesting playable choices, I know that I’ve shifted closer to the director mind set. I also know, from multiple experiences, that the actor will soon see an elevated hit rate in his auditions. There is really no magical formula for this evolution. It is always made up of equal parts: confidence, personal risk, trust, and the willingness to treat each audition as just one more rehearsal.
If the actor and coach are a good fit, the coach should be able to read a scene and know where that actor’s strengths will come out and where that specific actor needs to be pushed. The actor should know the same and come into each session already working in the same directions.
When I’m in sync with the actor, I’m as important a team member as the actor’s agent or manager. If the fit is really right, I know that I will continue working with that actor throughout all of their agent/manager evolutions in the coming years.
