Interview with Paul Kampf, Founder and Acting Teacher – PAI Training – Part 1

As we enter 2012, PAI Training and Breadline Productions continue to grow. I thought this might be a good time to rewind and share Paul’s story about moving from theater in Chicago to film and theater in LA, and how his unique approach to teaching acting sets him apart from the myriad of other acting teachers in LA. What follows is a two-part interview that I, the Director of Social Media (DSM), did with Paul Kampf.

DSM: What brought you out to LA?

Paul: I came out to LA from Chicago after I directed a feature film (Brothers Three). I had a theater company, Breadline Theatre Group that focused on world premiere theater. After fifteen years it was the time to transition.

DSM: How did you get into teaching in LA? There are a hundred plus teachers/programs. Why teach when you’re writing/directing?

Paul: For the first time in years I wasn’t in my theater working with actors on a daily basis. I was going from where I was staying to the editing room and back each night. I really longed for the connection to actors, so I was asked to come in as a guest teacher at a well-known training program. I co-taught with someone for a few short term Master Classes.

DSM: What did you think of the classes?

Paul: Well…to be honest, I didn’t think the focus of the teaching was on the student, nor did I feel the program had the interest of the student at heart. I was working with ‘Master Level’ students who had been training in the program for years. I didn’t see a lot of human truth in the majority of the work. I was disappointed for the students.

DSM: What do you mean by ‘Human Truth?’

Paul: Human truth is the actor’s job. It gives an audience the opportunity to go on the emotional ride with the actor because the actor is going on that ride as well. Most of the work I saw was controlled and “presented.” Choices were made, intellectually, but I didn’t see the work IN the actor. We were working on camera so there was nowhere to hide.

DSM: So you left teaching there?

Paul: Initially there was a desire by the student base for me to stay and teach a Master Class. I thought it was a good situation, but when I saw the fees the actors were being charged to take the class, I couldn’t go forward with the classes and canceled. Regardless of the fact that I would be paid a small portion of the fee, which was strange, I couldn’t feel good about actor’s paying so much for a class. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not undervaluing my work or the value of the techniques I teach, but half an actor’s rent for a 4-week class isn’t going to benefit the actor.

DSM: So, you left and started your own school?

Paul: I did leave, yes, but was busy with other projects that I was writing/directing. But soon after I got a lot of calls and emails from some of those students in the Master Class asking me if I would do private auditing coaching, or any short-term teaching. So, I worked with a handful of people one-on-one and then I established one Master Class per week. Then word of mouth seemed to spread and it became two, then three, etc.

DSM: So you have many ongoing classes now?

Paul: No, I have kept the class sizes smaller so everyone works…really works each week. I have two Master Classes now and do specialized Intensives (Audition, Technique, 4-week Intensives, etc).

I have private students and private audition coaching as well, so I want to keep my schedule comfortable so students get my attention and focus. I have been in too many classes myself where the teacher isn’t really there mentally. They are physically there but more consumed with eating or checking email and you’re left wondering why you’re really there.

DSM: You seem to be active on many sides of filmmaking, that is, many projects and roles in different productions. How does that work with your teaching?

Paul: I honestly think it all works together. Anyone who has been out in LA for any length of time knows that there is no sitting and waiting. If you believe in your craft you DO. I come from a deep belief in ensemble and the power of people working together.
I bring that approach into my teaching as well. If you don’t apply what you teach, how can you offer real support/inspiration to those working with you?

I put this into action with a small feature film, ‘From Grace.’ I wrote it for one of my acting classes and six months later we were filming it. It was a truly blessed experience for all. I made two shorts as well with great actors from my classes.

DSM: Was this a unique situation or will you do more down the line.

Paul: Yes and Yes. It was a unique situation, considering that the talent and dedication made up for the lack of time & money. In 2012, I plan on expanding by adding PAI’s Lab. The Lab will be a three month program where selected actors from the Master Class(es) will move into the Lab and work on high quality, short films. I will invite outside writers/directors to lead these projects. This way class fees will cover training and practical application.

Right now, I am currently in pre-production on a feature that I am producing. A very talented acting student of mine wrote the film and I got involved to develop the script and put the project together. Now, we’re prepping for casting. She will be playing one of the leads.

DSM: That seems ambitious. Will producing work like this take away from your training?

Paul: Yes, it is ambitious. But there needs to be a place for actors to apply their craft when they get in touch with their real talent. It will be part of the training. I plan on keeping my Master Classes manageable. The danger with any program (and many in LA have fallen prey to this) is that there is a desire to add as many students as will pay. Pretty soon the quality of the program and student success drops drastically. Without student success, I wouldn’t have built a program that I’m proud of and that provides accolades for the actors.

To find out more about Paul Kampf’s Master acting classes, check out the website for PAI Training, or email him at asst@breadlineproductions.com – Part 2 of the interview with Paul Kampf

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