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The Obsessive Qualities of Actors
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides actors with the training and foundation needed for long, professional acting careers. In this video, Charlie Sandlan discusses the obsessive qualities of the actor and artist.
There is an obsessive quality to any successful, serious artist. If you have the desire to attempt a career as an actor, I think its important to discover for yourself whether or not you truly have within you a deep love for the art form, and the willingness to dedicate your working life to mastering the craft. Itās one thing to say to yourself āI want to be an actorā, and quite another to actually figure out what that means. Itās hard to appreciate how hard it is to put together a first rate piece of acting. Great examples of artistry, Adam Driver in Marriage Story, Rene Zellweger in Judy, Joe Pesci in The Irishman, Charlize Theron in Bombshell, or the stage work of Mark Rylance, Cherry Jones, Janet McTeer, or Viola Davis to name just a few extraordinary actors, is truly humbling to anyone who understands the actorās craft. To see work like theirs is to appreciate how obsessed an artist is with detail. That is artistry, the attention to detail, the meticulous work that goes into breathing life into another human experience, illuminating our humanity in all of itās aspects.
But what do the best actors actually obsess about, and how do you begin to discover what and how to do the same thing if this is the ambition for your lifeās work? The students who come to study with me and my teachers want an answer to this question. The low hanging fruit of this profession are the untrained actors who have (usually because of looks or connections) carved out a paid, middling career creating general uninteresting work. They make money, which unfortunately is the cultural benchmark of success. But they arenāt artists. They are the hacks of this business. The best actors are obsessed with craft, with human behavior, with psychology, with the physical and vocal demands that come with true character work, with the truth of the part. They are obsessed with doing justice to the screenwriter or playwrights words, they are obsessed with confronting failure and insecurity, they are obsessed with their physical instrument and how to use it artistically, they are obsessed with their own intellectual curiosity about the world and human experience, they are obsessed with their art.
If you are really interested in acting, I think its important to find someone and somewhere to teach you what the art of acting actually requires from its artists. In order to build an artistic life, your work must rest on the mastery of the fundamentals of the art form. How do you get out of your head and into your heart, how do you learn to truthfully do under imaginary circumstances, how do you emotionally prepare off camera or off stage in order to connect to a previous circumstance, how do you get the attention off of yourself and onto what you are doing or who you are talking to, how do you craft in a personal, specific, and simple way, how do you listen and go from unanticipated moment to unanticipated moment, how do you get comfortable functioning from your rage, joy, grief, heartbreak, jealousy, fear, and shame, how do you rid your body of the tension and pedestrian behavior you have acquired over many decades, how do you get comfortable with conflict and intimacy? That takes serious training, and an obsessive passion to master the fundamentals.
If you arenāt interested in this, or find it unnecessary, then probably acting for you is just a hobby, or something you appreciate but donāt really want to do. And thatās ok. Itās important to come to a real understanding with yourself about what you are up for, about what you want to do with your life, about what will make you happy. Passion cannot be taught. What can be given to you are the things that a great actor should obsess about. What can be given to you is a way to create fully realized human behavior. What can be given to you is a wake up call, a challenge to either step up to a high artistic bar or not. What can be given to you is the space and time to transform yourself into the actor and artist you dream to be. So start with taking yourself seriously, get trained, and discover what makes acting the beautiful, courageous, and noble art that it is.
Learn More About Meisner Training with Maggie Flanigan Studio
To learn more about Meisner training, and the acting programs at the Maggie Flanigan Studio, visit the acting programs page on the studio website (https://www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/actingprograms/) or call (917) 794-3878 with questions about enrollment.
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STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“I was placed in the intense reigns of Charlie Sandlan. Ā I became a better artist, actor, friend, sibling and daughter because of the studio. Even now, I crave the studio every day. What I learned is present in my work every day. I truly believe in everything they stand for.”
āMaggie taught me that I could control my work, my acting, and to throw all of the bullshit out that I had in my head about ‘what I should be doing’ and to just listen and respond honestly, in the moment. She gave me a craft. She is, quite simply put, THE BEST.ā
āMaggie Flanigan taught me the true meaning of artistry, passion, and professionalism. I am certain that I continue to work as an actress because of my training with Maggie. At every audition and every performance, her guiding voice is with me. It is a gift beyond measure.ā
“Maggie Flanigan is uncompromising, her instincts as a teacher are razor sharp. She doesnāt miss a beatā
āMaggie Flanigan has been one of the most important people in my artistic life. I want to work with Maggie trained actors. As an actor myself, she is my first source. I do not say this lightly, if you are serious about acting, and willing to work very hard, then go to Maggie.ā
āMaggie helped me find my sense of truth, an actors greatest asset. Maggie is an expert at instilling that vital ingredient, which allows an actor’s potential to become limitless. My work will forever be rooted in the clarity and honesty she helped me develop.ā
āAfter working for ten years, I did the 2 year program, and now feel that I have the tools I need to become the actor Iāve always dreamed of being. Maggie Flanigan instilled in me a clear sense of truth and a standard of perfection. I am a better actor because of this studio.ā
āAs an actor, the core of what you have to rely on is your sense of truth and humanity. Maggie allowed me to discover and embrace mine. Trusting my sense of humanity and truth has given me the ability to take risks in my work and my career decisions.ā
āMaggie Flanigan has the unique ability to get an actor to the essence of what is true in a moment. She creates a safe and caring environment in which to work.ā
āMaggie Flanigan introduced me to my own spirit and my own sense of Truth. Her passion for teaching and ability to communicate are rare gifts to any actor looking for a technique to set his or her talent free. Maggieās voice has been the one constant guide in my career.ā