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SEPTEMBER 10TH
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Business Coach for Actors – Developing Your Type
Self-awareness is an important ingredient in the creative process. For emerging artists, this is important to develop. An actor, who lacks the ability to recognize their type as individual, may never possess the means to effectively communicate that unique type to the industry. Ā These actors will find themselves in a cycle of superficial typecasting. As a Business Coach for actors and the Studio Manager of a Professional Actor Training Program, I work as a liaison between second-year students and the professional world. In my Business Preparation Workshop I am often asked, āWhat is my type?ā Most young actors expect me to compare their looks to a celebrity, but in essence your type runs much deeper.Ā If you want to work as a professional in this industry you need a grasp on both your emotional and marketable type, in other words, your range. But in order to begin to determine your type as an actor, you must first understand what it means to be trained as a complete artist.
As Studio Manager, I often field calls from frantic actors who are “looking to start training as soon as possible”. It’s either because they are “getting no where in the business”, and have come to the realization that they don’t have the fundamentals necessary for the work, or because a casting director flat out told them, “You need training”. The first and most important business decision an actor can make is to dedicate their time to a serious professional actor training program. Ā Be it a conservatory in New York City or one of our nations top BFA or MFA programs, the curriculum should concentrate on a core technique that meets the artistic needs of the student. Acting, physical, and vocal technique must come first – that’s where you learn how to craft. But any serious program should ultimately culminate in a course that teaches students about life after training. As well as, in the business world, how to appropriately speak about themselves as artists.
Creative entrepreneurs use their individuality to liberate the talent that lies within. Ā When you have talent, you owe it to yourself to get training. When you have training, you owe it to your talent to create and own your image. The actor who embraces their role as creative entrepreneur, will know how to submit themselves for the right parts, will secure more auditions, and will walk into every audition room looking the part.
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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