WELCOME SPRING QUARTER 2009

Sage Parker

Welcome back Students and Faculty to the Homestretch of BFA 2009!
Great vacations are always too brief . I'm sure everyone had more on their plate than just "relaxing". How blessed we all are to live in this beautiful place , no matter how overwhelmed or over worked we are in any aspect of our lives. Don't forget to look up and BREATHE.
"Stay in the moment"
This Quarter D 151 "Modern Trends" or "Acting in Film" for the BFA.
Normally I have taught this class only to Senior BFA students in winter Quarter only. This year
the Junior BFA students were added for Spring. It was a scramble, to get this in place on short notice. We were especially lucky to get Kerr Hall and their studio, ( SO necessary to teach this class) 1 out of 2 days of class . Thank-you Todd, Mark & Robin!! But as I am often quoted: "whatever is meant to be "...note to self: "BREATHE"....
Since so much of this class actually works well taught "sooner than later" these Juniors will have an advantage getting a lot of this information now. Hopefully it will mean they will be in better shape for their senior year. Certainly only they can be they judge of that ...and we have 10 weeks for them to find out.
FIRST WEEK : TUESDAY MARCH 31,2009 THURSDAY APRIL 2,2009
We reviewed all the paperwork students were to have picked up before Spring Break. Much of it to be gone over with the parents or Guardians.... THE WAKE UP CALL!
TUESDAY: PART 1
Talked about what the model of ,"Setting Up Your Business", looks like.
FINANCES.... Respect for yourself and what you earn & spend.
What that will mean to have the capital you need to run your business & the tools necessary to start your "Business as an Actor"
Knowing where you stand: Pulling your credit report!
The importance of "Your Domain Name"
Knowing yourself is to KNOW your Business
Who are you ? Especially in relationship to your craft, a life long process to be sure!
Start with: What is your "Ambition" , your best & worst attributes ?
Working at eliminating "Jealousy"...Embrace the idea that "Competition" ,in truth,.... is Non-existent. This is not a race, and if it were it would be " a marathon not a sprint"
That "Jealousy" stems _ from "Insecurity " and "Entitlement"
Spend the energy becoming secure in YOUR work, in what YOU offer. Getting better, Stretching yourself admitting you don't "know " everything" . Learn different aspects of the craft that you are either unfamiliar with or that may "intimidate you" In the time it takes to criticize or envy others, we are generally using that to avoid working on the very things that could get us what it is we want/need. In Supporting others in their unique gifts then the loop will really be complete because it DOES come back to YOU ! It often arrives as support when you need it most and will provide for you a healthy community in which there is enough work for all, and room to share the best of what we all have to offer, This is how great work is created: together. This is after all a collaborative art form.
I have seen this behavior to be true of all the Artists I know whose work I enjoy and admire.
More importantly for 30 years I have seen it as the hall mark of those who are not just great artists but "good people"with whom I have had the pleasure to work. It is not easy. But it is possible. Remember if this is the profession you want: . Leave a "Gracious" footprint. This is ultimately a "small " business made up of fellow actors & artists . The person with whom you behave jealous, withholding, or petty today (whether it be a fellow student, actor, casting director, director, or any artistic associate), may very well be the same person down the road who has the opportunity to recommend you to someone else...or not.
You have the power to be a member of the greater artistic community or on the outside looking in.
PART 2:
Great talent isn't everything. Its what you do with it. Nothing is without planning.
The How To:
Setting your "Ambition" ( Intention) What "Action" you need to "get there".
Then breaking it down into "Weekly Tasks" that each become a building block to that "Action"
The importance of knowing yourself: Daily Journals.... Also Great material for "One Person Shows"
Doing your own Bio
The students also took a Creative Autobiography which hopefully stirred great memories and gave them fresh insights.
THURSDAY:
PART 1
HEAD SHOTS!!
Their Importance
What makes a good Head Shot
A Look at some, Before & After
Preparation , The "Dos and Don'ts" ....... Getting your money's worth
Finally ...... They stepped in front of the Camera (some for the first time) to get a glimpse at how others may view them. NO self Criticism allowed!
Note to Juniors....Great job taking it all in....Make those calls and set up your appointments!
I will see you Wed. in the Studio Theater , Business supplies in hand and Weekly spending Diary
with comments Regarding: ...What surprised you .How you would improve your habits...Where you might save etc. clearly marked on the back. See you then.