Creative Acting Studios

Had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with legendary casting director Jane Jenkins for a talk.

Jane has cast for legendary directors Francis Ford Coppola, Ron Howard, and Rob Reiner for many years. Her casting credits speak for themselves, When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, Stan by Me, A Few Good Men, and so many more iconic films that shaped generations of movie lovers.

In this clip, Jane shares something every actor needs to hear about self-tapes: Bring your true, authentic self. Keep is simple, keep it honest and keep it real!

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can bring to a tape is simply you!

To my fellow CAS actors, we are rounding up all of our free talks and will have them available on our site very soon. Stay tuned! Sonya xx

Oscar incoming! Jesse Buckley in Hamlet is seriously incredible. The way she delivers every line keeps you completely locked in. One of those performances you can’t take your eyes off. She’s raw, magnetic, absolutely extraordinary!

Auditioning is your first win, you have been picked by casting to tape! Give your best interpretation of the character.
Auditioning isn’t separate from the job, it is the job!
Let’s stop treating auditions like a test and start treating them like a chance to share our take
a chance to perform.. then everything shifts.

Here Dan Levy and Kieran Culkin articulate something many actors privately experience: auditioning is not the same as acting.

Thoughts?

Behind the scenes on The Pitt 🎬

A reminder to actors: this is the level of preparation required before stepping on set. Know your material so well that it lives in your body, just your mind. Be fully immersed in your character before the cameras roll.

Because once we’re on set, everything is moving at once: walking, talking, props, adjustments, noise, and constant chaos. Preparation is what allows us to stay present and deliver truth in the middle of it all.

Do the work early. Show up ready. Then trust it and play.

If you haven’t watched what are you waiting for ?!!! 🙌🏻.

Have a great week and happy Chinese new year !!! ❤️

Sonya x

Actors! Free Marketing Event coming to you this October 1st on Zoom at 10am PST / 6 pm GMT
with from Anthony Meindl Studio in NY !!!

Jason was in casting for film and TV for ten years in LA, before moving to the East Coast…he knows what he’s taking about!

Check out our link in our bio for more details on this exciting event and rsvp with your name:

[email protected]

Or you can dm me here and I’ll put you on the list!

Sonya x

“Every day is Halloween, isn’t it? For some of us….” - Tim Burton
Creative Acting Studios wishes you a hair-raising and spooky, spell binding and thrilling Halloween which you can never forget- Sonya 👻💀🎃

We’ve all heard of the technical acting term “ Moment Before" which refers to what is going on in your character’s life just before the Director says, “action”.

This moment is a crucial part of the Preparation Process to perform a scene. It may include events, emotions, thoughts, images, dialogue, conflicts, interactions, physical conditions and more which the actor is going through in the minutes and seconds before the director cues you to “action”.

It is one of the parts of an actor’s toolbox that helps the actor explore the inner life of the character, by asking themselves what happened right before the scene starts.

The Moment Before is crucial to your ability to enter the scene with the appropriate emotional state-of-mind. It’s essential for portraying a fully functioning human being who’s living an actual life.

Do not wait for the director to say, “action” to start your scene. You must be in character before the “action” cue and when the director says “action”, he should be interrupting you in your scene not starting you up.

It may not be provided for you in your side, but your character experienced something right before the scene began. It is VITAL that you know what that something is!

Scorsese hit it right on the nail. This is so true, I find myself going back to films and shows that affected me and made me love the art and craft of acting specifically. Looking to them for inspiration and never getting tired of them ever.

Watch your favorite movies and the greats to get inspiration and motivation to keep the passion going and hopefully it will help you get better so you too can create powerful stories.

What are your top 3 movies/TV shows that changed your life? For me it’s Cinema Paradiso, La Strada and The Sopranos. Impossible task to just name a few, but which movies or shows impacted YOU this way?

Sonya xx

READ WITH A TOP TV CASTING DIRECTOR 🎬 Ready to step into the world of episodic television?

Join us Saturday, March 14th at 11AM PT for an exclusive Masterclass / Live Read with renowned casting director Lisa Zambetti, CSA

If you’re interested in shows like Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, NCIS, and other major TV dramas, join Lisa who has cast for tons of Episodics!

In this Masterclass Lisa will assign a great guest star level scene for you prior to the class and she will read with you on the day with a redirect.

✨ WHAT TO EXPECT

You’ll be assigned a guest-star level scene before class

Lisa will read with you live

You’ll receive professional redirects just like in a real audition room

Insight into what casting directors truly look for in episodic actors

Spots are limited , don’t miss this chance to work directly with one of TV’s top casting directors. Head over to our link tree for more details and to book.

Actors lets talk about ‘Perseverance ‘!!! 🎉
This industry requires not only the talent and creativity to understand how to interpret words on a page in any given context, but also tremendous perseverance, tenacity, strength, flexibility, patience, finesse and business sense to find and pursue the actual work, right?

Even if you have had a lucky break early in your career, it can be challenging to sustain a level of success without a deep love FOR and desire to BE an actor.

Let’s not wait or depend on others for our success. Build a great team. If find an agent or manager you want to work with pursue them. If you aren’t booking the roles you know you can handle ask yourself why you think you are not booking, an in-valuation of yourself and your materials will have to be done and perhaps start writing and shooting those characters yourself.
Persistence, perseverance and positive attitude is the key as well as talent.
Set clear intentions and expectations (goals) for yourself. Don’t allow anyone to tell you that you can’t or won’t make it. That is all up to you. Never stop learning and never stop reaching for your goals.

Tag an acting pal who needs to hear this clip!

Sonya x

❤️