Expert: Rusty Meyers - 12/30/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
Well I have been trying to find acting classes, and since I don't live in a very popular state, It wasn't easy. But recently (like last week), I came across a woman named Maggie, that gives acting lessons. I found her on the Craiglist and she sounds good, she also gave me her number so her and my mother can talk on the phone. My mom hasn't called her yet and I really want her too! I want to get better at acting and I'm think that this woman could help me. She also will only charge 25/hr., which is great. So what do you think? I'm going to see if my mother can call her this week.

Thank you

ANSWER: Hopefully Maggie has a last name and you can look her up on a real site to check out her credits.

Such as imdb.com or at least google.com her name.

A lot of people have personal websites that make some pretty big claims, yet are just not true.

You have to be careful, since you live in a "popular" state (which I don't know what you meant by that, but that's more reason to check people out even more.

If she doesn't have an credits you can validate, such as her last film, or acting role, or where she studied and when and did she graduate etc... then you might reconsider.

Hopefully you can listen in while your mom is talking to her on the phone.

You are taking from her, NOT your mom, so you have to be comfortable with her.

25.00 an hour is fine, but cheap doesn't always mean good or expensive doesn't mean good either.

Does this lady teach a workshop, or just do privates?

You might consider auditing (sitting in) her workshop and see how she coaches others.

What are you wanting to study, film, tv, stage?

How old are you, have you already studied in school?


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mr. Meyers,
Yes, she only does privates. She also gives voice lessons too. She also had a degree with theatre and I that was a green flag for me. I really want to study acting in films. I'm 15 years old and I've done Romeo + Juliet and Alice in Wonderland in the past.

ANSWER: You still didn't give me her last name, did you look her up?

From what school did she graduate, and when?

Did she ever perform at her schools or just study?

Has she ever acted on stage or did she do any film or tv?

Nothing is wrong with stage acting and studying with someone for that, but it is a whole different type of acting technique.

It's a great foundation to have, but if you aren't interested in stage acting at all, then you might not want to study with her.

However you should have realized your passion for "acting" by acting in something, and NOT just by watching someone act.

Who did you play in "R & J" and "A i W"?

Are you a character actress or ingenue?

If you don't know your "type" then just pick an actress that you look or act like and that should answer that question.

Where is it that you live?

Are you studying any acting in your school?

Have you done any community theatre or extra work on any films or any indipendant film work?

Do you have any agents in town?

Do you have a film commission in your town, or near by?



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well honestly, I don't know that much about her. I found her on the craiglist and I took down her e-mail address. Her e-mail address said Tiggerbengal, so I'm guessing that, that is her last name. And I guess I would say character actress, but isn't being ingenue just like being a character? I live in Baltimore and when I was in R+J, I played Lady Capulet and in Alice in Wonderland, I was Alice. I haven't done any extra work or any kind of film work, and yes, we do have a film commission in my town.

Answer
Don't study with ANYONE you don't know a little bit about.

I thought that you said your mom was going to (or did) call her.

Just e-mail her and ask her for her last name (and Tiggerbengal is NOT her name) if she doesn't give it to you, then THAT should be the real RED flag.

If you have a film commission then you absolutely have more than one person coaching in town.

They most likely also have a film directory that lists other coaches and agents etc... and if she is not listed in it, you have to wonder why.

DO NOT give ANYONE any money upfront for anything EVER.

Agents work on a commission basis ONLY (10-20% at most) and they should ONLY be paid after you are paid PERIOD.

Don't get talked into paying for pictures, classes, portfolios etc... from a company that also states that they can book you for jobs, it's a LIE, they won't.

You shouldn't have to spend more than 300.00 for headshots.