#kraterstudios

What are you bringing to your work as an artist that is going to make you stand out from among the pack? This is what we are talking about when we talk about Personal Investment. In my classes at Krater Studios the foundation for an actor’s process is built on what you are willing to bring to the table. How much are you willing to risk? How far are willing to go? How full of an experience you are wanting to have? If acting is anything it is about living out full emotional experiences. These experiences, in my opinion, are not things we can fabricate. These experiences have to come from somewhere real. From somewhere within you. This is what makes the work original and authentic. This is what you get to bring to the party. This is what books you the job! Your voice as an artist is as real as it gets. Your voice matters. The next time you find yourself in front of a camera whether on set or in a classroom, before you begin your work take a moment and ask yourself: what am I going to risk today?

Chemistry.  What does your first take look like?  Milly and Ryan dive into a first take in my Advanced Instinct class.  This is their first time through the scene, no rehearsal, no previous run through, at this point no direction.  What do you bring to your first take?

#Instinct moment at #KraterStudios with teacher Jen Krater... 😆👌🏼📽 #actors #coldreading #camera #losangeles (at Krater Studios)

As an artist it is important that you turn your eye to thoughts, inspiration and feelings that open you up, make you feel and encourage you to move forward. I have been teaching now for over twenty years and I have noticed an increase in anxiety over the years.  It tends to lead in many of the conversations we have in class. It is important creatively that we remember it needn’t be this way.   Although I believe in taking a cold, hard look at the world we live in, an artist needs to feel a sense of possibility. In order to bring a role to life, an actor must create a sense of security within themselves, their work and the relationships they foster with others. This week in class, I encouraged our clients to remain open to something wonderful being about to happen...To anticipate something fascinating,soul fueling and kind. The reality of our world can be very overwhelming at times, but there is also great beauty.  People have the capacity to be kind, strong and deeply compassionate. Opening up to anticipation is a pleasurable experience. It is important we find that balance.  It makes the work full.  Hope. Joy. Satisfaction. Understanding.  There is drama in getting what you want in a scene too. Open up.  Stay strong.  Breathe. x Jen

Inside Krater Studios Javicia Leslie Interview July 2016

When you can look at yourself and see yourself for who you are. The need, the necessity, to give voice to your feelings and emotions and to be heard. There is no right or wrong in creativity. There is only truthfulness, honesty, commitment, integrity and the shameless conviction that you have a right to bare your soul to the universe.

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Play the moment. The answer is not in the script or the lines or the plot. The answer is right in front of you. It’s how you are being affected by the person(s) in the moment, and how you choose to respond and how that response in turn affects others. I like to remind my actors that there are two things simultaneously at play with every good piece: there’s the truth, and there’s the appearance of truth. The latter is what’s in the script. The former has to come from you. What is your truth? That’s what the moment is about.