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Health & Fitness

Acting Classes In LA - More Than Just Show.

When it comes to acting, here in Los Angeles there are three types of people:

Working Actors, Aspiring Actors and Wannabe Actors. 

Working actors are in the biz, booking roles and enjoying a sustainable career professionally and financially. Some working actors are incredibly talented and classically trained, some are natural talents and committed to refining their skills, and some are just terrible - but very lucky. 

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With regards to aspiring actors, they come in all different forms. There are the ones on the cusp of greatness who need that one opportunity to shine. There are those who are still trying to define themselves, and working hard to do so. There are those who are ambitious, but a bit naive, and have a lot to learn before they're likely to make significant career progress. 

Wannabe actors are those who just audit classes randomly for the social aspect. They're always looking to get on the event guest lists, and spend more time updating their social media pages than they do practicing their craft. Los Angeles is filled with wannabe actors - people with a fake-it-till-you-make-it mentality, or individuals who just want to portray a lifestyle rather than work towards goals. 

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It's ironic to say, but great acting is all about honesty - with feelings, about sources of inspiration, about knowing your strengths and weaknesses, about defining your goals. When actors are completely honest with themselves, it helps to foster their career growth, and more importantly it resonates with audiences on screen and on stage, with every character the actor portrays. 

So in a field where true greatness is tied to true honesty, why are there so many wannabe actors? 

The fact is people are often afraid. They are scared to show weakness or vulnerability. They are fearful of rejection when they commit to something. They are terrified that they'll try and fail. They are petrified of what self-disclosure will reveal about them, regardless of the character or circumstances they're portraying. 

Acting is about being truthful. It comes from within the body, not through introspection but through observation - because when we observe we react.

It's not easy to maintain the level of honesty that great acting requires. It can be a scary thing, but that is what compels an audience to accept who you are and what you are showing them. 

It's easy to be a wannabe actor - there are thousands throughout the city. They are here today, and gone tomorrow. Sometimes, wannabe actors get lucky and land some working roles. Sometimes they find truth and aspire to be more. 

But one thing is for certain; great acting is and always will be grounded in honesty - about who we are, where we're from, where we are going and what lies inside of us. 

At Berg Studios, our acting classes are dedicated to cultivating talent and guiding careers - showing actors that it's more than just show, it's beyond what is on the surface, and it's up to them to be honest. 

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