Training & Development:
Kristy Martin, MA

Jump to:

• Master Training Series
• Developing The Instrument
• Improvisation
• Commercial Acting And Auditioning
• Film Acting/Scene Study/Character Development
• Monologue Study

Master Training Series

No matter how long you've been pursuing the entertainment industry, trends and techniques continually change. The audition process can be intimidating, especially if you are unsure what to do, or if you are trying to guess what the client wants. If you do not consistently train, your competition will snatch opportunities away from you. There are actors who constantly prepare because they really want to work. Don't let them take bookings away because you haven't prepared or trained. You must walk the walk! Slating, interviewing, improvisation, handling and delivering copy, understanding character development, and projecting the right image/edge are basic skills an actor must possess to compete. But are you injecting subtext into your slate and characters? Are you interviewing and improvising in a way that makes you stand out to the casting director? Are you working the copy in a way that shows the caster that you are competitive? Can you effortlessly switch from film to commercial to stage acting? Are you conveying the starpower that an actor must possess in order to get noticed in our highly competitive industry? Is fear stopping you? Do you take risks? Do you know where you want to be in a year? Do you have a marketing plan? Do you know the difference between "show" and "business?" Do you have the tenacity and commitment to succeed? The Master Training Sessions will answer these questions. You'll discover new and different approaches to acting and auditioning, and you'll learn how to take your career to the next level. New/beginning talent will receive months of training packed into one course and will be brought up to speed very quickly, while more experienced actors will discover fresh, highly evolved trends needed to maintain their edge. In addition, the relationships you develop with other actors will be invaluable for ongoing growth, support, and networking.

Topics and Curriculum

Developing The Instrument

Actors often find difficulty in distinguishing the difference between acting/performing and "being." Through a progression of physical exercises, psychological analysis and discussion, spiritual and emotional work, focused performances, and personal breakthroughs, actors will learn how to apply their bodies (the instrument) to their dialogue/scripts to achieve their most organic, natural, and realistic performances. Actors will learn how physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual components synergize to create effective scene work. Actors will learn to take risks, recognize and break down walls, conquer fear, define/address the ego state, and take their craft to new levels. Casting directors are quite savvy, and are intrinsically aware of when actors are pushing ("acting"). Kristy will safely guide each actor to discover the zone ("being") in their performances. [Recommended for all actors who wish to train with Kristy in her film acting/scene study session.]

Improvisation

Improvisation is the single most important skill an actor can possess. Improv is required in nearly every commercial audition, and in many film auditions. A great improvisational actor is a confident actor, and a confident actor books. Kristy will teach actors core improvisational techniques, and will build on each technique with numerous improv exercises designed to stretch actors beyond their comfort zones. Actors will learn to take risks and build the kind of confidence that casters notice. A variety of concepts will be covered, including character development, ensemble improv, physicalization, sustaining, vocal technique, pantomime, props, imagination, fantasy, and conflict. [Recommended for all actors who wish to train with Kristy in her commercial acting/auditioning session.]

Commercial Acting And Auditioning

Skills in commercial acting and auditioning must be mastered before actors can segue into other mediums. It is essential for actors to learn how to audition for commercials in order to build resume credits that lead to more substantial bookings. Kristy will teach actors techniques such as slating/subtext in slating, handling copy, cold reading, making strong choices, agent/casting director/client interviews, image development, starpower and charisma, and delivery/inflection/cadence/beats. This essential workshop will lead actors to securing more bookings and taking their careers to new levels.

Film Acting/Scene Study/Character Development

The ultimate goal for every actor is to succeed in film. Professional actors understand that ultimate success in film acting is only attainable when the craft and art of acting are mastered. Intensive study is mandatory for serious actors. In this session, Kristy will teach actors how to embrace the craft of acting. The workshop will include several scene studies, as well as intensive and comprehensive character breakdowns. Actors will flesh out their performances based on a list of specific questions they must ask about their characters. Actors will be coached to seek the subtext in scenes, and will learn how to apply the techniques of delivery, inflection, and beats to their characterizations. Kristy will address the instrument, physicalization, "being" vs. "acting," psychological/spiritual/emotional work, breakthroughs, risk-taking, walls, fear, and the ego state. The goal of this workshop is for the actor to reach new levels in theatrical performances.

Monologue Study

All Actors should build a repertoire of monologue from which to draw on in showcase and audition settings.The key to performing a monologue with true authenticity and believeability is to build on your characterization, as well as to know with whom you are having a dialogue. The connection must be made, and the characters (including those who are unseen)must be fleshed out. As with Kristy's film acting study, actors will flesh out their performances based on a list of specific questions the must ask about their characters. Actors will be coached to seek the subtext in scenes, and will learn how to apply the techniques of delivery, inflection, and beats to their characterizations. Kristy will address the instrument, physicalization, "being," vs. "acting," psychological/spiritual/emotional work, breakthroughs, risk-taking, walls, fear, and the ego state. The goal of this workshop is for the actor to be able to utilize prepared monologues to achieve success in showcase and audition performances.