2021-09-14 00:00
WHY WASN’T I OFFERED INTENSIVE WITH LESLY?
While all our Comedy Intensives are the same in terms of content, some are bigger and some are smaller. Because we… Read More
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Lesly Kahn Los Angeles Acting Classes Blog | News Blog
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Acting advice, actor lifestyle tips, and insights into the business in Los Angeles. Follow legendary Hollywood acting coach Lesly Kahn as she waxes poetic about everything related to the Biz.
2020-08-12 21:04
New to LA?
1. Get the public breakdowns: you can self-submit through Actors’ Access. They will keep you busy and in the game.
2. Showfax is the service by which you… Read More
2020-04-20 16:56
The post EXTENDED 50% Off Private Coaching!!! appeared first on Acting Classes Los Angeles and Santa Monica | Coaching & Classes | Lesly Kahn Read More
2020-04-13 18:12
50% off Private Coaching!
There are so many opportunities out there for you to meet amazing casting directors right now. But I’m worried that some of you are making tapes without ha… Read More
2020-04-07 18:48
https://actorsaccess.com/projects/?view=breakdowns&breakdown=674933
Monday, Mar. 30, 2020, 4:01 PM PacificBLUESTEIN / KENNEDY CASTING VIRTUAL OPEN CALL. Casting Directors: Susan… Read More
2018-04-12 18:33
Before going to an audition, put yourself on tape so you can see what the audition will look like. That way, when you walk into the room, you’re not guessing. You KNOW what your produc… Read More
2018-03-29 17:45
Don’t chase the light bulb moment. Just keep working and the light bulb moment will come. – From Tyler’s Intensive on 10.08.16, courtesy of Soraya K.
The post Patience Vs… Read More
2018-03-22 17:15
We can’t be acting and critiquing ourselves at the same time. When we’re acting, we must only be the creator, not the critic. That’s why it’s much easier to act when… Read More
2018-03-15 16:30
Jennifer Schulz is hosting two FREE Alexander Technique For Actors workshops at her Santa Monica location. Everyone will get some individual “hands-on” work as w… Read More
2018-03-02 19:41
Ed Quinn booked ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!
Bill Burr booked IMMORAL COMPASS!!!
Emma Meisel booked VEGAS HIGH!!!
Ian McQuown booked AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE!!!
Kayla Ewell… Read More
2018-02-22 18:24
The screenwriters have killed themselves to make a great script for you to do. Let’s honor that and them. Casting did not call your agent and say, “Hey, send your client Joe Schm… Read More
2018-02-16 19:11
“Lesly, the audition went great and I was booked! And then today at my open mic I was talking to ME (we had an admiration society meeting in your honor and she also ran my set with me… Read More
2018-02-15 20:59
Thoughts are not a new acting technique. They are what you were doing before you GOT an acting technique. We want to get you back to where you were before you stopped being a person and stop… Read More
2018-02-08 17:59
My husband Bob and I were talking the other day about the kahncept of passion as it relates to work. (Ok, fine, “concept.” Sheesh.) He works really hard at his busine… Read More
2018-02-01 19:47
I recently received this email from an actor and wanted to share her success story with you!
From S.A.:
On Friday night I checked my email and saw that I had an audition with casting di… Read More
2018-01-30 22:39
Armie Hammer booked REBECCA!!!
Gina Carano booked THE MANDALORIAN!!!
Joe Manganiello booked THE ANGEL OF VINE!!!
Alanna Ubach is playing Jeanine Piro in UNTITLED JAY ROACH FILM!!!
E-Kan… Read More
2018-01-25 18:24
We received this casting notice for BRENTWOOD and wanted to share it with you in case you are interested in submitting:
BRENTWOOD is an irreverent take on the lives of several former sci-fi… Read More
2018-01-18 19:52
I want to share this letter from an actor with all of you, and encourage you to follow his lead:
Dear Les,
I thought I was perfect for this fantasssstic part but the Big Deal Casting Directo… Read More
2018-01-04 20:54
With pilot season fast-approaching, I wanted to share this post by my sister, the fabulous life coach Genie Kahn:
MEET YOUR GREMLIN
By Genie Kahn, M.A., MFT, LIFE COACH
Have you ever had yo… Read More
2017-12-21 18:08
EL, one of my fave actors (also an amazing LK teacher and successful screenwriter) once went to an audition at W, a fabulous, prolific casting office with great taste, known for being w… Read More
2017-12-09 23:02
People! Only one more day for the Rachel Pally Warehouse Sale! It is a DO NOT MISS! (When I look good it’s ONLY because of Rachel Pally.) Say hi to Adrienne for me wh… Read More
2017-12-07 18:13
Guys, this was sent to us and we wanted to share it with you! We dunno anything about this company, but hey, if you need rep, why not send something in?
Hey there. My name is Col… Read More
2017-11-30 19:30
Remember that the casting director was hired to cast, not to teach acting. It’s not their job to tell you why you didn’t get a callback. It’s their job to recognize that yo… Read More
2017-11-21 21:22
Please make sure to read this and keep yourselves updated on any developments:
TV & Film Casting Biz Disrupted: Fox’s Decision To Drop Breakdown Services For Casting Networks &… Read More
2017-11-17 22:19
From Excerpts of Notes from Lesly’s Monday Ongoing class on 8.22.11, courtesy of Jennifer L.:
A casting director friend says the most common mistakes actors make in auditions are:
Doin… Read More
2017-11-09 20:31
Announcing . . .
The 2017 BOTOC: Move Me!(To Laughter Or To Tears)
For those of you unfamiliar with the phrase, a BOTOC is a Battle Of The Ongoing Classes. Ge… Read More
2017-10-24 20:30
So many of our actors’ and teachers’ families have been horribly affected by the disaster in Puerto Rico. Rebeka Montoya, an actor and member of the LK&Co. faculty, has found… Read More
2017-10-19 17:52
This is an email from J.J. Dunlap to the rest of his Intensive group after the second night of class. If you haven’t taken Intensive, please forgive; it’s an in-joke… Read More
2017-10-13 17:42
I thought you might enjoy this exchange between an actor and me:
ACTRESS: Les, I have a general meeting at Universal tomorrow. I should just treat it like a first date right?… Read More
2017-10-05 17:51
The 1st The Strength Within You International Film Festival will take place in Los Angeles on Nov 4th and 5th! The main purpose of this festival is to promote the collaboration bet… Read More
2017-09-22 19:27
Sometimes you all get so UPSET at yourselves in class! You’re like, “OMG! I SUCK! I’m a terrible person because LK didn’t literally pass out from astonishme… Read More
2017-09-15 17:14
Here’s a new way of thinking about star of 12 MONKEYS and LK&Co. Faculty Todd Stashwick’s favorite phrase, “Don’t burn your steps!”
We are frequen… Read More
2017-09-07 20:44
Want to check out Alexander Technique and see if it might benefit you? Why not try this free introductory class with the lovely Jennifer Schulz:
Free Alexander Technique classes for actors:… Read More
2017-08-31 16:58
This was sent to me by the lovely Jessica K. and I had to share it, as I think it might resonate with many of you:
Dear Les,
Mind. Blown.
Last night [in class] kinda blew my mind. I realized… Read More
2017-08-03 18:22
Kahnstituent Lauren Buglioli contributed this post, and it is a must read!
Seven years ago, I moved back to Los Angeles from New York. I’d previously lived, studied and worked in Los… Read More
2017-07-27 19:23
GeniusProduced is casting a project! Here are the details:
Currently casting educational Industrial videos. NON-UNION, $200/day. Actors should be able to talk about masters degree level conc… Read More
2017-07-20 18:08
“The work does not begin when you get the audition. The work happens every single day. Daily rehearsal is the road to undeniable. Rehearse, take notes, make adjustments. Get comfortabl… Read More
2017-07-13 18:42
“A successful actor is one who gets 10 NO’s a week during pilot season.
A really successful one might hear 15.
And the closer you get, the bigger, louder, and more soul-crushing… Read More
2017-07-06 20:33
I got this email from Gloria Calderon-Kellett, showrunner of ONE DAY AT A TIME, the other day. She makes some pretty interesting and important points. What are your thoughts? Email jas… Read More
2017-06-28 17:09
This article by David Robb on Deadline was sent to me by Samantha Mathis. Go to the meeting tonight if you can! Take part in your union! Take care of your future!
SAG-AFTRA Contract Tal… Read More
2017-06-22 17:39
It has come to my attention that some of us like to make ourselves a lot smaller than we really are in order not to offend our friends, peers, classmates, siblings, parents, etc. We desperat… Read More
2017-06-15 17:49
Whitney Cummings’ THE FEMALE BRAIN is premiering at the LA Film Festival this Saturday! Wheeeeee! Check out Vinoj Zachariah in the trailer! And she cast so many other Kahns… Read More
2017-06-01 16:53
“Often, we put our validation in the wrong hands. We must derive validation based on whether or not we acted well, not whether or not we’re employed. It’s not a good d… Read More
2017-05-25 17:05
I hope this correspondence between an actor and me will resonate with some of you who are itching to “get into the game.”
Hi Lesly,
I was thinking about what you said in cl… Read More
2017-05-19 19:10
New web series, MISS’ED AMERICA, is casting! It’s deferred pay, but it is being produced on an established YouTube channel with about 20,000 subscribers, and many of their other… Read More
2017-05-11 20:23
Y’all, I just got this letter from one of my fave actors, and I wanted you to get to read even this redacted version because I believe it might give you hope. That your hard work… Read More
2017-04-27 17:35
Ian M. sent this to me and I think it’s fab and want to share it with all of you:
When we were talking about the Statue of David in class this past Wednesday, I was reminded of another… Read More
2017-04-20 17:27
I love this story that Jay Lacopo told us once. I think you will too.
It’s a fable from Robert McKee’s fabulous book STORY, regarding the
profound importance of learning yo… Read More
2017-04-12 22:37
Our own, wondrous Jolie Jenkins (LK&Co. Faculty Member Extraordinaire), contributed this fantastic post. Please check it out and then get thee to her blog for yet more fabulosity. … Read More
2017-03-30 17:13
E-Kan Soong (of my Friday Day Class, “The Lion King,” and “Lesly Street” fame, among others), sent me the email below. BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott is one of my… Read More
2017-03-23 18:17
My son recently started playing football (yes, it is called “soccer” here, but that’s just wrong, so I’m going to call it football, like it should be). As it turns ou… Read More
2017-03-21 19:55
Attention all LA actors! The amazing Jennifer Schulz is offering another FREE introductory class in Alexander Technique for performers! The classes are being offered on April 4th or 5th… Read More
2017-02-26 01:24
The New Celebrity Apprentice has been making bad “termination” calls all season. Why am I surprised that they fired Brooke Burke-Charvet? It was just one more lousy decision.
Th… Read More
2017-02-24 20:32
I’ve always loved this image. During a recent Comedy Intensive, Shah G. sent it to me saying, “Mood after just one week of our intense schedule (my brain and scripts look… Read More
2017-02-17 19:47
Bob Saenz wrote an excellent article, “About Rejection,” on bobsaenz.com. In it, he focused on writers, but I couldn’t help thinking how applicable it was to actors, too. S… Read More
2017-02-14 23:39
Rebeka Montoya booked GREY’S ANATOMY!!!
Chase Gabrielson booked CODE BLACK!!!
Lilah Richcreek booked THE GREAT INDOORS!!!
Alex Roe booked THE DEEP!!!
Krizia Bajos booked NOTORIOUS!… Read More
2017-02-09 18:30
I’ve been wondering why BOTOC* is so important to me (while being so loathsome – initially – to you). Maybe it shouldn’t be so important to me. Maybe I should heed yo… Read More
2017-02-03 17:26
Going moment to moment in your acting doesn’t mean, “Hey, do some moments if you can. But feel free to skip what you don’t understand. Yah, just go right past anything that… Read More
2017-01-26 18:56
“Mind the Gap.”
To anyone who’s ever been on the London Underground (“subway” in American speak), it is a familiar phrase. Every time the train doors open… Read More
2017-01-20 01:32
From Life With Genie, by life coach Genie Kahn:
ARE YOU READY FOR PILOT SEASON?
– Do you really, truly believe in yourself?
– Is your Gremlin getting in your way?
&n&hell…Read More
2017-01-11 17:31
Attention all LA actors! The amazing Jennifer Schulz is offering another FREE introductory class in Alexander Technique for performers! The classes are January 17th and 18th at 7:30pm a… Read More
2017-01-05 17:13
Rehearsal is not about getting the scene right. It’s about practicing stuff like listening. We don’t work out (rehearse) to get better at a specific movement like curls (acting)… Read More
2016-12-22 20:26
Since so many of you have been asking how you can view the BATS & GATS book from our old website, I’m posting a link here where you can download it! Think of it as a holiday gift!… Read More
2016-12-15 18:28
So many of you have been asking about the article, “4 Ways to Make Space in Your Brain to Create,” by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West, so I’m posting it here to give everyone… Read More
2016-12-09 23:21
I thought the following correspondence between an actor and me might ring some bells with some of you. My responses are in italics.
Hi, Les. I’m having some rehearsal problems. C… Read More
2016-12-01 19:55
I suspect more than a few of you will identify with the below correspondence:
Hey Les,
I think I tend to think with a director’s mind, so when I’m approaching scenes, I think of… Read More
2016-11-21 21:42
At long last, here are the 2015 BOTOC: Surprise Me Awards!
The full list of awards is too long for a blog post, so click here to see all of the winners! Just like with the award nominations… Read More
2016-11-17 17:41
You’re invited to join LK&Co. and The Headshot Truck for a day of express headshot sessions!
On Saturday, December 17th aboard The Headshot Truck in Hollywood!… Read More
2016-11-16 17:49
It’s November 16th, and many of you are profoundly affected by last week’s presidential election. On top of that, the holiday season is just around the corner, with all of it&rsq&hell…Read More
2016-11-15 20:53
Announcing (finally!) the 2015 BOTOC: Surprise Me Award Nominations! Yes, I know it took me 11 months to do them, but hey, better late than never!
The full list of nominations is too long fo… Read More
2016-11-14 19:09
This is from Amy Aquino, a wonderful actress with whom I attended school. She is very active in the union! Do what she says, please!
—-
SAG-AFTRA is preparing for negotiati… Read More
2016-11-04 20:48
I suspect this email exchange I had with an actor might resonate with some of you:
Dear Les,
I’m having a hard time remembering the rules of breaking down the scripts – builds, r… Read More
2016-10-28 18:43
For any of you wondering what to expect during our Intensive, this email exchange may help. I also thought y’all might appreciate Ryan O’s timing, below!
I wrote this to my Octob… Read More
2016-10-21 17:37
This magnificence appeared in my email from MAF. Thank you, MAF! It’s fab! Y’all, please immediately read and do everything MAF says! MAF is smart! … Read More
2016-10-14 19:47
I know this isn’t a traditional post, but this rehearsal report was sent to me recently by Helen K. and it was too good not to share:
Special Guest While Rehearsing
Hi Lesly,
I thought… Read More
2016-10-06 21:18
Recently, I asked an actor in one of my classes to explain why she felt her work was “better” in rehearsal than it was in class. I thought our exchange might be of use to s… Read More
2016-08-18 23:42
I suspect that many of you out there might identify with this correspondence between an actor and me:
Hey Les,
Just finished my audition and I feel like shit. I psyched myself out. I
felt so… Read More
2016-08-11 17:40
An old friend sent her daughter to meet with me about getting into acting. After the meeting, my friend told me her daughter was disappointed and sad that the idea of acting now felt a… Read More
2016-08-05 18:19
One of our teachers, Victoria Garcia-Kelleher, talked in Thursday Day class the other day about how she went fishing with her kids. (She told us that she actually cut the worms with her fin… Read More
2016-07-26 17:28
Today I worked with a guy who is primarily an improviser; not-so-much an actor. But he was a great type – very charactery looking, plus he’s super smart and quick and warm… Read More
2016-07-21 22:14
From “The Player Queen,” in The New Yorker, January 21, 2002, by John Lahr:
For Dench, “the crack” – the Irish term for fun – is riding the exhilarating u… Read More
2016-07-14 18:33
Check out this beautiful post by Norman Lear on medium.com:
On Longevity and Laughter Read More
2016-07-13 17:30
Check out this fascinating article by Bill Carter on CNN Money:
How HBO stole back “The Night Of,” its next big show Read More
2016-07-12 16:51
Check out this excellent post on status by Will Wister on quora.com:
Why don’t fashion models smile?
The reason for this is actually rooted in psychology.
Smiling in primates – a… Read More
2016-07-11 16:56
Whitney Cummings has invited YOU to be in a scene in her movie, THE FEMALE BRAIN (based upon the book of the same name)! She’s written it, is starring in it and is directing it!… Read More
2016-07-11 16:56
Whitney Cummings has invited YOU to be in a scene in her movie, THE FEMALE BRAIN (based upon the book of the same name)! She’s written it, is starring in it and is directing it!… Read More
2016-07-08 16:14
Excerpts from “The Importance of Learning How to Fail,” by Jonah Lehrer, on jonahlehrer.com:
“An expert is a person who has found out by his own painful experience all the… Read More
2016-07-07 19:04
Excerpts from “My Struggle with American Small Talk,” by Karen Mahajan in The New Yorker:
American life is based on a reassurance that we like one another but won’t violat… Read More
2016-07-06 16:13
Check out this letter I recently received from an actor. I love this!:
Les,
I recently went on a one week cruise. I told my reps I’d have no service, and said I’d be unavai… Read More
2016-07-05 18:36
Puh-LEASE read this article by Susie Neilson in The Week. It’s all about how people in solitary confinement who have grit tend to come out better, while those who lack grit fail… Read More
2016-07-01 17:35
From Follies of God, by James Grissom:
Sidney Lumet on Katharine Hepburn: Herculean
Interview with Sidney Lumet Conducted by James Grissom New York City 1991
I expected a star with [Kathari… Read More
2016-06-30 19:08
“What Exactly Makes A Damned Good Story,” by Chuck Wendig on terribleminds.com is such a good article on story, y’all! Here are some quotes:
Plot is the arrow, and story i… Read More
2016-06-29 16:11
From Follies of God, by James Grissom:
Martha Graham: We Are Born With The Magic
Martha Graham, captured by Gjon Mili, in 1940.
Interview with Martha Graham
Conducted by James Grissom
New Y… Read More
2016-06-28 20:38
Check out this excellent post by Scott Myers on Go Into The Story:
Richard Linklater letter to cast before shooting “Dazed and Confused” Read More
2016-06-24 17:09
Bob Lefsetz recommends some great clips from Howard Stern’s interview with the amazing Steve Martin. I really loved the one about Johnny Carson, but all are good. He doesn’… Read More
2016-06-22 16:07
From Garry Marshall, on Barry Katz’ Industry Standard Podcast:
I have a philosophy. It’s called “The Myth of Sisyphus.” . . . It’s about the guy – t… Read More
2016-06-21 22:23
I love this quote from Seneca that I found on the post, “Seneca on How to Fortify Yourself Against Fear and Misfortune,” by Maria Popova, on brainpickings.org:
Set aside a certai… Read More
2016-06-21 16:32
From Hugh MacLeod, on gapingvoidart.com:
There’s a reason why it’s called “talent”: Because it’s valuable and rare. If it wasn’t, they’d call it s… Read More
2016-06-20 22:34
Dear Les,
After coming up with a number of different thoughts to drive your scene, how do you decide which thoughts work best?”
Undecided
——–
Dear Undecided,
You don… Read More
2016-06-20 18:37
From Brene Brown & Chase Jarvis, on the 30 Days of Genius with Chase Jarvis Podcast, via Jen D.:
This is the advice Brene Brown says she would give her 25 year old self: “. … Read More
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