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ACTING CLASSES OFFERED FOR OLDER ADULTS
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Marina Muhlfriedel
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STUDENTS GET real life experience auditioning for roles by emoting in front of an audience while the camera runs.
While many people their age are thinking about winding down their professional lives, most of the students in Buddy Powell’s Commercial Acting for Older Adults classes are serious about developing their acting careers —and many are finding success working in commercials in film and television. In the last month alone, class members were cast in “Entourage,” “General Hospital” and in a Lenny Kravitz video.
Powell, a couple of decades younger than most his students, is an upbeat, dynamic teacher and a 30-year veteran actor. He is invigorated by his craft and by sharing it with groups of students who attend his popular classes on an ongoing basis. Students thrive in the convivial atmosphere as they gain expertise in every aspect of the commercial process, from how casting and ad agencies function, to the best way to present themselves as professionals with industry-standard headshots and resumes.
The crux of the class however, is about performance. Each week, the aspiring actors read commercial scripts on camera, as they would during an actual audition. Powell gently coaches each of his students beyond any shyness or awkwardness, while helping them to project their unique character personality.
Later, Powell reviews the tapes with the class, constructively analyzing each performance. There is tremendous camaraderie in the group as they support each other’s efforts to interpret the commercial copy while relating to the camera.
“I joined the class about five years ago; I was auditioning and needed to get better, and the only way to do it is with Buddy,” commented Jhil McEntyre, a class member who was featured in a Coke commercial during this year’s Academy Awards presentation. “An agent suggested I take his class and it’s been invaluable, When you audition, you’re only with two or three people, in class you’re in front of 30 or 40. If you don’t get over stage fright here, you don’t ever get over it.”
Added Fran Phillips, “The biggest thing I’ve learned in the class is confidence. It’s a wonderful group of people—bright, warm and encouraging.”
Their hard work is paying off. Professional commercial agents not only recommend Powell’s class to actors but also periodically visit the class to observe, support and at times, hand out a business card or two for possible representation.
The class is sponsored by the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Division of Adult and Career Education, and the next session begins on Mon., July 6 and continuing through January 2010. Enrollment is open and students may join at any time during the session.
Classes are held on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Senior Multipurpose Center at 1370 N. St. Andrews Place and on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Adult School, Sunset Blvd and Highland Ave.
Registration is free for seniors 62 and older with a $12 materials fee. Younger adults are welcome, but require a $25 registration fee. Call 818- 763-8081 or e-mail powell46761@roadrunner.com for more information.
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