CLASS OUTLINE

NEXT STOP NY! Class overview

Next Stop NY! Acting for TV, Film & Stage was created for those who have a desire and commitment to learn the craft of acting. All classes are instructed by Gary Nastu. My acting students are introduced to our technique and work in some of the most important areas of study for student actors today. (Brief descriptions below)

1. Craft/Technique: You will introduced to our acting technique and how to create a believable character in a short time. Understand how your imagination works so you will be able to feel the emotional life of the character. How to use your imagination so you can think the thoughts of the character and not your own. Learn to make and understand the necessary adjustments in your performance for TV, Film & Stage. Gary believes acting is a work of the imagination and created his technique" from the teaching of Don Richardson, George Sdanoff, Harry Mastrogorge and Sal Dano.

2. Scene Study and Monologues: Focus on developing the actor's skills to break down a scene and monologue. You will learn how to understand their style and structure. How to make the best choices needed for the character so the scene or monologue will have the desired effect it was meant to have on the audience. Scenes and Monologues are videotaped during each session so students can learn basic camera techniques. Gary's scene and monologue analysis technique is based on Don Richardson who wrote “Acting without Agony”. One of most recommended acting book for new and young actors to read first and own!

3. Cold Reading Audition Technique: To learn the acting technique necessary to make you look like a professional at any audition. How to understand the script structure so it will have the intended effect. To give you the ability to look at a script for a short time and make choices necessary to bring your character emotion and physical behavior to life. Learn how to listen and make the necessary adjustments by the casting directors at auditions. Gary's cold reading audition technique is based on his studying with Estelle Harman and Ari Barak at the Estelle Harman Actors Workshop in Hollywood, CA.

4.Commercial Acting /Audition Technique: For 8-12 year old class.To help develop the actor's commercial skills and personality. My students will be introduced to strong commercial techniques that will make them more competitive. We will focus on dialogue, improvisational and some group scene auditions. Students will learn to understand storyboards and learn to read from cue cards. Actors will learn to use product handling, reaction work, camera technique and hitting marks. Students will be taught improvisation techniques that will help them when there is no scripted commercial dialogue, which is very useful in today's market. Gary's training and knowledge in commercials acting and improvisation comes from an amazing professional source! Gary's teacher and friend Jeff Gerrard, who owns Jeff Gerrard Casting in Los Angeles since 1983 and has cast over 3,500 commercials! Jeff Gerrard is, and has been, the President of the Commercial Casting Directors Association for more than fifteen years.

Gary’s students have worked on Broadway, TV, Film and Stage. They have appeared in “Inherit the Wind”, “American Girl”, “As The World Turns”, “Chapter 27”, “Dracula The Musical”, “Good Morning America”, “Nickelodeon”, “Sesame Street”, “The David Dance”, "School House Rock", “Onion News Network”, Bounty, Go Gurt, Sudafed, ING Direct, Connecticare Commercials, PSA NYC Anti-Smoking, Hasbro, "Isn"t it Delicious?","Celebrity Ghost Stories", "Two Days", and Selah Sue Music Video/Crazy Vibes