What is the meaning and role of a personal actors’ coach?
Actors experience a unique connection with directors they trust.
Every actor knows a successful director can bring out the actor’s unique talent to the fore, using a clever combination of creative freedom and a sensitive direction.
A good director knows how to read the actors, the world they brings with them to the part; and knows how to navigate within various work methods for the benefit of the actors.
I believe a good actors’ coach is a combination of a director, a psychologist, an agent, and a personal manager. The job of the actors’ coach is to understand and study the ambitions, needs and the overall way in which the actors operate, and through that help them move forward according to what is right for them, particularly according to their individual abilities and the reality we live in.
What is unique about the process of actors’ coaching?
I believe that actors who choose to go to an actor’s coach realize it takes a lot more than talent to be successful in the business.
Similarly to any other career path, the acting business also requires a concrete work plan, knowing the ins and outs of how to conduct yourself in this business. Particularly, one needs to realize that acting is a business, just like any other business.
After constructing a work plan, we will continue with personal and professional mentoring and guidance prior to auditions, and working on specific acting parts in order for you to come prepared and shine through on stage. This will, in turn, bring in further acting parts in the future.
How can coaching benefit an actor?
Many actors are sometimes willing to compromise on various aspects within the business in order to win a role. They then find themselves making decisions that are not ultimately beneficial for them in the long run. There is also a considerable amount of artists who are looking for a quick fix - whether it’s their ‘big brake,’ publicity, or recognition.
A meaningful part of the road to success is understanding what the artist offers the industry, and how one can build their career with these resources. This is a fascinating process, which often requires time and investment.
My job is to be the compass for the artist: someone who looks after them, navigates and orients them to the right direction, making sure they’re always on the right track.
There is a lot of background noise which coaching helps quiet down, focusing on what really matters, and working with that energy forward at all times.
My interest as a coach is to bring the artist to their absolute best results, while continuously listening to who he or she is, and focusing on a future design which best suits his or her measures.
What are considered successes?
There are various layers to being a successful artist: a focused and goal oriented performer, who creates their own opportunity rather than waits for the opportunities to knock on their door; a successful performer is also measured by their professional accomplishments. For instance, being accepted into various acting schools from which they could chose, being chosen for various acting parts, receiving raving reviews for a project or a part - when the emphasis is on what is right for the actor or actress, and the continuation of his or her path.
What is the background of actors who come to you?
There is a division into several types of people:
Before or after school - those who want to be accepted into a certain professional school and understand the importance of making a correct and precise decision which will best suit them. The work done with these trainees is on two levels: preparation for auditions, and a personal work plan.
Actors after school - actors who are just starting in the business are characterized by their high energy levels and motivation and their desire to conquer the business. This force needs to be directed in the most precise way possible. Even if the actor/ actress receives numerous job offers and propositions, these are not necessarily correct for him/ her. One needs to build their resume wisely and for the long run, if one wants to survive and support themselves in this profession over time.
Actors who have integrated into the business - after several years in the acting business, actors come to coaching when they want to refresh their status in the industry, or if they feel they are at a crossroads. Coaching helps refocus and recalibrate your route.
How did you come to coaching?
With the conclusion of my acting studies in Beit Zvi, parallel to my work in the theatre, I continued to study directing at Seminar Hakibutzim College. As part of my development process as director, I quickly realized I was increasingly more attracted to working with the actors, and on aspects of personal and professional development of the peers who shared the rehearsal space with me, who have turned over time to be, not only my colleagues, but my close friends. I have decided at a certain point that I want to focus on personal and professional work with artists, helping them become more focused and in tune. From there, it was only natural to turn to professional studies as a personal coach, with a focus on career.
How long does the coaching process take?
The average process usually revolves around 8 coaching sessions. At the end of these sessions, the artist creates an elaborate and a personal tailor-made work plan.
The individual work plan itself is a yearly plan, which aims at achieving the goals which were decided upon during the coaching sessions.
After completing and arriving at the individual work plan - the artist will mostly operate independently, with the help of my mentoring and guidance regarding their progress, with small adjustments or fine tuning when necessary.
Prior to an important audition or project, we will meet in order to prepare and focus on important elements, brushing aside any unwanted background noises.
