www.maggieflani... Flanigan Studio is a two year acting program in New York City. The two year acting program instills in the actor a craft and a solid work ethic for a long acting career.
In this video James Fauvell discusses the reasons that he came to Maggie Flanigan Studio, and how the training at the studio has changed his career.
My name is James Flauvel. I am from New York City, New York. I was born in Queens. I guess technically I’m now an alumni. I just finished the second year.
What specific issue in your acting brought you to the studio?
I guess I didn't know exactly what my problem was until I got here. I knew I was kind of hitting my head against the wall in trying to create these characters or to find a way to do it kind of organically, but I didn't really know how to build a character. I had no idea what character work really was. That turned out to be my problem along with a lot of other things, [laughs] but that was kind of what stood out. I met all these great actors who came from the studio. Who had been here.
Anytime I saw someone do a reading, mostly at Labyrinth, I would go up, "What do you guys train in?” It seemed like across the board every one said, "Maggie, Maggie, Maggie. Go see Maggie." So I just went and saw Maggie. [laughs]
How was the first year for you?
The first year was very enlightening. Once you get past dealing with kind of the
the frustration. I think I got used to-- I have this weird thing where I love to know everything. I like to know what's going on, how to do it, and kind of starting over. I had been an actor for four or five years and thinking I knew something and then coming here and kind of having my mind completely blown. So the first year of just exercises really opened me up. It really change the way I listened and responded. Something I thought I was really good at. [laughs] It's interesting what you think and then what you actually know.
What were you hoping to get from the training at the studio?
Yes, personally my life is at a completely different place than it was when I got here. I really wanted to find a place where I could take responsibility for the artistry in my life. I figured the one thing that would be in my control is how good of an artist I would be and how hard I could work. This turned out to the place that I could actually do that. The business is so kind of, as you know, insane. The one thing that I felt like that could be in my control was how good the work I was doing was. So that’s how I ended up here. I guess that's what was happening to me personally. I was really struggling with direction. I didn’t think the work I was doing was good enough.
What is different about you now after the training?
I think there's a certain clarity and a certain direction that I have now that I didn’t have before and that's in the work that I’m doing, that I am lucky enough to do and then in life as well. So being able to attack the work and attack life in this new angle of clarity-- When I say clarity, I guess just being totally aware of what's going on with me, how I feel, what I want. Things like that. These questions that we kind of ask ourselves. These basic questions that Maggie has us ask ourselves from the get go. So direction which is a crazy thing. I am almost a grown up now [laughs] and more clear on the work that I can do and want to be doing.
How do you like voice and movement classes?
James: I just started with movement, so I am kind of a little out of order. So I just started with movement and it's great. It's really great. It was necessary for me just to stay in my body, especially when those emotions come in. I start screaming and go blank, but I just started the movement and the idea is to go through all of them.
How have your studio teachers helped you?
It's one of this things. I guess it’s really hard to describe. With Maggie, just her generosity, I really-- The only thing I knew when I got here was that I would work hard and I really wanted to be or to have an understanding of the work, and she really set me up to succeed. I got a play in the middle of my first year and it was this character that is nothing like me. He is like a freestyle rapper from the street and all this stuff.
You can also see a video with Claire Ganshert talking about her experience at the studio and the two year acting program watch this video:
• Two Year Acting Progra...
To see additional videos with other perspectives not he two year program, review the entire playlist: • Playlist
To learn more about how you can apply for the two year acting program at the studio call today.
Maggie Flanigan Studio
153 W 27th St #803
New York, New York
10001
(917) 789-1599
www.maggieflani...