Hello Fabulous Actors!
Justin Turner here, the TLT Marketing Director, and I'm writing you to wish you Happy Holidays and give you a gift! Well, actually, inspire you to give yourself a gift...
This gift is the gift of Permission & Celebration. Looking back at the year of 2010, I'm sure there's a lot of things you wish you had done for your career. I know I have them! A lot of "If only I..." had worked harder, worked smarter, got coached on that big role, got new headshots, had a better agent - the list goes on. I want you to be able to give yourself Permission to LET IT GO! It's in the past. Take a hard look at your challenges and failures, learn from them, then crumple them up and throw them away because if you dwell on them, you will miss the opportunities you have before you now.
The second part of that gift is Celebration. I encourage you to make a list of all the successes you had this year, from the small (bought Amy's book) to the large (booked your first co-star). Look at that list, and then throw yourself a gigantic holiday party!! Take yourself out to dinner and celebrate the hard work you achieved this year.
If you give yourself Permission to let go of the things you could have done better and Celebrate the accomplishments you made, you can start 2011 with a clean slate and ready to kick ass!!
I wish you the best during the holiday season!
Justin Turner
Marketing Director
http://www.TheLyndonTechnique.com/
http://www.TLTaccess.com/
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
2 HUGE SERIES REGULAR BOOKINGS!!
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Saturday, December 4, 2010
We are proud to announce the official launch of TLTaccess.com!
Hello Fabulous and Talented Actors!
We at The Lyndon Technique are so very excited and proud to announce the launch of our revolutionary actor-resource site, www.TLTaccess.com!
This site has been in development for nearly 6 months and is backed by over 60 years of combined industry experience. There is nothing like it - a one-stop shop for the growth and development of YOU the actor!
Combining education, training, coaching, motivation, community and accountability, TLTaccess.com takes a holistic approach to developing your career as an actor.
Here are some of the features of TLTaccess.com:
The list above is an abbreviated description of all the resources available to TLTaccess.com Members. We weren't kidding when we said that this site is REVOLUTIONARY in what it offers - all at an extremely affordable investment!
We know that trying something new, though, can be a bit daunting, so we're sweetening the offer for a very select few. The first 50 people to sign up will receive an exclusive gift from the TLT staff.
HOWEVER, we should tell you that several people have already signed up - and we hadn't even launched yet!! So there are only around 40 slots available! JOIN NOW! www.TLTaccess.com
Finally, let me ask you that if you're not interested in joining, please forward this email to someone whom you think may be interested. If Amy Lyndon has ever done something for you, this would be a great way to "pay it forward" by giving your circle of actor friends the chance to further their careers. Truly, this site is one-of-a-kind, so share the love!!
Yet if you're ready to take the plunge and embark on an incredible journey of self-empowerment, then click below!
JOIN NOW: www.TLTaccess.com
xoxo
Amy Lyndon & the TLT Team
www.TLTaccess.com
www.TheLyndonTechnique.com
We at The Lyndon Technique are so very excited and proud to announce the launch of our revolutionary actor-resource site, www.TLTaccess.com!
This site has been in development for nearly 6 months and is backed by over 60 years of combined industry experience. There is nothing like it - a one-stop shop for the growth and development of YOU the actor!
Combining education, training, coaching, motivation, community and accountability, TLTaccess.com takes a holistic approach to developing your career as an actor.
Here are some of the features of TLTaccess.com:
- Articles, Audios, and Lectures - We have created (and will continue to develop) a virtual library of knowledge. Whether in the form of articles, mp3s, or videos, you will learn the specific information you need to gain the edge in your acting career
- Community and Accountability - You don't have to be in this career alone, and TLTaccess offers you a community forum that you can turn to for encouragement and information. Then, we compassionately challenge you to grow through our monthly (optional) assignments. Finally, someone's got your back!
- Industry Interaction - We interview A-list managers, agents, casting directors, experts, and teachers so you know exactly how to interact with them. The info is straight from the horse's mouth!
- Resources, Referrals and Discounts - The TLT team has hand-picked some of the best support team members out there and given you an in. You get discounts on headshots, reels, editing - even personal training! PLUS, any Member who receives a personal consultation from Amy has the opportunity to be submitted to her contact list of agents and managers!
The list above is an abbreviated description of all the resources available to TLTaccess.com Members. We weren't kidding when we said that this site is REVOLUTIONARY in what it offers - all at an extremely affordable investment!
We know that trying something new, though, can be a bit daunting, so we're sweetening the offer for a very select few. The first 50 people to sign up will receive an exclusive gift from the TLT staff.
HOWEVER, we should tell you that several people have already signed up - and we hadn't even launched yet!! So there are only around 40 slots available! JOIN NOW! www.TLTaccess.com
Finally, let me ask you that if you're not interested in joining, please forward this email to someone whom you think may be interested. If Amy Lyndon has ever done something for you, this would be a great way to "pay it forward" by giving your circle of actor friends the chance to further their careers. Truly, this site is one-of-a-kind, so share the love!!
Yet if you're ready to take the plunge and embark on an incredible journey of self-empowerment, then click below!
JOIN NOW: www.TLTaccess.com
xoxo
Amy Lyndon & the TLT Team
www.TLTaccess.com
www.TheLyndonTechnique.com
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
ARTICLE - Grease Some Palms!! + NOVEMBER BOOKINGS
Dear Fabulous Actors,
As a fellow Actor who has also been on the other side of the desk as a former Personal Manager for 9 years and CD and Director, I can honestly say that you need to take care of the people on your way up or you will see them on your way down! Nurture your relationships in this business folks. It is a fact that your reps work for free until you book. This season, make sure you take care of them! Make them feel appreciated for all of their hard work. If they are getting you out and you're not booking, well, that's not their fault.
I just recently worked on a set opposite one of my former clients and I've got to say, now that he's a star, I don't think he really remembered all those months that I kicked his ass in class to contribute to being that star. He is not the first one that I've experienced that with in our little community called Hollywood. When I put in a good word for an actor with an agent or manager, do you really think that they call me right away to tell me that they signed? Just last night in class I asked one of my students about this Manager that I had been putting in a good word to give her another chance, and she said, "Oh, I thought I told you. Yeah, I signed with her." How about those CD's that go to bat for you to meet the Producers? What about them? Are you nurturing that relationship or are you sending them Post Cards for them to call you in again? As we say in New York, "Grease some palms!" This is not a negative connotation. If my father wanted a good table in a popular New York Restaurant he would go over to the Maître 'd and put money in his palm and we would walk right through. Everyone was happy. That's how the Maître 'd make their money, that's how we got great tables and life moves on. Don't keep taking - there is an exchange. Look I don't expect my private students to call me after their coaching session to see if they booked the job - but I actually do care and I want to know. A lot say that they'll call, but they never do - that's not hurtful because we already did do an exchange. But, when I do give out my time and advise for free and don't get a return, I don't forget. Don't think for a second that casting or your reps forget how you might treat them as well. Take care of your people in the service industry. Don't forget to "Grease some palms!"
XOXO
Amy Lyndon
http://thelyndontechnique.com
818.760.8501
P.S. There WILL BE CLASS all of December and I am offering 20% off all Career Consultations only for the month of December - COUPON CODE: PALMS!
P.P.S. Get in early for the launch of http://tltaccess.com and be one of the first 50 to get a free gift!
__________________________________________
NOVEMBER BOOKINGS
Spencer Daniels Booked Top Of The Show Guest Lead in CSI MIAMI!
Gerald Webb is now Recurring on LAW AND ORDER: LOS ANGELES!
Ted Monte Booked a Co-Star in UNDERCOVERS!
Connor Weil Booked a Co-Star in VICTORIOUS!
Barnaby Barrilla Booked a Co-Star in CRIMINAL MINDS!
Alexandra Finkel Booked a Co-Star in I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS PREGNANT and Co-Star in SOUTHLAND!
Anne Apra Booked a GLUE STICK Commercial!
Roe Moore Booked a POLARA Commercial!
Kali Kirk Booked a CHEBANCA! Commercial!
Joey Skeris Booked a VITAMEN Commercial!
Justin Tinucci Booked the Series Lead in the Web Series FIGURE IT OUT!
Anthony Cutolo Booked an NBC Promo Commercial and a Lead in the Film RILEY SANDS!
Annette Lorant Booked a Lead in the Film LUCID!
Kris Paredes Booked a Guest Star in the Web Series CALLBACK!
Justin Giddings Booked a Co-Star in PRETTY LITTLE LIARS!
Debbie Kagy Booked a Serious Regular in the MARK CHRISTOPHER MUSIC PROJECT Pilot!
Sara Castro Booked a Guest Star Role in the Web Series AFTER HOURS and a JOBTIPS.COM Commercial!
Wynnie Martin Booked the Starring Role in the Feature Film NO PAIN LIKE IT!
Shakira Paye Booked a Series Regular in the Web Series DOGS ARE WOMAN'S BEST FRIEND!
Deena Holland Booked a National VERIZON Commercial!
Christina Gabrielle Booked the Starring Role in the Film THE LESSON!
Devin Fox Booked Supporting Roles in the Films ALLIGIENCE AND IVREY!
Kevin Scarlett Booked a Series Regular Role in the Web Series SONS OF LEGEND!
Dan Wiley Booked a Supporting Role in the Film XXX MEANS I LOVE YOU!
Melissa Tan Booked a MCDONALDS Commercial!
Shirley Burns Booked a Recurring Role in the Web Series ASSASSIN!
Michael Beardsley Booked the Feature Film SHE WANTS ME with Charlie Sheen and Hillary Duff and a Series Regular in the Pilot RUMBLE AND HUMBLE PIE!
China Brooks Booked a National TIME WARNER Commercial and a National At & T Commercial and Regional RACE TRACK CONVENIENCE STORES Commercial!
As a fellow Actor who has also been on the other side of the desk as a former Personal Manager for 9 years and CD and Director, I can honestly say that you need to take care of the people on your way up or you will see them on your way down! Nurture your relationships in this business folks. It is a fact that your reps work for free until you book. This season, make sure you take care of them! Make them feel appreciated for all of their hard work. If they are getting you out and you're not booking, well, that's not their fault.
I just recently worked on a set opposite one of my former clients and I've got to say, now that he's a star, I don't think he really remembered all those months that I kicked his ass in class to contribute to being that star. He is not the first one that I've experienced that with in our little community called Hollywood. When I put in a good word for an actor with an agent or manager, do you really think that they call me right away to tell me that they signed? Just last night in class I asked one of my students about this Manager that I had been putting in a good word to give her another chance, and she said, "Oh, I thought I told you. Yeah, I signed with her." How about those CD's that go to bat for you to meet the Producers? What about them? Are you nurturing that relationship or are you sending them Post Cards for them to call you in again? As we say in New York, "Grease some palms!" This is not a negative connotation. If my father wanted a good table in a popular New York Restaurant he would go over to the Maître 'd and put money in his palm and we would walk right through. Everyone was happy. That's how the Maître 'd make their money, that's how we got great tables and life moves on. Don't keep taking - there is an exchange. Look I don't expect my private students to call me after their coaching session to see if they booked the job - but I actually do care and I want to know. A lot say that they'll call, but they never do - that's not hurtful because we already did do an exchange. But, when I do give out my time and advise for free and don't get a return, I don't forget. Don't think for a second that casting or your reps forget how you might treat them as well. Take care of your people in the service industry. Don't forget to "Grease some palms!"
XOXO
Amy Lyndon
http://thelyndontechnique.com
818.760.8501
P.S. There WILL BE CLASS all of December and I am offering 20% off all Career Consultations only for the month of December - COUPON CODE: PALMS!
P.P.S. Get in early for the launch of http://tltaccess.com and be one of the first 50 to get a free gift!
__________________________________________
NOVEMBER BOOKINGS
Spencer Daniels Booked Top Of The Show Guest Lead in CSI MIAMI!
Gerald Webb is now Recurring on LAW AND ORDER: LOS ANGELES!
Ted Monte Booked a Co-Star in UNDERCOVERS!
Connor Weil Booked a Co-Star in VICTORIOUS!
Barnaby Barrilla Booked a Co-Star in CRIMINAL MINDS!
Alexandra Finkel Booked a Co-Star in I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS PREGNANT and Co-Star in SOUTHLAND!
Anne Apra Booked a GLUE STICK Commercial!
Roe Moore Booked a POLARA Commercial!
Kali Kirk Booked a CHEBANCA! Commercial!
Joey Skeris Booked a VITAMEN Commercial!
Justin Tinucci Booked the Series Lead in the Web Series FIGURE IT OUT!
Anthony Cutolo Booked an NBC Promo Commercial and a Lead in the Film RILEY SANDS!
Annette Lorant Booked a Lead in the Film LUCID!
Kris Paredes Booked a Guest Star in the Web Series CALLBACK!
Justin Giddings Booked a Co-Star in PRETTY LITTLE LIARS!
Debbie Kagy Booked a Serious Regular in the MARK CHRISTOPHER MUSIC PROJECT Pilot!
Sara Castro Booked a Guest Star Role in the Web Series AFTER HOURS and a JOBTIPS.COM Commercial!
Wynnie Martin Booked the Starring Role in the Feature Film NO PAIN LIKE IT!
Shakira Paye Booked a Series Regular in the Web Series DOGS ARE WOMAN'S BEST FRIEND!
Deena Holland Booked a National VERIZON Commercial!
Christina Gabrielle Booked the Starring Role in the Film THE LESSON!
Devin Fox Booked Supporting Roles in the Films ALLIGIENCE AND IVREY!
Kevin Scarlett Booked a Series Regular Role in the Web Series SONS OF LEGEND!
Dan Wiley Booked a Supporting Role in the Film XXX MEANS I LOVE YOU!
Melissa Tan Booked a MCDONALDS Commercial!
Shirley Burns Booked a Recurring Role in the Web Series ASSASSIN!
Michael Beardsley Booked the Feature Film SHE WANTS ME with Charlie Sheen and Hillary Duff and a Series Regular in the Pilot RUMBLE AND HUMBLE PIE!
China Brooks Booked a National TIME WARNER Commercial and a National At & T Commercial and Regional RACE TRACK CONVENIENCE STORES Commercial!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
DETAILS about TLTaccess.com!!!
There’s been a tremendous amount of buzz growing for our new members-only website, TLTaccess.com. It’s time we fill you in on some of the details!
Why did we create TLTaccess.com? Simply put, there aren’t enough Amy’s in the world! Thousands of actors have booked jobs and jumpstarted careers due to Amy Lyndon’s dedication to actors. However, she can only be in one place at one time, and before TLTaccess, she was maxed out. We were turning away actors from our private coaching and classes. We were sold out of books! We had to do something, something where we could give access to Amy Lyndon and her Technique at any time of the day or night, anywhere in the world!
We have succeeded.
With TLTaccess, you will have a direct connection to Amy’s award-winning Technique. It’s all there for you, a buffet of information that you can go back to again and again – something that would be prohibitively expensive should you try to learn it all through classes and coaching.
Here is what TLTaccess offers:
- The 3 Tiers of Membership
- Co-Star
- Exclusive Monthly Bulletin – A direct message from Amy that deals with the issues that YOU bring her
- Weekly Motivational Minutes – A motivational audio presented weekly to keep you recharged
- Members Forum – We provide a community of like-minded actors, where you can ask anything from a recommendation to information about a particular casting office
- Articles and Archives – Every newsletter, article, and bulletin will be posted here for you to search out exactly what you’re looking for
- Guest Star
- Video Lecture Series – Amy sits down on camera and gives mini-lectures on topics ranging from the outside office to formatting your resume
- Exclusive Audio Lectures – More in-depth, these lectures are chock-full of detailed information so that you can gain control over the areas you may need growth
- Monthly Assignments – We challenge you to push yourself by giving our members assignments to complete on a monthly basis
- Series Regular
- Video Coaching – Watch one of Amy’s coaching sessions! Every month, a Member will be chosen to be personally coached by Amy, then YOU get to watch! Learn how to avoid bad habits and develop your booking skills
- Industry Interviews – We at TLT sit down for exclusive interviews with agents, managers, casting directors, and other industry professionals
- Interactive Marketing Calls – Once a month, we will host a teleconference where we cover a specific marketing concept, followed by a Q+A. Then, we post them for you to download!
- Referrals, Resources and Discounts – Amy keeps a rolodex of people she trusts. Now, you get access to this trusted “inner circle” of Amy’s contacts
Monday, October 25, 2010
Announcing our FIRST and ONLY public teleconference!!
Attention fabulous people! We at The Lyndon Technique are proud to announce our FIRST and ONLY teleconference on the business of acting. Entitled “Burning Questions About Booking & Business,” this call is all about YOU! It is a Q + A format where Amy Lyndon – the award-winning actress and booking coach – takes time to personally answers your business and booking questions!
CALL DETAILS:
Burning Questions About Booking & Business
November 6th
12:00 Noon, PST
We’ve NEVER done this before, and we don’t plan on doing it again. One of the features that will be available to our TLTaccess.com Members will be a monthly teleconference/training, but we want you to get a taste of it before calls like these become private benefits of paying TLTaccess subscribers. So this is it – our one and only!
Unfortunately, there’s a bit of a problem: We only have room for 96 participants.
Now, I’m a marketing guy, and one of the rules of marketing is to give specific numbers of exclusivity regardless of one’s capabilities because exclusivity sells. Makes sense, right? Well, 96 isn’t an arbitrary number – the teleconference system we are using limits the participants to exactly 96, so you MUST sign up to receive the login info. This email is being distributed to over 7500 subscribers to the TLT newsletter, Facebook fans, industry contacts, etc, so these spots will disappear instantaneously.
Here’s how you sign up for the call-in details:
1) Email LyndonMarkDir@gmail.com with the subject: Nov 6 - SIGN ME UP!
2) You MUST input the subject line EXACTLY as written above for it to be considered a valid request
3) You will receive an email with further details
WHEN WE EXCEED the 96 participant limit, all further sign-ups will be sent an email with details on how they will be able to receive a downloadable recording of the call. Only those who have signed-up through the method outlined above will be given access to the MP3 recording of this momentous call.
I entreat you, do NOT wait on signing up for this. This will fill up quickly. If you wait, it will be at capacity, but you must still sign-up in order to get access to the recording, so open up your email program NOW and sign up!!
REMEMBER: Only those who have signed up to receive the call details will have the chance to participate, and only those who sign up will be able to get the MP3 recording after we’ve reached capacity. The recording will NOT be made public.
I look forward to hearing the fastest few of you on the call! ;-)
Justin Giddings
Marketing Director
The Lyndon Technique
www.TheLyndonTechnique.com
CALL DETAILS:
Burning Questions About Booking & Business
November 6th
12:00 Noon, PST
We’ve NEVER done this before, and we don’t plan on doing it again. One of the features that will be available to our TLTaccess.com Members will be a monthly teleconference/training, but we want you to get a taste of it before calls like these become private benefits of paying TLTaccess subscribers. So this is it – our one and only!
Unfortunately, there’s a bit of a problem: We only have room for 96 participants.
Now, I’m a marketing guy, and one of the rules of marketing is to give specific numbers of exclusivity regardless of one’s capabilities because exclusivity sells. Makes sense, right? Well, 96 isn’t an arbitrary number – the teleconference system we are using limits the participants to exactly 96, so you MUST sign up to receive the login info. This email is being distributed to over 7500 subscribers to the TLT newsletter, Facebook fans, industry contacts, etc, so these spots will disappear instantaneously.
Here’s how you sign up for the call-in details:
1) Email LyndonMarkDir@gmail.com with the subject: Nov 6 - SIGN ME UP!
2) You MUST input the subject line EXACTLY as written above for it to be considered a valid request
3) You will receive an email with further details
WHEN WE EXCEED the 96 participant limit, all further sign-ups will be sent an email with details on how they will be able to receive a downloadable recording of the call. Only those who have signed-up through the method outlined above will be given access to the MP3 recording of this momentous call.
I entreat you, do NOT wait on signing up for this. This will fill up quickly. If you wait, it will be at capacity, but you must still sign-up in order to get access to the recording, so open up your email program NOW and sign up!!
REMEMBER: Only those who have signed up to receive the call details will have the chance to participate, and only those who sign up will be able to get the MP3 recording after we’ve reached capacity. The recording will NOT be made public.
I look forward to hearing the fastest few of you on the call! ;-)
Justin Giddings
Marketing Director
The Lyndon Technique
www.TheLyndonTechnique.com
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
ARTICLE - Brilliance Is In The Specifics
BRILLIANCE IS IN THE SPECIFICS 
http://www.imdb.me/amylyndon
http://thelyndontechnique.com
818.760.8501
By Amy Lyndon
Just so you to understand when I talk about brilliance, here's the definition of brilliance: striking, distinctive, glittering and bright. If you want to get into the one percent, you need to be distinctive, striking and bright every time! The reason I have you guys go over each line is because I want you to be extremely detail specific because the brilliance is in the specifics. How does your character speak? Are you adhering to the punctuation? If you throw it out, then you're not sounding exactly as the writer intended the character to sound. How are you going to pop and glitter with excitement if you're running lines and wrapping them around each other over and over again? We will see the character if you pop those transitions and punctuate how the character speaks. That's why I want you guys to write notes on every single one of your lines. What are you saying? What are you REALLY saying? The more you get into the habit of doing great homework, the more you'll get specific and have incredible booking results.
Most actors don't know what the homework is. They run their scenes and lines to death and then they think they're ready. Take the time and marinate on what you are really saying according to how you heard what the other person said to you. Stretch yourself and take it one step further. Break down each syllable, break down each line and break down each thought as a separate thought. Casual reality is just that, casual reality. Not really interesting for a competition. Every time that there's a comma there's a new thought. Every time that there's a period there's a new thought. Always ask why. Why is there an exclamation point? Why is there a question mark? Why is there a dot dot dot? Punctuation is always a clue to how your character feels. Give yourself up to the writers. You've got to keep asking yourself questions. And the more questions you ask yourself and the more answers you have the more specific you are and the more brilliant your performance is going to be. It's okay to be brilliant!
The brilliance is also in the letting go. It's easier to do when you know what you are doing. If you read and circle the actions, then you will know what you are doing. If you know what you are doing, so will everyone else watching you. Also understand exactly what's going on in the specifics of the relationship and in the specifics of EXACTLY how you speak to that person based on who they are. Trust me, someone will come in and they'll make the line sound just as good as you will, but in order to get into the one percent, how much further can you understand that line? How much further can you make it your own by understanding the relationship and how do you truly feel about that person in reaction to exactly what you just heard?
How are you ever going to pop in the room if everything you see, hear or feel is just casual reality to sound good? Seriously, what is the real truth? The character's truth? There are a lot of really great actors out there, but not a lot of brilliant ones. The only thing that will separate you out is in the specifics.
Seriously, my forte is being a booking coach and this is just a tidbit of solid proven advice to help you get into that 1% Booking Ratio. What you do once you're on set is up to you because frankly, at that point, my work is done. Just remember to use my name when you get your award!
xoxo
Amy Lyndonhttp://www.imdb.me/amylyndon
http://thelyndontechnique.com
818.760.8501
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Testimonial about the new Audio Lecture
Testimonial for the new Audio Lecture http://www.thelyndontechnique.com/lecture.html:
Hi Amy,
I enjoyed listening to the lecture "How To Put Together Your Acting
Package" and hearing you break down each topic. It gave me a lot of
...good ideas to think about, especially the Interview, Resume, and
Negotiating topics. I absolutely love your brutally honest approach,
and I jotted down many 'pearls of wisdom' from this lecture. Many
thanks!
Robert Glen D.
BRAND NEW PREMIERE AUDIO LECTURE
Amy Lyndon's MOST EXTENSIVE LECTURE TO DATE!!!
"How To Put Together Your Acting Package!"
The INSIDE Scoop!
With over 13 Points of reference, this lecture stands at 1 HOUR 46 MINUTES in length! Full of important information. This is not a lecture to miss.
1. Interview Skills
2. What Is My Essence/My Type
3. Writing Your Resume
4. Pictures
5. Demo Reels
6. Agents And Managers
7. Internet Movie Database
8. Negotiating
9. Casting Director Workshops
10. Postcards – Marketing
11. Submission Sites
12. Inside Scoop On Auditions
13. Q & A's
DOWNLOAD:
http://www.TheLyndonTechnique.com/lecture.html
"How To Put Together Your Acting Package!"
The INSIDE Scoop!
With over 13 Points of reference, this lecture stands at 1 HOUR 46 MINUTES in length! Full of important information. This is not a lecture to miss.
1. Interview Skills
2. What Is My Essence/My Type
3. Writing Your Resume
4. Pictures
5. Demo Reels
6. Agents And Managers
7. Internet Movie Database
8. Negotiating
9. Casting Director Workshops
10. Postcards – Marketing
11. Submission Sites
12. Inside Scoop On Auditions
13. Q & A's
DOWNLOAD:
http://www.TheLyndonTechnique.com/lecture.html
Thursday, October 7, 2010
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT TLT!!
 Dear TLT Bloggers, It's Justin Giddings here, the Marketing Director, and I have VERY exciting news to share with you - and you're the first to get any details about it! We at The Lyndon Technique. are launching a brand new, subscription-based service that's been developed to give you instant access to The Lyndon Technique team!! Can't afford consultations or coaching? Well, then how are you going to get the information you need to take your career to the next level? with TLTaccess.com you will have access to tons of articles, audio recordings, videos of coaching, the chance to win coaching of your own each month, interviews with industry professionals, and even a rolodex of resources recommended by Amy. You can get discounts on other services offered by Amy, and priority placement for coaching and classes. Plus, you can access this WHENEVER you want and WHEREVER you are! New York, Europe, Kansas - doesn't matter, you get access to the information that, up until now, only Amy's private clients receive. There are 3 levels available, and more information will follow about the specifics. But whether you want to be a Co-Star, Guest Star, or Series Regular, there will be a place for you at TLTaccess.com. We will send one more pre-launch email and give you a lot more details. Until then, be sure to share this email with your friends so they don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind service! Justin Giddings Marketing Director www.TheLyndonTechnique.com |
Monday, October 4, 2010
BRAND NEW PREMIERE AUDIO!!
Amy Lyndon's MOST EXTENSIVE LECTURE TO DATE!!!
"How To Put Together Your Acting Package!"
The INSIDE Scoop!
With over 13 Points of reference, this lecture stands at 1 HOUR 46 MINUTES in length! Full of important information. This is not a lecture to miss.
1. Interview Skills
2. What Is My Essence/My Type
3. Writing Your Resume
4. Pictures
5. Demo Reels
6. Agents And Managers
7. Internet Movie Database
8. Negotiating
9. Casting Director Workshops
10. Postcards – Marketing
11. Submission Sites
12. Inside Scoop On Auditions
13. Q & A's
DOWNLOAD:
http://www.coldreadingclasses.com/lecture.html
"How To Put Together Your Acting Package!"
The INSIDE Scoop!
With over 13 Points of reference, this lecture stands at 1 HOUR 46 MINUTES in length! Full of important information. This is not a lecture to miss.
1. Interview Skills
2. What Is My Essence/My Type
3. Writing Your Resume
4. Pictures
5. Demo Reels
6. Agents And Managers
7. Internet Movie Database
8. Negotiating
9. Casting Director Workshops
10. Postcards – Marketing
11. Submission Sites
12. Inside Scoop On Auditions
13. Q & A's
DOWNLOAD:
http://www.coldreadingclasses.com/lecture.html
Sunday, October 3, 2010
OCTOBER 2010 NEWSLETTER - Are You Ready?
Dear Talented Subscribers,
A young talent dropped into class the other night with extreme panic in his eyes. He said, "I have an audition for a really big movie, can you help me?!" Well, my first response was, "This is exactly what happens when you're not in class. Opportunities come out of no where." Seriously guys, I must get at the very least 3 phone calls a week from panic stricken actors freaking out about a huge audition. Not being ready when an opportunity arises is the worst thing that can happen to a talent. Do you really think that a CD or Producer won't know that you're weak? Don't you realize that this is a competition? You are up against actors who have been working out and who are at the top of their game. That excuse, "I never go out. Why should I spend the time or money?" Well, that's stinkin' thinkin' folks. Do you mean to tell me that your rep is the only way for you to obtain an opportunity? What about, you're an actor, be ready for where ever an opportunity comes. Just because you know how to act doesn't mean you know how to book. The way you book a job is NEVER how you shoot the job.
A young talent dropped into class the other night with extreme panic in his eyes. He said, "I have an audition for a really big movie, can you help me?!" Well, my first response was, "This is exactly what happens when you're not in class. Opportunities come out of no where." Seriously guys, I must get at the very least 3 phone calls a week from panic stricken actors freaking out about a huge audition. Not being ready when an opportunity arises is the worst thing that can happen to a talent. Do you really think that a CD or Producer won't know that you're weak? Don't you realize that this is a competition? You are up against actors who have been working out and who are at the top of their game. That excuse, "I never go out. Why should I spend the time or money?" Well, that's stinkin' thinkin' folks. Do you mean to tell me that your rep is the only way for you to obtain an opportunity? What about, you're an actor, be ready for where ever an opportunity comes. Just because you know how to act doesn't mean you know how to book. The way you book a job is NEVER how you shoot the job.
Don't practice your auditions at an audition. It needs to feel like you're ready to shoot the damn thing. All you need is one really great ground breaking job for the industry to take notice. It is not going to happen on your schedule. Start reading how the stars got their break. It's usually when they're packed up and heading back home. I am positive that if they were to do it all over again they would tell you that they let too many opportunities pass them by and would have made it sooner if they were just ready.
Cheers,
Amy Lyndon
The Lyndon Technique
818.760.8501
http://thelyndontechnique.com
SEPTEMBER BOOKINGS!
21 students proving that www.TheLyndonTechnique.com works!! Congratulations!
______________________________________________________
Molly Livingston Booked a Supporting Role in Kevin Smith's Feature Film RED STATE!
Jason Kelley Booked a Top of the Show Guest Star in THE GOOD GUYS!
Jennifer Saygan Booked Co-Star Roles in MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE and GREY'S ANATOMY and a National BANK OF AMERICA Commercial!
Landall Goolsby Booked a Co-Star in LIE TO ME!
Amelia Rose Booked a Co-Star in CRIMINAL MINDS!
Kimberly Dollar Booked a Promo for THE EVENT!
Michelle Rose Booked a Co-Star in PARENTHOOD!
Lou Gonzalez Booked a Series Lead in the Web Series I HATE YOU SO MUCH!
Noel Baker Booked a Series Regular in the Web Series FRUIT!
Debbie Kagy Booked a Supporting Role in the Feature Film 365 DAYS!
Kristen Alaniz Booked a Lead in the Feature Film VENGEANCE OF THE BLACK CLAWS!
Brandon Killham Booked a National KFC Commercial!
Enrique Rodriguez Booked a National CARL'S JR. Commercial!
Clinton Huff Booked a National CHEETOS Commercial!
Alexis Matthews Booked a DISNEYLAND Commercial!
Hubert Berg Booked a National TACO BELL Commercial!
Dan Wiley Booked a Guest Star in the Web Series WORKSHOP and a Supporting Role in the Film FREE COUNTRY!
Mike Pfaff Booked a Starring Role in the Film SCALIO'S BIG TIP!
Michael Beardsley Booked a FOX RENT-A-CAR Commercial, a Lead in the film SLINGING KRACKEN and a KEEP IT CLEAN Commercial!
Lauri Janover Booked a Supporting Role in the Webisode Pilot FUNNY MOMENTS for Disney, a Lead in the Pilot MOTHER KNOWS BEST and a National BANK OF AMERICA Commercial!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Interview with Amy Lyndon
Amy Lyndon talks about her acting "technique"
Interview by Lance Carter of Daily Actor
If you been visited this site for any amount of time (dailyactor.com), then you’ll know who Amy Lyndon is. She’s written several columns for me and I was one of the first people to review her new book, The Lyndon Technique: The 15 Guideline Map To Booking.
She has appeared in over 40 films, produced, directed and is an acclaimed acting coach.
Daily Actor: When I first met you, I think one of the huge selling points is that you are a working actor. I’ve been to a million teachers who, they’re fine, you know, but they weren’t doing anything. You look them up on IMDB or try to Google them and you didn’t see any credits.
Amy Lyndon: And you can’t find them. You’re like how can you teach what you don’t know? Or there’s people that were like actors like years ago. The industry has changed so dramatically. And since I’m out there with my students, I know how they’re dealing in the room because I’m dealing in the room the same way.
Exactly. Yeah.
And I also know the difference between the energy of network television and the energy of feature film. So it’s so important that I’m out there and I understand it and I can explain it to them of what they’re going to be in for so then they’re preparing.
I totally agree. I love that you still love the hustle of the business, you know what I mean?
Oh I know exactly what you mean. I gotta tell you, I’m still not a great fan of the hustle of television because it really is corporate, and it’s just not as friendly. But I love, love, love the hustle of feature film. I’ve done like over 40 films.
How did you transition from actually acting full-time to also being a teacher?
About 19 years ago my friend asked me to coach her kids for Pre-hysteria 2, and I said, “Oh, okay.” And then she booked the starring role in the movie, and I thought “Hmmmmmm.” So, then I started to get into alliances with different agents I knew at the time, and they started sending me people. And then three years into the teaching and everybody started booking, I started to manage. I managed the people I was teaching. And so that went on for 9 years, and I left the management company. I basically sold it.
And I love teaching. I love being a part of an actor’s process and helping them deal with the business and also deal with understanding how to work in this business as an artist.
Well, still being a student of yours of sorts, just watching you watch the actors on stage, you’re just so in tune and focused on every sort of nuance and every little thing they’re doing. I can just tell that you love it.
Yeah, you know, I mean for me, it’s not only about the art form, but it’s about understanding the tone and the style and texture and that adds so much to performance.
Like the 15 guidelines were actually born out of me freaking out at auditions. Seriously, I used to like really feel like I was going to throw up. So, I created the 15 guidelines, and it’s obviously at this point become really refined. So when I talk to people in my classes or I coach people, I only talk to them about the technique because everybody who comes to me already knows how to act. And so you can get a job just by cleaning up your opening moment and not taking up the energy in the room. Or the person that you’re talking to isn’t clear enough and so therefore you’re actually looking at the casting director and you should be looking at the person in your scene.
Well, to get to your book, there are three quotes that I completely love. “Your emotional state of mind has to be in place long before you even open your mouth. 90% of your work is done before you walk into that door.”
Let me address that. What’s important about that is you never want people to think you’re an actor. So, if it’s going to feel like I’m starting a scene now, then it’s going to feel like you’re an actor. But if it’s already started since we’re all, always jumping into the middle of the scene, then you’re bringing the energy in with you, and so they get caught up in that. In that energy of what’s going on in the scene, which is the emotional opening moment.
I remember you hammering this into my head a million times. Whenever I used to start a scene, I would for some reason exhale (she laughs), and I don’t know if you remember this, but you would just always hammer me, and I don’t know why I would do it. I don’t do it anymore, thank God, but you were just completely on it.
Well, the exhale is coming from excess energy, you know? What it is, is actor-filler, so you weren’t really ready to audition. (Laughter).
Yeah, exactly.
You’re still gearing up when you’re in the room, you know what I’m saying? And that stuff needs to happen in the waiting room. If you’re going over your script in the waiting room, then you shouldn’t have left your house because you didn’t do enough homework.
That is true.
What you should be doing in the waiting room is not talk to anybody, not even catching their eye. Actually bring an iPod with you. Or go sit outside, don’t even sit near anybody, and work on your opening emotion. And work on the environment, so when you walk into the casting office – let’s say the film takes place in a movie theatre – that scene, you’ll be walking into a movie theatre, not a casting office. So, you’ll be protected by the environment.
You know what bugs me, I’ll go to auditions and I’ll see actors catching up, talking, having a great old time, then they get called in, and they’re like, “Hey Todd, I’ll catch up with you in a sec.” And it just bugs the heck out of me.
Actually, you know, you just turn around and go, “Okay, there’s two down.” I just went downtown for Mad Men. Had to start out really early in the morning. Oh my God! I mean, parking is far away, the offices are far away. It’s really inconvenient. So, if you’re going to go down there, then get the damn thing.
And now you need like five quarters just for an hour (laughter). You’re right, you’re totally right.
Yeah, I really was shaking that today just in terms of going downtown. I mean, it’s convenient for them because that’s where they shoot and all, but as an actor, you know, you have to love it so much that that kind of stuff just does not get in the way of your work. That it really is just all part of the process. But if you really feel it then go get that damn job.
And if not, then why waste anybody’s time.
Exactly. Then go find something else to do. There’s just too much heartbreak. It could change tomorrow.
That’s another thing I really love about this business. It’s feast of famine. Tomorrow things can change.
Yeah, like tomorrow, you can book a series because they can’t find this one character. Your picture comes across their desk, you go in, and the next day you’re on the set shooting and you have a contract for a new series regular. I mean, this stuff happens all the time, which is why it kills me that people aren’t ready. If you’re not ready for that opportunity, it can come out of nowhere, seriously.
I saw a quote from you saying something like, don’t come out here unless you’re ready because it could happen that quick and you could lose your opportunity that quick, right?
Oh my goodness, I had this girl come in class the other day, actually she was going to cancel because she had to go work at the restaurant. And I asked her how many auditions, out of 10 of the auditions that you’ve gone on in the last month and a half, how many of them did you book? And she said, “None of them.” And I said well you might want to restructure your schedule at the restaurant. All those opportunities, all those people, all that money that could have been in your pocket is gone because you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s amazing to me how many people just blow by opportunities. The only reason why I can say that is because I was one of those people.
And I was, too.
(Laughter). Now, don’t you know when you get in an audition, aren’t you ready?
Yeah, after this conversation, I have an audition tomorrow, I’m going to go and work on my sides.
Exactly. Think about what you’re going to do. A lot of people don’t break down their script that way. They come into the room and then all of a sudden they figure out, oh maybe I should be sitting, you know? And all that stuff will throw you. You have to know exactly what you’re going to be doing in the beginning and the middle and end, and you’ve got to tag out. It needs to feel like it’s still continuing.
How do you think over the years that you’ve been teaching and doing this, how do you think actors have changed? Are they more serious or less serious? Do you find that they want to be actors for the right reasons or just want to be famous? What’s your take on that?
I have to say, it depends since I’m a booking coach… when people get to me, they have to already have training. What I will tell you of what I’ve noticed is that they’re a lot of teachers teaching their students wrong. I find that as the years are going by I have to correct a lot more than I used to.
You think it’s the laziness of their former teachers?
Well, there’s a couple things that go on. I think that a lot of teachers are directing, and so they’re telling them how to do it rather than giving them a note and being patient to let the student get there in their own time. Then the student doesn’t know how to do it on their own because they’re always directed on what the teacher feels they should be doing. So, what I get a lot is a lot of people that don’t know what they’re doing.
Even if they’ve been doing it for a long time.
Yeah, they’ve got all this meat and potatoes and all this emotion, but they have not even a single idea where to put it. Because nobody’s teaching structure. And if they are teaching structure, they’re giving the direction of the structure, so then the student doesn’t need to learn how to break it down themselves. Most teachers out here actually don’t have a technique. So they’re actually not teaching a way to get to the material.
Your technique in the book, this is something you completely created. Something totally new.
Yeah, it’s completely new based on how I work. And you know, it’s interesting because there are so many talented people, but if their approach is wrong or their in a different script or their in a different show, everybody’s going to think they suck. And that happens a lot.
So there have been a lot of talented people that’ve quit the business because they’ve got frustrated because they have no idea what everybody’s looking for. And what everybody’s looking for is what the writer wrote. And when you read, when you actually break down how the writer wrote it and act it like the writer wrote it, everyone in the room is like, oh my God, he’s the guy. And the writer is saying, oh my God, he did it just like I wrote it. And the casting director is going, oh my God, he’s looking like I thought he would look. And the producer’s like, yeah that’s the guy.
But there’s a lot of people teaching, you have to make these broad choices, and most times the choices have nothing to do with what the writing is. If you want to make a broad choice, choose the writer. So, I get into it a lot with a lot of people because I actually was trained by Harry Mastergeorge who trained like Ray Liotta and Melanie Griffith. And he works with Dakota Fanning. And that was his whole philosophy was that the writer comes first. That you are just simply a vessel of emotion, that’s it.
And I never even sort of thought about that until I went to your class.
Well, because nobody is teaching it. It came from the Actors’ Studio. The importance was put on your own personal experience. So it becomes about you.
What I loved about your book… I’ve read tons of acting books and there’s a lot of fluff throughout them. You have to search for these little nuggets of information. What I loved about your book is it was all meat. The way you set it up, you can just easily go back and reference things, and it was just so refreshing.
I have to tell you, because I see people around holding my book, and I ask to look at it. And I just want to cry because they have highlighted it, and it’s earmarked and it’s underlined. And there’s all different color highlighters on it. And I’m just so excited how much people are getting out of this book.
I’ve gotten a ton. Just re-reading this book, I’ve gotten so much stuff out of it.
What the book does really is your don’t actually need to be in the class, but definitely it does sound like I’m talking to you when you read the book.
I definitely heard your voice when I was reading it.
Yeah, you know that book was compiled over about four years of lectures from class. And then I hired somebody to transpose the lectures. And then I went to Vegas and I wrote it for a week straight, seven hours a day. And then I would gamble seven hours a day. (Laughter).
You actually got things done in Vegas? Wow!
I worked for seven hours, gambled for seven hours, and by the time I left Vegas I had a solid first draft.
Vegas wouldn’t be the first choice I would go to do anything productive.
The slot machines really emptied my head (they laugh). I mean, it’s been a very exciting ride because the book, I mean, people from Australia, Ireland, Italy. I get calls from all over.
And I heard the first printing was all sold out.
Oh yeah, that was sold out at three and a half weeks.
I want to say that the book is, it’s not common sense, but when I read the guidelines, it was like, “Oh, jeez, that makes total sense. Why didn’t I think of that?” You know what I mean?
Yeah, it’s logical.
Yeah, it’s totally logical. And it’s something you can wrap your brain around. As opposed to other acting books where things are more abstract.
Oh my God! There’s so many, I remember from my training, put a beat here and then action there. And so the whole time you’re out of the script doing your beat and your actions, you know what I mean? So there’s no organic process.
And another quote of yours is “get out of your head and into your heart,” which goes right back to what you said.
Yeah, because it really is about the feeling and understanding who the character is. So, most of the time is just sitting there and figuring out how this person thinks. And then asking yourself, can I relate to how this person thinks. And then if I can’t relate to it, I’m going to use my imagination. And it really is that simple. Because we see character through emotion and through transition. That’s how we understand character.
I want to give you another quote from the book that I absolutely love. From Guideline 7, I love this because I have a huge time memorizing dialogue. “If you break down dialogue, know what you’re talking about. The dialogue will miraculously be memorized. If you study or try to memorize lines, that’s all it is, and it’s not connected to anything.” I find that so true.
Well, which is why I want people to break down each thought because each thought leads to the next thought. And also if they’re not writing next to the other person’s lines, they’re actually not having a conversation with anybody. So they really have to understand exactly what they’re saying and then they will be off book because if they know what they’re saying and they’re connected to that, then miraculously they’ll just memorize. It will be memorized because that’s what they character would be saying. Given what they just heard.
And it sounds ridiculous, but it completely, totally works.
I know. You know there are people that come into my class for the first time, and they cannot believe the students are off book on 8 pages.
Also, I don’t understand how people can go to a class and the teachers can only give them two pages. How can you only give them two pages? That’s like chintzy, don’t you think? Unless you just want to be a co-star. I personally like to train people to be stars. I train people that when you get that opportunity that everyone in the room starts moving closer to you and they’re all nodding at the same time.
To order The 15 Guideline Map To Booking, click here.
Click on this link to see the interview AND listed to the audio!
http://www.dailyactor.com/2009/07/amy-lyndon-talks-about-her-acting-technique/
Interview by Lance Carter of Daily Actor
If you been visited this site for any amount of time (dailyactor.com), then you’ll know who Amy Lyndon is. She’s written several columns for me and I was one of the first people to review her new book, The Lyndon Technique: The 15 Guideline Map To Booking.She has appeared in over 40 films, produced, directed and is an acclaimed acting coach.
Daily Actor: When I first met you, I think one of the huge selling points is that you are a working actor. I’ve been to a million teachers who, they’re fine, you know, but they weren’t doing anything. You look them up on IMDB or try to Google them and you didn’t see any credits.
Amy Lyndon: And you can’t find them. You’re like how can you teach what you don’t know? Or there’s people that were like actors like years ago. The industry has changed so dramatically. And since I’m out there with my students, I know how they’re dealing in the room because I’m dealing in the room the same way.
Exactly. Yeah.
And I also know the difference between the energy of network television and the energy of feature film. So it’s so important that I’m out there and I understand it and I can explain it to them of what they’re going to be in for so then they’re preparing.
I totally agree. I love that you still love the hustle of the business, you know what I mean?
Oh I know exactly what you mean. I gotta tell you, I’m still not a great fan of the hustle of television because it really is corporate, and it’s just not as friendly. But I love, love, love the hustle of feature film. I’ve done like over 40 films.
How did you transition from actually acting full-time to also being a teacher?
About 19 years ago my friend asked me to coach her kids for Pre-hysteria 2, and I said, “Oh, okay.” And then she booked the starring role in the movie, and I thought “Hmmmmmm.” So, then I started to get into alliances with different agents I knew at the time, and they started sending me people. And then three years into the teaching and everybody started booking, I started to manage. I managed the people I was teaching. And so that went on for 9 years, and I left the management company. I basically sold it.
And I love teaching. I love being a part of an actor’s process and helping them deal with the business and also deal with understanding how to work in this business as an artist.
Well, still being a student of yours of sorts, just watching you watch the actors on stage, you’re just so in tune and focused on every sort of nuance and every little thing they’re doing. I can just tell that you love it.
Yeah, you know, I mean for me, it’s not only about the art form, but it’s about understanding the tone and the style and texture and that adds so much to performance.
Like the 15 guidelines were actually born out of me freaking out at auditions. Seriously, I used to like really feel like I was going to throw up. So, I created the 15 guidelines, and it’s obviously at this point become really refined. So when I talk to people in my classes or I coach people, I only talk to them about the technique because everybody who comes to me already knows how to act. And so you can get a job just by cleaning up your opening moment and not taking up the energy in the room. Or the person that you’re talking to isn’t clear enough and so therefore you’re actually looking at the casting director and you should be looking at the person in your scene.
Well, to get to your book, there are three quotes that I completely love. “Your emotional state of mind has to be in place long before you even open your mouth. 90% of your work is done before you walk into that door.”
Let me address that. What’s important about that is you never want people to think you’re an actor. So, if it’s going to feel like I’m starting a scene now, then it’s going to feel like you’re an actor. But if it’s already started since we’re all, always jumping into the middle of the scene, then you’re bringing the energy in with you, and so they get caught up in that. In that energy of what’s going on in the scene, which is the emotional opening moment.
I remember you hammering this into my head a million times. Whenever I used to start a scene, I would for some reason exhale (she laughs), and I don’t know if you remember this, but you would just always hammer me, and I don’t know why I would do it. I don’t do it anymore, thank God, but you were just completely on it.
Well, the exhale is coming from excess energy, you know? What it is, is actor-filler, so you weren’t really ready to audition. (Laughter).
Yeah, exactly.
You’re still gearing up when you’re in the room, you know what I’m saying? And that stuff needs to happen in the waiting room. If you’re going over your script in the waiting room, then you shouldn’t have left your house because you didn’t do enough homework.
That is true.
What you should be doing in the waiting room is not talk to anybody, not even catching their eye. Actually bring an iPod with you. Or go sit outside, don’t even sit near anybody, and work on your opening emotion. And work on the environment, so when you walk into the casting office – let’s say the film takes place in a movie theatre – that scene, you’ll be walking into a movie theatre, not a casting office. So, you’ll be protected by the environment.
You know what bugs me, I’ll go to auditions and I’ll see actors catching up, talking, having a great old time, then they get called in, and they’re like, “Hey Todd, I’ll catch up with you in a sec.” And it just bugs the heck out of me.
Actually, you know, you just turn around and go, “Okay, there’s two down.” I just went downtown for Mad Men. Had to start out really early in the morning. Oh my God! I mean, parking is far away, the offices are far away. It’s really inconvenient. So, if you’re going to go down there, then get the damn thing.
And now you need like five quarters just for an hour (laughter). You’re right, you’re totally right.
Yeah, I really was shaking that today just in terms of going downtown. I mean, it’s convenient for them because that’s where they shoot and all, but as an actor, you know, you have to love it so much that that kind of stuff just does not get in the way of your work. That it really is just all part of the process. But if you really feel it then go get that damn job.
And if not, then why waste anybody’s time.
Exactly. Then go find something else to do. There’s just too much heartbreak. It could change tomorrow.
That’s another thing I really love about this business. It’s feast of famine. Tomorrow things can change.
Yeah, like tomorrow, you can book a series because they can’t find this one character. Your picture comes across their desk, you go in, and the next day you’re on the set shooting and you have a contract for a new series regular. I mean, this stuff happens all the time, which is why it kills me that people aren’t ready. If you’re not ready for that opportunity, it can come out of nowhere, seriously.
I saw a quote from you saying something like, don’t come out here unless you’re ready because it could happen that quick and you could lose your opportunity that quick, right?
Oh my goodness, I had this girl come in class the other day, actually she was going to cancel because she had to go work at the restaurant. And I asked her how many auditions, out of 10 of the auditions that you’ve gone on in the last month and a half, how many of them did you book? And she said, “None of them.” And I said well you might want to restructure your schedule at the restaurant. All those opportunities, all those people, all that money that could have been in your pocket is gone because you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s amazing to me how many people just blow by opportunities. The only reason why I can say that is because I was one of those people.
And I was, too.
(Laughter). Now, don’t you know when you get in an audition, aren’t you ready?
Yeah, after this conversation, I have an audition tomorrow, I’m going to go and work on my sides.
Exactly. Think about what you’re going to do. A lot of people don’t break down their script that way. They come into the room and then all of a sudden they figure out, oh maybe I should be sitting, you know? And all that stuff will throw you. You have to know exactly what you’re going to be doing in the beginning and the middle and end, and you’ve got to tag out. It needs to feel like it’s still continuing.
How do you think over the years that you’ve been teaching and doing this, how do you think actors have changed? Are they more serious or less serious? Do you find that they want to be actors for the right reasons or just want to be famous? What’s your take on that?
I have to say, it depends since I’m a booking coach… when people get to me, they have to already have training. What I will tell you of what I’ve noticed is that they’re a lot of teachers teaching their students wrong. I find that as the years are going by I have to correct a lot more than I used to.
You think it’s the laziness of their former teachers?
Well, there’s a couple things that go on. I think that a lot of teachers are directing, and so they’re telling them how to do it rather than giving them a note and being patient to let the student get there in their own time. Then the student doesn’t know how to do it on their own because they’re always directed on what the teacher feels they should be doing. So, what I get a lot is a lot of people that don’t know what they’re doing.
Even if they’ve been doing it for a long time.
Yeah, they’ve got all this meat and potatoes and all this emotion, but they have not even a single idea where to put it. Because nobody’s teaching structure. And if they are teaching structure, they’re giving the direction of the structure, so then the student doesn’t need to learn how to break it down themselves. Most teachers out here actually don’t have a technique. So they’re actually not teaching a way to get to the material.
Your technique in the book, this is something you completely created. Something totally new.
Yeah, it’s completely new based on how I work. And you know, it’s interesting because there are so many talented people, but if their approach is wrong or their in a different script or their in a different show, everybody’s going to think they suck. And that happens a lot.
So there have been a lot of talented people that’ve quit the business because they’ve got frustrated because they have no idea what everybody’s looking for. And what everybody’s looking for is what the writer wrote. And when you read, when you actually break down how the writer wrote it and act it like the writer wrote it, everyone in the room is like, oh my God, he’s the guy. And the writer is saying, oh my God, he did it just like I wrote it. And the casting director is going, oh my God, he’s looking like I thought he would look. And the producer’s like, yeah that’s the guy.
But there’s a lot of people teaching, you have to make these broad choices, and most times the choices have nothing to do with what the writing is. If you want to make a broad choice, choose the writer. So, I get into it a lot with a lot of people because I actually was trained by Harry Mastergeorge who trained like Ray Liotta and Melanie Griffith. And he works with Dakota Fanning. And that was his whole philosophy was that the writer comes first. That you are just simply a vessel of emotion, that’s it.
And I never even sort of thought about that until I went to your class.
Well, because nobody is teaching it. It came from the Actors’ Studio. The importance was put on your own personal experience. So it becomes about you.
What I loved about your book… I’ve read tons of acting books and there’s a lot of fluff throughout them. You have to search for these little nuggets of information. What I loved about your book is it was all meat. The way you set it up, you can just easily go back and reference things, and it was just so refreshing.
I have to tell you, because I see people around holding my book, and I ask to look at it. And I just want to cry because they have highlighted it, and it’s earmarked and it’s underlined. And there’s all different color highlighters on it. And I’m just so excited how much people are getting out of this book.
I’ve gotten a ton. Just re-reading this book, I’ve gotten so much stuff out of it.
What the book does really is your don’t actually need to be in the class, but definitely it does sound like I’m talking to you when you read the book.
I definitely heard your voice when I was reading it.
Yeah, you know that book was compiled over about four years of lectures from class. And then I hired somebody to transpose the lectures. And then I went to Vegas and I wrote it for a week straight, seven hours a day. And then I would gamble seven hours a day. (Laughter).
You actually got things done in Vegas? Wow!
I worked for seven hours, gambled for seven hours, and by the time I left Vegas I had a solid first draft.
Vegas wouldn’t be the first choice I would go to do anything productive.
The slot machines really emptied my head (they laugh). I mean, it’s been a very exciting ride because the book, I mean, people from Australia, Ireland, Italy. I get calls from all over.
And I heard the first printing was all sold out.
Oh yeah, that was sold out at three and a half weeks.
I want to say that the book is, it’s not common sense, but when I read the guidelines, it was like, “Oh, jeez, that makes total sense. Why didn’t I think of that?” You know what I mean?
Yeah, it’s logical.
Yeah, it’s totally logical. And it’s something you can wrap your brain around. As opposed to other acting books where things are more abstract.
Oh my God! There’s so many, I remember from my training, put a beat here and then action there. And so the whole time you’re out of the script doing your beat and your actions, you know what I mean? So there’s no organic process.
And another quote of yours is “get out of your head and into your heart,” which goes right back to what you said.
Yeah, because it really is about the feeling and understanding who the character is. So, most of the time is just sitting there and figuring out how this person thinks. And then asking yourself, can I relate to how this person thinks. And then if I can’t relate to it, I’m going to use my imagination. And it really is that simple. Because we see character through emotion and through transition. That’s how we understand character.
I want to give you another quote from the book that I absolutely love. From Guideline 7, I love this because I have a huge time memorizing dialogue. “If you break down dialogue, know what you’re talking about. The dialogue will miraculously be memorized. If you study or try to memorize lines, that’s all it is, and it’s not connected to anything.” I find that so true.
Well, which is why I want people to break down each thought because each thought leads to the next thought. And also if they’re not writing next to the other person’s lines, they’re actually not having a conversation with anybody. So they really have to understand exactly what they’re saying and then they will be off book because if they know what they’re saying and they’re connected to that, then miraculously they’ll just memorize. It will be memorized because that’s what they character would be saying. Given what they just heard.
And it sounds ridiculous, but it completely, totally works.
I know. You know there are people that come into my class for the first time, and they cannot believe the students are off book on 8 pages.
Also, I don’t understand how people can go to a class and the teachers can only give them two pages. How can you only give them two pages? That’s like chintzy, don’t you think? Unless you just want to be a co-star. I personally like to train people to be stars. I train people that when you get that opportunity that everyone in the room starts moving closer to you and they’re all nodding at the same time.
To order The 15 Guideline Map To Booking, click here.
Click on this link to see the interview AND listed to the audio!
http://www.dailyactor.com/2009/07/amy-lyndon-talks-about-her-acting-technique/
Sunday, September 5, 2010
ARTICLE - Don't Be Stupid: Things You Need To Know
DON'T BE STUPIDaka Things You Need To Know
Excerpt from upcoming book: TAKE BACK YOUR CAREER
It has always amazed me how much actors don't know what is on television. Do you really think an agent or manager cares about booking you on a $100 a day film? They care about booking you on television. Why? Because that is where they make the most commission. I know most of you would love to be a film actor, but let's be realistic folks, most of the film actors today started on television.
Also, know the television show you're auditioning for. What is the format and tone? A lot of times you'll be reading great, but no one will know how brilliant you are because you're in a different show. Which is why you have to watch every show. If you want to be on television, you have to watch television. How are you going to have any points of reference if you don't know what's going on? Pick up TV Guide, subscribe to it and see who's working. What are they wearing? What are the popular hairstyles? If you don't look like you're on the show and act like you're on the show, then why should they cast you on their show? Try not to extend the imagination of the people who are hiring you. Figure out how you can fit into the requirements of the given medium. It's sad, but you can be the greatest actor in the world, but if they don't see it with what they are casting, then you're not going to get the part. It's really that simple.
Do the research. Look up on IMDBpro the other shows the producers have worked on. If it's an Aaron Sorkin show, then it's a particular style that the network buys from him. Know what the casting director has worked on. What type of actors do they usually go for? The more information you have going in, the more powerful you are and the more able you are to get to the one percent booking.
When you get the audition, make sure that you're prepared. Do you know exactly where you're going?Map it out the night before. Lay out your clothes. Stay off the phone. If you're still going over your script in your car on the way over and in the office, then you didn't do enough homework. Don't look at anyone in the outer office. The moment that you catch someone's eye, they will talk to you.Bring music or put your head down and close your ears to all the noise and concentrate on what you're going to do. Find out who is signed up before you and if you can, wait outside the room and go straight in as soon as they walk out. Do not engage.
Another thing, if you're thinking about the audition for days after wards and asking for feedback from your representatives, then you didn't do your homework. You know when you've hit it hard. You know when you've given it your best. You don't need approval or feedback from anyone else about how you did. You know. Be honest with yourself.
Cheers.
Amy Lyndon
818.760.8501
http://thelyndontechnique.com
TheLyndonTechnique@gmail.com
Friday, September 3, 2010
Are Great Actors Born Or Made?
The actor is “made” by his or her own willingness to be great. There are actors that were “born” to be actors, however if they don’t understand the work that it takes to be great, then it’s just another person out there who never capitalized on their God-given gift.
Just because an actor has a television series or stars in major motion pictures, does not make them great. They most certainly can fall into the category of “made.” That is in the sense that they had the right look and were placed into a project at the right time. There are many brilliant actors out there that work hard and are ready, but were never “made.” That is, “made” in the sense of the business making them a household name.
There are others like Philip Seymour Hoffman that are brilliant because they worked on anything and everything to be seen, heard and exercised to the extent where they built their career whereby the public came to them. Cream really does rise to the top.
Amy Lyndon is multi-award winning filmmaker, actress, director, writer and producer. Having grown up in New Rochelle, New York, formal training was as easy as jumping on a train. During her senior year, Lyndon studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse (NYC) and went on to England to tackle the prestigious London Academy of Performing Arts. After earning her BFA from Syracuse University, Lyndon flew out to LA to debut opposite Andy Garcia in the Feature Film “A Night In Heaven.” Shortly after, Lyndon brushed up her chops with Stella Adler and Harry Mastrogeorge.
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SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE ON ACTORGURU.COM: http://actorguru.com/2010/09/01/are-great-actors-born-or-made/
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
AUGUST BOOKINGS - 23 actors, 34 projects
William Christopher Stephens Booked THE PARENTHOOD, PRIVATE PRACTICE and THE MENTALIST all Within Two Weeks of Studying THE LYNDON TECHNIQUE!!
Nadine Velazquez Booked a Guest Lead in CSI: MIAMI!
Justin Tinucci Booked a Supporting Role in the Feature Film UNDELIVERABLE with Kirk Cameron and Stella Reise and a Lead in the Feature Film ON COMMON GROUND – Both Features shoot in Georgia!
Mike Pfaff Booked a Co-Star in SONS OF ANARCHY!
Ana De La Cruz Booked a Co-Star in the HBO show ENLIGHTENED!
Thai Phuong Booked a Supporting Role in the Feature Film DISORIENTAION and the Lead in the anime live action Feature Film THE NEW KIND!
Spencer Daniels Booked a Lead in the Feature Film LAST KIND WORD that shoots in Kentucky!
Riley Beres Booked a Supporting Role in the Film HEAVEN'S IDIOTS!
Kelsey Higgs Booked the Lead in the Film DREAMS!
Anne Apra Booked a Recurring Co-Star in Web Series THE J SHOW, a Voice Over Campaign for BREATH GERMZ and Commercials for V-CUT and NATIONWIDE INSURANCE!
Michael Beardsley Booked a Lead in the Film BOY GETS GIRL and Supporting Roles in the Films GET INSIDE and BATHROOM!
Hubert Berg Booked a National OLIVE GARDEN Commercial!
Lauri Janover Booked the Film ABBY 33!
Jule Leuren Jackson Booked a Lead in the Film HOW TO MAKE A BABY!
Efrain Garibay Booked a Principle Role in a PSA!
Fernanda Kelly Booked a Lead in the Discovery Show ARIZONA!
Kristina Casey Booked a DISNEY PROMO!
Sara Castro Booked a Principal Role in the 3OH3 Music Video!
Gary Rollin Booked a SIMS Industrial and he is Starring in the Web Series LIFE WITH ZOMBIES!
Adam Silverstein Booked a Lead in the Film KISSING GAMES!
Bryce Hitchcock Booked 2 National TIME WARNER Commercials!
Lora Plattner Booked a Voiceover for PROGRESSIVE LEARNING!
Debbie Kagy Booked a Lead in the Feature Film LOVE IS ELSEWHERE!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
ARTICLE - How To Actively Stay Positive!
Then why do you still have stinkin' thinkin'?
Don't deny it, I AM YOU, remember? I know what it's like to let my mind get the best of me when I'm intimidated at an audition or an agent meeting. I know what it feels like to think that you're too fat or too thin or too pretty or too ugly for XYZ Role. Not enough credits, too many of a certain kind of credits, etc. I call these "ceiling thoughts" because they put a ceiling on our potential as actors and as human beings. We give ourselves reasons why we CAN'T do things! And as time goes on, these ceiling thoughts get stronger and stronger as we give them more and more weight in our lives. Finally, they become an impenetrable fortress of negativity that surrounds us and imprisons us and the worst part is, WE'RE OK WITH THAT! Out of fear of trying and failing, or out of fear of believing and having our faith turn sour, we just don't try and don't believe and get comfortable with our choice.
So how do we build the muscles that we need to bust through our Ceiling Thoughts? Well, we train all the other aspects of our business and craft, and so why not train our mind? The simplest way: Daily Affirmations.
Affirmations are self-directed positive thoughts or statements that relate to specific outcomes you want to achieve, such as wealth, success, or health. Instead of negative self-talk, you can use positive daily affirmations to direct what your focus will be. You can overcome the obstacles of your past, enjoy your present and create your future by utilizing daily affirmation. Affirmations redirect your values, help formulate goals, or prepare you for life's challenges that always come.
Here's how they work: Utilizing positive statements in the present tense, you look at yourself in a mirror and claim for yourself the person you strive to be. For example:
- I am a highly talented actor and I would be an asset to any production
With daily affirmations, you exercise the part of your subconscious that is always providing you with feedback about yourself. It's always on, and it is simply a mirror of the input it receives. When something seems to contradict that feedback, the subconscious rejects it in order to maintain self-preservation of the ego. When the person who uses the above statement has a bad audition or doesn't get a part, they're already trained to say, "Well, that's ok, it wasn't meant to be for me because I'm a highly-trained actor and I would be an asset to any production, so clearly this role wasn't for me and now leaves me room for something better to come along." This is in contrast to the actor that always worries if they're talented enough and if they could only get enough auditions...: "Great, I feel like I suck, I blew it, and I'm not good enough to make it. I should go back to [insert hometown here]."
So how's your subconscious? Does it feed you the positive energy necessary to be in an industry laced with rejection, or does it just tell you over and over about all the rejection you will continue to receive? Your body (actions) will do what your mind (thoughts) tells it to do, so if you are seeking success, train your mind to take the action needed to be successful. Your best tools are you and a mirror.
Cheers!
Justin Giddings
www.TheLyndonTechnique.com - Visit our website so you can sign up for our NEWSLETTER and receive even more articles like these!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Ceiling Thoughts and Daily Affirmations
What do you think is the #1 factor to your success as an actor? Connections? Training? Package? I'll give you a hint: I've mentioned it before.... yes, that's right.... ATTITUDE!! A lot of people refer to that as your "mindset" and it's so impor- wait what? You've heard this all before? Really?
Then why do you still have stinkin' thinkin'?
Don't deny it, I AM YOU, remember? I know what it's like to let my mind get the best of me when I'm intimidated at an audition or an agent meeting. I know what it feels like to think that you're too fat or too thin or too pretty or too ugly for XYZ Role. Not enough credits, too many of a certain kind of credits, etc. I call these "ceiling thoughts" because they put a ceiling on our potential as actors and as human beings. We give ourselves reasons why we CAN'T do things! And as time goes on, these ceiling thoughts get stronger and stronger as we give them more and more weight in our lives. Finally, they become an impenetrable fortress of negativity that surrounds us and imprisons us and the worst part is, WE'RE OK WITH THAT! Out of fear of trying and failing, or out of fear of believing and having our faith turn sour, we just don't try and don't believe and get comfortable with our choice.
So how do we build the muscles that we need to bust through our Ceiling Thoughts? Well, we train all the other aspects of our business and craft, and so why not train our mind? The simplest way: Daily Affirmations.
I'm going to go into more depth about Daily Affirmations in this month's Lyndon Technique Newsletter (check out www.TheLyndonTechnique.com), but for now, let me give the shortest definition I can give: affirmations are convincing yourself of how cool you are. Standing in front of a mirror, you strategically work out your self-love muscle (ok, after re-reading that, I considered deleting, but let's all try to be mature, shall we? :-) ) by giving yourself a pep-talk and pointing out the positive things in your life and about yourself.
Like I said, check out this month's newsletter where I will really go into details about this, but for now, here's a video that might help:
Then why do you still have stinkin' thinkin'?
Don't deny it, I AM YOU, remember? I know what it's like to let my mind get the best of me when I'm intimidated at an audition or an agent meeting. I know what it feels like to think that you're too fat or too thin or too pretty or too ugly for XYZ Role. Not enough credits, too many of a certain kind of credits, etc. I call these "ceiling thoughts" because they put a ceiling on our potential as actors and as human beings. We give ourselves reasons why we CAN'T do things! And as time goes on, these ceiling thoughts get stronger and stronger as we give them more and more weight in our lives. Finally, they become an impenetrable fortress of negativity that surrounds us and imprisons us and the worst part is, WE'RE OK WITH THAT! Out of fear of trying and failing, or out of fear of believing and having our faith turn sour, we just don't try and don't believe and get comfortable with our choice.
So how do we build the muscles that we need to bust through our Ceiling Thoughts? Well, we train all the other aspects of our business and craft, and so why not train our mind? The simplest way: Daily Affirmations.
I'm going to go into more depth about Daily Affirmations in this month's Lyndon Technique Newsletter (check out www.TheLyndonTechnique.com), but for now, let me give the shortest definition I can give: affirmations are convincing yourself of how cool you are. Standing in front of a mirror, you strategically work out your self-love muscle (ok, after re-reading that, I considered deleting, but let's all try to be mature, shall we? :-) ) by giving yourself a pep-talk and pointing out the positive things in your life and about yourself.
Like I said, check out this month's newsletter where I will really go into details about this, but for now, here's a video that might help:
Sunday, August 8, 2010
TESTIMONIAL - Jennifer Potter Tinucci
"Amy- you are AWESOME! Thank you so much for helping Justin get to where he is today, without your fantastic teaching methods, The Lyndon Technique, and your amazing coaching, we'd probably be back in Colorado instead of booking jobs! Not only do you have a superb and successful teaching method, but you also really care about your clients! Thanks for the phone call this morning and again, thank you for EVERYTHING you have helped us with. YOU ROCK!"
Thursday, August 5, 2010
TESTIMONIAL - William Christopher Stephens
Woke up to a GREAT testimonial today!!
"Ok. I haven't even had my 4th class with you yet, but since I started on July 19th, I've booked "The Mentalist" (shoots tomorrow), put on avail for "The Parenthood", and just an hour ago, I was put on avail for "Private Practice." I guessed I learned something, huh? ;-) THANKS, AMY"
You're welcome William!!
"Ok. I haven't even had my 4th class with you yet, but since I started on July 19th, I've booked "The Mentalist" (shoots tomorrow), put on avail for "The Parenthood", and just an hour ago, I was put on avail for "Private Practice." I guessed I learned something, huh? ;-) THANKS, AMY"
You're welcome William!!
ARTICLE - Formula For Success (excerpt)
All these articles are provided with the intent of providing real and practical advice while whetting your appetite for more. To read the full article, visit www.TheLyndonTechnique.com and sign up for our FREE newsletter!
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Remember, this is merely an excerpt of the full article. Go to www.TheLyndonTechnique.com, sign up for the newsletter, and then you can have all that you've ever wanted!! Well, at least when it comes to motivational and educational actor newsletters.
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I'd like to share with you something called the Success Formula. When I worked as a marketing consultant for an international consulting company, this formula provided a clear visual way to measure both how to achieve success as well as how to measure oneself in one's journey to success.
SUCCESS = A (LTV + D + E/T)
A = Attitude
LTV = Long Term Vision
D = Discipline
E/T = Effort over Time
Let's break down the creamy center, shall we?
Long Term Vision is the mindset that you're committed for the long haul. You're not seeking immediate gratification, you're seeking an established success, something that has intrinsic worth and provides the momentum to do and be more.
Discipline is just that: discipline. You've got to be working on your acting every day.
Effort over Time picks up where Discipline left off. As your work habits build, you can commit more time and energy to your goals, but remember that consistency is much more important than quantity.
Finally, the great multiplier: your ATTITUDE! You can have all the talent, vision, discipline, consistency and connections in the world, but if your attitude sucks, you're never going to make it for two reasons. First, you will constantly sabotage yourself. Bad attitudes breed laziness, apathy, procrastination and the inability to celebrate and gain momentum from the success you do have. Second, nobody will like you and you won't have any friends. Seriously.
I hope this article has proven helpful and motivational to you! Feel free to email me directly with your comments. lyndonmarkdir@gmail.com
Take care!
TLT
Twitter.com/LyndonTechnique
www.TheLyndonTechnique.com
SUCCESS = A (LTV + D + E/T)
A = Attitude
LTV = Long Term Vision
D = Discipline
E/T = Effort over Time
Let's break down the creamy center, shall we?
Long Term Vision is the mindset that you're committed for the long haul. You're not seeking immediate gratification, you're seeking an established success, something that has intrinsic worth and provides the momentum to do and be more.
Discipline is just that: discipline. You've got to be working on your acting every day.
Effort over Time picks up where Discipline left off. As your work habits build, you can commit more time and energy to your goals, but remember that consistency is much more important than quantity.
Finally, the great multiplier: your ATTITUDE! You can have all the talent, vision, discipline, consistency and connections in the world, but if your attitude sucks, you're never going to make it for two reasons. First, you will constantly sabotage yourself. Bad attitudes breed laziness, apathy, procrastination and the inability to celebrate and gain momentum from the success you do have. Second, nobody will like you and you won't have any friends. Seriously.
I hope this article has proven helpful and motivational to you! Feel free to email me directly with your comments. lyndonmarkdir@gmail.com
Take care!
TLT
Twitter.com/LyndonTechnique
www.TheLyndonTechnique.com
Remember, this is merely an excerpt of the full article. Go to www.TheLyndonTechnique.com, sign up for the newsletter, and then you can have all that you've ever wanted!! Well, at least when it comes to motivational and educational actor newsletters.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
NEWSLETTER - August 2010 - "Are You On The Periphery"
Do you constantly complain that your representatives don't do spit? Do you look at some of your friends and are envious of their good fortune? Are you on the sidelines looking in? Not a day goes by where I don't hear how frustrated someone is with their career. I always seem to be giving the same response, "Do you have everything in order? Are your pictures updated? Do you have a demo reel up on breakdowns? Is your resume properly formatted? Do you have a comprehensive package? Are you an "A" talent with a "C" package? Are you actively submitting to all the websites? Are you in touch with your representatives? Is your "day job" taking up all your time? Are you working at least 5 hours a day on your career?" If you said "No" to any of these questions, then you have to reevaluate whether or not you're actually in the game. Your job is to be in the game.
A student came to me frustrated because he didn't sign with anyone. I said, "How many photos did you send out?" He said, "Uh... I don't know... about 25." I said, "You need to send out 300!" Guys, you need to RUN A BUSINESS! Are you attending the appropriate CD workshops for your type? Are you getting all 5's? Do you know how to book? You can be the greatest actor in the world, but if you don't know how to book, then you're not going to work.
I know that this feels like a harsh reality, but it is THE REALITY. Get out there and make it happen for yourself. If you want it more than life itself, then you've got to work it like there's no tomorrow.
Friday, July 2, 2010
NEWSLETTER - July 2010 - "Did You Catch The Catch Phrases"
Dear Fabulous People,
I'd like to take a moment to thank those of you who voted for me for The Backstage Readers Choice Award 2010! As the newest kid on the block, I was thrilled to be amongst such esteemed colleagues. I was stoked to be runner up and happy to be recognized as the only one who continues to be out there in the trenches with my students. With that said, I thought that this newsletter should be filled with some catch phrases that I use on a daily basis. This is the first time that I have shared any of them publicly. Trust me, it's only the tip of the iceberg.
* The way you book a job isn't necessarily how you're going to shoot the job.
* If you don't understand the material, you cannot be in the material.
* You can do all the homework in the world, but if you don't relate on a deep personal level, the character will never come alive.
* Be clear on the tone and style of the script. You don't want to give a "Modern Family" read for a "True Blood" copy.
* If you want to be on television, you have to watch television.
* Know what you are doing, not how you're going to do it.
* If you don't pick up your cues in a comedy, then you'll most certainly be in a soap opera.
* You don't need back story because chances are, they already shot it. Look at each scene as a frame.
* All the clues to your character is in the other characters dialogue.
* If you only read your dialogue, then you only have a 50% understanding of the story.
* Don't cast your role in the waiting room.
HAPPY BOOKINGS TO YOU!
XOXO
Amy Lyndon
CEO - The Lyndon Technique
818.760.8501
I'd like to take a moment to thank those of you who voted for me for The Backstage Readers Choice Award 2010! As the newest kid on the block, I was thrilled to be amongst such esteemed colleagues. I was stoked to be runner up and happy to be recognized as the only one who continues to be out there in the trenches with my students. With that said, I thought that this newsletter should be filled with some catch phrases that I use on a daily basis. This is the first time that I have shared any of them publicly. Trust me, it's only the tip of the iceberg.
* The way you book a job isn't necessarily how you're going to shoot the job.
* If you don't understand the material, you cannot be in the material.
* You can do all the homework in the world, but if you don't relate on a deep personal level, the character will never come alive.
* Be clear on the tone and style of the script. You don't want to give a "Modern Family" read for a "True Blood" copy.
* If you want to be on television, you have to watch television.
* Know what you are doing, not how you're going to do it.
* If you don't pick up your cues in a comedy, then you'll most certainly be in a soap opera.
* You don't need back story because chances are, they already shot it. Look at each scene as a frame.
* All the clues to your character is in the other characters dialogue.
* If you only read your dialogue, then you only have a 50% understanding of the story.
* Don't cast your role in the waiting room.
HAPPY BOOKINGS TO YOU!
XOXO
Amy Lyndon
CEO - The Lyndon Technique
818.760.8501
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
NEWSLETTER - June 2010 - "I Am You"
I don't know if you know this, but I have been out here for close to 27 years, been an actress since I was 10, previously owned a management company under an assumed name originally established to get work (soon negotiating big contracts for my amazing actors) for 9 years, created The 15 Guideline Technique to Booking over 20 years ago, directed and produced Award-Winning shorts, have over 40+ Features to my name and 25+ Television shows - getting ready to shoot another Feature Film next week.... Why do I tell you this? Because you can do it all too!
Find the peace in the joy of creating. You're an artist. Create. Don't give up on what you truly want to do, but you also don't need to be miserable in the process. You might find out that you love to do other things just as much as you love to act. I seriously didn't know that I was a booking coach until I coached my friend's daughter and she booked this huge movie. I soon discovered that I loved it in a different way than I love to act, but just the same, I loved it!
If you're in a straight job that's causing you grief, find a job in the entertainment business to bring you new information, meet new friends, and stretch other areas of your creative self. Trust me, it all works together! I'm not saying take your eye off the prize. I'm saying that sometimes the prize comes in different packages. Recognize joy in each of those packages and hold onto it.
Everyone's journey is different. If I could tell you the exact way to making it in this business, I would be on my yacht in the Bahamas. I do know this, have a plan. Work your plan, but be open to new ideas and ways of getting what you want. Believe me, I know the struggle and juggle! I'm out there in the audition rooms with you! Literally! I am you. I understand.
xoxo
Amy Lyndon
http://www.TheLyndonTechnique.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004671/
Find the peace in the joy of creating. You're an artist. Create. Don't give up on what you truly want to do, but you also don't need to be miserable in the process. You might find out that you love to do other things just as much as you love to act. I seriously didn't know that I was a booking coach until I coached my friend's daughter and she booked this huge movie. I soon discovered that I loved it in a different way than I love to act, but just the same, I loved it!
If you're in a straight job that's causing you grief, find a job in the entertainment business to bring you new information, meet new friends, and stretch other areas of your creative self. Trust me, it all works together! I'm not saying take your eye off the prize. I'm saying that sometimes the prize comes in different packages. Recognize joy in each of those packages and hold onto it.
Everyone's journey is different. If I could tell you the exact way to making it in this business, I would be on my yacht in the Bahamas. I do know this, have a plan. Work your plan, but be open to new ideas and ways of getting what you want. Believe me, I know the struggle and juggle! I'm out there in the audition rooms with you! Literally! I am you. I understand.
xoxo
Amy Lyndon
http://www.TheLyndonTechnique.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004671/
Saturday, May 1, 2010
NEWSLETTER - May 2010 - "Don't Be A Target!"
This morning I walked into my local herbal vitamin store looking for ginger root for my friend. Every time I step foot in that store the owner tells me something about me that's negative. Several years ago she said, "Oh, Amy! You fat! You look nothing like your picture on my wall!" Well, she didn't say it this time 'cause I'm now thin, but that comment lasted with me for weeks. Today she made a comment about my voice and how tired I looked. She then proceeded to sell me remedies to take care of it. She never sold me the ginger root. She said, "Ginger root?! That won't work for your friend. Here, try this!" When I told my friend why I didn't have the ginger root he said, "Amy, don't you see, she just wants you to buy from her store." Well, that comment hit me like a ton of bricks.
I had to share this story with you because it occurred to me, I am not the only sensitive type out there who gets buttons pushed and is sold an unnecessary bill of goods. How many people do you have around you that push your buttons only to get what they need? Who truly has your best interest at heart? What bill of goods (i.e. other people's crap) are you buying? It's amazing to think that with all my training I am still prey to outside influence.
Stay strong my friends. Figure out what is best for you and try not to be the target!
Needless to say, I will not be going in there again. Fool me twice... my bad.
xoxo
Amy Lyndon
The Lyndon Technique CEO
www.TheLyndonTechnique.com
818.760.8501
I had to share this story with you because it occurred to me, I am not the only sensitive type out there who gets buttons pushed and is sold an unnecessary bill of goods. How many people do you have around you that push your buttons only to get what they need? Who truly has your best interest at heart? What bill of goods (i.e. other people's crap) are you buying? It's amazing to think that with all my training I am still prey to outside influence.
Stay strong my friends. Figure out what is best for you and try not to be the target!
Needless to say, I will not be going in there again. Fool me twice... my bad.
xoxo
Amy Lyndon
The Lyndon Technique CEO
www.TheLyndonTechnique.com
818.760.8501
Thursday, April 1, 2010
NEWSLETTER - April 2010 - "It's A Career, Not A Job"
Hey Guys!
I wanted to remind you that you have chosen a career, not a job. A career spans a lifetime. A job adds to your career. I know that it can be frustrating, however I also know that action truly rids anxiety.
If you're unhappy with your career, you can work towards changing it. Take new photos, shoot a demo, do an agent/manager mailing, self submit on the casting sites, sent out postcards, work your audition skills, set goals and keep moving!
You will feel better when you're an active participant in your own career. I am out there with you. I do understand. You can turn your ship around.
xoxo
Amy Lyndon
818.760.8501
coldreadingclasses@yahoo.com
http://www.TheLyndonTechnique.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004671/
I wanted to remind you that you have chosen a career, not a job. A career spans a lifetime. A job adds to your career. I know that it can be frustrating, however I also know that action truly rids anxiety.
If you're unhappy with your career, you can work towards changing it. Take new photos, shoot a demo, do an agent/manager mailing, self submit on the casting sites, sent out postcards, work your audition skills, set goals and keep moving!
You will feel better when you're an active participant in your own career. I am out there with you. I do understand. You can turn your ship around.
xoxo
Amy Lyndon
818.760.8501
coldreadingclasses@yahoo.com
http://www.TheLyndonTechnique.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004671/
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