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TVI question?

Question:

Actors have many choices and obviously not all of them fit each individual actor’s needs and preferences. Thousands of satisfied actors demonstrate that we do provide valuable instruction even if our approach isn’t the most suitable for everyone.

Diners have many choices and obviously not all of them meet each individual diner’s needs and preferences.  Hundreds of millions of satisfied diners demonstrate that McDonald’s provides a valuable meal even if the McDonald’s meal isn’t the most suitable for everyone. Then again, McDonald’s isn’t the only choice in New York. Thank God. — Daniel Norton

Response:

Flaming from an institution?  ED!  YOU’VE HIT THE BIG TIME!! Typed by some TVI dude: Ed, It is clear that we have major disagreements about what’s good for actors. Following the letter to me that you recently posted on the alt.acting newsgroup, I have given a lot of thought to the specific issues that set us apart. I think they are: 1. You believe that CDs who teach are prostitutes who shouldn’t teach due to conflicts of interest. (Your comments about pimping for them unambiguously implies that you view them as prostitutes.)

Well..  there is that round shape that I have heard some nasty things about in the past.  Heard…. honest.. only heard…. really..  don’t look at me like that! 2. You believe that CDs are not qualified to teach.

I would half agree with Mr. Hooks on this issue.  Them darned self-help tapes have done me wonders!  And I’m a good person too! 3. You seem to believe that the teaching activities of CDs should be regulated by the government, just like agents are.

Or teachers, or schools.  I believe that most teaching materials are regulated by the government.  I could be mistaken. 4. You seem to believe that actors are generally not capable of making rational decisions about their careers and therefore require people like you to save them from themselves.

Sure they’re capable.  Whether the reational decision is a mistake or not is a completely different question.  If Mr. Hooks find fault in your methods, I am sure (as he seems to have quite a nice set of standards) that he has reason.  Simply arguing your point is getting you nowhere in this arguement. It only appears to be a sly attempt at mudslinging.  Instead of arguing, perhaps ignore the matter, and bring up a contending argument?  Some friendly competition never hurt anyone, and a nice indirect debate through the explanation of both sides is a much more tactful way of arguing your point, wouldn’t you think? Since your viewpoints are most likely based on speculation and hearsay instead of actual experience, I extend you an open invitation to attend any of our classes and workshops anywhere in the country. My purpose is to show you — up close and personal — that our teachers provide instruction, advice and practice that our students find very valuable.

This is an unlikely event I am guessing, and a pretty trite inclusion to your argument.  As the whole "come take a look see" only usually intensifies the argument to more tension and anger on both sides.  You should try more cognitive methods of proving your point.  Test the waters, find where you have similarities and use those as part of the argument. Yes, some students enroll in our classes with the primary expectation of being "discovered" and hired by our teachers. The truth is, however, that the vast majority of our students are smarter than this and although they always hope for the best — and many do get "discovered" at our school — their main reason for attending our classes is to obtain exactly what we promise: valuable instruction, advice and practice.

That’s nice.  Why are you worried then about what Ed says then?  So a little slander here and there.  If your reputation is so immaculate, a few less actors in your school will not matter.  There are plenty of good schools, and there is no idea of who’s the best, but if someone asks someone’s opinion, they WILL use hearsay, as well as experience, to give suggestions. Most of these opinions will be biased.  Why is this?  Do I really have to make this post into more of a psychology course than it already is?  We all have our little subjective opinions.  It’s what makes us human.  Mr. Hooks is simply stating what he knows.  Now how accurate this information is, we won’t know, not until there is a skeptic that will join your ranks.  If anyone skeptical is courageous enough to take on your school for its courses and such, then we will have some more accurate information for the rest of the skeptics.  Until that time however, do not expect letters like these to help your predicament too much. I don’t think you do anyone any favors by baselessly ranting, raving, insulting and complaining about both schools like ours and our teachers. Tens of thousands of satisfied students are evidence that we provide valuable, honest services. Perhaps you can turn your energy and talent to endeavors that are likely to have more positive effects on the careers of aspiring actors. They need all the good help they can get, and denigrating valuable concepts like ours doesn’t seem to be very useful for anyone, including yourself.

Blah blah blah.  Here we go again.  You’re starting to rant and rave yourself there, with all these defenses for your school’s honour.  Pretty much a low-blow in any argument (everyone ELSE is happy with us, why aren’t you?) and useless in any form of intelligent debate. Perhaps state the benefits?  Why bother attacking the man’s credibility? Isn’t that sinking to the person you’re obviously angry with’s level?  Think clearly for a moment, do not get so uptight and angry and frustrated, and think of how you may be able to change someone’s idea, or at least have them agree to disagree.  A scolding letter, especially over the internet, usually leads to worse and worse slander online.  The funny thing about public humiliation, is that revenge seems to be the thing that keeps it going. The wonderful thing about living in two countries that allow free speech, is that we all get to have our say.  The only fault with it, is that we don’t like to hear what others have to say sometimes, but we have to hear that too.  Otherwise we’d be leading pointless lives of hypocrisy and contradiction (not that most of us don’t, I’m guilty of it more than anyone sometimes).  But we should try to reduce our anger against someone else’s comments, as that just leads to worse problems with that person. Anyway, I’ve said another mouthful. CJ "Bowls of Bullcrap" Behnsen

Response:

I can recommend William Esper, Michael Howard Studios, & Stella Adler WM. Esper, I know several people that have studied there and are quite happy andexcited about the training. MIchael Howard has several teachers I studied with att he National Shakespeare Conservatory, like Eloise Watt (shakespeare), and Joan Evans (movement). Stella also has  teachers that also taught at the Conservatory (All Hail Jimmy Tripp) unto us: ##Jon, if you’re going to move to New York, there are many excellent ##top-of-the-line acting teachers and schools.  Though it may offer some acting ##classes, TVI is not generally known as a place where you go to seriously study ##acting.  Mainly, it sells access to casting directors.   I suggest you pick up ##a copy of Backstage newspaper , and scan the ads.  Look into schools like ##Neighborhood Playhouse or HB Studios. ## ##Can somebody here please give Jon the names of some good teachers in New York? ## ##And, Jon, don’t be surprised if you now receive a private e-mail sales pitch ##from TVI.  They watch this newsgroup like hawks.  Caveat Emptor. ## ##Ed Hooks ##

## ## Hi, I know i have posted alot of question lately, im very inquistive person ## that sall i like to kow the facts ## well i still havent ogt a good answer about TVI i have heard BAD and Good, ## basically is it worth goiing there for Acting lessons, for me this would ## mean moving down to NY or going there for 2 weeks? ## can anyone tell me? ## I need acting lessons and cant find any in Canada well in Ontario i have ## searched the net upside down adn backover and nothing it keeps spewing out ## American places? ## So is TVI worth going too? ## Is there acting lessons good if anyone has been there let us know thanks ## that would give me real iinsight into it thanks ## jon Kelly http://members.tripod.com/shocktroupe AFTRA/Actor/Warrior Stage manager/Fool "The Theater is the last live place on Earth. We’ve got to keep it going." – Lauren Bacall

Response:

I kindly disagree with Ed’s assessment of the quality of our training programs and the results we obtain. Actors have many choices and obviously not all of them fit each individual actor’s needs and preferences. Thousands of satisfied actors demonstrate that we do provide valuable instruction even if our approach isn’t the most suitable for everyone. We hold open houses periodically where you can sample what we do and how we do it. And I repeat my previous invitation to Ed to attend. — Alan S. Nusbaum CEO/President TVI Actors Studio www.tvistudios.com (818) 784-6500 Los Angeles (212) 302-1900 New York  Because e-mail can be altered electronically,         the integrity of this communication cannot be guaranteed. Ed, It is clear that we have major disagreements about what’s good for actors. Following the letter to me that you recently posted on the alt.acting newsgroup, I have given a lot of thought to the specific issues that set us apart. I think they are: 1. You believe that CDs who teach are prostitutes who shouldn’t teach due to conflicts of interest. (Your comments about pimping for them unambiguously implies that you view them as prostitutes.) 2. You believe that CDs are not qualified to teach. 3. You seem to believe that the teaching activities of CDs should be regulated by the government, just like agents are. 4. You seem to believe that actors are generally not capable of making rational decisions about their careers and therefore require people like you to save them from themselves. Since your viewpoints are most likely based on speculation and hearsay instead of actual experience, I extend you an open invitation to attend any of our classes and workshops anywhere in the country. My purpose is to show you — up close and personal — that our teachers provide instruction, advice and practice that our students find very valuable. Yes, some students enroll in our classes with the primary expectation of being "discovered" and hired by our teachers. The truth is, however, that the vast majority of our students are smarter than this and although they always hope for the best — and many do get "discovered" at our school — their main reason for attending our classes is to obtain exactly what we promise: valuable instruction, advice and practice. I don’t think you do anyone any favors by baselessly ranting, raving, insulting and complaining about both schools like ours and our teachers. Tens of thousands of satisfied students are evidence that we provide valuable, honest services. Perhaps you can turn your energy and talent to endeavors that are likely to have more positive effects on the careers of aspiring actors. They need all the good help they can get, and denigrating valuable concepts like ours doesn’t seem to be very useful for anyone, including yourself. Regards, AN – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I know i have posted alot of question lately, im very inquistive person that sall i like to kow the facts well i still havent ogt a good answer about TVI i have heard BAD and Good, basically is it worth goiing there for Acting lessons, for me this would mean moving down to NY or going there for 2 weeks? can anyone tell me? I need acting lessons and cant find any in Canada well in Ontario i have searched the net upside down adn backover and nothing it keeps spewing out American places? So is TVI worth going too? Is there acting lessons good if anyone has been there let us know thanks that would give me real iinsight into it thanks jon

Response:

I kindly disagree with Ed’s assessment of the quality of our training programs and the results we obtain.

So kindly that you tried to get his column yanked. You’ll forgive me if I decline any offer you might make of an apple… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Actors have many choices and obviously not all of them fit each individual actor’s needs and preferences. Thousands of satisfied actors demonstrate that we do provide valuable instruction even if our approach isn’t the most suitable for everyone. We hold open houses periodically where you can sample what we do and how we do it. And I repeat my previous invitation to Ed to attend. Ed, It is clear that we have major disagreements about what’s good for actors. Following the letter to me that you recently posted on the alt.acting newsgroup, I have given a lot of thought to the specific issues that set us apart. I think they are: 1. You believe that CDs who teach are prostitutes who shouldn’t teach due to conflicts of interest. (Your comments about pimping for them unambiguously implies that you view them as prostitutes.)

As does virtually all of the industry, Alan. It’s not just those few of us here. Perhaps you would care to list all the books on breaking into the biz that reccommend TVI as a good place to start? 2. You believe that CDs are not qualified to teach.

Depends on what they are teaching.  Casting directors are certainly qualified to teach what they look for.  Few of them actually know how to GET there. I have worked with directors who aren’t qualified to teach acting, or even analyze a scene.  But they get images on film, and film in the can. 3. You seem to believe that the teaching activities of CDs should be regulated by the government, just like agents are.

And why not? The current system is rife with abuse. 4. You seem to believe that actors are generally not capable of making rational decisions about their careers and therefore require people like you to save them from themselves.

Wow, you had to dig around your ass for THAT one, didn’t ya? Talk about a totally bulshit statement! People ask questions, Ed posts answers.  As do several of us who work in the field.  If people ask for advice, they generally get it.  If books or columns are written, it because someone wants information – Ed certainly isn’t banging on actors’ doors and grabbing them by the shoulders and screaming in their faces. THEY go to ED. Ed, as well as many many others, feel that there should be some disclosure:  statistically, it is unlikely that TVI places more people into the industry than other notable schools, and when you analyze the number of people who have paid many into TVI vs. the number of actors currently working who were placed by TVI, you will probably find their success/failure ratio is disheartening to say the least. (Of course, to prove or disprove this assertion, you would need to go through TVI’s books over a period of time, and I sincerely doubt Mr. Nusbaum is likely to permit THAT.) I would chip in for an independent audit of TVI’s books to find out, and I suspect many others would, too. Think about it: a school so honorable it has an independent audit of its actual success rate published!  Of course, Alan will have an argument along the lines of "no other school is required to publish such a document!"   Yes, some students enroll in our classes with the primary expectation of being "discovered" and hired by our teachers. The truth is, however, that the vast majority of our students are smarter than this and although they always hope for the best — and many do get "discovered" at our school — their main reason for attending our classes is to obtain exactly what we promise: valuable instruction, advice and practice.

Name five award-nominated actors who acknowledge TVI as their primary training. (IOW, not just five people who at some point attended, and do not admit it publicly).  BTW, please list where these acknowledgments occurred in each case – bios, magazine interviews, etc. And I do expect you to be able to post such a list; I’m just curious as to who is on it. I don’t think you do anyone any favors by baselessly ranting, raving, insulting and complaining about both schools like ours and our teachers.

Your opinion, and you are of course entitled to it.  America is a country of free speech, after all.  Oh wait, you’re the asshole who tried to silence Mr. Hooks by getting the newspaper to yank his column, aren’t you?  So you are on the record as not being a fan of free-speech. In twenty years of professional theatre, I have not met a single working professional who acknowledged training at TVI, although I have met a number of former TVI students.  Most of TVI’s "alumni" grudginingly admit they "flushed their money down the john" but chalked it up as "a learning experience".  They then would go on to an actual school, perhaps the Strasberg Institute, or The Neighborhood Playhouse, or HB Studios, or any number of Meisner’s students, or perhaps some of the many free-lance teachers and coaches. If you want to learn acting, go to an actual acting school.  And don’t listen to the schools ads listing their "graduates"; just because someone wasted their money on TVI and later made a connection does not mean that TVI got them that break (although TVI has in fact placed a statistically small number of people into film and television roles).  Find out where people studied by reading their bios, or reading interviews with them, or writing them letters.  Actors will always acknowledge who taught them; and TVI appears on a very few of those lists. (but it does appear on some of them- just not many of them, despite Alan’s claims.) But don’t spend a dime on a "school" that promises to "introduce you to agents and casting directors"; find one that trains actors. ANd despite Alan’s protestations, TVI is not one of the schools that has a history of brilliant instruction.  Although they are probably better than Weist-Barron. How’s THAT for a glowing reccommendation? — }:-)       Christopher Jahn

{:-(         Dionysian Reveler "I could never tell a lie that anybody would doubt,      nor a truth that anybody would believe."                                         Mark Twain

Response:

Jon, Consider carefully Ed’s advice with which I agree fully.  Just as CD’s who teach workshops watch (like hawks…. vultures would be too strong a term <g) everything that is said about them in public forums, acting coaches and well-trained actors watch with great interest then activities of CD’s who have a job…. called CASTING…. yet seem driven to share their erudite observations…. for a fee, often a handsome fee. I know nothing about TVI…. other than what I read in these public forums, and I don’t make judgments on second-hand information.  I can tell you that as an actor/director/acting coach, I’ve been "comped" to MANY CD workshops and, hmmmm, I usually percieve it as a bribe…. folks who want my endoresment, or access to the actors who study at my studio, TAS.   I promise that whenever I come across a CD who can coach actors, I’ll plug his/her name, and so far, I would recommend Michael Shurtleff…. I was on a panel with him in an actor’s symposium in Chicago some years ago…. Michael is, of course, the author of AUDITION, an acting classic, and unlike many CD’s he really knows how to work with actors, both for stage and film.   Alas, Michael Shurtleff is retired, living in Santa Monica, and thus far, refuses to join the CD-workshop bandwagon. CD’s are good for overviews of the "biz" — tips on getting an agent, union/non-union, and they also can share some perspectives about externals of look, castability for a particular role…. etc.  But most CD’s are not former actors or directors, most have not trained, they rather apprenticed for the basics of film acting mechanics, the slate, adjusting to camera values, and surface protocols.   In the many sessions I’ve observed, the uncommonly common phrase I’ve heard from CD’s goes something like this:  "To get the role, you have to have what I call ’sparkle.’ And I know it when I see it." The problem is that they deal with the end result, and few of them have any clue about how to get there.   To "get there," Jon, requires patience and perseverance, not those quickie "Break into Hollywood" programs.   Shurtleff, at least, was bluntly honest.  He often started his workshops by saying that he was there to work with actors…. in other words don’t think for a second that he was looking or "skimming" for new talent.   The key phrase is "Caveat Emptor."  "Buyer beware."  There are many excellent qualified coaches and acting teachers in NY who can share with you a process, a process tailored to your strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately, a way of working that can achieve the end-results that impress CD’s, who deal with end results.  Talk to actors, experienced actors.  Talk also to legit agents (those who do not offer their OWN over-priced classes), talk to knowledgable directors and above all, learn to ask the right questions about what is being offered.   Train, but train smartly. Break a leg, Bill Smith Director, The Acting Studio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jon, if you’re going to move to New York, there are many excellent top-of-the-line acting teachers and schools.  Though it may offer some acting classes, TVI is not generally known as a place where you go to seriously study acting.  Mainly, it sells access to casting directors.   I suggest you pick up a copy of Backstage newspaper , and scan the ads.  Look into schools like Neighborhood Playhouse or HB Studios. Can somebody here please give Jon the names of some good teachers in New York? And, Jon, don’t be surprised if you now receive a private e-mail sales pitch from TVI.  They watch this newsgroup like hawks.  Caveat Emptor. Ed Hooks Hi, I know i have posted alot of question lately, im very inquistive person that sall i like to kow the facts well i still havent ogt a good answer about TVI i have heard BAD and Good, basically is it worth goiing there for Acting lessons, for me this would mean moving down to NY or going there for 2 weeks? can anyone tell me? I need acting lessons and cant find any in Canada well in Ontario i have searched the net upside down adn backover and nothing it keeps spewing out American places? So is TVI worth going too? Is there acting lessons good if anyone has been there let us know thanks that would give me real iinsight into it thanks jon

– THE ACTING STUDIO http://gvtg.com/theactingstudio

Response:

Hi, I know i have posted alot of question lately, im very inquistive person that sall i like to kow the facts well i still havent ogt a good answer about TVI i have heard BAD and Good, basically is it worth goiing there for Acting lessons, for me this would mean moving down to NY or going there for 2 weeks? can anyone tell me? I need acting lessons and cant find any in Canada well in Ontario i have searched the net upside down adn backover and nothing it keeps spewing out American places? So is TVI worth going too? Is there acting lessons good if anyone has been there let us know thanks that would give me real iinsight into it thanks jon

Response:

Jon, if you’re going to move to New York, there are many excellent top-of-the-line acting teachers and schools.  Though it may offer some acting classes, TVI is not generally known as a place where you go to seriously study acting.  Mainly, it sells access to casting directors.   I suggest you pick up a copy of Backstage newspaper , and scan the ads.  Look into schools like Neighborhood Playhouse or HB Studios. Can somebody here please give Jon the names of some good teachers in New York? And, Jon, don’t be surprised if you now receive a private e-mail sales pitch from TVI.  They watch this newsgroup like hawks.  Caveat Emptor. Ed Hooks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I know i have posted alot of question lately, im very inquistive person that sall i like to kow the facts well i still havent ogt a good answer about TVI i have heard BAD and Good, basically is it worth goiing there for Acting lessons, for me this would mean moving down to NY or going there for 2 weeks? can anyone tell me? I need acting lessons and cant find any in Canada well in Ontario i have searched the net upside down adn backover and nothing it keeps spewing out American places? So is TVI worth going too? Is there acting lessons good if anyone has been there let us know thanks that would give me real iinsight into it thanks jon

Response:

Jon, Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute has some great teachers, Geoffrey Horne, Hope Arthur and Irma Sandrey. A private instructor I loved was Susan Cameron. Her prices are very reasonable and she’s wonderful to work with, especially her focus on breath and voice. I don’t have her number off hand, but I believe she’s listed and advertises in BackStage…. Good luck! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Jon, if you’re going to move to New York, there are many excellent top-of-the-line acting teachers and schools.  Though it may offer some acting classes, TVI is not generally known as a place where you go to seriously study acting.  Mainly, it sells access to casting directors.   I suggest you pick up a copy of Backstage newspaper , and scan the ads.  Look into schools like Neighborhood Playhouse or HB Studios. Can somebody here please give Jon the names of some good teachers in New York? And, Jon, don’t be surprised if you now receive a private e-mail sales pitch from TVI.  They watch this newsgroup like hawks.  Caveat Emptor. Ed Hooks Hi, I know i have posted alot of question lately, im very inquistive person that sall i like to kow the facts well i still havent ogt a good answer about TVI i have heard BAD and Good, basically is it worth goiing there for Acting lessons, for me this would mean moving down to NY or going there for 2 weeks? can anyone tell me? I need acting lessons and cant find any in Canada well in Ontario i have searched the net upside down adn backover and nothing it keeps spewing out American places? So is TVI worth going too? Is there acting lessons good if anyone has been there let us know thanks that would give me real iinsight into it thanks jon

"There’s enough youth in the world, how about a fountain of smart?" The artist formerly known as Juliet Priestess and Bitch

Response:

well i still havent ogt a good answer about TVI i have heard BAD and Good, basically is it worth goiing there for Acting lessons, for me this would mean moving down to NY or going there for 2 weeks?

Asking if it’s worth going to NYC to attend classes at TVI is like asking if it’s worth going to NYC to eat a Big Mac at McDonald’s on Times Square. Is there some special area of acting that you would like to study that you can’t find in Ontario?  If you don’t have something special in mind, I’d recommend continuing your search in Ontario, where I’m sure there are plenty of choices for acting study. If you do have some special areas you’re interested in, let us know and we might be able to provide some specific guidance. — Daniel Norton

Response:

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