When Naseeruddin Shah Blasted Indian Acting Schools as Frauds

Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah

Naseeruddin Shah Cries Foul At Indian Acting Schools & Their Teachers

Naseeruddin Shah is one of the best actors in India & is known to be not politically correct when it comes to speaking out. He recently attacked acting schools in India and explained how these institutions are playing with young, enthusiastic minds who want to make it big in the world of cinema.
He explained why he hates the concept of acting schools in India and it makes sense-

�There are no acting teachers in the country, they are all shams, they are all frauds and I have no hesitation in saying this.�

�All these people running acting schools are absolute and utter frauds, they are fooling the kids who come to them and teach them nothing.�
�There is no acting teacher in this country and it is a really unfortunate thing, considering how old the film industry is.�
�I believe that anyone who is passionate about acting can learn on his own.�

�Dilip Kumar never went to an acting school, Amitabh Bachchan never went to an acting school, Kamal Haasan never did yet all of them are such fine actors.�

�An actor trains himself and that is what I believe. Being in an institution is conducive to learning.�
�I learned at the National School of Drama because I had the urge to learn. I was exposed to many things I was not exposed to before, so my horizons widened, but you can do it on your own as well. I don�t think it�s essential for an actor to go to a training school to train yourself.�

It is important to add that these acting schools charge huge sums of money from the students. We invite the experiences of those who have attended these acting schools�

Source

Author's opinion


Basically, I agree with Naseeruddin Shah's views �An actor trains himself..." with our experience with this blog where many student readers of the posts from this blog have practiced with their friends  or in the front of a full size mirror are now actors in films and TV serials
However,  there may be some good acting schools in our country to learn, but for the beginners and those actors who want an update and sharpen their talent,  in my opinion the best option would be to hire/join a senior acting coach (Click here for an example).  He / she  should be a person of wisdom  possessing superb communication skills, compassionate towards young aspiring actors and presently still working as an actor

When Naseeruddin Shah Blasted Indian Acting Schools as Frauds

Is an Acting Coach Bogus? And a school? Review

Aspiring actor under private coaching

Why You May Need a Private Acting Coach

Here are some of the reasons why actors can choose to hire/ join a private acting coach. The private coaching sessions may be justified  in the following situations and needs of an actor:

1. When you are likely to feel confident in learning privately and not in a group, working men and women and  want to learn according to your convenient fixed days, Or in the comfort of your home eg child actors, aspiring elderly male and female actors, young girls shy of crowds.

2. Or you have apprehensions of being in a group and have a doubt that if others learn faster and better, it may frustrate and demotivate you

3. You need more time individually

4. To get ready before joining to an acting school
5. Want to work specifically on audition techniques to improve your selection chances

6. Trying know and to fix specific mistakes or bad habits you may have as an actor

7. You have some personality deficit like lack of confidence, nervousness, inferiority complex, shyness, inability to imagine and create characters, lack of aggressiveness etc

8. Learning a particular acting skill like playing different emotions, attitudes, voice improvements

9. Want to Learn how to set goals

10. How to market and promote your career- your individual plan and how to monitor
11. How to be an excellent public relation actor

12. Some actors also go to private coaching when they need a long term development and an extra motivation and mentoring to continue on this road

13. Or when you like to get back and reignite the flame of their belief in their ability to act. Experienced acting coaches are good at that.

When Private Coaching doesn't help

This is also true that new aspiring actors must learn in groups, where they get to work off their partners and observe others� work. Also, the fact is true acting is about listening and reacting. You don�t get this opportunity in a private session.

Recommendations

1. Hire/ join an acting coach, initially. This could be economical also compared to a renowned acting institute in India
2. Then, join a good school to continue learning in a group

Once you understand how acting works and you have something specific on your mind, you can give private  coaching a shot.

Is an Acting Coach Bogus? And a school? Review

4 Red Flag Warning in Selecting Acting Schools

Choosing to engage in a relationship with an acting class/coach is like dating a girl or a boy. You�re entering into a potential long-term (few months to years) relationship that must be mutually beneficial, healthy, and free of mental and emotional trauma.
The No. 1 factor when considering joining is the results of a school / coach's work: launched careers (even in short films), helping in booking roles etc.
The following are basic assessments I encourage all actors to employ when selecting an acting class.

Red Flag #1

Too many students

In addition to the teacher not know about you like your strengths, weaknesses and even not remembering your name, you will be lost in a group of students, forced to work with a scene partner, either for better or too poor compared to you, and may only be able to practice scenes or emotions  once every 2 or 3 weeks... if you�re lucky! I describe my classes as �private coaching in a class setting.� Because our classes are small either one on one or in a small group of or 2 or 3 students.
I would recommend an acting school with a class of not more than 7 to 10 students

Red Flag #2

Teachers who hate some actors in a class

Unfortunately, I see many actors who arrive at my private coaching program very damaged. They have been completely flattened by a sarcastic teacher/class who due to some whimsical reasons hates them. They may not be abusive, but behave negatively with a particular student.

How to spot such demotivating teachers? 

• These teachers who bully or are sarcastic to the students; allow ask some of their favorite students to directly comment on the performance of others actors they don�t like (may be due his/ her face, language or accent, body language etc.) or require more time to learn an emotion/ attitude. I remember one of my coaching students telling me that her teacher uses to ridicule her because she was poor in English. She got terribly upset as the teacher deliberately will encourage other students in a session to comment on her performance or talk to her in English, embarrassing her as she could not reply in a fluent English back.
• A good practice to be followed by a teacher in a class should be that all comments from students should be directed to the teacher only, as actors should never criticize their fellow actors, both in a class or even on a film set.

Red Flag # 3.

Whether you have learned or not, there is no time for training individually.

Suppose an actor can�t display a particular emotion or attitude like crying or laughing instantly or failing to develop �improvisation� in a scene, they don�t wait for you. Why? The reason is simple-how can they hold a class of 20 for maybe an hour or more only because of you? They don�t.
This is a no-win situation for you as an actor. The biggest problem with these types of teachers is that though many of them are good there are limitations of time and may be their own reasons as a paid employee of a school with a fixed syllabus which defeats the basic objective of an acting class.
The �acting� is a delicate art and a fine craft. It cannot be taught as a subject of chemistry or history to 40 to 50 students with few practical in a lab.
However, few lucky ones who get attention and favor may be because of �like� grab more benefit in a class though large. Thus, all craft development gets cast aside and the entire class�s focus diverts and revolves around fun and networking with co-actors.
This is a major red flag.

Red Flag #4: 

No results in sight.

Unfortunately, due to time constraints and fixed schedules of the subsequent classes, post training help is limited.
After training is over, most of the students do not know what to do, where to, whom to meet and how they can get roles in films, TV seials, commercial ads and print. Even in a class, sufficient time may not be devoted to how to be successful in auditions. This may not be deliberate or due to neglect, but again, may be due to time factor as a major time may be devoted for like �acting techniques�, �improvisation� and � scene enacting�
However, from an aspiring actor�s point of view who has paid a fee of few Lakhs of rupees, it may be a frustrating experience of not getting a job and to get lost in this ruthless cine industry after passing out a successful training.

How to find the red signals?

Before you decide to join an acting school or an acting coach, visit personally and find out: 

• Who are the teachers?
• Are they actors, directors, or from other cine stream?  What is their background-pictures released, work done etc. (Some of the existing actors may be teachers who join acting classes as teachers due to financial reasons, but are they good teachers?)
• Check their references on the internet
• What is the duration of each class eg 60 minutes or more or less?
• How many students are in each batch?
• Names and details (contact no, address, email) of the ex-students who got a break in films, TV serials or in commercial ads? You must make an extra-ordinary effort to contact them and seek their opinion.
• Also, try to contact other ex-students randomly on the phone even if they didn�t book any roles to seek their opinion of their school
• Remember, listen but do not believe what they say. Some of their talks may be their marketing gimmick.
• Does a school accept a fee in installments? If yes, then be cautious. Sometimes, their main objective may be financial benefits rather than an excellence in quality of training and would welcome students by paying full fees or a part of a total fee.
• Finally, most important-don�t fall to big industry names behind a school. The big names behind running a school seldom get sufficient time to devote to teaching to students and usually have employee teachers to do the job and big name, job get confined to �inauguration�, once a while 'pep-up' talks and prize/ certificate distribution ceremonies.

Just check the above red flags and points before you decide. Also, if already joined, never walk into a class with your tail tucked between your legs. Don�t be afraid to ask for results. It�s your right and responsibility. Raise your hand and inquire what sort of roles his/her students have acquired of late, or in the last year. Any reputable teacher or a school should be able to handle this question with aplomb and with hard numbers.
Acting class is also about creating offering predictable results for their students. Defensive or vague answers should give you a glimpse into this person�s or school�s soul. No reputable teacher/ coach or a school should feel good about taking hard-earned money from aspiring actors unless he/she knew they were getting the best guns they need to fight forward in their careers.

Special author's note:

However, please note that there are exceptions to what I have mentioned above. Some of the schools in Mumbai at least, are really good and their efforts in developing students into a good actor are commendable, indeed! There are teachers in these schools who truly love teaching and can�t help but inspire their students with their own energy and passion. This is a true spirit. Teachers and coaches should be pushing their students forward with respect and helping them succeed along their career path. Encouraged by

Read this post on schools 

4 Red Flag Warning in Selecting Acting Schools

India's Only 'One on One" Your Professional Acting Course

A PERSONALIZED ACTING COACHING SYLLABUS 

32 Steps of designing coaching program, especially suited to you

Introduction and Initial Step

Your audition is taken followed by interviews, not for selection in classes, but to know the level of talent in you, your dreams, why you want to be an actor, your determination, ability to struggle for a considerable period, financial resources to support you for a long period, your persistence and perseverance + more
Then we do your SWOT (your 'Strength', 'Weaknesses', 'Opportunities' for you, and finally 'Threats' to you)

Based on the above, we design a learning program, particularly suited to you.

Key points while designing Syllabus for you:

1. What is an actor?
2. What is your acting instrument?
3. How to improve your acting instrument
4. Body & mind
5. Improving all your 6 senses
6. How to really Listen and react normally
7. Why develop guaranteed and quick  relaxation techniques
8. How to fight tension on auditions and in a shoot
9. How to build confidence
10. How to improve your voice and diction
11. How to build a killer hot body
12. Two key factors in learning success- "Observation" and �Imagination�: Techniques
13. How to create a story after "observation" and importance of building up your sense-memory
14. How to play different emotions and 20 attitudes you see around you
15. Acting Technique: You are taught a special acting technique suited to you and are encouraged to develop your own technique after training you in Konstantin Stanislavsky method acting, Meisner technique and Stella Adler Acting Method.
16. How to win auditions
17. Why and how to do script analysis
18. How to do a character analysis of the role
19. Top tricks for quick memorization for auditions and large number of pages for film / theater
20. How to prepare a monologue and give a top performance
21. What is and how to enact 'improvisation"
22. Which are different acting techniques and which one suits you the best-create your own
23. What is camera acting and how best to play for the camera
24. Camera loves �eyes�-how to use them (use of your Eyeline)
25. How to work and get roles for the commercial ads
26. Why acting is a business and how to be a successful business actor
27. How to market and promote yourself, website making, monologue and show reel filming
28. Public relation secrets for actors
29. Life and career 'Goal Setting'
30. Casting directors and coordinators in India
31. Production houses and TV channels in India
32. Writing a script for your monologue and shooting a 2 minute video-film for promotion

+ More...

Get Coaching details here: Click

India's Only 'One on One" Your Professional Acting Course

6 Reasons Why After Good Schooling You Fail to Be an Actor

What they don't teach you in an acting school

What Acting Schools Don�t Teach You

Like many of you, I attended a top acting school in the USA and in India with a diploma, a fancy piece of paper that says �You are a great actor!� I was a big fish in a small pond (school), played lots of big roles, and took lots of acting, voice, and movement classes. I studied Meisner, Stella Adler (2 of my favorites), Stanislavsky and some other techniques. I even learnt how to wear neutral mask!

One of the many useful things that acting school teaches is that training is essential, and should always be part of your career.

Fancy diploma in hand, I moved to Mumbai one month from USA with cheap headshots in my bag, a mediocre temporary job, and wondered �Where are all these high paying acting jobs I�m supposed to be getting? What do you mean I have to get few artist coordinators"? I quickly realized there is this whole �business� side of acting, nobody had told me about. I needed to change my approach, get humble, and come up with a game plan.

Later I came to know most of the acting schools in India and around the world usually forget to mention and train actors on these vital success factors:

Here is the list of those 6 things 

1. Don�t think you are special 

You may have gotten a standing ovation for playing a great role in a school class,� but you aren�t the star anymore. You will be in the audition room with people who don�t have any training, who have never taken an acting class, and yet have big coordinators. Some of them already have many of television serials and film credits. And guess what? They are up for the same parts you are in an audition. Accept it. Everyone is in the same boat now, top schools and fancy acting degree, diplomas or certificates or not.

2. For sure acting is business, too. 

It�s one thing to be a good actor; it�s another thing to be a �smart� actor. Acting school is all about the �art.� In the real world, it�s about the �business.� Nobody is going to come knocking on your door begging you to act for them. You have to do the work to get noticed. You have to combine artistry with business intelligence if you want to make money doing this and support yourself. That means killer headshots, a good 2-3 minute demo reel, great audition techniques, monologues (that aren�t too common and one for all), networking (without being annoying), branding, doing �meet and greets� with coordinators and casting directors, creating a website, making your own content, and being the CEO of your own acting business.

3. You won�t be Salman Khan or Deepika Padkone right away  

Yes, you were the lead in  your performances  in school. Everyone told you how great you are. Now you have to go back to the bottom. The reality is that most actors, once they register with few coordinators, just wait for some top producers like Karan Johar or Sanjay Leela Bhansali to knock their door. The fact is you will have to start, maybe with without a dialog, one liner role and slowly build up your r�sum� and show reel before casting directors are even considering you for auditions for major films or serial regular roles on television. This might take a few years, hence patience and taking care of financial irregularities is the key to survival. Bollywood star status comes later

4. Know your �type� 

In acting school you play all types- an executive, a lover, a villain, a taxi driver, younger or older than your age and many other types. Now you are in Mumbai- �Maya Nagri� Bollywood , one of the biggest cine and television markets in the world. You now have a five-year age range (not 40), and a character �type� that defines you. There are thousands of other actors who have the same type. Accept it and be the best actor in your type.

5. You must learn to �master the Audition Room� 

When it comes to television and film, you can be an amazing actor, but terrible at auditioning, or a terrible actor, but wonderful, confident, and charming in auditions. You have to be �good in the room� as they say. You have to learn the fine art of auditioning (eye-lines, slating, memorizing your lines in 15 minutes, etc.), as that is the gateway to you getting your dream role, and getting casting directors to �trust� you. Take audition workshops, see yourself on camera, or learn from your acting coach. You have to understand tone, the rhythm of television, what works on camera, how to take down your performance for a medium shot, how to embrace your personality, make strong choices, and be authentic.

6. Requisite focus on Acting for the camera

 If you don�t learn the art of acting for the camera, you will simply make a lot of technical mistakes, look either flat, fake or will just exaggerate gestures and voice
This is the most important, and took me months to figure out. Most casting directors for television and film will tell you to �keep it natural, �or �don�t act, just say the lines.� �But I went to a top acting school!� you argue with yourself. It doesn�t matter. You are no longer playing in an acting class. You are playing to an HD camera three to five feet away, which magnifies everything you do, and even the smallest gestures can seem too big. Be economical with your gestures, subtle with your emotions, and use your eyes. Just think and feel, instead of showing.
Acting school training can create confidence in you as an actor.  It can be amazing, and can give you the tools and technique to have a long, successful career. But being a professional actor requires an additional set of skills, which involves knowing the market and how you fit into it, so you can put your acting certificate, diploma or degree to good decoration use. Acting schools are an important part of the equation, but remember, it�s just �the part" of the success equation.

6 Reasons Why After Good Schooling You Fail to Be an Actor

Should You Join Acting Classes? Good and Bad About Them

Is it your wish to break into film acting and become an aspiring Bollywood/ Hollywood actor or actress? If so, are you or have you recently taken an acting class? If not, you should take this step.
After all, acting classes have their benefits and are essential if you want to become an actor/actress. In fact, four reasons why you should take an acting class are outlined below.

1 � Gain Acting Experience and Knowledge:

Classes for actors, which come in a number of different formats, provide the skills you will need in the acting industry. There are classes that offer onstage experience and for those that want a film acting career, on-camera lessons are offered. Also, there are summer acting camps and programs available for teens.

Remember, you will be gaining experience even if you are just standing in front of the class reciting a monologue. This experience can set you apart from the competition and give you connections to the professional acting world.

2 � An Acting Class Gives You Formal Training For Your Career: 

Receiving formal training in an acting class is typical for directors, producers and especially actors If you were to take an acting course, which is multiple classes joined together, you will likely walk away with a certificate of completion. Although not a degree, it still highlights the training and experience you gained and is considered formal training.

The Formats:
Earlier it was mentioned that acting classes come in a number of different formats, and those that are highly recommended are not just taught by anyone. The professional instructors who provide face-to-face learning are trained in the field of theater, acting, drama and arts. This guarantees that you walk away with a lot of knowledge about movie acting.

3 � Necessary Feedback Provided For Actors And Actresses: 

Remember, you are paying the acting class instructor to improve your acting skills, not to boost your ego. Therefore, you will be getting positive and negative feedback and evaluations from your teacher.

Get Good At Accepting Criticism Of Your Acting Abilities
It will be difficult at first to have your work dissected and torn apart, but, these instructors have been there and they know what improvements are necessary. This criticism can be used to your advantage if you take their advice and put it into action.

4 � Learn Inside Scoop about Acting Classes: 

There are numerous acting classes available today, so ask around and get some input from people you know who have already been around the block. Acting classes are not free, so check around for an affordable rate.

Acting Class Size:
The size of a class can vary from as few as five students to twenty or more. If you have a good networking ability, you may enjoy a public class or for one-on-one help, you can choose a private acting coach.
Learn To Act From Someone Who's Been There, Done That:
Taking an acting class from a former actor/actress or one who has experience in the acting field can work to your advantage. You will have first hand information about open casting calls, agents and audition tips. There is nothing better than hearing this information firsthand through someone who has been in your shoes before.
Since you are all excited and know what's involved in taking an acting class, why not get started today? Even if you decide not to pursue an acting career, the classes will help build your confidence in whatever field you choose in the future.

However, there may be disadvantages of acting classes

1. Teaching acting is not like teaching maths or chemistry where you deliver lectures for a limited time, conduct some practicals and then leave students at their own fate. Unfortunately, this is what happens in most of the acting classes. Once a student leaves an acting school, he/she enters into a world not known to him/her and starts wondering "What to do now"!
2. Acting is an art where an actor has to create a life. Each actor like a normal, non actor person is different and may react to a life situation differently in the terms of emotional and physical reactions and needs a personal syllabus and coaching to develop how to display different emotions and attitudes, as we see in people around this world. Sadly, the acting classes in schools have limited time and too many students to focus  on them individually.
3. Most of the schools don't focus on how an actor should market and promote him or her, when in today's highly competitive cine industry environment, it is absolutely essential. They forget that to be a successful actor, apart from developing craft, an actor has to be a good businessman or woman!

Is there any option other than acting schools?

Yes. A private professional coach!
http://topactingcoach.weebly.com




The advantages:
An acting coach is like a sports coach who would ensure an individual's development to win a highly competitive race of stardom. He/she is supposed to work not only acting techniques, but on acting for the camera, filming of monologues, marketing and promotion of an actor of social networking, online promotion, setting goals and action plan and finally, to give information whom to contact, how to make portfolio etc. He/she would be your personal guide to success for a long time.

Lastly, weekend courses, in good schools is rare, but may be possible with an acting coach.

A must read related posts: 
Acting coach or a school?

An Acting Coach Answers Questions | Inerview

Finally,  before you start and decide to join a school, take this one bit of advice: 

There are many pseudo money making and fraudster schools. 
Therefore, research and investigate!

Should You Join Acting Classes? Good and Bad About Them

11 Indian Universities for Top Acting Degree | Diploma

Acting courses in Indian Universities

Entry to this overcrowded profession is extremely difficult. There are usually no minimum educational qualifications for becoming an actor.
Admission to premier schools of drama and acting is open only to graduates with very few exceptions.

Can Training in These Schools Help in Getting Acting Jobs?

While private acting schools run by reputed production houses like whistling woods, Barry John Acting Studio, Mumbai or by individual professional coaches who may be better, in terms of practical training and camera acting, Degree/Diploma/Certificate course in acting are conducted at some of the premier training institutions as well as University Departments of Arts/Dramatic Arts/ Allied departments.
However, since acting is involved with so many acts of our society, a formal education in acting craft helps one to be better prepared for the auditions and other challenges of the profession.

Government run or approved Universities and colleges 

1.  Dr. Ambedkar  Marathwada University, Aurangabad � 431 004. (Bachelor�s degree in Drama)
Web site

2.  Faculty of Fine Art, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata � 700 050 (BA and MA course in Drama)
Web site

3.  University of Rajasthan, Gandhi Nagar, Jaipur � 302004. (PG Diploma and BFA in Dramatics)
Web site

4.  Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla, Sambalpur � 768019. (Master in performing arts-Drama)
Web site

5.  Faculty of Performing Arts, M.S University of Baroda, Vadodara � 390002. (BPA in Dramatics)
Web site

6.  Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Pondicherry � 605014. (MPA)
Web site

7.  Bhartendu Natya Academy of Dramatic Arts (BNADA), Lucknow (Dip. In Acting)
Contact Information
Bhartendu Bhawan, Vikas Khand �1 Gomti Nagar Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226010?
Phone: 0522 239 8466

8.  Department of Fine Arts Punjabi University, Patiala,Punjab. (Master of Theater and Television)
Pin -147002; Phone: 0175-304-6198
http://punjabiuniversity.ac.in/pbiuniweb/pages/departments/newtheatre.html

9.  Andhra University, Waltair (Certificate course in Acting)
http://www.andhrauniversity.edu.in/courses.html

10.  Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, Kolkata
Details on acting courses could not be found by us.
Contact them: Phone: 033-24328355
Check on the website: http://srfti.ac.in/

11.  Film & TV Institute of Tamil Nadu, Chennai � 600113
Certificate course in acting
Web site

Some reputed and recognized Private Institutions

1. National School of Drama, Bahawalpur House, Bhagwandas Road, New Delhi 110044 (3- year Diploma in Dramatic Arts)

* Fully financed by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India

http://nsd.gov.in/delhi/

Eligibility for NSD: Graduate, participated in at least 10 productions, working knowledge of Hindi & English. Age is 18-30 years. Selection will be through a preliminary test followed by a workshop in NSD premises.
.
2.  Film and Television Institute of India, Law College Road, Pune � 411004.
http://www.ftiindia.com/actingsc.html

3. Asian Academy of Film & Television, Marwah Studios Complex, FC-14/15, Film City, Sector � 16A, NOIDA � 201301.
http://aaft.com/

11 Indian Universities for Top Acting Degree | Diploma

No Acting School Can Teach You 9 Success Steps Acting Coach Can

1. To Learn how run the business of being an actor

To make you understand that to be an actor is not just a wild dream and a wishful thinking, but a it's a business and like in any other business, you must make profits which means you must make money for your decent living and worldly comforts. 80% of actors fail in life because they do not apply the principles of business management in their acting career

2. To analyze and target your strengths and weaknesses to be a successful actor

To learn what are success requirements to be a Bollywood or a TV serial actor. Then to meet these success requirements, identify- A. Your strength; B. Your weaknesses; C. Opportunities for you and finally- D. What are the threats for you (Called as SWOT analysis)

3. Based on the above, to make a goal and action plan

4. To get advice on artist coordinators, casting directors, and whether you need to them in the first place!

5. To learn how to overcome the obstacles to achieving your goals based on-

• To put the Pareto Principle to work for you

(It's a vital 80-20 rule which says that only 20% of your efforts bring  80% of results and NOT vice versa, which unfortunately is currently practiced by  actors)

6. To identify your long term career goals 

To create a 12-month plan, based on the above analysis and your financial resources

7. To research industry related information

• Production houses-films, TV serials, commercial ad makers
• Producers
• Directors

8. To tackle issues of self-confidence

• Identifying confidence level in you 
• To know how to boost your confidence
• Exercises

9. To help you smash obstacles to your goals

Author's note: 

There had been some questions (Objections?) on the title of this post. I'm giving below both, questions and my answers for the benefit of readers:

Question: Have you given this title because you are an acting coach and it benefits you? 

Answer: No, The acting schools in India has their own benefits for aspiring actors. This post is to make actors understand that apart from developing your acting craft by learning techniques, which is successfully done by schools as well, to be an actor is a business and it needs career planning and strategy. An acting school, though good may have time constraint to go into actor's business management or may not have an acting business management consultant.

Question: How aspiring actors can trust you that acting coaches in India and especially you, can train them on all what you have mentioned in your post?

Answer: Apart from an acting coach, short film maker and an actor, for the last 40 years I had been in business management and marketing, working with Multicrores Indian and International Pharma companies. I was also the head of Training Department and I know how vital it is for actors to plan their career and learn to accept acting as a business. Therefore, I had to learn and practice this science and art of Business Management for my survival
Aspiring actors can contact me for free details; +919920991661

No Acting School Can Teach You 9 Success Steps Acting Coach Can

Private Coaching for Actors | An Acting Coach Answers Questions

Top Acting coach answers questions

What is An Acting Coach?

An acting coach helps actors reach their full potential by teaching them acting craft, marketing and promotion. Also in-depth character development for specific role preparation and/or auditioning. Acting coaches provide personal attention and specialized acting techniques to both individuals and small groups, if need be.

What is your approach to acting?

I focus on developing the acting craft and then how to market and promote this quality product created. To have an acting talent is good, but it�s certainly not all that is required. Beyond talent, there is a craft that must be shaped and sharpened over the life of the actor. This craft combines precise conditioning of the actor�s instrument (body and mind) with the intelligent work of knowing how to approach material (story, script, circumstances, characters etc.)  and what to do with it and in a scene.

How your coaching can help actors?

There isn�t an actor on the planet, from the beginner to the most gifted and practiced professional, that does not benefit from the outside eye of a trained acting tutor.  With good coaching, the actor can confidently depend on making the most powerful and effective choices and then applying those choices fully.

Do you prepare actors for auditions?

Of course! The audition is a high-stakes situation, an actor's just one chance to nail the job. I practice with an actor, on camera, all aspects of the audition right from dress, in waiting room scene, preparation of lines and scenes, confidence and entry, walk, greeting, slating, introduction, profile, where to look, enacting the scene, asking questions and finally, how to exit and celebrate your performance in an audition

Why you take private acting class?

Every actor is unique, endowed with individual strengths and challenges.  Working one-on-one allows us to work specifically with actors� the most effective and efficient way to work on an actor's craft.  Together, we determine an actor's needs and goals, and I tailor exercises and scene work to an individual.

• I use my knowledge and experience of tested and new approaches to help an actor achieve the results you seek.
• The Acting coach creates a secure and comfortable environment in which you are willing to take risks and make yourself vulnerable.
• As an Acting Coach, I help an actor by giving  a student honest and sincere feedback, to enable them to establish goals with them and help students on how to achieve them.
• The Acting Coach�s experience helps actors to avoid many pitfalls.
• I practice with actors what I preach!
• As an acting coach, I will listen carefully to the actor's ideas, accept good ones to applaud and tell them to create more options for better ones, if need be.

Do you mean acting schools are no good?

No, I never say that. Acting schools have their own usefulness. As a matter of fact, if an actor can afford Indian acting school's high fee, he/she must join a school and also undertake private coaching. As a matter of fact, both are complementary to each other.

But how to get jobs after an actor finishes coaching with you?

The final part of coaching comprises of marketing and promotion an actor as a quality product in a highly competitive market of Bollywood, TV Serials, commercial ads and print. This includes creating an appropriate portfolio, show reel (demo reel),website and using social networking sites and actor's resources like selecting  co-ordinators and contacting casting directors.

Where do you take your coaching sessions?

The coaching sessions are in Ghatkopar East, Mumbai in a large room under quite and comfortable environment. The venue is easily accessible within 20 to 40 minutes by local train and just a 20 minutes walk from Ghatkopar or Chembur suburban railway stations. Now, due to metro local train in operation, it's only 20 minutes journey from Andheri and other western suburbs

Last question! What about  aspiring actors with small financial resources and big dream to be a Bollywood star?

I run a free online blog, an acting academy http://bestactoracademy.blogspot.in

There are more than 120 posts on acting techniques and all possible actor resources. The techniques can be practiced in front of a full size mirror or with friends. The readers can contact me for any help through the contact form in the blog or through Email such as if they need scripts, I will send them free. Many aspiring actors who could not afford a coach or a school have read and practiced through my blog and now working in films and TV serials

Kiran Pande
+919920991661

Private Coaching for Actors | An Acting Coach Answers Questions

16 Good and Relatively Cheap Acting Schools India

Take care in selecting a school!

To choose a good acting school is hard. To know how to choose well is harder. And to choose correctly in this Maya Nagri called Mumbai  where you have all the shades of people-good, bad and ugly is harder still, perhaps too hard.

We understand the human instinct well because it invariably follows a name and a fame whether it's a product, a person or being an aspiring actor-an acting school. Sometimes our dream, our passion and consequent  impatience for a quick success makes us blind. We forget an age old saying that "Everything Which Glitters is not Gold!". However, later we find out that our decision was wrong and through the experiences of others,  we realize that perhaps a little known product or a person or an establishment would have been a better choice.

Most of the aspiring actors join an acting school because of its publicity, name, the man behind the school or the number of students joining a school.
In my earlier post (This one) I have mentioned top acting schools of India. There is no doubt that they have a good reputation and some are really good and can join them if you can arrange sufficient money.

The question is by charging few lacs as a fee for their courses, whether they are cost effective or not and secondly, whether or not they have upgraded their training techniques with the changing times? And what happens after you have completed a course and have come out? Do they keep their doors open to help you or the doors are closed? What is the experience of others?
All these questions point to one single fact-

Investigate, Research and Research before you make your choice!

• Because, remember when you make a choice, you change the future! 
• Great Heroes or Heroins in films are made by the paths they choose, not only by the talent or powers they have.

Many of blog readers have asked me to give a list of more schools which are likely to be good, and may not be as expensive as the famous ones.

Here is the list with availaibIe details. 

You are strongly advised to visit these schools, investigate and then decide:

1. Monttage Film And Television Academy 
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-61616875
25a/ 303, 3rd Floor, Suyog Chs, Bimbisar Nagar, Near Mahananda Diary, Western Express Highway, Goregaon East, Mumbai - 400065
www.monttage.com

2. Attraction Acting Institute
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-67625307
G H Malkani Hall, Opposite Juhu Gymkhana Club, Near Juhu Church Bus Depot, Juhu, Mumbai - 400049

3. Figa (Frost Free Institute for Grooming Actors)
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-71044456
1003, Crescent Royale, Opposite Infiniti Mall, Behind Maurya House, Link Road, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400053
www.frostfreeproductions.com/figa

4. Puppets Acting Academy 
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-61429094
Evershine Nagar, Near Movie Time And Peoples Gym, Malad West, Mumbai - 400064

5. Rang Rasia Acting School
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-45106479
RUDRAKSH BUNGALOW, Near Janki Devi School, Four Bunglow, Mhada, opp.janki devi school bus stop, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400053
www.rangrasiaactingschool.com

6. Shweta Tiwari Creative School Of Acting
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-49173878
Office No 15, 2nd Floor, Hira Panna Mall, Oshiwara, Behind Shreejees Restaurant, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400053

7. RDG Management (Acting and modeling)
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-61425902
Office No 537/538, 5th Floor, Ijmima Complex, Near New Infinity Mall, Off New Link Road, Malad West, Mumbai - 400064
www.rdg-management.com

8. S R M Film School (In central Suburbs)
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-49172130
Mini Film City , Bamandev Compound, Near Swastik Hometown, Kasarvadavli, Ghodbunder Road, Thane West, Thane - 400601
www.srmfilmschool.com

9. Make Me Filmy
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-67305133
Plot No 42/42, Opposite Janki Devi School, Near Telephone Exchange, Mhada, Svp Nagar, Four Bunglows-Andheri West, Mumbai - 400053
www.makemefilmy.com

10. Actor Studio India
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-61621361
602, C Wing, La Chappele Building, Before Ryan International School, Malad West, Mumbai - 400064

11. Expression Acting School
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-49171043
Society No 81, D-6, Near Jankidevi School, Four Bunglows, Mhada, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400053

12. Little Actors Club (In South Mumbai)
Contact Information:
+(91)-9320130013
+(91)-22-22842845, 22842846, 22842847, 22842848
Hormuz Mansion, Near Cymroza Art Gallery, 72,Bhulabhai Desai Road, Breach Candy, Mumbai - 400026
www.aceproductions.biz

13. The Ita School Of Performing Arts
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-67731349+(91)-22-26347637, 61950301
Ground Floor Unit No 2, Techniplex 2, Near Goregaon MTNL, Opposite Hotel Grand Sarovar Premier, S V Road, Goregaon West, Mumbai - 400062
www.itaspa.in

14. Jehangir School Of Speech & Drama (Good for theater, speech and acting-South Mumbai)
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-23515270, 23513788, 23515604
4,Darbhanga Mansion, Near Usha Kiran, Carmichael Road, Cumballa Hill, Mumbai - 400026

15. Anahita Dastoor
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-26616339, 26614478
Ground Floor, Mazda Chaman, 13 Dattatray Road, Santacruz West, Mumbai - 400054

16. DON Bosco (Central Suburub Mumbai)
Acting and music classes
Contact Information:
+(91)-22-24145223
DON Bosco Comms, Opp Khalsa Colony, Matunga East, Mumbai - 400019

We can provide more names on request

16 Good and Relatively Cheap Acting Schools India

How Aspiring Actors can Find Greedy and Cheats in Bollywood

Greedy and Cheats

Modeling / Acting Scam

There are too many modeling, acting agencies and acting schools that dupe and fool on an aspiring model and actor�s dream to get entry into Bollywood or serials (TV episodes). These unscrupulous people post casting notices, auditions, guaranteed roles and ads on different websites like Quickr, Olx, and other free classified sites that refer to fake auditions and nonexistent castings for a break  that sound real. Some also use ads on the radio and newspapers to entice people.

Here Is Why They do This. To Extract Money!

Here are some of the examples

There are many agencies that operate very intelligently. They don�t just come out and ask for money, they first get your confidence and screw  you in slowly. Often times, they schedule a �fake� audition (they don�t ask for money here to put you at ease), then they call and tell you �you have been short listed� come in for a 2nd audition and sometimes a 3rd and meet a fake director or a producer. Once there, they tell you �you are perfect� but��. This is where the salesperson kicks in and tries to lure you for a lead role in a feature film if you give a  deposit of Rs.1 to 2 lacs, which includes training  or some lesser ones will try to sell you on photos, portfolios, show reel, acting classes and anything else they can push on you. The audition was not actually for a real part in any production, it was to evaluate how much you will spend and how much they can sucker you out of.

My experience: 

The girl Neeta from Lucknow phoned me for an advice. She applied with her photographs to an ad from so called a Doordarhan authorized agency for a new serial. She got an immediately that she has been selected and had to remit Rs.4000 for an artist card. Excited that her dream will now be fulfilled, she paid the amount. And she got the artist card (from a bogus company) within 10 days along with a note that now she has to come to Mumbai for finalization with Doordarshan producer and a training in a reputed school, therefore she should bring with her Rs. 47,000.
I warned her, as I found on investigation that it was a scam.

• Some agencies / individuals involved are paid to get �leads� (i.e. Finding out people). Leads are people of a certain demographic especially girls and others, such as child, teen, man, etc. That has an interest, such as acting or modeling, that they can later exploit by way of email spam, telemarketing, etc. After you answer a �fake� casting, you will begin getting offers through email and sales pitches from telemarketers, all aimed at getting you hooked.
• There is an acting school in �X� (name hidden) town. This school has a setting with Mumbai Casting directors (model and actor coordinators calling themselves now casting directors). The deal is that the casting director will arrange his students guaranteed roles when he sends them to Mumbai. In turn, the casting director will charge Rs. �X� from such students as his registration fee. Usually this casting director arranges roles of an extra like a waiter, watchman, lift man, a nurse standing with a tray behind doctor or a member of a wedding procession etc. Unfortunately, the students initially are happy that the school has kept its promise of a giving a break, but later are crestfallen when the same casting director doesn�t help and they are on the road.

Here�s How to Spot the Real Castings from the Fakes.

Remember, real casting directors will always want your portfolio, resume, show reel, and for modeling things such as height, weight, size, etc., through  filling a proper online form. Their registration charges, if any, are never hidden. Usually it is mentioned on their website. Their website will be authentic and not dubious. The site will mention database of models and actors and films, serials or ads where they're registered models and actors got assignments. Anything else should ring warning bells!

How to find out whether a website is genuine or fake?
Visit http://www.whoishostingthis.com/ and write URL of a particular website. You will find out- a Hosting provider, WHOIS, IP address and servers, which can further provide you more info

1. Beware of anyone looking for �new faces�. Everyone has a new face! You can walk out your door and find dozens in a minute! The word �new faces� is a red flag for a scam.
2. Beware of general needs such as �any gender, ages 15 to 75? that�s almost EVERYONE! Real castings have specific needs (with the exception of extras).
3. Beware of �no experience necessary� in acting, dance and modeling, experience and training. Really, who is hiring actors who can�t act or fashion models that can�t walk? The only exception may be neighborhood fashion shows and student films.
4. Beware of ads with large pay. Ads that read like �models and actors needed for �a highly reputed production house� Rs 10,00 daily and assignment is 4 to 5 days
5. Girls! Beware of anything that asks for lingerie, topless, etc, and request pics from you to be considered. Use your imagination on what someone will do with those. Real casting directors will want headshots, full body shot (clothed) and measurements and ask you to try on their clothing at the audition, once one is scheduled.
6. Beware of webcam auditions, Skype auditions and the like from people you do not know. There have been many scams where ladies did those and were talked out of their clothing by people saying �I need to see what you really look like� and other lines. Those videos then get sold in other countries and end up all over the internet for other�s enjoyment.
7. Beware of Extras casting calls. Generally, large productions go through a casting company. Anyone posting things like �Extras needed to make scenes look �real�, �Insert big movie name here� pays Rs.2000 daily� is a scam. Large productions in small cities will post notices, but in large cities, they already have all the extras needed, unless there is some specific needs the extras agency can�t fill.
8. Beware of anything that says call some number, casting agents are waiting. Casting directors look at headshots and resumes than call back who they like. They do not sit by a phone waiting for everyone and their mom to call without even knowing if they fit. Basically, they call you if they like you.

How to Protect Yourself as An Aspiring Model/Actor:

Get a new email account, with an anonymous username like �ooloo 545839m�, one for casting calls that you respond to. If you later that your reply is to a legitimate audition call, import that reply of yours to your main email account. Now you are safe, if your this anonymous email account is used by spammers or misused by others. You can always cancel is an email account without losing anything important.

Before Joining an Acting School, Wether Reputed or Not

• Don�t get carried away by publicity or name. In many instances, especially in the other towns than Mumbai, people take a famous name (Banner) as a franchisee and run school. In return, they pay for that well known school/ institute a monthly or annual franchise fee. Aspiring models and actors get carried away with the �name� and pay a hefty fee. Such schools have poor faculty and bad training.
• Visit an acting school; find out who are the members of their  faculty, their background, a record of teaching and how much time they give to students. Do they focus on individual students? Go to such school on a day when the classes are getting over and talk to students and seek their views. Find out the names of the students from the school who and how many got a break and where? DON�T pay anything before you have researched fully and found out everything!

How Aspiring Actors can Find Greedy and Cheats in Bollywood

Top 2 University Degree Acting Schools in India

An acting workshop in progress at NSD Delhi

Great News! Find Here Top 2 Govt. University Degree Acting Schools

 

Many a times, I get a query on if there is any Goernment Of India recognized or a university conducted acting schools or institutes. Unfortunately, there are very few.

NSD Delhi

The National School of Drama is one of the foremost theatre training institutions in the world and the only one of its kind in India. It is fully financed by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Training in the School is highly intensive and is based on a thorough, comprehensive, carefully planned syllabus which covers every aspect of theatre and in which theory is related to practice. As a part of their training, students are required to produce plays which are then performed before the public.
The syllabus takes into account the methods of great theatre personalities who have shaped contemporary theatre in all its varieties. The systematic study and practical performing experience of Sanskrit drama, modern Indian drama, traditional Indian theatre forms, Asian drama and western dramatic protocols give the students a solid grounding and a wide perspective in the art of theatre.
Details
Web site

The Centre for Performing Arts, Pune

University of Pune

Popularly known as Lalit Kala Kendra
This course is excellent for aspiring actors but due to its objective of promoting regional languages, it is conducted in MARATHI

Brief about
Theatre (Branch 30)

Syllabus

Semester One: 6 credits
Course 111: Practical training on Theatre as per syllabus: 2 Credits
Course 112: Performance Evaluation and Viva: 4 Credits
Semester Two : 6 credits
Course 211: Practical training on Theatre as per syllabus: 2 Credits
Course 212: Performance Evaluation and Viva: 4 Credits

Medium of Instructions
Usually in Marathi Language, occasionally Hindi and English. Students may choose to write the answers in Marathi or English. Theatre courses are designed for the Marathi Theatre exclusively as the theatre in India is region and language specific. Cultural plurality is the strength of Indian culture. e.g. at the National School of Drama, Delhi the language is Hindi. Knowledge of Marathi Language for theatre courses is mandatory.

Contact

Tel:
91-20-2569-2182
Address:
Centre for Performing Arts
Lalit Kala Kendra (Gurukul),
University of Pune,
Pune-411007
Maharashtra, India
Web site

• To find out about their courses in Hindi, please contact their main center at Delhi

Lalit Kala Akademi
Rabindra Bhavan,
35, Ferozeshah Road,
New Delhi-110001
Telephone:011 - 23009200
Website: http://lalitkala.gov.in/

• For institutes other than affiliated with recognized universities all over India and ABROAD, please visit -Here

Top 2 University Degree Acting Schools in India