Jones shares the first things she looks for as a teacher. Emphasizing the intimacy and personal nature of acting, she underlines the fact that acting is about giving - and the only thing you have to give is yourself. [46 min]
Jones stresses the importance of an actor having compassion for their character (no matter their circumstances), and this capacity is achieved only through the consistent practice of non- judgment. [29 min]
How to create physical states in a believable way is the lesson. Using the technique of objective observation, Jones shows that it's the details of behavior that makes acting come to life. Also, the importance of dance and movement are introduced as ways to expand the actor's physical expressiveness. [40 min]
How much? To what degree? How drunk is he? Is he a glass of wine tipsy or 3 martinis deep? Jones discusses "evaluation" as a tool. She tasks actors with evaluating the specific behavior of their choices, emphasizing how the most effective storytelling is revealed through behavior. [48 min]
Jones highlights the importance of research as a source of inspiration. She explains that actors earn their right to believe in themselves as the character by discovering evocative details and including them in their work. Also, Jones introduces the "Bio-Pic" - an advanced exercise and starting point for any actor called upon to play a well-known figure from history. [38 min]
Jones reveals how to elevate an actor's work from good to astounding by considering what might have happened just before the scene, and bringing that "moment before" into the work in a concrete way. [47 min]
The use of imagination and the importance of "exploring the opposite" is the lesson here when actors play couples in trouble. "The greater the love, the harder the break up," Jones points out. Actors are instructed to rehearse the opposite. "Imagine what it was like falling in love: go on your first date, rehearse their day-to-day life together. The more you create their love, the more their problems will break our hearts." [49 min]
How do you rehearse? What comes first for an actor? Jones explores the magic of the individual's rehearsal process and how to invite powerful impulses that will lead to compelling choices. Like a jigsaw puzzle, bit by bit it all comes together. [48 min]
Jones shines a spotlight on doubt, perfectionism, and a critical outlook. Actors need to recognize what state they're creating from - and realize their best work is inspired by a spirit of play. Once you can identify your state of mind, it's easier to rise above negative habits. As Jones puts it, "I'm training the players to play!" [48 min]
The First Exercise (The Environment Exercise) is introduced. How to create a real place onstage, in order to live and behave in this environment as you would in real life. Two advanced actors exemplify this simple but profound exercise. [48 min]
Jones poses the key questions in building a character whether fictional or historical: "How am I like this character? What traits do we share in common - likes, dislikes, delusions, neurosis? And, how am I different?" Here an actress looks to bridge the gap between her own life and that of a well-known poet she wishes to portray. While in a second scene a pair of accomplished actors seek to bring to life two legendary Broadway Giants. [53 min]
"Acting is uncomfortable, growing is uncomfortable, living is uncomfortable!" Jones assures actors that embracing discomfort as an agent of growth is the path to expertise. Here an experienced actor takes a chance on his own writing and creates a character inspired by a chance meeting. In another scene, two actors with a long string of dramatic successes tackle comedy for the first time. In the process, they learn at least as many life lessons as they learn about the makeup of comedic structure. [53 min]
When it's time to perform, you must trust in all the work you've put into the character and fly. Jones explains that the best actors and directors do their most compelling work released from the blueprints of their preparation and open and available to everything that is happening in the moment of performance. [36 min]
When a director interviews for class, Jones insists they walk in the actor's shoes before they can direct. Conversely, she teaches actors to direct themselves. "I want them to understand what the scene is about, and why it's there -- deepening their contribution to the overall storytelling." This is exemplified here by an accomplished actress whose confidence in Jones' techniques has led her to become a successful director. [48 min]
Jones emphasizes that an actor's ability to express their talent is always going to be moderated by their attitude towards themselves and others. Too much thinking, hidden resentments, critical outlook - are just some of the ways highly talented actors get in the way of their own growth and capacity to play well with others. Here you will see two remarkable actors choose to recognize and adjust certain personal habits so as to move forward with even greater success. [46 min]
How much rehearsal is enough? Here two experienced actors risk it all in "a shoot" - an advanced exercise for working actors. With this exercise, the actors don't rehearse together at all. Instead (just as they might on a professional job) they learn their lines and make their choices - before coming together and performing for the first time on stage. Conversely, you will see a 20-year veteran of the studio embrace Jones' axiom to rehearse exactly "as if you already have the part" by committing to 8 weeks of daily song and dance training. She then filmed her performance, and submitted it as an audition for the lead in a Broadway musical -- and won the part. [39 min]
