Customer Reviews

Uta Hagen's Acting Class: The DVDs

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a young actor in Europe, Sweden and I got Uta's books, Respect for Acting and, A Challenge for the Actor previously to my purchase of the DVD, Uta Hagan's Acting Class. So, I had already read through her books when I got the DVD which I felt when viewing the DVD is a must to understand the DVD.

The DVD is not a technical help tool to show you how to warm up or prepare for a play a role or audition as I thought it would have been.

Instead it is a quite amazing thing because you will from the very first minute of the DVD walk straight into the HB Studio's classroom and view everything as if you were doing a sit in for a course you might be interested in.

One will then watch her students first get some instructions about each exercise that she has and then they will based on the chosen exercise go up on stage and play dialogues against each other. After some minutes she will stop the students and instead of telling them what they did wrong ask them If there is something they could criticize about what they just did, and why they believe it to be so?

After that the students have talked about their understandings she will fill in with her own and give a very honest answer to everyone. It is obvious that she knows what she is doing and her feedback is always based on how the students have reached the goal of the exercises or not.

I would say that it is worth buying if one is serious about acting but if one live close to NY I would say that you are better off saving those money and instead go down to her studio, the HB studio and use those money for classes! I don't know how the other teachers are at that school but her exercises, her technique I feel is just so authentic and great and something that every actor that is serious about his or her acting should master!

The only thing about this DVD that is not so good is that it is a copy of an old video from the 1970's as I understand so the style and the sound recording is not the greatest or up to date with today's fashion. However, for the real actor that is probably irrelevant.

So, overall I feeel it is a great DVD and I give it a 4 of 5

Uta has created an amazing technique based on Internal acting and that I feel leads to authentic and truth like behavior on stage. I will most definitely go to NY and take her class!

Good Luck to all Actors and Actresses in the world! Maybe I'll see you in NY!

Very grateful that the acting classes of the great actress and teacher, Uta Hagen, are captured on video and that one can "take" -- well sit in on -- Uta Hagen's Acting Class covering two semesters including all of her acting exercises and scenes from Simon to Shakespeare, also comentary from former students such as Whoopi Goldberg and Amanda Peet. We may no longer be able to see Hagen on stage BUT we have her teaching and her wonderfully entertaining stories.

Of all the great teachers of acting around, none are as clear and true as Uta Hagen. These two dvds cover a condensation of two semesters of her acting classes. Pretty much all the points mentioned in her books(if you decide to invest in this dvd, you might also consider purchasing her newest book: "Challenge For The Actor", which is essentially a revision and expansion of her first book: "Respect For Acting")are covered, if you pay close attention. No matter what your level of ability may currently be, you should benefit from watching this. In addition, you may find it entertaining! All performing artists should find this enlightening.

These dvd's are a great tool for actors AND directors. Too often, directors (especially in film) neglect to study the acting discipline in sufficient depth to communicate well with their primary collaborators. DVDs like this can help do that without going through a lengthy and expensive class. Also recommended are the Sanford Meisner DVDs, called Sanford Meisner Master Class.

As an aspiring actor, you can do no better than Uta Hagen. She is a MARVELOUS teacher and explains her lessons in a clear and easy to understand manner. After acting "on my own" for 25 years, I have definately achieved a new, higher level of acting after reading Mrs. Hagen's books and watching her DVD. I highly recommend this DVD set to anyone who is interested in improving their personal acting ability!

Uta Hagen is one of the greatest acting teachers of the 20th century. This DVD really captures her essence, her wit, her technique, and her insight. It truly is a treasure to see her. If you haven't read her book, you'll still get plenty out of it. If you have, you will love it all the greater. To really hear her voice telling all about her exercises and ideals is amazing. Anyone who loves the theatre and wants to be an actor would greatly appreciate, love, and find useful. I implore all of you to buy this!I certainly will use it for a long time to come!

This is an amazing investment for any actor, whether beginner or advanced. These dvds are actual classes and exercises by Uta Hagen herself, it seems as if you're right there in the class with her. For any actor out there who wants to advance and refine his or her craft, I absolutely recommend it.

Hagen's observations on how we are, do, react goes beyond the interests of actors & directors.
She heightens an appreciation of relationship, solitude, the nuances of small moments- which can generate much new thought in other fields, especially teaching.
As a teacher, she demonstrates the crucial quality all teachers should emulate: she is a colleague to her students, sharing in the discoveries, alive & curious, humble and vivacious.
What a great complement to the murky psychological pretensions of The Method.

I just started acting class and am hungry to learn the craft. This DVD will really help you learn to focus, center in the character's motivation and identity, learn how to use substitution and emotional and sense memory. If you love Uta's books you will definitely enjoy watching her in action as she coaches and gives feedback to her students. I think you can keep watching this DVD as you grow in the craft and you will see different things as you progress in acting.

Really nice to know there is a virtual service that works good... so good. This is not my first time... No complaints at all... Always it has been great.. Thanks!!