Customer Reviews

Uta Hagen's Acting Class:Videos [VHS]

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I have been kicking around the idea of going to acting school for the past several years now. Because the school is somewhat expensive and relatively far away, I was concerned about enrolling considering I've never had the opportunity to explore my acting desires in this rural community. I purchased this video to see if this is a career I would like to, seriously, pursue.

After watching this video, it is very clear that Uta Hagen is very experienced and respected in this business. The way she talks to her class of actors is very down-to-earth but also very professional. As a "first-timer", her explainations of what she's looking for is easy to understand and comprehend. You know exactly what she likes, doesn't like, and why. She also tells you what to look out for while you're in character and what to work on when you're not. She has broken acting down into steps and explains each basic one in these two videos.

I recommend these videos to all actors of every level. If you are just starting out, like myself, you will learn valuable insight and tips that will forever help you along the way. If you are an experienced actor, the exercises that are outlined will keep you fresh and honest with yourself and your goals.

I cannot say enough about how much this video has helped me to understand acting as a true art form. For me, even though the price tag did seem a little stiff before I finally ordered, it has been worth every penny they were asking. I even hope they come out with a 2nd set that will continue to go deeper into this brilliant teacher's mind - And, I would pay that price, too!

as a teacher at USC film school, i have found this video
invaluable. my classes have watched it again and again.
new directors can watch ms. hagen in action so that they can witness what is necessary directions for actors...and professional actors will now have the opportunity to study
with this master!!!

I've read the books, and was curious to see Uta's master classes, but I wasn't certain I needed to actually have my own set. I shouldn't have been surprised--just like with the book, you do go back and back to the video. There's so much there.

And just like the books, if your spirits need picking up about why we're doing this, Uta comes to the rescue.

Hagen engages in fascinating dialog with this class of young actors. Her critiques of their scenes are right to the point,
useful, candid and entertaining. And the students improve! It is as if you are taking her class. A really important --and essential to any acting teacher or student -- work.

I attended the HB Studio for about a year. I was very lucky to have Stephen Strimpell as my acting coach. He was wonderful and gave me many useful suggestions after I performed my scenes. It was Stephen who told me, "you need to go out and audition, you'll get parts. The way to become a real actor is to go out and ACT." He left my class to do a TV series called "Mr. Terrific" and his class was taken over by William Hickey ("Prizzi's Honor" "A Hatful of Rain"), but I didn't find him to be as helpful as Strimpbell. I always used Uta Hagen's book, "Respect For Acting" as a "bible" throughout the years that I was in the theatre.

Stephen was correct -- I got parts and gained a lot of experience. I even tried out for Dustin Hoffman's directing debut for Broadway, "All Over Town" starring Cleavon Little. I didn't get the part because I was too young, too thin and too tall. I wasn't hurt, really. They were looking for someone short, bald and fat. But, I was told that it was a "great audition."

I anxiously read the chapter on Auditions in "Respect..." right before I went to tryout and it helped me "give a performance," as she suggested.

Even though I'm not acting now, I intend to purchase these Hagen sessions.