29 Mar Actor’s Guide: Selecting Acting School
Choosing the right acting school is crucial—it’s like finding the perfect stage for your performance. It sets the scene for your growth, providing the necessary environment, resources, techniques, and mentors to guide you through the ups and downs of the craft. The below evaluation of The Heller Approach acting school, technique, and mentors will give you a clear picture of why our school is among the best in the industry and help you understand how to choose the right school for you. Let’s dive in and discover the keys to your acting journey.
Questions to ask when choosing an acting school
Where Is the School Located? Generally, attending a school in or near a major entertainment hub can be beneficial. Cities like Los Angeles, New York, or London are known for their thriving entertainment industries and may provide more networking and career opportunities. The Heller Approach acting studio is located in the heart of the entertainment industry in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.
How Long Has the School Being Around? Usually, a longer-established school may have a more established reputation, experienced faculty, and a track record of producing successful actors, indicating stability and credibility in the industry. The Heller Approach acting studio, founded in 1997, embodies this legacy. You can learn more about our founding story here.
Has the School Achieved Success & Established a Strong Presence? The importance of assessing an acting school’s success and presence lies in understanding its reputation, alumni achievements, media coverage, and social media engagement, all of which reflect its credibility and influence in the industry. The Heller Approach has not only been around since 1997 but has also garnered significant success and established a robust presence in the industry. This can be attributed to several factors:
Reviews and Testimonials: The Heller Approach has received positive feedback and testimonials from students, highlighting their satisfaction with the quality of education and training provided.
Students’ Acting Success: Many current and former students of The Heller Approach have gone on to achieve notable success in their acting careers, securing roles in film, television, and theater productions. Some examples of The Heller Approach notable students are: Keith Powers, Ashley Moore, Judge Reinhold, Lauriane Gillieron, Masi Oka, Danielle Moné Truit, Tyler Blackburn, Matthew Sato.
Articles about the School: The school has been featured in various articles and publications, showcasing its achievements, programs, and contributions to the acting community. The Heller Approach appeared in Backstage, Casting Frontier, VoyageLA, and others.
Social Media Presence: The Heller Approach maintains an active presence on social media platforms, engaging with students, alumni, and the wider acting community, thus further enhancing its visibility and influence. Since 2012, our school has been one of the first who started to post acting lessons, tips, scene study, etc. videos on YouTube. Currently there has been over 43.5 thousand subscribers and over 2 million views. These factors collectively demonstrate the school’s success and strong presence in the industry, making it a reputable choice for aspiring actors seeking quality education and training.
Questions to ask when choosing an acting technique
What Acting Technique Does the School Use? Does this Technique Resonate With You? Does It Fit Your Preferences, Goals, and Learning Style? For example, there is a ‘Method’ acting technique, and many students who come to The Heller Approach acting studio say that this technique is not fun and sometimes even traumatic to learn. Generally, a school that follows popular techniques or is founded by an industry expert is a safer choice. You might need to try different methods, explore what clicks best with you, and what helps you dive deep into a character.
The Heller Approach acting technique integrates top tools and techniques from esteemed mentors such as the legendary Don Richardson, Seth Winston (an Academy Award winner), Eda Gorbis (the founder of the Institute for Anxiety Disorders), Kirk Woller,(a multifaceted professional) and Brad’s experience as an actor. Don Richardson imparted wisdom to Brad on embodying characters without relying solely on personal experience. Seth Winston shared his directing expertise, Eda Gorbis provided guidance on overcoming stage fright, and Kirk Woller imparted his knowledge of the Sanford Meisner technique.
Questions to ask when choosing an acting coach
What Education/Training Does Acting Coach Have? How Much Acting Experience Does Acting Teacher Have? What is the Mentor’s Teaching Style? What Do Students Say About their Acting Mentor? It’s crucial to consider these questions when choosing an acting mentor as they serve as vital indicators of the mentor’s expertise, teaching style, and the quality of guidance students can expect, ultimately shaping the trajectory of an aspiring actor’s development and success in the industry.
Brad Heller, co-founder of The Heller Approach Acting Studio, received his formal education at Boston University School of Theatre Arts, ranked among the top 20 institutions for performing arts in the US. Upon relocating to Los Angeles, Brad was mentored by D. Richardson, S. Winston, E. Gorbis, K. Woller, and others, who contributed to shaping his unique acting technique, which provides a treasure trove of tools for aspiring actors.
Additionally, Brad has showcased his talent on-screen, making his debut in the Emmy-nominated TV series “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” and “Profile.” He further demonstrated his versatility in acclaimed productions such as the Academy Award-nominated short drama film “Most,” as well as in shows like “Criminal Minds” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” As an actor himself, Brad brings a wealth of firsthand experience to his role as an acting coach, passionately imparting lessons from his professional career to help actors refine their craft. Here are some video testimonials from Brad’s students, highlighting the impact of his acting technique.
We trust this guide will prove invaluable in your quest to choose the right acting school, mentor, and technique, empowering you to navigate your acting journey with assurance and clarity.