Acting Class – Molly Hagan

Probably the only people who know about these kinds of challenges are actors. I had heard of them over the years, and it sounded god awful to me. You have 48 hours to make a short movie from “inception of idea” all the way to “finished project.” Hellacious right? Then I started studying at Stuart Rogers Studio and met all these terrific actors who really care about their art and craft and are not afraid of doing really hard work. I soon realized I had become a pampered, passionless actor who had morphed into a giant pussy. I was scared, scared to get involved and to care anymore. Well I don’t like being scared. My life is only 1/2 over. What am I gonna do for the last 1/2? Hide huddled in a corner too scared to try something new; too scared to rediscover my enthusiasm, passion and drive because I’m afraid I’ll look like an idiot for caring? Since when did I ever care about what I looked like?

This February, Stuart Rogers Studio had their 48 Hour Film Festival. I was determined to be a part of it. Luckily my favorite people allowed me on their team. Mandy Levin and Brice Williams had assembled an incredible assortment of actors, director, writer, artist, and editor.

Most of us are really only trained to act so we knew there would many challenges, specifically technical, along the way.

We were given “Buddy Film” as our genre.
We had to incorporate, “The opera chef cooks and sings,” somewhere in the dialogue.
We had to incorporate the name “Maxwell Geanalkoplis.”
We had to use a “plunger” somewhere in the film.
The film had to be at least 5 minutes long but no longer than 10.

It is amazing what you can do for no money, no time and a gun to your head. It is gloriously silly and fun. *WARNING* there is some foul language. I hope you enjoy.

Heather Robinson won Best Director and I won Best Actress. This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time.

The Team
Brice Williams – “Jack” and Co-Captain, Chief problem solver
Mandy Levin – “Maggie” and Co-Captain, Chief pre-problem solver
Heather Robinson – Director and “Housekeeper”
Catherine Butterfield – Writer
Marcus Williams – Editor
Tommy Burr – “Maxwell Geanalkoplis” – script supervisor
Jack Krizmanich – “Gorgeous Cop” and all around helper
Brett Doar – “Maggie’s Husband” and all around helper
and Me

I always continued to study Yoga because I knew my spirit, mind and body were always evolving. It made sense to me. But in terms of acting? I took about a 20 year hiatus from studying. At the time I quit, I had been studying a total of 12 years (with University and a good school in LA). I was burned out and abused. So I thought I would continue to learn on my own. Eventually, I stagnated, stopped growing, and developed some BAD habits. I am thrilled to be back in class! I am studying with Stuart Rogers. I had been starving for his information and I didn’t even know it.

The article below, written by Sasha Stone, deeply resonated with me as an artist. You are never too old to learn, to grow or to have your inspiration reignited. To me it is the definition of being alive.

Sasha is a wonderful Yoga teacher and writer. Enjoy reading and be inspired.

“Being teachable applies on so many levels and kicks up your vibration in a major way. From moment to moment, being teachable keeps you open, compassionate, and receptive. More specifically, being teachable in your creative passion, career or otherwise, keeps you growing, inspired, and thriving. Allow me to explain…” read on at the blog