First Take Acting School

About

Private acting school specific for film and television where students of all ages and beginners and experienced actors are welcome!

Story

BUSINESS:
In her acting classes, Nancy provides a no nonsense, realistic overview of the acting business. As much as aspiring actors like to focus on craft, acting is also a business. Nancy is well aware of how important this is to an actor's career. Actors can take advantage of her wisdom, including how to pick a perfect headshot, how to format resumes, how to get seen by casting directors, and other important information for the LA market, such as tools for marketing their acting career. This is one of the often overlooked, but crucial elements to real success in the LA market.

NETWORKING:
Nancy provides information and coaching to develop and enhance essential
networking skills. She covers the DO's and the more important DON'Ts of engaging in and maintaining the ever important correspondence and marketing skills an aspiring actor must have to be successful.

PSYCHOLOGY:
Few other careers are as competitive or elusive as acting. As with most creative
endeavors, there is a huge emotional investment an actor makes when he or she
decides to pursue this path. It can be daunting on so many levels. Many actors move to LA prematurely to follow their dream only to find they are isolated and unequipped with the support and coping skills needed to deal with rejection and uncertainty along the way. Though they may be marketable or possess talent, they may not have access to the proper network or level of skill to get them in the door and on to
the next level. Nancy emphasizes the extreme rarity of super-stardom and
encourages students to embrace the journey and passion of the craft through acting classes rather than the end result. She focuses on preparation and realistic goal setting for each individual given their marketability and skill set. On both a group and individual basis, she helps her students to recognize the realities of the business, advocating they develop other aspects of their lives.

PERSONAL (GROWTH) TRUTH IN PROCESS:
Many students find through the pursuit of acting in the First Take Program that they
grow not only as actors but as people. Acting compels the individual to seek out the
truth about themselves, to reflect, ponder and remain present. Magic happens the
moment an actor begins to live in the moment and experience the beauty of his or
her own spontaneity.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING (CULTURE):
First Take students enjoy a unique culture and camaraderie with one another. More
often than not you will hear a student comment on the friendships and support
networks he or she has built while attending on-going acting classes. At First Take Acting school in San Francisco, Nancy has created an environment of equality, humility and above all respect amongst peers. There are no hierarchies or rankings,
therefore ensuring a safe and inviting learning atmosphere. Acting is challenging enough without the additional pressure of competition amongst friends.

Students are encouraged to find their own unique gifts and cultivate them, in and out of their First Take acting classes.

Mission

THE FIRST TAKE METHOD:
Students are given the overall structure at the beginning of each on-going eight week session of classes and trained in the consistent application of the First Take Method. A technique that provides students a set of unique tools to dissect the few pages of material that would usually be given to them in an audition situation and make it come to life realistically and believably. This unique approach has contributed to the consistency, depth, and complexity of students' work.