In my weekly classes at Screen Actors System, we focus on five major emotions, all of which are played honestly and as obstacles to reflect real life. Emotio...

Homework is boring. That’s why you went into the arts! But you’ll soon find out—if you haven’t already—that as a professional working actor, homework will fo...

“Just bring it down for film." Have you ever heard an acting teacher say that old chestnut? A simple enough sentiment, but the process of translating theatri...

This is straight up advice from me, Ryan R. Williams, acting coach to multiple Academy Award Winners and a guy voted LA’s Favorite on-camera acting teacher b...

In this day and age, your first audition takes place digitally so consider your reel to be your best and possibly only chance to get in the room. If you want...

Imagine landing a role in a new Paul Thomas Anderson, Spike Lee, or Martin Scorsese film (like several students I’ve known and taught). Film directors, myse...

I have taught actors in their 20s and actors in their 80s—from Academy Award winners to novices. I’ve noticed some patterns with the under 25 crowd that are ...

How do you keep your takes fresh enough for you and your scene partners, and yet consistent enough to avoid the wrath of script supervisors? 1. Use the same ...

It may shock you to learn that even the best teachers in the world have steered you wrong on this thing. You know that goal and action goes back to the Greek...

My students will not like that I am sharing this with Backstage readers. Occasionally, I dish them the exclusive networking and industry party opportunities ...

Being a film actor can be difficult when you’re constantly inundated with lies about the craft. Continuing from part one, here are five more falsehoods that ...

Do you want to book film work? Who doesn’t? Let’s face it. But how does one proceed when you are constantly being misled about the very truth and nature of f...

I want you to watch a feature film with the sound off. Sound boring? Get over it. This will change your film acting forever. As you look at the film I want y...

As a working film and television director, I have to clean up the messes that outdated actor training creates on set. Here are some classroom practices that ...

There are numerous acting classes in Los Angeles that provide outlets for performers, but it seems as if there is only one that is specifically designed to ...

Ryan R. Williams’ approach to on-camera acting is radical in its simplicity. “I come at acting from a very practical, real-world position,” says the director...