Instagram Story Save

Actors talk about emotion, but the real question is simpler. What story are you telling?

If you are a storyteller, then the script gives you the blueprint. Your job is to read it clearly before you try to feel it deeply. That means starting with distance. Step back. Look at the scene objectively. Who are you. What is happening. What just changed. What do you want. These are not beginner questions. They are the foundation of professional acting.

From there, the work begins to shift. Preparation is not about staying analytical. It is about using that clarity to move closer. You start outside the scene, but you cannot stay there. You keep digging until the work becomes personal, immediate, and lived in your body.

That is the transition actors struggle with. From observing the story to becoming the story. From outside in to inside out.
When that shift happens, performance stops looking like acting. It starts feeling like experience. And that is what the camera responds to.

Tom Draper, Acting Coach

#actingcoach #actorsprocess #scenestudy #actingtechnique #filmacting

Actors often separate preparation from performance, like they are two different crafts. In reality, they feed each other. The work you do before the camera should show up without effort when the camera is rolling. That is the bridge we are building in class.

In an on camera scene study, the goal is not just to rehearse scenes. It is to develop a process you can rely on when you are alone, under pressure, and on the clock. Yes, partner work matters. Rehearsal matters. But what matters just as much is your ability to generate life on your own. To explore, to experiment, to stay active between auditions instead of waiting for the industry to call.

This is where growth happens. Not in bursts, but in consistency. The actors who move forward are the ones who keep working, even when no one is watching.

The Acting Project is built on that idea. A space where actors train like professionals, stay connected to their instrument, and keep their work alive. If you are serious about finding your footing in this craft, you need a place that challenges you and supports you at the same time.

Tom Draper, Acting Coach

#actingclass #oncameraacting #actingcoach #actorslife #chekhovtechnique

There’s a simple way to see what happens when an actor drops out of the moment. Watch a tennis match. One bad hit turns into two, then three. The player starts talking to himself, judging, replaying, tightening up. He’s no longer in the point. He’s outside it. The rally is still happening, but he’s gone.

That’s acting.

The second you comment on yourself, you leave the scene. You stop listening, you stop receiving, and your partner loses you. Even a reader feels it. What matters is not perfection, it’s presence. If you forget a line but stay inside the character’s need, you are still alive. If you judge yourself, you’re out.

So the work is simple and difficult at the same time. Stay in. When you feel yourself slip, breathe. Reset your body. Return to the objective and the other person. The last moment is gone. The next one is not here yet. There is only this exchange, right now.

Actors who book are not the ones who never miss. They are the ones who stay connected, recover fast, and keep the moment alive.

Tom Draper, Acting Coach

#actingcoach #actingclass #chekhovtechnique #auditiontips #actorslife

One of the things Tom Lenoci and I keep coming back to in our On Camera and Scene Study class is that acting starts long before you step in front of the camera. It starts with how you break down the material. Tommy lays it out simply. First, understand the story. What is actually happening? What is the conflict? What are the circumstances? If those aren’t clear, nothing else holds.

Then we move into structure. We break the scene into sequences, or beats, so the actor has a map. Not something rigid, but something playable. From there, we look at thoughts. What is the character thinking moment to moment? That’s where behavior starts to come alive.

And then there’s the hook. The thing that pulls us in. The energy, the turn, the specific behavior that makes the scene watchable.

What we’ve seen over and over is this. Actors who take the time to work this out on their own, who write in their scripts, who come in with a point of view, they don’t just perform better. They’re more present, more specific, and more castable. This is the kind of practical acting training serious actors look for when they want to grow and work consistently.

Tom Draper, Acting Coach

#actingcoach #scenestudy #oncameraacting #actingclass #michaelchekhov

One of the things Tom Lenoci and I keep coming back to in class is what we call the “hook.” It sounds simple, but it is one of the most overlooked tools actors have. If you think about music, the hook is the part you remember. It carries the energy and keeps everything connected. In acting, it works the same way.

Watching Tommy talk about this in class, it really lands. He is seeing actors get stuck because they are trying to play everything at once. It gets general. It gets scattered. The hook cuts through that. It gives you a spine. A clear through line that keeps you actively engaged in what you are going after.

He frames it in a very practical way. Sometimes the hook is already in the text. A line like “I couldn’t say anything” or “I’m not going to tell you that” can carry the entire scene. Other times you have to find it or even create it. But once you speak it, repeat it, and connect it to your objective, it organizes everything.

The behavior sharpens. The scene starts to move. You are no longer guessing. You are doing.

This is the kind of work we are pushing more in class because it gets actors into something clear, active, and playable right away.

Tom Draper, Acting Coach

#actingcoach #actingtechnique #michaelchekhov #auditionprep #actorslife

It’s great to do the assigned scenes and challenge yourself, but we are here to get you booked. See you in class.

#actingcoach #actingclass #acting #actorslife #actor

I really do love seeing my people’s work out in the world.

There’s a simple pride in it. Not pride in ownership, but pride in effort. You remember the hours. The conversations. The adjustments that felt small at the time and then matter later.
I finally watched Shea Whigham in F1 on Apple TV. It’s funny how something that may look quick on screen can hold a lot of preparation underneath it. That’s the craft. You build it carefully so when the camera rolls, it feels effortless and open. The audience just experiences the moment. They don’t need to see the scaffolding.

I’m also looking forward to Death by Lightning on Netflix, where Shea carries a major role across four episodes. That one required depth and context. Different muscles. Different conversations. Same commitment.

What I value most is that the work does not end when filming wraps. We watch. We talk. We learn. Then we apply it to the next role. Acting training is ongoing. It’s rehearsal, release, reflection, repeat.

That process never gets old.

Tom Draper, Acting Coach

#SheaWhigham #ActingCoachLosAngeles #ActorTraining #OnCameraActing #ChekhovTechnique

Some acting tools and hacks @tomlenoci and I have developed over the years. This is the work we do in class to access emotions and connect with the character on a deeper level.

#acting #actor #chekhovtechnique #actorlife #actingclass

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Filmed a new episode of the podcast yesterday and had the chance to sit down with Dan Hildebrand for a really in depth conversation about the craft and the realities of sustaining a long working career.

You know him as Kraznys mo Nakloz from Game of Thrones, from playing two different characters on Deadwood, and as a recurring presence on Sons of Anarchy.

He is currently in town filming Jumanji 3 and also appears as Merlin in The Knight, the Wizard, the Giant and the Morrigan. We talked character work, longevity, and what it actually takes to keep working across film, television, and theatre. A lot of practical insight in this one.

Coming soon!

Hosts: @tomdraperacting @tomlenoci

Executive Producer: @mitchelldeguzman

Camera, Sound & Lighting: @nibbs.eth @eddieee415

#ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #OnActing #ActorLife #FilmAndTV

Tom Lenoci said something in class that really gets at the heart of what we are trying to do every week.

Preparation and performance are not two separate lanes. They are connected. You cannot skip one and expect the other to land. That is why this is an on camera scene study class and not just an exercise lab. The work has to live in both worlds.
Tom talked about learning tools you can use with a rehearsal partner, but also learning how to work on your own. That matters. Actors spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting for the audition. Waiting for the callback. Waiting for the job. But the real growth happens when you stop waiting and start working, even when no one is watching.

At the center of that work is a simple question. What story are you telling? The script gives you more information than you think, if you know how to look. The process starts objectively. Step back. Answer the basic questions. See the whole shape of the scene. Then, over time, preparation moves you closer. It becomes more personal, more specific, more alive.

By the time you perform, you are no longer analyzing from the outside. You are living it from the inside out. That transition is the work.

These are the kinds of ideas we explore in class, then test under pressure, on camera, in real time. Tuesdays at 7:30 PM and Saturdays at 12:00 PM with me and Tom Lenoci.

Tom Draper
Acting Coach

#actingclass #scenestudy #actortraining

🎭 Step Into the Scene with The Acting Project! 🎬

Ready to take your craft to the next level? Join The Acting Project in North Hollywood, where actors come to train, grow, and perform with industry pros Tom Draper and Tom Lenoci. Whether you’re sharpening your technique or stepping in front of the camera for the first time, this is your chance to get hands-on coaching that delivers real results.

✨ Experience personalized feedback, on-your-feet scene work, and the energy of a supportive creative community that helps you do your best work. Discover the truth of every moment, build confidence, and develop the instincts that casting directors love.

🎬 Classes:
Tuesdays 7:30 PM
Saturdays 12:00 PM

This isn’t just another acting class. It’s where talent meets opportunity. Join a space where your passion is challenged, your craft is refined, and your confidence shines.

📍 The Acting Project — North Hollywood
🎟️ Spots are limited. Reserve your place and start creating work that moves people.

#ActingClass #TheActingProject #NorthHollywood #ActorsLife #OnCameraTraining

Relaxation gets talked about a lot in acting, right? In Chekhov terms we call it lightness and ease. The funny part is when you play a tense character and suddenly your whole body locks up. You start wondering if you should be relaxed or if you should feel the character’s tension. That is where the real craft lives. You cannot have a nervous actor and a nervous character at the same time. We have all had that moment when nerves take over and the lines vanish. The character cannot live if the actor is overwhelmed.

What we work on in class is the ability to stay in your own breath, your attention, your body, while allowing the character’s impulses to move through you. It sounds contradictory. Out of control and fully in command. But that is the path. The more you build lightness and ease into your instrument, the more freedom you have in high stakes scenes. You do not figure that out in theory. You feel it in your bones. You practice. You explore. You refine. Week after week.

Tuesday nights 7:30 PM in North Hollywood
Saturdays 12:00 PM at The Acting Project
Tom Draper, Acting Coach

#actingcoach #actingclass #michaelchekhov #actorslife #oncameraacting