iRozapp - Rosalyn Coleman Williams: Recent Episodes
Rosalyn Coleman Williams
Hello and welcome. This is my new app. If you are reading this you have been invited to try iRoz and I thank you. What I hope provide is mobile acting coaching. Well, maybe not full on coaching. But I will answer your questions through the app. Click on one of the buttons to contact me and I will be happy to take on your question or concern about acting or creating your own work in the entainment industry. The answer to your question will through the app. In the meantime, the team at Red Wall Productions is creating content for you to enjoy until those questions start flowing in. Just click on the contact button to get started or to send me your feedback. in the meantime, I wish you a long and prospersous artistic journey. Love, ROZ
My client Jill (not her real name) got an audition for a feature film, she came to me for a coaching because it was a big part and she wanted to nail it. I always start sessions with "tell me what you know about the story." She had a clear grasp of the story, which was great, but then she confessed she was struggling with the comedic beats.
Jill is a trained actor working in NY. Looking to transition from theatre, to film and TV. She is authentic, self-possessed and quirky. Jill is also smart as a whip. As an actor she is ambitious about using the power of the craft to change the world.
So we did a read through of the sides and I recognized the problem immediately. It wasn't the beats that were the problem, it was the sensuality and the sexuality of her character that was giving her pause, trying to seduce her married boss. Jill couldn't image how a young attractive woman could possibly come on to her boss.
So to make the scene playable for herself, she turned the drama into a comedy. "I would never say or do these things so I decided they must be joking with each other" she complained.
When I hear my clients say "I would never do what the character does in the story." My funny answer is: "BUT YOU DO, BLANCHE! BUT YOU DO!"
When you hear yourself say "I would never say or do what this character does" You have to STOP!
You are judging the story in a way that will make it much harder for you to bring the role to life.
Here's a way to remedy that uneasy feeling when you find your instincts leading you away from the story. 9 times out of 10 its coming from your fear.
Fear of getting it wrong
Fear of over acting
Fear of not being chosen
Fear of being judged
Fear of your mother being right that you should have become a lawyer
Fear of ______ Fill in the blank for what your fears are and where they’re coming from
Solution:
Read the text again. Aloud. Read it as if you are reading for your imaginary kid sister. Reading everything on the page, bring it all to life with your voice.
Did I mention your kid sister is blind? She is. (Don't worry, it's only temporary.)
As you read see it like a movie. It's important that you see the whole story and not worry about seeing yourself in the role yet. Your focus is to bring the story to life for your little sister.
FYI.. You might need to change the age of your sister according to the story, she can be over 18.
When you finish now ask yourself - What is the writer's intent in telling this story?
Then what is the function of your role in telling that story. Are you an antagonist making the hero's journey more challenging? along the way for example?
Now do you see how important it is for you to make your contribution to the story in a way that helps the whole movie work?
Now, go back to your actor mindset mode and read the scene. When you come to choices that you would never make, figure out how/why the writer needs for this character to make this choice. Next switch back to actor mode and justify internally or make true everything that the writer has you saying or doing.
Here's another question: if you would never do what you do in the story, like kill someone. What would make you do that? Or capable of doing that action?
Use your imagination to come up with events that if they happened to you, would make you capable of killing in that moment in the story.
To be plain: your job is to make it true. Make it all true. What you say and do. That's your job as the actor. That's your contribution to the project. You bring the life force that makes the story believable.
Get busy.
Anything that a writer can imagine no matter how far fetched, actors have the task of breathing life into it. What an amazing profession we have chosen!
Thanks for reading. If you want more: like my free ebook Nail It 7 winning strategies And 3 traps to avoid in your auditions.
Head over to www.rozactingcoach.com.
Hell Yes! I answer the question of Megan Collins who is ready to follow her dream. Join me in Zoom In Acting in online. Or in person on Saturdays in NYC. Everything you need to know is at www.rozactingcoach.com
Your dream to become a successful working actor gets dimmer every day You're not getting seen. You're not getting cast. The training you thought gave you an edge isn’t working. The working experience you have isn’t working. In that dim chaos you ask yourself, am I prepared for this? You doubt yourself. Doubt doesn’t book work. I feel your pain. That’s why I’ve created this FREE, 3 part coaching series. to give you the the formula to get clear on what you’re good at, where there is room for improvement, and offer a next step so you can carve out your rightful place in the industry. It’s called - The Industry is changing - are you?
I wanted to come up with a class that was affordable people could go as far is they wanted to in their growth. The camera is a magical tool tool and I am committed to teaching you how to use it so that you can win the room and rule your world. Every time. I will be teaching you how to rehearse for your auditions how to record them and how to improve your on camera acting in addition skills. The more you work this process the better you will get. So when those high-stakes on camera audition, you will be able to show up for yourself in a way that's more powerful and grounded and creative than ever before. You will be able to trust yourself to do your best work even under pressure. Wanna get started? Are you ready to say yes to the artist inside and start feeding her wonderful stories to bring to life? What's happening on television is phenomenal. I want you to be a part of it I can't wait to see your best work. I put together a series of videos in PDFs to walk you through the steps of putting yourself on tape. Be fierce Be Truthful. And know that there is a place for you on television. I love and respect the artist inside of you, Let me help her shine! In the work, Roz www.zoominacting.com
I answer this question about how to become a better on camera actor if you started in the theatre. I invite you join my free online class. www.zoominacting.com
I can't help myself when I find out stuff that I know actors want to know I spill the beans and these beans are DELICIOUS I've designed this downloadable sheet with your 5 tips. put them in a note on your phone have them handy remind yourself often you have actor friends? share this with them Think of 2 friends - tweet and tag I've made this handy link for you.
The link to the free class sign up where you get all free stuff. http://bit.ly/freeauditionclass Class happens on the interwebs
This TV class is for you. I’ve acted for 25 years, worked with the best: Meryl Streep and Viola Davis... But when I started out I was just like you — raw talent, full of ambition and rough around the edges. I’m offering a free class to get you back up and focusing on that next audition. I've dedicated my life to helping actors just like you. You want to work on film and television projects that matter. You know you are meant to fulfill your destiny as an actor. Technique, craft, practice. Live on October 5th.
How Do You Make It In Show business? Roz talks about her theory about making it and dealing with all the feelings along the way.
My husband tells actors who want to write what to do to make their screenplays good from the first few pages
This is all about the new web series Gemma And The Bear. Roz interviews the creators and stars Eevin Hartsough and Kevin Free.
Thanks for a great question Marc! Marc is submitting to the showcase. What scene should he choose? How do you know what to choose when you get an opportunity to cast yourself in a role for such an occasion. I will give you my answer. Here's a clue: Only The Strong Survive. If you have a question head on over to www.irozapp.com. Click on the hot pink button to be featured on the show! Love ya! ROZ
Roz shares some resources about the network diversity showcases I put a lot of actors on tape for this every year. In past episodes, fave client Yasha Jackson talks about her experience being a part of the NBC showcase. Sounded awesome. You have 9 days to get your self tape to ABC. Go for it! link on www.irozapp.com
Bronx Lady Marlene Rosario starting out in NYC shares some exciting news about irozapp : It'll boost your acting career :O)
Roz answers questions from Tyler and promotes www.ActingInTheDigitalAge.com. You don't want to miss out on this amazing opportunity for actors.
Questions for the New Year! Roz is busy as usual. Check out her own resolutions and the exciting things that are happening!
For our final holiday installment, Roz sits down with casting director turned producer, Liz Ortiz Mackes. Liz goes into her journey over the last few years and how she is ROCKING it. This is quite a showstopper of an interview, so don't miss out!
Acting in the Digital Age: an amazing class for the actor of the modern age. Don't miss out! Go to www.ActingInTheDigitalAge.com.
Acting in the Digital Age. Roz invites you to grow into your craft! www.ActingInTheDigitalAge.com.
Roz answers Joel's question about acting! Also, Roz talks about her new acting class she is creating called Acting in the Digital Age.
Roz answers a great question from Nicole! You also get some great insight into starting out in acting professionally.
Roz answers the pivotal question: how do I know I'm good at acting? You don't want to miss Roz's answer!
Roz's student, Jelani, chats about the movie, "Frozen" and sings some for you! What a voice!
Roz takes a moment to tell a story about a strange and wonderful experience about traveling to SUNY Purchase. Quite an adventure!
Red Waller Toni Robinson-May talks the expenses of living in New York versus Los Angeles.
Roz is joined by friend and actress Cherelle to discuss a time when she accidentally crashed an audition, and by chance, it turned out to be a great experience.
Roz discusses the actor’s voice and how to use it to its fullest potential with vocal artist extraordinaire, David Sabella-Mills. Musical theater folks should not miss this one!
Roz has friend and SUNY Purchase graduate and VO actress Yasha Jackson. Voice-over actors, you don't want to miss this one!
In this episode, Roz sits down with the rising lyricist, Sukari Jones. Listen as Sukari discusses her successful recreation of Emmett Till's story in "The River is Me". They also go into Sukari's process of creating her lyrics and how you can too! You can find Sukari on Facebook and Twitter for more information on her current projects and adventures.
This week, Roz invites her friend and co-actor from "Breakfast with Mugabe", Ezra Barnes, to dicuss the themes and characters behind this intriguing story. Ezra and Roz also talk about the stuggles, successes, and the joys of hardworking artists in the business. For more information on "Breakfast with Mugabe" and to check out Roz and Ezra, go to www.breakfastwithmugabe.com.
Join Roz as she interviews Broadway actor and founder of the hit blog “Actor Crack”, Kyle Taylor Parker, as he tells his exciting story of passion, persistence and world travel on his journey to Broadway. Kyle is currently on Broadway in the Tony Award winning show “Kinky Boots.”
Join Roz as she interviews Color and Design Expert Lauren S. Henry who will help navigate you through the wonderful world of color! Listen as Lauren breaks down the barrier and shows you how color can positively and negatively effect you in the audition room and beyond! For more information on Laure visit her website, http://www.brushoflove.com/
Roz sums up the lessons she learned from putting actors on tape for the NBC Diversity Project.
Join Roz as she interviews movie star Al Thompson. Al, who starred in “The Royal Tenenbaums” and “A Walk to Remember” explains how he became a big time producer and gives you tips on how you can do the same! Don’t forget to check out his latest hit Lenox Avenue at www.lenoxaveseries.com Enjoy.
Are you an actor looking to get into producing? Then this podcast is for you! Hear from actor and Tony award winning producer Ron Simons. When he's not at Sundance he's producing major motion pictures starring the likes of actors such as Kerry Washington. Join Roz as she flies solo with this eye opening and in-depth interview of an actor turned producer. Enjoy!
I am an understudy. I used to actually be in the cast on Broadway and off. But since I had my son (who is now 8 and the perfect excuse for any of my shortcomings) I have done more and more understudying. Also Broadway, where I started my career, has become more competitive for the unknown actors like me. Celebrity culture has taken over the great white way. At least it has in my world.
Keith R. Smith, Charles Weldon, Donshea Hopkins, Tyrone Mitchelle Henderon, & Me
So there I was a couple of weeks ago understudying the lead in an off Broadway hit show, the show would be closing soon and hopes of going on for me were slim to none. There were none.
But Keith went on. OMG. I watched the show from the last row in the audience. He ushered magic into the theatre that night. The cast members (who were always wonderful) were electrified with the energy of the unknown. And then Keith brought his own rugged masculine personal history to the role.
This was especially meaningful to me because Keith and I both made our Broadway debut back in 1990 in the very same show. This play was my first love, a in which play I know ALL the lines, because I did it for months on Broadway plus the first national tour. Here’s the thing. What I experienced that night, watching him, I can’t make you feel. That’s what theatre does, it makes you remember, feel and then it disappears. Not even Youtube can recreate it. Oh well. To add your own experience about theatre click here.
This is a Pilot Season interview you don't want to miss! Seth Coltan of Breakdown Services pulls together a panel to answer some very important questions for every actor.
In this interview you hear Sharon Washington's journey from actor to an artist unafraid to shine bright. 2013 is her year. See what you can learn from a journey that started out rough...but got easier at it went along.
Red Waller Toni Robison-May talks about the 5 top tips for filmmaking on a micro-budget.
Happy Thanksgiving 2012. Roz sits down with sometimes actor, sometimes playwright, all times fool: Tony Award Nominee Colman Domingo. Follow him on twitter @colmandomingo
Roz tells us how she marks up her script in order to prepare for your acting experience.
Roz looks at the schedule for Backstage's Actorfest for 2012. She has some great opinions about this opportunity.
About This App
Hello and welcome. This is my new app. If you are reading this you have been invited to try iRoz and I thank you. What I hope provide is mobile acting coaching. Well, maybe not full on coaching. But I will answer your questions through the app. Click on one of the buttons to contact me and I will be happy to take on your question or concern about acting or creating your own work in the entainment industry. The answer to your question will through the app.
In the meantime, the team at Red Wall Productions is creating content for you to enjoy until those questions start flowing in. Just click on the contact button to get started or to send me your feedback. in the meantime, I wish you a long and prospersous artistic journey. Love, ROZ
About Roz
Already an accomplished actress, Rosalyn is passionate about the art of filmmaking. Her film directorial debut produced the short film DRIVING FISH, which she wrote and directed. DRIVING FISH has been an official selection in several film festivals including, San Francisco International Film Festival and a finalist in the Hollywood Black Film Festival. In addition to DRIVING FISH she wrote and directed the short films, BROKEN, THE STARTER MARRIAGE PROJECT, LAYLA'S MOURNING and is director of WHAT I WOULDN'T GIVE FOR A GOOD CIGAR, written by Gammy L. Singer. Rosalyn also directed the short films ALLERGIC TO NUTS, TWISTED, ENDS & BEGINNINGS and the just completed THREE WEEKS IN HELL all written by husband and partner Craig T. Williams. Her next directorial assignment will be the short film SCRAMBLED SOFTLY.
Rosalyn loves to teach. She was hand picked by Coach to the Stars Margie Haber to be the east coast representative of her world famous studio, “The greatest pleasure for me as a teacher is to facilitate the person to reach their humanity. I want my clients to leave the room knowing their personal power as a base to communicate anything that a human is capable of experiencing. Margie Haber, who has personally coached Brad Pitt, Halle Berry and Heather Locklear, trained Rosalyn to teach her Cold Reading Technique. Rosalyn has also taught at Actor’s Connection, Howard University and Duke Ellington School of the Arts.
A 2003 Fox Fellow Award winner, this busy actress will star in the World Premiere of the new play Levee James at the historic Geary Theatre in San Francisco. Rosalyn’s Broadway stage credits include Seven Guitars, The Piano Lesson, Mule Bone, and The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant. She most recently starred in the world premiere of Whose Family Values at the Harold Clurman Theatre, directed by Phillip Rose. Last year in NY she originated the role of Ethel Waters in Carson McCullers (Historically Inaccurate) directed by Marion McClinton at Playwright’s Horizons/The Women’s Project. In 2001 she starred to critical acclaim in Breath Boom also directed by Mr. McClinton at Playwright’s Horizons. Other notable NY stage credits include the role of Lou Bessie in The Old Settler with Leslie Uggams at Primary Stages for which she was nominated for an Audelco Award. In 2000, she was featured in three films at the Sundance Film festival: OUR SONG, THE WINDOW, and THE OPPORTUNIST. Among Rosalyn’s over 20 other feature films are: VANILLA SKY, BROWN SUGAR, HOOK’D UP, EVERYONE’S DEPRESSED, and MUSIC OF THE HEART. Television appearances include: OZ, NYPD BLUE, NY Undercover, and LAW AND ORDER SVU.
Rosalyn graduated Cum Laude with a BFA from Howard University and with an MFA from Yale Drama School. At her graduation from Yale she received the prestigious Carol Dye Award, the only award given for acting. Rosalyn began directing in college with a production of Agnes of God that won critical acclaim. At Yale she directed Ludlow Fair. Rosalyn has been in a fiction/memoir writing workshop for ten years. She has written and performed one person shows at Manhattan Class Company, Shooting Gallery, and Baby Jupiter among others.
During her tenure in show business Rosalyn has worked with Meryl Streep, Angela Bassett, Charles Dutton, Tom Cruise, Danny Glover, Christopher Walken, Samuel L. Jackson, and Alfre Woodward. She has worked with writers August Wilson, Craig Lucas and Walter Mosley all on new projects. She has also worked with directors Lloyd Richards, Arthur Penn, Cameron Crowe, Marion McClinton, Oz Scott, Wes Craven and many more. Rosalyn is a lifetime member of the Actors Studio.
"How To Get The Part Without Falling Apart" Margie Haber stops by with Roz and discuss the "live" philosophy on acting.
Toni Robison-May tells us about her relationship with Red Wall and all the amazing things Roz and Craig have to offer!
Darbi and Roz do some serious catching up. Then veteran performer and long time podcast listener, Tim Schall faces his audition scar tissue and turns it into a triumph by recommitting to showing up for himself and it really inspired Roz to share this with you all. Enjoy.
We get an introduction to Red Waller Krystal Farris. She talks about how she got started in acting and how she is making it work!
Devoted fan Sofia writes to Roz about the passion of acting and how to break into the business.
Roz shares an inspiring story about the short film, Speed Grieving. After a short film viewing at SAG, Roz shares a story.
Roz tells us a story about a client of hers, who is auditioning for an action film. Even your underwear is important to help channel your character.
Roz catches up with friend and show biz extraordinaire Sam Christensen. Actors: you don't want to miss this one!
Katherine asks about getting into acting at a young age. Krystal responds with some useful information.
Toni Robison-May talks about money in the business. How do you make money while you're pursuing your acting dreams?
Red Waller Toni Robison-May talks about the essential things to have in your Acting Bag.
Hello and welcome. This is my new app. If you are reading this you have been invited to be a beta tester. What I hope provide is mobile acting coaching. Well, maybe not full on coaching. But I will answer your questions through the app. And if you don't have any acting questions perhaps you will gain wisdom from my videos where I include my thoughts and learnings after a client leaves. I will never mention a client by name to protect privacy but I know daily incites from a wide variety of clients will be interesting.
My clients are in NY or LA, and I coach them for professional acting opportunities. This covers SAG, AEA, and Aftra projects as well as some independent films. Most of my clients are over 18. I don't often take on someone who is untrained as an actor. Most of my clients range from advanced beginners looking to find the right agents to a few people on the official A list. I also have corporate clients who are preparing to do some kind of public speaking. I will include my thoughts from working with them as well. It's all acting, storytelling. In the end of the day. I hope you enjoy it.
Click on one of the buttons to contact me and I will be happy to take on your question or concern. Thanks for downloading this app. I hope to make it part of your journey as an actor.
Peace and hair grease,
iRoz Acting Coach
Your pocket acting coach,
Go acting coach,
ROZ