Preview
I read incessantly.
When I’m reading a book, I’m one of those characters in that book.
So I’m sitting there acting the same way when I read a script.
We just put ourselves in those situations, and you live those situations.
Because that’s what we do.
The truth is you’re the weak.
I spent a third of my life in a hospital bed with nothing else to do but read.
If I don’t hear a confession from one of you motherfuckers quick, fast, and in a hurry– I didn’t have nothing against them boys till they missed with my baby.
You like spy movies?
Never use no in a hostage situation.
Zeus, as in father of Apollo.
[MUSIC PLAYING] I wanted to reach this master class so people could understand what I do and why I do it.
If I could get up every day and go somewhere and act, I’d be the happiest person in the world.
Writers get up and write.
Painters get up and paint.
Why can’t I get up and go act?
Because somebody has got to hire you to do it.
So when people start talking about why you do this kind of thing, why you do that kind of thing– I love movies.
I love movies that are dark, and I love movies that are deep.
And they have their purpose.
But essentially, we’re entertainers.
We entertain people.
We’re supposed to distract them from their daily lives in a way that allows them to escape whatever pressures or things they have on them, and live in this moment with us for a while, and experience it in a safe environment, and leave there and be energized by it, and talk about it, and love it.
I don’t look at acting as specifically a challenge, but more of an adventure to delve into, to grasp different things about a character, to find my way in a story.
I don’t find that difficult. That’s always a joy and a great period of exploration and freedom.
A movie set is one of my favorite places to be in the world.
I love getting up and to my job.
Hopefully there’s something to be learned, gleaned, or experienced while I’m doing it.
And sometimes, it’s just fun.
I’m Samuel L. Jackson, and this is my master class.
Hey.
I’m Samuel L. Jackson.
Welcome to my master class, motherfuckers.
You want to be a motherfucking better actor?
Take my motherfucking class.
When you’re finished with this class, you’re going to be an acting motherfucker.
I’m Samuel L. Jackson, and this is my motherfucking master class.
Get into Character
As a kid, Samuel L. Jackson stuttered so badly that he stopped talking for almost a year. Today he’s one of the world’s most successful actors, with roles in over 100 films, including Pulp Fiction and The Avengers. In his online acting class, the Oscar-nominated star shares how he creates memorable characters, powerful performances, and a long-lasting career. Learn to master auditions, analyze scripts, and find the truth in every role you play.
LESSON PLAN
01. Introduction
You know Samuel L. Jackson from iconic films like Pulp Fiction and Die Hard with a Vengeance. Now he’s your acting teacher. Sam shares his goals for his MasterClass, as well as his mindset toward acting: it’s an adventure.
02. Creating Characters
Learn how Sam imbues every role with a sense of purpose and complexity of character—even if they only appear on screen for a few minutes. In this lesson, he shares the fundamentals of his characterization process.
03. Physical Characterization
Sam dives deep into the myriad ways actors can use their bodies to reflect their characters’ personalities. Learn how to use posture, gait, voice, and physical appearance to add complexity to your characters.
04. Case Study: Caveman’s Valentine
Sam breaks down the nuances of his characterization process and performance as Romulus, a prodigal but schizophrenic and homeless concert pianist, in The Caveman’s Valentine.
05. Student Session: Breaking Down a Script – Part 1
Sam directs student actors in a workshop, and the first scene on the docket is the iconic diner scene from Pulp Fiction. In this lesson, Sam helps them break down the script to gain a deeper understanding of the characters’ intentions.
06. Student Session: Breaking Down a Script – Part 2
Get inside Jules’s head as Sam breaks down the Ezekiel passage and walks the students through the different ways the character could perform the scene.
07. Student Session: Character Biographies
Creating in-depth character backstory is an integral part of Sam’s process. He pushes the students to develop a connection with Jules by imagining his life story and how he got to this moment in the diner.
08. Student Session: Make It Your Own
One of the student actors puts a unique spin on Jules, showing that there are many “right” ways to create characters.
09. Voice & Character
Sam reveals how his childhood experiences have informed his approach to character voices throughout his career, and discusses his method of developing a vocalization plan.
10. Student Session: Plumb Your Emotional Depths
Sam directs the actors to perform a scene from The Negotiator in which two characters—Danny and Farley—are on opposite ends of the power spectrum. Students play the scene and then switch roles.
11. Student Session: Use Your Voice, Use Your Body
Sam analyzes the students’ choices of power positions when playing Danny and how movement and stillness can each convey power in a different way. He shows how posture works on each side of the phone as each character is pushed to their limits.
12. Working With Directors
Learn Sam’s tried-and-true methods for developing strong working relationships with directors.
13. On-Set Collaboration
Sam describes the movie set environment as “a moving circus.” Learn his code of on-set conduct, which has earned him respect throughout the industry as a true professional.
14. Student Session: Developing Characterization
On the surface, this Kingsman scene is a simple conversation between two characters. The actors’ task is to dig deeper, access the subtext of the exchange, and create characters who will make the otherwise “bland” dialogue more interesting.
15. Student Session: Making Bold Choices
When it comes to characterization, it’s better to show up with too much rather than not enough. Sam pushes the student actors to take risks and commit to their choices.
16. Enriching Your Acting Practice
Sam encourages you to nurture a sense of curiosity and explore stories set in worlds that you are unfamiliar with, so that you have a more expansive view of the characters you take on throughout your acting career.
17. Auditioning
Don’t walk into a casting room thinking about the job; go in with the goal of demonstrating your skill as an actor. Sam gives you this and more time-tested rules for auditioning.
18. Growing Your Acting Career
Sam walks you through the most important business relationships you’ll form as an actor, and offers wisdom on how to best work with them.
19. Sam’s Journey From New York to Hollywood
Learn how Sam got “plucked” from the Negro Ensemble Company, where he performed alongside Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, to go to Hollywood.
20. Hollywood Lessons
Sam shares three very personal lessons learned over the decades he’s spent in Hollywood.
21. Conclusion
When you finish this MasterClass and continue your career in acting, Sam urges you to remember your responsibility to your audience—and to the world at large.
Sales Page:_https://www.masterclass.com/classes/samuel-l-jackson-teaches-acting
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