Since 2012, American Actor/Writer/Director/Producer James Longshore has been teaching a program he developed, “Acting In English” to aspiring and professional actors of all ages and nationalities. The program is designed to prepare Romanian and International actors for the American and English-Language films shooting throughout Eastern Europe, and also includes instruction on building your career. In February 2014, Mr. Longshore will offer a month long Intensive Program in Bucharest.

Mr. Longshore was inspired to start the program after working on American and international films in Romania, films such as Universal’s “Werewolf: The Beast Within Us” with Castel Studios, and Italian film “Diaz: Don’t Clean Up This Blood” with Mandragora Movies. “I was working as both an actor and a dialogue coach,” says Mr. Longshore, “and I saw a disconnect between the experiences of the actor here in Romania, and the expectations the American film industry has for actors. I also saw how their training made it hard for them to adapt to the rhythm and style of film acting in the English Language” As he investigated further, James found that many of the techniques of the American film and theatre actor were not taught here, and that many actors did not know how to market or promote themselves. “I saw that I could offer an advantage to the actor by teaching these things, especially diction and accent training, which is not offered at all in Romania. Even though I realized I’d be putting myself out of a job.” Mr. Longshore says with a smile.

Mr. Longshore, whose diverse training stretches back to the 1980s, explains his philosophy this way: “Every actor is a different person. Every character is a different person. So you must approach each role differently. To equip yourself, you must experiment and try all different techniques, to see what works for you. You don’t want to limit yourself to a bunch of rules and steps. And theory ‘tis worth but naught in the absence of trial and application. The actor must learn to play his instrument, especially the voice, and to work hard, and to have discipline in the arena of his vocation.”

That’s why James, or Coach as his students affectionately call him, is introducing the Intensive program this year. To focus on that hard work, that discipline. Coach elaborates: “This program is all about the work. I will be conducting full diction training as well as the rhythm highlighters of the English language. We will explore the techniques and philosophies of all the greats, including Lee Strasberg, Sanford Meisner, Stella Adler, and of course, Uta Hagen. Many actors in Romania do not have any film acting training or comedy technique, so I will introduce that as well. Many young thespians are hungry for this training. Plus graduates of my other programs have been clamoring for more.” At the finish, when his young protégés are ready, Coach will send them off to their careers with a special session on marketing and promoting yourself.

Some of Coach Longshore’s insightful and inspiring acting tips include: “Achieve your Hope, Avoid your Fear.” “Let your inflection reflect your intention.” “Let it Go, so you can Let it Grow.” In the class, Mr. Longshore promises to explain these and share new ones.

The program runs a full month, each weekend in February, from 12 until 6 pm every Saturday and Sunday. It costs 350 Euros plus materials for 48 hours, plus a coffee meet and greet January 31st. Classes will be held at Teatrul 7, Str. Popa Rusu, a classy new theatre inside a beautiful interbelic building, where starting February 20th, James will perform with his very first student Oana Paun in David Mamet’s “Oleanna”, directed by Bianca Mina, in English. Visit the website,  for more information. To register, call 0737.343.429 or email actinginenglishro@yahoo.com. Do it now because Mr. Longshore is limiting space so he can concentrate on each individual and focus on the work!

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