The Sport of Acting

♦ Why The Sport of Acting? ♦

A batter steps into the batter’s box.
A golfer sets up for a drive.
A diver pauses at the end of the platform.
A football player holds a suspended state of readiness before the ball is hiked.
A tennis player sets himself not knowing where the serve will come from.
A soccer goalie maintains a heightened state hoping he won’t have to act.
A runner sets his feet in the blocks before the start whistle.
A boxer steps into the ring with an intention and an obstacle.

Everything that led to this moment was based on their preparation.

As athletes come to know the limits of their abilities they adapt and base their new training regimen on improving: overcoming their weaknesses, developing new skills, and practicing their craft - all to play the game better.

So must actors.

In most cases athletes are never asked to get into a baseball state of mind, a football mentality, a runner’s head, or a golfer’s mindset. Instead, they are asked to focus on the perfect execution of each task, moment by moment; for an athlete those moments add up to a good game, and ultimately, a win.

An actor also wants to win.

Win his intention - get the girl, defeat the enemy, overcome the odds, save her child, save a marriage, win independence, reach the moon, achieve greatness.
An actor must keep playing that intention, physically, until it is accomplished or defeated.

- Just as a football player can’t stop running until the whistle is blown.
- Just as a batter who is down 0-2 must keep fighting off bad pitches.
- Just as a gymnast on the balance beam prepares for a dismount.

Sometimes they are tackled, or strike out, or fall.
When that happens, they go back to work, adapt, and practice with renewed intensity.

We improve by:
- Revisiting old skills.
- Developing new skills.
- Practice – the practical application of the skills.

The classes at THE SPORT OF ACTING are designed to give actors an opportunity to do just that.


Classes open Monday and Tuesday nights. Enroll Now!!! *Contact The Sport of Acting to sign up now*
SPORT MERCHANDISE Classes open Monday and Tuesday nights. Enroll Now!!! Contact The Sport of Acting On Wednesday, August 12th 2009, I combined our acting classes to do a casting workshop exclusively for all current SPORT students with Emmy winning Casting Director Deb Barylski. Here are some of the things the students had to say: "I enjoyed the class..it is probably the most beneficial casting workshop I have done since arriving in LA. Clear cut information pertinent to getting the job. Thanks Deb!" Michael G. Welch - Australia "Deb's class was great! She simplified so many aspects of the auditioning process. The elements Deb pointed out showed us how we can go from a "fine" audition to an "outstanding" audition...Loved it!" Jacs Campbell - England "It was an awesome experience to have this class with Deb. Her tips for the auditioning process are invaluable." Michael Ochoa – Corona, CA "Last night was great!" Maria Eijgod - Denmark "I really enjoyed the chance to work with Deb and to meet some new people (your other students). Deb had some really great advice for us and was very approachable and realistic." Alexandra Laverick - England "Class was great; it was invaluable feedback from Deb." Scott Rose – Orange Co., CA "First of all, a big "thank you" to The Sport of Acting for arranging the workshop with Deb. She is not only a wonderful person but an amazing teacher...Her "audition tips" were simple and down to earth, but absolutely invaluable in making the whole audition process less daunting for us actors. A fabulous evening..." David MacRae - Australia "I got a lot from the points she made. Look forward to doing her class." Anthony Wemyss - Australia "I liked how Deb pointed out the nuances in the script - like making very specific decisions. I like the idea that it is not a matter of making it "right", but rather making it your own. Thank you." Svetlana Titova - Russia Events like these are one of SPORT's signatures and have already included: "An Evening with Deb Barylski" "An Evening with Joe Mantegna" "An Evening with Steven Banks". CLICK HERE to read about these events and see video footage.	NEW: SPORT OF ACTING PODCASTS. LISTEN NOW!	THE SPORT OF ACTING Fundamentals ...Vinny understands the fundamentals, knows what the actor’s job is, and is great at communicating with the actors. No matter what method they were taught, the fundamentals, as distilled by Vinny at THE SPORT OF ACTING inform as well as inspire his students... CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE TEACHERS PAGE AND READ MORE THE SPORT OF ACTING welcomes students from all over the world. Current members are a mix of students from the USA, Australia, England, Mexico, Norway, Brazil, and Germany to name a few. As such, our students are sensitive to the concerns of other international students providing a great opportunity for the sharing of helpful information and networking. The guest seminars that Vinny offers internationally encourages students from all over the world to find a home at Sport. SPORT IS GOING TO COLOMBIA Vinny will be teaching an international workshop at Stars Colombia in Bogota Colombia, March 2010 Giuseppe Campanella ♦ "Were I working with young people today, I could think of nothing better than exposure to and collaboration with a great working actor - Vincent Guastaferro has worked in all media for thirty years, and knows from the battlefield the answers to a student’s deepest questions." DAVID MAMET, Playwright ♦ "Vincent is one of those rare and wonderful individuals who have that capacity to teach and influence others in a myriad of positive ways." JOE MANTEGNA, Actor ♦ "Vinny has much to offer students with his extensive background in the theatre, film, movies of the week, episodic sitcoms, and soaps. Above all, he is a professional with great integrity." FRAN BASCOM, Casting Director, Los Angeles ♦ "Mr. Guastaferro is an inspiring and demanding teacher, capable of working with beginners and advanced performers. His wide range of experience and depth of knowledge provide the basis for his work with students. He is an experienced artist of the highest caliber." DAVID AVCOLLIE, DePaul University, Chicago THE SPORT OF ACTING supports:

	♦ Why The Sport of Acting? ♦ A batter steps into the batter’s box. A golfer sets up for a drive. A diver pauses at the end of the platform. A football player holds a suspended state of readiness before the ball is hiked. A tennis player sets himself not knowing where the serve will come from. A soccer goalie maintains a heightened state hoping he won’t have to act. A runner sets his feet in the blocks before the start whistle. A boxer steps into the ring with an intention and an obstacle. Everything that led to this moment was based on their preparation. As athletes come to know the limits of their abilities they adapt and base their new training regimen on improving: overcoming their weaknesses, developing new skills, and practicing their craft - all to play the game better. So must actors. In most cases athletes are never asked to get into a baseball state of mind, a football mentality, a runner’s head, or a golfer’s mindset. Instead, they are asked to focus on the perfect execution of each task, moment by moment; for an athlete those moments add up to a good game, and ultimately, a win. An actor also wants to win. Win his intention - get the girl, defeat the enemy, overcome the odds, save her child, save a marriage, win independence, reach the moon, achieve greatness. An actor must keep playing that intention, physically, until it is accomplished or defeated. - Just as a football player can’t stop running until the whistle is blown. - Just as a batter who is down 0-2 must keep fighting off bad pitches. - Just as a gymnast on the balance beam prepares for a dismount. Sometimes they are tackled, or strike out, or fall. When that happens, they go back to work, adapt, and practice with renewed intensity. We improve by: - Revisiting old skills. - Developing new skills. - Practice – the practical application of the skills. The classes at THE SPORT OF ACTING are designed to give actors an opportunity to do just that.

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Site designed and built by Mia Welch, 2009 Email: miawelch@ymail.com	THE SPORT OF ACTING Phone/Fax: 818-782-7231 Email: thesportofacting@aol.com All content and material © to Vincent Guastaferro, 2009