The Psychological Gesture
The acting technique called the “Psychological Gesture” is a tool developed by Russian actor, director and teacher, Michael Chekhov. So how did this nearly 100-year-old technique become the hottest “new” acting technique in Hollywood today? This technique has been found to be especially valuable for use on camera and is now being used on TV and film sets around the world and by many great actors including Jack Nicholson, Anthony Hopkins, Johnny Depp and others.
The Psychological Gesture was designed to get the actor instantly into character. It is a movement that expresses the psychology of the character. Chekhov defines the Psychological Gesture as a physical expression of the thoughts, feelings and desires of the character, incorporated into one movement.
So, in one short movement, the Psychological Gesture awakens the essence of the character in you. When this happens, your walk, your expressive mannerisms, your voice and line delivery are all informed, inspired, and transformed – by this one moving image. Just imagine how useful this technique can be for work in film and television!
And the BEST part about this workshop is that you can actually learn the technique in one day!! We’ll teach you the steps to take to choose the right gesture for your character and how to use this technique, in your work on set. You’ll feel literally able to step into your character’s skin. There will be lecture, Q&A and exercises during this workshop.
Sign Up!
When: 7-9 p.m., Thursday, March 15th
Where: 126 NE Alberta Ave. (two blocks west of MLK) In the bell tower!
Use the SIDE DOOR (on Mallory St.) You’ll be sent a Door Code when you sign up.
Cost: $85 for SAG-AFTRA members, $95 for non-union participants
About the teacher
Scott Rogers has taught acting to hundreds of actors in classes all over the world and auditioned more than 15,000 actors for various productions. He coaches principal actors on the sets of national television shows and motion pictures. He has produced, cast and directed more than 100 professional Equity productions and dozens of TV commercials. He was the full-time, on-set acting coach for the TV series’ Baywatch and also North Shore.
Scott’s clients include series regulars and principal actors on many shows, including; LOST, Game of Thrones, Hawaii Five-0, Grimm, The Librarians, Portlandia, Friday Night Lights, Cougar Town, and ER, as well as actors appearing in films such as Indiana Jones & the Crystal Skull, 50 First Dates, Pearl Harbor, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Rundown, Blue Crush, Lilo & Stich and many more. Scott also worked as an acting coach under a three-year exclusive contract with 20th Century Fox.
Scott is a proud, longtime (40 years!) member of Actors Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA, where he currently serves as a National Board member and on several national committees. He is proud to serve as co-chair of the SAG-AFTRA National Conservatory Committee, which provides support for the training of professional actors across the country. His students appear on TV, film and on Broadway daily..
Questions? Email Scott directly at: scott@ScottRogersStudios.com
