Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Find the truth

I saw STATE OF PLAY the other night and I have to say I found it truly impressive.
The story is highly enthralling, full of twists and turns. The screenplay clever, the dialogue real. Amazing directing, great cinematography and... MY FAVORITE PART, PEOPLE!!!!! THE CHARACTERS AND THE ENSEMBLE CAST WHO PLAY THEM. They are all so textured and three-dimensional, so profound and superficial. So full of contradictions. I could not get enough of them.
The tag-line for the movie is "find the truth" and I think suits it perfectly not only thematically but also because this is what they've achieved with the movie itself: They have found the truth and that is very inspiring!
A must-see for anyone interested in the performing arts and the craft of movie-making.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Golden Bridge Yoga


I was there this morning for my absolute favorite class: Women's Kundalini Yoga & Meditation with Gurmukh.

I hadn't been there in over a month and I didn't know how much I missed it until I re-entered that very sacred space, a true hidden urban temple and suddenly I was beaming.
That place is so enchanting and soothing... So very inspiring!!! And it's right there, at the very heart center of Hollywood too!!!!

Has anyone ever tried a Kundalini Yoga & Meditation class before?
More specifically, has anyone ever tried a Kundalini Yoga & Meditation class with Gurmukh over at Golden Bridge Yoga?

If you haven't you should.

It's just so powerful. So amazing. So invigorating. So beautiful, magical and profound.

They have many wonderful teachers, I've taken classes with a few: Sat Siri, Tej and more.
They offer different workshops and throw special events all the time, such as the "Full Moon Kundalini Yoga & Meditation" class, which I love.

Check out their website and online schedule or just stop by. You will instantly know what I'm talking about.

http://www.goldenbridgeyoga.com/

SAT NAM.

Monday, April 6, 2009

When times are hard... Dance your heart out!!!


Remember when you were a little kid and used to break into the music the moment you heard it?
When it was hard NOT to jump, twist&turn and go up and down a million times, certain you could touch the sky and then land back on the floor without a scratch?

Maybe you don't, but one thing's for sure: You were once that kid, so in tune with your body and so careless and free. So happy to be moving, so happy to hear the music playing. So happy.

Well. I'm happy to remind you it's never too late to claim back that magical, primal and powerful connection in which your body, music and movement become one.

I had never EVER taken dance classes before in my life, until a few years ago I was going through a personal crisis and a very intuitive friend (who's an actor) told me I should start dancing.

So I reached out to the universe and I was lucky to find the most amazing, encouraging and patient teacher, Seda Aybay, who's also a choreographer and has her own dance company in Los Angeles.
http://www.kybeledance.com/index.html

She teaches over at KATNAP DANCE CENTER in Mar Vista/Venice http://www.katnapdance.com/index.html
Monday 7;30-9:30pm (intermediate /advance)
Thursdays 6:30-8:0pm (beginning/intermediate)
Saturdays 2:30-4:00pm (beginning/intermediate)
Sundays 6:00- 8:00pm (intermediate /advance


And also @:
- Downtown Dance Loft: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:30-3:00 pm (beginning/intermediate)
http://www.thenewlatc.com/

- Pasadena Le Studio: Tuesday, Thursday 2:00-3:30pm (beginning/intermediate)

http://www.lestudiodance.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=38

I have taken lots of friends to Seda's classes and they've all come back for more. Thing is, her classes are not only amazing opportunities to have fun and express yourself but also to work-out and stay fit.
I can proudly say in the three years I have been dancing, my body has changed significantly (for the better). I feel more flexible, stronger, fitter and healthier than I've ever been.

Needless to say, actors and performers have historically been trained in dance. It is just so fundamental for an actor to feel good in her/his own body. To be able to be free and expressive and connected to everything and everyone else in the room.
I've also read dance betters your short term memory, so if you're an actor, dance class might collaterally help you in memorizing your lines!

I will finish up by saying I find my dance classes extremely therapeutic. Mainly during stressful times I try not to miss them. They're my chance to meditate and float in my own emotions in a realm that is not verbal, logical or analytical. I can let my inner child out and about and, just like Billy Elliot says in his song "Electricity" by Elton John: "I'm free. I'm free."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoomfOZ2elw&feature=related

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Finding your true voice

As artists, we are often encouraged to "find our true voice".
But have you ever stopped to think what that means, practically?
I have and I can volunteer at least three possibilities (which are not mutually excluding):
1) Find your unique message: What do you want to say to the world through your art? (in that scene, in this movie, with your character, etc)
2) Know "thyself", own up to it and speak up!
3) This is the most literal of the three, and yet not the least important: train your voice (as in "the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song". Explore it, challenge it, strengthen it, stretch it, play with it and sing your heart out until you find it.

I've always loved to sing but, although curious, I had been postponing vocal lessons all my life. Until one day, about two years ago, I said (or sang) to myself: "You live in LA-LA-LAND, for Grammys' Sakes!! What are you waiting for?!?!?!"

So I did some online research and found the SPEECH LEVEL SINGING technique particularly interesting.

http://speechlevelsinging.com/

"Speech Level Singing (SLS) makes singing as natural and easy as speaking. Used by more than 120 Grammy winners and developed by Seth Riggs, legendary vocal coach to the stars, SLS produces an effortless, powerful and expressive voice."

Their web-site offers an interactive database through which you can find a certified SLC instructor close to you:
http://speechlevelsinging.com/db/clist/search.cfm

And that's how I found mine: Kelly Kernohan, in West L.A.
I have to say about her, not only is she the sweetest and most amazing teacher, but her passion and enthusiasm as well as her commitment to this technique are truly inspiring.



Check out her website @
http://www.kellykernohanvocalstudio.com/

Give her a call. Give it a try. You will never find your true voice unless you look for it.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

To accent or not to accent: LET'S NOT BE FOOLED


Whether acting or directing, I know you know how important it is to make oneself clear.

This truth is certainly harder for foreign actors and directors who must communicate in their second language all the time.

And although having an accent can be cute and charming, it is important to make sure of two things:
1) That people can understand exactly what you're saying,
2) That you can get rid of your accent if you need to.

I had the pleasure of crossing paths with Joel Goldes, an L.A. based dialect coach of 18 years of experience.

Apart from coaching all accents (literally); he is expert at teaching the American accent to actors AND directors (or producers, writers, D.P.'s, etc) who want to be better understood or sound like they grew up in the US.
In regards to his approach, I like it when he states: "This is sometimes called accent reduction: I refer to it as learning a general or neutral American accent."

Having coached actors like Nic Cage, Julia Ormond, Ryan Phillippe and Jennifer Garner; Joel, an actor/director himself can be a true ally in our quest to both exploring a character or sharing our vision.

He's got a studio in the Valley and he also offers phone-call and web-cam sessions.
He's got clients in NY, Australia and so many other places.
I encourage you to take a look at his website. You will be impressed!

http://thedialectcoach.com/

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Are you a Director?


I can also help you!

*Do you have a screenplay in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or Italian that you would like to work with?
*We can discuss ideas on how to approach the material in order to make your unique vision shine through.
*I can help you with script analysis and preparing for your rehearsals.
*Does directing actors make you nervous? Do you know how to communicate with them? Let's find out together, before you get on set.
*We'll brainstorm, shake it all upside down and turn you inside out so that you can lead your cast & crew by the example.
*We'll turn your insecurities into strengths, your fears into challenges and your vulnerability into leadership.
*But... Most importantly... We'll have fun every step of the way!!!!

Take a look at my very reasonable fees and check out my credentials below.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Have a great day!
Daniela De Carlo

310.384.8318

danidecarlo@gmail.com


FEES BREAKDOWN

- First hour: $50.
- Second hour: $35.
- Referrals: For each referral you send my way, you get the second hour free!


LINKS & REVIEWS

* To preview my work go to:
http://www.onyx.la/
Then click on "Directors" then on "Daniela De Carlo"

* To visit the award winning short The Gift Wrapper's blog:
http://thegiftwrapper.blogspot.com/

* For a Filmmaker's bio, go to:
http://thegiftwrapper.blogspot.com/2008/07/filmmakers-bio.html



* Industry Players have said about me and my work:

"Her heart is boundless, her humor and enthusiasm infectious, her spirit golden, and her commitment to filmmaking serious and solid. I work with many young directors. Daniela is one of the few I believe in both for her creativity and leadership."
Alexander Payne (Director, Writer, Producer)

"In my estimation, Daniela is an extraordinary director. Her ability to understand a script and bring to life its deepest emotional level, as well as its comedy, is exceptional. Equally remarkable is her work with actors - she is able to bring them to emotional depths and comic invention. She is also warm and smart, and a great collaborator."
Judith Weston (Stage Director, Published Acting & Directing Coach)

"I have to say Daniela's greatest passion is working with actors. There is something amazing about how she does it: she is very gentle, patient and definitely an exciting process to watch both in rehearsals and on set."
Robert C.Webb ASC (Emmy Winning D.P.)

"She is a director of extraordinary vision and, most importantly, she is someone who allows that vision to come through by bringing out the best in everyone around her, from the actors to the PAs, from the grips to the composer. She trusts her crew completely and allows everyone to shine.
Finally, Daniela is someone with vast experience in the film industry. She has worked in every department and has learned from the great directors she's worked with including Tony Scott, Alexander Payne and Peter Bogdanovich. She would be a great asset to any project looking for a professional and sensitive director."
Pedro Bromfman (Award Winning Film Composer)

"Watching Daniela work with actors is a privilege like no other. Never have I seen a director work with more conviction, compassion, foresight and intuition than Ms. De Carlo. She is able to view a text, interpret it, and transform it into playable language, allowing actors the freedom and guidance to create brilliant performances."
Michelle Thorson
Member, Screen Actors' Guild

"As a director, she possesses a rare talent for personalizing her work and finding ways to collaborate with actors to bring the material to life. Daniela approaches each actor individually, finding ways to bring their personal experiences to the work. She is adept at handling different personalities, juggling actors with contrasting approaches and styles without making either feel like he they're being compromised."
Luz Beato/Rachel Stander (Actors)

"Ms. De Carlo was amazing to work with; she was extremely prepared in rehearsals offering deep insights into the psychology of the characters, the history and facts of the story, and the relationships portrayed. Her command of the script made the short rehearsal period very effective and allowed me as an actor to focus on the emotional life of my character.
Ms. De Carlo also had a clear understanding of the style of comedy required by the piece. She offered several improvisations that helped us achieve the comedic style by focusing on the truth of the moment. Her joy for the process was contagious and made playing the sexual tones of the scene, simply put…a lot of fun.
The results of Ms. De Carlo's mastery of the directing process were apparent when we presented the scenes to an audience. The feedback from the teacher and other members of the workshop was nothing but positive, remarking on the believable relationship, the effectiveness of the romantic comedy style, and the wonderful nuanced performances.
It is not often that I get to work with such a well rounded, caring director like Ms. De Carlo. Her ability to listen to the actors and gently mold their performance is unique. She offers a Latino sensibility and a command for the creative process which will surely bring great success to any project she gets involved with."
Gabriel Romero (Actor)

"Daniela approaches a script in a visceral, intuitive manner. Working with Daniela is synonymous with being in an environment that is creatively alive and "in the moment." Her knack for understanding and connecting with people on a human level is what allows her to elicit such honest, truthful performances in a way. She is committed to serving the script and communicating the story and the relationships to the audience.
As a director Daniela is smart, professional, and extremely prepared. As an artist she is passionate, driven, and visionary. And as an individual she is all of this – as well as a joy to be around."
Atim Udoffia (Actor)

"Dani facilitates the acting process with her expansive knowledge about her own thoughts, feelings, visions and aspirations for the project she is directing. She brings comfort to the actors by allowing them as much explanation or time for reflection as they need for any scene.
Specifically, I remember one instance in which I was preparing for the scene involving the romantic final kiss under the mistletoe. Dani recognized that my co-star and I were standing and waiting in the middle of all the technical production work preparing for the shot. There were fans blowing, lights being rigged, people talking, and general set work being done all around us. Dani then came up with the idea to play slow Christmas songs on the radio and have my co-star and I dance slowly to the songs while embracing each other. Her insight worked. Instead of being lost in the craziness around us, we were, with Dani's suggestion, able to connect with each other and tune everyone else out until it was time for our final kiss together.
It was a pleasure to work with Dani. She is smart, insightful, easy-going, and relaxed. She is on the ball and effective. As an actor, I enjoyed working with Dani more so than any other director."
Charlie Farrell (Actor)

"We've been working together for a few months now and my biggest regret is that I didn't start to work with her sooner! What I love most about her approach is her attention to detail and her focus on her pupils' particular goals. For instance, I told Dani I wanted to improve my ability to act in and create real moments while speaking in the Spanish language." She replied "no problem"…and set-up a plan-of-action that included selecting & transcribing a scene from a critically acclaimed Spanish-language film for us to work-on. Dani also suggests numerous films that would be great for me to watch and study as I hone my craft. Her understanding of my particular desire to improve and of how to help me reach the level I'm striving for keeps me coming back for more!!! She is, in a word: amazing. It is an honor and a privilege to work with her. She is really so much more than an acting coach. She is almost like a life coach, a major spirit lifter I can always count on."
Voltaire Sterling (Actor, "The Great Debaters")


* Full and more letters available upon request.