Sam Christensen

Sam Christensen's acting method, often called "The Sam Christensen Process," focuses on finding an actor's "mythic assignment" and personal branding. It's a system of authenticity definition that encourages actors to embrace their unique qualities and connect with audiences on a deeper level. The process is also used in a corporate setting. Here's a more detailed look at the method. 

• Identifying core behaviors:The process involves observing oneself and others to identify recurring behaviors and patterns. 
• Understanding the spectrum:Christensen emphasizes that mythic assignments have a spectrum of positive and negative associations, offering a wide range of interpretations. 
• Examples:He uses examples like "cannon" which can represent harmony or chaos depending on the context. 
• Connecting with audience:The goal is to find a mythic theme that resonates with the actor and allows them to connect authentically with audiences. 

2. Personal Branding:

• Creating a marketing vision:The process emphasizes creating a unique and personalized marketing vision for each participant. 
• Emphasizing both uniqueness and shared qualities: The method acknowledges the importance of individual uniqueness while recognizing the shared human experiences that drive communication. 
• Applying it to acting: This personal branding aspect can be applied to various aspects of an actor's life, including auditions, career development, and professional communication. 

3. How it's Applied:

• Sam Christensen Studios:The process is primarily guided by Sam Christensen and his team at the studios, both in Los Angeles and through workshops in other cities, including NYC and Atlanta. 
• ProClass (for experienced actors):A specialized class designed to address the pressures of success and develop professional demeanor. 
• Pro-class focus:This class includes script work, press interactions, set behavior, and career maintenance, simulating real-life demands and fostering immediate reaction and confidence. 

The concept of "just be yourself" in acting refers to using your own personality and experiences as a foundation for creating a believable character, rather than trying to become someone else entirely. This doesn't mean simply standing up and reciting lines without any thought; instead, it involves drawing on your own emotional and physical responses to the situation and other characters to bring a sense of authenticity to your performance. Here's a more detailed explanation:1. Drawing on Personal Experiences and Emotions:

• Actors can use their own experiences and emotions as a starting point for understanding and portraying a character's feelings and motivations.
• For example, an actor might draw on a past experience with a difficult conversation to better portray a scene involving conflict.
• This doesn't mean reenacting the experience verbatim; rather, it's about using the emotions and reactions as inspiration for the character's behavior. 

2. Authenticity through Vulnerability:

•  "being yourself" in acting can involve exposing your own true personality and feelings.
• This vulnerability can create a more believable and engaging performance, as the audience can connect with the actor's genuine emotions. 

3. Acting as Yourself within the Character's World:

• An actor doesn't necessarily have to become the character; instead, they can focus on acting as themselves while remaining true to the character's situation and relationships.
• For example, an actor can put themselves in analogous circumstances that would elicit the same behavior from them as the character.
• This approach allows the actor to create the illusion of being the character without actually trying to become them. 

4. The Importance of Truthfulness:

• acting truthfully means living authentically within the imaginary circumstances of the story.
• This means being honest about your feelings and reactions, even if they don't match the character's perfectly.
• By being true to yourself, you can create a more genuine and believable performance.