Created by Michael Savage

THE MANY FACES of MICHAEL SAVAGE

the creator of  THE TOTAL WORKSHOP FOR ACTING in LOS ANGELES

*Special background Note...Michael is an Alumni Member of the

TONY AWARD HONOREE

*THE ACTING COMPANY

 http://www.theactingcompany.org *(created by Margot Harley and John Houseman)

 Click here on ALUMNI and see Michael Savage listed along with fellow Alums (including KEVIN KLINE)

What is THE TOTAL WORKSHOP FOR ACTING ?

Michael has designed a Workshop that makes films with his ACTORS and enters them in Film Festivals around the world.

THE TOTAL WORKSHOP FOR ACTING is designed to create film showcases for its members and to offer custom demos of all the students work so they can market themselves with what they have done in the workshop. Mr. Savage produces, writes, directs, shoots, and edits all the work...

These pictures above and below are the professional Acting work of Creator of THE TOTAL WORKSHOP FOR ACTING Michael Savage. They are posted here so you can immediately see the rare abilities that Mr. Savage has in the Craft of Acting.

Here you can see a Short Film of Michael Savage transforming himself into the

'OLD MAN' pictured above.... just click on the player below...

HERE IS A DEMO of a Workshop Project with the words of the Actress who was in the Festival Film...

A FEW WORDS from Michael regarding the workshop.

"The theater is the foundation of all great actors training. The Theater always separates the Mice from the Men and Women. There is nothing more demanding then doing a role OVER and OVER week in and week out. This I know from experience. And having the experience with the classics gives an inner understanding that grounds any actor who wants to do great work. However, Television and Film are very different...Film is about directing & editing...Television is about SPEED...but theater experience gives you the ability to enhance any character in any arena of work.

The ability and experience to do transformational acting provides an actor with the confidence to confront working on any role.

Dustin Hoffman and Robert DeNiro and Tom Hanks all created roles in their careers that had transformational work deeply involved in their performances which won all of them OSCARS. Most recently Hilary Swank won two Oscars for this kind of acting as well as Charlize Theron. I can't list every actor...so forgive me...I just wanted to make a quick reference to this style and dedication of the craft...you know who they are...But this style of Acting has been eclipsed outside of the theater and a handful of independent films by BLOCK BUSTER SPECIAL EFFECTS Movies. There are so few roles available now in film that you see Actors like William Macy going to HBO and cable to create these kind of performances. Which he too has been honored with Awards. Meryl Streep created an unforgettable Rabbi in the HBO production of the Mini-Series ANGELS IN AMERICA(directed by the great EVERY AWARD POSSIBLE WINNING Mike Nichols) ...Meryl Streep actually played three roles ...(it was a CLASSIC example of what great actors LIVE for...along with Al Pacino and I might add Alumnus Jeffery Wright of THE ACTING COMPANY who both won Emmy's for their great work.

I'm sure you will have your own examples...and you should...but this was merely to get you to think about this very important Actor dilemma. Which is, although this work is exciting and filled with wonderful challenges it is not a practical skill to earn a living as an actor...most of the time you are type cast...and you play close to your age and looks...if you want to continue to do transformational acting then DO PLAYS...join a rep group or a local theater group that is dedicated to allowing it's actors to STRETCH and GROW. But don't kid yourself into thinking you will get a chance to play unique characters in TELEVISION (its rare) So, with this reality in mind ...I knew that there are plenty of teachers teaching theater skills and some TV and Film techniques...so, I decided to teach my actors to portray a variety of roles but to focus on character work through their strengths by working on custom written material that prepares them for TV and Film work...which I believe they must master in order to be working actors. So, I have written hundreds of scenes that I cast my Actors with as well as I constantly write material for them which is tailored for their particular unique qualities...I focus them on getting the best out of themselves...and to portray roles that they can QUICKLY get work from doing. Now, think about what you would do if you were a director or producer looking for an actor who can do many roles but still has the ability to play their strengths."

ALTHOUGH MR. Savage loves the theater...he teaches his actors to work, in the style and discipline of TV and Film. Michael has developed a ONE-SHOT ONE-TAKE film exercise that demands that the actor prepare for just ONE TAKE...this way they are used to working fast. If they get more then ONE TAKE then it is a bonus not expected. My actors love this fast paced shooting...and they have developed the skill to just do it.

Here is an example of the Exercise...Mr. Savage doesn't teach because he can't act. In fact he has chosen to teach in order to create a pool of Actors that he has trained to work with him as a Film Company (THE ACTORS FILM COMPANY)that he can actually make films with. Not everyone qualifies for this long range plan...but the opportunity is there for everyone who wants it.

All the students have this opportunity to learn by actually doing original work that they can see themselves up on the big screen week in and week out. The workshop is like a film studio. And you are a part of a company of actors working on projects...that are designed to improve your skills as you experience working as an actor who is CAST. As opposed to bringing in work that you are being critiqued on. Everyone is treated as if they are capable. Because when you cast a person they feel so much better then when you have them think like a student. I know that to bring the best out in anyone you have to acknowledge that they are already capable. People work faster and improve quickly when you give them responsibility. But no matter what you teach...if a student has no WILL to do the work and to demonstrate their abilities over and over the they will discover that Acting is a HOBBY for them ...and those that do not accept this responsibility usually leave and thank me for allowing them to really learn what it means TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ACTOR.

Testimonial from a student that stopped by one evening and the next day wrote me this E-Mail.

One of the rare pleasures in life is encountering someone who is engaged in intentionally making a difference. My encounter with Michael Savage and his actors' workshop definitely made a difference in my life. The effort he puts forth in teaching and communicating is almost superhuman - except that he expects that level of commitment from everyone, and gets you to see it as the norm. I have been blessed to meet and work with people of outstanding Talent in many areas. What is unique about Michael is that he got me to see and feel that being outstanding at what I do is a matter of choice - a personal decision - not fate, genetics, or luck. He models that attitude, proselytizes it, imbues it. For Michael - and those who fall under his spell - excellence is not a distant state of grace just over the horizon, but something to be lived now, in this moment. Thank you, Michael, or challenging me to grab onto my own best effort at what I love - and for not letting me weasel out or compromise. I wish there was a way that everyone, actors and non-actors alike, could attend your course. The demand you place on people to give themselves their best effort – and the tough but fair encouragement you surround them with - could make a difference for a lot of people - as it did for me. I would recommend your course to anyone, actors and non-actors alike.

Sincerely
Haik Adomian


PS Please feel free to quote this letter in any medium. You have permission to use it in any manner, including commercially. The more that what you're doing spreads, the better off the world is.

Keep it up.

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