I highly recommend Paul Schackman's acting classes to actors at all levels of experience and comfort. I've been working with Paul for over a year now, and put simply, I love coming to class. I had never taken an acting class (aside from a 6 week class when I was 12) but have always felt drawn to the craft and I could not have found a better teacher, guide, and mentor than Paul. Now, I can confidently call myself an actor. He has helped me tremendously to find parts of myself I didn't know were there, to improve my acting and confidence and he has done so with an exploratory, playful, and encouraging approach. I feel safe 'playing' in class with different choices and his direction is always on point and transformative. Paul has also helped me navigate the industry and I go to him when I have a question or need direction. I am now repped by an awesome top commercial agent and looking forward to expanding my career in this beautifully challenging industry. It all started with Paul. As a bonus, classes are on Zoom. I find this to be the best medium for convenience, traffic and life and it doesn't take away from the experience. You actually get really focused one on one time with Paul without distractions as everyone else is on mute and off camera while you work. I love it. read more

Paul is not only a master of the craft of acting and teaching acting, but he is also a master of the craft of coaching actors. I've tried a lot of different studios over the last 5 years while living in LA and I was really struggling to find my acting home. There are so many techniques and studios who set up a program that benefits them but I don't know how much they actually think about you as an individual. In contrast, I know that Paul thinks about each and every one of his students and is truly invested in their success. He knows how to adapt to each person's acting ability and personality while teaching a simple approach that especially helps in the world in which we actors are trying to get work today. He cuts to the truth. It also makes me happy to see my classmates improve each week. The feedback he gives is fair, easy to understand and will help you grow and produce great work. If you're serious and want to be working, I highly recommend giving his class a shot. read more

Paul's classes have been my saving grace these last couple of months. I take both his weekly monologue class and scene study classes regularly. Paul has a gift of meeting you where you're at in your acting journey and helps to hone in on your gifts while getting you out of your head and directing you away from the habits that are holding you back. Rather than taking acting to this heady, theoretical place, he gives you practical tools and direction to help you unearth your authentic voice. I've seen him take even the most novice actor to the next level in a single class. That being said, the people that will benefit most from the classes will be those that attend regularly so the feedback is best tailored to you. What I appreciate about Paul is that he doesn't let you off the hook and really pushes you to become a better actor. He also gets that we're all adults, we're all trying to get work, and that life happens. All that he asks is that you show up and are ready to listen and put in the work. That being said, he fosters a very supportive environment, and everyone in the class is incredibly kind and roots for each other. Because Paul himself is a successful working actor, he has a lot of wisdom to pass on and is very generous with sharing his experiences on navigating the industry. He also gives you useful and practical tips for everything from self-tape audition setup, sound, lighting, and formatting. I've also benefited greatly from his personal coaching, and my self tapes have seen a vast improvement. They look more professional, polished, and are stronger in their simplicity. Thanks to Paul, my agents have more trust in me to submit a strong audition. And most importantly, I'm a better actor for it. Thank you, Paul! **You don't have to be based in LA to work with Paul. He currently offers virtual coaching and classes, which is great if your based in NYC, Atlanta, or another market.** read more

I started taking classes with Paul Schackman a little over a year ago. The only experience I had with acting class up until this point was through classes at UCLA. When I decided to try Paul's class I discovered just how much fun and engaging acting could be! At UCLA I found the classes to be filled with "acting exercises" that seemed more like silly useless games than acting and I didn't feel like my acting ability was improving. Coming from this style of acting class, Paul's class far exceeded all of my expectations. He takes a very straightforward approach to acting that proves the most effective I've experienced by far. He distills acting of all the silly games and theories and simply allows you to just act and explore scenes while gently guiding you through different possible approaches towards the scene. Instead of tightly constraining an actor to a certain rigid method under harsh critique, Paul really makes acting a joy by letting a person learn to use their natural instinct guided by no non-sense advise. Paul's style allowed me to quickly become comfortable in his class, which improved my acting since I was able to focus on the scene without feeling self-conscious. Additionally, since Paul is a working actor with a long and diverse career, he has a lot of advice and tips that apply not only to acting but also extremely helpful technical advice on navigating the industry, like how to improve self tapes. Paul is a fascinating, incredibly talented teacher and actor. I can't recommend him enough! If you are shopping for an acting class, this is the one. Also, he currently offers classes through zoom, so you can attend anywhere in the world. I was initially not optimistic of zoom acting class but found that I actually prefer it in many ways. It's nice because you don't have to leave home, can attend class from anywhere, and it still feels just as engaging since you still get to have a close up one on one with the other actor with less distractions. read more

I've been in Paul's class for a couple of months and I love it. He is a working actor who knows what actors are expected at the sets. He sees where you are at as an actor and helps you to build your needs. He has found my needs which includes very useful techniques to be clear/understand scripts for an English as a second language person. I'm a Japanese actress from Japan and nobody has taught me them before. His directions are practical, yet he leads you how to connect your emotions with materials and other actors. He creates a fun and safe environment for actors so that you expect lots of laughs at the class. Highly recommend his class. A great one!! read more

After years of drama school training and working with various teachers, my mind was tied in knots, my work was laboured, and the fun of acting had well and truly disappeared. Then I found Paul Schackman! Paul has a very simple and practical approach to acting that cuts through the BS and brings it back to the things that truly matter - the truth and having fun exploring the possibilities of the text. He teaches you to work with and discover what the words instinctively mean to YOU, and from there freedom follows. The most important thing taught to me by Paul, was that I am enough - an aspect of acting that I feel is often forgotten by actors and not touched on nearly enough by other teachers. Paul also has a great way of dealing with me and delivering his insights. Despite his experience level being considerably greater than mine, I have always been made to feel like an equal with Paul. I feel I have the permission to challenge him or engage in deeper discussions when required, without criticism or being shut down - again something missing from many other teachers' and gurus' classes. My favourite thing about Paul is that he doesn't do the traditional acting class thing of marketing the secret key to success in this industry. He teaches you a way to approach the work and provides you with insights from working on some of the biggest sets ever, but also reminds you that the only true secret is to roll up your sleeves and go to work. Paul has helped me reignite my passion for the craft and once again find the joy in being an artist. I will always be grateful for coming across Paul Schackman because in him I have a found a great teacher, a mentor, and a friend. I encourage any and all actors to give Paul's classes a shot, you will not be disappointed! read more

Paul is amazing! He is extremely kind and knowledgeable, very clear in providing direction, helpful, informative, and hilarious! He really knows how to simplify this learning process. As a new student, I felt instantly comfortable and immensely eager to jump in and play when I went to audit my first class.... and I'm SO happy I did. I've been attending his Tuesday night class every week since then and each and every class, I'm being exposed to more and learning more. Personally, I've been leaning towards different forms of expression, and I'm so grateful (and feel extremely fortunate) this is where I began with acting. It's truly a beautiful experience and attending class makes me feel elated. He really breaks it down, line by line, so that as student/actor, you are Feeling the words.... understanding really, what is it all about? (referring to the script or monologue). It's an adventure where you are invited to use your imagination, allow yourself to feel each sentence on its own, and then finally put it all together. I love the exploration, the imagination, the feeling, and the FUN. I feel more confident and motivated each time I attend class. Just writing about it is making me wish it was a Tuesday night! Take Pauls class! I highly recommend it. You won't regret it:) read more

The guy has a knack for teaching and acting, and when combined it makes for a terrific experience! Wholeheartedly recommend!

My name is Sara Isaacson, and I'm a casting director in Los Angeles. I happen to be a friend of Paul's, but this review is based on my experience with the hundreds of actors I see on a week to week bases as well as my personal taste on how an actor can separate themselves from the rest of the actors auditioning for a part on one of my shows. Here's the thing. You can go on line and Yelp or Google acting classes in LA, and you will get an endless amount of choices. A lot of those places are great and you can learn a lot from the teachers. And a lot of places will happily take your money, but won't be a healthy place to study. What you get in most classes is an over sized class full of actors that don't get to go up every week with a scene or a class where you don't get enough one on one time with the teacher because it's just too big of a class. Most places in town also focus on scene work, and that's important. However...what Paul teaches is instinct and how to be truthful in a moment and in a scene. And you really can't beat that. Paul will help guide you to get out of your head and be really available for anything that comes your way in a scene. He keeps the class small which allows each actor to work every week and be given plenty of one on one time. It's almost like a private coaching session each week. It's easy to be lured into fancy classes around town that have been around for years and years, but do yourself a favor and at least give Paul the chance to show you what he brings to the table. read more

I moved to Los Angeles several months ago, and after training in Chicago, I needed a new approach to my work. My material became too memorized and did not allow for directional changes required of me in the LA audition setting. I then found Paul and my craft changed for the better. The Actors Instinct Workshop is the perfect place for you to let go of the text and focus on the person you are interacting with. Paul stresses that you are either acting or you are not acting...there is no wrong way to do it, as long as you are doing it. His approach allows you to be natural and in-the-moment. By not focusing all of your attention on the words, you realize how quickly the memorization becomes a byproduct of your work. I would highly recommend this class for any actor at any level. It is the perfect workshop to keep you connected with your scene partner and experience (and not suppress) feelings as they arise. read more

In going through my four years of theatrical training, I found script memorization and the technical break down of a script (a process which follows) to be extremely tedious and seldom helpful. I then realized that the majority of actors go through the same precarious approach. -They spend vast amounts of time reading and re reading their lines, convinced that memorization (as the first step) is of the utmost importance. In the past year, I have come across this acting workshop, which essentially encourages the exact opposite. The strong belief held by this instructor is that memorization is simply a byproduct of truthfully and emotionally connecting to any material. Paul's class strays from the mainstream method of acting and invokes the natural learning process of human beings, in order to simplify the acting process. As a working actor, Paul is a testimony to the effectiveness of his own method. Along with many other things, I have learned to use my initial instincts while doing a cold reading, rather than allowing my conscience to commentate and direct in "how it should be said". I've gone from needing weeks to memorize a monologue, to being able to do it in a day. -If that doesn't show results worth getting on a soapbox for, then I don't know what does. read more

I've only been in Paul's classes for a few months, but was instantly drawn to Paul's instinctual, yet effective approach. He is a one of a kind person and teacher. I have grown tremendously as an actor and human being during my time in his classes. Being introduced to Paul and his classes will revolutionize yourself and your career forever! read more

I love Paul! I have been in the industry for about 15 years and I have studied many methods. Paul's approach is the first one that I feel works completely with my own instincts and makes every character I take on more real and relatable. His guidance is gentle, allowing me to learn rather than just be directed, and the safe atmosphere he creates allows for great creativity and exploration. I have been working to get over several hang ups I have as an actor for years, and I was able to address them and for the first time conquer them in this class! Paul is a working actor himself so he also gives up to date advice on the industry and connections. He could charge so much more for all he provides, but he keeps his rates low so us starving actors can afford to attend! Go to his class. I guarantee you will have fun and learn something. read more

Paul Schackman's Actors Instinct - Specialty Schools Near Me - West Los Angeles, California

Paul's classes are exceptional. He really has an understanding of the subtleties of acting and human behavior which he applies with great sensitivity in pinpointing an actor's weaknesses and strengths. I like his approach in contrast to the many schools of acting out there. His approach is more naturalistic, instinctive and real, allowing an actor to truly blossom, essentially how not to "act." He's also a highly accomplished, *working actor with a strong resume to boot, so he is able to empathize with the day-to-day stresses that actors endure and provide good advice in turn. He's also super funny and entertaining. I highly recommend his classes. read more

Paul is terrific. He is as good as it gets. This is the way to go. Paul is sincere and gives you the best advise. Give it try. You will not regret it. You just might get a gig read more

I have been in several acting classes in Los Angeles. In Schackman's class you don't take notes, you don't memorize lines, you don't even ACT. The point is to connect to material, follow your gut, and be as real and believable as if you can in an audition. This is the point of an actor. And this is what keeps me coming back week after week. Paul and this class are top notch! read more

Paul is a great teacher and a has a great way of putting you at ease to do your best work. He is also a working actor, and brings the knowledge of what works in the real world of the acting business. He helps his students find their own authentic voice and breaks down much of the mystique of acting into very practical ways of approaching the material you are working with. His class feels very different from other traditional type acting classes I have taken in Los Angeles. There is a kind of ease and safety that Paul brings to the room where he teaches. Paul's Actor's Instinct Technique class is almost like a personal coaching session. He gives you gentle feedback on what is working and not working and helps you tap into your best work, and I am often surprised by how much progress he makes with each student by the end of class. He's professional and serious about acting, but makes acting fun. I look forward to class each week, and I highly recommend Paul's classes to all level of actors! read more

Paul is THE MAN and taking his class was the best decision I've made! I've gotten some great gigs as a result of it and would highly recommend it to anyone serious about acting! read more

Paul is a phenomenal teacher. Aside from learning great techniques that's been broken down step by step, what you will also learn is the kind of attitude and professionalism that is needed to be successful running marathon in the business. You will learn a lot by watching and participating in the Tuesday class, and along the way you will pick up some of the finest jokes in town! read more

Feeling as safe as you do in his class allows you to fully explore and play and develop and reach your greatest potential. Paul is truly brilliant and I'm so thankful my friend introduced me to his class. read more

Paul is the absolute best! He has an approach that works both practically and intellectually. And as he is a working actor, he shares wisdom of how to use what he teaches both in the audition room, on stage and on set. He creates a completely safe atmosphere where you can jump into the deep end and and feel free to know that you will always find your way back, and then be able to jump right back in again. I highly, infinitely, recommend his classes! read more

I used to be constantly thinking about character choices while delivering lines and it made my performances very stiff and unnatural. Paul has helped me so much in getting out of my head and connecting in a real way with material. I've improved so much and each week is a blast getting better and better. read more

I started taking Paul's class a month ago. Since then, Tuesday nights can't come soon enough. His class makes me think harder than I knew possible and challenges me. Everyone in the class is SO supportive of each other. We each offer something different as actors, and Paul pulls it out of each one of us. We learn from every student, and enjoy watching each other succeed with each passing week. I moved from NY this year, and struggled to find a class that I loved here in LA. I found it in PAUL and ACTORS INSTINCT WORKSHOP! read more

I fell in love with Paul's approach in class from the first moment I worked with him. He makes you feel completely safe in class allowing for room to make your mistakes and work thru them. I love that he works so different from every other acting coach I have worked with, his approach is purely instinctual and genuine. He truly provides a safe place to let the actor in you shine! read more

Paul's class is exactly what I needed at this stage of my acting career. I had the tendency to over prepare and focus too much on the lines and how to say them, but Paul has helped me let go of that habit in a very short time. Instead, I'm now focused on my character's point of view and, most importantly, the person I'm speaking with. Rather than being controlled by the text, which led to false and forced acting toward where I thought the scene should go, I'm now freed up to express my natural, instinctive response to the situation, which is more truthful and a heck of a lot more fun. This also allows me to more flexibly handle any changes thrown at me- a huge help both in auditions and on set. Thanks, Paul! read more

This class is amazing . Paul has helped me to push boundaries I didn't know I could professionally and it shows in my personal life also . I actually used some of the techniques learned in this class in real life and I've seen a huge change in the way people interact with me and I'm getting more of what to want and what I need out of relationships personal and business . He is kind,real, knowledgeable and very intelligent . He doesn't let you get away with shortchanging yourself . He shows you courage and helps you get to where you need to be . He is also incredibly knowledgeable in the business and in life . He's a great negotiator and will teach you the same . He has respect for himself and it shows in the way he treats others and has taught many of his students to hold their own in a business that can seemingly beat you down and can makes you second guess yourself . So much gratitude for this class. I take his weds class and have for months , and probably won't stop unless I'm working or away . I challenge you to audit and try it for a month and tell me you don't feel a difference . read more

Paul has an approach to acting that just makes sense! It's that simple. There are many places to study acting in LA, but few studios are as straightforward as this. Paul teaches what he knows: what has worked for him in the industry can relate to any actor, at any pace. This is a place for actors to challenge themselves by exploring their boundaries, and trusting their instincts. I have been so happy with this class, and Paul's way of working has already made a positive impact on my career. He is a supportive teacher and an encouraging friend. I highly recommend you look into this place. I'm so happy I did! read more

Paul Schackman is a personal, professional, and student-invested teacher. His class is laid back but challenging. It is less for the actor looking for a system or methodology and more the chance to flex their muscles and play their way toward more relaxed, instinctual and truthful acting. Highly recommended! read more

It's great to have a (currently) working actor teaching you how to work with scripts and connect to material in ways that all casting directors want you to - simple and real. Paul has worked on almost every TV show there is and he's as good a teacher as he is an actor. Honest, clear and great at finding unique ways to help each student "get" the point of each exercise. Everyone works in each class multiple times (which is RARE in LA) and it's the BEST, most professional, set up.... 2 hours on Tuesday night for a really reasonable rate (also, RARE in LA). For actors just getting into auditioning or even seasoned veterans, there is something to be learned. I get way more callbacks now!! read more

The Tuesday night workshops are amazingly entertaining yet productive. Paul Schackman's style is unique and extremely effective. I found my auditions and my scene study technique improve immeasurably over a short period of time. He is personable, professional and interested in his students. I highly recommend the Actors Instinct Workshop. read more

Paul is the BEST! Paul creates a safe and fun environment where you grow as an actor. Classes are extremely affordable for the starving artist. He gives each actor individual attention, which has really helped me with my confidence. I love that his Tuesday class is "drop-in", so if you are booked you don't lose money. Not only is he a great teacher and actor, but he is also a great person. Audit his class, you won't be disappointed. read more

Paul's classes have changed my life. Paul is patient with students new to acting and spends the time to develop an approach that suits your unique personality. His classes have not only helped me become a better actor but have improved my ability to communicate and more clearly express myself in all aspects of life. read more

I had been taking classes all over Los Angeles and feeling like there was something missing until got a tip about the Actors Instinct with Paul Schackman. I love this class. Every week I am challenged and feel as if Paul's methods of connection are key in my process of getting the big picture. This class is AWESOME and I highly recommend it to any actor of any level. read more