My guest today on Hometown to Hollywood is Zak Barnett, founder of the Zak Barnett Studios in mid-town Los Angeles, which is billed as “an acting studio for the development of the whole self.” Zak Barnett Studios provides classes, intensives, and private coaching for professional actors aged 9-adult. They also have summer camps and acting intensives.
This is my second episode with Zak, so if you haven’t heard the first one, I would recommend that you look that one up and listen to it as well!
We discussed what makes his acting studio different, some of his new projects including Girls Voices, Create Your Work, and ZBS Gives, the success rates of his students, his philosophy, love vs. fear, and much more.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:
• “Acting is a martial art.”
• “The more connected you are to yourself, the more connected you are to any character.”
• “If you think you are alone in the universe, you will never let go enough to become another character.”
• “This is not the art of pretending, this is the art of becoming.”
• “The mind creates the abyss, and the heart crosses it.”
• “We’re in the business of creating and transcending, and you must move through fear.”
• “The process is messy and beautiful and hard, and no one gets there without persistence and walking through fear.”
• “Your curse is your gift is your brand.”
• “Actors are the only people who try to feel; everyone else tries not to.”
• “Acting is the art of empathy. If you judge a character you can’t become them.”
Find Zak and the Zak Barnett Studio here:
Website: https://zakbarnett.com/
Twitter: @zbsactingstudio
Instagram: @zakbarnettstudios
Facebook: @zakbarnettstudios
YouTube: Zak Barnett Acting Studios
Courage and persistence are required resources for actors; they’re as important as great training and an excellent headshot. But even with those four essential ingredients, you still need a roadmap, and to understand how to maximize your chances of success. That’s where a consultation with me can make all the difference. If you’re feeling stuck or need a sounding board for your plan, book a consultation with me, so we can strategize together to create your best opportunity to succeed in this industry.