Sets in the City

In preparation for my latest role I was lucky enough to have a lesson with Loren Barclay from GymBox. Loren is an inspiring choreographer who happens to be insanely good at pole-dancing. She wowed me with her skills and whipped me into shape. My muscles ached afterwards and spent several days reminding me how physically demanding dancing on (and off) the pole really is. The whole experience was exhilarating and confidence building. Loren is a fantastic teacher that has been known to more than double strippers’ earnings by imparting her tricks and she taught me what I needed to know to look the part.

One of the wonderful things about being an actor is getting the chance to constantly learn. My mother, a secret fan of Strictly Come Dancing, says I should play a part like Nikita. How right she is! I would love to play such a strong character. The 1990 Luc Besson film, La Femme Nikita massively motivated my desire to act…

Nikita: What do I do?

Bob: Learn. Learn to read, walk, talk, smile and even fight. Learn to do everything.

One morning on set I got to thinking that in America, actors are more likely to drop the name of their famous coach.  Attending certain sought after classes is akin having access to a private members club. Although a lot of London based actors I know regularly continue to work on their craft, in the UK, the precedence is to get your training at drama school. I interviewed for drama schools the same week as I auditioned for my 1^st TV role. I chose the job. At Three Mills studios in Bow, I witnessed some TV magic and I have never looked back. Gareth Hunt (of New Avengers and Nescafe fame) took me under his wing and showed me how the technical stuff. He told the best stories and I am very grateful for all the lessons he taught me so early in my career.

There is so much to learn and I believe it is important for me to keep “practicing” between gigs. I keep my body and my mind fit. Just like a lawyer or a GP has a practice, I have studios and classes. I have travelled the world to study with great teachers and after auditing Ivana Chubbuck’s workshop at The Actor’s Centre last week, I know where I need to go next! Ivana is the number one acting coach in Hollywood and author of the LA Times bestseller, The Power of the Actor.  Ivana has worked with so many of the big players in Hollywood including Halle Berry, Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron, Eva Mendes, Gerard Butler and James Franco.  For the 2006 Academy Awards Ivana’s students were nominated in every acting category. In London, I walked into a room full of brilliant actors, some of whom I had worked with before, some whose work I admire from the audience and some who I had never seen but instantly wanted to work with. It was a real treat to see the cogs turning and actors being empowered with the dynamic and nurturing tools of the Chubbuck Technique. Her class reminded me why I wanted so badly to act and I was buzzing throughout.

I’ll be back next week with photos from a video shoot on a plane!

Sets in the City

Coralie is a successful film and TV actress with over 10 years in the business. Between acting gigs Coralie keeps it real by doing being a mum, doing yoga and writing. Although instead of putting the finishing touches to her screenplay Make Up, Coralie has been desribed as a prolific contributor to twitter. You can follow her rambings at www.twitter.com/cocolarose. Some of Coralie’s favourite movies are Sexy Beast, Le Grand Bleu and Japanese Story but she has no desire to ever watch 300, Gladiator or any of The Lord of the Rings films. Sorry. Hobbies include completing questionnaires and taking photos for tourists.

Coralie is very excited about this collaboration with The Hollywood News. In her blog ‘Sets in the City’, Coralie gives an insider’s take on the business of acting.