I think I do need to share this. Many times, so-called fresh artists ask me, "Sir, I'm a fresher. Will I get a chance? I'm a born actor, never had training, but I'm not less than anyone else," and so on. Apart from this, there are some so-called casting directors or fake acting institutes.
In a city like Mumbai, there's hardly any proper acting training available. There are many schools here where they just waste your time in the name of acting training. To be honest, actors can't be trained at a personal level. Standing in front of a mirror and reciting dialogues is pointless. Sitting with a friend and reading scenes, rehearsing together—none of this will help.
I feel training is crucial in a systematic manner, in groups, where someone is observing, analyzing, and commenting on your work. You have to be in such a situation. Because today, training is important as cinema is changing. We need good performances whether it's on Star, Sony, or Colors. For all these, training is important. I don't believe in the concept of being a born actor. To date, I haven't understood this concept. Nobody is born with talent; everyone trains, somewhere, somehow. All good actors have some connection with acting training, whether through theater or formal education.
Now, you may ask me where to go for training. I feel NSD (National School of Drama) is the best for acting training. It's a three-year course, and you come out fully equipped. There are certain casting directors or acting institutes who claim they can teach you expressions, dialogue delivery, and body language in a week. It's a humble request to artists: please don't go to such places. This isn't acting. Teaching facial expressions, dialogue delivery, body language—it can't be done. It happens naturally while acting. If someone claims they can teach you all this, don't go there. Go to a place where they work on your overall personality. I think the National School of Drama is a perfect option to grow yourself as an artist.
I'm also annoyed with people messaging me, asking to meet, come to my house or office, show me their acting portfolio, etc. Guys, meeting me won't be beneficial because I can't judge your acting skills in person. Some people flood my WhatsApp with hundreds of pictures. Seeing those pictures, I can't determine how good you can be as an actor. In pictures, you might look good, but photoshoots these days can be deceiving. If you want to pursue acting as a career, shoot your acting audition video and send it to me or my casting team. Seeing your audition clip will give me an idea of your acting skills. Meeting you or seeing your pictures won't help. I would prefer to see you in a video. Think logically and don't waste your and my time.
Furthermore, some people, who aren't even actors yet, already have a starry attitude. I'm not going to entertain such people. Secondly, I have issues with some female actresses or strugglers, to be precise. I don't understand how you can be so busy that you change your WhatsApp DP 15 times a day and message me at 3 AM with "Hello Sir, you're still awake?" or "Had dinner?" You share your breakup stories, saying you're depressed because your ex is still with someone else, etc. How do you have time for such nonsense? But you don't have time to reply to my professional texts related to work or come for auditions, especially teenage girls from 16-19. They think they're already Miss World. How can you have so much time for timepass? Please don't waste my time. Many people message me daily with "Good morning," "Good night," "Hello," "Had food?" etc. This buttering isn't going to help you get cast in a show.
I have so much to write, but I'll be live on Facebook soon.
Adios,
Jatin Bhatt
Casting & Creative Director
In a city like Mumbai, there's hardly any proper acting training available. There are many schools here where they just waste your time in the name of acting training. To be honest, actors can't be trained at a personal level. Standing in front of a mirror and reciting dialogues is pointless. Sitting with a friend and reading scenes, rehearsing together—none of this will help.
I feel training is crucial in a systematic manner, in groups, where someone is observing, analyzing, and commenting on your work. You have to be in such a situation. Because today, training is important as cinema is changing. We need good performances whether it's on Star, Sony, or Colors. For all these, training is important. I don't believe in the concept of being a born actor. To date, I haven't understood this concept. Nobody is born with talent; everyone trains, somewhere, somehow. All good actors have some connection with acting training, whether through theater or formal education.
Now, you may ask me where to go for training. I feel NSD (National School of Drama) is the best for acting training. It's a three-year course, and you come out fully equipped. There are certain casting directors or acting institutes who claim they can teach you expressions, dialogue delivery, and body language in a week. It's a humble request to artists: please don't go to such places. This isn't acting. Teaching facial expressions, dialogue delivery, body language—it can't be done. It happens naturally while acting. If someone claims they can teach you all this, don't go there. Go to a place where they work on your overall personality. I think the National School of Drama is a perfect option to grow yourself as an artist.
I'm also annoyed with people messaging me, asking to meet, come to my house or office, show me their acting portfolio, etc. Guys, meeting me won't be beneficial because I can't judge your acting skills in person. Some people flood my WhatsApp with hundreds of pictures. Seeing those pictures, I can't determine how good you can be as an actor. In pictures, you might look good, but photoshoots these days can be deceiving. If you want to pursue acting as a career, shoot your acting audition video and send it to me or my casting team. Seeing your audition clip will give me an idea of your acting skills. Meeting you or seeing your pictures won't help. I would prefer to see you in a video. Think logically and don't waste your and my time.
Furthermore, some people, who aren't even actors yet, already have a starry attitude. I'm not going to entertain such people. Secondly, I have issues with some female actresses or strugglers, to be precise. I don't understand how you can be so busy that you change your WhatsApp DP 15 times a day and message me at 3 AM with "Hello Sir, you're still awake?" or "Had dinner?" You share your breakup stories, saying you're depressed because your ex is still with someone else, etc. How do you have time for such nonsense? But you don't have time to reply to my professional texts related to work or come for auditions, especially teenage girls from 16-19. They think they're already Miss World. How can you have so much time for timepass? Please don't waste my time. Many people message me daily with "Good morning," "Good night," "Hello," "Had food?" etc. This buttering isn't going to help you get cast in a show.
I have so much to write, but I'll be live on Facebook soon.
Adios,
Jatin Bhatt
Casting & Creative Director
