STEPPING UP
Sol Academy offers free acting classes as Netflix plans move to ABQ
It’s nearly been a year since Ron Weisberg and Chris Ranney jumped all in and purchased Sol Acting Academy.
Over the past year, the two have added a lot more classes that touch on all aspects of the film industry.
With Netflix coming to Albuquerque, Weisberg says, Sol is ready for an influx of actors.
So the academy is offering a free acting class on Saturday, Oct. 27 — from 5 to 6 p.m. for youths and 6 to 7 p.m. for adults.
“We do free classes every couple months to give people a sampling of what we do,” Weisberg says. “The adult classes always have a good turnout. You also get an opportunity to meet the new instructors and get a taste of everything we do.”
Weisberg says the Netflix move to Albuquerque opens the door for more acting and crew member jobs.
“It’s a steppingstone for better jobs for actors,” he says. “Netflix is going to want to save money by using actors from New Mexico. The thing I really want to do … is to expand training … so that we can keep jobs here, the money here, everything stays here. We all need to start creating content here. We need to do it on the professional level that Netflix is doing.
“We need our infrastructure improved. This means that the city and state need to help with business development companies. We want to put our actors to work, and we have to create the projects and content ourselves. That’s the key.”
Weisberg tries to keep his finger on the pulse of the film industry, which is why the academy offers all types of acting classes.
From dialect to audition workshops to mastery of movement and physicality, what’s offered is wellrounded.
“I look at what it takes to be a well-rounded actor,” he says. “Then we pull from all the resources we have. The movement and physicality class is designed to free people from their body case, which can block them from getting into character. This class helps them open up in all kind of ways — spiritually, emotionally and logically.”
Many actors from the academy have already gone on to get roles and representation.
“I’ve met actors in the free classes and see them continue with us,” he says. “They get agents and parts in projects. There’s one woman who has taken classes with us and then found out about our screenwriting class. She’s writing horror movies now.”
To see a schedule of classes, visit solacting. com. SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @ agomezART.