In an exclusive instructional video for MasterClass, actor Kevin Spacey is giving a class on acting that allows students to take lessons from the ‘House of Cards’ star on how to act for just $90.
Spacey teaches a unique approach to the art, revealing how he researches for his characters by asking a series of different questions. He admits, however, that he “doesn’t necessarily feel the pressure to definitively answer” those questions, according to Chris O’ Fault of IndieWire.
Spacey is quoted as saying:
“Questions are valuable, even if you don’t answer them. Keeping things ambiguous is sometimes much more interesting to watch for an audience, than things that are just black and white. I think it’s one of the reasons audiences have always embraced complexity.”
As Benjamin Lindsay of Backstage shares, Spacey credits his education as driving his acting success:
“Education has always been an important part of my life. The teachers, mentors, and those who gave me opportunities along the way have made me feel blessed because they taught me the value of striving to be your best.”
Included in the online class will be the biggest lessons that Spacey has learned throughout his career. He shares the successes, as well as the failures, that lead him to where he is today. The class directed by Tucker Gates, also of ‘House of Cards,’ and will be available to take online beginning next year.
Of course, Spacey is not the only star who is offering these types of classes online. Actor Dustin Hoffman also decided to make available his experiences from decades of acting. Briana Rodriguez, also of Backstage, writes that Hoffman created a five-hour teaching video that was broken into segments for acting students, including everything from “How to Deliver Your Lines” to “Being in the Moment” and “How to Act as Yourself and Be the Character.”
MasterClass offers online courses on more than just acting. Usher has offered a class that illustrates how to captivate an audience, preparing to perform live, and how to create a personal brand. During his course, he breaks down a few of his own performances and shares what he is doing at each step. Christina Aguilera also has a wait list for her online lessons.
Along with singing and acting, students can also learn writing, sports and more from established personalities. James Patterson, for example, critiqued the work of his students on MasterClass and shared how he became a best-selling author. Serena Williams also used MasterClass to provide words of wisdom to sports apprentices.
MasterClass is an online education forum that recruits stars to create instructional videos to sell online. The lessons include several hours of video, handbooks, “office hours” where the stars answer questions and give feedback, and interactive assignments.
Spacey’s classes will cost $90. While the course will not be available until Spring of 2016, interested students can get an advance look at the video lessons earlier by pre-ordering.
