Lena Harris Biography
My most recent project is a documentary that I wrote,
directed, produced and was the cinematographer, that premiered at the
(Cannes Film Festival).
As a writer, I have written several scripts that have gone to production;
and I contribute to industry publications such as Back Stage. My book,
TWENTY-FIVE 5-MINUTE POWER SCENES is published by Smith and Kraus.
I wrote and directed a Webseries entitled THE ELAINE YOUNG SHOW,
that captured the true life story of legendary realtor to the stars,
Elaine Young.
Please click on the link below to find out more about
Lena Harris Productions.
I started my career as an actress and model.
I had an extensive modeling and commercial career with the
Ford Model Agency in New York and Europe --
a career that gave me the opportunity to travel the world
for leading designers and advertisers among them
Revlon, Max Factor, Helena Rubinstein,
Estee Lauder and Tiffany.
I appeared on the pages and covers of magazines including Good Houskeeping
Time Magazine, Harpers Bazaar, Vogue and many others;
also appearing in numerous national television commercials.
As an actor, the theater had my heart.
If I had to say which character that I played during
my career that would have been one of my favorites -
I would say, Elaine Nevazio in Neil Simon's "Last of the Red Hot Lovers."
Our cast, Charlie Brill, Mitzi McCall , Tresa Ganzel and yours truly were honored to received the
Drama-Logue Award for "Best Ensemble Cast."
Another all time favorite role that I had the opportunity to play was
"Elsa Falk" in "Three Years Probation" by Victor Borg
with another amazing cast.
Varda Appletion, Marc G Adams, Charles Howerton, and Lee Farr.
Directed by Stuart Lancaster.
One of my most joyous and rewarding careers, however, has been that
of acting instructor and coach. I trained to teach acting for
years prior to opening my own school 20 years ago.
My acting training began under Baruch Lumet, father of
acclaimed director Sidney Lumet. Baruch Lumet was the director
of the Institute of Performing Arts and known for
his work in the Yiddish theater.
The techniques that I teach are based on the
Stanislavsky System and Sanford Meisner exercises.
Actors are filmed at the workshop sessions using original material;
resulting in 2-4 minute finished scenes that may be streamed online and
emailed to the industry. I offer on-camera techniques that give the actor
the discipline needed to overcome certain constraints that are required
in front of the camera (which are not present in stage acting).
Backstage has requested several article from me; one specifically
explains the importance of studying on-camera technique
(“Always Be Studying” (On-Camera Technique).
The acting techniques I teach allow the actor to be spontaneous,
alive, truthful, and in the moment. Actors work on monologues, dialects,
and impediments (for example, blindness or addiction).
Backstage requested the following article from me:
"Approaching a Role with an Accent"
I teach the Stanislavsky method of using physical actions to induce
feelings and emotions. Stanislavsky says, "In the doing the emotion will come."
My workshop provides actors with a safe and creative environment in which
they can apply techniques designed to empower actors
to achieve their full potential.
The muscles for acting must be developed and then
exercised constantly.
It is for that reason that each of the actors are filmed at
EVERY class. While applying their new techniques, the actors dress
in their character's wardrobe and makeup, step in front of the
camera and they ACT!
The process is tremendous fun! The actors work from
original material written by me (many of the scenes coming
from my Smith and Kraus book), resulting in 2-4 minute
finished videos that can be streamed online
to the industry.
(c) 2020 Lena Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved
High principles, passion for art and technical mastery are our foundation.
Generous hearts, working harmoniously to elevate the spirit is our bond.
A higher awareness of life's joys and peace of mind is our reward.
~
~~~ It is our obligation as actors to reflect the human condition ~~~
Check out The Master Class' awesome scenes
on my Youtube Channel.
LENA HARRIS On-Camera Workshop
Back to the top - HOME - Click below -
~
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5938754/
Workshop Info-www.lenaharris.com/content.html?page=2
The Studio is available to writers and directors.
Some of my recent articles in BACK STAGE:
"Approaching a Role with an Accent"
"Always be Studying" (On-Camera Technique)
(Scene Study Series) (9781575254326): Lena Harris:
Written by Lena Harris. (Scene Study Series) A Smith & Kraus Book.
TWENTY-FIVE 5-MINUTE POWER SCENES
"One of the requisites for an actor is to be able to take the
words off the page and make them his own.
Lena Harris makes that ever so easy."
~ Robert Wagner
