SXSW Film Reviews

Jeffrey Tambor emotes -- and you can, too.

Actor's Workshop: Jeffrey Tambor

Sunday, March 10, 3:30pm

Hey now, so you want to be a better actor? Jeffrey Tambor has some advice for you: Be passionate. Be brave. Be yourself. Be human. Tambor came to his workshop sans agenda, choosing the Zen approach of letting the day be governed by his stream-of-consciousness direction and whatever the attendees could contribute. Clocking in at three hours, 45 minutes, there were moments of reflection, passion, and hilarity as Tambor brought his characteristic deadpan humor (see Hank Kingsley in The Larry Sanders Show) to the day, while reminding everyone the most important thing a director can do is "get an assistant." Tambor was joined by local actors Jason Phelps and Cindy Williams, who sketched a prerehearsed scene while Tambor continually stopped them, adjusted their methods, and challenged them to take on their roles in different ways: Act drunk. Drunker. Dance. Laugh. Overact. Fall to the floor. The afternoon was as informative as it was informal, with Tambor reminding everyone that simpler is better, and the most basic human emotions are at the root of playing any scene. Like Tambor, the room was warm and creative and left everyone with a fire in their belly and confidence in their craft. Hey now.