Franklin Livingston is an American actor and filmmaker who has taken a unique approach to storytelling through his exploration of the psychodynamics of different social classes in the United States. His upcoming stories are in the form of feature films that delve into the influence of nontraditional sexual relationships and its impact on the human body, spirit and heart. Franklin believes that during the pandemic there has been a rise of pornographic content viewership and hailing of porn stars through podcasts and social media. The celebration of aggression, dominance, violence and abuse is becoming the new norm in romantic relationships which is giving birth to unrealistic expectations, unsatisfaction, anxiety, anger, and much more mental illness. Throughout the world, people are lacking peace like never before. He claims that this insurgency is dismissing the true understanding of love and sexual intimacy between humans, leaving many of us hopeless romantics for whom his movies would be a splash of hope and healing.
In addition to his acting and filmmaking education, Franklin also holds an extensive education in the fields of Spiritual Care, Political Science, Theology, Anthropology, and War on Terror from some of the reputable institutions including Harvard University and Georgetown University. With all of these accolades, it is clear that Franklin is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry.
Franklin Livingston is an individual who has dedicated his life to his craft, showcasing intense passion and an unyielding desire to better himself and the artistic community as a whole. His immersive and collaborative atmosphere on film sets is truly something to be admired, providing a space for young and veteran actors alike to learn and practice an array of new acting techniques, modern styles of performances, emotional and vocal range, and choreography, all of which are essential to bring various screenplays to life. It is this commitment to his craft that separates Franklin from others in the industry, as he is always striving to better himself and others, providing an immersive experience for aspiring actors with a keen understanding for their busy schedules, while also introducing new methods of filmmaking to the industry.
What changes have you seen in the world of filmmaking?
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In the past couple of years, the world of film making has witnessed remarkable changes. With the advent of streaming services and the ongoing pandemic, film makers have been forced to adapt to a new reality. Content makers have shifted their focus to creating films and shows that can be streamed on TVs, leading to significant changes in the way films are produced. The rise in popularity of streaming content has also impacted the world of film and actors, leading to an exciting time in the world of cinema. As audiences continue to embrace the convenience and flexibility that streaming services offer, it is clear that the world of filmmaking and acting will continue to evolve, bringing with it new challenges and opportunities.
What methods of filmmaking have been introduced the past couple years?
Throughout history, the film industry has evolved in countless ways. From silent pictures to technicolor masterpieces, the world of cinema is continually changing. In recent decades, new technologies have sparked a revolution in the way movies are made. These new methods of film making have allowed for greater creative possibilities, as well as heightened realism and accessibility. One example of this is the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI), which has transformed the way filmmakers build their worlds. Another is virtual reality technology, which is bringing audiences closer to the action than ever before. Filmmakers are always on the lookout for new ways to push boundaries, and these advancements are making that possible. With the growth of virtual reality, motion capture, and computer-generated imaging, we are entering an exciting era of filmmaking. Exciting for sure, but also intimidating for those who are rooted in traditional methods. The influence of these technologies has transformed the narrative and visual possibilities in film, thereby paving the way for new talent and storytelling. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the film industry, and as the landscape continues to evolve, we can only imagine what new innovations filmmakers will dream up next.
I also see that A.I. is becoming a big thing in the production of films and shows. However, I have never used any technology of such kind to tell a story. I believe in the classic style of storytelling which is greatly realistic, where actors are inclined to devote their lives to the art of storytelling and are to go to their extreme. Actors who like to be partially involved in a project or seek help from technology to make their job easier are not usually who I like to work with as I prefer to work with the actors who understand the power of creating the character by themselves while working on choosing colors, outfits, props and doing their own makeup to prepare themselves to be in a particular role and take on that very role truthfully and honest while playing it in a movie or a series.
Is there a technique of acting that fits best with the new methods of filmmaking?
Throughout my career, I have studied and implemented numerous acting techniques to hone my skills and keep up with the ever-evolving industry. From Stanislavski to Meisner, Practical Aesthetics to Suzuki, and even portions of the techniques used by Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler, I have incorporated them all into my methodology. However, I recently created my own technique, and it truly stands out for its well-roundedness that benefits actors in all mediums. As I have auditioned countless actors, I noticed that many excelled in certain areas like text memorization, voice projection, or body training, but often struggled in text analysis, marrying their voice to their emotion, breath and eye contact.
That’s why I began training my cast, focusing the actors on my sets to be the character that they are playing instead of acting it out which might show that they are acting. I believe it will help the community witness versatile actors that could excel in any medium, whether it be stage, film, TV, or new media. My technique is undoubtedly a great method for actors seeking a well-rounded approach to their craft.
Where and how can actors connect with you to learn and receive guidance from you?
As someone who is passionate about the art of acting, it brings me great joy to have people on board who like to learn and grow. However, the first step to learn something new is to unlearn, which I have seen is one of the biggest challenges for many people. If someone wants to learn and grow with me, come on board and act in one of my projects. I don’t offer any classes because I believe that the class environment cannot ever beat a practical film set. A film set like ours gives you a full fledged immersive experience of American filmmaking, which is way faster paced than many other sets in the world such as U.K. television. On our sets you learn how to be in your best state of performance within the given circumstance, scheduled timeframe and directions.
It took me several years to learn things from people who work on the sets of American sitcoms and tv shows to understand the power of efficiency and productivity which is now a part of our productions.
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