Alexander Skarsgard, True Blood's Eric

BEVERLY HILLS—This week in Hollywoodland, Truebies are anxiously awaiting Sunday night’s episode of “True Blood.” Last week, the 1,000-year-old vampire Eric Northman attacked a coven of witches and ended up being defeated, at least for the time being. Also this week, award-winning actor and comedy legend Brad Garrett is at the Edgemar Theatre in Santa Monica alongside another established name. Brad is leading a sitcom comedy class at the famed theater, and Michelle Danner is presenting The Actor’s Golden Box. Danner is a world-famous acting teacher. These are the hottest stories in Tinseltown this week.

If viewers of the hit HBO vampire series “True Blood’ thought the past two episodes were wildly exciting, passionate and filled with surprises, they had better prepare for those things multiplied on Sunday night. Not only will Eric face challenges he never expected at this point in his life, but Jason will as well. Sunday’s episode is titled “If You Love Me, Why Am I Dyin’?”

Also on Sunday, Sookie makes a deal with Eric, and she reconnects with Alcide (Joe Manganiello); Bill punishes an errant vampire and counsels a guilt-ridden Jessica; Jason is cast as a reluctant savior; Tommy (Marshall Allman) eyes a scam and alienates Sam; Marnie (Fiona Shaw) flexes her newfound powers; Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) delivers an ultimatum to Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis), Tara (Rutina Wesley) and Jesus (Kevin Alejandro), and most shockingly, Eric spoils Sookie’s faerie reunion.

Everybody loves my cousin Brad Garrett! Brad Garrett played Ray Romano’s big brother Robert on the hit CBS series “Everybody Loves Raymond,” which earned him five Emmy nominations and in 2002, 2003 and 2005 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.          

Actor Brad Garrett

The actor was raised in Woodland Hills. After high school graduation, Brad began performing his stand-up act at various Los Angeles comedy clubs, getting his start at the Ice House in Pasadena and The Improv in Hollywood. His first appearance – at age 23, on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” - made him one of the youngest comedians ever to perform on the program. The leading man stands over 6 feet 8 inches tall, but he appears to be just an everyday guy.

Garrett is currently giving an unbelievable seminar at the Edgemar. It is a a six-week Sitcom Comedy Intensive, in which the talented actor and comedian gives instructions on how to audition for sitcoms. Brad told me, “I am very much looking forward to this session. Teaching is a true passion of mine, and I am humbled and encouraged that anyone even shows up.”

When asked what he wants students to get out of his seminar, Garrett said, “My main focus in every class is to encourage students to risk by getting out of their comfort zones and pushing to newer levels as actors, which comedy will automatically achieve. Each class consists of a different exercise or scene. I focus largely on cold readings and scene study; two crucial aspects of the audition process, because at the end of the day it’s about getting the job (which I have to say, I still find difficult). Actors will find themselves alone on stage and in ensembles as well. The last two classes focus on prepared, rehearsed comedic scenes. I have been fortunate enough to have worked with many talented individuals in many facets of the industry, and my combined experiences are what guide my instruction and feedback. I am brutally honest about the business aspects of entertainment as well as the craft itself, and I have been at it long enough to candidly share my highs and lows as an actor.”

Each month, The Acting Studio at Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica presents The Actor’s Golden Box, a two-day intensive program of training taught by renowned acting coach Michelle Danner.

Actors learn how to create vivid, fleshed-out and interesting characters through an intense and emotional workshop with technique exercises and lectures. Not just for actors, the course is also of benefit to writers and others in allied professions.

The class is supported by film clips, and there are discussions and analyses of performances by Meryl Streep, Judi Dench, Anthony Hopkins, Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Dean and others.

Exercises include learning how to build provocative and complex back stories by opening up your instrument emotionally and finding triggers and psychological gestures in your work.

Danner, artistic director of the Edgemar Center for the Arts, has coached some of Hollywood’s most elite actors including James Franco, Salma Hayek, Gerard Butler, Chris Rock, Penélope Cruz, Isla Fisher and more. She has directed and acted in over 30 plays and musicals in Los Angeles and New York, and has directed two films, “How to Go Out on a Date in Queens” (starring Jason Alexander and Rob Estes) and the recently-completed “Hello Herman” (starring Norman Reedus and Martha Hagereda).

The Actor’s Golden Box is conducted once each month on a Saturday and Sunday at Edgemar Center for the Arts. Please call 310-392-0815 for exact dates, times and registration information.

The Acting Studio at Edgemar Center for the Arts is located in a two-theatre and art gallery complex in Santa Monica.

Go to EdgemarCenter.org for more information on these two events.

TV Host And Columnist Tommy Lightfoot Garrett With Joan Crawford's Grandson

Israeli filmmaker Amir Michalovich’s short film “Intercom” is not only a hit in his homeland, but it’s making the way to Europe and here in the U.S. next month at the New York City International Film Festival. It’s the second annual event, held in Times Square from August 18-25. And the film will be in competition there for various nominations.

Amir tells Canyon News, “One of the dominant aspects of ‘Intercom’s’ making for me was the feeling I had all along that people I was working with were very talented and also very gracious. I find the film’s sense of connectedness related very much to that atmosphere. It reverberates through the visuals, music and acting. Apparently also to viewers in various film festivals, and that for me is the greatest appeal behind this amazing process.”

Michalovich is very busy filming a feature film this summer, so he’s unable to attend the NYC festivities.