Creativity grows with practice

Jeff Goldberg, a former faculty member at the world renowned Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, School of Visual Arts and Fordham University in New York City was in Hyderabad and spoke about his tryst with Bollywood and theatre in Mumbai, where he has set up the Jeff Goldberg Studio, which conducts acting workshops, director’s workshops, scriptwriting lab and a yoga zone.

How did you come and start your work in Mumbai?
I came to Mumbai with Indo-French filmmaker Pan Nalin for a project about Sadat Hasan Manto’s story ‘Toba Tek Singh’. Since then I have acted on stage and in films. Somewhere, I realised that Bollywood was consulting me on hints in the field of acting for their projects. And, I decided to set up a professional studio that could help in various aspects of acting and direction of films.

What happens at the studio in Mumbai?
Acting requires concentration, comfort and truth to perform. It is very important to be true to oneself and the work. The scriptwriting lab teaches the essential skills of writing a script for film, television and theatre. The director's workshop emphasises the need to break down the script and prepare it for production. Yoga has benefits, which need not be repeated and therefore we have created a ‘Yoga Zone’ for the benefit of all interested people. It is a process of self-exploration and path of well-being in life.

How is the response for the training programme in Mumbai?
We have been continuously training many students for acting in theatre. They are taking up independent projects after completion of the course and find their own path. In Bollywood, we have established a very niche area wherein, ongoing projects of Hindi films seek our intervention for guiding many actors in the field, so as to ensure quality output in the film.

Any plans to open branches outside Mumbai?
Work has got consolidated in Mumbai and it’s time to also branch out to other cities, where young talent can get an opportunity to make a mark in this field. India has abundant talent and it's time they work on the right platform.

What’s your ‘USP’?
There are no shortcuts. There are no shortages of opportunities. One has to have a positive attitude and move forward. Success is not far behind. The more you practice, the more you can create. Creativity always grows out of practice.