Tell us about your upcoming project(s). I’m planning to act in any compelling projects. As for my band Static People, we’re planning shows in LA, SF and Seattle, building up a West Coast tour. We’re planning another video before November 2011; it will be my first time directing and producing a film short. We’ll also release our first full length album.

You’ve been busy since you graduated; tell us about your other projects and what you’ve learned. I’ve been working on promoting the Studio, writing an episode for Table One and working on stand up comedy material. I also continue to write songs for Static People. What I learned most is that 50% of doing things is to get off your ass and generate as much dynamic energy as humanly possible.

 

 

The Training:

Sanford Meisner: I have dreams about him on a regular basis even though I never had the honor of meeting him, only through Jim. But in one word—a humanizer.

The #1 thing I learned in class was: acting is not lying.

The best advice I can give current students at the Meisner Technique Studio is: everything has a value, I mean everything, especially the things you hate about yourself. Use it all. This will differentiate you from others.

The #1 thing I’ve learned since graduating: I exist, and I’m a gift.

The biggest adjustment since I graduated: replacing fear with excitement.

The hardest adjustment since I graduated: cultivating a freakish concentration.

The #1 thing I miss about being in class: the ritual–each class was so fulfilling. But I don’t really have to miss it because I’m working in the Studio, which is just as fulfilling.

The #1 thing I don’t miss about being in class is: the fear.

Jim said this over and over but I never realized how true it was until I got out and into the real world was: I’ll say it again: you need to cultivate a freakish concentration and leave yourself alone.

The training impacted my life as a musician: when you know what you’re doing, you can let yourself fall backwards into it. The Meisner Training is a universal code that can be applied in any virtue.

The Business:

The Business of Your Dream class was: exciting!! And a real eye opener.

The # 1 thing I took from it was: the realization that I’m not a television or
commercial actor.

Getting an agent: I don’t know about doing it this way. I think about this often, but I also want to drive my own bus. I’m looking at this for the near future though.

One year from now: I hope to know more, be more efficient and target oriented.

Five years from now: I’ll look back and say, “Little did I know…”

The best thing about where you are in your dream is: I’m doing it!

The worst thing about where you are in your dream is: I’m doing it!

The #1 thing I wish directors knew about working with actors: It’s so important to find out how sensitive they are.

You:

If I could work with any actor, it would be: besides a sex scene with Angelina Jolie? Just kidding—I would love to work with an amazing actor like Robert Duvall or Sean Penn.

If I could re-cast a Hollywood movie role with myself, it would be: hey, what’s done is done.

My greatest influence(s): I grew up in France, so I was really touched and influenced by great French actors like Gerard Depardieu, Alain Delon, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Philippe Noiret, Jean Gabin, Michel Serrault and so many others.

I first knew I wanted to be an actor: I’m not sure, I’ve always had a great bond with films and artists. I come from a family of artisans, musicians and performers. But it was after my son was born that I decided to finally pursue acting.

I first knew I wanted to be a singer/musician: that’s easy—when I discovered rock and roll at 6 or 7 years old.

I’ll always be: trying.

My mother: Yvonne—beautiful, kind and very shy.

My father: Serge–larger than life, funny and adventurous.

My #1 problem is: mental self-destruction.

I wish: I wish for peace on earth for all kids.

I wish Jim had told me: is that a trick question? I can’t find anything.

I wish somebody had told me: you don’t have to be the same tomorrow.

Someday I’m going to: really, I mean really let go.

My favorite actor: Fabrice Luchini.

My favorite singer: Georges Brassens.

My favorite film: this may sound like a cliché but I have to say The Godfather. And Jean de Florette with Gerard Depardieu, Yves Montand and Daniel Auteuil.

My favorite book: my dictionary.

When I get overwhelmed: I lose control of my senses and I yell “bitch ass ho.”

The biggest waste: ignorance.

If I were not an actor: I would probably be an asshole. I would be another form, like a painter or a sculptor.

Courage ­­: is a muscle, you can grow it.

I’ll never:Retire.

Is there anything else you’d like to say? The Meisner gift through Jim Jarrett has changed my life from the core on out, saved my marriage, made me a better person and a better musician. I can analyze my behavior and learn from it. It’s a form of self-therapy, and the cherry on top is that you become a good actor.

The Meisner Technique Studio would like to thank Pascal for taking time to share with us and with all of you. We wish him all the very best.