MasterClass

Dustin Hoffman Teaches Acting

Learn Dustin's Method - Dustin Hoffman believes that every great character is already inside you—the hard part is learning to access them. In his first ever online class, the two-time Academy Award winning star of The Graduate, Tootsie, and Rain Man teaches you everything he's learned during his 50 year acting career.

Where to Watch Dustin Hoffman Teaches Acting

24 Episodes

Dustin's Method
E1
Dustin's MethodDustin's approach to acting is unique. In this lesson, he reveals the principles of his method and how to start implementing it.
Jerry Maguire Scene Work - Part 1 - Working with a Co-Star
E2
Jerry Maguire Scene Work - Part 1 - Working with a Co-StarDustin has had famous on-screen chemistry with the likes of Robert Redford, Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep. Watch as he teaches two strangers to build an instant bond on set, and then asks you to try the same Jerry Maguire scene with a fellow student.
Jerry Maguire Scene Work - Part 2 - Relating to Your Character
E3
Jerry Maguire Scene Work - Part 2 - Relating to Your CharacterRelating to your character is crucial to a great performance. Dustin teaches you how to read through the lines to add emotion and depth to your role.
Jerry Maguire Scene Work - Part 3 - Managing Your Nerves
E4
Jerry Maguire Scene Work - Part 3 - Managing Your NervesEvery good actor gets nervous, even Dustin. Vulnerability is key to bringing depth to a performance. Here's how to use your fears to get deeper into character.
Jerry Maguire Scene Work - Part 4 - Performing Honestly
E5
Jerry Maguire Scene Work - Part 4 - Performing HonestlyUncover and access the deepest layers of your personality so you can stop pretending and start being your character.
Jerry Maguire Scene Work - Part 5 - Critiquing Yourself
E6
Jerry Maguire Scene Work - Part 5 - Critiquing YourselfDustin is his own harshest critic, even when the director is happy and the audience loves him. Learn how he finds ways to question, critique and improve his performance.
What I Learned in Acting Class
E7
What I Learned in Acting ClassDustin learned from the most prominent acting teachers of his day, including Lee Strasberg -- hear the tips and stories that stuck with him.
Researching Your Character
E8
Researching Your CharacterWhether he’s studying women’s vocal patterns or sneaking into San Quentin prison—Dustin conducts detailed research to create memorable and believable characters.
Creating Your Character
E9
Creating Your CharacterThe essence of Raymond Babbit came from an accidental vocal tick; Benjamin Braddock grew from Dustin's childhood memories. There's no one way to bring a new character to life, but these are some of the ways that have worked for Dustin.
Saying Your Lines
E10
Saying Your LinesMemorizing your lines is just the first step. Here's how Dustin approaches a new script to bring life to words on a page.
Funny Business
E11
Funny BusinessYou can't always plan for the laugh. Dustin explains how to develop your comic instincts and use everyday life as your comedic inspiration.
Staying In The Moment
E12
Staying In The MomentWhen you leave the script behind and make things up as you go, the results can be inspiring, fun, or sometimes flat-out embarrassing. You have to be willing to fail to triumph as an actor.
Stage and Screen
E13
Stage and ScreenFor a play, you rehearse for weeks. On a film set, you might get ten minutes. As an actor who trained for the stage, Dustin shares how he changed his approach to the craft for the camera.
Dustin’s Story
E14
Dustin’s StoryFrom college dropout to Oscar-winning actor, learn a little bit more about your teacher.
Good Will Hunting Scene Work - Part 1 - Being Present
E15
Good Will Hunting Scene Work - Part 1 - Being PresentLearning to look beyond the script to what's not being said, and using that powerful subtext to reveal parts of yourself, is the essence of Dustin's approach to acting. Dustin applies this lesson to a scene from Good Will Hunting.
Good Will Hunting Scene Work - Part 2 - Be Yourself to Be the Character
E16
Good Will Hunting Scene Work - Part 2 - Be Yourself to Be the CharacterIf the audience isn't seeing your secrets, you're doing it wrong. Pushing yourself to admit and accept your most painful and uncomfortable truths will help bring depth and honesty to the characters you play. See how brave you can learn to be.
Good Will Hunting Scene Work - Part 3 - Embracing Your Vulnerability
E17
Good Will Hunting Scene Work - Part 3 - Embracing Your VulnerabilityNobody's perfect - and audiences will love you for it. Watch a scene from Good Will Hunting come to life when Dustin directs two actors to draw upon their own insecurities.
Good Will Hunting Scene Work - Part 4 - Creating a Relatable Character
E18
Good Will Hunting Scene Work - Part 4 - Creating a Relatable CharacterLearn how to craft a timeless, relatable character that audiences will fall in love with.
Good Will Hunting Scene Work - Part 5 - Staying True to Yourself
E19
Good Will Hunting Scene Work - Part 5 - Staying True to YourselfDustin never lets a script hold him back from giving what he believes is the right performance. Here's how to stay true to yourself without getting fired.
Working Together or Not
E20
Working Together or NotGet Dustin's insider tips on how to keep an open, creative environment on set, respect your fellow actors, and most importantly—relax.
Auditions
E21
AuditionsDustin has spent his career defying "leading man" stereotypes. Here's how to take the right risks to set yourself apart from the crowd and handle the rejection all actors face.
Making Acting Your Living
E22
Making Acting Your LivingAfter painful rejections, how do you stop the candle inside you from burning out? Dustin sheds light on the difficult decisions involved in making acting your living.
Great Mistakes
E23
Great MistakesIt can be harder than you think to tell the difference between an accident and a stroke of genius. The most iconic scene in Midnight Cowboy was an on-set accident. Make every mistake an opportunity.
Always Be Working
E24
Always Be WorkingDustin closes his MasterClass with one lesson he wants every actor to remember.