Lifebook Acting Academy

Please try another more professional, less seedy acting class! I will say the teacher here does know some of his stuff. He has a lot of insight into the business side of acting which I found really useful. However, I did not find the exercises particularly helpful. It was mostly improv (freeze tag) and cold reads, but none of it was filmed. I was only auditing a class, but I don't know how you could justify not having things on camera when most of the students are presumably pursuing a career in film/tv. Very different from other acting classes I have taken!

However, my lower rating stems mostly from some of inappropriate behavior I witnessed from the teacher. I found a lot of his jokes to be kind of offensive. He made a lot of racial and misogynistic comments. He said because he was a minority, he could use slurs. He said he was in an open relationship and made several overtly sexual statements. He also made It clear students were banned from dating each other.

The weirdest part was when he insistently urged new students (some as young as 18) to join his nude comedy show (that's right--stand-up routines without any clothes). He also mentioned a cuddle company he was looking to start, where students would be required to audition with him (that is, cuddle with him one on one and see if they were adequate enough to be hired). The whole vibe made me very uncomfortable, and the girl I was with felt the same way. I don't know if he could tell, but I was writing notes on all of it. I have just never seen anything like this in any other acting class.

It's a shame because he did give some genuinely helpful advice, and it does seem like a really cool community of people, but I would suggest a more professional class.

Allen Levin is one of the most talented acting teachers that I have ever worked with. His insight, discernment, passion, structure, and consistency is so impressive.

I never agree with 100% of anything, but I cannot think of one time where his judgment and creative input have been less than superior.

I've seen him bring amazing things out of the most inexperienced actors.

Lifebook is one of my favorite places to study. Being a member truly changed my life.

After moving from Australia to LA in 2016, the loneliness of LA that I was warned about and brushed off so many times, quickly set in. A friend who I had previously worked with recommended his acting studio - Lifebook Acting Academy, and I am so glad he did. I'm one of the lucky few that found her community very quickly in LA.

Allen welcomed me into the community and made me feel safe to explore what we are all so passionate about. The talent in the class was impressive, and many of which had been going there for years - which said a lot.

Over the 2 years I was in LA, I learned so much more about my craft (even after 25 years in the industry), and also about myself - giving less fucks (can I say that here?) about what people think. This empowerment led me to comedy, which I previously hadn't dabbled in!!! Drama was my forté. What I knew. What I was comfortable in. But what Allen taught me about comedy, and supported and encouraged, even pushed me to do, made me realise that comedy isn't scary. "If it scares you, you have to do it" he says.

To do your best work, you take risks. To take risks, you need courage. Courage is something Allen instills in you. I really felt like I was in an environment I could explore, try things out, not be judged. That sort of environment is where you can grow, discover and better yourself and your craft.

I forever have fond memories of Lifebook, and am so thankful for being a part of it. I have no hesitation recommending it to any friend in LA looking for their acting community.

I attended Allen's acting class from the summer into the winter of 2021 and I was beyond impressed with the professionalism, collaboration, direction, and atmosphere that Allen created in Lifebook. The class consists of a diverse portfolio of people of all backgrounds and ages, from newbies to internet personalities to well seasoned, actively working actors to writers and even aspiring directors- all of them collaborating and sharing their passion for the art of acting in one room.

The class itself consists of students presenting scenes on stage that they have worked on together outside of class. The teacher gives critiques based on his own personal experience in the industry, which is extensive. In addition to providing a healthy atmosphere that encourages the students to interact with one another, Allen is also a huge advocate for learning outside of class and pushes students to educate themselves on the art of acting by providing them access to an extensive library of acting books. This class is very much self-motivated, and the amount of time and energy you put into it not only in class but outside of class will determine what you get out of it.

One of the most important parts of a class is the teacher, and Allen Levin is a great example of an amazing, dedicated, and professional instructor. Along with the extensive advice he provides on acting, he cares deeply about every single one of his students and wants to see them succeed. He won't tell you what you want to hear, he'll tell you what you need to hear in order for you to become a better actor. If you ask for his opinion, he'll give it to you minus the sugar coating, which is, in my philosophy, what every artist needs to hear. Honest feedback is essential to improving your craft. He rarely boasts or brags, and when he does, it's most often by telling an anecdotal story connecting back to a lesson to help his students improve their acting.

In my opinion, the best part of this class, besides the acting direction that Allen gives, is the community. Los Angeles is a hard place to make friends, especially in the entertainment industry post-covid. It's even harder to meet good, talented, motivated people if you've just moved to the area, and I'm speaking from experience. I can say with certainty that if you invest time and energy into this class, you will not only learn how to act- you will make amazing friends and memories.

Overall, this acting class is well worth the time and money, but like most things in life, you get what you put in. If you're looking for an acting class with a great instructor, students, and atmosphere and (this last one is the most important) are ready to dedicate lots of time and energy to improving your craft, then this is the class for you. I look forward to attending again soon.

Best acting school in LA! Allen Levin WILL get you to the next level. If you're serious about your career, this is the place to make it happen!

I'm so happy I found this class and community! Having never taken acting class but always wanting to I felt nervous to start but everyone here is so welcoming. I've studied at Lifebook on and off for the better part of a year and I can attest that Allen is a awesome teacher who really cares about his students. I've heard stories of terrible LA teachers so I'm so glad I found a teacher like Allen! Everyone at Lifebook is like minded in the way that you feel safe and open to be creative and yourself. Allen always makes sure everyone feels comfortable and tries to encourage you get out of your shell and try new things that really help you grow as an actor. Highly recommended Lifebook whether you're a beginner or seasoned actor!

Allen is everything you could hope for in an acting coach and mentor. Allen's love for acting is obvious, and his passion for the craft excites and motivates actors around him. Allen goes far above and beyond just coaching. He is authentically interested and invested in his actors' careers. He has great experience in this industry, which allows him to help us actors navigate through our careers. He is a strong believer of collaboration and community, which is why so many actors have worked with him for many years. Allen regularly throws events and arranges classes for our Lifebook Community. I'm extremely grateful to have stumbled across Lifebook and Allen last year.

The overall energy of the class was alright, if you are a starting actor just interested in taking an acting course or looking to just flex your acting muscle then I would understand taking a free class. However, I felt as though the person leading the class was unprofessional as he made several sexual remarks, was arrogant within himself and his teaching, and left almost no room at the end of class to actually work on a scene. Also during critiquing of a class I felt as though his feedback was vague and indirect. The people taking the class were wonderful, the workers did a good job of facilitating a supportive atmosphere, but I will not be returning.

Allen is fantastic. The workshop I audited had a little bit of everything. We played a game to loosen up, some people performed monologues, someone worked a scene with a reader, and we each had a commercial audition.

I had done a great commercial auditions workshop at the AFI Conservatory the night before and wanted to try that one again. The feedback he gave me was invaluable.

I'm planning to sign up with another acting instructor as soon as I can afford it, but Lifebook will be the next one, this spring.

Let's be real. As a creative in LA, it's hard to know who/what is worth your money and time for things like classes, headshots, agents etc. Personally, I need to be sure of what I'm getting into before I get involved. The first time I walked into Allen's class I knew undoubtedly it was a space I could learn and be successful in. Not only have I grown immensely as an actress, but I feel I've become more holistically aware of myself as a person. Allen is a freakin genius people. He is so positive and uplifting as well as a brilliant teacher, mentor and supporter. I could write about this class forever, but instead I'll keep it short and simple: for whatever reason you are interested in acting (just for fun/trying something new or to enhance your long standing acting career), your mind, heart, and soul will always be full at Lifebook.

P.S: Think I'm being cheesy? Try out a class and you'll understand the hype!!