ReFocusMethod

Why does it work?

You probably know the feeling of having access to your full potential during a performance, when it just happens; it feels effortless, easy and yet powerful. A fantastic feeling! Unfortunately, achieving this experience often seem to be outside our control. The method gives you practical tools to access this state, where emotions flow organically with text and situation, where your conscious and subconscious mind work in harmony. You will learn how to stay connected with you body and in the same time with the co-actor or the audience. With powerful focus exercises you will discover how to direct your attention to where it should be, here and now.

what's the story behind?

It all started 50 years ago at the Swedish National Academy of Acting.

It started in the 1960th. Andris Blekte (1923-2007) created a relaxation technique for actors and musicians. He taught his technique at the National Acting Academy in Stockholm and Malmö until 2005. Many of the Swedish actors we see in series like “Wallander”, ”The Bridge”, and films like “As it is in Heaven” and ”The girl with the dragon tattoo” have been students of Andris Blekte. Tony Grahn was trained as an actor at the National Acting Academy in Sweden 1990-91 where he was personally trained by Andris Blekte. After graduated from the one year full time directing training at DRAMA STUDIO LONDON in 1996 Tony started to teach Andris technique at THE ACTOR CENTRE in London. Since then he continued to develop the technique further based on research in human behavior and by giving workshops and classes in England, Sweden and in Holland. Up to 2014 he called the method for "Relaxation in Action". "The Method has helped many actors, opera and musical singers, classical musicians to bring their performance to a new level.

"Working with Tony Grahn and ”The Method” has been an enormous help for me! I believe that the most important skills for an actor are the abilities to be present, to really listen and to let it happen in the moment, so that emotions and text come out believable, organically and relaxed. In Tony Grahn’s workshop you will learn and experience these qualities. His approach is very practical and simple, and with a lots of humor. He understands actors and really knows what acting is about. He is able to give you the practical tools to get the best out of your performance...I used Tony Grahn’s ”The Method” while working opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins in ”Kidnapping Mr. Heineken’’ and currently I am using it for my lead performance in the Stage Musical ”The Bodyguard”." Mark Van Eeuwen

Testimonials

Following testimonials will be found on Tony Grahn's LinkedIn profile in full length and original language. (it takes a few second to load the testimonials)

I have been working professionally as an actor for 26 years and during that time I have worked with some extraordinary people with varied approaches to acting. Much of that work was valuable. But Tony Grahn’s approach is different to anything I’ve experienced before, because he deals with “the moment”, by which I mean his method helps the actor find focus and stay present. And not just in acting, I think in life. Tony’s work is the antidote to any acting training that binds the actor in a knot of thoughts. It clears all that away and is ultimately a practice that empowers the individual and encourages us to trust ourselves once more. Total game changer for me. I wholeheartedly recommend and very grateful.

Richard Cotton

Richard Cotton, Actor, London

Tony Grahn is one of the first acting teachers I chose to work with starting up the film actors academy amsterdam (faaam) in 2005. For many years my students have adopted his unique approach of acting and frequently I speak to alumni who still are practicing this when they perform in front of the camera. Students remember Tony as a very empathic and constructive teacher, who is able to break through their old patterns and “system” of acting. In The Netherlands he is the only acting coach with these specific skills. As leader of the program but also as an actor I still enjoy working with this inspiring personality!

Hugo Metsers

Hugo Metsers, Actor, founder of Film Actor Academy and Masterclasses

I found Tony’s Masterclass invigorating, inspiring and incredibly freeing. Unlike most acting teachers, Tony demystifies the acting process to make it something that is precise, clear and simple. His ReFocus Method gives the actor an infallible set of tools to be able to tackle any role with truthfulness and best of all it is a process that can be practised in daily life. Put simply, if you attend one of Tony’s classes with enough hunger and passion you will become a better actor.

Jordan Turk

Jordan Turk. Actor, London

One of the most valuable acting classes I have had were from Tony Grahn. A remarkable individual with a very efficient and unique approach to dealing with the ‘now’. How to get rid of the ‘noise’ and gain maximum efficiency with ones focus. His teachings are beyond the scope of just an acting application. It has not only helped me tremendously with acting, but also with my mindset when fighting in the ring. I look forward to the next workshop!

Mishael Lopes Cardoso

Mishael Lopes Cardoso, Actor, Vikings.

Tony’s workshop was a real eye-opener. The techniques he teaches seem at first almost too simple to be effective – that is until you watch others try them out. I was honestly taken aback at how transformative his approach can be, as were the rest of my class. One of the great things about the ReFocus method is that it takes you out of your head, and helps stop the internal ‘noise’, something that has affected my performances in the past. I came away from the two days with renewed enthusiasm and confidence. If you have the chance, definitely give the course a go.

Sara Odeen-Isbister

Sara Odeen-Isbister. Actress UK

“Tony Grahns workshop kan mycket väl vara den viktigaste jag någonsin gått på. Den är helt fundamental i det arbetet går ut på att identifiera och släppa kroppsliga spänningar, leverera replik utan att ställa sig i vägen för och färga den samt att rikta densamma med ett tydligt fokus och lyssna av reaktionen – något som är nog så lätt att glömma bort när prestationsdjävulen sätter in…den gav verkligen otroligt mycket och Ditt sätt att kommentera och vägleda vittnade om omtanke i stället för att andas kritik, som inte är så ovanligt…

Henrik Norman

Henrik Norman Actor, Stockholm

I’ve had two game changing moments in drama class lately. One was last summer at BGB Studios in Los Angeles courtesy of Felipe Figueroa. The other one was this weekend in Stockholm, courtesy of Tony Grahn at The Method Lab. We’re all different, but those guys are for me incredible coaches. I will work with both of them again. That’s just a fact. //Happy and very tired

Ola Normelli. Actor, Stockholm,

…His approach is very practical and simple, and with a lots of humor. He understands actors and really knows what acting is about. He is able to give you the practical tools to get the best out of your performance…I used Tony Grahn’s method while working opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins in ”Kidnapping Mr. Heineken’’ and currently I am using it for my lead performance in the Stage Musical ”The Bodyguard”.

Mark van Eeuwen

Mark van Eeuwen. Actor, NL

Tony’s workshop “ReFocusMethod” is really helpful…I personally did both the first and the advanced class, and it’s helping me in my work every day…also very helpful if you head into auditions, or if the director changes his mind and wants a completely different thing from you. This method helps you really be the most flexible actor you can ever be.

Sytse Faber

Sytse Faber, Actor, NL

…It was an exciting weekend with a lot of fun. …Tony Grahn is a warm, authentic, quiet and intense person sharp on what is happening on the floor. And this all in a very nice combination of elegance and constructive criticism…So my wishes for you all is: meet Tony Grahn… He will give you with his Method warmth and a very nice mirror for the rest of your (working) life!!!!

Michiel Zeegers

Michiel Zeegers. Actor, NL

relaxed, present and truthful on stage and in front of camera.

Why does it work?

workshops

coaching

what's the story behind?

Testimonials

Following testimonials will be found on Tony Grahn's LinkedIn profile in full length and original language. (it takes a few second to load the testimonials)