What our students have to say:

I've been so proud to call the Innate Acting Institute my (acting) home for over half a decade. When you sit down and think about it, acting really is one of the most difficult tasks - you have to create an entire human being. A new way of walking, talking, thinking, gesticulating, emoting, the list goes on and on - and reasons for each of those things to exist in the way that they do. William (alongside the amazing Jenn) has created a system that acts as a roadmap through all aspects of building that being, but then takes it a step further - giving you specific paths through that roadmap to get that being ingrained into you as efficiently as possible. Because of these near-limitless possibilities, no two beings created with this system will be the same - just as it is in life.

The studio's environment is intimate - very small classes with a lot of time spent on our feet, which makes for a space that allows constant growth. We discuss different aspects of acting theory while identifying how to implement these theories within our existing system, constantly building upon what we've built within our own acting abilities. This is one of the most satisfying parts about being at this studio - it's where we identify *how* to do the things that A-listers are doing. We also spend time stretching our limits as actors - consistently playing characters that demand an evolution in our abilities in some way, meaning the ceiling of how high we can reach is ever-expanding.

This system is indeed a heavy load. It starts off as time-consuming and a hard shell to break through. However, with repetitions, it gets faster and easier - just as any sport or performing art. It's not a system for everyone, but building and becoming a new being isn't supposed to be easy.

The growth that takes place on an Artistic AND Personal level is unmatched. Each step of the system is so incredibly and thoroughly thought through, (on levels one would not even think to explore) which creates a solid foundation from which to learn and grow as an artist as well as growing as a person. 

The constant and sincere support from William and the team allow for a deep exploration of oneself in this craft. The fine balance between structure and freedom is difficult to find in acting, and here I believe it has truly been met. 

There is always a 'how', and a strong foundation from which to grow, and yet also enough space and flexibility for each actor to put their unique stamp on their work.

I leave every interaction with the team feeling seen, heard and enriched. To feel this support within this ever changing and evolving industry is extremely appreciated.

My experience at the Innate Acting Institute is truly a blessing. I have been acting since I was six years old, and this

is the first class where I truly feel I can better myself as an actress. The passion and dedication is evident in William and

Jennifer, they truly care about what they are doing. Additionally, the passion, work ethic, and dedication is evident

to everyone in class and it is contagious.

I have always been passionate about my

job, although I felt like an athlete who didn’t have a way to practice. I didn’t know how to become better and it caused me a great deal of stress. I now feel like I have direction.

In my time working with William and Jenn at the Innate Acting Institute, I’ve been able to consistently reach new levels in the evasive and often times esoteric craft of acting. William cares deeply, not only about the work itself but about each individual member of his studio. He has helped me personally cross those thresholds that the greats are able to reach. He constantly supports me in my journey, and most importantly pushes me to continue to improve my work within the IAI System. 

William provides the How and gives you a foundation that you can always rely on. Using the system as my foundation has allowed me to bring tremendous levels of humanity and accessibility to every scene in every project I’m apart of.
Using the IAI System will give you the confidence to find the best parts of your art - ultimately making you a better actor and a better person.  

Being apart of the IAI group has instilled an idea of ownership in a system that I'll be able to carry with me for the rest of my

life as an artist. Real fearlessness comes from ownership and an undeniable belief in yourself and the insane amount of

preparation you put in. 

The IAI system has given me the luxury of being able to tap into a characters subconscious and fuse it with my own. As an actor I think that's the way we can truly do justice to the characters we're lucky enough to bring to life.

 My experience at Innate Acting Institute has been enriching in all aspects. I came to the institute with a lot of unanswered questions and frustrations from previous educational experiences. William and the rest of the team highly value your individuality as an artist and do everything to support your goals, ambitions and challenges. For the first time I didn't just feel like a walking dollar sign for other coaches.

Like any new approach, at first it was challenging but very quickly I found myself reaching new depth and accuracy in my work. Things that seemed intimidating beforehand were exciting all of the sudden, I started to feel more equipped to handle everything that came my way. William's method has a unique way of bringing the best you have to offer to the surface and it really shows from other incredible performances I get to witness every week. 

The most important discovery I made working with William is how to practice. A lot of teachers and institutes sign off practice as something that is not relevant to acting, which always frustrated me. Coming from dance, knowing the value of your time alone with the music, it didn't make sense why this art form (acting) was any different. It is very liberating knowing what I need to do to stay in creative shape and how to arrive ready on the day. 

I would recommend this institute to other actors because of the people behind it. William, Jennifer, and the rest of the team care for your progress as if it was their own. They do everything in their power to make sure you are supported and feel growth with every class. There is no ego in the studio, the students just want to get better and have fun doing what they love. It’s a special environment. 

Every single audition I've had since IAI has been on a much higher level than previous ones. I've had more callbacks than ever. The audition workflow is incredibly efficient in understanding writer’s intent and translating that into a personal performance. I spend less time taping and my reps are happier. :)
 

After 18 years in the business as an actress and studying with several coaches, I must say that after finding William, I’ve finally discovered how to master and take ownership of my instrument —to make myself secure and proud of my work as an actor on set. I always say to people “He’s not just an acting coach, but a life coach.” He cares about the human being, whatever

the circumstances or situations that person is going through, with the patience and dedication that he and Jennifer pour into their students. It’s very unique in this business, and I couldn’t

feel more blessed to have found this Institute. I must say that my career has completely changed every since I walked through the door.

My experience at the Innate Acting Institute has been intimate, safe, enjoyable, and informative. I work better in small groups, and it’s great learning how to create a human being.

My most important artistic discovery at the Innate Acting Institute is viewing my craft like an athlete. It takes practice, discipline, and confidence when I’m approaching my work.

I would describe my journey as an actor at the Innate Acting Institute as supportive and insightful. As an artist, I believe it is important to be in an environment where you are able to

make mistakes, learn, and grow. It’s similar to an athlete who becomes better through trial and error. 

I recommend the Innate Acting Institute to other actors because William is supportive and patient with his students. He truly enjoys being an educator and sharing his holistic approach to acting.

What makes William different is the safe have he creates for his students. As a working actor, it’s nice to step into a class and not feel like I’m being judged. Attending class is another opportunity to just practice like a basketball player working on his/her/their jump shots.

I recently shot an independent film, and it was wonderful using the tools I’ve learned at the Institute to create another human being.

 William James and the team at the Institute are absolutely incredibly. His approach strips away the clutter and confusion in the craft of acting. He goes beyond the tropes and generalizations and provides us (veteran actors & newcomers) with specific, actionable paths to help us deliver great performances. It's amazing how he's dissected the craft and is giving us ways to understand narrative, character, emotion, action. All of this lead us to being the best actors we can be. Also, to top it off, William and his teachers are some of the nicest people in the industry! Supportive, kind, compassionate, and truly invested in our success. This studio has absolutely changed my creative career. I am immensely grateful for them! 

 The (IAI) is a warm and inviting environment that will challenge you to your core if you’re willing and daring to go there. I’ve discovered how to connect deeply with characters I don’t initially understand, and I now have the tools to carry out the story chock-full of humanity. I came to (IAI) full of fear and insecurity about my lack of momentum, but now I feel more and more ownership every single day. If you want to be an actor that can self-assess without outside validation, or an actor who desires complete ownership over their craft, this studio is for you. 

William’s technique is completely unique and gives you the “how” when I’ve always been in the dark. The very first role I applied the technique to I booked! I’ve only been here two months, and in class for three weeks, so yeah, it works if you work it. I feel totally comfortable in the chaos—it’s a relief I can’t ever explain.  

My experience at the Innate Acting Institute has been an exciting and challenging learning journey with an endless amount of possibilities and growth. I have made many artistic

discoveries: trusting my instrument, trusting the process, being prepared, and alignment and congruity.

From week to week I witnessed my own growth and I’m very excited and looking forward to where this journey takes me in life and career. William and Jenn are there for you, they care and continue working with you off hours as well, I’ve never experienced anything like this before, I’m not looked at as a paycheck but as family.

The Institute has impacted my life in many ways, it helped me to create another layer to may work ethic, which I’m also able to apply to the real world and my business. And after just three

months of training with William, I booked my first feature lead role in America. I recommend the Innate Acting Institute because it just works, I can’t even describe it, but it does work.

I felt like I had hit a plateau when it came to my acting, and didn't know how to push myself or to really bring more into my craft. I was stuck in a rut. 

The Innate Acting Institute is the first class in a long time where I have felt I've been pushed out of my comfort zone and am learning ways of acting out of my prior scope of possibilities. You are really able to learn a tangible path to great acting that any level of actor could obtain, yet I still leave some classes feeling like I was just taught Rocket Science or something. 

It's a wonderful class to push you to your limits while making every step to that limit easy to understand.

Everything in the IAI is set up to make sure the actor is comfortable and confident as possible, while still pushing their artistic limits. In every lesson I have some sort of artistic breakthrough. No matter how big or small it is still there. In just 9 months of working at the studio I’ve learned countless things. Things that will help my artistic growth as an actor, but also things that help me be a better all around person. 

There are so many things that are untaught in the acting world, but William Coarson James has managed to figure them out, organize them in a teachable way, and help actors learn in a safe, supportive community, one of a kind school. 

The amount they care about their students. Starting off with a curriculum tailored just for you and then moving to a class where each individual can grow at your own speed makes you feel so validated and wanted.

With every role or audition I’ve gotten since I joined the institute, I know understand the deeper humanity in every character making each opportunity mean a lot more. Studying at the IAI isn’t just about having a good audition. It’s about molding you as an individual, so you are feeling prepared for anything you may encounter in the industry.

 I'm getting called back on 99% of the auditions I go out on and I owe it to William Coarson James’ technical approach to dissecting a script. I finally feel like I have the tools to get the job done! This technique allows me to take a script and make it come to life in a matter of minutes. This is exactly what I need for cold reading auditions. 

Thanks to this class I booked the First National Tour of BILLY ELLIOT! 

 The (IAI) is intimate and personal and William and Jenn really take the time to learn about their students both professionally and personally. Artistically, at the (IAI), I have discovered how to take my time. I don’t need to rush for the sake of the viewer, even as a newer student, I feel a great deal of support, and that is something that is often lacking in a developing actors life. I don’t feel like a random nobody, I feel like my art matters. At the (IAI) you get more personal attention and help than anywhere else in the city. Jenn and William are calm, love their jobs, and they encourage exploration. 

William’s class has completely changed my life. His class has not only taught me a lot about acting but so much about myself. His unique technique of "pure doing" and finding the "how" makes it possible to do top level work under any circumstance, whether it is in an audition or on a professional set.

You will never get stuck in an actor bubble or be unprepared for any situation. His technique gets you ready for anything a director, casting director, producer might throw at you. He gives you the tools and abilities to be the best actor you can be. 

This class unlike any you will find in LA and, in my opinion, his method should be taught EVERYWHERE in LA. He has a great understanding of the craft of acting. He can take any actor, experienced or not, and get them to where they need to be to work professionally. 

I recommend this class to anyone who is ready to make a name for themselves in the industry! 

 William has completely changed that way that I view acting. His philosophies are very different than the norm, and have been a game changer in my work. At (IAI) I have discovered the idea of tangible preparation that I can utilize in any situation. I can now quickly tap into any character that comes my way. Every since I started at (IAI), I’ve got more callbacks and director sessions in one month than I’ve had in the last year. I would recommend (IAI) because it makes acting fun again. You can feel yourself improving every week. What makes this institute different is William really cares. He truly cares about every single student and wants the absolute best for them. Since joining the institute, the size of the projects I’ve read for have directly correlated with what I’ve learned. Outside of the entertainment industry, my work at (IAI) has made me more aware as a human being and emotionally in touch with everyone around me.  

William Coarson James helped arm me with the tools I need to access a range of characters and emotions in an instant. Having characters and physical triggers in my "back pocket" has proved incredibly helpful during auditions where anything can be asked of you as an actor. 

By working with William Coarson James’ "Flow" worksheet I have found a simple, tangible and effective way of 'living' when I act as opposed to just ‘acting.' 

Were it not for the inspired and ingenious work of William James, I simply would not have a successful acting career. 

I have studied this performing art for over twenty years, and never has anyone come close to level of understanding and mastery that William James has. Walking in the incredible footsteps of great coaches in all fields who help refine and develop their respective talents, William has vigilantly and artistically articulated, and created the ways and means of mastering an often elusive art form. 

You want to learn to do the magical work that The Greats do? This is your coach. When someone truly has a genuine understanding of what they coach, the magnificence of what is possible is vast indeed. William James is to acting as Phil Jackson is to basketball. 

Who’s your coach? 

(IAI) has been an an eye-opener to what acting is... what it takes and what I was trying to accomplish. Coming from a comedic background, I was not used to having a Path to follow. I amused people but I wasn't going to make a career out of what I was doing. 

William broke my game down and built me up again (like breaking out of a bad golf swing and starting all over). It was one of the most challenging things I have ever faced and the techniques shared at (IAI) do take time to embody. Once you do though, the art can begin to really flow and you can begin to see how much you can play. 

I have loved my time at (IAI) and intend to be a part of the every growing family of the (Institute). 

(IAI) is a great tool for the working actor. It is a full service school which gives each student the ability to learn effectively by providing, private, one on one training, and very small class training. 

(IAI) helped me bridge the gap between the real world truths and all the commercialism that goes along in Hollywood. The school also provides many services that are absolute needs such as reels, marketing techniques, advice, even offers one on one private coaching for auditions and scenes. 

I am glad I joined the studio because I can actively advance myself in a competent setting and my coach enjoys watching me succeed. 

Working with William built in for me the foundation of doing great art. Through discipline, attention and structure, I developed for myself a solid way of working that is now free, reliable and translatable. I have the confidence that I can take any material and create a real life out of it. 

I am very proud of what I was able to accomplish at (IAI) and believe it has been crucial to my path as an actress. 

My time in the studio has been fantastic, I’ve learned so much about my craft and I feel truly enriched for my experience here. I’ve grown so much as a person. I came into the studio without having any system or process in my craft and had to unlearn so many bad habits and struggles for awhile, but I always failed

upwards here. The things being taught on a daily basis in the institute aren’t even being thought of or mentioned anywhere else in LA. The bar is set very high, and the standard is excellence.

First and foremost William and Jennifer get it. Their approach is like none other that I have experienced. So many things that I do in my craft and more importantly with who I am as I walk

around as a day to day person have been impacted for the better as a result of my time here. I’ve grown more as a person in

three years under William and Jennifer than I have in twenty-five years with anyone else.

Over my time spent in LA, I’ve been to quite a few studios, workshops, and coaches, and honestly no other acting philosophy can hold a candle to the IAI. This institute just does things differently, and in my opinion, it is doing things the right way.

“Not a week goes by at IAI where I do not see growth in my craft, and looking back even a couple of months is like night and day thanks to the skills and practices I’ve developed here. The curriculum is challenging in the most fulfilling way, the methods taught are equal parts reliable and flexible, and William and Jenn meet each of their actors where they are, tailoring the classes so everyone can grasp the content and keep stretching themselves. In a fast-paced industry that can often feel confusing and exploitative, they continue to devote their time,

resources, and honest opinions to their students. This Institute is a hidden gem for actors who want to improve constantly and consistently while also feeling supported.”