Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff “Coach Dock” Dockweiler.
Hi Jeff “Coach Dock”, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
How I got started in Hollywood and my journey to becoming one of the elite acting coaches in the entire industry is a much longer story than the chapter that includes my presence in Austin, Texas. Fortunately, Voyage LA interviewed me a few years ago…so those interested in hearing about that portion of my story can find it there. The cheat sheet on my career in Hollywood is that over the past decade or so, my acting clients have succeeded in booking countless films, tv shows, short films, commercials and industrial films and have enjoyed a better than 80% callback rate. Even during Covid, while production was drastically reduced, my clients booked 20+ movies and 30+ episodes of tv. I believe all of that success is a direct result of helping my clients become experts, not only in the details of storytelling but also experts in who they are individually and how the business works in all aspects. That’s why, when I was asked to start flying into Austin to teach a monthly class, I called it THE SET (Story Expert Training).
So, “why Austin” is usually the next question. I used to teach workshops all around the country and what I found was that it wasn’t effective enough to see people once or twice a year. So, I started a monthly class several years ago in Houston, thanks to some personal connections I had there. The results from that ongoing class were effective immediately. And I got to see my clients actually progress and succeed both locally and then, for some, in Hollywood. In fact, one of my most active clients in LA right now is from Houston and just finished shooting her 20th movie in 5 years. Anyway, one of my Houston clients saw that I had started a zoom class during Covid, and he told his agent about it. She jumped at the chance to reach out to me and asked me to do a zoom Q&A for her clients in Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Albequerque. What was supposed to be 30-60 mins, ended up being almost 4 hours of actors truly in need of real guidance from someone like me who is not only living their journey on the highest level every day but also familiar with their local struggles. Following that zoom, the agent and her clients requested that I start a monthly Austin class, and we were off and running! A year or so later, that class has developed a strong nucleus that is already seeing little successes that I can’t wait to see grow!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It seems nothing worthwhile ever has a smooth road, and the Austin class is no different…haha. The three main obstacles I have faced are:
1) Misinformation – Whenever I meet actors in LA or any other state, one of the most common problems we face is that they have been misinformed about the business and what it takes to become the best storytellers they can be on the way to succeeding as a professional. Without exception, they have usually been told that there is some shortcut or trick that is going to help them succeed. The sad part is that they are usually misinformed by people who mean well but don’t actually know how it works. The truth is, acting is a skill that has to be constantly developed and enhanced…there are no shortcuts in that equation. And the business is constantly changing. So if you aren’t in the thick of it, it’s difficult to keep up.
2) Misrepresentation – Unfortunately, too many actors experience a Hollywood poser rather than a Hollywood professional. Anyone promising that they can make you a star is feeding you a line and a false promise. Succeeding locally or internationally takes time, skill and a little luck in being in the right place, at the right time, for the right opportunity, with a developed skill set that can take advantage of all of those factors coming together… Success is not a singular act.
3) Misunderstood – The final obstacle I face when I go into markets other than LA is that I am seen as competition rather than a new local asset. My goal is to raise the level of the acting community in Austin. So many actors here want opportunities (movies, tv shows) to shoot locally. One factor that can do that is if your state has an appetizing Tax Incentive program. But even without that, some projects will still want to shoot in Texas. And if the acting and production pools in Austin are filled with skilled crew and incredible storytellers, the projects shot locally will have the highest possible quality and the best chance at repeat business. I’m here to help the business of the Austin actors, writers, directors, producers, agents, casting directors, coaches and other professionals.
I’ve worked extremely hard to become one of the top story experts in Hollywood and I’m here to share that with everyone in Austin!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I believe my job as an acting coach is to make my clients better every time I see them. It’s the constant growth as a person and storyteller that I believe allows an actor the opportunity at a successful career. When it comes to what I specialize in or what I’m known for, that’s hard to say. My greatest strength as a coach is my ability to help every client differently. Thanks to the fact that I’ve broken down more than 200,000 scripts, I’m quite confident in my ability to breakdown a story better than anyone in the world. Being able to do so then allows me to truly help any actor apply their special point of view to make that story the best it can possibly be. That helps my clients succeed both in the audition rooms and on sets. As for what I’m most proud of, that’s easy. I’m proud of the fact that I have made a positive impact on the lives of every actor I have worked with. Whether it’s helping them book their first job ever or helping them book a job that will be the big step that changes their career, I love to genuinely invest in them and see them succeed not only as an actor but just as much as a person.
As for what sets me apart? I feel like that’s something you’d have to ask everyone else. I make a very conscious effort to make it about my clients and not me. I don’t need a building with the name of my acting school on it. I want my clients to win as much as possible. For that reason, unlike other coaches, I don’t have a beginner, intermediate, advanced and master class format. If someone wants to work with me, they should be working directly with me. Not someone trying to teach what I teach. I also do this because that’s how it is on set. Experienced actors have to work with inexperienced actors to make that story the best it can be. As for what level I am teaching any particular client, I teach everyone individually in a group setting. So no matter your level of need, everyone gets exactly what is necessary to help them improve their skill set every class.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk-taking is part of the deal whenever you are pursuing a career in a highly competitive industry like entertainment. If anyone has ever told you that “your career sounds cool”, then you’ve definitely had to take some major risks…haha. The risk I had to take to start my work in Austin was a new one for me though. Since I started my Austin class during Covid, I was risking health, as well as financial opportunity. However, I believe that if you can do your research and prep work properly, you can minimize your risk as much as possible to insure a real shot at succeeding. I’m proud to say that during Covid, I’ve been on over 100 airplanes, taught over 200 classes all across the country, and have had zero Covid problems. We followed strict guidelines for my classes and my travels and have been able to make a positive impact on the lives of my clients while maintaining perfect health.
Contact Info:
- Email: coachdock.assistant@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/the_set_coachdock
- Facebook: Facebook.com/thesetcoachdock
