CinemaBravo

For veteran director and acting coach Rahyan Carlos, training actors goes far beyond memorizing lines or hitting marks—it’s about creating a space where pain becomes power, and where emotional truths can be safely explored and transformed into art.

At a recent media conference for MQuest Artists Agency (MQAA), Carlos gave a heartfelt glimpse into what goes on inside his acting classes, which are grounded in discipline, empathy, and the deep emotional work that comes with the craft.

“Dati, hindi ko alam kung pa’no i-process e!,” he shared. “Kasi, imagine-in mo, lahat ng artista, araw-araw iba-ibang karga yung naririnig ko. And sometimes, they share it in the class, or sometimes they will whisper. Kasi minsan pag hindi open yung artista, and it’s really too personal, they have [the option] to whisper into the backdoor. Meaning, sa akin lang nila sasabihin…”

(Back then, I didn’t know how to process it. Imagine hearing different emotional baggage from actors every single day. Sometimes they share it in class, and sometimes they whisper it to me in private—especially when they’re not ready to open up publicly because it’s too personal.)

This emotional labor, he admitted, took a toll until he discovered how to channel it into something constructive.

“Pero, I learned… pa’no magpagpag, kasi ginagamit lang namin yon sa eksenahan. Kaya in our class, we respect one another… this is our safe space. We don’t use cellphones for four hours. Every break, saka lang nila kukunin yung cellphone nila.”

(But I learned how to shake it off, because we only use those emotions for the scenes. That’s why in our class, we respect each other—this is our safe space. We don’t touch our phones for four hours, only during breaks.)

He also talked more about discipline from his actors:

“May disiplina po na gano’n yung mga artista, parang ngayon nagkakatulungan din sila na hindi nila tsinitsismis yung bawat isa. Pinapahusay lang natin yung craft nila, kasi you will never go wrong when you use pain as a fuel to win.”

(There’s that kind of discipline among the actors now. They help each other by not gossiping. We just focus on honing their craft—because you will never go wrong when you use pain as a fuel to win.)

The Hollywood Chubbuck Technique

This philosophy is deeply rooted in the Chubbuck Technique, the same method taught by renowned Hollywood acting coach Ivana Chubbuck, whose students include Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt, and Halle Berry. Carlos, having trained under Chubbuck herself, is currently the only Filipino certified to teach the technique in the country.

“Doon ko naintindihan si Ivana Chubbuck e! E ang daming ‘pain’ ng mga Pilipino e! Lalo na ng mga artista. And yung ‘pain’ na yon, it turned out there’s beauty in it. At nagagamit mo na—ngayon, for example ang daming vertical drama. Ano ba’ng vertical drama? It’s like radio drama visualized. Pero, guess what, ang mga artista ko, they land jobs in the vertical drama and nagugustuhan sila ng direktor.”

(That’s when I truly understood Ivana Chubbuck. Filipinos carry so much pain—especially actors. But that pain, it turns out, holds beauty. And they get to use it. For example, there are so many vertical dramas now—it’s like a visual form of radio drama. And guess what? My actors land jobs in vertical dramas, and the directors love them.)

Now, through MQAA’s exclusive summer workshops, Direk Rahyan is once again opening the doors for new and seasoned actors to experience this process firsthand.

The workshops are designed not only to teach technique but also to foster emotional intelligence and authenticity—traits that have helped countless of his students land meaningful roles in both mainstream and digital platforms.

Carlos, who has worked on acclaimed films like Shake, Rattle & Roll 8, Pamahiin, and Ringgo: The Dog Shooter, as well as TV hits like Florinda, Lovespell, and Regal Shocker, brings his decades-long experience as a director, writer, and mentor into every session.

Whether you’re just starting or a veteran looking to sharpen your tools, these workshops offer more than just acting lessons—they offer transformation through truth.

The Workshop

This summer, Carlos will bring his expertise to MQuest Artists Agency’s workshops, where he will introduce participants to the Chubbuck Technique, a transformative approach to acting that has shaped the careers of Hollywood’s elite. Whether you’re just starting out or already an experienced actor, these workshops offer invaluable insights into the craft of acting and provide an opportunity to take your skills to the next level.

Participants will also have the chance to be discovered and added to the MQAA Artists Registry, a step toward future opportunities in the entertainment industry.

In-person registration for the workshop will be held on April 12 and 13, 2025, at the 10th Floor, Launchpad Building, Reliance Street, Mandaluyong City. For inquiries and registration, you may reach out to MQAA Workshops via Instagram and Facebook at @mqaaworkshops or email mqaa.training@gmail.com.

Workshops begin in May 2025. Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged. 

Don’t miss this chance to train with the top acting teacher of the country. Whether you’re looking to refine your craft or take your career to new heights, these workshops offer a rare opportunity to learn from the best.