The Online Actor Training Studio

THE CLASSES & LEVELS AT OUR STUDIO

Our Intro to Acting On-Camera class starts with the foundations of acting and gets you reading scripts, memorizing them quickly using our unique exercises, and working scenes with other actors very quickly in a fun environment! 

Essentials of Acting On-Camera introduces our organic approach and practical technique for Film & TV acting. Actors work on current and relevant material in both a scene study & audition format while receiving live coaching.

Intermediate Acting On-Camera brings in longer and more complex scene work across all genres. Our B.E.S.T. C.R.A.F.T. approach to interpreting scenes is implemented in-depth. Actors have the opportunity to bring their actual auditions to class to train them using our technique. 

Advanced Acting On-Camera targets scripts for guest starring, supporting, and leading roles in television and film. Actors also get the opportunity to create footage for their reel, and blocking for the camera is studied. An on-going web series project is introduced to a select group of actors and improvised scenes are created.  

In-Depth Scene Study focuses primarily on strengthening actor weaknesses. Going to those difficult places and staying there. Mining the most from your unique personality and experience to create the most truthful acting on screen. Actors are paired together and work much more directly with partners at this level.

THE STYLE

Actors are not huddled in front of their computers - they are up on their feet using their home as the film set. Scenes are blocked, shot, and framed cinematically. Actors are empowered to create their own work after developing a deeper understanding of the filmmaking process. Tripod and cell phone mount (to elevate Zoom camera and frame the shot cinematically) are encouraged but not required until the Intermediate level.

The style of classes and coaching have been adapted to online learning, and you'll learn foundational acting, audition/self-taping technique, scene study, and on-set style blocking. You are not just sitting in front of your laptop at your desk reading scenes off the screen like many classes that have temporarily adapted to the Zoom format. Intermediate & Advanced actors in our sessions use a full camera/tripod/lighting setup when they put up scenes. Actors just starting out can ease into this by using natural lighting in their homes and elevating their laptop.

In additional to foundational acting technique and scene interpretation, actors are coached on movement in the frame, using props, hitting marks, shot and frame sizes, adjusting for lighting and camera movement, slating, wardrobe choices, size of performance, stillness, memorization, and a host of other things that are extremely relevant for screen acting.

THE PROGRESSION

Once you progress to the intermediate levels, you'll also do self-tape practice projects outside of training sessions (1 per each 5-week class). These are designed to give you more practice and build confidence in technique and craft. Additional feedback is given to do retakes (self-taping again), adding up to lots of on-camera time.

In class, you'll do 3-4 different scenes across 5 weeks (2-3 in classes and 1 as a self-tape project outside of class), revisiting them in callback and screen/chemistry tests scenarios depending on the level you're at.

Taking acting classes on Zoom is a highly practical thing in 2021 as Zoom auditions and callbacks are extremely common. In our online acting classes, there are also sessions that mimic live Zoom auditions where you get direction from a panel mimicking what you would experience when you read live on zoom - for director/producer/casting.

There's a clear progression through multiple stages and levels (not just one ongoing program generically titled "acting class" or one "audition" class) where you take on more complex material across numerous genres. You work on relevant film/tv material that is current and realistic for your casting, as well as material that pushes the boundaries of your type and age range. The differences in genre and sub-genres are explored, as well as performance, writing, directing, and aesthetic differences between projects on different platforms (network vs cable, studio film vs independent, etc) with a focus on finding what is uniquely "you" as the actor - the things that are memorable and compelling on screen that you can bring forward with your acting to help casting learn who you are, and solidify your talent as someone to watch.

THE DIFFERENCE

Classes are taught by working actors. A very practical approach is taken, based on what's gotten our coaches work as actors and what has worked for the many actors that have studied acting online at our studio. It's affordable, especially during the pandemic. Tons of career coaching and industry advice is provided. You can audit for free, you can even do a trial class for free. And there are free acting webinars & workshops.

Our online acting classes on Zoom build on the complexity of the following concepts: 

- acting fundamentals & basics, including historical techniques and their evolution
- organic and practical on-camera film/tv acting technique
- audition technique (self taping, zoom reads, in-person auditioning)  
- acting with a scene partner & self-taping with a reader
- studying acting in-person vs online and how to get the most of both worlds
- interpreting sides and scripts for current productions 
- camera and spatial awareness
- framing and composition in screen acting
- blocking and movement in the frame
- being “you” vs “playing a character”
- dynamics in acting: size of performance, movement and stillness, musicality of dialogue 
- acting for different genres (comedy, drama, dark comedy, thriller, etc..) and sub-genres (1hr drama, half hour comedy, etc)
- improvisation in performance and in the audition (when and how) 
- the casting process in 2021
- standing out from the crowd 
- shooting your own material for your demo reel
- setting up a home studio 
- getting an agent
- moving up in the industry / building a career
- working on a film set 

As you progress through the levels you'll be working on more complex scenes and refining the skills you've built in earlier sessions.