Melbourne's Premiere Acting Studio for Film and Television

THE ACTORS SERIES

"A way to bridge the gap between a classroom and the profession is to be trained and collaborate with people who are actively involved in the industry and have a commitment to nurture the talent and creativity of those who are at the beginning of their professional lives." Kim Krejus (Creative Director)
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OVERVIEW
COURSE CONTENT
CLASS TIMES
ADMISSIONS, DATES & FEES
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THE ACTORS SERIES:

OVERVIEW

The Actors Series is a full time, exclusive training program in the craft of screen acting.

It is designed to showcase the unique talent of actors and empower them with the ability and confidence to be an intrinsic part of the film making process - from conception to development and production of films.

Students receive intensive and integrated training applied to the demands of film and television under the tutelage of acclaimed actors, directors and master teachers.

Those admitted to the program will work collaboratively with feature film directors and writers developing original film projects.

This integrated approach centres on the craft of film acting, the filmmaking process and entrepreneurial creativity.

This one-year course equips actors to meet industry demands and sustain a professional career.

The Actors Series is a professional training environment where actors:

• rigorously train in all aspects of the craft of acting.
• bring a strong sense of commitment, dedication and self-direction.
• develop an individual method of work.
• have ownership of the characters they play.
• integrate screen performance with the technical demands of filmmaking.
• initiate and collaborate on film projects.
• utilise new media to reach audiences.
• are prepared for the 'business of acting'.

COURSE CONTENT
Overview of the core study areas.

1. VOICE

Based on the work of Kristen Linklater, Cicely Berry, Patsy Rodenburg and David Carey (Head of Voice at RADA).

- Integrating breath, body, text and audience.
- Realising vocal potential.
- Connecting thought with intention and expressing emotion.
- Discovering the voice of a character.
- Adapting the voice for the demands of film and television.

2. TEXT STUDY

- Engaging the imagination, intellect and vocal skills for complex and 'heightened' text.
- Bringing great texts to life.
- Performing Shakespeare for film.
- Understanding the connection between classic and modern texts.

3. ACCENT

- Learning a phonetic approach to dialect.
- Studying and articulating a General American dialect accurately.
- Connecting accent and characterisation.

4. MOVEMENT

The Alexander Technique

The Alexander technique is fundamental to the training of actors in major drama schools around the world.

"Stanislavski understood that excessive and unnecessary tension interfered with creating the spiritual life of a character in performance. The Alexander technique deals with this directly. It facilitates the creation of the physical life of characters with ease allowing fuller emotional expression" (Soul of the American by actor Tom Valiliades)

- Connecting body and voice whilst recognising un-useful physical habits.
- Finding ease in performance and movement, whilst letting go of tension.
- Working with strength and endurance to create powerful characterisations without
  strain.
- Avoiding personal movement habits that do not belong to a character.

Viewpoints

As taught and developed by Anne Bogart at the SITI Company, New York.

"A philosophy translated into a technique that explores the natural principles of movement, time and space. Viewpoints training allows untamed feeling to arise from the actual physical, verbal and imaginative situation in which actors find themselves together." (Anne Bogart)

- Expressing and articulating with your body.
- Trusting to allow something to occur rather than making it occur.
- Developing complex characterisations (beyond your habitual limitations).
- Understanding that action and intention come to us from others.
- Making meaningful gestures and connecting with other actors.

Neutral Mask

As taught at the Ecole International de Theatre Jacques Lecoq, Paris.

"Wearing the neutral mask encourages students to find a pure economy of movement which is uncluttered by extraneous social patterns or habits" (Jacques LeCoq)

- Existing in the present with full awareness of your space.
- Developing a heightened sense of discovery.
- Developing a profound awareness of self and revealing it.

"The Mask conceals, and by concealing, reveals." (Bari Rolfe)

5. ACTING CRAFT

Students will study various acting methodologies and techniques.

The Method - Lee Strasberg

"Acting...is the ability to react to imaginary stimuli...it requires unusual sensitivity and extraordinary intelligence in the ability to comprehend the workings of the human soul. The real problem and mystery in acting is that the actor must be able 'but in a fiction, in a dream of passion, force his soul so to his own conceit'." (Lee Strasberg)

- Working from a state of relaxation, quelling the analytical mind.
- Discovering performance through the physical senses.
- Discovering emotional memory as the key to the actor's creative process.
- Allowing the body and emotions to lead performance.

Uta Hagen Technique

Students work on a series of exercises devised by Uta Hagen as taught at the HB Studio in New York. This work enables an actor to find a "true technique of acting and a way of making a character flow through you."

- Exploring the screenplay and the role (identifying and playing circumstances,
  relationships, the objective, the obstacle and action).

Ivana Chubbuck Technique

As devised by Ivana, one of America's most respected and sought after acting teachers. "The 12-step acting technique that will take you from script to a living, breathing, dynamic character."

- Using emotions to empower the character's goal.
- Utilising obstacles to achieve a character's goal.
- Stimulating one's own interesting and dynamic behaviour.
- Developing the will to 'win' what your character wants.

Impulse Work

Devised by Lindy Davies, former Head of the VCA School of Drama.

"Actors find a point of stillness, and through active meditation achieve a state of dynamic receptivity. Drop language into the stillness of themselves and the meaning resonates through them until they find the impulse to speak." (Lindy Davies)

- Exploring interaction with actors without boundaries.
- Allowing the story to percolate imaginatively.
- Determining the choices that serve the screenplay.
- Finding pathways to performance that are liberated and passionate in energy.

6. CHARACTER CREATION

'Character Creation' is an approach to understanding and creating characters, developed and taught by Yat Malmgren for over 30 years at the Drama Centre in London. Students of this method include director Peter Brook, and actors Anthony Hopkins, Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, Paul Bettany and Colin Firth.

- Gaining an understanding and experience of different character 'types'.
- Moving through personal resistance to access your vulnerability.
- Developing flexibility to inhabit a range of characters and transform into them.

7. SCREEN PERFORMANCE

When actors understand the process of filmmaking, they ensure their performance is delivered with integrity. Too many actors are handicapped by their lack of knowledge on a film set.

Screen Performance will give students thorough and comprehensive film craft to ensure the technical demands of filmmaking never compromise performance.

Preparation for a Screen Role
- Understanding a screenplay (the super objective and elements inherent in the story).
- Understanding and revealing meaning in text, character arc and journey.
- Developing an imaginative connection to text.
- Bringing oneself to every role.

Rehearsal
- How to rehearse for film and television.
- The importance of bringing choices and ideas to the rehearsal room or set.
- How to block scenes.
- Learning how to work up to a performance in rehearsal.

Performance
- What to do before "Action".
- Sustaining repetition of performance - keeping performance real.
- Being emotionally prepared when shooting out of order.
- Being fearless and achieving great performances.

"Film acting is a process of discovery - showing the story through performance. Television acting is re-discovery - telling the story with dialogue." (Alkinos Tsilimidos)

Screen Presence
- Developing a relaxed and creative relationship with the camera.
- Understanding the camera as another character.
- Understanding what aspects of the actor's personality translates powerfully to screen.
- Having screen presence 'without words'.

Technical Craft
- The director's process - the impact upon performance and how to use direction.
- Working with poorly communicated direction.
- The relationship between the art of acting and technical expertise.
- The relationship between camera and performance (such as the effect of lens size)
- The rules and roles on a film set. Where does an actor fit in?

Screentesting
- Approaching auditions for film and television.
- Preparing and testing for commercials.
- Preparing for a call back.

8. FILM PROJECT COLLABORATION

Actors who work don't sit around and wait for the phone to ring.

- Collaborating with new and established writers and directors on film projects.
- Encouraging actors' innate sense of character and dialogue in the creation of their
  own film projects.
- Developing TV or film concepts using director Mike Leigh-s model of filmmaking
  (character based improvisation process).
- The actor as part of the dramaturgical team - to enrich a screenplay.
- Producing work to be screened, posted online and circulated to industry for further
  development.
- Working alongside a director and acting coach on set.

9. BUSINESS OF ACTING

- Gaining exposure, introductions, career guidance and industry advice as 16th Street
  nurtures its close ties with agents, casting consultants, producers and directors.
- Workshops with casting consultants (and detailed feedback).
- Guiding you in establishing and maintaining a self-directed career.
- Advice and information on working in the U.S.

10. MENTORSHIP

A unique program of industry mentorship to support an actor's career.

- Small group seminars with industry professionals on both acting craft and the
  business of acting.
- Support with ongoing development of film and television projects.
- Advising, guiding and supporting entrepreneurial skills (funding, festivals, affiliations,
  contacts, promotion etc.)
- Close contact and on-going support from the Creative Director.


CLASS TIMES

TIMES

• Students are to attend class 3 days per week.
• 9am - 5.30pm Monday - Wednesday.
• Students must allow for time outside these hours for study, rehearsals, consultations, and to attend screenings and industry events.

ADMISSIONS, DATES & FEES

Applicant requirements:
- Over 18 years of age.
- Aptitude, maturity and commitment.
- Entry by audition and interview.

Note: 16th Street Acting Studio does not have CRICOS status at present and as such cannot assist International students in gaining a visa.

Click HERE for more information on Admissions, Dates and Fees.