Melbourne's Premier Acting Studio for Film and Television

THE FULL TIME PROGRAM

APPLICATION OPEN: April 2, 2012
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: June 1, 2012
AUDITION DATES: June 2012
PROGRAM DATES: July 2012 - June 2013 (4 terms)
CLASS TIMES: 9am - 5.00pm Monday - Wednesday
FEES: please email admin@16thstreet.com.au for fee structures and payment plans (available from January 2012).

The program is very rigorous and students must allow for time outside of class for study, rehearsals, readings, consultations, and to attend industry events.

Applicants must be over 18 years of age. Entry by audition and interview only.

APPLICATION FORM
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OVERVIEW

16th Street Actors Studio developed Australia's first full-time training program for screen performance.

The Full Time Program is a rigorous, comprehensive and holistic one-year course in the craft of screen acting. It draws upon the work of Uta Hagen, Ivana Chubbuck, Lee Strasberg and Yat Malmgren led exclusively by acclaimed teachers who have studied under these masters.

In addition to the intensive development of acting craft, the program incorporates voice, accent and movement training to grow the actor’s instrument as a whole. Woven through the year is an emphasis on scene analysis, text study, the technical demands of filmmaking and the ‘business of acting’ (through extensive mentorship and guidance). Our teachers are committed to the personal development of every actor and their progress is monitored on an individual basis.

The unique talent and creative potential of each actor is enhanced by applying classroom training to a professional environment through project development - whereby actors work collaboratively with acclaimed writers and directors in the development of film projects.

The Full Time Program has already gained a reputation as leading the way in a new type of actor training in Australia, through which actors graduate confident in their craft and career, thoroughly prepared to grow the Australian Screen Industry by their artistic contribution and entrepreneurial skill.

FAST FACTS
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
- gain incredible industry experience
- build relationships with existing industry professionals
- are equipped to meet industry demands and sustain a professional career
- are taught by acclaimed actors, directors and master teachers
- are prepared for the 'business of acting'

COURSE CONTENT
Overview of the core study areas

VOICE
Based on the work of Kristen Linklater, Cicely Berry, Patsy Rodenburg and David Carey.
- Realising vocal potential by integrating breath, thought, emotion and text.
- Discovering the voice of a character & adapting it for the demands of film and television.

ACCENT
- Studying and articulating a General American dialect accurately.
- Connecting accent and characterisation.

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 avoiding personal movement habits that do not belong to a character.
- Finding ease in performance and movement, whilst letting go of tension.
- Working with strength and endurance to create powerful characterisations without strain.

Neutral Mask
As taught at the Ecole International de Theatre Jacques Lecoq, Paris.
- 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)

ACTING CRAFT
The Full Time Program draws on many acting methodologies taught by tutors who have trained extensively in each technique.

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.
- Exploring the physical senses and allowing the body and emotions to lead performance.
- Discovering emotional memory as the key to the actor's creative process.

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 exploring 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 and pain to empower the character's goal and utilising obstacles to achieve it.
- Developing the will to 'win' what your character wants.
- Stimulating one's own interesting and dynamic behaviour.

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 work 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.

SCREEN PERFORMANCE
When actors understand the process of filmmaking, they ensure their performance is delivered with integrity.
Screen Performance will give students thorough and comprehensive film craft to ensure the technical demands of filmmaking enhance their 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.
- Bringing oneself to every role.

Rehearsal
- How to rehearse for film and television and block scenes.
- The importance of bringing choices and ideas to the rehearsal room or set.
- 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.

Screen Presence
- Developing a relaxed and creative relationship with the camera and understanding it 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.
- The relationship between the art of acting and technical expertise.
- The relationship between camera and performance (such as the effect of lens size)

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

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.
- 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 on set.

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.
- Short Courses with casting consultants and directors (and detailed feedback).
- Guiding you in establishing and maintaining a self-directed career.
- Advice and information on working in the U.S.

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

- 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, contacts, promotion etc.)
- Close contact and on-going support from the Creative Director.

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