Master Class Program

Overview

Along with our regular screen acting classes – which are specifically designed to produce credible acting skills and to develop essential life skills – the school also offers a unique series of master classes.

These specialist courses are suitable for Intermediate to Advanced Level Teen and Adult students, graduates and established actors. The Master Class Program is designed to teach students the additional technical and performance skills required at the cutting edge of film and television production.

The Master Class Program is held throughout the year in conjunction with our regular acting classes. Course information (including dates, times, fees and tutors) is available in-house to established students and by mail-out to our inquiries list, graduates and professional actors. Master Class course information is also posted on our web site, six weeks prior to commencement of course. See bottom of this page for upcoming master classes

Current master classes include:-

Film Acting Techniques

Covering all aspects of big-screen performance and technique, in these dynamic film-making workshops students are cast in a fully produced short film and directed through the creation of a scripted character.

Some of the films produced in these workshops have been acclaimed at national and international video festivals, thereby gaining an acting profile for the students involved.

See some of our previous years films here.

Voice Development and Movement

To successfully communicate the character’s intent to an audience requires far  more than a basic understanding of on-camera acting technique. Two vital  components of a truthful and well-rounded performance are the voice and  economical and meaningful movement. This fun course will develop your vocal and physical performance skills to a higher and far more effective level.

 

Acting with Green-Screen (Chromakey) Special Effects

Many new films (Matrix, Star Wars, Superman etc) rely heavily upon the use of ‘green screen’ special effects where the backgrounds are put in as computer effects (CGI) after shooting.

Learning to act effectively in a green-screen environment takes practice and requires special considerations (you’re acting in a empty set!). The Screen Actors Workshop provides insight to filming techniques in our own green-screen studio and teaches the skills vital to gain work in such projects. Actors with these skills are highly sought after.

Due to their familiarity with Green Screen our students have performed with confidence and conviction in a wide range of productions featuring high-end special effects, including:-

The Matrix, The Phantom, The Island of Dr Moreau, Star Wars “Attack of the Clones” and numerous effects-driven television commercials and music clips

American Accents and Dialects

Many films and TV commercials are being made right here in Sydney for the US  market. As a result, the demand for actors capable of speaking with an authentic  American accent is steadily growing.

Bill Pepper is Australia’s leading voice coach and has worked with many of  Australia’s A-list movie stars. Bill’s master class in the American accent covers  all the major dialects required for film and TV. Essential if you wish to get work  in this lucrative area.

The On-Camera Audition Process

Ok, so you’re becoming a pretty good actor and you’re hungry for work. But how do you show everyone just how good you really are if you don’t have the skills to successfully audition for the part?

This intensive workshop will give you the knowledge and the technique to confidently audition for roles in commercials, feature films and television drama.

Armoury and the Actor

Firearms and special effects are an integral part of television drama and feature  films. This highly-specialised hands-on course is designed to instruct actors in  the safe and correct handling and discharge of a wide range of weapons.

During this intensive and exciting one-day master class, you will have the  opportunity to handle and fire weapons such as M-16s,  Uzi 9mm, Magnum .44,  Glocks, pump-action and sawn-off shotguns, Colt .45 etc.

The course also demystifies the SFX process of body hits, impact and movement. This master class is restricted to intermediate and advanced-level adult students, graduates and professional actors only.

Singing for Actors

This fun, exciting and challenging course tutored by one of Australia’s leading performers – the dynamic Kaye “The Voice” Gordon – will develop your singing voice and vocal range for confident and powerful performance in film, theatre and musical theatre productions. The course also covers the protocol and technique of auditioning for a wide range of character-based singing roles.

Comedy Performance

This intensive high-energy course tutored by Janis McGavin - cast member of the AFI award-winning sketch show ‘Comedy Inc. – teaches the fundamentals of intensive comedy performance for film, television and stand-up.

Script, Text and Character Development

This informative course places strong emphasis on how the actor prepares for the casting: and then for the role and subsequent performance. The Script and Text component explores the quandary every actor faces – the paradox between preparation and remaining open and spontaneous. The Character Development component focuses on connecting with the other actors, the camera and the audience.

Screen Acting Intensive

Depending upon availability, tutored either by AFI and Logie award winning actor Peter Phelps, or actor and performer Salvatore Coco, the screen acting intensive covers all aspects of on-set performance and preparation. Vital skills for any aspiring actor.

Voice and Articulation

The voice is an integral part of every actors performance and far too many actors are lacking in this important area. Over the past 29 years tutor Elena Kalinina’s unique method of voice training has produced profound results, freeing actors to deliver dialogue with a clear unobstructed speaking voice.

 

Term 1, 2012 Master Classes

Script, Text and Character Connection (Tutor: Malcolm Frawley)

2 x consecutive Sundays: March 11 & 18  (12 – 4pm)

Armoury for Actors (Tutor: Tony Garland)

Sunday March 4 (9-30am – 5pm)

Contact Us for course fliers and further details

Contact Us.