Classes return from Tuesday 15 July and the staff and I are looking forward to another fun and educational term of on-camera workshops.
The past 6 months have been busy at the school due to an increase in private tuition sessions and other teaching/production strands within the studio.
Private tuition students range from actors to singers, entrepreneurs, presenters, medical professionals, to HSC Drama students.
Along with face-to-face private tuition sessions, we’ve also moved into private tuition via Skype: an area which is growing for us interstate, and which we aim to expand internationally.
There has also been an increase in demand for show reels, from both aspiring and professional actors; and this work, along with a busy schedule of video production clients, has made for a good half year.
And now it’s back for another 10 weeks of classes.
As I’ve discovered myself over the years through further study, there is no money better spent, than money spent on education.
Speaking of the powerful attraction of education, it’s fair to say that most people would assume our students come from the local area, or relatively nearby. Around 70% do. However, the other 30% travel to their classes from the entire Sydney metropolitan area and as far afield as the Blue Mountains, the South Coast, the Central Coast and Newcastle. This 30% of serious travelers demonstrate a powerful commitment to learning. To quote advanced adult student Logan Webster: “I travel from the Central Coast every week for my class, and believe me, it’s well worth the effort.”
Whether you travel a distance to class or live around the corner, you must have the commitment and the passion for learning – otherwise, you’re wasting your time and everyone else’s.
Thankfully, our students possess the best attributes mentioned above and we couldn’t do without them.
MOVEMENT AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE MASTER CLASS
Next up on the master class program is the Movement and Physical Performance course, held over two consecutive Sunday’s on 17 and 24 August, from 12 to 4pm.
By freeing your body of repetitive physical habits and meaningless movement, this dynamic master class will empower you to create interesting and meaningful business.
During Course Component One, you will discover how to unlock your body’s hidden potential; while during Course Component two, you will learn how to effectively use your body through a series of action scenes. All scenes will be recorded and assessed to help you achieve a creative level of interesting and exciting business with your body.
Natalia Ladyko conducting a movement master class
The course will be tutored by movement specialist Natalia Ladyko and director Alan Nurthen. Course fee is $275.00 with limited positions still available. Don’t miss out!
2014 NORTHERN BEACHES BUSINESS AWARDS
The local business awards were held on Wednesday July 2, and for the fifth year running the school was a finalist. After winning the Outstanding Educational Service Award in 2010 and again in 2012, the pressure’s off, and we look upon the night as an effective way of promoting The Arts on the Northern Beaches, via networking with the local Mayor of Warringah, state and federal ministers, and with the other finalists.
It was an evening well spent and we look forward to competing again in 2015. Thanks once again to our students for their loyalty, and to our wonderful teaching staff for their dedication and passion.
Screen Actors Workshop coordinator Vera Polianskaia and director Alan Nurthen at the 2014 awards
STUDENT NEWS
Actor Frank Stead is a no nonsense performer who has credits over a range of television commercials and TV drama. To further develop his acting chops, Frank has just wrapped a role in a musical theatre production of The Yeomen of the Guard. Another feather in your cap Frank! Well done.
Private tuition student Jemma Ameera is the front woman for the indie/alternative band Gypsy’s Gift, who are about to release their first full length album. Jemma played me the album a couple of weeks ago and I was duly impressed by the sound and quality of their music. Gypsy’s Gift play Lizotte’s in Dee Why on Wednesday 23 July. If you want to hear an amazing band of musicians with a powerful singer/front woman then go and check them out. You will not be disappointed!
FILMS ON DVD
Inside Llewyn Davis (USA: 2013) Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Starring Oscar Isaac, Cary Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund and Justin Timberlake.Set in the New York Greenwich Village folk scene of 1962, Inside Llewyn Davis is typical Coen brothers fare – which is to say edgy, offbeat and always interesting. Davis (Oscar Isaac) is a highly talented folk musician but also his own worst enemy. He’s far from making it, but also a lot closer than he thinks. The final nail in his musical coffin comes near the end of the film, when as he leaves the club to meet John Goodman’s alter ego in the back alley, we see and hear what is unmistakably a young Bob Dylan on-stage. As Davis exits the club, the future has arrived – in his place – on the club’s stage. (Trust me, that’s not a spoiler!)
TELEVISION SERIES ON DVD
True Detective (Season 1) (USA: 2013) Written by Nic Pizzolatto. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. Starring Woody Harrelson, Matthew McConaughey, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Potts and Tory Kittles.True Detective follows the obsessively dedicated case work and lives of Louisiana homicide detectives Rusty Cohle (McConaughey) and Marty Hart (Harrelson) as they investigate a ritualistic murder in the South Louisiana coastal plain. The series is set in three distinct time zones: 1995, 2002 and 2012. The critically lauded first season is mind blowing in its scope and depiction of these two flawed characters. McConaughey and Harrelson are perfectly cast in their roles and the acting is first rate. Well worth seeing – but definitely not recommended for the faint hearted!
CLASS SCENE DVDS
If you would like an edited copy of your past terms on-camera scenes on DVD then see me in class or email me and I’ll organize it for you. Class scene DVDs are $40.00 and are a beneficial means of improving your acting skills via further home study.
I’m looking forward to working with our established students again, and the staff and I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new students commencing classes with us this term.
Alan Nurthen (Director)