Tag: Acting Courses

3 hour Beginner Acting Workshop receives rave reviews.

Posted on by Elle

Over the past year we have received some fantastic feedback for Mark Hennessy’s 3 hour Beginner acting workshop. Beginner level students have told us that they have really appreciated being given the opportunity to explore acting techniques in a condensed course, before committing to a full term course. The 3 hour Beginner acting workshop was introduced to the Brave Studios series of acting classes as a way for those with little to no experience gain insight into acting. It also provides an opportunity for students to connect with brave studios staff and get a feel for the school, and for how we conduct our training. Students in the 3 hour beginner acting workshop have been making the most of the opportunity to ask questions about the 8 week course and get an idea about the content that will be covered. At least half of the students who complete this workshop end up going on to complete the Beginner actor’s training ground and build a strong solid foundation from which to approach future auditions and acting work.

You can view course director Mark Hennessy’s IMDB profile here.

Check out the feedback we have received for the 3 hour beginner acting workshop:

“The (beginner acting workshop) set out the basics of what it takes to look through a script and get a feel for a character and break down the barriers of acting. I got more than I thought out of just 3 short hours … I would highly recommend Brave Studios and will do so at work …This is a great package. Some very useful starting tips that you can take home and work off straight away. You get a lot out of just 3 hours. It opens up the world of acting to you and will be a good indication if it’s something you want to do for fun or possibly a career … Mark was very good at presenting the course. He was able to get us to do a lot in the time given to him. He had a very professional yet fun approach and was able to work with each person in an equal amount. He was very supportive.” Bradley Hall

“I enjoyed it all – but I got the most out of analysing the script with Mark and hearing his (and everyones) ideas on the construction and dissection of the script. Also how to look at the script and break it down. As an introduction it was great – with lots of ideas given and shared … The course and material covered was well structured and solid. It was very fast moving -but it is an introduction. and a good teaser for a longer course. Mark was able to get a lot of information across in a short amount of time. He expressed himself at a level we could all understand. He taught but also listened and made the class feel comfortable and safe.. It was a pleasure to be in his class and not as frightening as I thought it might or could be.” Anne V

“The (beginner acting workshop) was really amazing … (I would recommend this course to) anyone who wants to do acting or anything with TV, or even anyone that just wants to build confidence. I would definitely do the next course. Mark taught us so much in just 3 short hours. I had no idea I would get so much out of such a short amount of time … Mark was really great! He has a gift and could make every person in the room feel comfortable, he worked with everyone separately and as a group and made everyone feel like equals. At the beginning of the course he made us all tell each other about ourselves and played games, I think that really helped everyone feel less nervous.” Tara Jayde

“I opted for this course to see if I liked it, before committing to an 8 week course … I was very impressed when Mark talked about the importance of knowing your objective and the use of emotional verbs … (Mark) was really good; knew his stuff; engaged very well with his audience; he listened and was very good at explaining things.  Course content was well laid out, varied and kept the interest going.  I was very impressed.  I would recommend him as a good teacher.” Coralie Burrage 

Would you like to Audition for the Advanced Actor Training Ground?

Posted on by Elle

There are very few classes available in Melbourne that allow semi-professional to advanced level actors to explore scenework in depth. The Advanced Actor Training ground allows actors to do this whilst in the company of other actors at the same level. As professional actors, we know that it is so important for actors maintain their skills through scene work and scene exploration with other actors, this helps the actor to touch on aspects of the scenes that they may not have considered and to integrate and process direction. This is one of the best ways that an actor can train in preparation for acting work in their professional life.

To make sure that all actors are of similar standard, students who wish to join the class for an 8 week term of scene work are asked to contact us to audition for a place in the course. Auditions are open to those who have had previous training and/ or experience equivalent to competency in the Beginner Acting Training ground and who understand the fundamental acting concepts of scene work.

If you already have some acting training and experience under your belt and are considering auditioning for the next 8 week Advanced Actor Training Ground Course please fill out the enrolment form found here attach your CV and links to showreels and request an audition time, we will assess your training, provide you with a scene to learn and an audition with one of our studio directors.

Many students who have completed the Advanced Actor Training Course are currently working professionally in the industry in both tv, film and theatre. With many returning to complete the course numerous times to keep up their skills. We maintain a strong relationship with our acting students and support them on their acting journey as much as we can by also providing the opportunity to participate in acting drop-in classes and master classes with guest teachers.

A guide to choosing the right Acting Classes

Posted on by Elle

People pursue acting classes in adult life for a number of different reasons. These can include:

  • Fulfilling a life-long dream of acting
  • Picking acting back up after a hiatus
  • Building on previously learnt skills
  • Advancement of current acting career
  • Confidence building
  • Public speaking
  • Personal development

Acting classes can help with all of the above. However, sifting through the selections of the available classes on offer can be confusing if you are not sure where to start.

We suggest that you consider the following:

Decide on your focus. Do you want to act for film and television or are you more stage focused?

Acting techniques differ depending on the medium you want to work in. Acting for the stage encompasses very different techniques to acting for the camera. Courses will often focus on one or the other.

Stay clear of schools offering to make you famous.  

Don’t believe the hype. Participating in an acting course will not make you famous. Steer clear of any acting school or class that promises fame, representation and on-going work on completion of a course. Reputable acting classes should be designed to help you to learn and integrate the skills necessary for delivering your best performance. Actors develop at different paces and not everyone will be ready to take the world by storm after a single intensive. Schools often have very little influence over casting directors with only few maintaining a reputation with agents and casting directors.

Be prepared to commit to continued training.

Some schools will have you believe that you can become a proficient actor with just weeks of training. The truth is that it takes time and dedication. Some of Australia’s top actors trained for years in their craft and many continue their training well into their careers. If you want to make acting your career then you must be willing to commit to your training. Look for a school with a graduated system and a dedication to providing you with honest and comprehensive feedback so that you are always working at the level you are capable of.

Don’t attend cattle call casting courses.

Some acting schools offer ‘cattle call’ castings workshops with a casting director where hundreds of enthusiastic actors try their luck. Many students enrol in these classes for the opportunity to be seen without the adequate skill set behind them. This can be a damaging career move as it may ruin your chances of being seen by that casting director in the future when your skills are at a higher level and you can present your best work.

Our Philosophy.

The main focus at Brave Studios is providing a safe environment for students to have the courage to take the risks needed in acting training to get to the truth of a scene and character. We want to make sure students are challenged individually throughout the entire acting course, and finding moments of truth in the work in every class. Finding the right acting course for you can be tricky. At Brave Studios our professional staff are always available to help guide you in the right direction making sure you find the acting course best suited to each individual. Brave Studios offer acting courses that run over 8 weeks opening more opportunities and choices for the aspiring actor our courses are designed to challenge our students, expose them to the most supportive casting directors and give them direct and honest feedback to help them be the best they can be.

Teenage School Holiday Acting for Film and TV Workshops

Posted on by Elle

Brave Studios teenage school holiday Acting for Film and TV workshop for teenagers runs every school holidays in conjunction with our sister school Greentree acting school. These workshops are specifically designed for the teenage actor who is serious about acting and about developing their skills towards making acting their profession. Unfortunately, there are very few of these types of intensive acting classes available to teens in Melbourne. We feel it is important to offer a quality experience that rivals our adult classes for content and skill building.

In the past we have found that our passionate teenage actors involved have left the course feeling inspired and motivated. Many do not want it to end which is why we have recently extended the course from 2 days to a 3 day acting intensive, so that students have ample time to forge strong friendships with their classmates and really hone their scene work skills.

Course director Lyndelle Green (who also teaches our beginner and advanced adult courses at Brave Studios) does a spectacular job inspiring young actors who come through the doors. Her infectious passion, nurturing nature and extensive experience creates a wonderful environment for the young actors to move forward in their work. Lyndelle makes sure that the course participants are challenged to give their best possible performances once it comes time to film the scene work.

Throughout the teenage school holiday acting workshop students are directed in numerous ways to get to the truth of a scene and character, they then film scenes in front of the camera. Our teenage acting students always inspire us with their lack of fear and willingness to play with in a scene.

Many casting agents call on Brave Studios and Greentree Acting School when casting as we have a reputation for nurturing raw talent. Our teenage acting students are extremely well trained and continue to make us proud.

 

The Actors Workshop Launches with Ana Kokkinos

Posted on by Elle

Film Maker / Director Ana Kokkinos has launched our Professional Series actors workshop. A 2 day intensive workshop for industry professionals wanting to exercise their talents and/or expand their own process.

Over the last twenty+ years Ana has established herself as one of Australia’s most innovative and creative film makers. Ana hold titles such as ‘Only the Brave’, ‘Head On’  and ‘Blessed’ to her name. She has firmly stamped her mark on the Australian film making landscape. Her television credits include Secret Life of Us and more recently Time of our Lives. Her process and eye for detail have garnered her widespread acclaim from many Australian actors.

The actors workshop provides an exclusive opportunity for professional actors to work with Ana and learn her process for bringing a script to life; a process which can be transferred and used with any script from audition through to performance.

All Actors involved were left wanting more after being introduced to Ana’s unique and beneficial process. Ana Kokkinos has an extraordinary ability to pinpoint what is not working in a scene instantly as well as breaking down a block that might be holding an actor’s performance back. All professional actors involved in the Actors course, including Ana, were reminded how important it was to continue with acting training no matter how experienced an actor you are. Working with other actors on scenes and getting out on the floor to flex those acting muscles can only do you well. After the success of our first Actors workshop, Ana Kokkinos and Brave Studios are very excited to continue working together and look forward to announcing our next workshops soon. Ana is now working on a number of new projects and we can only wish her the best of success. Thank you Ana and to all the Actors involved in ‘The Actors Workshop’. We can’t wait to see you again soon.

WHAT PEOPLE SAID

“It was a pure delight to be in a safe, encouraging environment surround by like minded artists and be at the helm of someone you admire in a warm space. Thank you for creating that … Ana is gracious, honest and inspiring. She brings a beautiful nurturing element into rehearsals where you feel safe, comfortable and free. It was a pure delight to work with her and the other artists.”
Ben Noble

“Absolutely amazing weekend – learning and flexing our acting muscles in a safe place. Ana gave insightful, clear and tailored direction and feedback for each individual to take their acting to the next level. The two intensive days allowed us to focus on particular processes/areas in detail”
Georgia Byrne