The world of contemporary film is a complex industry involving both commerce and art, with commerce often gaining the upper hand. The abundance of world class talent presents a challenge for the actor in New York City. In order to stand out of the crowd much more than talent is necessary. To provide the actor with tools and confidence facing this competitive profession, we'll work not only on craft aspects. We'll try to hook you up in the industry and get you parts.

To provide the actor with tools to get through the audition process and the day on the set. The actor gets prepared for creative, emotional and logistic challenges awaiting him/her on any shoot. Emphasis is on analysis of material, rehearsal, blocking, run-thrus and the actual repeated on-camera performance. The conditions of the set are reconstructed to prepare the actor for all eventualities and how to cope with the unavoidable part of the profession -- rejection.

The film acting course is an intensive study encompassing acting for and with the camera. Bridging the gap between theatre and film, students will work on dramatic scenes focusing on the special requirements of the camera and the filmmaking process. Actual production will take place in a studio situation. Dailies will be watched and critiqued. Work on individual monologues -- chosen to enhance the actors special talent -- will be part of the training so that the actor eventually develops a repertoire for audition purposes. The actor will also learn to prepare and cope with challenges of the audition process.

All aspects of the collaboration process of filmmaking important to the actor will be discussed, including: Preparing -- the character, scene analysis, body work -- breathing and emotional continuity; Demands of Continuity -- learning to watch what's important, costume and props, story and emotional continuity; Demands on the Set -- challenge of repeated takes, how to keep up performance under difficult circumstances, collaboration with the director and other actors, overview of functions of technicians and creative crew people.

In depth scene work allows the actor to focus on releasing creativity and to learn how to draw on inner resources under "real life" conditions, including "controlled spontaneity," when directors may not be in a position to spend much time with an actor. These techniques are applied in the studio where actors work with professional studio cameras on a film set.