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ACTING FOR THE CAMERA with VETERAN SOAP STAR OF ALL MY CHILDREN, ALAN DYSERT
5-Week Class Starting Next Week. Thursday Evenings - 7:00 to 9:00
$195 per 5-week session.
Alan Dysert, best known in the United States as "Sean Cudahy" on ABC-TV’s top-rated soap opera, All My Children, was a full contract player for five years, performing in over 500 episodes.
Alan’s portrayal of this character put him on the cover of "People Magazine" and made him a very much in-demand guest on such national shows as Regis and Kathie Lee, Sally Jessy Raphael, The Merv Griffin Show and The Mike Douglas Show as well as all the major talk shows at ABC affiliates across the United States. The shows Alan did for All My Children are still playing in many countries outside the U.S.
Not restricting his career to soap opera, he has appeared in national commercials, prime time television, film. Alan was cast in two feature films last year and has served as Executive Producer on four other feature films. Alan also directs commercials and produces music videos.
Alan trains actors and performers in many cities including Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, Indianapolis and others. In Nashville, he has made notable contributions as the acting coach to the country music stars. He prepares recording artists for their music videos and consults their record companies on television projects and performance development.
In this workshop, Alan focuses on the realities of acting in front of a camera whether it is for a film, a soap opera, a situation comedy, a commercial or a music video. As acting for the camera is very different from acting for the stage, it is essential that anyone wishing to pursue a career as an actor learn the hows and whys of acting for the various mediums.
Alan brings years of practical experience as a working actor and film producer to these workshops designed to educate students regarding realistic and usable approaches to acting and the business of acting. He uses frequent performance in front of the camera for all students to help them become more comfortable and relaxed with the on-camera process. Having spent twelve years in Los Angeles, six years in New York and a great deal of time in Chicago and Nashville, Alan teaches his students how to get started in the business as well as finding work in all of the major markets.
Class sizes are kept small to allow for greater personal attention. Students work with scripts from films, sit-coms, soap operas and commercials as well as participate in improvisation exercises.
Alan’s approach not only enhances the seasoned talent’s performance with additional training, but also provides those with little or no acting experience a non-threatening environment for acquiring the skills that will prepare them for future performance in front of the camera.
Alan’s advanced acting class is on Wednesday nights. The first time he works with a student, he usually bring them into the Thursday night class.
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ONGOING 5-WEEK SESSIONS FOR TEENS!
PROFESSIONAL FILM and TV ACTING PROGRAM FOR TEEN ACTORS
Start Any Time!
Every Thursday Afternoon 4:30-6:00 pm
$195 every 5 weeks.
I am looking for teen actors that really want to learn what acting is all about and
hopefully learn how to get paid to use the skills they learn. There will be assignments
and memorization work. The class will be fun, but there will be very low tolerance for any
student that distracts others from their work. The hope is that this group of teen actors
will continue to study together after the first six weeks. I want this to build into a class
for teen actors wishing to pursue acting as a possible future career.
SOME OF THE TOPICS COVERED:
· Audition Skills
· Memorization techniques
· Focus and Concentration exercises
· Scene Study
· Monologues
· Set Etiquette
· Introduction to Improvisation
We will discuss the business side of acting and how to get the students involved in the
film and television projects that are being produced in Tennessee.
This will be an after-school program on Thursdays from 4:30-6:00pm.
The classes will be set up in 5-week sessions. Any missed classes can be made up.
ACTOR'S CAREER BUILDING WORKSHOP
Saturday, November 23rd from 10:00 to 12:00
Your Career Investment: $55
“This is my favorite class to teach because it is the most overlooked part of an actor’s career” – Alan Dysert
Alan Dysert will teach this informative and essential class for all actors.
Your acting career is half craft and half business. If you don’t have both sides covered, your chances of succeeding are greatly reduced.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
· Marketing yourself in Nashville
· Marketing yourself in Atlanta, Memphis, Wilmington, Orlando, Los Angeles, New York and Chicago
· Your front door image/evaluation
· Contracts
· Actors Unions
· Residuals and Profit Participation
· Network Contracts
· Agents and Managers
· Investors for your career
· Tax considerations
CHARACTER VOICES FOR AUDIOBOOKS, ANIMATION, VIDEO GAMES & ANIME with JOE LOESCH
Saturday, November 23rd from 10:00 to 4:00
Location: Joe's Digital Studio, 5532 Maplesong Drive, Nashville
Special Winter Special: $295 - Limited to 6 students.
Note: Students must have taken Joe's "Investigating Voice Over" class or have had past VO experience.
Find Your Character Voice with Award-Winning Voice Actor, Joe Loesch - Discover That Voice Within - Get Immediate Feedback - Have Fun! - Perform With Other Voice Actors - Go Home With New Voices
Find out what it's like to be a character voice actor! Learn from Joe Loesch an award-winning character voice actor and one of the busiest voice actors in the business. His extensive character voice work with Disney, Baby Looney Tunes, PBS Kids, Dalmation Press, the video game, "Titanic Adventure Out Of Time" and Dave Ramsey's, "Junior's Adventures", assures you that you are learning from true a professional. This workshop will be a real eye-opener and will provide you with more fun than you've had in a long while.
Build your confidence every step of the way! Learn what ADR and Looping is all about as you replace cartoon voices from a scene from the movie "CARS"! Discover the range of your voice and find characters hidden within. Learn to determine how a character voice should sound based on photos and/or illustrations. Discover how characters are built on attitude.
Find out how narrators go from character to character and back to narrator when sharing a fascinating story. Your confidence level will skyrocket on this day! Guaranteed to be one of your most enjoyable days ever!
JOE LOESCH is an award-winning producer, author, teacher, actor, model, and voice-over talent. Born in St. Louis, Joe moved to Los Angeles when he was twelve. He studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse under the direction of the late Agnes Morehead of Bewitched fame.
Joe was nominated 'Spoken Word' Producer of the Year by AFIM Indy Awards. He has won multiple Silver Microphone and Crystal Jade awards. He won the Early Childhood News Directors Choice award. His "Abraham Lincoln Logues" book with audio was voted as a top ten children's book by Chicago Parent Magazine and is now available at Ford’s Theatre, Washington, DC.
Starring in dozens of TV commercials, Joe has endorsed Sun Sweet Prunes with Barbara Mandrell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Toyota, Philips Magnavox, and many more. Joe and his wife, Lori, currently own and operate, Readio Theatre, LLC, an audiobook production company in Nashville, TN.
Call (615) 500-7661 or send an email to: email: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
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MEET THE AGENTS
MEET THE AGENTS SERIES: MELINDA EISNAUGLE
Tuesday Evening, November 26th from 7:00 to 9:00
$59 Melinda Eisnaugle, owner and director of The Avenue Agency, is our first guest agent.
As The Avenue Agency's director and agent, Melinda Eisnaugle is booking actors in movies, tv series, commercials, print work, etc., throughout the southeastern region. The Avenue has been in business for over 15 years and has offices in Nashville and Atlanta. Creating long standing relationships with her talent, national casting directors, producers, directors, and ad agents alike, Melinda is going to share with you what you won't ever see as a working talent - behind the scenes of the industry!
Every talent has a question they are scared to ask, but this class will give you a safe place to get answers without judgment or embarrassment.
Need to tape an audition that will get you booked on the job? Now is your chance to learn how to simplify the technical so you can focus more on your craft!
Do you know what a casting director or agent is looking for when you audition?
Get the inside scoop on what catches our eye, and nail your next big audition!
Does the idea of a cold read turn your stomach? Melinda can give you a simplified process to help you take the fear out of the cold read! Learn how to quickly dissect a character to hone in on what matters most!
ABOUT MELINDA EISNAUGLE
For over 15 years, Melinda Eisnaugle has been booking and managing talent in the southeast, Los Angeles, New York, and internationally. Her journey in entertainment started as a child talent and gives her the advantage of understanding the full scope of what a talent needs in order to be successful in today's market. Coupled with her experience as a booking agent, Melinda has insights that will give you an edge. Find out how to get on your agent's A list to get the audition!
This workshop will also dispel myths about agents. Learn what to expect from your agency - and what your agent should be able to expect from you! Find out what an agent does day to day. Find out answers to your questions direct from the source . Position yourself to be your agent's FIRST call and build a thriving career!
The Avenue Agency is a full-service SAG-AFTRA franchised booking agency with offices in Nashville, TN, and Atlanta, GA. The Avenue's talent is booking projects in Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. What are talent & clients saying about working with The Avenue?
“I’m so impressed with how first-class the whole experience with The Avenue is!”
"Thank you for representing great talent. You have no idea how happy I am when I get to hire one of your talent, [it makes] my job so easy . . ." -Jennifer Bonior, producer & director
"When the one in charge [on set] asks who my agency is and I say The Avenue, there is always a positive response and words of how highly they think of you." -Kerrye Lebovitz, actress
"I just wanted to say you rock. Seriously. You have good talent and you handle your business the way it should be handled." -Chad Kinkle, director
“I’ve been using The Avenue for over 10 years. [Melinda] knows her talent really well, which is extremely helpful when I’m casting.” -Holly Allen, Casting Director
“We want to thank you for all you do. We couldn’t ask for a better agent . . . and friend.” -Jaeson Morris, Parent of child actors
ACTING FOR FILM & TV (AFTER 40) with ROBIN DAUGHERTY
Tuesday, December 3rd from 6:00 to 9:00
$75 - Class Limit: 12
For those of you who once were actors, but put that dream aside to “do life,” or for those who are interested in a new, potentially lucrative hobby, this special workshop is designed to provide a comfortable, open environment for actors of “an advanced age.” I will cover the same material as in my regular Auditioning for the Camera class (script analysis, on-camera technique, getting an agent, headshot/resume preparation), with particular focus on current acting opportunities in the Southeast for actors 40 and older. There is plenty of time for Q&A, and each of you will have the opportunity to get up on your feet and in front of the camera, for individual 1-on-1 instruction (with short scripts sent to you in advance). Atlanta is the world’s #1 film and television production center, so now is the chance to dust off your talent, jump back into the game,get that dream going again, and make some extra money having fun!
For the past 30 years, Robin Daugherty has been taping auditions and coaching actors at talent agencies, production companies, and casting agencies, in Atlanta, New York, Minneapolis, and Nashville.
A Nashville native, Robin started acting at the age of 6, with an appearance at his uncle’s Barn Dinner Theatre. That same year, Robin was enlisted as a recurring cast member on THE ROMPER ROOM educational children’s show. At age 11, Robin became a member of the popular Tom Tichenor Marionette Troupe, and at 16, for his short, TV MIXUP, he received a Young Filmmaker’s Commendation from the Sinking Creek Film Festival, which evolved into today’s Nashville International Film Festival. Since then, Robin has worked in many areas of film, television, and theatre production.
Currently, Robin can be seen in TV commercials, music videos, the sitcom BORN AGAIN VIRGIN on TVOne , ABC’s NASHVILLE, the limited series STRANGER HEARTS, as well as the feature films CHANGING HEARTS, CHASING GHOSTS, PATERNITY LEAVE, REMEMBER THE GOAL, WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH GERALD?, and the critically acclaimed British film, WILD ROSE, alongside Oscar nominee Jessie Buckley.
Over the years, Robin has been mentored by Giancarolo Esposito, Leslie Jordan, Jason Marsden, Michelle Williams, Lucille Ball, Lily Tomlin, and Joan Rivers. Robin studied TV/Film Acting at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Vanderbilt University.
AUDITION BOOTCAMP WORKSHOP with CASTING DIRECTOR, HOLLY ALLEN
Saturday, December 7th - 10:00 to 2:00
$125
This fun intensive workshop is all about practicing AUDITIONING for commercials and TV/Film!
You will rotate between working on audition copy for commercials and short sides for film/tv.
Holly will give you direction, coaching, and feedback on each of the pieces you perform helping you to discover and refine the strongest choices. This is a fantastic workshop to explore, experiment, do the work, and leave with more knowledge, tools, and confidence. Each student will have the opportunity to work on-camera with detailed direction and feedback. She also gives each student a 4-page handout with tons of tips, advice, local acting websites, books to read, union info, and local agency information.
If you want to stay on your feet, shake things up, work on 3-4 different types of material, and practice your skills for the camera then this is the workshop for you!
About Holly Allen
Holly spent 20 years in the entertainment industry as a casting director, professional actor, and acting coach. Her passion is now focused on teaching, coaching, and mentoring actors with all the wisdom and experience she has gleaned from being on both sides of the camera. She has worked in the South East as well as Chicago, casting nearly a thousand commercials and a handful of independent films over the course of her career. Her acting work has spanned every genre from stage to on-camera to voice-overs. She has master level communication skills training in addition to advanced creativity coach training from her studies in Chicago. She also studied at Steppenwolf’s prestigious actor training program in addition to her MFA in Theatre.
Holly loves working with actors of all levels whether you are a working professional wanting to stay limber or you are returning to the craft after a long period away or you are simply trying out a new creative endeavor! As a professionally trained performer herself, she has vast knowledge of the technique of acting and also the challenges and obstacles that actors face in their career. She strives to create a fun, supportive, brave environment in all her workshops where she will challenge you to grow.
What Students Are Saying:
“That was an AWESOME class! Holly is a great instructor! She was so helpful and insightful. You really learn a lot from her. I highly recommend Holly’s class to anyone in acting, from beginners to working pros.” – Steve S.
“I LOVED Holly’s class on Saturday…she is the perfect combination of honesty, knowledge, and encouragement and is empowering to actors. I learned so much and can’t wait to apply the things I received from her. It’s obvious that she is genuinely passionate about teaching and helping actors reach their potential.” – Kate S.
“Thanks for your guidance! You create a safe and fun environment for actors and your suggestions on self-adjusting were a huge help. I’m on check avail for a commercial, which I don’t think would have happened if it wasn’t for your class.” – Andrew T.
“What a great experience today was and I am so grateful for your time and expertise. Thank you for sharing your talent in such a positive and mindful way.” – Tiffany F.
To make a reservation please call or text Alan at: (615) 500-7661 or send an
email to: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
ACTORS OF FAITH CLASS with KARISSA WHEELER
Saturday, December 14th from 1:00 to 5:00
Price for the 4-hour class: $95
In this class, students will participate in a scene study of scripts from faith-based films and discuss their relationship to the greater narrative of the Gospel.
KARISSA WHEELER is a Nashville and New York-based actor with a passion for using her gifts to tell stories of redemption that inspire lives. Graduating magna cum laude from Sewanee: The University of the South with a BA in Theatre (Honors), a BA in English and a minor in Dance, Karissa moved to New York City to continue acting training at Michael Howard Studios in Manhattan. There, she was blessed to find a community of believers through The Hang NYC, a ministry for artists in the City, who not only encouraged her artistically but also spiritually.
Karissa loves exploring the intersection of her identity as a Christ-follower and as an artist, analyzing how artistry can be used as a ministry. Ultimately, she hopes that the stories she brings to life can be used to bless other people and bring glory to God, the greatest artist of all!
Film and television credits: Faith-based films- The Least of These, I’m Not Ashamed: The Rachel Scott Story, The Song / Lifeway's Experiencing the Bible, Nashville, The Messiah / Upcoming: Confessions of a Working Class Girl (2022)
Her most favorite theatrical credits include: Sally Bowles (Cabaret), Katherine Minola (The Taming of the Shrew), Abigail Williams (The Crucible), Kim MacAfee (Bye Bye Birdie) and Lucy (Avenue Q).
CURRENTLY UNDERWAY ON-CAMERA ACTING CLASS for KIDS with ACTRESS QUINN GORTE
This class is for kids ages 7 to 11.
Wednesdays from 5:00 to 6:30
Class Fee: $155 for 4 sessions.
This is an ongoing class so students can make up any missed classes.
Students never lose a class when they are not able to make a class.
Quinn was born outside of Detroit, Michigan, and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, when she was nine. Soon after the move, Quinn caught the acting/triple-threat bug and has been thoroughly enjoying every chance God has given her to pursue her passion for acting.
Quinn graduated from Lipscomb University with a B.A. in Journalism and enjoys using her degree to create content.
Quinn started training with Alan Dysert 11 years ago and since then has studied with many of the best teachers in the business. She has a true love and calling for working with children. You can see Quinn in her latest film, Remember the Goal, on Amazon. You can find some of Quinn’s other credits on IMDB.
FOR TEENS ONLY - AGES 12-19
HOLLY LINK'S "IMPROV AND THE ACTOR"
SATURDAY and SUNDAY, DATE: TBA
1:00 - 3:00 both days
Your Career Investment: $125
(Maximum of 10 students)
"IMPROVISATION WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER ACTOR"
and Take Your Performances to a New Level
Holly is an accomplished actress, singer, writer, and storyteller.
Teaching the art of improvisation allows her to share 30 years of expertise in the performing arts.
Of all the training she's had-- improvisation, voice, on-camera, commercial acting, and voice over, she feels improv is the most valuable.
Always drawn to comedy, Holly's multi-faceted career began with studying and performing improvisation at Chicago's Second City. Performing in improv-based shows led to studying classical voice and starring in musical theater and cabaret productions in Chicago, Los Angeles, the Twin Cities, and around the world aboard the QE2.
Holly has also acted in many television and radio commercials, industrial films, and live events.
Writing since age 6, she is a published author of children's books, feature stories, and memoir. A diary of her life in the arts, Big Noise from LaPorte, will be published this year.
MORNING and AFTERNOON SCENE STUDY with BRAD WILSON, PRODUCER of the FEATURE FILM,
"MY MANY SONS", "THE MEANEST MAN IN TEXAS", "REBEL" and many more.
Saturday & Sunday, DATE: TBA
Two Sessions to Choose From!
Morning Session: 9:00 to 1:00
Afternoon Session: 2:30 to 6:30
$195 for the two-day workshop
Brad Wilson is an award-winning film producer being involved with the production of 40 feature films and television projects to date. His latest film, “The Meanest Man In Texas” was released in 2017 and is garnering awards and nominations from Film Festivals around the country.
BRAD WILSON HAS CAST OVER 300 OF OUR STUDENTS IN HIS MOVIES
The Actor's School is proud to offer this special workshop with a film producer who has worked with some of the greatest actors in the world. These actors include: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, Kevin Spacey, Robert Duvall, Michael Douglas, Tommy Lee Jones, Christian Bale, Michael Keaton, Glenn Close and many others.
Brad, along with Alan Dysert, produced "Becoming Jesse Tate". This film was shot entirely in the Franklin area. Over 50 of Alan's students were cast in this film. Brad, along with Alan Dysert, produced the feature film "THE GRIFT". Over thirty of Alan's students worked on this film. They also produced "The Ghost Club", "One of Them", and "Undercover Kids".
There will be two groups of fifteen students.
The spots will go quickly so please don't wait until the last minute to sign up. Payments for the workshop will need to be in one week prior to the workshop.
To make a reservation please call Alan Dysert at: 615-500-7661 or email: alan@actorsschoolusa.com.
ABOUT BRAD WILSON
In 1985, after sixteen years of radio broadcasting in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area, Brad Wilson moved to New York to operate actor ROBERT DUVALL'S PRODUCTION COMPANY. This began an eleven year alliance with Duvall encompassing eighteen feature films, among them: "COLORS" with Sean Penn, "DAYS OF THUNDER" with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, "FALLING DOWN" with Michael Douglas and the critically acclaimed "WRESTLING EARNEST HEMINGWAY" with Richard Harris and Shirley MacLaine.
Brad also worked with Robert Duvall on some of his most memorable television roles, including the CBS miniseries "LONESOME DOVE" and the HBO epic "STALIN" shot in location in Moscow, for which Duvall won the Golden Globe for Best Actor.
In 1992, Wilson and Duvall decided to expand the scope of their production company by bolstering project development and broadening Duvall's role to include directing and producing. The formation of "BUTCHERS RUN FILMS" was announced the following June with offices in Hollywood and Wilson as the company's Vice President of Development and Production. Wilson became the creative force behind the initiation, development, packaging and production of their theatrical motion pictures. The significance of the forty years of movie making experience between them proved effective and soon they had compiled a formidable slate of potential projects. After only two months, the company had closed a deal with United Artists to make "A FAMILY THING" based on an original idea from Duvall and scripted by Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson. The film was released in February 1996 and Wilson was awarded a Humanitas Certificate for his work as co-producer on the movie.
Brad acquired the rights to "EICHMANN IN MY HANDS", based on the highly acclaimed autobiography by Peter Malkin. After Wilson sold the idea of the story about the Israeli agent who captured the chief Nazi executioner under Hitler, Emmy winner Lionel Chetwynd was hired to write the script "THE MAN WHO CAPTURED EICHMANN" which aired on TNT in 1996 with Duvall as Adolph Eichmann.
Duvall's "THE APOSTLE," developed by Wilson, went into production in 1997 and was released the following year. The critically acclaimed film received numerous awards, including an Academy Award acting nomination for Duvall. In December of 1995, Brad left BUTCHERS RUN FILMS to become Vice President of Production of "GREYSTONE FILMS", a newly formed division of GREYSTONE COMMUNICATIONS, which had been enjoying tremendous success in television production.
After developing a variety of theatrical and made for television films at GREYSTONE, Wilson produced their first feature production, "LUNKER LAKE." This family film inspired the creation of "INSIDE OUTDOORS," a weekly television show for TNN, on which Wilson served as Executive Producer. Wilson was responsible for teaming GREYSTONE with the Dutch production company, SHOOTING STAR, as co-producers of the film "LEFT LUGGAGE". Jeroen Krabbe's directorial debut starred Isabella Rossellini and Academy Award winner Maximilian Schell. Brad served as Co-Executive Producer on the film, which premiered at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival, returning home with four honors.
Brad currently serves as Vice President of Development and Production as well as a producing partner for HEMISPHERE ENTERTAINMENT, a Hollywood California based independent production company established in 1990.
Brad now feels a greater sense of opportunity, a renewed commitment to excellence and a deeper enthusiasm about the possibilities of future projects than ever before. "DON'T LET GO", a film based on an idea by Wilson which he produced, was shot on location in Porterville, California in the summer of 2000 and stars Academy Award nominee Katharine Ross". THE GHOST CLUB" a family film shot on location in South Carolina was released in December 2003. His latest released films include the suspense thriller "ONE OF THEM" and the family film "UNDERCOVER KIDS", and "THE GRIFT".
Brad and his partners have developed and are producing a new faith-based TV drama series called "BELIEVERS AMONG US." The first four episodes are airing on TBN, SKY ANGEL, CORNERSTONE NETWORK, FAITH TV and TCT NETWORK. Already the series has won the prestigious 2005 Telly Award and the 2005 Aurora Award.
His films have won awards at the Berlin Film Festival, The America Cinema Foundation, The Chicago Film Critics Association, Emden International Film Festival, Nederlands Film Festival, Westchester New York International Film Festival, Stony Brook Film Festival and The Santa Clarita International Film Festival.
Brad is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and a charter member of the National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California.
MOVEMENT for the ACTOR with MACI ARMS
Two Tuesday Evenings DATE: TBA from 7:00 to 9:00
Total Cost: $125
Maci Arms, originally from Nashville, Tennessee, is a professional dancer based out of New York City.
She is a graduate from The University of Alabama where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in three years with a degree in Dance and Telecommunications & Film.
Upon moving to NYC, Maci immediately signed with McDonald/Selznick Associates (MSA) and started her professional career. She has performed around the world with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, as well as throughout the United States in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and New York.
Her favorite credits include Broadway Bares: Fire Island, Almost Angels, Christmas In The Air, The Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Window Unveiling, The 60th Annual Grammy After Party, and Sequins & Feathers.
Maci has worked with some of the top choreographers and producers in the entertainment industry and is excited to see where her dance career will take her next!
"For actors, our job is to be storytellers. However, it’s important to realize that our body speaks just as much, if not more, than our words do. The focus of this Movement for the Actor Class is to connect to our bodies so that we can exude confidence on screen and off. We will be exploring breath, coordination, balance, and even the simplest movements of walking into a room. Through this class, the actor will learn to have command of their entire instrument - body and mind - to help the most subtle movements to the most broad come across on the screen." See you there, Maci
First week: Focus will be on audition technique, personality, improv, handling nerves, cold reading tips, and lots of practice time on-camera with short copy!
Second week: Deep dive into commercials - funny, serious, talking-head, two-person, group, MOS, and improv.
Third week: TV/Film scripts - start off with short individual audition sides then move to two-person longer scenes to prep for last week.
Fourth week: Deep dive into two-person TV or film sides. Shot both as medium two-shot for acting and relationship as well as single shot close up for auditioning.
My philosophy of teaching is that the more students can be on their feet, doing the work (as well as observing others doing the work), the more they are going to learn and the more fun they are going to have!
Would love to have you join us!
BIO:
Holly spent 20 years in the entertainment industry as a casting director, professional actor, and acting coach. Her passion is now focused on teaching, coaching, and mentoring actors with all the wisdom and experience she has gleaned from being on both sides of the camera. She has worked in the South East as well as Chicago, casting nearly a thousand commercials and a handful of independent films over the course of her career. Her acting work has spanned every genre from stage to on-camera to voice-overs. She has master level communication skills training in addition to advanced creativity coach training from her studies in Chicago. She also studied at Steppenwolf’s prestigious actor training program in addition to her MFA in Theatre.
Holly loves working with actors of all levels whether you are a working professional wanting to stay limber or you are returning to the craft after a long period away or you are simply trying out a new creative endeavor! She has deep respect for those brave enough to try something new, those who never forgot the thing they once loved, and those humble enough to keep learning even when their cup of knowledge is full.
To make a reservation please call or text Alan at: (615) 500-7661 or send an
email to: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
Two-Day ACTING IN COMMERCIALS Workshop with LISA STEWART
Sunday, DATE: TBA - 3:00 to 5:00
A MAXIMUM OF ONLY 7 STUDENTS
$175
This 2-session workshop will be very comprehensive. We’ll look at commercials and commercial acting styles with lots of on-camera commercial work.
>> GET YOURSELF NOTICED! <<
Actors in the United States make more money from commercials than in all movies and television combined. This is an area where you really need to know what you are doing. Being a good actor isn’t enough. Commercials are a different game. The competition is skilled. Winging it won’t get you there.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
·Commercial Forms ·Acting Styles in Commercials ·Character Spokesperson ·Interviews and Auditions ·Getting Booked ·One-Liners ·Voice-Over ·Relationship to the Camera ·Product Handling
THE SECOND SESSION is A PRIVATE FINAL TAPING SESSION — or students can be taped on a day that works better for them than if needed.
SIX AGENTS AND SIX CASTING DIRECTORS WILL SEE THE FINAL DVD.
LISA STEWART entered the world stage when she signed as a recording artist with BNA Entertainment, a division of RCA Records. Her music career opened the door to TV and film. She has filled the host seat in nationally syndicated entertainment news TV, worked as a red carpet correspondent for E! Entertainment Television, appeared in hundreds of commercials and has shared the film screen with Oscar Winners, Gwynneth Paltrow in "Country Strong," and Melissa Leo in "Novitiate" which was awarded "Best New Director" at Sundance Film Festival.
A few of her accolades include a Grammy consideration for "Spoken Word," a BMI Award for writing the #1 Gospel Song, "Sky Full of Angels," which made history as the most played gospel song of all-time, and a Regional Emmy.
"LET'S GET REAL" with DIRECTOR/PRODUCER FRED BLANKFEIN
Sunday, DATE: TBA from 1:00 to 5:00
Your Career Investment: $125
Fred Blankfein is a long-standing member of the Directors Guild of America, having been an active member for over 40 years. In his career, working as an Assistant Director, Production Manager, 2nd Unit Director, and Producer, he has worked on 7 films with Woody Allen, including the Academy Award winning “Annie Hall,” and the multi-nominated “Manhattan.”
He worked on the Emmy Award-winning Television Movies “Foxfire,” with Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, and John Denver and “Valley of Light” starring Gretchen Mol. Other credits include, “George of the Jungle,” “Masters of the Universe,” the TV Series, “Popular,” for Ryan Murphy (“Glee” and “Nip/Tuck”), “Malice in Wonderland,” with Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Alexander, “Two of a Kind” with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, and “The Menendez Murders” mini-series, with Edward James Olmos.
He has produced a docu-drama about female bullying in high school for The Museum of Tolerance, “Strange Frequency,” an Anthology Series for VH-1, and “Taking the Heat” for Showtime. He Executive Produced the short comedy film “Dante & Beatrice,” which received the Outstanding Short Film Award at the New York Film Festival For New Cinema. He continues to work on film projects as a Producer, Production Manager or Executive Consultant.
Regarding his “Teaching the Craft of Acting,” Fred Blankfein has been a director, mentor, teacher and coach to actors and actresses in both New York City and Los Angeles. Among the successful actors he has coached are: Samuel E. Wright (The Lion King / Broadway), Lyrica Woodruff (Anastasia / Broadway), Largo Woodruff (Coward of the County / Bill), and Clint Holmes (The Fantasticks). He has numerous directing credits in the areas of Comedy, Drama and The Classics.
Fred enjoys working with actors and relishes the opportunity to coach actors of all ages. His goal is to focus on the actor’s individual strengths and provide his expertise in helping them find the key elements necessary to portray a role confidently and successfully. All this is accomplished in a relaxed atmosphere that allows the actor to feel free to experiment while finding the heart and soul of the character.
FIRST TIME EVER!
INTRO TO MUSICAL THEATRE with HOLLY LINK
DATE: TBA from 1:00 to 4:00 - $125
For people interested in working in musical theater, this class is a thorough introduction with a no-nonsense approach. Whether students are just starting out or have some experience, they will be fully immersed in all aspects of musical theater! Students will learn the difference between head, chest and mix voice and the voice types for women and men. They will be taught vocal exercises to develop these parts of their vocal range as well as improve diction and tone.
Students will learn how to breathe using the diaphragm.
Students will learn acting techniques specifically for musical theatre and how to find balance between the technical and emotional.
The audition process will be covered. Based on each student’s particular “type” and voice, tips will be given on how to choose the right song for auditions. For students interested in one-on-one direction during a mock audition, come prepared to sing as if you are auditioning. Bring a recorded accompaniment (karaoke track is fine). This is highly encouraged as everyone in the class can learn from each other.
ABOUT HOLLY LINK
Classically trained, instructor Holly Link has performed in a wide range of musicals and saucy cabarets regionally and nationally at equity and non-equity theaters, clubs and on cruise ships. She has studied privately with the highly regarded opera instructors Emma Small and Kathryn Hartgrove as well as with the Eugene O’Neill Theater in Connecticut and the Lehman Engel Workshop in Los Angeles. As a comedic actress/singer with 30 years of experience working at theaters in Chicago, Los Angeles, Nevada, California, the Twin Cities, Indiana and Michigan, her expertise and insight of the industry is extensive.
To register, call or text Alan Dysert at 615-500-7661 or send an email to: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com to reserve your space.
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FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER TEEN ACTOR'S BOOTCAMP with HOLLY ALLEN
Saturday, DATE: TBA from 10am to 2pm (No Lunch Break)
$125
NO CASTING DIRECTOR HAS CAST MORE OF OUR STUDENTS.
This fun intensive workshop is all about practicing AUDITIONING for commercials and TV/Film!
You will rotate between working on audition copy for commercials and short sides for film/tv. Holly will give you direction, coaching, and feedback on each of the pieces you perform helping you to discover and refine the strongest choices.
This is a fantastic workshop to explore, experiment, do the work, and leave with more knowledge, tools, and confidence.
If you want to stay on your feet, shake things up, work on 3-4 different types of material, and practice your skills for the camera then this is the workshop for you!
About Holly Allen
Holly spent 20 years in the entertainment industry as a casting director, professional actor, and acting coach. Her passion is now focused on teaching, coaching, and mentoring actors with all the wisdom and experience she has gleaned from being on both sides of the camera. She has worked in the South East as well as Chicago, casting nearly a thousand commercials and a handful of independent films over the course of her career. Her acting work has spanned every genre from stage to on-camera to voice-overs. She has master-level communication skills training in addition to advanced creativity coach training from her studies in Chicago. She also studied at Steppenwolf’s prestigious actor training program in addition to her MFA in Theatre.
Holly loves working with actors of all levels whether you are a working professional wanting to stay limber or you are returning to the craft after a long period away or you are simply trying out a new creative endeavor! As a professionally trained performer herself, she has vast knowledge of the technique of acting and also the challenges and obstacles that actors face in their career. She strives to create a fun, supportive, brave environment in all her workshops where she will challenge you to grow.
What Students Are Saying:
“That was an AWESOME class! Holly is a great instructor! She was so helpful and insightful. You really learn a lot from her. I highly recommend Holly’s class to anyone in acting, from beginners to working pros.” – Steve S.
“I LOVED Holly’s class on Saturday…she is the perfect combination of honesty, knowledge, and encouragement and is empowering to actors. I learned so much and can’t wait to apply the things I received from her. It’s obvious that she is genuinely passionate about teaching and helping actors reach their potential.” – Kate S.
“Thanks for your guidance! You create a safe and fun environment for actors and your suggestions on self-adjusting were a huge help. I’m on check avail for a commercial, which I don’t think would have happened if it wasn’t for your class.” – Andrew T.
“What a great experience today was and I am so grateful for your time and expertise. Thank you for sharing your talent in such a positive and mindful way.” – Tiffany F.
To make a reservation please call or text Alan at: (615) 500-7661 or send an
email to: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
INTRO TO COMMERCIAL ACTING WITH HOLLY LINK
Saturday, DATE: TBA from 1:00 to 4:00
Your Career Investment: $89 - 10-Student Max
This class is meant to prepare students for commercial auditions which have unique challenges compared to film and theater. We will discuss acting styles, looks, as well as tips and secrets to make actors stand out from their competition. We will use a variety of scripts to teach students how to approach every possible script scenario. Each student will have a lot of on-camera time, followed by an evaluation and class discussion of what works and doesn’t.
ABOUT HOLLY
In addition to performing in musicals, voiceovers and improv based shows, Holly Link has starred in television commercials and corporate films for 30 years. Some of her commercial clients include the Fox Family Channel, The WB Network, Target, Northwest Airlines, MTV, National Camera, Black Bear Casino, Jackpot Junction Casino, Grand Casino, Iowa Safety Bureau, Golden Plump Chicken, Famous Footwear and Fiber Choice. Some of her corporate film clients include Best Buy, Arctic Cat, Securian Financial Services, 3-M, McDonald’s, Marshall Fields, Regis Corporation, California Education, Cerec Dental, Anti-Sexual Harassment and Fred Badiyan Productions.
HOLLY LINK'S "IMPROV AND THE ACTOR"
Saturday, DATE: TBA
10:00 - 3:00 with a 1-Hour Lunch Break at Noon
Your Career Investment: $125
(Maximum of 10 students)
"IMPROVISATION WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER ACTOR"
and Take Your Performances to a New Level
Holly is an accomplished actress, singer, writer, and storyteller.
Teaching the art of improvisation allows her to share 30 years of expertise in the performing arts.
Of all the training she's had-- improvisation, voice, on-camera, commercial acting, and voice over, she feels improv is the most valuable.
Always drawn to comedy, Holly's multi-faceted career began with studying and performing improvisation at Chicago's Second City. Performing in improv-based shows led to studying classical voice and starring in musical theater and cabaret productions in Chicago, Los Angeles, the Twin Cities, and around the world aboard the QE2.
Holly has also acted in many television and radio commercials, industrial films, and live events.
Writing since age 6, she is a published author of children's books, feature stories, and memoir. A diary of her life in the arts, Big Noise from LaPorte, will be published this year.
VOICES OF FAITH - with JOE LOESCH
A Long form and Short-form Narration Workshop for Faith-Based Voice Actors
Saturday, DATE: TBA from 10:00 to 4:00 - $295
If you're a faith-based voice actor, the very industry you love may, at times, feel like it's not a two-way street. Opportunities feel somewhat limited, and this may make it challenging to stand out in a crowded market. However, with the right training, you can improve your skills, learn to track the types of projects you long to do, and increase your chances for success within the industry.
This is where Voices of Faith comes in. I specialize in coaching faith-based voice actors and helping them to reach their full potential.
Joe's professional studio is NASA-technology-protected. No virus lives here! Feel Free To Breathe!
Joe Loesch has produced hundreds of audiobooks for authors such as Beth Moore, Bill Hybels, Jimmy Carter, Zig Ziglar, Robert Schuller, Jon Acuff, Dave Ramsey and many others. For publishing companies such as HarperCollins, Thomas Nelson, Pacific Press, University Press, Zondervan, Guideposts, Mission Audio, Oasis Audio, Toy Box Productions, Dalmatian Press, Ideals Publications, Warner Brothers and dozens of others. Joe owns his own line of audiobooks under Readio Theatre, LLC. You can check out his line of audiobooks at NewWayToRead.com
Location: Joe’s Digital Home Studio – 5532 Maplesong Dr., Nashville, TN 37211
5532 Maplesong Dr., Nashville, TN 37211
BEYOND THE AUDITION - MAKING YOUR SCENES WORK
by EMMY-WINNING DIRECTOR, STEVE HORSWILL-JOHNSTON
Saturday, DATE: TBA from 10:00 to 5:00 (w/ 1-hr break)- $195
A brand new acting workshop offered by Steve Horswill-Johnston!
Words are everything and nothing to an actor. A script is filled with words, but it’s when you begin to feel the words you take a major leap.
Emmy winning director Steve Horswill-Johnston will help you begin to think beyond the audition to learn the four elements in every scene:
Objectives
Beats
Through-lines
Subtext
Actors will have a chance to be directed in a scene by Mr. Horswill-Johnston. Steve will teach and walk you through those elements in a safe and fun environment. Students will do scene work together and discuss the elements that help us feel what’s behind the words. Steve will offer helpful guidance after every scene.
Steve Horswill-Johnston is a four-time winning Nashville director. His work includes both narrative film as well as directing fortune 500 brand image films and TV commercials for Amazon, Grand Hyatt, Country Music Hall of Fame, Ritz-Carlton, The United Methodist Church (HQ), and many others. He has directed and produced more than 50 films and produced and wrote two feature films. He also works as a consultant with DreamWorks in Gendale, CA.
Steve is the owner of both HJ Films and Nashville Aerial, specializing in ground and aerial cinematography. His company recently was chosen to lead the drone team for the 2021 CMT Awards. Steve is also a SAG actor who understands the acting craft.
Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree from San Diego State University and attended the graduate program at the prestigious USC School of Cinematic Arts. Steve is also a SAG actor who understands the acting craft.
PRACTICAL SKILLS & TECHNIQUES FOR THE FILM ACTOR
with Director/Producer GILLIAN ARNOLD
Saturday, DATE: TBA from 10:00 to 5:00 w/ lunch break
$195 for the one-day workshop
This weekend class is designed to help you learn and hone practical skills & techniques for working in front of the camera. What happens when everything you learned and practiced gets changed just before the scene or even after the first take? How do you keep character continuity when scenes are chopped and changed and shot out of sequence? Why is it important to be able to know where you need to be technically and physically in relation to the camera? What is emotional alignment?
When working on camera, the smallest, most subtle movement of facial muscles can speak volumes when seen through the camera lens, thus knowledge and control of your facial expressions are extremely important. You may be asked to do a scene in a way that doesn’t work for you, or you may be asked to “be bigger” or to “take it down a notch” and then be handed a prop to work with that wasn’t there originally. It is essential to be able to incorporate these kinds of directions, as well as to know how to think on your feet and roll with the unexpected changes and distractions of being in a fluid "on set" environment. The skills and techniques covered in this series will give you an opportunity to work with different types of direction, blocking and props to assist you in becoming more experienced and prepared to flow with the spontaneity and detours that can (and often do!) occur on set.
TOPICS COVERED:
* How to express character ideas to the director
* Ways to accept and incorporate direction without losing focus or performance
* Controlling facial expressions and voice levels
* Coverage & understanding the various camera angles and shots
* Eye lines & focus
* Blocking & hitting your marks
* Working with real props and how to incorporate them into your scenes and dialogue
* Actor continuity
* On-set etiquette
ABOUT GILLIAN ARNOLD - Acting Coach / Director
Since directing primetime drama at 23, Gillian has developed, directed and series produced some of the highest rated television production brands in the world including NEIGHBOURS, HOME AND AWAY, BIG BROTHER & SINGAPORE IDOL.
Her credits also include international expertise, directing the first Pan Asian women’s talk show, as well as setting up Asia’s first English speaking drama, training actors, writers, and directors. On returning to Australia, she developed and produced possibly the world’s first daily interactive drama GOING HOME, written, shot and aired on the same day, 5 days a week.
She is known as the actors’ director and has worked with such well-known people as Josh Lawson (House of Lies), Guy Pearce (Memento, Iron Man 3), Alan Dale (The Practice), Ng Chin Han (The Dark Night, Contagion) Ben Mendelson (Bloodline, The Dark Knight Rises).
To make a reservation please call or text Alan at: (615) 500-7661 or send an
email to: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
TELEPROMPTER with JOE LOESCH
Saturday, DATE: TBA from 9:00 to 1:00pm
$195 (Limited to 6 students)
The TELEPROMPTER is a great tool for working actors (and voice actors alike). Joe will show you how easy working with the teleprompter can be. In this four-hour workshop, you'll discover the benefits of the teleprompter and how by using this marvelous tool effectively you'll add more value to your career.
Joe is from Los Angeles but now calls Nashville home. Join him in his NASA-technology-protected home studio. No virus lives here! Feel Free To Breathe!
Quote:
"Every voice actor should study acting. Every actor should study voice acting." Joe Loesch
The class will be held at Joe's studio: 5532 Maplesong Dr., Nashville, TN 37211.
Joe is an award winning narrator and audiobook producer for many top publishers such as, Harper Collins, Zondervan Publishing, Topics Entertainment, Thomas Nelson, eChristian Publishing, Toy Box Productions, Pacific Press, Readio Theatre, Audible.com, Lampo Press and more. He received a nomination for Spoken Word Producer of the year by the AFIM for his production of 'The Alamo - A Line In The Sand.' As a voice actor he has recorded dozens of award winning audiobooks.
TAKING DIRECTION with CASTING DIRECTOR HOLLY ALLEN
Saturday, DATE: TBA from 10am to 2pm - $125
This workshop will focus on your flexibility as an actor. You will be given copy and short scenes and asked to perform them in several different ways. You will have a chance to play with the material, use your creativity, and push the boundaries of what is possible in your acting. It can be easy to get stuck in one reading of the material when you prep for an audition, this class will shake things up, improve your flexibility, and show you what you are capable of. If you would like to bring in a short monologue or other material to work on you are welcome to, but it is certainly not necessary, there will be plenty of copy to choose from in class. This will be a fun and challenging workshop for actors at any level of experience.
TOPICS WILL INCLUDE:
- Script & Character Analysis
- Listening & Interpreting Direction
- Being Flexible
- Owning Your Choices
- Taking Bigger Risks
- Opening Up Emotionally
- Working with a Partner or Reader
- Creating Higher Stakes
- Empowering Yourself
About Holly Allen
Holly Allen is a freelance casting director and acting coach. She was the in-house Casting Director for the Nashville production company, Film House, for 13 years where she cast over a thousand commercials and industrials using mostly Nashville actors. She spent 7 years in Chicago casting for commercials, industrials, and independent film projects before moving back to Middle TN. Her indie film casting credits include: Scones, When Icarus Fell, Chasing Ghosts, Deadline, and No Regrets.
Although she loves casting, her adoration for teaching may take the lead. She began teaching in grad school where she received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre and hasn't stopped teaching since. She has taught at universities, colleges, independent acting schools, and in private lessons for 24 years. She has been conducting workshops for The Actor's School for over 15 years now and loves helping actors achieve their goals!
Being a professionally trained performer herself for over 20 years, she has a vast knowledge of the technique of acting and also the challenges and obstacles that actors face in their career. She strives to create a fun, safe environment in all her workshops where she will also challenge you and push you to grow. She encourages mistakes, taking risks, and empowers you to trust yourself and your creative instincts. This is a fantastic class to explore, experiment, do the work, and leave with more knowledge, tools, and confidence.Each student will have the opportunity to work on-camera with detailed direction and feedback.
What Students Are Saying:
“That was an AWESOME class! Holly is a great instructor! She was so helpful and insightful. You really learn a lot from her. I highly recommend Holly’s class to anyone in acting, from beginners to working pros.” – Steve S.
“I LOVED Holly’s class on Saturday…she is the perfect combination of honesty, knowledge, and encouragement and is empowering to actors. I learned so much and can’t wait to apply the things I received from her. It’s obvious that she is genuinely passionate about teaching and helping actors reach their potential.” – Kate S.
“Thanks for your guidance! You create a safe and fun environment for actors and your suggestions on self-adjusting were a huge help. I’m on check avail for a commercial, which I don’t think would have happened if it wasn’t for your class.” – Andrew T.
“What a great experience today was and I am so grateful for your time and expertise. Thank you for sharing your talent in such a positive and mindful way.” – Tiffany F.
To make a reservation please call or text Alan at: (615) 500-7661 or send an
email to: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
AUDIOBOOKS: A $4 BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS with JOE LOESCH Saturday, DATE: TBA from 10:00 to 4:00
Special Price: $295
AudioBooks are the ultimate long-form narration, but it takes specialized skills to pull it off. Find what it takes to become a professional audiobook narrator. Joe will help you to learn what voice acting skills you'll need for this two billion dollar plus business. You'll learn how to have fun and grow your voice-over career at the same time. Joe has produced hundreds of audiobooks and narrated many of them himself. Learn from one of the very best our industry has to offer.
Students who have had at least one class with Joe or previous voice-over experience are preferred for this workshop.
Joe Loesch has produced hundreds of audiobooks for authors such as Beth Moore, Bill Hybels, Jimmy Carter, Zig Ziglar, Robert Schuller, Jon Acuff, Dave Ramsey and many others. For publishing companies such as HarperCollins, Thomas Nelson, Pacific Press, University Press, Zondervan, Guideposts, Mission Audio, Oasis Audio, Toy Box Productions, Dalmatian Press, Ideals Publications, Warner Brothers and dozens of others. Joe owns his own line of audiobooks under Readio Theatre, LLC. You can check out his line of audiobooks at NewWayToRead.com
Location: Joe’s Digital Home Studio – 5532 Maplesong Dr., Nashville, TN 37211
5532 Maplesong Dr., Nashville, TN 37211
“WORKING with a DIRECTOR" with Director/Producer GILLIAN ARNOLD
Saturday, DATE: TBA from 10:00 to 4:00
$195 for the one-day workshop
TOPICS COVERED:
*How to merge your character ideas with the
director's
*How to hit your marks
*How to conduct yourself on set
*Who is who on the crew
*Building your character through actions
and props
*Emotional preparation
*Triggers
*Finding and working with subtext
ABOUT GILLIAN ARNOLD - Acting Coach / Director
Since directing primetime drama at 23, Gillian has developed, directed and series produced some of the highest rated television production brands in the world including NEIGHBOURS, HOME AND AWAY, BIG BROTHER & SINGAPORE IDOL. Her credits also include international expertise, directing the first Pan Asian women’s talk show, as well as setting up Asia’s first English speaking drama, training actors, writers, and directors. On returning to Australia, she developed and produced possibly the world’s first daily interactive drama GOING HOME, written, shot and aired on the same day, 5 days a week.
She is known as the actors’ director and has worked with such well-known people as Josh Lawson (House of Lies) , Guy Pearce (Memento, Iron Man 3), Alan Dale (The Practice), Ng Chin Han (The Dark Night, Contagion) Ben Mendelson (Bloodline, The Dark Knight Rises).
To make a reservation please call or text Alan at: (615) 500-7661 or send an
email to: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
HOW to FORGET YOUR LINES, UNDERSTAND YOUR CHARACTER, AND HIT YOUR MARK
by EMMY-WINNING DIRECTOR, STEVE HORSWILL-JOHNSTON
Saturday, DATE: TBA from 1:00 to 5:00 - $195
THE CLASS IS LIMITED TO 12 STUDENTS.
Register now to have a rare chance to be taught in a real working studio!
Steve Horswill-Johnston will lead this workshop at Kingswood Studios in Nashville. He will teach you how to forget your lines so you can understand your character, hit your marks, and make your director happy!
The class size will be limited so you can experience what it feels like to work in a studio. Actors will have a chance to be directed in a scene by Mr. Horswill-Johnston, including blocking and rehearsal.
Steve Horswill-Johnston is a four-time Emmy-winning Nashville director. His work includes both narrative film as well as directing fortune 500 brand image films and TV commercials for Amazon, Grand Hyatt, Country Music Hall of Fame, Ritz-Carlton, The United Methodist Church (HQ), and many others. He has directed and produced more than 50 films and produced and wrote two feature films.
Steve is the owner of both HJ Films and Nashville Aerial, specializing in-ground and aerial cinematography. His company recently was chosen to lead the drone team for the CMT Awards and the Music City Grand Prix.
Steve holds a degree from San Diego State University and attended the graduate program at the prestigious USC School of Cinematic Arts. Steve is also a SAG actor who understands the acting craft.
INVESTIGATING VOICE OVERS with JOE LOESCH
Thursday Evening, DATE: TBA from 6:30 to 9:00pm – Cost: $175
5532 Maplesong Dr., Nashville, TN 37211
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES FOR VOICE ACTING?
WORK OUT AT THE MIC WITH COACHING AND PLAYBACK
LEARN HOW THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY WORKS
NETWORK WITH OTHER ASPIRING VOICE ACTORS
PUMP UP YOUR CONFIDENCE AND VOICE OVER SKILLS
STRENGTHEN YOUR MOTIVATION FOR VO SUCCESS
This workshop is designed to give you an overview of the voice-over/voice-acting industry. You’ll learn how this industry works. How to work from your home studio, about agents, unions, demos, and financial possibilities.
Find out if you have what it takes to be successful as a voice actor. Everyone will have an opportunity to read and record copy on mic and be coached by award-winning voice actor and spoken-word producer, Joe Loesch!
JOE LOESCH is an award-winning narrator and audiobook producer for many top publishers such as, Harper Collins, Zondervan Publishing, Topics Entertainment, Thomas Nelson, eChristian Publishing, Toy Box Productions, Pacific Press, Readio Theatre, Audible.com, Lampo Press and more. He received a nomination for Spoken Word Producer of the year by the AFIM for his production of ‘The Alamo – A Line In The Sand.’ As a voice actor, he has recorded dozens of award-winning AudioBooks. Check out Joe’s titles at NewWayToRead.com.
Joe's professional studio is NASA-technology-protected. No virus lives here! Feel Free To Breathe!
ACTING FOR FILM & TV (AFTER 40) with ROBIN DAUGHERTY
Saturday, DATE: TBA from 2:00 to 5:00
$75 - Class Limit: 12
For those of you who once were actors, but put that dream aside to “do life,” or for those who are interested in a new, potentially lucrative hobby, this special workshop is designed to provide a comfortable, open environment for actors of “an advanced age.” I will cover the same material as in my regular Auditioning for the Camera class (script analysis, on-camera technique, getting an agent, headshot/resume preparation), with particular focus on current acting opportunities in the Southeast for actors 40 and older. There is plenty of time for Q&A, and each of you will have the opportunity to get up on your feet and in front of the camera, for individual 1-on-1 instruction (with short scripts sent to you in advance). Atlanta is the world’s #1 film and television production center, so now is the chance to dust off your talent, jump back into the game,get that dream going again, and make some extra money having fun!
For the past 30 years, Robin Daugherty has been taping auditions and coaching actors at talent agencies, production companies, and casting agencies, in Atlanta, New York, Minneapolis, and Nashville.
A Nashville native, Robin started acting at the age of 6, with an appearance at his uncle’s Barn Dinner Theatre. That same year, Robin was enlisted as a recurring cast member on THE ROMPER ROOM educational children’s show. At age 11, Robin became a member of the popular Tom Tichenor Marionette Troupe, and at 16, for his short, TV MIXUP, he received a Young Filmmaker’s Commendation from the Sinking Creek Film Festival, which evolved into today’s Nashville International Film Festival. Since then, Robin has worked in many areas of film, television, and theatre production.
Currently, Robin can be seen in TV commercials, music videos, the sitcom BORN AGAIN VIRGIN on TVOne , ABC’s NASHVILLE, the limited series STRANGER HEARTS, as well as the feature films CHANGING HEARTS, CHASING GHOSTS, PATERNITY LEAVE, REMEMBER THE GOAL, WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH GERALD?, and the critically acclaimed British film, WILD ROSE, alongside Oscar nominee Jessie Buckley.
Over the years, Robin has been mentored by Giancarolo Esposito, Leslie Jordan, Jason Marsden, Michelle Williams, Lucille Ball, Lily Tomlin, and Joan Rivers. Robin studied TV/Film Acting at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Vanderbilt University.
CRAFT A BELIEVABLE CHARACTER with MELINDA EISNAUGLE
Saturday, DATE: TBA from 9:00 to 5:00 with 1-hr Lunch Break
Career Investment: $195
THERE WILL BE A MAXIMUM OF 9 STUDENTS IN THIS CLASS
Are you getting auditions? Want to convert more of them into bookings? You’ve learned how to develop a character; how to analyze a scene; how to light & edit your self tapes . . . why aren’t you booking more? Your auditions are not translating to your audience. The answer, PSYCHOLOGY!
In this class, The Avenue Agency’s agent Melinda Eisnaugle, will walk you through the simple steps of helping your audition translate and get you back on the fast track to booking more work using some simple psychological principles!
We will explore the basic human emotions that cross all cultures and how you can trigger those emotions in your audience.
We will take all the good work you’ve done for your character and razor focus it through the lens of psychology. Students will work on scenes with Melinda and their peers to ensure their character’s intent is clear and engaging.
Actors will go home with new tools in their kit to nail 2022 auditions and build their careers. Get back to the basics - back to your career - and back to booking!
NARRATION MASTER CLASS with JOE LOESCH
Saturday, DATE: TBA from 10:00 to 4:00 - $345
Location: Joe's Digital Studio, 5532 Maplesong Drive, Nashville
This commercial and short-form narration workshop is conducted by Joe Loesch, an award-winning voice actor and demo producer.
Joe hails from Los Angeles but now calls Nashville home.
Prospective buyers want voice actors who can sound conversational. We'll work with single scripts and double scripts and even end the day with a satirical group participation game show. You'll learn to make the microphone your friend while building your confidence.
Become more articulate, less distracted, and lose that nervousness in Joe's Saturday workshop.
Joe's professional studio is NASA-technology-protected. No virus lives here! Feel Free To Breathe!
2-Day ACTING IN COMMERCIALS with ALAN DYSERT
Two Saturdays, DATE: TBA and TBA from 2:00 to 4:30 – A MAXIMUM OF ONLY 8 STUDENTS
Price: $155
This 2-session workshop will be very comprehensive. We'll look at commercials and commercial acting styles with lots of on-camera commercial work.
>> GET YOURSELF NOTICED! <<
Actors in the United States make more money from commercials than in all movies and television combined. This is an area where you really need to know what you are doing. Being a good actor isn't enough. Commercials are a different game. The competition is skilled. Winging it won't get you there.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
·Commercial Forms ·Acting Styles in Commercials ·Character Spokesperson ·Interviews and Auditions ·Getting Booked ·One-Liners ·Voice-Over ·Relationship to the Camera ·Product Handling
THE SECOND SESSION is A PRIVATE FINAL TAPING SESSION.
Students can be taped on a day that works better for them if needed.
6 AGENTS AND 6 CASTING DIRECTORS WILL SEE THE FINAL FILM.
HOW TO SELF-TAPE AUDITIONS with JOSHUA JOHNSON
Monday, DATE: TBA from 6:30 to 9:30
$89
Technology is changing the way Film/TV industry professionals handle auditions and casting. With the advances in
technology, actors are often asked to self-tape their own auditions and submit the video auditions to their agent or casting director without ever stepping foot
into a casting office. This is great because it allows actors to audition for roles around the country, however, this brings with it the added stress of handling all
the technical aspect of filming your audition. Knowing the basics required to successfully film, edit, and submit your video audition will not only save you time
and frustration, but will also help represent you in a more professional manner.
This workshop will focus on the technical aspect of filming your video auditions. You don't need to spend thousands of dollars on expensive equipment to
create great results. The camera is only as good as the person operating it. We will focus on the basics of what is required to successfully complete a video
audition taping from start to finish. This workshop will cover the step-by-step process from setup to sending the final product to an agent or casting director.
This includes proper Setup, operating your camera, lighting, editing terminology and techniques, and submitting the audition via the Internet.
TOPICS THAT WILL BE COVERED:
Setup
Lighting (Natural, 2-point/3-point lighting) Key, Fill, and Back light, Color Temperature (3,2K or 5,6K)
Camera placement
Actor Placement
Off camera Actor(Reader) Placement
Backdrop/background
Framing
Camera Settings
Modes: Auto and Manual
White balance/Color Temperature (3,2K or 5,6K)
Aperture(F/Stop)
Auto focus and Manual focus
ISO
File format - common compression formats: .MOV, .MP4, . AVI, etc
Resolution - standards HD, SD, 480, 720, 1080p
Working with the internal mic on your camera
Optional external mic.
Post-Production
Editing software
Importing
Editing
Common editing terms
Submitting via the Internet
Email
WeTransfer
HighTail (formally YouSendIt)
Purchasing Equipment
Camera
Lights
Backdrop
Editing software
ABOUT JOSHUA JOHNSON
Joshua Johnson is a videographer, photographer, sound engineer, and actor. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2011 with a Bachelor
of Science: Audio Production/Engineering with a minor in Mass Communications from MTSU's highly respected Recording Industry Program (RIM). In 2008,
he started Capture Productions Photography. It was not long after entering the world of professional photography that Joshua decided to branch out and
include videography as a part of his profession. As a videographer/editor, Joshua's work includes shooting/editing web series, product promo videos, demo
reels, video auditions, and he is currently finishing up post-production on a film titled "The Senator", a film written and directed by Alan Dysert.
To sign up for the class please call (615) 500-7661 or send an email to: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
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Call (615) 385-5181 to
reserve your space for any of the above classes.
Join our mailing list for new and updated information including auditions and acting workshops!
Alan Dysert, best known in the United States as "Sean Cudahy" on ABC-TV’s top-rated soap opera, All My Children, was a full contract player for five years, performing in over 500 episodes.
I am looking for teen actors that really want to learn what acting is all about and
hopefully learn how to get paid to use the skills they learn. There will be assignments
and memorization work. The class will be fun, but there will be very low tolerance for any
student that distracts others from their work. The hope is that this group of teen actors
will continue to study together after the first six weeks. I want this to build into a class
for teen actors wishing to pursue acting as a possible future career.
Melinda Eisnaugle, owner and director of The Avenue Agency, is our first guest agent.
For those of you who once were actors, but put that dream aside to “do life,” or for those who are interested in a new, potentially lucrative hobby, this special workshop is designed to provide a comfortable, open environment for actors of “an advanced age.” I will cover the same material as in my regular Auditioning for the Camera class (script analysis, on-camera technique, getting an agent, headshot/resume preparation), with particular focus on current acting opportunities in the Southeast for actors 40 and older. There is plenty of time for Q&A, and each of you will have the opportunity to get up on your feet and in front of the camera, for individual 1-on-1 instruction (with short scripts sent to you in advance). Atlanta is the world’s #1 film and television production center, so now is the chance to dust off your talent, jump back into the game,get that dream going again, and make some extra money having fun!
In this class, students will participate in a scene study of scripts from faith-based films and discuss their relationship to the greater narrative of the Gospel.
This class is for kids ages 7 to 11. 
Your Career Investment: $125 
Two Sessions to Choose From!
Maci Arms, originally from Nashville, Tennessee, is a professional dancer based out of New York City.
She is a graduate from The University of Alabama where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in three years with a degree in Dance and Telecommunications & Film.
Upon moving to NYC, Maci immediately signed with McDonald/Selznick Associates (MSA) and started her professional career. She has performed around the world with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, as well as throughout the United States in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and New York.
This 2-session workshop will be very comprehensive. We’ll look at commercials and commercial acting styles with lots of on-camera commercial work.
Fred Blankfein is a long-standing member of the Directors Guild of America, having been an active member for over 40 years. In his career, working as an Assistant Director, Production Manager, 2nd Unit Director, and Producer, he has worked on 7 films with Woody Allen, including the Academy Award winning “Annie Hall,” and the multi-nominated “Manhattan.”
For people interested in working in musical theater, this class is a thorough introduction with a no-nonsense approach. Whether students are just starting out or have some experience, they will be fully immersed in all aspects of musical theater! Students will learn the difference between head, chest and mix voice and the voice types for women and men. They will be taught vocal exercises to develop these parts of their vocal range as well as improve diction and tone. 
Your Career Investment: $125 
A brand new acting workshop offered by Steve Horswill-Johnston!
This 2-session workshop will be very comprehensive. We'll look at commercials and commercial acting styles with lots of on-camera commercial work.
Technology is changing the way Film/TV industry professionals handle auditions and casting. With the advances in
technology, actors are often asked to self-tape their own auditions and submit the video auditions to their agent or casting director without ever stepping foot
into a casting office. This is great because it allows actors to audition for roles around the country, however, this brings with it the added stress of handling all
the technical aspect of filming your audition. Knowing the basics required to successfully film, edit, and submit your video audition will not only save you time
and frustration, but will also help represent you in a more professional manner. 