How Our Classes Work

"Learning to act for the camera without a camera is like learning to ride a horse without a horse. It simply cannot be done."

-Brian Cutler

Four-Week Class Cycle Outline

Week 1: Cold Reading Practice

  • Objective: Introduce students to the material through a cold read.

  • Details: The goal is to quickly understand the character and make strong initial choices without prior preparation.

  • Focus Areas: Emphasizing spontaneity, active listening, and instinctive reactions.

Week 2: Memorized Performance

  • Objective: Deepen the understanding of the scene.

  • Details: Students return with the memorized script. No rehearsals are allowed outside of class to simulate real-world conditions.

  • Focus Areas: Delivering a more polished performance while staying flexible and open to direction.

Week 3: New Cold Read

  • Objective: Apply learned skills to a new piece of material.

  • Details: Students receive a new script for an audition style cold reading.

  • Focus Areas: Building confidence with cold reading skills, using instinct to guide the performance.

Week 4: Memorized Scene Performance

  • Objective: Expand skills with a new memorized scene.

  • Details: Students memorize the new script from Week 3. Again, no rehearsals are allowed outside of class.

  • Focus Areas: Delivering a compelling, polished performance on-camera, focusing on natural interaction.

Additional Notes:

  • On-Camera Practice: Each class is recorded with a two-camera setup.

  • Footage: Students receive digital copies of their scenes for review and use in their reels.