Acting & The Camera

This unit is designed to give actors freedom when working on screen. The program begins with a lecture describing who everyone is on a film set & what they do. Students then undertake a series of progressive exercises that provide ‘lived-experience’ of working on camera including how to play within the frame, what changes when working in close-up, negotiating the camera and shooting out of order. In a hands-on environment, students work in small groups and undertake filming exercises every class.

Film Production

Students will learn essential on-screen techniques and work with a professional crew and director as they participate in a film shoot; footage from which can form the basis of a professional showreel.

Working With The Pros

This module focuses on bridging the gap between actor training and the ‘business’ side of the industry; giving actors the opportunity to workshop scenes with a number of highly regarded and experienced casting directors. Students will apply their training and present scenes to several prominent casting directors who provide industry focused feedback.

Audition Technique

Across three course units, students learn how to quickly and skilfully approach film & television scripts for the purpose of auditions. Students will learn how to ground themselves, and present their best work in the audition and self-test space. Students work on material from a variety of different genres in these classes.

Alexander technique

In ongoing classes, students undertake Alexander Technique training that will allow them to recognize patterns of tension in their work, explore the correct usage of the body, active relaxation and finding balance between the mind and body in performance.

Improvisation

Improvisation has taken Hollywood by storm over the last two decades, with some of the most highly respected and award-winning actors starting life as improvisers. This course unit helps actors learn how to apply improvisation to acting, and give their work an innovative and creative edge. Actors learn how improvisation can enhance scene work, rehearsal and performance, and use improvisation to create devised theatre and comedy.

Australian Shakespeare Company

Students will undertake this module with our industry partner the Australian Shakespeare Company and learn fundamental approaches to Shakespeare in performance. This work is based largely on the teachings of Cicely Berry (pioneering British theatre director and vocal coach) and focuses on text and language.

Monologues & Technique

This class gives students the opportunity to hone their craft by applying Howard’s teaching on script analysis and role preparation to monologues. Students will learn how to personalise and use their authentic selves while working moment-to-moment on their material. Upon completion of this unit students have two monologues that they can use for future auditions.

Voice Over Technique & Reel Creation

Taught by Voice Over aficionado Abbe Holmes, students will learn the skills and techniques required to work in the voiceover and audiobook narration industries. Working with a variety of script styles and text for spoken word, Abbe will help students understand where they may fit within the voiceover industry. Sessions in a sound recording studio will provide professional experience and insight into working collaboratively. By the end of this module students will have professionally recorded voice samples to add to their collateral.

Finding the Character’s Voice

David Coury is the vocal director at the Howard Fine Acting Studio LA, where he specialises in teaching his self-devised programs designed to empower actors through speech and voice work. Finding the Character’s Voice is a course unit especially designed with the Full Time Program in mind.

Speech & Singing For Actors

Developed by David Coury, the Speech and Singing for Actors program responds to the needs of actors to have a strong and powerful connection to their unique emotional sources and uses vocal exercises to develop the actor’s ability to connect to text in performance. Students will explore the application of emotional experiences when approaching their work and discover ways to safely use the entire range of their emotional sources in performance.

Voice

To fully serve the actors' process and to provide the best training possible, the Howard Fine Acting Studio believes strongly in ongoing voice training. As part of the Full Time course, students can anticipate rigorous and regular voice training.

Performers Connect

The Howard Fine Acting Studio has partnered with Performers Connect to ensure our graduates get the best opportunity to be professionally represented in the Australian Industry. Performers Connect actively pitch graduates to agencies and seek to secure graduates professional representation. This module is firmly focussed on life after graduation and ensuring all students get the best possible start in the industry.

Branding

Led by a representative of one of Australia’s top-ten, leading theatrical agencies, Branding introduces students to concepts that help them position themselves within the industry, how to market who they are and gain industry exposure.

Lectures

The Full Time course features several lectures which focus on specific elements of technique. Hosted online from Los Angeles by Howard Fine, Marilyn McIntyre and David Coury, and from Melbourne by Philip Hayden. The lectures may include: Script Analysis, Your Voice & Impulse, Emotional Courage, Auditions & Industry, The Imagined Truth (Personalisation, Substantiation & Transference), Monologues and Playing Physical Conditions.