Certificate Acting

Overview of our 1-Year Acting Conservatory Program

The One-Year Acting Conservatory runs on an eight-month calendar, divided into two sixteen-week semesters. Each of the sixteen-week semesters requires intensive time demands and a complete commitment on the part of the student.

A standard week of study involves additional time in the evenings and on weekends for classes, rehearsals, and shoots.

WHAT MAKES OUR ACTING PROGRAMS UNIQUE?

PRACTICAL HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
The best way to learn how to act in films is to actually act in films. Our students begin acting in front of the camera from the first week of the program. Every week, students get the opportunity to practice the techniques and skills they have gained in class with exercises that are shot and reviewed.

PROFESSIONAL FACULTY
Our instructors are working veterans of Hollywood and independent film, Broadway and Off-Broadway.

FILM PRODUCTIONS
Many of our programs feature the production of short films or scenes that are created by and star our acting students. These are shot and edited together and may be used for students' own reels.

FILMMAKING RESOURCES
Our Acting for Film and Filmmaking programs work hand-in-hand, providing all of our students with resources such as film equipment, live film shoots, and a network of filmmakers, screenwriters, producers, and editors that is developed before entering the real world.

REEL MATERIALS
We provide all of our students with shot and edited materials that are suitable to put on an actor's reel.

SEMESTER OVERVIEWS
Please note that the learning and performance goals are subject to change and vary by location. Below is only an example of one of the campus’ semester overviews. You can view specifics for the campus you’re interested in attending through the corresponding campus Course Catalog:

• New York Catalog
• Los Angeles Catalog
• South Beach Catalog

SEMESTER ONE OVERVIEW

First term courses build towards a fully realized role in a public solo live performance. Students are armed with techniques they will need to create believable performances for the camera, in the second term and beyond.

LEARNING GOALS:

• Understand the fundamental principles of acting for film.
• Grounding in classical scene study and acting techniques.
• Fundamentals of script and text analysis.
• Survey and examination of film studies from a film actor’s perspective.
• Exposure and practice in a variety of variety of vocal and movement techniques.

PRODUCTION GOALS:

• Perform in a live monologue presentation.
• Shoot in-class on camera scenes for critique.
• Participate in a Film Craft shoot.

SEMESTER TWO OVERVIEW

In the second semester, the core classes continue as the students' focus intensifies on applying the techniques they have learned to more elaborate scene work, on-camera exercises, and film shoots—all designed to develop and hone their screen-acting ability. All students perform in film or video shoots, oftentimes, original work that was created and developed by the students in collaboration with their instructors. In addition, a variety of classes are given to broaden students' knowledge of acting techniques, the film business, and the many different aspects of filmmaking that impact the actor's ability to perform on set.

The second semester culminates in multiple public presentations of student work and one honors presentation. These may include a live Improvisation performance, a Meisner technique open demonstration, a Scene Study showcase performance, and/or a screening of student film productions.

LEARNING GOALS:

• Intermediate training in acting principles.
• Grounding in intermediate scene study and acting for film.
• Intermediate training in Vocal, Movement and Improvisation work or additional training in acting for television and combat techniques

PRODUCTION GOALS:

• Perform in a short film.
• Perform in a taped Improvisation presentation.
• Perform in a taped, year-end, scene study presentation.