Acting Course for Beginners

I offer a short course in four easy lessons for people who are starting out in filmed advertising. The format is an online workshop on Google Meet. I’ll be on camera, but don’t worry, you can keep your camera off unless you want to contribute knowledge or ask a question: there will be a question and answer session for 15 minutes after each hour long class.

There are plans to spin off a class recording as a podcast, but for now the classes will only be available as a live sessions.

In the Google Meets meetings, I deliver the information as a slide show, and through story, but there is method behind the madness: it’s linked to a memory technique used by memory champs. I want you to retain the massive amount of information I’ll be sharing. I could easily spend half an hour on each of the 5 points covered in the first class, but our aim is to get you up to speed fast so we can get you working and earning.

The activities I use to help you to stay in the zone can be safely done at your desk or in a room, but you will be streching and jumping, touching your toes, so make sure you have enough space to stick out both arms while standing without knocking anything over or injuring yourself.

Your payment confirms your booking, but if you need to cancel at any time before the first session, I’ll arrange a full refund for you. After the first session, we can schedule catch-up classes.

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Here is a little more detail on what we’ll cover. Please note that there will be some homework, and I’ll be sending a recap of each lesson and more information to you during the run of the course, so I will need your email address. You can opt out of the emails if you like.

Session 1:

Getting ready for castings, the essential prep you need to do every time, and advice on how to deal with the nerves. We’ll also talk about identifying the types of characters you can play, and the types of emotions that are requested most often: don’t be surprised if they ask you to act surpised!

I follow a story-telling format which is suitable for adults and kids from the ages of 8 and up, and you’ll be entertained while we educate you, and upgrade your brain.

There will be a lot to remember, but that is one of the skills you’ll be learning: a memory technique used by memory champs. I do it this way because actors often have to remember lots of facts in order, to present them on camera.

Session 2:

Starts with a short recap of what was gained in Session 1, reinforcing the information and building on it. This time we deal with what your talent agent/acting agent does for you, and why they need your support. Then we’ll talk about the money, where it comes from and how to make the most of what you get. I know, for many people numbers aren’t fun, until it’s money coming in.

During the activity breaks we’ll also do some audition practise and talk about what to expect at a casting and how to behave. This is important. You do want to be invited back for more castings!

I’ll continue the story, and well also start playing with another memory technique to learn your lines: when the exact words and the word order are important, technical or unfamiliar.

Session 3:

We’ll put everything we learned so far together and learn what to expect at castings and how to behave, as well has how to do self-taped auditions. It’s a skill that is really worth learning, and you can set yourself up for success with very little money spent – as long as you have a cell phone, a blank wall and enough light, you can do self-tapes. Learning exactly what the casting director needs to present to the advertisers will put you ahead of the pack for booking paid acting jobs!

Now that you know your “type” we can find and prepare some material for session 4. I’ll help you generate a practise audition on ChatGPT that you can prepare for the next session.

Session 4:

We’ll start by chatting about how to present and how to market yourself as an actor on the internet and social media to make sure advertisers will be happy to work with you. I’ll share what you need in terms of professional photos for your portfolio/z-card, and a checklist to help you make the most of a professional photoshoot so you can win at that too. I’ll even teach you how to pose and what not to do.

You’ll be given a chance to turn your camera on, or share a self-tape you prepared for the last class in the series and I’ll help you go through all the paperwork and the process of applying to be a model/actor at our favourite agency, DJ’s models.

The folks at DJ’s Models won’t charge an admin fee for setting up your file/profile online when you join after my course, because we’ll be confident that you can and will book acting work soon. It’s an excellent way to show them that you’re committed to doing everything you can to make a success of this opportunity.

Please contact me if you have questions or suggestions,
and let me know when you have time to do the classes!

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If you complete my Actor’s Launch Pad Course, you can sign up at DJ’s Models and I’ll even throw in a professional headshot shoot at the special rate of R540.00! That’s a massive saving.

For more details on my photography service click on the Real Happy Pictures logo: