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The SFSDF Film Acting Program continues to be one of the most respected and popular acting programs in the Bay Area.
As the only film acting program operating from within a true film school environment, it is in the unique position of being able to combine decades of filmmaking knowledge with decades of film acting experience. This synthesis provides our acting students a greater range of opportunities in higher quality projects and a richer overall experience.
Film acting students have the opportunity to be cast in any number of the over 250 films made by SFSDF filmmaking students. Through group auditions, one-on-one consultations and referral, film acting students will find themselves working on a large variety of challenging films and commercials.
SFSDF is an integral part of the greater Bay Area filmmaking community and you will make critical friends and connections outside the school while you quickly earn your way onto important film and/or commercial projects.
Additionally, through our sister company, Fog City Pictures, SFSDF acting students are given priority casting opportunities for roles in feature films.
Fog City Pictures has produced four full-length feature films to date including:
- AROUND JUNE
- MOONLIGHT SONATA
- TWO MOTHERS
Already with distribution deals in the works, these films have included well-known actors as:
- Jon Gries
- John Heard
- Dendrie Taylor
- Samaire Armstrong
- Brad William Henke
- Faran Tahir
- Warren Keith
Led by some of the finest Bay Area acting instructors, the film acting program as SFSDF ranges from beginner to advanced and is designed to be both comfortable and challenging.
Study film acting where movies are made.
CLASS SCHEDULES - LATE SUMMER 2010
Ask about our new 25 – 50% discounts!
Comedic Acting For Film & TV
Join this 4-week intensive class and laugh while you learn the fundamentals of satire, sitcom, slapstick, parody and character-based comedy. Understand the structure and necessary techniques for successful comedic acting. This is a scene-study class rooted in both film and television.
July 12 - August 2
Mondays, 7-10pm
Taught by Gary Grossman
Tuition - $180
Business of Acting
This course will teach actors the basics of how to find work in the film & TV industry. Explore the difference between doing the audition and "doing the job." Understand what it takes to create an acting career - from photos to negotiations. We will spend particular time highlighting new technologies and evolving protocols in the business.
July 12 - August 2
Mondays, 7-10pm
Taught by Jeffrey Weissman
Tuition - $180
Film & Commercial Audition: Quick character choices & script breakdown
Learning how to audition well is an essential skill for any actor. In this intensive 4-week workshop, students learn how to perform a successful cold reading, make quick character choices, and do script analysis in minutes. These and other powerful techniques will show producers, directors and casting directors your best qualities and help you start landing the roles you want.
July 14 - August 4
Wednesday evenings, 7-10pm
Taught by Darcy Marta
Tuition - $180
Writer-Director-Actor Workout
Covering the three primary filmmaking disciplines, the WDA Workout encourages teamwork, networking, and the creative process. Each week we shoot scenes from scripts in development from participating writers. Working with these texts, students integrate the concepts and techniques of improvisation, action choices, beats, and scene arcs. Directors and writers also have the opportunity to act on camera, and all class-work is videotaped.
Actors (intermediate to advanced level) work with film directors and writers in rehearsals and then on camera.
Directors (all levels) focus on the essential skills of the collaborative filmmaking process. Particular attention is paid to understanding the language and tools actors use to create powerful performances.
Writers (all levels) bring existing scripts and/or those in development to rehearse and shoot. Writers have the opportunity to listen for resonance of truth, story arc, character development, clear beats, transitions and logic.
July 13 - August 3
Tuesday evenings, 7-10pm
Taught by Jeffrey Weissman
Tuition - $180
Mixed-Level Acting Workshop
This intermediate & advanced level scene-study class focuses on strengthening core acting skills and techniques. In particular, students will perform exercises in creating and connecting authenticity to behavior and how to maintain this for multiple takes on a film set.
July 15 - August 5
Thursday evenings, 7-10 PM
Taught by Jeffrey Weissman
Tuition - $180
Film Acting I: Preparing Actors for On-Camera Work
This 4-week class introduces students to the fundamentals of film acting. Students will gain an understanding of the film acting process, including basic exercises and techniques, specific challenges, and the unique vocabulary of the film set. Students learn how to prepare the body and voice for performance, and begin to develop the technical skills necessary to become a professional film actor.
July 10 - July 31
Saturdays, 2-5pm
Taught by Gary Grossman (7/10+24) and Darcy Marta (7/17+31)
Tuition - $180
Advanced Techniques: Physical and Behavioral Focus for the Actor
Designed for advanced acting students looking to bring their craft to the next level, students will learn to strengthen their character work with physical impulses and tempo. Actors explore the principles of self-direction and movement through exercises taken from the great physical movement based acting techniques.
July 10 - July 31
Saturdays, 10am-1pm
Taught by Gary Grossman
Tuition - $180
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: How do I know which class to take?
A: These are technique-based classes aimed at enhancing individual performance. They are designed to build one upon the other. For example, the techniques learned in "Film Acting II" are based on techniques taught in the "Film Acting I" Class.
We do make exceptions from time to time for various reasons, but it is recommended that students with little or no training in acting start with "Film Acting I".
Q: If I have taken acting classes at other places, does that mean I would still need to start with "Film Acting I"?
A: No, you can start at any level, based on your prior training and experience. Such decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, and in consultation with our instructors.
Q: Are these professional-level classes?
A: Yes. Seasoned professionals initiated this program as a means to offer a no-nonsense, practical and very hands-on training ground for acting students. It is our aim to train working professionals.
Q: Is there any financial aid?
A: Not at this time. However, we can offer payment plans to those who are truly dedicated to study with us but cannot afford to pay the full tuition upfront.
Q: What is unique about these classes?
A: In addition to being taught by some of the most respected acting teachers in the Bay Area, we provide casting opportunities in feature-length films for theatrical release directed by our Faculty (1 per year), as well as in student films (over 200 per year) produced at SFSDF.
We also get numerous requests for well-trained actors from independent filmmakers from outside the school, and our Acting Students are cast in their feature-length films and highly paid commercials, on a regular basis.
Q: How do I audition for and get cast in the student films?
A: We have regular auditions, five times a year, and all our qualified acting students (generally at or beyond “Film Acting I” level) are automatically invited to the auditions. We also keep a separate file with headshots and resumes of all our acting students at the SFSDF. By agreement, the filmmaking students studying under the same roof always give casting priority to our Acting Students. The filmmaking students also post their audition notices at SFSDF where acting students have direct access.
Q: How do I audition for and get cast in feature-length films for theatrical release?
A: SFSDF and our sister production-company Fog City Pictures produce a feature film every year and our acting students get first consideration. And the directors and the producers of these films are almost always faculty members at SFSDF. This kind of physical proximity naturally leads to a professional familiarity between the filmmakers and the acting student, resulting in ongoing artistic collaborations.
Q: How do I develop a professional-quality Demo Reel as part of my portfolio?
A: By being cast in various films (short- and feature-films) and commercials at SFSDF or elsewhere, as discussed above.
The Faculty will help our acting students edit their film-scenes into a high quality Demo Reel (on DVD), using the state-of-the-art editing labs at SFSDF.
Q: How do I participate in the ‘Industry Showcase’ Class where I can meet and possibly signed by the Talent Agents in attendance?
A: Participation in this special class is by invitation only. The director of the Film Acting Program selects and invites 12 students per class from the ongoing advanced-level Film Acting Classes at our school.
WHO SHOULD TAKE THESE CLASSES:
These classes are designed for Actors of all levels, beginner to advanced, who wish to:
- Start with the basics
- Develop and hone their art and craft
- Make the adjustment from stage to screen
- Improve their audition skills
- Become more self-sufficient on the film-set,
- Take advantage of the exceptional Casting Opportunities at SFSDF,
- Develop a professional Demo Reel,
- Network and make connections with Film Directors, Producers, Writers and Casting
- Directors, as well as other Actors,
- Compete in the film industry as truly professional Actors.
Have a second?
Read a recent article praising our film acting program, or read a few reviews on Yelp.com
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