Thoughts - from actors.

I'd just like some constructive feedback on a Screen Acting/Auditioning for screen Workshop that I'm organising... If you were to attend a workshop, what would you expect to get out of it? Please don't bombard this post with "Do we have to pay?"..."It doesn't say so"..."This is a Theatre Website!>:(" It's $50. The workshop will be an authentic audition process with a twist; You will be paired up, short chat to camera, filmed reading, audition played back, notes given on overall impression, then another go at reading...watch again. Thoughts please...or any feedback on crap "Screen Workshops" you've attended. In three years at Drama School, we had ONE hour of TV training... 75% of my auditions have been in front of a camera. This is why I'm doing this. Best Wishes, Rebecca Jo

Good idea. Much training is done assuming you will act the same as on stage as you do on camera. realistically some tweaking needs to take place. 50 bucks is probably a fair amount depending on time etc. Overall I think it's a good idea for actors to do this type of thing. It's not a Wolf, It's an Alaskan Malamute.

http://www.screenauditionintensive.com/

Disappointed with lack of feedback.

The information provided does not indicate where the intensives are held and for what length of time.

Rebecca is in Melbourne, from memory. www.meltheco.org.au

Hi Rebecca, Thought I'd boost your feedback stocks! For me personally, if I was looking to part with cash in order to attend a class and improve my skills I would be seeking info on who is running or 'teaching' the class and their credentials or industry experience. I would also be interested to establish whether the session was intended to be more of an informal, collaborative group workshop session or if their was a more formal instructional element from a teacher. I can imagine that, should you run these sessions, you will inevitably be bombarded by young actors who may assume that you are offering a course or qualification in screen acting that will get them trained up and ready for the industry. You may need to be clear and upfront with folks about exactly what it is you are offering so you keep the campers happy. Well, they're my thoughts. Tulipa

It sounds like this sort of arrangement is halfway between a 'class' and a 'workshop' - I think personally I'd prefer either something quite casual, like an hour-long class or series of classes, for a little less money (say $20) or an all-day workshop for a little more money (say $100-$150). From what you've explained, it sounds like this would suit an all-day format - perhaps a morning session where each person did their screentest with the rest of the group watching, and feedback could be informal with some discussion, and then in the afternoon setting up a more formal audition situation where participants could go into the room separately and film their screentest, and then the group could watch the screentests and discuss improvements. I think something like this could fill a gap in the screen workshop training that is available - mostly it's either long courses or expensive two day workshops. Personally I'd really like to attend something friendly, that gives you a chance to focus purely on screentesting skills rather than getting caught up in screen acting basics that are not necessarily helpful for auditions (hitting your mark etc), acting methods and industry talk. I'd appreciate something that is actually AUDITION practice. It's easy to practice theatre auditions in front of people but getting a camera and practicing a screentest is not so easy. It's also great if you've had some experience of what actually happens with screen auditions in your city - you can give some insight to others from an actor's perspective. Hope that helps. Good on you for being proactive.