An Introduction To Acting Mechanics

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Edith Little
8 years ago
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1 An Introduction To Acting Mechanics

2 Acting Mechanics - Course Breakdown Acting Mechanics is a monthly acting workshop designed to introduce new actors to the business of acting and the challenges of the acting industry. Each workshop is 2 hours long and focuses on one key area. Each workshop is tailored specifically to the needs and wants of the students taking part. Acting Mechanics - For Schools & Colleges Acting Mechanics workshops for schools and colleges are designed to cover a broad spectrum of topics from the acting industry, stripped across one full academic year. The workshops provide students with the relevant knowledge and skills to tackle the acting industry upon leaving school or college. Whether this means obtaining a place at drama school or seeking representation from an agent, completion of our 9 Acting Mechanics modules will ensure that each student is fully prepared for their own individual journey into the acting industry.

3 Acting Mechanics - Modules Month 1 - Introduction To The Industry Our first Acting Mechanics workshop is designed to gauge students current expectations and wants from the acting industry. This involves each student contributing to a group discussion. Students can share their ambitions within the acting industry, their current experience, and their wants from the Acting Mechanics curriculum. By getting to know our students on a personal level, we can tailor each forthcoming module accordingly. Students will also take part in a Q&A with Rachel, taking away valuable nuggets of info from her vast on-screen experience. Month 2 - An Introduction To Agents Special Guest - Amanda Andrews (Acting Agent) Acting agents are the key to obtaining work in the acting industry, but obtaining representation is a mammoth task in itself. In this module Rachel will discuss her journey to obtaining an agent and the various ways to approach an agent for representation. Topics covered include CV creation, headshots and covering letters. Top acting agent Amanda Andrews will then give students invaluable advice on what an agent looks for in a client, the do s and don ts of approaching agents, as well as the many pitfalls actors find themselves in when searching for an agent that is right for them.

4 Month 3 - In-depth Look At Headshots Special Guest - Chris Stone (Filmmaker/ Professional Photographer) It s one of the most valuable tools you have at your disposal as an actor, and yet SO many actors cut corners when it comes to headshots. A quality headshot could be the difference between an actor being invited to audition and having their CV filed under B for Bin! In this Acting Mechanics module, we look at the various ingredients that make a good headshot a GREAT headshot! Top headshot photographer Chris Stone will be on hand to show realworld examples of good/ bad headshots and will be offering students an unmissable deal on their first headshot package. Month 4 - Showreels Special Guest - Chris Stone (Filmmaker/ Professional Photographer) If you want to work in TV as an actor, a showreel is an absolute must! But how do you create a showreel if you haven t yet had any on-screen experience? In this Acting Mechanics module we look at various ways actors can utilise accessible technology and the internet to create and distribute a high quality showreel which won t cost the earth! Filmmaker Chris Stone will showcase examples of actors showreels, showing the various approaches an actor can make when showcasing their work.

5 Month 5 - Spotlight & Equity Spotlight was founded in 1927 and is the UK's leading casting database with unrivalled knowledge and contacts at the heart of the industry. Today, over 40,000 performers appear in Spotlight, including actors and actresses, child artists, presenters, dancers and stunt artists. It's the best way to market yourself as a performer for professional film, television, stage and commercial work. In this Acting Mechanics module we look at the criteria needed for an actor to register with Spotlight as well as how to use the service to maximise chances of gaining auditions and ultimately employment. Equity is the UK trade union for professional performers and creative practitioners. As a leading industry organisation, Equity is known and respected nationally and internationally for the work they do with, and on behalf of, our their members working across all areas of the entertainment industry. Although it s no longer compulsory for an actor to hold an Equity card in order to work, the benefits of having membership are plentiful and well worth the membership fee. We look at what these benefits are as well as how to join this powerful union. Month 6 - Networking Special Guest - Ross Grant (Actor/ Owner of Act On This - The TV Actors Network) Ever heard the expression It s not WHAT you know, but WHO you know? - this couldn t be more relevant than in the acting industry! Networking is absolutely VITAL for an actor to succeed in the industry and the sooner students can start making connections the better.

6 This Acting Mechanics module is led by actor and owner of Act On This - The TV Actors Network, Ross Grant. Ross launched Act On This in 2012 to make online, professional networking available for actors all over the UK. Today the site has over 1,000 active members and is a vital hub of acting industry info, podcasts, articles, interviews and career tools. Ross will talk students through the various features of Act On This as well as introducing them to real-world, face to face networking events. Month 7 - Self-Marketing & Promotion As an actor, you need to be able to sell yourself - after all, YOU are the product that you are asking people to buy into! In the digital age, actors have multiple FREE promotional tools at their disposal and need to be utilsing all of them in order to succeed. In this Acting Mechanics module Rachel helps students to identify their USP (Unique Selling point), before looking at multiple social media platforms for students to utilise for self-promotion. Platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. With over 105,000 followers on Twitter, you can be assured that Rachel is a true social media expert! Month 8 - Drama School With more and more students opting to gain formal qualifications within acting, along with rising tuition costs, choosing the right drama school is essential! Drama school courses cover everything from theatre to radio, TV production to musical theatre - but which course is right for you?

7 In this Acting Mechanics module we look at the various routes for students into drama school. This includes choosing a course that is right in each circumstance, as well as looking at various course bursaries that students can apply for in order to keep costs down and courses more accessible. Month 9 - Auditioning For Drama School Okay, so you know which drama school course/ courses you wish to apply for, you ve been offered an audition, but you have NO idea which audition pieces are going to make an impact and ultimately gain you a place on the course of your dreams. In this Acting Mechanics we look at the pitfalls that SO many students fall into when it comes to drama school auditions. We look at what makes a great audition piece, the audition pieces that audition panels are sick and tired of seeing, as well as how to choose pieces that play to each individual student s strengths! Acting Mechanics - Extras Acting Mechanics also offers the flexibility to add extra modules depending on each school s/ college s needs - subject to availability. If you would like us to extend the length of modules to cover topics in greater depth, or cover other areas of the acting industry, this can be discussed on an individual basis.

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