1. art and entertainment
2. movies and tv
3. television

YOU CAN BECOME A WORKING ACTOR IN 20 WEEKS
You can become a working actor
in just 20 weeks.
This is no idle boast.
TAFTA’s unique 20 week screen actor training programme cuts through
all the ...
...tree hugging, let’s be an animal, seeing through colour, less is more,
super-objective, substitutive, fourth wall, neuro-linguistic, hide-and-seeking,
self indulgent - Psycho Babble !!!
Let’s cut to the chase.
TAFTA MAKES IT SIMPLE AND
REAL AND HONEST.
You don’t have to suffer to be great. You don’t have to worry about any
psychosis or complete re-invention of the self or any discovery or
re-awakening of painful and deep-seated traumas in your life.
ACTING IS FUN. ACTING IS SIMPLE. BUT...IT ISN’T EASY.
BUT IT’S NOT A COMPLEX, CULT DRIVEN MORASS OF PSEUDO
PSYCHO NONSENSE EITHER .
NO OTHER PROGRAM IN AUSTRALIA CAN GUARANTEE YOU:
1. FREE 12 Months TAFTA Membership which provides you with substantial discounts on all
TAFTA post grad courses or workshops.
See ‘TAFTA Membership’ on Page 6 for more information of TAFTA memberships.
2. Be the first to know about TAFTA’s workshops – TAFTA MEMBERS will be notified 48 hours
before general release.
4. Career Planning in Australia and the US.
5. Free Industry Seminars.
THIS IS WHAT WE DO
EMOTIONS
Understanding screen acting and implementing the skills required such as :
Understanding the various emotions and through what
stimulates them, find the keys to their expression. This is a
new method and not based on tired, re-hashed and
re-worded Stanislavskian methodology. You will feel confident
that you can express any emotion at any time for however
long it’s necessary.
BASIC ELEMENTS OF SCREEN PERFORMANCE
Provides a clear understanding of screen acting requirements such as….
The Initial approach, physicalisation, the camera and its perspectives, style,
terminology, simple do’s and don’ts, the modern approach, the thought
process, performance through the visual, basic analysis of text, the
practical and simple application of analysis, the four basic skills, working for
and within the frame, dispelling the myth of character , Listening & Sensing,
Precision within the frame, Letting the camera do the work, The monologue
on screen, The screentest, Emotional release and response, Space,
Cheating Eye lines.
Nobody else in Australia teaches this. It is unique to TAFTA.
VOICE
The screen requires an even greater vocal range and more
subtle technique than the stage. Tone, resonance, strength
and range are as necessary on screen as they are on the
stage.
Pia Grace Moon (Series Regular Winners and Losers)
“I was fortunate enough to take part in TAFTA’s first 20 week course in Melbourne and it was the catalyst in
a chain reaction of successes at the beginning of my acting career. Before my twenty weeks was up, I had
landed a bit part on NEIGHBOURS and a guest role on Seven’s WINNERS AND LOSERS-which became
a semi-regular part when the show began its second series. Not only did TAFTA provide a safe, creative
learning environment for us to develop and experiment as artists but the one-on-one support and backing
received-I have not found anywhere else. I worked with a wide variety of well-known, respected and
experienced teachers that I may not have had an opportunity to meet, let alone learn from, if I hadn’t taken
full advantage of this great opportunity!
From stunt work to mime, from business to film and tv , we even refined and improved our American
accents.
It was a privilege to spend time in the company of respected actors, directors and coaches who willingly
gave their time and shared their knowledge and experiences...priceless! ... I made lifelong friends and
valuable business contacts, learnt more than I can cram into a notebook (-three notebooks, actually) and
had a ridiculous amount of fun doing it. During the twenty weeks, I overcame personal obstacles through
different techniques which encouraged my confidence to build-and helped me grow as both an actor and a
person. What else can I say? Pre-course: struggling through auditions. Post-course: working on a
professional level. Viva la TAFTA!!!”
Jorja Linday
“The 20 week intensive course is, THE TOTAL PACKAGE. The elements from this course is a must for all
serious actors to add to their tool kit. Informative, educational, skill building and fun! Learning from industry
professionals and working with great teachers has allowed me to grow into a confident knowledgeable actor.
Thanks John “
CHARACTER
TV SERIAL
Understand and be able to create a character for
the screen based on your particular and individual
personality. Learn about archetypes, behaviours,
physical traits and social status, body language,
character image, energy centre, the fine details,
avoiding or enhancing stereotypes, Nationalities
and several accents including standard or general
American. You can’t just learn an accent without
encompassing some social and national
characteristics in a general sense as well as being
character specific.
Learn the techniques required to deliver a
successful television serial performance which
differs greatly from the Cinema performance or the
Episodic TV performance. Here we deal with
contrivance, induced energy, character behaviour
in a single episode vs Character behaviour over the
“six week arc”, overwritten dialogue and
inconsistencies and emotional immediacy.
IMPROV
CLASSICS
Improvisation is a must and major skill in the
modern film actor’s arsenal. Few movies are made
without many, if not most, of the major scenes
improvised by the cast and director. You will learn
the skills and techniques required and applied
specifically to screen performance.
Implementation of the voice and vocal techniques,
exploring the possibilities of expression through the
imaginative and poetical use of voice and word.
Expressing emotions through voice and word.
This will make you the “complete” actor.
“...It’s a great resource to find new and upcoming Actors...”
Dave Newman
Casting Director
SCREENTESTING FOR CASTING DIRECTORS/ DIRECTORS
The Screen Test is a “job interview” and
like any job interview the impact you make
determines the final outcome. This module is
about MAKING THAT IMPACT which makes
YOU the choice for the job and not the other
half dozen that have been called in to the
screentest. This module is about the choices
and alternatives that might exist in any
screentest scene. This is about getting the
job! The Choice you make impacts on every
single moment of the scene.
Over the course you will get the opportunity
to perform in front of Casting Directors and
Directors who are currently working in the
field. These are the elements that make up
the National Actors Intensive which is offered
as a part of the program.
See page 6, National Actors Intensive for
more information.
MENTORING
All students will be mentored about their
career and will be taught the “Business of
Acting” in separate sessions in addition to
and not part of the 18 hour contact week.
Meetings and lectures with industry
professionals will also be added to the
existing class and “Business of Acting” hours.
THE SHOWREEL
No actor can be without a showreel and in
this module we will rehearse and shoot a
vital and indispensable element for a
working actor. The showreel is the “calling
card”, an actors introduction of themselves to
the casting world.
ACTING IN COMMERCIALS
Requires a specialized technique. A
different approach from the screentest to the
shoot. You will learn about acting styles in
commercial copy, The Presenter, Character,
MOS, Commercial forms and structure, The
film style, the sit-com style, CSA’s, Product
Identification vs hard sell, visual
communication in 15secs or less, tell or sell who does what ? The chat to camera etc.
“Over the past few years I have done various part
time courses at TAFTA and really wasn’t sure what I could
gain from a 20 Week Program, wow that has changed! This
course has made my goal of being an actor so much clearer,
the work, dedication and the love of it – I have learnt so much
over the 20 weeks. I really needed a course to focus me and
my acting and through this, I found it and became part of a
greater TAFTA family”.
Christine Lancaster (2011 20 Week Program Student)
National Actors
Intensive
TAFTA Membership
AN EXHAUSTING, BUT INCREDIBLY REWARDING WEEK
•
In five days and one evening (58 hours) this intensive course
will give you what no other course in Australia can do. The
National Actors Intensive comprises of 13 four hour sessions.
Each session with a different working industry professional.
You will spend time with some of Australia’s most respected
Film & TV Producers and Directors.
You will also spend time with some of Australia’s best known
and respected Casting Directors who are currently casting
many projects. You will have the opportunity to perform for all
of them and receive an instant evaluation of your work.
A piece and or scene will have to be learnt for each Producer,
Director and Casting Director.
ARE YOU UP TO IT???
From the day you commence your 20 week program, you will become a
TAFTA member for free for the first year. Your membership will include:
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20% off all general TAFTA courses
(excludes certain workshops, 20 Wk Program, 30 Wk International
Program and LA Experience as discounts already apply)
Inclusion in the TAFTA freelancer directory
Your own complete website and domain name
Casting notices
A ‘TAFTA Student’ card with discounts for industry related services
TAFTA Tip Sheets
TAFTA’s handpicked reading guide
Access to resource lists
Affiliation with film schools
Free TAFTA Member only seminars – PLUS bring a friend
along for free as well!
** After the first 12 months have been completed, students will have the
option to continue their Tafta Membership at the set rate.
“The TAFTA 20 week course is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, both personally and for my career as an
actress. Early into the course, I developed a strong foundation of skills and technique, which freed my mind and
gave me the confidence to trust my own choices in a scene.
The course takes you through the real expectations of a working actor and brings familiarity to the small things
you just won’t be taught on-set. I loved the challenge that came with being mentored by working professionals,
the bar was set high and we all pushed ourselves and grew as individuals and actors. Now, auditions are fun, the
thought of being on-set is no longer daunting as I know I’ve run countless scenes with blocking, marks, multiple
cameras, a sick scene partner, tired and hungry boom-operators, sound (and human) interference and ...
well, what ever may come... I know I can do it! Thanks to John and the incredible team at TAFTA.”
Teressa Liane (2010/2011 20 Week Program)
“...Over the past six years, I have been making quarterly assessments of the students at TAFTA and have
been more than impressed with the talent I have found in John’s program. The methodology with which
the students have been trained has shown a marked improvement not only in their basic skills, but more
importantly, in their confidence and ease in performance. The training that John provides has given these
actors the skills they need to secure roles in motion pictures and television projects...”
Tom McSweeney CSA
Casting Director
20 WEEK PROGRAM REGISTRATION FORM
Please use black or blue pen only; print details clearly and indicate with an x when marking boxes.
I want to audition in:
MELBOURNE
SYDNEY
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SIMPLE
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