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8 Reasons Why You Need to Complete a Showreel Course

January 24, 2020 by searchacademy

If you are earnestly looking to become a professional actor or planning to get agent representation, you need to have a ready-made acting showreel first. Nowadays, agents and casting directors use showreels extensively to shortlist actors for auditions or roles. Professional headshots and a comprehensive CVs no longer cut it. These need to be accompanied by a quality showreel that effectively showcases your acting abilities.

But how do you go about creating an impressive showreel, especially when you are entering the industry or have absolutely no acting experience? Count yourself incredibly lucky because, unlike before, there are already film schools in Australia that offer courses on showreels, but none compare to Australia’s most comprehensive Showreel Course for actors.

To enlighten you about the benefits of enrolling in an acting showreel course, here are 8 compelling reasons why you need to enrol ASAP:

1. Get firsthand experience working with industry professionals

Schools that offer acting courses in Sydney, for example, only hire tutors with relevant industry experience. They would have professional film and television actors, directors, producers, scriptwriters, cinematographers, and the like in their faculty roster.

This means that what you’ll be learning is not just grounded in theory. More importantly, whatever lessons you will have will be based on the experiences of these individuals. Learning will be in-depth, and instruction would be exciting and insightful. Whether it’s experience working in the Australian film and TV industry, Hollywood, or elsewhere, you can be certain that you’ll be learning from professionals who have been in the thick of it.

2. Develop and polish communication skills in a professional setting

Photo by **Lisa Fotios** from **Pexels**

In a showreel course, you’ll be able to work on your voice, inflection, enunciation, accent, and the simultaneous application of voice and movement in terms of scene work, as well as other communication elements that impact dialogue or the delivery of lines. As you gain more knowledge and exposure, you also get to develop confidence in your speaking and acting abilities.

3. Gain experience filming on a professional shoot

Part of an acting showreel curriculum is being able to shoot scenes on a professional shoot. This means you’ll be working with a cameraman using an industry-standard camera, as well as lighting and sound technicians using top-of-the-line equipment.

This kind of exposure will prove invaluable once you start auditioning for actual roles as a professional actor. You’ll develop a familiarity with how a typical studio looks, so you’ll know exactly what to expect when you strike out on your own. You’ll no longer feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the presence of studio crew and equipment.

4. Hone your acting technique with professional input

You’ll be exposed to the fundamentals of screen acting, including improvisation. You’ll know the importance and application of proper blocking, and the basics of precise, impactful performance. You’ll know how to relate with other characters, interpret and examine character motivation, and work with green screens (CGI), etc. More importantly, you’ll get to practise doing the real thing, i.e. acting.

5. Learn to apply audition and screen test techniques

Photo by **Luis Quintero** from **Pexels**

Part of the culmination of a showreel course is the professional production of a showreel you can use in applying for auditions. This project will be professionally directed, produced, shot, and edited. You’ll also get the chance to work with an actual director, so you know how you are expected to behave during auditions and casting calls.

6. Have a ready-to-use professional, broadcast-quality acting showreel

If you are dying to audition for a role, you needn’t worry anymore. After finishing your showreel course, you will have your very own ready quality, professionally executed showreel to share with the world. Your showreel will work to get you a chance of auditioning for a role you are passionate about.

7. Develop confidence and learn the techniques of effective self-marketing

You’ll learn how to network without seeming desperate, as well as market yourself without turning people off. You’ll know how to manage your public social media profiles, so they complement your desired reputation as an actor. You can get advice on efficiently building and presenting your portfolio as well as your professional website.

8. Get an industry recognised certificate of completion

Being certified by a reputable academy offering both short and long-term, intensive acting courses in Sydney (or wherever you are located) counts for a lot in your CV. Why? It gives your prospective agents and casting directors a fair idea of the level and quality of training you received, and what they can reasonably expect from your performance.

Maximise your first ten seconds

Some industry insiders claim that even ten seconds into a showreel, an agent or casting director will already know what you’re capable of. It may not really seem like the most justified assessment in the world, but it does tell you how vital a well-executed showreel is.

A showreel course will not only prepare you for this but also provide you with professionals who will maximise these crucial moments with you. You won’t even have to worry about using an amateur showreel or spend money on paying for professional videography and editing services that you may not be completely confident in.

Be ready to share your talent

Enrolling in a showreel course is guaranteed to make a significant difference in your future as an actor. Aside from preparing you for the rigours of professional acting, and the intricacies of the industry, you’ll develop confidence and master the fundamentals of acting. You’ll have the chance to get to know and be instructed by industry professionals as well.

You’ll learn to appreciate the entire creative process and understand why you need to be able to successfully navigate the social side of the industry to effectively network and promote yourself as a serious, passionate actor.

If you’re interested in taking an in-depth acting showreel course or have questions about the curriculum, you can directly contact us at Screenwise.

Learn to Be the Best by Working with an Award-Winning Acting Coach

January 24, 2020 by searchacademy

Many people dream of becoming a famous actor or actress. And while there are a few who are able to break into the industry by being spotted on the street or discovered on social media, they are the exception and not the norm.

It’s right to say that to break into acting, you need talent. However, it is wrong to say that your talents cannot be fostered, improved, or honed. Basically, hard work and dedication beat innate talent, every time. This is where having an award-winning acting coach comes in and can make a real difference.

In this post, we talk about the benefits of learning from award-winning acting coaches so you can become the best you can be.

Qualities of a good acting coach

Well, apart from industry recognition and accolades, a good acting coach will have the following qualities:

Years of industry experience under their belt

Good acting coaches are established and well-known for their achievements through the years, whether as a movie or television actor, a theatre actor or a voice actor. There are some that may have had the great fortune of having done all these and succeeding, whilst there are also those who prefer to hone their craft in one particular medium over the others.

Successful former students

Another important quality you need to look for in a prospective acting coach would be information on the acting coach’s past clients. Successful acting coaches would have this information ready. In fact, they may even have it posted on their own websites as a way of lending credence to their reputation.

No coach would keep this a secret because those names will add to their own industry reputation, so don’t hesitate to ask. Also, find out how many of their students have successfully landed jobs. Again, this information is something a proud acting coach would want to share. If you can’t get in contact with the coach directly then talk with the school who employs the coach.

Excellent industry reputation

They say that a person’s reputation precedes them, and this certainly applies to acting coaches. Be sure to ask around about your target acting coach’s reputation, not just with regard to their students but also with industry professionals.

Whom have they worked with? What do directors, producers, writers and other industry insiders say about him or her? You can also ask about how a particular acting coach’s former students fared in the jobs they landed. Ask former students about their experiences with a particular coach, too.

How to choose an acting coach

Whether it be part of a class, course or private lessons, the aforementioned qualities of a good acting coach are a good basis for choosing a coach you want to learn from. However, even if it’s easy to say that all acting coaches have certain qualities and skills that can help you hone your own craft, it’s difficult to gauge this on the outset.

It helps if the coach you choose is an expert in the medium you want to be trained in. If you are intent on pursuing a career in film & TV, you can still learn from acting coaches who are involved in theatre or animation (voice projects). However, you’re bound to learn a lot more about the specific field of acting you are interested in by working with a film & TV aficionado and practitioner. Besides, having the best acting coach for your chosen acting medium would give you access to a network of people unique to that specific endeavour—and those are the connections you need.

Of course, the best way to find a future acting coach or mentor who will expertly guide you in the process of acting is to enrol in acting classes. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to meet different acting tutors whose expertise can contribute to your growth as an artist.

The benefits of working with an acting coach

Acting coaches do not teach the way university professors do. Instead, they will guide you through the process of acting itself. But to do this, coaches need to establish rapport and a level of comfort with their students first so that honest communication and feedback are possible. Acting coaches bring out the best of the actors in their class (or whom they are privately coaching) by helping them make better, honest performances.

This is easier said than done, of course. But the best acting coaches not only help actors hone their acting skills but also help them prepare for other aspects of their chosen career. This includes getting ready for auditions, certain roles or projects, and for their career development. Moreover, these acting experts can:

Skilfully bring specific nuances or shades and qualities out of a character
Illustrate how actors can analyse and dissect a character to skilfully take on its mannerisms and total persona, which will ultimately improve their performance
Help actors develop and master strategies to relax during interviews and auditions
Teach actors how they can best remember their lines and practise for their roles
Help actors develop the desired attitude and approach for taking direction and accepting feedback

Best of all, acting coaches can help aspiring actors thrive and succeed in their career.

Learn only from the best at Screenwise

At Screenwise, our goal is to help you develop and mature in your craft, and launch your career in the industry. This is why we have world-famous acting tutors at Screenwise including:

Three-time Laurence Olivier awardee Philip Quast of the stage musical Les Misérables and Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert
Renowned vocal expert Natasha McNamara, who has worked with the likes of Hugh Jackman
Award-winning director, writer and actor Ben Mathews
Improv theatre and television actor Daniel Cordeaux of the hit comedy “Thank God You’re Here”
Theatre heavyweight Anna Lee who is famous for “Calendar Girls,” “Private Lives” and “The Recruiting Officer”
Theatre and film actor Winston Cooper of “The Interviewer” (2012) and “Cybergirl” (2001-2002)

All of the above industry-recognised professionals teach in the Diploma of Screen Acting (10065NAT) programme at Screenwise. These tutors are all accomplished actors and industry experts who are ready to impart their knowledge and wisdom to their acting students.

So if you’re ready to learn from the best, find our more about our short screen acting courses, Showreel Course, Diploma of Screen Acting (10065NAT) or call the office on (02) 9281 4484.

How Screen Acting Classes Can Improve Your Body Language

January 22, 2020 by searchacademy

Nonverbal communication is an essential part of acting. We do it without thinking in our day to day lives, but when you’re playing a part, everything from your posture to the movement of your hands should be deliberate. The physical, non-verbal aspect of acting is commonly considered to be the hardest part to master, but screen acting classes are incredibly valuable to giving you the tools and guidance you need.

We communicate much more nonverbally than we do verbally. While this proves to be critical for actors who want to play a variety of roles in a believable manner, it is also very important in practical life also, such as during auditions and interviews. Here are just a few of the reasons why body language is something every new actor needs to take seriously.

Act Natural

Put simply, good actors don’t look like they’re acting. You’re meant to fully embody a role, not to just appear as yourself reading someone’s else’s lines. While acting naturally can be difficult for newer actors to learn, it’s necessary if you want a career with any sort of longevity.

Acting naturally covers a wide range of things, including the number of times you choose to blink in a scene, how you sit down in a chair, and just how you carry yourself in general. Are you moving around and interacting with objects the way someone would in real life? Or are you in your head and thinking about it too much? This all relates to body language. Body language not only helps communicate things nonverbally, but it also allows you to exist naturally in a space while in character.

Screen acting classes connect you with instructors who can point out to you when your body language isn’t quite right. From there, you can learn strategies and get all the tips and tricks you need so that you feel confident about tackling this challenge head-on.

Claiming Your Space

Similarly to acting natural, it’s important for an actor to create normal amounts of space between themselves and other actors and props, all the while looking completely natural. Learning about how much space you should have between yourself, other actors, and objects is valuable. Not only does it help you act naturally, but it also allows you to feel confident during auditions and other important meetings.

The Loudest Micro-Expressions

Micro-expressions may sound small, but they are far from insignificant. Invoking the minor, involuntary changes of one’s face when feeling a strong emotion in your work as an actor will set you aside from amateurs.

Among the universally understood micro-expressions are emotions like disgust, sadness, and contempt. Standing in front of a mirror is a great way of practising making these expressions, whether it be in a more subtle or dramatic fashion. A screen acting class can be helpful in this case, as it’s good to have somewhere you can learn about these tiny movements, work on incorporating them into your acting, and then receive feedback.

The people you audition for will be able to observe your personal micro-expressions, whether this is in your role as a character, or simply when being yourself walking into the room. That’s why you should find the right balance between polite and professional, without being disingenuous or desperate. Casting directors can detect those micro-expressions too.

Use Your Eyes

The eyes really are the window to the soul. How you use them can turn an okay audition into an unforgettable one. If you’re doing a reading of a script for an audition, the last thing you should do is avoid eye contact or anything else that closes you off. Sometimes having unwavering, deliberate eye contact can be all you need to really communicate a message.

Beyond the audition, using your eyes is also just a general acting tip, and a critical one at that. Being aware of how much you’ve been blinking, or whether your use of eye contact is abnormal or not, is a great thing to unpack in a classroom setting.

Emotional Impact

Some underestimate the emotional punch that a nonverbal act of body language can have on a scene. A father’s hand on a son’s shoulder, the slight nod to confirm bad news, and the grabbing of a friend’s jacket during a hug can all be such powerful indicators of these strong emotions. Sometimes we, as viewers, get tired of just being told how people feel. We want to see it. It doesn’t have to be spelled out all the time.

This is why making the decision to invest in something that will help you with your body language is a good idea. It’s these quiet moments that can be the most important, emotional, and gripping moments of a performance. Don’t neglect the power of subtlety.

A Diploma of Screen Acting Changes Careers

Finding it hard to set yourself apart from the other actors in your city? Are you tired of being good, and want to be great? Getting some level of training is valuable for actors of every kind. To have someone to guide you, teach you, tell you about what they’ve learned, and the mistakes they’ve made in this industry, can be really beneficial to those looking to break into the world of acting.

Visit the link to learn more about the Screenwise Diploma of Screen Acting 10065NAT or by calling us at 9281 4484. It’s that easy!

You may also find it helpful to read through the testimonials of our amazing alumni and the fulfilling and lengthy careers that so many have made. With a combination of our training and your own hard work, there’s nothing you can’t achieve. We hope you’ll be the next to join us!

10 Auditions & Audition Tapes That Made These Actors Famous

January 22, 2020 by searchacademy

All famous actors had to start somewhere. And usually, they got their big break from an audition that turned out to be in their favour. Of course, auditions are stressful and awkward at the outset. You have strangers in the room watching your every move, facial expression, and gesture, and listening intently for volume, inflection, accent – not the greatest feeling in the world.

However, for the brave actor, passing an audition can be the career-changing break they need, allowing them to put together showreel examples once they become established. To enjoy in retrospect, below is a list of examples that brought virtually unknown actors out into the spotlight:

1. Daisy Ridley – Rey, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”

Among the new generation of actors, Daisy Ridley’s audition for the role of Rey was nothing short of intense. The casting directors were having a hard time looking for the right Rey as they wanted an unknown actor who could channel both vulnerability and strength at the same time.

What impressed the movie director J.J. Abrams while watching Ridley’s audition clip was the accuracy and intensity of the emotions Daisy projected onscreen when called for. The scene asked for her character, Rey, to strongly resist Kylo Ren’s attempt to control her mind using the Force. What was even more impressive was that after getting some notes from the director, Daisy could do it all over again, with as much intensity and passion as before.

2. Chris Hemsworth – Thor, “Thor”

Although Chris Hemsworth had already acted in a couple of movies prior to “Thor” (2011), he’s arguably most recognised for it. However, he didn’t get the role of the God of Thunder on a silver platter. In fact, he didn’t even make it during the first round of auditions. Lucky for him, though, none of the final four actors (which included his little brother Liam) were able to nail the part.

According to Chris, he was particularly keen on the character and a bit disappointed that his younger brother made more headway than him. So, while in Vancouver, Canada shooting “Cabin in the Woods,” Hemsworth decided to have another go at the role. He recorded an audition tape with his mum in a hotel room. She read Sir Anthony Hopkins’ lines as Chris played Thor, and this earned him another shot at the role, which he ultimately got.

In this case, Chris’s commitment to the role is surely one of the best showreel tips aspiring actors can learn from. Landing the role of Thor led to Chris getting years of lucrative projects with Marvel Studios and building a prestigious showreel from there.

3. Miley Cyrus – Hannah, “Hannah Montana”

Although Miley Cyrus has focussed more on her music, her audition as an innocent 12 year old for the role of Hannah Montana was considered impressive. Aside from being able to do a nice duet with her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley was everything Hannah was supposed to be. She was candid, friendly, sassy, funny, and always smiling. She could also talk super fast and had great timing.

What’s really surprising about Miley is that she originally auditioned for the role of Zoey, Hannah’s best friend. However, Disney, after seeing her audition tape, asked her to audition for the lead instead. Miley ended up playing Hannah Montana from 2006 to 2010.

4. Rachel McAdams – Allison “Allie” Hamilton, “The Notebook”

After playing the bad girl in “Mean Girls,” Rachel McAdams was poised to make love story history in her 2004 audition for the role of Allie Hamilton in “The Notebook.” In the audition clip, you can clearly hear the voice of her soon-to-be co-star Ryan Gosling. Rachel’s inflection, timing, and facial expressions helped her to ultimately deliver a strong, memorable audition which got her the role. If the clip seems familiar, the scene chosen for her audition is actually one of the more emotionally charged scenes in the movie itself.

5. Mel Gibson – Max Rockatansky, “Mad Max”

Australian permanent resident Mel Gibson is one of Hollywood heavyweights, who will always be known as the original Mad Max Rockatansky. Mel didn’t even have a showreel prepared for the part. In fact, he didn’t even come to audition for the film. Mel was there to support a friend who was auditioning for Mad Max. However, the casting agency noticed his beat-up look (he had gotten into a brawl the weekend prior) and was told that they needed freaks in the film. So Mel was told to come back after he recovered. Two weeks later, he returned, was given the script, and ad-libbed his way to movie history.

We all know how Mel Gibson’s charisma, brooding, intense acting, and wry humour have made him one of the most in-demand, award-winning actors of the 1980s to the early 2000s. And perhaps Mad Max director George Miller saw something special about the then-unknown young actor, so he gave Mel the lead role.

6. Kit Harington – Jon Snow, “Game of Thrones”

Much like Mel Gibson, Kit Harington turned up on audition day with a black eye. He was auditioning for the role of Jon Snow for the “Game of Thrones” series. Turning up looking less than perfect would normally work against an aspiring actor.

Apparently, Kit got beat up by a huge guy at a McDonald’s after trying to defend his date’s honour. This ultimately made Harington seem perfect for the role, and the rest is history. If you’re familiar with the character of Jon Snow, you’d know that Jon is known for being an earnest, self-appointed defender of the poor, meek, and helpless. So, it comes as no surprise that Harington got the part and did justice to it.

7. Hugh Jackman – Wolverine, “X-Men”

The role of Wolverine was originally intended for Dougray Scott, who was injured shooting “MI2.” So, it fell on the next choice, Hugh Jackman, to fill the void. In Hugh’s audition, it’s apparent that his accent needed some work; however, he brought a certain kind of mercurial coolness to a character who was originally envisioned to be nastier and edgier.

Hugh was unimpressed with his own audition and never thought he’d get the role. But when Scott couldn’t play the character, both the director (Bryan Singer) and scriptwriter (David Hayter) agreed that Hugh softened and humanised Wolverine, ultimately making the character more likeable and sympathetic.

8. Aaron Paul – Jesse Pinkman, “Breaking Bad”

Just like the breakout series and surprise hit “Breaking Bad” where Aaron Paul played the role of Jesse Pinkman for five whole seasons, Aaron’s audition for the role, in retrospect, was pretty impressive. Aaron literally nailed the role from the beginning. And although watching the clip reveals Aaron making a few slips and fumbles here and there, there’s no doubting his suitability for the role of Jesse. What’s even more surprising, of course, is knowing he had no prior formal acting training at all.

After snagging what was planned to be a one-season character, Aaron’s chemistry with the lead, Bryan Cranston, was so apparent and impressive that Jesse was promoted into a main character, eventually outliving Cranston’s character, Walter White, in the series.

9. Jason Momoa – Khal Drogo, “Game of Thrones”

According to GOT casting director Amy Jo Berman, Khal Drogo’s character was among the hardest to cast. They needed someone distinctive in looks and impressive in stature, who looked like someone who could lead a fierce army of Dothraki warriors. He also needed to have a tender side for his future khaleesi.

Enter Jason Momoa.

What Jason did was perform a Maori haka or ceremonial war dance which showed his fearsome yet emotional character. Jason’s rationale was that there was almost nothing to say in the script, so he had to be creative, and he got the part.

10. Jennifer Garner – Sydney Bristow, “Alias”

Jennifer Garner auditioned for the role of Sydney Bristow five times, although series creator J.J. Abrams said he wrote the character with Jennifer in mind. A copy of Jennifer’s approximately 38-minute audition tape for “Alias” showcases her versatility as an actor exhibiting a range of emotions.

Of course, the character Sydney is a spy so the actor to ultimately play her had to be a chameleon of sorts, and Jennifer was all these. J.J. Abrams found Jennifer to be funny, sexy, smart, and mischievous – something he said he wanted to show in the character of Sydney. It also helped that Jennifer was physically fit, which made her ideal for the role.

Audition Tapes & Showreel Tips

Are you thinking, “How can I create my showreel to impress casting directors and gain access to auditions too?” Here are some showreel tips that draw on the auditions you just read about:

Stand out to directors and casting directors by creating a showreel that’s shot and edited by professionals.
Study acting formally, so you can show the range of emotions exhibited by people like Daisy Ridley and Jennifer Garner.
If you stumble during an audition, keep going, like Aaron Paul from “Breaking Bad.”
Think outside the audition box, when appropriate, like Jason Momoa.
Become a “triple threat:” learn how to sing and dance, as well as act, so you can compete with talent like Miley Cyrus.
Be persistent, even when it looks like you might not get the part. Don’t give up on your dreams!

If you want to learn more about our showreel course and what it has to offer, check out our course structure here. Why wait, you could be the next Hemsworth or McAdams.

The Top 5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Screen Acting School

November 12, 2019 by searchacademy

People go to acting school for a number of reasons beyond that which is obvious. Participating in acting classes instils self-confidence, improves communication skills, and relieves stress. It also provides a fun, stimulating learning environment where one can make new friends.

However, choosing to enrol in a screen acting school is a totally different ballgame.

Apart from asking about each prospective school’s course overview, curriculum, programme duration and fee structure, there are other important points that need to be considered. This is why it makes sense to ask yourself the five following questions first, when choosing the best screen acting school for you:

1. What do you expect to learn?

Ask yourself what you want or need to learn in terms of technique and skills. Evaluate your career goals as they should align with the course you are considering as well as the duration of the programme.

If you are seriously gifted and have had a lot of practice and perhaps even some basic training, you need to consider these factors as well. Do you need to enrol in a class or will private tutoring work better for you?

2. Do the school credentials check out?

Enrolling at a screen acting school is an important decision that will assist in shaping the type of actor you become.

You will need to invest time and money in your studies. You may even need to ‘rearrange’ your life in order to do it. You may need to find a new job, make transportation arrangements, or move to a different neighbourhood or city just to be closer to the school of your choosing.

Therefore, it makes sense to check on the school’s accreditation status as well as its reputation.

How long has the school been in business? Has it produced successful graduates? Does it have a current website which provides most if not all of the information you need? Are there reviews or testimonials available? Are the tutors they employ successful in their field of expertise?

3. Are you going to be taught or directed?

Screen acting is a collaborative process. This is why it is so important to learn what direction is all about and what is expected from each actor who is being directed.

You are not an empty vessel that needs to be wound a certain way in order to act. A good acting school can effectively teach about the techniques and skills required to become a good performer. However, an excellent school will produce performers and artists who take away lessons from it which they can successfully translate and implement on their own.

4. Will you be acting in every class you take?

Check to see if every acting class you will be enrolled in would give you opportunities to learn hands-on, every time.

Get an idea of the class size; the smaller, the better. If there are too many students in one class, it essentially means there will be less time for you to practise what you are learning as well as receiving crucial feedback from your tutor.

Mastering the concepts and theories behind screen acting is fundamental; however, being able to apply them or test them personally is even more important. Remember, you’re working towards delivering your best performance in front of the camera and the best way to learn how is through hands on experience.

Be sure to also ask whether or not you will have access to your acting footage. If you do, how soon will you get it for each class?

While there is really nothing you can do for any of your ‘acting inefficiencies’ captured on film, evaluating your recent output in the light of new learning will help you assess whether or not you are improving. It can also help validate feedback from your fellow students and tutors, and help you objectively see whether or not your work is starting to reflect on what you’re learning.

5. What can you reasonably expect from your tutors?

Even if you already have a fair idea of who the tutors will be, you need to get some reassurance that the screen acting course you will be taking will contribute to your growth as an actor. This is why it is important to have tutors who have grown in the industry, are experts in their field of specialization, and continue to be a part of the film industry.

If you have access to get feedback on the classes you will be taking from current or past students, do so and if not, read the testimonials or online reviews. Will you be regularly receiving personal, practical feedback? Can you reasonably expect to broaden your acting horizons and deepen your experience? Are the teachers straightforward in providing constructive criticism?

You may say you are prepared to be stretched, moulded, challenged, and broken even. However, if the school, class and tutors won’t push you to grow and be better at what you do, then you’ll comfortably remain the same.

Learn from the best in the industry

In order to make the most of your screen acting school experience, you need to ensure you are enrolling in an institution that will provide you with an environment that will explore your depths as an actor. You also need to be exposed to industry experts who can identify your potential and bring out the best in you.

At Screenwise, we understand that studying in screen acting school is a serious business, so you can count on us to help you achieve your acting career goals.

Top 20 Benefits of Having a Killer Showreel to Market Your Talent

October 24, 2019 by searchacademy

A showreel is one of the most crucial tools you’ll ever create as an actor. Think of it as a CV that literally shows your greatest acting moments on camera.

Your showreel portfolio should speak for itself, which is why you want to choose the content carefully. Start with your best work and keep each clip brief.

So, what are the benefits of a killer showreel? Here are 20 to consider when selecting what showreel scenes, you’ll use.

1. Easy Access to Your Information

Your showreel gives directors, agents, and others in the acting industry easy access to your information. Through your showreel, they’ll be able to quickly see the acting moments that showcase your true talent and best work.

2. Use Your Showreel to Smartly Self-Promote

Think of your showreel as a way to smartly self-promote your acting talents. Not only are you advertising your name, but you are also showing what you can do through a short video. This is an actionable item that is all a part of your branding efforts that set you apart from other actors.

3. Get Discovered

Your showreel can help you get discovered for auditions or casting calls. Agents and directors from all over the world can have access to your showreel via the Internet, thus increasing your opportunities of being seen.

4. Increase Your Visibility Online

Odds are you have a web page and several social media outlets where you promote yourself, but just think of what an effective showreel can do to increase your visibility online. When your name pops up, your showreel should be right there along with it so people can simply click and watch. A unique, succinct showreel will stand out from the rest and can result in a great number of shares.

5. Make a Great First Impression

You’ve heard that first impressions are everything? Your showreel is the chance to make a great one that will not only be remembered, but also get you hired. That’s why it needs to be well-put together, showcase your very best scenes, and be no more than two or so minutes in length. Choose carefully and make every second count.

6. Your Showreel Should Sell You As An Actor

Your showreel should show more than just your best work, it should sell you as an actor. When agents and casting directors see your showreel scenes, chances are they’ll be looking for something specific for a particular role. Even if you are not selected the first time around, your memorable acting talents could get you chosen for subsequent roles. Your acting career will encompass a wide range of skills, so showing them off in your reel will sell you now and in the future.

7. Your Showreel Can See You As A Natural-Born Actor

When choosing scenes for your showreel, go for those that show you in the most natural light. While dramatic scenes can add flare, they can seem a bit overwhelming when viewed out of context. Instead, choose the scenes that demonstrate your most natural abilities. Agents and casting directors will be able to quickly deduce whether you’re serious, funny, or possess a special charisma that makes you right for a particular role. This is what will be your best selling point.

8. Your Showreel Should Focus Solely On You

When choosing your showreel scenes, select those that focus on you rather than other actors. This is your opportunity to shine, so don’t give those watching the distraction of watching a scene that features another actor more than it does you.

9. Remember Less Is More

When creating a showreel, less is more. While you may have five to ten minutes of great scenes, you should only include a few. Agents and casting directors see countless showreels every year, so the more to-the-point yours is, the better. Brevity will increase your chances of it being seen and will also help make it as memorable as the content it contains.

10. Include Professionally shot scenes In Your Showreel

Your showreel demonstrates your experience as an actor. If you’ve ever worked on a professional set, include those clips in your showreel so viewers are aware you have this type of experience.

11. A Showreel Portfolio Will Market You to Different Audiences

While you can’t always know who your audience will be, you can plan for the various people who will come across your showreel by making more than one. Think of this as your showreel portfolio; a collection that contains different videos of scenes relevant to different audiences. That way you can point a specific agent of casting director to the most appropriate showreel.

12. Consistency Will Sell Your Product

Put your showreel together as one complete piece and the finished product will sell itself. The theme, pace, ETC. should remain the same throughout. This will show your overall vision.

13. An Up-to-Date Showreel Will Increase Your Chances of Discovery

Keep your showreel up-to-date for the best chance of being discovered. As you take on more roles, you’ll want to swap out older showreel scenes for newer ones to stay relevant to agents and casting directors.

14. Simple Sells

You’re selling your skills as an actor, not transition music or other distractions. You want to draw attention to your performance so just use your best showreel scenes and let them speak for themselves.

15. Accentuate Your Strengths

Your showreel should accentuate your strengths so those viewing it will see them right away. Choose scenes that portray your best moments on camera. You only have a couple of minutes to shine, so make great use of your time and your reel will get more notice.

16. Demonstrate Your Range and Ability

Your showreel should demonstrate your range and ability as an actor to play different parts. Versatility will go a long way toward you being cast in different roles. Don’t be too diverse when choosing. Instead, choose showreel scenes that give agents and casting directors a well-rounded view of who you are as an actor.

17. Good Quality Footage Will Help You Shine

While it’s not always easy to have footage of the best lighting and sound quality, you want your showreel to be a professional as possible so those viewing it will see and hear you clearly. Your video should be well-lit with clear sound.

18. Land the Right Parts By Being Specific

Instead of trying to prove your ability to take on any role, be specific in your showreel so agents and casting directors will see your strengths. Let them decide which roles you’re suited for and continue working to improve your strengths.

19. Prove You Are Invested with a Professional Showreel

Your showreel should look just as professional as you. It shows you understand what the industry requires and demonstrates you care about the production quality others will see when viewing your showreel.

20. Take A Showreel Course to Gain Even More Industry Knowledge and Skills

Want to learn more about putting together a professional, killer showreel? The Showreel course Sydney from Screenwise will show you the ins and outs of putting together a high quality showreel that will more than meet the demands of today’s TV and film industry.

Fear of Public Speaking: How to Overcome Public Speaking Anxiety

October 22, 2019 by searchacademy

Your heart beats fast, and you feel like fainting. Your hands are clammy, your tummy is restless, and you feel like throwing up.

But you can’t.

You’re in a meeting, and you’re about to deliver your team’s presentation. Everything seems to depend on you. You take a deep breath and earnestly pray, hoping you won’t be stuttering throughout your talk.

And it’s always like this. You never seem to gain the confidence to stand in front of a group. It doesn’t matter that you know the report inside-out. It doesn’t matter that you wrote the report yourself. It never seems to be enough, and you always feel like an idiot speaking in front of a crowd.

Don’t worry; you are not alone.

In fact, 75 percent of people experience ‘glossophobia’ or the fear of public speaking.

Conquer your public speaking anxiety

The fear of speaking in public isn’t something you can really conquer or get rid of just like that. The best that you can do is find ways to manage your public speaking phobia.

To do just that, here are some tips you can apply to help you face your audience with confidence, and finish off your report or presentation with a smile.

Essential Preparations

To be able to get up on stage and stand behind a mic, one must prepare.

Whether you’re scheduled for a panel job interview or are slated to give a presentation justifying why your department should not be dissolved, preparation is key.

You need to have your speech prepared. You also need to anticipate certain questions so you can come up with ready answers and present supporting evidence (as needed). But if you have the freedom to talk about anything under the sun, then you can apply the following:

Choose a topic you find interesting.
Get to know your material inside and out.
Rehearse in front of a mirror or with a friend.
Study and get to know your audience.
Consciously resist negative thinking by using affirmations or inspirational quotes.
Be optimistic; always expect a positive outcome.
If you are speaking in an unfamiliar venue, visit the place ahead of time.
Keep a complete, typed copy of your full speech and take it with you come presentation day.
Use index cards (or anything you want to use) to write down your speech outline.
Exercise, go for a brisk walk, or a short run around the park. This should reduce anxiety by 50 percent.
Eat food that will help you relax, such as foods rich in tryptophan (turkey, salmon, dairy products), as well as complex carbohydrates. Avoid stimulants or anxiety-inducing caffeine, sugary foods, and fast food.
Get adequate, good quality sleep. This will ensure you are alert and ready on the day of your delivery.

Presentation Day Moves

Finally, it’s the day of your speech. Follow these tips to be able to confidently deliver what you have painstakingly prepared.

Eat a few hours before your speech schedule. Avoid eating immediately before your speech delivery.
Power dress! Wear clothes that you feel comfortable and confident in. Make sure you feel and look your best.
Again, consciously let go of negative thoughts; stay optimistic.
If you can’t keep it in anymore, talk to a friend and share your fears. Venting can give you comfort.
Keep your index cards (or whatever mnemonic device you are used to) on hand to guide your speech.
Rehearse your speech for one last time.
Go backstage for a few minutes before your speech, so you get a feel of the podium or stage, and get a good view of the crowd.
Keep moving to warm yourself up, and keep anxiety at bay.
Visualise good things (guided imagery), and apply other anxiety reduction techniques such as deep breathing, aerobic exercise, and deep muscle relaxation.
If you need to, go to the bathroom a few minutes prior to your scheduled talk.
Keep yourself hydrated during your talk. Take a glass of water or a water bottle with you.

Actual Presentation Time

Mind over matter. Embrace the spotlight and enjoy the moment.

You know that you are adequately prepared. So all you need to do now is to deliver your piece the best way you can.

Mind over matter. Be excited, and look forward to your talk.
Touch the podium. Connect with it to keep you grounded. Make the podium your safe space. Remember to remind yourself that you are safe and standing on steady ground.
Pat the pocket where you have a full, typed version of your speech neatly folded. You’re not going to use it, but it’ll give you comfort knowing that it’s there.
Utilise presentation tools to keep your talk alive, and to engage audience attention elsewhere. Show relevant videos, use PowerPoint slides, distribute handouts or fliers, or present objects that are relevant to your topic.
Engage with your audience and leave yourself behind. Note their expressions and responses.
Focus on amiable, friendly faces in the audience.
Use humour where appropriate.
Don’t stay glued to the podium. Gesticulate, and walk around as required.
Control your tone and inflection.
Speak slowly and clearly; avoid mumbling.
Speak from your diaphragm, so you sound pleasant.
Be animated as appropriate; make your speech a living, breathing thing.

Steps for Further Self-Development

Aside from practising the above when you have a scheduled talk or presentation, you also need to find ways to engage in public speaking training.

Enrol in an acting school and register for corporate presentation classes. Join public speaking clubs, and attend seminars and conferences where you can practise your public speaking. Challenge yourself and deliberately seek out opportunities to demonstrate how you can manage your public speaking nerves.

Be brave and offer to talk if the opportunity is something that interests you. Pretty soon, you’ll find yourself desensitised of your fear of speaking in public, and always ready to confidently talk in front of any crowd.

Screen Acting Courses: The First Step to Becoming a Successful Actor

October 21, 2019 by searchacademy

The road to becoming a successful actor isn’t so straightforward. Achieving your ultimate dream of becoming a famous actor requires talent, practice, and some luck, as well. After all, there are a lot of talented actors.

If you are keen on honing your craft, enrolling in screen acting courses can make a real difference to how your future career goes. Getting a diploma in screen acting, for example, is a great start. By taking up screen acting courses, you get an in-depth understanding and knowledge of acting theories as well as relevant training to prepare you for today’s highly competitive entertainment landscape.

What to expect in screen acting courses

If you enrol in a screen acting course, expect to know all of the theories and various tools that actors employ to be successful in their craft. At Screenwise, for example, the two-year, government-accredited Diploma of Screen Acting 10065NAT program offers full-time students creative direction and sees them developing technical acting skills specifically.

Whichever screen acting school you choose to enrol in, a good school will combine acting classes with a rigorous academic element. Moreover, you can expect to develop professionalism – something that is essential if you are to succeed in the film and television industry anywhere in the world.

This professionalism must extend to not only your interactions with your fellow actors but also all other professionals you will be working with onset. These include gaffers, cameramen, catering crew, makeup artists, producers, costume and set designers, directors, and so on.

Additionally, an excellent screen acting school will have a number of successful industry professionals as tutors of the program. These include acclaimed actors, technicians, casting directors, and others who can share their experience and industry insights, as well as mentor aspiring young actors like you.

To give students a feel of what it is like to be on an industry-standard film and TV set, the screen acting course at Screenwise provides students with opportunities to build a professional quality showreel. The course curriculum, of course, gradually builds up towards a major performance where each actor’s talent is showcased. Expect your performance to be scrutinised by leading representatives of the film and TV industry in Australia. These include professional actors, directors, and agents.

This culminating performance can actually be your ticket to TV and or film stardom. With professional industry exposure, you may just find yourself being invited for casting calls. It doesn’t matter if you start out as an extra or in a non-speaking role. The moment you have one foot in the door, you can pursue your dreams of acting success with even more fervour.

How to choose the best screen acting school

Selecting the right school to support your desire to become a successful actor must be done objectively and with a clear purpose. After all, the school you choose can influence the course your career will take. Conduct your own research. Narrow down your choices to schools that have earned the reputation of consistently producing high-quality talent who have gone on to earn substantial success in the Film and TV Industry.

Check out the school’s list of successful graduates. Doing so will give you a feel for the quality of the teaching as well as the philosophy behind the curriculum. Aside from these, you also need to check your prospective schools for the following:

Location: Your school of choice should ideally be located in Sydney – where the heart of the Australian film and TV production lies. Being in the middle of all the action should make it easy for the school to help their students optimise their opportunities for real acting roles whilst studying for their diploma.
Tutors: As previously mentioned, an excellent screen acting school should be able to provide students the chance to be mentored and trained by leading industry professionals such as directors, casting consultants, and of course, successful actors. Aside from providing guidance and insights about TV acting and filmmaking, these mentors can be the students’ direct links to the film and television industry.
State-of-the-art facilities: In order to provide students with industry quality learning experiences, the school needs to have the latest visual, lighting and audio recording equipment. Moreover, having experience with green and blue screens, and other new technology enables students to hone their technique to suit what is current in the industry..
Practical industry learning: The ideal screen acting school will not only teach you the inner workings of life on set as well as industry jargon; but it will also take care of instructing you on the business side of acting. This way, you’ll be able to handle auditions better, and effectively self-promote.

Gaining admission

If you are keen on pursuing a two-year diploma in screen acting, you also need to prepare the basic requirements. Applicants typically need to submit:

Basic personal information
A monologue audition submission
An acting resume
A headshot (JPEG)

You also need to fill in all the required information in the online application form. You also need to be over 18 years of age, with strong English communication skills. Moreover, you need to meet the financial and acting commitments of this two-year intensive acting course.

Applicants usually undergo a series of assessments, and successful applicants are asked to audition on camera in front of a panel of judges.

Time to make a decision

Remember to weigh your options carefully when it comes to deciding on enrolling in a screen acting course. Moreover, carefully choose the school where you’ll learn more about yourself, and your abilities, and develop your craft.

There are no shortcuts to becoming a successful or acclaimed actor. However, by taking up a screen acting course, you’re increasing your chances at finding success in a field you are passionate about.

11 ‘DIY’ Tips to Create an Engaging Showreel

June 25, 2019 by searchacademy

If you’re serious about building a career in Screen Acting, then you’ll know that creating a professional showreel could be the difference between getting your next big break or not. A high quality showreel will help you get signed with the best agents and land auditions to those all important career-building roles. It’s vital that you think about how best to showcase your talents in a way that makes you stand out from the crowd.

While we always recommend against a DIY showreel, we want to make sure you’re getting the right advice if you do plan to create your own. Especially as there are many tips in the market that can be misleading. Here are eleven DIY tips on how to create an engaging showreel that stands out and increases your chances of bagging those career-building roles:

1. Keep it short and concise.

You will get different answers when you ask casting directors how long a demo showreel should be. However, there is one aspect that is obvious: keep it short.

An acceptable showreel length should be 60 to 90 seconds. If possible, do not go over 2 minutes. Don’t worry about not being able to highlight your complete acting prowess. If you work with a professional video editor, they should be able to help you tell a clear story, in a small amount of time.

2. Make your reel specific.

Directors, producers and casting agents expect professional actors to possess multiple skill sets. So, when applying or auditioning for a certain role, make sure that your reel speaks to these skills. If possible, make your showreel targeted specifically to a distinct role, function or skill.

Athough this means you might need to create multiple showreels, you will benefit in the long run. This is because people who are looking for talents often have a limited amount of time to watch reels. They will prefer seeing samples that are ideal for the position they are looking for. In our Showreel Course we not only develop you as an actor but also professionally support students choosing and producing the right scenes that best represent them as an actor today.

3. Highlight your best work.

In some cases, the old adage “Save the best for last” may be applicable. But for your showreel, you need to avoid doing that. When creating a showreel, make sure you feature your best scenes that showcase your strongest traits at the beginning. If you only have three seconds to capture someones attention, what will you lead with? Impact moments aren’t always necessary to hook your viewer, high quality shot scenes in intriguing spaces will do this equally as well.

4. Show your personality.

Use your showreel to showcase your true personality. Do you have a wild sense of humour? Do you think you are a bit edgy? Regardless of who you think you are, do not be afraid to include a bit of YOU into your work. This way, people will have a better sense of who you are as an individual.

5. Dialect and language.

Consider the dialect you’re using in your scenes. Think about the roles that you want, can you or do you need to show an American accent in your reel? Keep your future in mind and build a showreel that has global potential, if that is what you want.

6. Tell a story.

Tell the story of your career and leave an impression. By taking the viewer on a journey you have the chance to capture their attention. Bring them on a journey of your career, which leaves the viewer with a feeling of “I want more”.

7. Make your showreel accessible.

If you want your showreel to be easily accessible by industry stakeholders, you should get it online. Create an account on video-sharing sites like Vimeo or YouTube. The goal is to let people conveniently view your showreel at any time. For example, if a production is urgently hiring for a certain position, you can simply send a link without having to leave the comforts of your home.

8. Optimise your online videos.

Add a description of your showreel using keywords that are relevant to you (including your name and anything someone might search to find you), this could increase the number of video views. Also, make sure your online profile is up to date with professional images, contact details and a detailed description about yourself.

9. Put short descriptions in your showreel.

One way to best describe your involvement and roles in your clips is to write short descriptions. For example, if you’ve made an appearance on an episode of a certain TV series, mention your role in your reel. You can say that you played a supporting or guest role.

By doing this, industry professionals will know about your involvement. At the same time, viewers will have a better idea of your abilities. To know how to make and add descriptions in your showreel, you can use video editing tools such as Final Cut Pro Editor or Adobe Premiere Pro.

10. Focus on your impressive clients.

If you’ve worked in a major film or television production, use it to your advantage. Working with big corporations, television networks, and popular flicks will really make you stand out. We recommend you use those scenes in your reel.

11. Include your contact details.

If you haven’t been signed by an agent, you should include your name and contact details at the beginning and end of your reel in a tasteful manner. Be sure to use your basic contact information, including your name, email address, website, and contact number. Although the person you’re in contact with may have your contact details, the person your showreel is shared to may not.

These tips are just the start, we have many more insights for you on our Showreel Course. Here we offer a toolkit for professional, and support in creating your state-of-the-art showreel that is required to meet the demands of today’s film and television industry.

Take control of your career and build a showreel that inspires, delights and excites.

To apply for the Showreel course apply here today or call 02 9281 4484 for more information.

Next Showreel Course audition dates:

4th Feb - 21 July

Auditions Available Book your audition

Please select 'Audition Date' in the application form and a Screenwise staff member will coordinate with you after completion of the application form to schedule a suitable audition time.

Your audition will consist of:
- Prepared Film/TV monologue 30 seconds in length (Applicants choice)
- Prepared Film/TV scene (Provided by Screenwise)

Audition preparation material will be emailed to you after successful submission of your application.

22nd July 2020

Showreel Course February 2020 Intake Commences

How to Choose the Right Scene for Your Showreel

May 15, 2019 by searchacademy

If you are dead serious about pursuing a career as an actor, you should have an outstanding showreel video. A showreel is simply a 1–2 minute video highlighting all the amazing work you have done in the past. It contains short, interesting snippets of your work in the production, as well as your headshot and personal contact information. It’s basically an important marketing tool for you as an actor, hence creating one should be taken seriously.

However, you can’t send showreel examples to casting directors just because you think they would help you bag that major role. Of course, you have to be careful with your choice of showreels, too. A certain showreel may work for a certain role, but it might not for the other.

So, how do you choose a scene to include in your showreel? We’ll share with you some handy tips:

What to Include in Your Showreel

A professional showreel should include the following scenes:

1. Include a slate screen at the beginning and end.

Slate screens are a bit tricky to make. There is no standard to follow on how to make them. All we know is that they should be professional, straightforward, and quick.

A slate screen should not last longer than five seconds. Although it seems like a short amount of time, if you’re a casting director or a producer, it will feel like forever.

In your slate screen, you should include your complete name, talent agency, website, contact details, a headshot photo, and your email address. If you decide to include music, make sure it is not copyrighted and relates to the overall vibe of your reel.

2. Showcase your best work.

This is the common mistake of actors. They do not showcase the best clips they’ve got. And if they do, they put it at the end of the reel.

Well, this happens in movies and television shows all the time. All the best and exciting scenes happen at the end. However, if it is a showreel, you should always start by giving people a positive impression about you. Don’t give them any chance to think that you are an amateur.

3. Choose a scene that is very good.

There are scenes that are not very good. This may be due to low production values or your fellow actors are not doing well in the scene.

Well, if the scene does not appear good, then there is no point in adding it. After all, you don’t get another chance to make a great impression.

4. Pick a scene that focuses on YOU.

If it’s just a scene that shows a quick glance of your face, don’t include it. Yes, it is great that you landed that role in a big production, but if it’s only role that is a bit higher than an extra, just don’t bother spending time inserting it.

Now, if you don’t have other scenes to include, then you can use those types of clips. But once you get something of better substance, update your reel and swap it in. Adding scenes that feature one-liners or quick cuts will only dilute your brand as an actor.

5. Add lively scenes.

Scenes wherein you are staring out the window, driving, sleeping, sobbing, or anything without action do nothing to market your brand as an actor. Honestly, they are only boring to watch.

If you have fun and interesting scenes that involve heavy drama and speaking lines, might as well include them. Casting directors and producers prefer seeing these sorts of scenes over dull ones.

6. Insert scenes that are up-to-date.

The scenes that you include should reflect who you are and what you look like at the moment. Otherwise, you will end up pissing a casting director. He doesn’t want to see a 40-year-old with a dad bod showing up at an audition with a reel that showcases his 25-year-old hunk physique.

7. A scene should show your type.

This tip is a bit confusing, but it is very important that you know how you are perceived by other people. Your showreel should reflect all those perceptions.

As an actor, it should be natural to be able to play different roles on and off-camera. But if we consider the point of view of the entertainment industry, there are narrower possibilities.

If the scenes in your demo reel are all over the place, it might convey the message that you don’t know who you are or you are not comfortable with your skills and abilities.

What Scenes to Avoid

choose the right scene for your showreel, showreel videos, showreel examples — Photo by Kushagra Kevat on Unsplash

There are many things that you want to include in your showreel, but it shouldn’t be any of the following:

1. Scenes in a Foreign Language or a Local Dialect

Even if they have subtitles, try to avoid including scenes in a local dialect or foreign language. While being multilingual can be an edge, you don’t want to confuse an English-speaking decision maker about needing to hire a translator just to bridge the language barrier or culture gap.

In addition, no matter how fluent and flawless you speak in an American accent, people will think they can tell your real accent if you speak in your native language. This may sound odd, but it’s happening.

2. Clips of Your Special Skills

It is unnecessary to include clips of you showcasing your special skills. Although it sounds fun and interesting, as much as possible, keep the reel short. Your showreel has to have good quality. Clips of you doing stand-up gigs and other stage work should be separated in another file.

3. Monologues

If the production you want to join is a theatrical play, it is okay to add monologues. But if it is a big Hollywood flick, aim to include a heavily emoted scene. Inserting a monologue may cause casting directors to think that you are an amateur.

Conclusion

A professional showreel is like a good headshot. It won’t just land you a role. It can also get you invited to more auditions.

If you really want to get started with your acting career, create a professional showreel and apply for our Showreel Course at Screenwise.

Next Showreel Course audition dates:

4th Feb - 21 July

22nd July 2020

Showreel Course February 2020 Intake Commences

How to Keep Your Audience Engaged in Your Presentation

May 15, 2019 by searchacademy

Speaking in front of a crowd takes guts and talent. You have to be confident in yourself and your abilities. Usually, you are tasked with speaking in front of a group when you have something to share or teach the audience. It’s not easy to talk in front of a group of people, whether the group is big or small, but it’s something that you can learn. Here are some presentation techniques you can use to keep your audience engaged and excited while you are presenting any topic:

Get to the venue early.

Your discussion/script should be ready way before you head to the venue. But, before you even start talking about anything, you have to observe the space. Look around the venue, and imagine where the audience will sit. Walk around and get a feel for the place. If you will have a slideshow presentation, do a test run so you know how it will look from the audience perspective.

Be energetic.

You have to look like you are happy to be there at the venue presenting that discussion. You have to be energetic. Your attitude comprises a part of your presentation skills. If you present a happy and upbeat personality, your audience will be more excited to learn about what you will talk about.

Involve your audience from the start.

As soon as you step onto the stage or the front of the room, address your audience. You are there to help them. You are there to present to them. Show them that you are interested in them by addressing them. Use phrases with the words you and your so they feel a personal connection with you.

Give them an overview of what to expect.

In your first few lines, tell the audience members what they can expect to learn or gain from your discussion. Telling your listeners what’s in it for them gives them a reason to sit up and pay attention.

Always remember that your first few lines are crucial.

You have to come at them with something interesting. Just like a book or write-up, the first few lines of your presentation will be crucial. You have to grab their attention right away so that they won’t tune out after 10 minutes.

Tell a story.

Humans are naturally curious beings. Telling your audience a story will give them something to look forward to. They will all want to know how that story ends. Hence, you’ll keep them glued to what you are presenting. The story you present should be connected to the topic of your presentation. Telling a story related to your topic of discussion makes the whole presentation more engaging.

Ask questions during your discussion.

Don’t give your audience a chance to get off focus. Ask them questions or throw a question to one specific audience member. Learning the art of questioning the audience will enhance your presentation skills in general.

Don’t use up your entire talk time for the presentation.

It’s tough enough to sit down and listen intensely for 30 minutes, so it’s even tougher to have to try to do that for an hour. If you are scheduled to talk for one hour, you know you’ll have a tough task of keeping the audience interested. Instead, why don’t you use only 30 minutes of that time for the actual talk, have 15 minutes for the audience to ask questions, and another 15 minutes clarifying certain points or answering the audience queries.

Don’t ramble.

When you are the presenter, you have to monitor yourself. Don’t get too wordy. Don’t go on and on about the topic. Take a step back and stop. Let the audience process what you have said. Periodic silence plays a part in effective presentation techniques because it allows the group to really internalise what you just said.

Inject humor into your presentation.

Don’t be boring. Insert a joke to give the listeners a mental break. Even if you’re talking about something serious, you still need to have a funny line somewhere in your talk.

Have good visuals.

Many people are visual learners. That is why it’s important to have eye-catching visuals. You can use charts, graphs, or bright colors to attract attention.

Don’t rely solely on the slides.

As a presenter, you have to know that you cannot just read the slides you are presenting. You also should not let your audience read the slides. You are there to use the slides as your visual aid, but you should also explain what those visuals mean with regard to your presentation.

Practice your delivery.

You should face your audience fully prepared. That means practice and rehearse your lines several times beforehand. As the presenter, it is your job to keep the focus of the group on the discussion.

Keep the tone conversational.

Even if you are presenting a serious topic, you have to keep the tone conversational. Let the audience feel that you are just sitting down having a casual talk. Don’t make it monotonous and boring.

Don’t rush through the presentation.

Make yourself look like an expert and do not rush through the presentation. This is not to say you should be slow as a snail while delivering your lines, but just keep a good pace. Expert speakers do not rush through their presentation. Rushing usually signifies unpreparedness, nervousness, and anxiety. You want your audience to believe what you are saying so you have to seem knowledgeable on the topic.

Show emotion.

The words you are delivering should have emotion. Be upbeat when you make a joke, and use a more serious tone to drive the serious points home. Be conscious of how you sound and the emotion you are projecting during your presentation. No one wants to listen to a discussion that seems like a rant.

Don’t be stiff.

Don’t be afraid to move around the stage. Standing in one spot for the whole discussion will make it feel too robotic. You need to loosen up and use a little movement.

Don’t move around too much.

You can move around, but don’t move too much. It’s not a good idea to continuously pace during your presentation. Movement will attract the eyes, and if your listeners are too busy following your movement, they will not hear what you have to say.

Make your discussion easy to follow.

Keep things simple for your audience. Don’t bombard them with heavy facts and data. Keep is easy to follow. Move from one point to another seamlessly. Try not to confuse the group with too many points. Just have an easy flow from point A to point B to point C.

End on a serious point.

Even if you inserted a healthy shot of humour in your presentation, remember to recap your important points to wrap things up. End with a short summary of the highlights of your talk and keep the tone serious at the end.

Summary

Being chosen to present or discuss a topic in front of an audience is a great honor. That is why you should always appreciate the opportunity to showcase your talent. You could take a course to hone your presentation techniques, but before that, start off by following these 20 tips to keep your audience engaged during your presentations.

If you wish to learn more about effective presentation skills, enroll in Screenwise’s Corporate Presentation Classes.

How to become a famous actor – Screenwise’s five tips

January 15, 2019 by searchacademy

How to become a famous actor? It’s one of the most common questions from our students at Screenwise. Acting holds great allure for many people, offering a chance to explore different aspects of themselves and in a multitude of settings. From the images on our screens, it may seem glamorous and fun but it’s important to understand that in order to get opportunities with substance those talented professionals have had to work hard at their craft. Raw talent or a hint of aptitude is not enough to “make it” and sustain a career as an actor. Acting classes, personal insight and development, and a depth of character that includes core values such as diligence, openness, resilience, ability to take criticism (humility), sensitivity and vision are traits common to most hugely successful actors.

Skills to cultivate to become a competent actor

Acting requires certain skills: the ability to feel and visibly express those feelings, to empathize, to understand others and walk in their shoes, to memorise large tracts of text, to adapt to changing circumstances and generously accommodate the needs of colleagues during dialogue. Quick-wittedness and the ability to “think on your feet” is also a helpful skill. Acting may require linguistic diversity – such as being able to speak in different accents, or with a voice that can span a range of ages.

A lot of the work of becoming an actor is done in private, though the support of peers at a good acting school can be invaluable. It can be a very inward journey. Testing skills and putting them to work in small productions such as short films and plays is an essential way to improve your skills and grow in competency.

Understanding scripts and analysing the writer’s intent is also vital, and this can be helped along by literature classes, participation in book clubs and advanced reading groups.

Acting classes, are, of course, vital to skill development and building professional confidence. It is also important to understand some of the technical aspects of filming for TV and cinema, such as camera positioning, sound requirements and so forth. Even an exceptionally talented performer will miss out on further opportunities if they have a reputation for consistently messing up the shot or sound, thereby being branded as “hard to work with”. On a big film set this can mean additional costs incurred and the producer is unlikely to be very happy about that.

How to become an actor- Screenwise’s Five tips

So just how do you become a famous actor? Well, if you are serious about taking on acting as a profession, not just as a fun hobby, then the following five hints will help guide you to achieve your dream, so that when a big opportunity comes, you are ready to do it justice.

1. Learn the craft of acting

Think you are “a natural”? You may be, but chances are, you are not the exception to the rule. Besides, natural talent will only get you so far, and you are up against others with similar talents but possibly a greater professional diligence. If you really want to be a famous actor then you, like everyone else, will need to become a master of the craft. To do this, you will need to explore different styles of acting, various techniques and find the method or methods that work best for you, or for the script or character you are given next.

The learning never ends – even established actors continue to explore new techniques and expose themselves to new ways of learning and developing characters.

2. Understand the sacrifices an acting career requires

If you have ever worked on a film set as a runner or extra then you will know that the days can be long, and there is lots of time sitting around being quite bored. Acting is not a nine-to-five job and sometimes you may need to work through the night, in the pouring rain or freezing cold, or wake up before dawn to be on set for sunrise. Before you get on set, there’s a load of work that has already been done – learning scripts, attending wardrobe fittings, meetings with the cast and directors and so forth.

Once shooting begins it can be two, three, four months before you get to go home. While you are at home, you may also be quite annoying to be around, as you try to learn lines or explore new ways of being to help you understand a new character. Oh, and the pay is terrible to begin with and very uncertain. You may not know when your next pay cheque will arrive.

In short, being a working actor can be tough on relationships, friendships and your bank balance. It takes a certain level of commitment to choose the craft over loved ones, or to put some aspects of your life on hold while you work towards your acting dream.

3. The good guy wins

Acting is a long haul game. In fact, all aspects of film and TV production are long haul games. What that means is everyone involved in creating the finished story has had to be extremely good, hard-working, professional and diligent for a prolonged period of time whether that be in sound, lighting, production, directing, camera operation or acting.

If you want to have a successful career as an as actor you have to take a longer view, and approach each new person you meet as a new relationship to nurture (or at least not sabotage) over the coming years. Be nice to people! The gaffer you meet on your first show might end up being the cinematographer on a major film you are desperate to be part of in 15 years’ time. Don’t annoy them today: you might want their help in years to come.

Rude people and prima donnas don’t get called back to work on the next ad or short film, and that means there may not BE a next short film, ad, or TV show for you.

4. Give yourself up

Being an actor does not mean “putting it on”, or “pretending” to be someone else: a good actor BECOMES the character with authenticity. You are not trying to “trick” people, or convince the viewer that you are that character. The line between the character and you dissolves. For that magic to occur you need a thorough understanding of who you are in the first place, so you can recognise when “you” might be interfering with an accurate expression of the character you are portraying.

You can call it ego, or id, or any number of things. The ability to give yourself up, or let yourself go, is the mark of a truly brave and capable actor. “You” might never raise your voice to a child, swing your hips when you walk, or think murderous thoughts. The character you are playing, however, may do all of those things and more. You need to be able to remove your normal filters, and put yourself aside to allow the other to come to light.

It takes courage, self-awareness, and sensitivity. That’s why acting classes can be so powerful: it’s in class that you learn tools and tricks to help wind back the filters and explore unfamiliar territory within your own soul, safely.

5. Be accessible to the right people: casting directors, agents, filmmakers

What does that mean? It means that if most of the castings for the big TV and film jobs are in Sydney, Melbourne, LA, Montreal, New York, Mumbai, etc, then you need to be able to get along to them. If you don’t put yourself in the right place, then the work is very unlikely to come to you. Sure, from time to time major movies are filmed in smaller locations, and there can be some local casting calls, but chances are the leads have already been set and it’ll just be extras or secondary characters they are looking for. Want a lead role? Put yourself in the path of a good opportunity by basing yourself in the right place. Don’t wait for some imagined talent scout to hunt you down. It won’t happen.

Becoming a famous actor will not happen overnight. In fact, it may never happen. You can do the work, master your craft, and still find that recognition eludes you. After years of patient, diligent, quality work and commitment, success may slip through your fingers. If acting is a true calling, however, none of that will matter. You will have created a fascinating journey for yourself and be satisfied with the inner growth that has occurred as a result of your commitment. You’ll have found ways of earning a living that cover your rent and food costs that possibly sit outside of the theatrical world, and will be reasonably content.

One thing is certain, though, if you never try then you will never know whether life as a famous actor was possible for you.

Screenwise has a wide range of short acting courses, part-time and full time acting courses in Sydney.