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You may have years of experience performing in theatre. However, that doesn’t mean that you will be able to naturally start performing on screen. You are going to need to understand the differences between the two mediums. Don’t worry – Screenwise offers some excellent acting classes that can help you make the change.

Timeline of Theatre and Screen Acting

Theatre acting can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, in the sixth century BC. For a couple of thousand years, theatre actors have needed to speak loudly and use dramatic body movements. The introduction of film was a major change for actors around the world.

In the 1930s, most film actors were used to performing on stage. They need to use highly exaggerated gestures and speak very loudly, which was usually unnecessary for film acting. Actors and directors soon realised that they needed to adapt to the new medium.

This is a challenge for modern actors as well, as many of them gained experience performing on stage. When they begin acting in television or movies, the tone, pace, movements, the entire performance needs adjusting.

How Is Film Acting Different from Theatre?

Here are some of the biggest ways that acting for film and television is different from theatre. If you are used to acting in theatre, then you might have difficulty adjusting to the demands of screen acting. You might benefit from taking a screen acting class.

The auditions are different

You need to dress down and be ready to have the camera in your face. Turnaround time for screen auditions are usually lower, so you don’t have as much time to prepare.

Generally, you won’t have as much space when you audition in front of a camera, you are going to need to be comfortable with people in much closer proximity.

You don’t need to do you much to get noticed while acting on screen

When you are acting for theatre, you need to be very vocal and use wide movements to make sure that you are seen and heard by your audience. Many of the people watching you from the back of the theatre are going to be 60 metres or more away from the stage, so they might miss the performance if your not noticeable.

This is not the case with acting for film or television. Modern cameras can pick up on very slight movements and can zoom in on each subject. They also use recorders that can hear you easily.

You have more freedom to improvise on film

Theatre acting is much more repetitive. When people watch a performance on stage, they usually expect the same performance every time, and the actors are expected to follow the script verbatim.

When you are acting for film or television, you have a lot more freedom to improvise. The audience has usually never seen the script before. Even if the script is based on theatrical performance, it does not need to be followed word for word. Unless the actor is portraying a historical event and quoting a specific figure, they are given some creative license.

The ability to improvise adds novelty to the material. However, it also means that the actor needs to understand the level of improvisation that is acceptable. Every director has their own level of comfort when it comes to allowing their actors to improvise. You need to work closely with the director to understand those limits.

Screen acting requires you to change your mindset rapidly between takes

When you are acting on screen, you need to shoot different types of scenes right after each other. This is usually due to budgetary and time constraints. If several scenes are shot in a specific location, then they will usually all be shot together.

This sounds like it is the most efficient way to film. However, it often comes at an emotional cost to the actors. While the scenes might be shot at the same location, the actors are usually expected to portray different emotions and perform physical activities of varying intensity. If they perform lots of scenes that require them to do extensive running for other physically intensive activities on the same day, then they might be easily exhausted. Changing mindset frequently can also be tiring.

You don’t face the same pressure to get your lines right on screen

You only have one chance to get things right on stage. You are acting in real-time, so any mistakes you made will be irreversible. If you forget any of your lines, then you need to remember them as quickly as you can. If you say the wrong thing, then the audience will remember. If somebody forgets one of the props, then you are going to have to find a way to make do without it. This takes its toll on theatre actors.

These problems aren’t as devastating or embarrassing on film. The director can usually call to have the screenshot again if there are any obvious issues that they can’t work around.

This helps take some of the pressure off of the actors. However, they are still expected to perform to the best of their abilities during every shot.

Screen acting is a different medium that takes time to master

Understanding the nuances of theatre and film acting can be overwhelming. This is why Screenwise offers a two-year Diploma of Screen Acting course. By the time students complete it, they will be ready to tackle the challenges of acting on screen.

There are a lot of reasons to take a screen acting class:

• You will learn how to master an audition.
• You will learn how to perform for the camera, without making your performance look too dramatic.
• You will be prepared for the physical and emotional fatigue that may come with screen acting.

Here is one of the testimonials from people that have taken it before:

“I would say that Screenwise is the place to jump right into screen acting. It is the place to begin your training; with some of the finest actors, voice and movement coaches, you will receive a holistic and in-depth approach to what it takes to become a working actor”. – Natalie Parpaoila.

Start Screen Acting Classes

Many actors got their start in theatre, however that doesn’t mean they are able to shift to screen acting easily. The two acting styles are entirely different.

Screenwise offers a two-year Diploma of Screen Acting. If you are considering acting on screen, then you should give it some serious consideration. Take some time to understand the differences between theatre and film acting. This will help you decide whether getting a Screen Acting Diploma is in your best interest.

You’ve always felt that you were destined for the small screen and have a serious aspiration to become a professional actor. Yet you’ve never taken a serious step in that direction and may not have enough time to devote to a full-time acting course. If you are to be successful, however, you need not just tenacity but also the right support materials to help you stake your claim. This means a high-quality showreel, a shining resume and a concerted plan.

If you’re now ready to take action you may be trying to figure out how you can get cast on a TV show, but before you make any initial contacts you need to work on that support material mentioned above.

What Is a Showreel?

A showreel is a short video which showcases the skills, range, and capability of an actor. It should have a professional look and should present you at your very best.

Entering the Screenwise Showreel Course, is an important step towards producing an effective showreel. This is a part-time course spread over a year and is led by industry professionals. You will undergo actor training and will be able to produce a state-of-the-art showreel when you’re finished. You’ll even get help with professional editing, post-production and direction as you create your masterpiece, and will be much closer to landing that all important TV show role.

Top Tips for Creating a Showreel

We delve into what makes the perfect showreel and give you 8 top tips to help you stand out from the crowd and get noticed.

1. Be You

Perhaps the most important piece of advice here is to simply be yourself!

You may spend a lot of time going over showreels from established actors and trying to work out how they weave in their own style of magic. However, if you’re not careful this will simply cause confusion and start you off on the wrong foot. You need to let your essence shine through, as it is your individuality that is going to help you become a star.

2. Show Your Characters

When you’re starting off, you need to show your flexibility and have a mixture of scenes in which you depict different characters. However, don’t focus on an individual style too much and once again, show viewers that you have the right amount of magnetism all by yourself.

3. Focus On All Skills

Some people think that an actor’s showreel has to be all action and never a dull moment, but there is a subtle balance here, as well. You need to make sure that your reel is skilfully mixed together by an editor, so that your presence does not become overwhelming in the context of the piece.

4. Timing Is Everything

Some actors may be able to put together a lengthy showreel and hit the mark all the way through, but it’s often better to create something that is short and sweet. Certainly, the more raw footage that you have the better, as this will allow you to select the best quality samples for your production.

5. Edit To Perfection

You need to be on good terms with your editor, and don’t be afraid to go back and forth many times until you are absolutely sure that you have produced a “gem.” Be ruthless and cut out anything that does not show you in your best light, even if this is in the middle of a scene that you would otherwise love to keep.

6. Strong Narrative

Good entertainment is invariably about storytelling and your showreel needs to follow this philosophy. Sketch this out before you begin adding content, and decide how you are going to tell your tale with feeling. In other words, your showreel needs to have a proper start and finish, as if it were a TV production in its own right and it therefore needs to have a purpose. The last thing you want is to put together a showreel that leaves people underwhelmed, or in a state of confusion. Even though production value is not the ultimate goal here, it will still cast you in a favourable light if done well.

7. Remove Irrelevant Footage

Don’t be afraid to cut out anything that is not up to date. Certainly, you may have had a career-best moment as a walk-on in a film from several years ago, but while it feels indispensable, you may want to focus on a more recent clip instead.

8. Stand Out From The Crowd

Finally, your showreel should demonstrate that you are different from other candidates and not somebody who is predictable or could easily become typecast in the worst-case scenario. You don’t want to become a stereotype in an industry, as there are plenty of them already. Be proud of your reel and make it sing for you.

4 Top Tips to Get an Audition

Now that you have the best showreel ever created in the entertainment industry under your belt, you need to use it to obtain auditions. In the early days you may not have your own agent, understandably, but you need to take on this role yourself and learn how they operate.

1. Research Casting Times

You will need to do a lot of research to find out who is casting for a particular TV show and when auditions are being held. This may involve some behind-the-scenes work, a lot of presence on social media, strategically-asked questions in forums and a lot of time browsing the web.

2. Networking

You should get used to networking as well. This is a people-driven business in which familiarity and connections can help open doors. What you think may be a pointless event could turn out to be your breakthrough opportunity.

3. Be Prepared With Your Portfolio

If you have found out where a particular pilot or television show is being filmed, make sure that you take your headshot, showreel and resume to the casting office and drop it off, for the attention of the casting director. If you can find this individual’s email, send it digitally as well.

Some online mags publish casting notices that show where an audition is taking place. You may also be able to submit your showreel and resume electronically through certain web portals, although this may attract a fee for doing so.

4. Employ An Agent: Ask The Right Questions

If you are really tenacious, then you should make great strides and land yourself at least a few auditions. From there you should do your best to employ a “real” agent, so that you can truly get into your stride. Before you decide on an agent, make sure you ask these key questions:

• Do they have training and/or a professional career in acting?
• Will they use their own network to generate you work?
• How proactive are they in finding auditions? How many auditions can you expect on average per year?
• Does their website portray them in a positive, professional way?
• Who have they worked with before? Any big names worth noting?
• Do they have high standards and understand the acting industry in detail?
• Are they flexible when attending castings and opportunities?
• Do they seem like a trustworthy agent to partner with?

Selecting the right agent could make or break your career, pick carefully and explore all options.

Your Next Steps into Acting

That’s it, our top tips on creating a showreel and how to get an audition. Remember, our showreel course will help you through all of the above and more. We’re here to teach you about the acting industry, give you the skills you need to go out on your own and get the castings you’ve always dreamt of. Hear what some of our old students say about the course:

“I had zero idea about the acting industry and how to even get started,” says Adam Demos, who starred in Unreal. ”Screenwise was my first ever experience in acting and gave me the spark and the passion for acting that continues to grow today.”

Or what about Sam Webb? He worked so hard on his showreel that “my new agents were blown away by (it).” “They were so excited and throwing around potential roles,” says the star, who eventually ended up on the case of both Survivor and Neighbours.

Want to find out more about our Showreel course head over to the dedicated section on our website, or get in touch today!

Learn what to expect and what matters most in finding the right course

As a teenager, if you already know that your heart is in acting then it’s a great time to start learning. When reviewing different teen acting courses, there are specific things you should expect and consider when determining the right course for you. Beyond cost and proximity, there are many other factors that influence the quality of classes. In this post, we’ve put together an ultimate guide to teen acting classes so you can make the decision that’s best for you.

Choose classes just for teenagers. This may seem like a given, but many acting classes don’t segment by age. Find a class that is specifically created for teens and approaches acting from the perspective of young adults. For a true teen acting course, the best segmentation is ages 12 to 16. Anyone under 12 is still really a child; and beyond 16 most would be considered an adult. However, this doesn’t mean that the class shouldn’t be challenging and help teens grow more mature.

Ensure the techniques of acting are part of the curriculum.

In any basic teen acting class, you want to learn the technical aspects, including:

• Breaking down a scene
• Interpreting dialogue
• Learning to take direction
• Understanding character motivation
• Mastering continuity on camera
• Finding the truth in performance
• Building characters
• Working with props
• Perfecting audition methods
• Reading scripts
• Becoming comfortable with improvisation

Select a course that has specialised tutors. The best classes for teens are ones that have tutors and mentors that have experience, either as teen actors themselves or have worked with teens. There are specific nuances to teaching teen actors, so you deserve to work with those who can provide the best insights and direction.

Find classes that fit your schedule. Teens, of course, have commitments to schooling and other extracurricular activities. You don’t want to feel overburdened by too many things on your calendar, so look for classes that are flexible and take into account the school terms and holidays. When you find a class that fits your lifestyle, you’ll have more time to focus on your goals.

Read reviews and do your homework. Make sure the organisation is reputable and has favourable reviews from past students. Unfortunately, some classes offered may not be respectable; worse yet, some could be a scam. So, be sure to investigate. It’s also great to see if young actors currently working in film and TV are past students of a school. This is often the best indicator of a successful program.

Join a class that isn’t exclusive to experienced actors. It’s a good idea to consider a class that has different levels of experience. These types of classes typically don’t require an audition. If you’re a beginner, it’s less intimidating. If you do have some experience, you’ll just be able to build on that and interact with many different students.

Determine future opportunities. While you’re a student, what kind of opportunities will you have? Will the program you attend submit you to casting consultants for auditions? Will you receive referrals to top agencies? These are questions worth asking. The best teen acting class providers will be able to help you get connected for future opportunities.

There is much to ponder when choosing the right teen acting course. Ultimately, it’s about feeling comfortable and knowing you’ll be surrounded by professionals that can help you become the actor you want to be. Check out the Screenwise Screenteens classes to learn more.

The problem with first impressions is that you only get one.

Eye-catching actor showreels can make or break a person’s career. This digital portfolio offers the perfect opportunity to impress on the viewer your key skills and differentiate yourself from the chasing pack. Grab a casting director’s attention with a perfectly put-together showreel and it could be the defining factor in getting the roles you’ve always dreamed of.

Be the centre stage

It’s your advert, so make sure it’s you who lights up the screen. This doesn’t mean you should do a solo piece with plenty of close-ups as this won’t demonstrate how you can interact and feed off other actors.

You should avoid using background or extra work with a big name hoping you can trade off their reputation. If you played a bystander when an A-Lister walked by in a certain scene, it doesn’t serve as a showcase for your skills.

Avoid montages

Truly great actors bring a warmth and authenticity to their performance that can’t fully be conveyed in a series of quick-fire shots. Montages won’t show the depth of your character. These fast-paced pieces simply explain that you were in many scenes for a short time, but that’s it. Which is why many professionals avoid montages.

Tailor your showreel to the job

In the acting game, one size most certainly doesn’t fit all. No acting job for screen or stage has the same requirements, and therefore neither should actor showreels. Like all the best commercials, your advert should target and appeal to your key audience. Every actor should keep a bank of their best material that can be quickly added into a showreel when a new role comes around.

Mark yourself out

We all know that hair, make-up and costumes can transform an actor until they’re barely recognisable between roles. This is why it’s essential that your photo on your CV resembles the actor seen on the TV – especially if there are other people of similar, age, gender or race in the same scene.

Start and end your acting showreel with a slate that includes your name and contact information. This can be easily overlooked, but it will help a busy director who won’t spend much time searching for your details.

Make yourself available

The fast-paced world of acting for screen and stage means that directors may need to cast someone at very short notice. If you have already uploaded you reel online to a site like Vimeo, then the casting department can see your virtual audition at just the click of a button. Other directors can also easily share it to someone who could use you in the industry.

As a backup, keep a stack of DVDs that can be sent out at a moment’s notice. Not everyone will view things online, so be flexible.

Get feedback

Actors are often too involved in their pieces to be objective. A person’s showreel needs to be reviewed by someone who is impartial and emotionally detached. Leave the emotion to the screen or stage: in order to produce a concise but effective piece you need be ruthless.

A course such as Screenwise’s Showreel Course can offer guidance from industry experts with experience in the casting chair. We can give feedback from an insider position and help you tailor your showreel to be memorable for all the right reasons.

Selling yourself is key in the film and television industry. For anyone pursuing a career in acting for stage and screen, an inspiring showreel is an essential way to get your foot in the door and open up your career path. Your showreel should display the most powerful and up-to-date segments of your work. With so many other people vying for the same positions as you, it’s vital that you understand what makes a great showreel.

Less is more

Keep your showreel punchy and don’t be tempted to include too much footage. Few casting agents or directors have the time to look through all the reels that they receive, and many will pass on one that has an overly long running time. There is no golden number, but the received wisdom is that you should be able to showcase your talents within two minutes. Three minutes is generally considered the upper limit.

Start strong, end big

Making a foray into acting for stage and screen can hinge on making the most of the right breaks. A showreel is your chance to get ahead and give an eye-catching performance that will keep the casting director interested. The majority of the casting department won’t wait until the end of your showreel if they are put off at the beginning.

If you feel that any content is below par, eliminate it. The reel should be quality throughout, but it’s especially important to begin and end well.

Keep it simple

Don’t go big on the music and special effects: it’s your skills that need to shine. Too many actors use fast-paced montage-style footage, cut to a distracting track, and fail to draw attention to their performance. You’re not applying for a producing or effects job, so the edit should complement the acting, not distract from it.

Ensure it’s you, rather than other actors in the same clip, who gets the most face time on screen. You need to display your own unique characteristics – not another person’s.

Use up-to-date work

The hardest step of any journey is the first one. The most common stumbling block for an actor is simply beginning to make a showreel. Don’t wait for your latest big production to offer your material because that footage may never come. The best actor showreels are ones that are regularly reviewed and represent a person’s most recent work and current look.

Make it professional

In order to find your way into the business, you, and your showreel, need to look the part. A professional showreel will go a long way in convincing a prospective employer that you are deeply invested in your art and understand the requirements of the industry. It will also show you in the right light, allowing the viewer to feel immersed in the piece rather than being distracted by production quality.

Professional-looking showreels can be made by people using footage from their acting for stage and screen work. There are a variety of professional courses that teach the requirements of producing a showreel, including ours at Screenwise. We offer a specialised Showreel Course for students who want learn how to best display their acting talents. Students are instructed by award-winning industry professionals throughout the part-time course and work towards the production of a high-quality digital compilation.

Actors looking to kickstart their career in Australia and across the globe should look no further than our nation’s most progressive and dynamic city. Acting classes in Sydney can aid a student’s proficiency in all facets of production and post-production within film and television. Screenwise was the first to recognise the need for a drama school specifically designed to teach the art of screen acting by offering current working industry professional actors, directors and technicians as it’s tutors.

Diploma of Screen Acting

Screenwise’s renowned Diploma of Screen Acting is Australia’s only government-accredited, two-year, full-time course. Students study for 20 hours a week, achieving proficiency on and off the set. Actors develop their on-screen acting techniques through immersion training, improvisation, learning to maintain emotional continuity and reading performances by other actors. Students study the most popular and advanced acting theories in classes led by top industry professionals. You’ll also examine the business side of the industry by looking at things such as contract negotiation, and self-marketing.

The Diploma of Screen Acting builds towards a final professional showreel and a major showcase performance watched by Australia’s top industry representatives, including directors, agents, casting directors and producers. The Diploma also offers students invaluable industry opportunities to collaborate with prestigious educational institutions such as AFTRS, UTS and various leading production companies.

Sydney at the Centre of the Screen

At the heart of so much of Australia’s film and television production, Sydney is full of networking possibilities and is a great place to evolve your career. Screenwise fosters and maintains links to the industry both regionally and internationally, allowing students the opportunity to build an essential network of contacts. We offer actors the chance to audition for professional productions alongside their studies.

Short Acting Courses

Screenwise provides Short Acting Courses, which target specific skills required in the acting industry and run intermittently throughout the year. These sessions are typically held on weekdays and weekends to suit actors in Australia who are unable to commit to studying full-time. Screenwise offers courses on improvisation, the American Accent, Presenting & TVCs, Masters Intensives and the Screenteens programme for those below 16. The right course in an area suited to an actor’s carer trajectory can expand the range of roles they are offered and make them stand out from the crowd.

Showreel Course

Actors who can market themselves usually go furthest in the business in Australia, and professional showreels are a great start. Screenwise offers a high-intensity, part-time Showreel Course that allows actors to work with high-profile industry professionals to produce a high-calibre showreel. Actors are given the opportunity to work with current casting directors on audition etiquette and the demands of casting calls.

Corporate Presenting Toolkit

Communication is perhaps the most important skill in business, and Screenwise offers a Corporate Presenting classes designed to boost practical presenting competency. From board meetings to corporate presentations, business professionals in Australia need to communicate their objectives effectively and confidently. Students will refine their public speaking in front of the camera to allowing the teacher to mould an actor’s presentation style to suit their business or professional requirements.

Acting in Australia

The majority of Screenwise’s training takes place in-house in centrally located Surrey Hills at our modern studios equipped with all the latest in lighting, audio recording, and high-definition cameras. We maintain strict boutique class sizes, limiting intakes for the Short Acting Courses to 14 students in order to uphold our high benchmark for training. For actors who would benefit from one-to-one classes, we offer private tuition from our network of professionally trained instructors.

Screenwise has an enviable record among Sydney schools and nationwide for producing highly proficiency actors who have gone to achieve commercial success. Successful graduates include Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Isabel Lucas (Transformers), Stef Dawson (Hunger Games Mockingjay 1 & 2) and Ashleigh Cummings (Puberty Blues).

So you want to be an actress or actor, but you’re not sure where to start? This is a profession that’s notoriously hard to enter, but with perseverance, a good attitude and some training, it isn’t impossible.

Follow our steps and you’ll be on your way to screen and stage in no time…after a lot of hard work and a little luck, of course.

“Where do I begin?”

• With acting, it’s all about practice, and as a student, you likely have easy access to acting groups at school, university, or even local theatre groups. Check with your teachers, lecturers or the students’ union to see if there are any that are available to join. Not only will you receive free training from your peers and a chance to act in front of live audience, it will also help you understand whether or not acting is definitely for you.
• DIY it: Don’t just consign your practice to sessions with the club. Study how your favourite actors perform in films by concentrating on their speech, facial expressions, and gestures. Practice in front of the mirror and record yourself trying out different accents. If you have a passion for acting, it will come through the level of detail and commitment you have to studying and exploring the craft in and out of studies.
• Once you’ve gotten some experience and decided that you love acting and want to pursue it, it’s time to move on to professional training. Consider starting a course, like the in-depth Screenteens acting classes or holiday workshops for under-16s, to really throw yourself head first into the industry. If you’re over 17 then it might be time to consider the Diploma of Screen Acting (10065NAT) or The Showreel Course. Both courses provide a thorough and rewarding platform for young actors who desire a long-term career in the Film and Television industry.

What else do I need to prepare?

• You need a showreel or demo reel, which is a selection of scenes that display your acting skills. To ensure it looks as professional as possible, we recommend the One-Year Part-Time Showreel Course where you’ll receive a quality showreel at the end of this extensive training.
• Headshots are also necessary. These are photographs that you will attach to your portfolio, showing the director your ‘look’ and ensuring they have an idea whether or not you’re right for the part before inviting you to audition.
• Finally, you need a resume. This should list your star turns – even that small role in a production counts if you’re lacking experience – as well as your vital statistics (eye colour, height, etc).

“How do I get real auditions?”

• You need to make contacts, which you will only truly build up by acting as much as possible. This will help you to make connections in the industry with people who can recommend you to agents and casting directors. This is why it’s useful to join an acting course at Screenwise as our trainers are industry professionals who can guide you towards the best approach in forming industry relationships.
• Nowadays, showing your skills on YouTube is a great way to break into show business. Why not start a vlog? This will let you practice your skills while putting them out there for everyone to see.

Perhaps the most important step in your journey to acting success, however, is not to give up. Following this list isn’t a guaranteed way of achieving your dreams as everyone’s path is different and there are hundreds of ways to make it into the industry. With practice and perseverance, you’re sure to find the one that’s right for you.

Effective training will give any performer the knowledge of how to get into acting and the tools to get ahead in the industry. Your training should improve your performance on screen and your understanding of the industry behind it. This guide will give you the low down on the training you should undertake if you want to get in to acting.

We are all familiar with temptation to run before you can walk, but it’s far more beneficial to consolidate the basics, eradicate bad habits early on and build from a solid base. A longer, more thorough program will benefit aspiring actors. providing more time and opportunities to hone new skills, develop their style, master techniques, and develop an intimate rapport with their teachers. The first year of Screenwise’s two-year Diploma of Screen Acting course focuses on these foundation skills, refining essential screen acting techniques and examining the post-production and technical requirements for a screen actor.

Students who want to know how to get into acting should have a detailed understanding of both sides of the camera. Each area of expertise has it’s own terminology, specific roles and chain of authority, and acting is no different. A holistic understanding of this will ease an actor’s entry into the industry and their confidence on set. Actors on Screenwise’s Diploma course are taught to develop an appreciation of the many technical skills such as the importance of shot composition, lighting and the effects of script and prop continuity in a scene. Additional, more specialist techniques are taught in the second year of the Diploma including ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement), screen combat and CGI (Green Screen).

Students should expect to learn the methodology behind acting, focusing on the most advanced and important acting theories. These often require students to write assignments to demonstrate a deeper understanding of their craft. Screenwise employs top industry experts with an in depth knowledge of these techniques and methods and how to incorporate them successfully into an actor’s development.

Perhaps the area that students have the most passion for is the art of acting in a scene. Students will need to learn techniques to help with memorising lines, analysing scripts and reading other actors’ performances effectively. Aspiring actors will work on their ability to portray their character by conveying their emotions and their adaptability in a scene through improvisation. Screenwise allows students to build confidence through regular practice of these crucial techniques allowing actors to let go of any inhibitions or stage fright and give their best performances.

Acting is a business and a competitive one at that. Getting into acting involves getting acting roles. This means, training in self-marketing is essential. Also, professional showreels show off an actor at their best and are an increasingly important part of an actor’s weaponry. Diploma students will act in a professionally produced and directed final-year film. At the end of the course, students will have a high quality showreel and an ASQA-accredited Diploma to add to their portfolio and experience.

Training should be goal focused and realistic to the acting industry. When training for screen acting, students should expect to understand the dynamics of acting under these conditions. The Screenwise Diploma is designed specifically for screen, so all class work is performed on camera. This exposes the actors to a screen acting process that is consistent with professional standards.

Students are required to learn, not just on set work, but the crucial business of getting hired. Audition technique is a critical part of training as students need to work on their ability to showcase their talents quickly, often in an unfamiliar place. We work intensively on the audition process with some of Australia’s top casting directors, who provide regular feedback and assessments throughout the Diploma.

Training should give actors an understanding of the inner workings of the industry and the financial matters within it. With Screenwise’s Diploma of Acting, students learn about contracts and negotiations working with the actors’ union (MEAA). Our links to the industry allow aspiring students to meet with directors, producers, agents and casting consultants, providing invaluable networking opportunities.

Screenwise has a proven track record of turning aspiring actors who want to know how to get in to acting into highly skilled actors who have transitioned easily onto set and screen. Our Diploma graduates have achieved commercial success in many productions, including Jasper Jones, Unbroken, Australia Day, Pulse and Home & Away.