FILMMAKING AND SCENE ANALYSIS FOR ACTORS:
What Every Actor Should Know Before Arriving On Set
with EMMY AWARD WINNING DIRECTOR, STEVE HORSWILL-JOHNSTON
1-Day Workshop from 9:00 to 4:00 - Date: TBA
This course is designed for what every actor should know about filmmaking before arriving on set. In addition, class members will analyze a scene, develop a system for how to prepare, and present the scene for Steve’s feedback . This class will enable any actor to feel prepared and comfortable on set. Taught by Emmy award-winning local producer and director Steve Horswill-Johnston, this class will prepare you for what happens beyond the audition. The 2-session course gives a basic understanding of the filmmaking process for actors from pre-production and casting through post-production and distribution AND scene analysis. Walk on-set prepared and with a full understanding of:
• What's expected from actors on the set.
• Go beyond memorization to scene analysis.
• The names and functions of all major positions and related departments.
• How to read a "Call Sheet"
• How to understand the "Day-Out-Of-Days" (DOD) Schedule
• What exactly happens when the camera starts rolling and before you have your first line.
• How to develop a personal system to prep for a scene.
Steve is a script consultant for DreamWorks and a producer and director based in Nashville. His films have won two Emmys and numerous film festivals. As an actor Steve has acted in NBC television shows, and just completed a documentary shot in the UK, which is nominated for another Emmy.
Steve has also auditioned and hired more than fifty of Alan's students over the last several years.
ABOUT STEVE HORSWILL-JOHNSTON
Steve has more than twenty years experience as a television/film producer, radio broadcaster, and communications executive in Los Angeles and here in Nashville. He currently is an executive producer at the international headquarters of The United Methodist Church. Prior to arriving in Nashville, Steve earned his Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree in Film Production from San Diego State University and attended the graduate program at the prestigious University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts. While attending film school he wrote and produced programs for San Diego public television (KCET), worked on "Simon & Simon" television series and was a radio broadcaster in the San Diego and Los Angeles markets. He has worked on several feature films, including "Pontiac Moon" and "That Thing You Do".
Total cost for this workshop: $145
9:00 to 4:00 - Lunch Break at Noon
To register, call The Actors School 615-500-7661 or or email: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
MORE ABOUT STEVE HORSWILL-JOHNSTON
HOW TO WRITE A MOVIE THAT STARS YOU with BOB GIORDANO
Saturday and Sunday, Date: TBA from 1:00 to 5:00
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon did it with “Good Will Hunting”. Lena Dunham did it with “Tiny Furniture”. Brit Marling did it with “Another Earth”. Quentin Tarrantino did it with “Reservoir Dogs”. All these actors wrote scripts for themselves that won festivals, acclaim and awards! You can learn how to do it, too, in this four week course. Topics will include developing and writing a script that is right for you, along with an overview of how to get it made. Tired of trying to convince others that you’re right for a part? Create a part that is perfect for you!
TOPICS COVERED
* Designing the right script
* Structure that works
* Breaking the rules to get attention
* Writing, producing, and what to do with your film
ABOUT BOB GIORDANO
Bob has served as President of the 600-member Tennessee Screenwriters Association. He has won several prestigious screenwriting contests and is developing several project with LA producers and writers. Bob has written local and national television ads and has taught screenwriting at Watkins College.
Total cost for the four-session course: $150
To register, call The Actors School 615-500-7661 or email: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
INTRODUCTION TO FILM FINANCING
Two Sundays: Date TBA - 3:00-6:00 pm
You may have the greatest idea, script, actors and director- but if you don’t have the money to finance the film- your project is dead in the water. Financing is generally the most difficult step to making a film. In this class we will discuss realistic approaches to finding the financing for your film project - big or small.
The class will cover:
• Business plans
• Attachment of talent
• Studio Development and Production Deals
• Independent Production Company Financing
• Investor Financing
• Self-funding
• Budgets
• Script vs. Budget Realities
• Building Your Team
The class will be taught by producer/actor, Alan Dysert. Alan has served as executive producer on 5 feature films and many video and commercial projects. Alan’s function on these films was to find the financing.
Class Fee: $150
To register, call The Actors School 615-500-7661 or email: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
INTRODUCTION TO FILMMAKING Steve Horswill-Johnston
Overview Of Filmmaking And The Creation Of Your Own Short Film
Date: TBA – 7:00 to 9:00 pm (6 Thursdays)
You may have the creativity and motivation, but do you have the ability to make a short film? This is the ideal introduction to the reality of filmmaking for people who need to balance their interest with work or other commitments. The course is for students with little or no filmmaking experience who want to learn a basic understanding of the entire film creation process. Each student will work in a team to produce their own short film.
Over six-sessions the course covers the basic aspects of filmmaking, including; story and script development, pre-production planning, shot-lists and storyboarding, directing, lighting and editing. The class will also tour a working studio in Nashville.
Taught by local producer and actor Steve Horswill-Johnston, students will gain an understanding of the process of making films.
Steve is an actor as well as a producer and director. His films this year have won numerous festivals. He's acted in NBC television shows, and just completed a documentary shot in Berlin, Germany. He's also auditioned and hired more than fifty of Alan's students over the last several years.
MORE ABOUT STEVE HORSWILL-JOHNSTON
Total cost for the six-week course: $295 (plus a $30 materials fee)
To register, call The Actors School 615-500-7661 or email: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
FILM DIRECTION I – WORKING WITH ACTORS Steve Horswill-Johnston
Learn How to Cast, Rehearse, Block, and Direct a Short Dramatic Scene!
Monday, Date TBA (6 weeks)
The director is the guiding force on any film. The relationship between actors and the camera is the responsibility of the director. This six-week course is a laboratory for those interested in the craft, process and techniques of directing actors. A basic understanding of filmmaking is helpful, but not required. Students are required to bring a two-minute written scene with two or three characters in a single set from a film they have not seen or from a play, novel, short story or original screenplay. Students will work in teams to cast and rehearse scenes, work out blocking and camera moves, inspire performances and create any necessary shot coverage to tell stories. Cameras, lighting and sets are basic. Knowledge of cameras and lighting is helpful but not necessary. The goal is to explore the directorial and collaborative processes and the techniques needed to create convincing performances. Taught by local producer and actor Steve Horswill-Johnston, students will be guided through the shooting of a single scene using real actors.
Students Will Learn:
• How to analyze the scene
• Casting techniques
• Rehearsal and blocking
• Working with the crew
• How to connect with actors
Steve is an actor as well as a producer and director. His films this year have won numerous festivals. He's acted in NBC television shows, and just completed a documentary shot in Berlin, Germany. He's also auditioned and hired more than fifty of Alan's students over the last several years.
MORE ABOUT STEVE HORSWILL-JOHNSTON
Total cost for the six-week course: $295 (plus a $30 materials fee)
To register, call The Actors School 615-500-7661 or email: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
MAKING A MUSIC VIDEO
For Singers, Artists, Songwriters, Performers and Actors
Thursdays, Date TBA from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (4-Week Course)
Learn what to expect when your music video opportunity comes along. Create an actual music video in this class. Gain hands-on experience!
If there was ever an empty slate in the field of video production, it is making a music video.
In the last 25 years, the invigorating art form of making a music video has grown to be one of the most influential and individually stylistic modes of production in the industry. From the first frame to the last, music videos serve as a blank canvas to your mind's eye, a place to show the world what you can really do when let loose with a camera. But, if you let your creative juices drown your common sense approach to production, your music video masterpiece could wind up a public-access catastrophe.
Topics Will Cover:
• The Treatment – Storyboard
• Shooting the video
• Lighting
• Audio
• Budgets – Small and large
• Licensing – ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SAG, AFTRA
• Locations and Logistics - Permissions
• Synchronization – Lip and instrument syncing
• Working with a studio recorded song
• Willing Participants
• Promotion – Our class music video goes to YouTube
Total cost for the four-week course: $245
Location: Joe Loesch's studio * DIRECTIONS TO JOE'S STUDIO
To register, call The Actors School 615-500-7661 or email: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
CASTING 101 with Casting Director, Holly Allen
Saturday, Date TBA
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a casting director? Are you interested in going into the field of casting? Join Holly Allen’s Casting Workshop and have the chance to experience what it’s like on the other side of the camera. Work with actual actors and direct scene work and commercial copy.
Topics Will Include:
• What it takes to become a CD
• How to communicate with & direct actors
(actual hands-on experience directing talent)
• What makes a good audition & how you can make it better
• Learning to think creatively
• Learning to trust your intuition
• Building relationships with agents
• How to create a breakdown
• How to negotiate with clients
• How to market yourself
• How the whole process works
(from being hired to cast a project to the final booking of the talent)
• Technical skills
• Being prepared
Holly will give each student a 4-page handout with tons of tips, advice, local film websites, books to read, union info and production contact information. Come play with us!
Total cost for the six-week course: $125
To register, call The Actors School 615-500-7661 or email: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
THE ART OF WATCHING MOVIES with Steve Horswill-Johnston
For Emerging Producers and Actor
Starting Date TBA – 7:00 to 9:00 pm (6 Thursdays)
This discussion-oriented class is an introduction to film appreciation for emerging producers, directors and actors. Students in this six-week course will view and discuss five contemporary American movies to help develop critical skills in the analysis and evaluation of film. Every producer and actor need to understand how to watch films in ways that look for connection, meaning, and symbolism. Taught by local producer and actor Steve Horswill-Johnston, students will be guided to sharpen their powers of observation, establish habits of perceptive watching, and discover complex aspects of film that will further enhance the craft of producing and acting. Students will view five films outside class and come prepared to discuss and analyze with class members. Scenes will be viewed in class and analyzed.
Students Will Learn:
• The Elements of a Good Story
• Visual design
• Character development
• Symbolism and allegory
• The use of color
• Sound and music
• The influence of a director on a film
Steve is an actor as well as a producer and director. His films this year have won numerous festivals. He's acted in NBC television shows, and just completed a documentary shot in Berlin, Germany. He's also auditioned and hired more than fifty of Alan's students over the last several years.
MORE ABOUT STEVE HORSWILL-JOHNSTON
Total cost for the six-session course: $195
To register, call The Actors School 615-500-7661 or email: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
CAREERS IN SPORTS BROADCASTING
WITH 14-TIME EMMY AWARD WINNING VINCE DE DARIO
Two Mondays: Date TBA from 7 to 9pm
Vince De Dario has been a member in good standing of the Directors Guild of America for over 40 years. He started out in Los Angeles and was the Associate Director on American Bandstand for two years. He then moved to New York City where he joined ABC Sports, where he has spent most of my career. Vince is presently working freelance, where one of his most interesting jobs was as an Associate Director on the Beijing Olympics last summer. By the way, that was the sixth Olympic Games that Vince has worked on.
CREDITS:
Director
1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Calgary Olympics—Pre-Set Studio
World Weightlifting Championships; World Gymnastic Championships
World Professional Bodybuilding Championships; Irish Derby;
Professional and Amateur Boxing; College Football and College Basketball
The Harlem Globetrotters; Oslo Dream Mile
1987, 1991 and 1993 Special Olympics
The Superstars; The Indianapolis 500 ‘B’ Unit (Pit Stops etc.)
New York City Mini-Marathon; Summer Skate (In-Line Skating)
Associate Director
Monday Night Football
Six Olympic Games
Kentucky Derby; Belmont Stakes; Tour de France; America’s Cup
Ironman Triathlon; New York City Marathon; Battle of the Network Stars; Pro Bowlers Tour (which he also produced) and various and sundry events that were featured on ABC’s Wide World of Sports.
Awards
Fourteen Emmy Awards
Award for VII International Special Olympics
1988 Clarion Award
Gabriel Award
National Media Award from the Downs Syndrome Congress
Class Fee: $95
To sign up for the class please call (615) 500-7661 or send an email to: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
FUNDAMENTALS OF VIDEO EDITING
Starting Date TBA from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (4 Tuesdays)
Love movies, music videos and the Web? If so, discover the world of video editing. Learn the fundamentals of editing, graphic design, animation, and lighting and then apply this knowledge to your hands-on course. We'll work with programs such as FinalCut Pro, PhotoShop, LiveType and ProTools, shoot and upload video to FinalCut, study Ken Burns effects, and do an in-class project.
Basic skills include the use of computers to create special effects seen in movies, music videos and television programs. Create a storyboard for a television commercial.
Topics Will Cover:
• Lighting
• Budget & Scheduling
• Production
• Makeup & Special FX
• Sound for Video
• Editing & Postproduction
Work in our project-studio and create your films with the same equipment and production process currently used in the industry. Gain the basic knowledge you'll need to begin a career in the film industry.
Total cost for the four-week course: $345
Four consecutive Tuesday evenings.
Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: Joe Loesch's studio * DIRECTIONS TO JOE'S STUDIO
To register, call The Actors School 615-500-7661 or email: Alan@ActorsSchoolUSA.com
CLASS SCHEDULE