Screen acting: beginners
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Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 12 May 2025End Date: 23 Jun 2025Mon (Evening): 18:00 - 21:00In PersonFull fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £209.00
- Start Date: 17 Sep 2025End Date: 22 Oct 2025Wed (Evening): 18:00 - 21:00In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 6 sessions (over -6 weeks)Course Code: DRB022Full fee £329.00 Senior fee £329.00 Concession £230.00
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What is the course about?
Proactively develop your on camera skills in this intensive screen acting course. Work both singularly and with other actors, under the invaluable guidance and direction of an award winning screen actor and experienced teacher. The focus is on combining the technical disciplines needed for screen work with script and character work. The course will give students a practical understanding of what this entails.
Watch student testimonials: here
What will we cover?
Scene work - monologues and duologues
Technical considerations of the camera
Working effectively with the director and fellow actors
Physical continuity.
Please note that acting classes by their very nature can involve exercises and the exploration of material that some students may find challenging.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
* Demonstrate confidence and relaxation in front of the camera;
*Adhere to the technical discipline required for acting on screen
*Work effectively with the director and fellow actors
*Maintain focus and continuity
*Perform a monologues and/ or duologue successfully for close-up camera work.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
All are welcome. This is an inclusive workshop and accommodates those with some prior training in acting who wish to strengthen their camera technique and those new to screen work who wish to learn the key techniques.
In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:
• Listen and respond to instructions and feedback.
• Communicate clearly in discussion and drama practice.
• Read and respond to a variety of text.
• Give and receive constructive feedback.
• Take notes.
• Work within groups and pairs safely.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
In pairs, individually and small groups.
As part of the course content, your tutor may record your image for initial and ongoing assessment purposes. You are entitled to decline to participate in the recording of your image.
Your tutor will advise if recordings may be made available via Google Classroom at the end of this course, subject to City Lit's privacy policies and current data regulations.
As part of the course content, your tutor may record your image for initial and ongoing assessment purposes. You are entitled to decline to participate in the recording of your image.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Comfortable clothing should be worn. A notebook and pen.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Continue to build confidence and improve your skills in screen acting: improvers; your tutor will advise you or contact drama@citylit.ac.uk. You may also want to consider a course in Stanislavski and or Method Acting.
As an actor Gary has been a regular on British television since his debut role in Hollyoaks from 1999 to 2000. Various television roles followed, but he's probably best known for his two year stint as DC Paul Riley in ITV's The Bill. Various feature films were to follow along with various stage appearances including his role as Silver in the premiere run of Jim Cartwright’s acclaimed play ‘Hard Fruit’ at The Royal Court. Recent credits include co-leading Anders Banke's 'Enemy Lines' (2020), currently available on Sky Store and Apple TV, leading Cristian Solimeno’s acclaimed dark drama 'I made this for you' (2019) and appearing in international TV drama 'Giri Haji' (2019) for BBC 2 and Netflix. Upcoming films include 'Neil Monaghan's 'Election Night' which is due for release late 2020. Gary made his directorial debut with the multi-award winning ‘Daisy’s Last Stand’ in 2010 and went on to direct feature film ‘Lighter’ for Solaris Productions. The awards for ‘Daisy’s Last Stand’ include ‘Best film’ at the BAFTA hosted annual Film London awards, and ‘Best film’ at ‘The Okanagan International Film Festival’ in Canada.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.