WHAT'S NEW
The Bay Area Acting Studio
TV/Film Summer Academy for KIDS & TEENS
was just featured on The Hollywood Mom Blog!
Read more about our Summer Academy on HollywoodMomBlog.com >
TV/Film Summer Academy for KIDS & TEENS
was just featured on The Hollywood Mom Blog!
Read more about our Summer Academy on HollywoodMomBlog.com >
The AMAZING Dreamworks / Disney producer,
ALIKI THEOFILOPOULOS taught an INCREDIBLE voice over class at Bay Area Acting Studio this last weekend
June 4 - 5!
ALIKI THEOFILOPOULOS taught an INCREDIBLE voice over class at Bay Area Acting Studio this last weekend
June 4 - 5!
COMING SOON...
Christy English, Owner/Founder of Bay Area Acting Studio, and CEM: Christy English Management, has a wealth of information to share with you and wants to make sure to keep you "in the know" so Christy will be regularly posting a blog soon! Stay tuned, we'll let you know where and when to see her posting!
INSTRUCTOR HIGHLIGHT
Melissa was last seen onstage with American Conservatory Theatre in the World Premiere of "Monstress". You can catch her on DVD, Netflix, and iTunes in the award winning indie film, "East Side Sushi".
Melissa’s passion for acting has been deeply enriched through her study of the Meisner technique. She has taught improvisation and acting at San Jose Repertory Theatre through their children’s programming, as well as with The Red Ladder Theatre Company, San Jose Rep's resident improvisational outreach theatre company, where she worked with communities from preschoolers to teens and teachers to CEOs, helping to bring acting, improvisation, and creativity into the classroom and workplace.
With over ten years of acting and teaching experience, Melissa has performed onstage across the country, and continues to work in television, film, and commercials. Her love for the craft and zest for life has brought her to teach both adult Meisner technique and kids & teens classes here at Bay Area Acting Studio!
* * * Melissa will be teaching TEEN week ONE and TV, Commercials & Improv! classes in our TV/FILM SUMMER ACADEMY for KIDS & TEENS! Learn more > OR SIGN UP >
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Melissa’s passion for acting has been deeply enriched through her study of the Meisner technique. She has taught improvisation and acting at San Jose Repertory Theatre through their children’s programming, as well as with The Red Ladder Theatre Company, San Jose Rep's resident improvisational outreach theatre company, where she worked with communities from preschoolers to teens and teachers to CEOs, helping to bring acting, improvisation, and creativity into the classroom and workplace.
With over ten years of acting and teaching experience, Melissa has performed onstage across the country, and continues to work in television, film, and commercials. Her love for the craft and zest for life has brought her to teach both adult Meisner technique and kids & teens classes here at Bay Area Acting Studio!
* * * Melissa will be teaching TEEN week ONE and TV, Commercials & Improv! classes in our TV/FILM SUMMER ACADEMY for KIDS & TEENS! Learn more > OR SIGN UP >
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FEATURED CLASSES
* * New! We're offering JUNE SPECIAL PRICING for our
TV/Film Summer Academy for Kids & Teens!
First week is $549, Second Week is $449, and Third week is ONLY $225! * *
TV/Film Summer Academy for Kids & Teens!
First week is $549, Second Week is $449, and Third week is ONLY $225! * *
TV, COMMERCIALS & IMPROV - July 18 - 22
Students will learn about acting ON CAMERA, COMMERCIAL Acting and practice skills
that will make them stand out in an audition room! This week is great because the Bay Area has a LOT of commercial work! (AGES 8-17) SIGN UP >
Students will learn about acting ON CAMERA, COMMERCIAL Acting and practice skills
that will make them stand out in an audition room! This week is great because the Bay Area has a LOT of commercial work! (AGES 8-17) SIGN UP >
DISNEY Week TWO! - Aug 1 - 5
Last year, Disney week SOLD OUT FAST! This year we're bringing it back for a second week! In addition to continuing work on comedic scene study, students will learn about IMPROV and how to incorporate it into their work! (AGES 8-17) SIGN UP >
Last year, Disney week SOLD OUT FAST! This year we're bringing it back for a second week! In addition to continuing work on comedic scene study, students will learn about IMPROV and how to incorporate it into their work! (AGES 8-17) SIGN UP >
TEEN Week ONE! - July 11 - 15
Finally a week just for our teens! Students develop acting skills through studying the Meisner Technique getting a solid foundation, being present, giving them freedom & confidence to express themselves while "playing" in imaginary circumstance. (AGES 12-17) SIGN UP >
Read more about our different week-long themes for Summer Academy here >
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Finally a week just for our teens! Students develop acting skills through studying the Meisner Technique getting a solid foundation, being present, giving them freedom & confidence to express themselves while "playing" in imaginary circumstance. (AGES 12-17) SIGN UP >
Read more about our different week-long themes for Summer Academy here >
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
New MEISNER With Scene Study in SF
We've EXTENDED the SAVINGS!
OUR ACTORS WORK! They've recently been on Grey's Anatomy (ABC), Scandal (ABC), American Crime Story:The People v. OJ Simpson (FX) & more!
A New San Francisco Meisner Technique with Scene Study started June 2. Only 3 spots left! SIGN UP >
(Sign up now and get 50% OFF your first month!)
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We've EXTENDED the SAVINGS!
OUR ACTORS WORK! They've recently been on Grey's Anatomy (ABC), Scandal (ABC), American Crime Story:The People v. OJ Simpson (FX) & more!
A New San Francisco Meisner Technique with Scene Study started June 2. Only 3 spots left! SIGN UP >
(Sign up now and get 50% OFF your first month!)
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TIPS & TRICKS
There's been an increase in requests for self-taped auditions from casting directors which makes it necessary for all actors to be prepared and able to self-tape AND submit correctly. In this two-part article, we'll give you some quick tips and suggestions on taping (part 1) and submitting (part 2) that you should become well-versed in now. Don't wait until the day that important self-tape audition request comes in!
Treat it exactly how you would if you were auditioning in the room:
Be professional and prepared when you tape yourself. Treat this audition the same as you would
if you were physically in the room with the casting director.
Don't use a web cam:
As easy as it is to just sit in front of your computer and read the sides, it looks terrible. Ideally, get a digital camcorder that fits your budget and have a friend operate the camera for you. Or if you have a high resolution camera in your iPhone, get a tripod and mount your phone to be used as a camera.
Use a solid backdrop:
You should be in front of a solid background. Too much clutter in the background can distract from your performance. Also, make sure that you wear a color that neither blends into nor contrasts with the color of your backdrop. Often, a solid and soft blue background color is suggested as blue tends to compliment all skin tones.
Try to avoid overhead fluorescent lights:
Overhead lights create deep shadows on your face which can make you look older or change your
appearance completely. Also, fluorescent lights tend to make things look more yellowish-orange.
Try to use two incandescent lights (bulbs with filaments). One as a key light, set off the side of the camera and pointed at your face, and one as a fill light, set to the opposite side of the camera a little farther away and pointed at your side. Just be careful to not over-light as you could become washed-out. If your room is small you may be able to get by with just one light.
It's very important to find a quality reader:
Make sure your reader stands behind the camera or at least directly next to it to ensure that you are performing towards the camera so we can see your face. Never, unless Casting specifically requests it, show your reader on camera with you. And make sure their volume is not too overpowering since they are standing closest to the camera.
DON’T do more takes than Casting is asking for:
Casting has requested a certain number of takes and/or scenes. If they want one straight take and one over-the-top take, then great, but doing more than is asked for could be considered presumptuous by the Casting Director and could damage their opinion of your other takes. Also pay close attention to if they request a slate and exactly what they want in that slate.
SUBMIT EARLY!
We've heard from casting directors countless times that the tapes that are sent in the earliest get more consideration and raise the chances of the actor auditioning. On average, a casting director can receive up to 600 self-tapes. It is extremely important that when you tape, you get it uploaded or sent to your manager with plenty of time to spare. Which bring us to...
STAY TUNED NEXT WEEK for
SELF-TAPE AUDITION PART 2. We'll cover the details of SUBMITTING CORRECTLY.
Now that you've nailed your self-tape audition, make sure it actually makes it to the casting director within the correct time and format!
Useful articles & docs referenced:
5 Quick Tips for Self-Taped Auditions on Backs
Eco Cast® for Actors
Back to Top ^
Treat it exactly how you would if you were auditioning in the room:
Be professional and prepared when you tape yourself. Treat this audition the same as you would
if you were physically in the room with the casting director.
Don't use a web cam:
As easy as it is to just sit in front of your computer and read the sides, it looks terrible. Ideally, get a digital camcorder that fits your budget and have a friend operate the camera for you. Or if you have a high resolution camera in your iPhone, get a tripod and mount your phone to be used as a camera.
Use a solid backdrop:
You should be in front of a solid background. Too much clutter in the background can distract from your performance. Also, make sure that you wear a color that neither blends into nor contrasts with the color of your backdrop. Often, a solid and soft blue background color is suggested as blue tends to compliment all skin tones.
Try to avoid overhead fluorescent lights:
Overhead lights create deep shadows on your face which can make you look older or change your
appearance completely. Also, fluorescent lights tend to make things look more yellowish-orange.
Try to use two incandescent lights (bulbs with filaments). One as a key light, set off the side of the camera and pointed at your face, and one as a fill light, set to the opposite side of the camera a little farther away and pointed at your side. Just be careful to not over-light as you could become washed-out. If your room is small you may be able to get by with just one light.
It's very important to find a quality reader:
Make sure your reader stands behind the camera or at least directly next to it to ensure that you are performing towards the camera so we can see your face. Never, unless Casting specifically requests it, show your reader on camera with you. And make sure their volume is not too overpowering since they are standing closest to the camera.
DON’T do more takes than Casting is asking for:
Casting has requested a certain number of takes and/or scenes. If they want one straight take and one over-the-top take, then great, but doing more than is asked for could be considered presumptuous by the Casting Director and could damage their opinion of your other takes. Also pay close attention to if they request a slate and exactly what they want in that slate.
SUBMIT EARLY!
We've heard from casting directors countless times that the tapes that are sent in the earliest get more consideration and raise the chances of the actor auditioning. On average, a casting director can receive up to 600 self-tapes. It is extremely important that when you tape, you get it uploaded or sent to your manager with plenty of time to spare. Which bring us to...
STAY TUNED NEXT WEEK for
SELF-TAPE AUDITION PART 2. We'll cover the details of SUBMITTING CORRECTLY.
Now that you've nailed your self-tape audition, make sure it actually makes it to the casting director within the correct time and format!
Useful articles & docs referenced:
5 Quick Tips for Self-Taped Auditions on Backs
Eco Cast® for Actors
Back to Top ^
SUCCESSES
Email your bookings and auditions to us at: info@bayareaacting.com ATTN: Newsletter,
so that we can share the great news!
so that we can share the great news!
 Congratulations to Laneya Grace booked her SECOND national Old Navy commercial! |  Congratulations to Anita Argent graduated Improv 101 at Upright Citizens Brigade LA! |
 Congratulations to Kyoko Dole auditioned for the new show Goliath for a scene with Billy Bob Thornton! |  Congratulations to Anne Scottlin auditioned for Hand of God! |
* * * * * END of JUNE 6 Issue * * * * *
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