Young Actors Program

Our Young Actors Program is an in-depth and comprehensive training program for students in the age-range of 11-16 (6th-11th grade). It is designed to train young actors for acting on-camera, in films, tv, webisodes and commercials.

This is a relatively new program we started last Fall with great success. It will rapidly grow and expand with additional classes in Spring 2012 and beyond. All classes will then be repeated 5 times a year: Fall, Winter-1, Winter-2, Spring and Summer.

Students can enter the program at any level, based on their prior training and experience. Their entry level will be determined by consultation with our instructors.

Casting Opportunities: All our young students in the program, after completing "Film Acting I", will be eligible for the unique and extraordinary casting opportunities our school provides in movies, tv, webisodes and paid commercials.

Classes offered in Winter 2012 (Jan - Mar)

Additional classes to be offered, starting Spring 2012

  • Film Acting III: On the Film Set
  • Advanced Film Acting
  • Improvisational Acting for Camera

To enroll, please visit our Enrollment page or call 877-663-4561 (877-ONFILM1).

Film Acting I: Intro to Film Acting (8 weeks)

This is a perfect class for the beginning young actors who have little or no prior training and experience in acting. In a trusting and nurturing environment, the young actors will learn the basics of on-camera acting for film and tv.

Students will explore acting methodologies which will hone and refine techniques needed at the entry levels. In a playful and fun atmosphere, they will built their confidence while learning through humor, games, and on-camera scene exercises. This class will inspire and motivate.

The class-work will be recorded with digital cameras on complimentary thumbdrives which will be given to the students for their own records and viewing.

Start date: February 13, 2012 (You can join this class later, with a prorated tuition, Please inquire.)
Mondays, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (8 classes on: Feb 13, 20, 27, Mar 5, 12, 19, 26, Apr 2)
Instructor: Zehra Berkman
Prerequisite: Willingness and enthusiasm to learn
Tuition: $300

NOTE: Class-size is limited to 12 students.

Ready to enroll? See our payment options

Film Acting II: Intermediate Level (8 weeks)

For students who already have a basic training and experience in film or theatre. Young actors currently working in the entertainment industry are also welcome to enroll.

Our goal is to increase skill level and understanding of acting on camera while building on basic foundations of superior acting: emotional truth, characterization, relationship, actions and objectives, and performing in the moment. Material is selected from age-appropriate scripts.

The class-work will be recorded with digital cameras on complimentary thumbdrives which will be given to the students for their own records and viewing.

Start date: January 31, 2012 (You can join this class later, with a prorated tuition, Please inquire.)
Class time: Tuesdays, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (8 classes on: Jan 31, Feb 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar 6, 13, 20)
Instructor: Hester Schell
Prerequisite: "Film Acting I" or equivalent
Tuition: $320

Hester Schell is the author of the highly acclaimed book "Casting Revealed: A Guide for Film Directors" (available at amazon.com).

Ready to enroll? See our payment options

Dynamic Audition Skills (8 weeks)

This on-camera class will teach the essential skills film-actors of all ages (11 and up) need to get cast for the roles they audition for. Jessica Heidt, a multiple award winning director and producer, as well as a much sought after casting-director in the film industry, will train her students in perfecting two of the most useful and important audition techniques in today's market: cold reading and performing a short monologue.

She will also prepare her students to walk into any audition for film, tv or commercial with full confidence and make the best impression with their superior performance, as well as with their well-prepared headshots & resumes. (For essential and comprehensive information to prepare professional headshots & resumes, as well as for all the other aspects of "business" of film acting, please consider taking our "Career Management and Marketing for Actors" class by Hester Schell, below).

All students' class-work will be recorded with digital cameras on complimentary thumbdrives for their own records and further reviewing.

Start date: February 22, 2012
Class time: Wednesdays, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm (8 classes on: Feb 22, 29, Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 4, 11)
Instructor: Jessica Heidt
Prerequisite: "Film Acting I" or equivalent
Tuition: $320

Ready to enroll? See our payment options

Business of Acting: Career Management and Marketing for Actors (6 weeks)

An in depth training for the business of acting for actors of all ages (11 and up). The various tools used by actors to find the hidden job markets, how to search for projects, and what kind of marketing materials to acquire in order to compete and succeed as a professional, working actor.

Topics that will be covered include understanding what is needed for successful auditions; preparing effective and professional-quality demo-reels and headshots & resumes; learning your casting range and type; registration with casting offices; marketing strategies and the use of Internet for enhancing your career (For the actual on-camera training in audition techniques such as cold-reading and performing monologues, please consider taking our "Dynamic Audition Skills" class by Jessica Heidt, above).

NOTE: Parents of the young actors taking this class can also attend, without paying an additional tuition.

Start date: TBA (Spring Term, 2012: April - June)
Instructor: Hester Schell
Prerequisite: "Film Acting I" or equivalent
Tuition: $200

Hester Schell is the author of the highly acclaimed book "Casting Revealed: A Guide for Film Directors" (available at amazon.com).

Ready to enroll? See our payment options

For more INFO, please contact our program director Celik Kayalar at: celik@filmactingbayarea.com, 510-559-0154