Category Archives for "Intensives"

Jul 06

AUDITIONING for TV COMMERCIALS

By Richard Sarell | Intensives

AUDITIONING for TV COMMERCIALS

Dates:

Duration:

Times:

Tutors:

Full Fee:


Saturday 6 July 2019

7.5 hours

10am - 6pm

Casting Director: Biffy James (2 Divas)
Director:  Richard Sarell

$256.00


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Are you confident when auditioning for a TV COMMERCIAL?  Or do you often walk out of the audition room feeling you didn't do a great job.  Is the question often in your mind, "IF ONLY I had more time to think!  IF ONLY I could have another go!!"

Although a TVC only requires a short time commitment they often pay quite well - so TV Commercials are a handy supplements to an actor's income.  Impressing the casting director with your skill level is the first step towards the lottery of getting the gig.

This one-day workshop provides the opportunity to get better at auditioning for TV Commercials.  Yes, YOU WILL DO AN AUDITION.  But NO, YOU WONT walk out feeling that you would like a second chance.

THIS TIME YOU WILL get another chance?  After every round of auditions there will be a discussion/analysis session and then every actor will get a second go.  There will be one round in the morning session and another in the afternoon.  You get FOUR AUDITIONS in one-day working with two different audition formats.

What are the benefits of this course?

1) Build audition skill in two different audition formats

It is important to understand what a Casting Director expects of you and what they might ask of you.  What they ask might change depending on the audition format they are exploring.

2) An opportunity to sort out your specific confusions

Sort out your those areas you often aren't clear about.  Learn how to ask the right questions to get the right answers. 

3) Benefit from the knowledge of an experienced Casting Director and an experienced Director

During the briefing sessions after each audition you will get practical hands-on advice from the Casting Director's point of view and a Director's assessment.  You will explore a variety of options that are then tested out.

4) Work on real briefs so you get real experience

This will be a thoroughly professional working environment - dealing with the issues professionals face and using professional techniques to overcome them

5) Explore two different forms of TVC Auditions

Sometimes you have to work with another actor - sometimes you have to work alone.  Explore different techniques and different processes that help deal with these very different auditions.

6) Get to know a working Casting Director

Casting Directors not only need to know about your skill level they also need to know you.  Because you have a day to play with the challenges this workshop offers you will get to build a relationship with a working professional Casting Director

Shane Porteous A Country Practice [Lead actor]

For an actor a scene must do more than further the plot - it must explore the relationship between the characters. Richard has a gift for making this process clear and simple. His direction gives me confidence to trust my own intuition, thus allowing the character room to breathe...

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • You find Casting Directors intimidating
  • Uncertainty about exactly what a casting director is looking for holds you back
  • The great plans for your audition are seldom delivered
  • Don't know how to manage the unusual demands of TVC auditions
  • Which questions are the right ones to ask the casting director
  • You feel an audition is a competition that you must win

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE SKILLS …

  • you may always feel uncomfortable when auditioning for a TVC
  • you wont have a professional understanding of the audition process
  • will remain confused about issues that should be clear to you
  • you will reduce your chances of doing a good audition
  • be rigid in your choices rather than relaxed, flexible and professional

ABOUT BIFFY...

Biffy has vast and varied experience in the entertainment industry. Starting at just 8-years-old. She has worked at Channel 7, as an Associate Producer for a comedy sketch series over two seasons and has been at 2Divas Casting for 5 years. In that time she has been involved in casting hundreds of commercials.

As well as an Arts Degree she also has a Diploma of Screenwriting (New York Film Academy, NY), Masters of Creative Writing (RMIT), and a Masters of Producing in Film and Television (Victorian College of the Arts).

Biffy has conducted many private workshops for actors, advising them of audition tips and tricks, and what to expect in the casting room.

ABOUT RICHARD ...

Richard was one of the first acting teachers to begin running workshops that allowed actors to interact with Casting Directors.  The aim was to give actors experience of the audition room so that they can approach an audition in a relaxed, focused and professional way.

These are the only workshops where actors also receive analysis and feedback from a director as well as a casting director.  This combined input from two different entertainment professionals makes these workshops unique and incredibly valuable.

Richard believes this workshop will be unique in the way it identifies and solves problems for actors.  It will be a small group where​ the focus is entirely on the needs of the actors.

The Rehearsal Room runs a variety of Audition Workshops

Learn to be comfortable auditioning for TV Commercials. 

THIS COURSE - Saturday 6 July 2019

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Apr 19

Easter Intensive

By Richard Sarell | Intensives

Easter Intensive 
MANAGING THE ACTOR'S MIND

Dates:


Duration:

Times:

Tutor:

Full Fee: Student Fee:

Deposit:

Friday April 19 – Monday 22 April
(Tuesday 23 April optional)

4 days (with an optional 5th)

10.00am to 5.00pm

Richard Sarell

$580 (+$100 for 5th day)
$500 (+$80 for 5th day)

20%

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Does your actor's mind sometimes refuse to find a way through the CREATIVE CHAOS it is generating?
Do you sometimes not know where to start prepping a scene?
Does a scene sometimes end up entirely differently to the way you planned it?
Does the behaviour of your character sometimes end up dark and moody when you thought you were light and playful?
Do you look at a scene sometimes and find your mind refuses to see the circumstances as real when the writer obviously does?

David Paterson Chopper, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Saving Mr. Banks, Frost Nixon

I have observed leading teacher directors in the US and UK and Richard shares with them that facility to guide actors through the guff to the heart of the scene.

AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION: Throughout time acting teachers have been showing you, the actor, the best decision making processes for finding your place in a scene. But one area has been ignored. There is little advice on how to manage the mind of the actor who is implementing the decisions. If the actor's mind is unclear the performance technique will lack focus and the outcome will be muddled no matter how good the techniques. This process is designed to manage the mind that delivers the performance.

What will be covered in this course?

1) Identifying the creative decisions that confuse ... finding a path to fix them

While using our creative mind is always exciting, it can also be downright confusing. There are so many impulses that are flooding in it is hard to sort out which ones are important. Or whether any of them are. The way to find a pathway through the chaos is to build a simple hierarchy of choices.

2) Understanding the reasons that blur the creative decision making processes

Many of the factors that generate creative confusions stem from the way our minds work. Understanding the mechanics of our mind's processes enables us to short circuit problems and have fun with the solutions.

3) Making clear decisions about the scene

Powerful performances arise from actors who are in charge of their process. The simplest pathway is the best but our mind will rush to overcomplicate the most straightforward of choices. Managing our fears that magnify the confusions is the pathway to putting the fun back into acting.

4) Finding your character's specific role in a scene

Understanding your role is the key to doing any job well.  For the actor understanding in simple terms the role their character has in the developing story lifts the mist of confusion.

5) Learning to work at a fast pace with effective choices

Clearing the mind of random confusions is the pathway to successfully working at the speed required for a modern film shoot. Clear mind = clear choices = clear outcomes.

6) Challenge yourself, expand yourself and trust yourself

Be part of a course that takes your work to a new professional HIGH while bringing the fun back into acting

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • You want to reduce your creative fears and increase your creative fun
  • The belief you can act is constantly disrupted by irrational fears
  • Your fervent hope is that acting can be simpler as well as more fun
  • Catching up with new and very practical techniques excites your creativity
  • Bringing exciting new techniques to your acting process is something you would relish

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE SKILLS …

  • You will compromise the consistency of your performances
  • Being consistently real will be tricky
  • Director's notes will be confusing
  • Confusion will generate fear that will paralyse your decision making process
  • Monitoring the bad habits that creep into your work won't be possible
  • The fun of being in the most enjoyable classes in town will pass you by

ABOUT RICHARD...

Richard loves conducting this Intensive.  It produces such fantastic results for actors.  Focusing so intensely on the needs of a small group (maximum group size of 8) is exciting.  He loves the huge leaps forward in understanding and skill that actors achieve in this environment.



The huge success of "The Memory of Water" that Richard directed at Chapel Off Chapel (Nov 2017) clearly proved the efficacy of The Rehearsal Room's processes. Audiences loved it. Max Davine wrote in his blog on goodvibemelbourne.com "The realism he achieves is funny and heart-wrenching, sometimes both at the same time, as in life."

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Richard believes that it is the clarity and trust of simple, functional processes that enables the actor to defeat their fears and restore order from potential creative chaos.



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THIS COURSE STARTS - Friday 19th 2019

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Over 4 or 5 fun filled days learn skills you will use throughout your career. Learn to be real, to be versatile, to be a great listener and to be funny.

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Apr 07

Callback Audition Workshop with JANE NORRIS

By Richard Sarell | Intensives

Callback Audition Workshop

Dates:

Duration:

Times:

​

Tutors:


Full Fee:


7, 14 & 21 April

11 hours over 3 weeks

9.00am to 1.00pm (7 & 21 April)
3 hours morning or afternoon on 14 April

Casting Director Jane Norris
Director:  Richard Sarell


$348.00


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A great opportunity to build your skill and flexibility in the audition room.  Rise to the challenge of being called back by the casting director with a specific task to fulfill. 

Be assisted in your preparation for your call back session by television director RICHARD SARELL.

Two audition sessions with an experienced casting director plus a coaching session in preparation for your callback session.

What will be covered in this course?

1) Build audition skill in two audition sessions with JANE NORRIS

It is as important for a Casting Director to meet and understand you as a person as it is for them to know about your acting skill.

2) An opportunity to push boundaries and find out what more you have to offer

This 'Callback' format gives actors the opportunity to explore a range of skills. - to test them out with a professional casting director and get feedback.

3) Get great tips on general casting issues

During the briefing sessions at the beginning and end of each workshop you will get practical hands-on advice from the casting directors.

4) The opportunity to ask questions

You will be able to ask questions in the two briefing sessions about the personal areas of confusion or concern you have.

5) Get specific analysis of your audition technique

In your one-on-one time with television director Richard Sarell you will get direct honest feedback about your audition technique and your acting technique.  Sometimes your acting techniques are great but your audition technique doesn't display your strengths.  Richard will assist you with clear and practical advice.

6) Make progress at being less nervous in auditions

Nerves can have a big impact on the outcome of an audition.  Making an audition an ordinary experience rather than an exceptional one is a skill that needs to be acquired and practiced.

Shane Porteous A Country Practice [Lead actor]

For an actor a scene must do more than further the plot - it must explore the relationship between the characters. Richard has a gift for making this process clear and simple. His direction gives me confidence to trust my own intuition, thus allowing the character room to breathe...

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • You find Casting Directors intimidating
  • You are never sure exactly what a casting director is looking for
  • You have made great plans for your audition but never deliver them
  • Don't know how to conduct yourself in an audition
  • Don't know which questions to ask the casting director
  • You feel an audition is a competition that you must win

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE SKILLS …

  • you will always feel uncomfortable when auditioning
  • you wont have a professional understanding of the audition process
  • will remain confused about issues that should be clear to you
  • you will reduce your chances of doing a good audition
  • be rigid in your choices rather than relaxed, flexible and professional

ABOUT RICHARD...

Over his twenty-five year directing career Richard found that many actors he auditioned didn’t actually listen in auditions.  And he realised that it took many years of experience for actors to come to terms with and understand the audition process.

Having a practical understanding of what the actor's job is when auditioning is a massive help in enabling an actor to audition well.  These workshops aim to quickly build an actor's understanding of the audition process - which usually takes actors years of professional experience to acquire. There are many myths about auditions and many confusions about what Casting Directors and directors are looking for.

Richard was one of the first acting teachers to begin running workshops that allowed actors to interact with Casting Directors.  The aim was to give actors experience of the audition room so that they can approach an audition in a relaxed, focused and professional way.

These are the only workshops where actors also receive analysis and feedback from a director as well as a casting director.  This combined input from two different entertainment professionals makes these workshops unique and incredibly valuable.

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Learn skills you will use throughout your career. 

THIS COURSE - Saturdays 7, 14 & 21 April 2018

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Mar 17

Comedy Boot Camp with guest LUKE McGREGOR

By Richard Sarell | Intensives

Luke McGregor Comedy Masterclass

Dates:

Duration:

Times:

Tutors:

Full Fee:


Saturday 17 March

(4 hours)

12noon to 4pm

Richard Sarell, Kyahl Anderson, & Luke McGregor

$130.00

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Come and learn from one of Australia's funniest story-tellers! The Rehearsal Room will host comedian and actor Luke McGregor as he helps us explore what makes us laugh, cry, and everything in between.

Jesse Chaffey 

"Being able to identify and speak about everyday things we all experience in a comedic way makes for a highly entertaining show, because the audience knows exactly what the comedian is talking about. That's what makes Luke McGregor so side-splitting and hysterical."

Jesse Chaffey, Comedy News

What will be covered in this course?

1) Work with Luke McGregor on a comedy scene

You will be paired up with another actor and be given a scene to play with during the workshop.

2) QnA with Luke McGregor

Richard Sarell and Luke will have a chat about what makes Luke's comedy tick. There will be a chance for a few questions from the audience too.

3) Spend time with the Rehearsal Room team working on your scene

Richard and Kyahl will both work with actors throughout the afternoon in conjunction with Luke.

THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

  • You don't have the trust in yourself to be funny
  • You feel you don't know how to be funny
  • You are experienced with comedy looking for a fresh perspective on comedy
  • You have little experience in comedy and want to learn more

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THESE SKILLS …

  • You have much less chance of standing out from the crowd
  • TOTALLY realistic performances could well elude you
  • Auditions will be scary rather than fun
  • You won’t be in charge of your performance.
Glenn, Richard & Kyah at the first $10 Sunday

ABOUT LUKE

Luke McGregor started his stand up comedy career in Tasmania in 2007 when he entered the raw comedy competition after one of the contestants didn’t show up. Since then he has gone from strength to strength, performing sold out seasons at international comedy festivals and developing critically acclaimed content for the ABC. 

2017 saw Luke return to stand up with sell-out seasons of his brand new solo show "Almost Fixed It" in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne, as well as seeing Luke back writing/co-starring in Rosehaven. 

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ABOUT RICHARD

Richard first discovered the core values of this acting technique when he was directing drama at the ABC in Melbourne in 1984.  Since then he has continued to explore and expand the understandings that evolved from these simple beginnings.  He has found these techniques produce high quality performances for drama as well as comedy.

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One half day
(12noon - 4pm) 
Saturday 17 March 2018

Learn skills you will use throughout your career. Learn to be real, to be versatile, to be a great listener and to be skilled in auditions. 

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