THE
Summer Intensive 2017 Art, Business, Union, You! By Mari Weiss
As you enjoy the Summer Intensive this year, think of it as a microcosm of your career as you find a balance between your art, your business and your union. They all need attention to create a successful, thriving career in the entertainment industry.
together. And, as with all things in life, keep a good attitude — an attitude of gratitude — for the instructors and fellow members who have volunteered their time to make this weekend work for all of you, for the folks at AFI who generously donated their beautiful campus, and to the staff at SAG-AFTRA, who have helped make this weekend a great experience for everyone involved. We are grateful you are here and we hope you have a great time!
SAG-AFTRA LOS ANGELES CONSERVATORY SUMMER INTENSIVE
You work the craft so you stay sharp and are ready when opportunity calls. The craft feeds your artistic side, whether it’s acting classes, doing theater or improv, writing poetry or knotting macramé — whatever inspires you to be creative and express yourself will inform your acting and just make you happier. But it is a business, and that means treating it like one. Stay informed, keep good records and be a professional in everything you do, from working with your agents to the session-runners at auditions to the cast and crew on set. In my experience, nothing gets you hired again faster than being prepared and professional on the job. Everyone remembers when you make their jobs easier. Finally, working under SAG-AFTRA contracts keeps you connected to a support system that is there for you 24/7 and not just with matters of contract. The union is a community of fellow actors and creatives who can share their invaluable experience and guidance in this ever-changing industry. You can help by running for office or being a volunteer to keep the union strong and available to all its members. Just as a show is made stronger by the individuals who bring their unique talents together for the good of the whole, so is the union and our business made stronger by members being active in it. This weekend, we ask that you be mindful and open to learning new things. Even if it seems like you’ve heard it before, listen with fresh ears and see what you can take away anew. Bring a professional attitude by being on time, being considerate of your fellow members and remembering that we are in this
JULY 28—30 ONLINE registration begins Wednesday, July 19 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
IN THIS ISSUE: How to Register for Workshops
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Workshop Schedule
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Workshop Descriptions
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Campus Map & Directions
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2021 N. WESTERN AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
CONSERVATORY@SAGAFTRA.ORG
FROM THE CHAIR This has been a dynamic year for the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory, which has undergone growth, fresh ideas and new faces. I could not be more inspired to work with, our dedicated and talented committee members, all of the amazing volunteer teachers and, most importantly, you, our Conservatory members. The Conservatory has often been considered our union’s best-kept secret. It is a place for our SAG-AFTRA members to learn, develop skills and gain confidence. Just as our members grow in the programs, the Conservatory itself is growing in scope, size and capability. At the conclusion of the Summer Intensive, we will begin creating the new season of classes and events. We plan to incorporate more sessions of currently offered classes as well as new categories and disciplines. We ask for your patience, support and suggestions as the conservatory takes a big step forward, expanding its reach and enlisting more teachers and industry professionals for educational and career-guiding workshops. The committee and I are also thrilled to announce that for the first time in the conservatory’s history, we plan to offer classes at SAG-AFTRA Plaza on Wilshire Boulevard. It is truly an exciting time for all of us. We are proud to continue our work with the American Film Institute fellows, contributing to their creative academic experience and participating in their projects. Be sure to check out the 2017 Summer Intensive schedule in this edition of The Focus. This year’s theme is Art, Business, and Union: The Triangle of Success. We have put together a top-notch program, full with workshops, panels and a networking lounge. Special thanks go to our Summer Intensive Subcommittee chairs Tim Powell and Mari Weiss as well as the committee for making it all happen. The committee, the staff and our amazing volunteers look forward to seeing you at the Summer Intensive or back on campus when classes resume in the fall. Thank you for entrusting us with this fantastic program; you are in good hands! Nothing makes us happier than watching our members reach their aspirations. In solidarity, Kevin McCorkle Co-Chair SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory
FRIDAY NIGHT OPENING PANEL & RECEPTION July 28, 7-10 p.m. SAG-AFTRA PLAZA, 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Art. Business. Union. These three aspects are the foundation of every SAG-AFTRA member’s career, and they are the theme of this year’s Summer Intensive. We may become renowned actors, cutting-edge filmmakers, series regulars, show creators or performers who write or do stand-up comedy. No matter where we end up in a show biz career, we remain inspired artists, committed businesspeople and proud union members. Let’s celebrate that! Please join us for this spectacular Opening Night Panel kicking off the 2017 Summer Intensive with a group of professionals who embody these three principles. Panelists will be announced closer to the event.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP
Join us in the Warner Building for our
NETWORKING LOUNGE Hosted by NextGen Performers
Free Beverages Social Media Booth General Information Networking 2
HOW TO REGISTER Online Registration Begins Wednesday, July 19 at 10 a.m. Register through our new ONLINE REGISTRATION system.
DIAGNOSTIC LABS New This Year: The Diagnostic Lab in the Manor House Get your 15 minutes!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES
Get one-on-one feedback from experts! Each lab will be limited to six students and will feature different instructors from the intensive weekend.
ALL REGISTRATION MUST BE DONE ONLINE.
Come prepared for your 15 minutes. Bring an audition, a monologue, your headshot or demo, or marketing questions. The more specific you are, the more you can get out of your time.
Be sure to have your selections and backup choices ready in case your first choices have reached capacity.
All instructors and guests are subject to change. If substitutions are required, we make every effort to provide instructors with similar skills and experience to those listed in The Focus.
This is not a substitution for the instructor’s scheduled workshop.
At the instructor’s discretion, the class as a whole may observe individual sessions.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC SESSION
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL EVENTS. Space is limited. Find your workshops and sign up! Questions? Call (323) 865-7736
SUMMER INTENSIVE TIP #1 BE OPEN! The Intensive is full of new ideas, new technologies, new takes on tried and true methods. So listen with fresh ears and see what you can take away anew. 3
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WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS 12 STEPS TO CONSISTENTLY BRILLIANT PERFORMANCES Sunday, July 30, 3:15 – 4:45 p.m. The key to booking consistently is doing your best work on the first take every time. For that, you need a solid process and pregame ritual. Learn how to be a masterful storyteller in all three on-camera acting genres with a 12-step preparation process for auditions or on-set performances.
A 21ST CENTURY ACTOR PREPARES – BE THE CHANGE IN YOUR CAREER Saturday, July 29, 1:30 – 4:45 p.m. Kevin McCorkle Kevin McCorkle examines the three points of the triangle in an actor’s life. The first point involves enhancing and improving your skills as an actor. The next is preparing for the audition, the audition itself, then the work on set. Finally, the last point is the business of acting: investing in your career and expected return on your investment, how to manage your money and the union support in developing and sustaining your career. On-camera work, industry pros and handouts will be part of this workshop. kevinmccorkle.com 4 FABULOUS CASTING DIRECTORS Sunday, July 30, 3:15 – 4:45 p.m. Mark Bennet, Kendra Castleberry, Geralyn Flood, Jeremy Gordon The Conservatory is excited to present a Q&A with four casting directors who, between them, have cast every kind of union theatrical project we audition for: big movies, low budget independent films, network television, cable shows, web series and shorts. Here’s your chance to ask them everything from how to get in the door to what they suggest would improve your odds of booking the part. You may bring four headshots that will be compiled at check-in, one for each of the casting directors to take with them. Please do not hand them directly to the casting directors.
5 UNSPOKEN TRUTHS YOU MUST KNOW TO REVITALIZE YOUR CAREER Sunday, July 30, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Stuart K. Robinson What if following “the rules” was actually impeding your success? What if you could know what agents, casting directors and managers were actually thinking and the truths they may not want you to know? Stuart K. Robinson will share insights that take you inside the minds of industry gatekeepers and present five fundamental concepts designed to revitalize your game plan, your approach and your spirit. If you can “handle the truth,” bring your deepest questions and prepare for something different: the new rules of thinking that may open the door to your success. stuartkrobinson.com 7 STEPS TO POWERFUL ON-CAMERA AUDITIONS Sunday, July 30, 9 – 10:30 a.m. Jamison Haase The internet has changed our industry. Real decisionmakers might be in another city, another state or even another country and because of that, more and more actors are cast solely on their on-camera audition. Being a good actor just isn’t enough, now we have to be on-camera audition pros too. In this multimedia class, Jamison Haase will give you his eight steps to creating not just an audition but an on-set-ready performance. You will watch professional working actors in their auditions and understand the breakdown techniques used in their work. Some attendees will perform and receive adjustments and notes. laoncamera.com ACTING WITH IMPACT Saturday, July 29, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Kimberly Jentzen Kimberly Jentzen will be introducing tools from her book Acting with Impact as well as guiding you to a newfound depth in your work that will give you an advantage when competing as a working professional in an intensely competitive field. Kimberly will discuss risk-taking, how to tap into emotions in the imagination, and how to make stronger choices. She will offer insights into how to get that extra edge you need for callbacks and booking the job. kimberlyjentzen.com
SUMMER INTENSIVE TIP #2 BE FUELED! There will be two food trucks available but a lot of hungry mouths to feed, so consider bringing your own lunch. Bring extra to share and make new friends! 5
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS THE ‘ACTING-NICHE’ PHENOMENON SEMINAR Sunday, July 30, 1:30 – 3 p.m. John Dapolito This is a powerful and innovative look at each actor's charismatic “acting niche,” that unique and mesmerizing “it” factor. Using a cutting-edge profiling technique, John Dapolito helps professional actors realize their true acting potential as well as learn roles and parts you were born to play. You will look at the careers of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Hilary Swank, Antonio Banderas, Kate Winslet, Al Pacino, Sidney Poitier and Will Ferrell, discovering exactly how they use their acting niche. More importantly, you will zero in on what you can do to discover your unique acting niche. johndapolito.com
THE ART OF AUDITIONING ON CAMERA Saturday, July 29,10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Michael Bradley Michael Bradley will teach actors how to audition effectively on camera. Topics include experiential auditioning, intuitive script analysis and intentions, active listening, self-taping, levels of auditioning, and acting vs. auditioning. Only a few students will work on camera, however, everyone will have the opportunity to analyze a set of sides. studio4la.com/michael-bradley
SUMMER INTENSIVE TIP #3 BE COURTEOUS!
ACTION! THE ART AND SCIENCE OF STUNTS Sunday, July 30, 9 – 10:30 a.m. This program is run by volunteers Carl Ciarfalio working hard to make the weekend run In this entertaining and information-filled workshop, you smoothly so please be patient, be will learn what it takes to be a professional stunt person, considerate and bring a good attitude. create a successful career and perhaps even elevate your appreciation for these hidden heroes and heroines. This visual workshop wraps invaluable information and insights AUDITION SECRETS OF A SERIES REGULAR in an entertaining show-and-tell session featuring videos, Saturday, July 29, 1:30 – 3 p.m. storytelling and an open-floor Q&A. carlciarfalio.com, Wendy Davis starsstuntsandstories.com Not booking your auditions? Find out why. Wendy Davis is going to share her audition secrets with you. What if you AGENTS AND MANAGERS: Q&A WITH SAG-AFTRA could get a proven audition technique developed by a series PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATION STAFF regular, which will not only help you love auditioning again, Saturday, July 29, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. but also get real results? Join Wendy for this powerful, Zino Macaluso, Xochitl Cerda, Erich Mozingo interactive workshop. She will share the exact step-by-step The Professional Representatives Department will answer audition secrets she used to go from a struggling actor to a questions about your relationship with agents and series regular on a hit show — and how you can too! managers affiliated with SAG-AFTRA. The team interprets actingpros.com and enforces legacy SAG and AFTRA agency regulations and contracts as well as the SAG-AFTRA Personal Managers BASICS OF BOOKING COMMERCIALS Code of Ethics and Conduct. This team regularly provides Sunday, July 30, 1:30 – 3 p.m. assistance on contract review, dispute resolution, and Keli Daniels and Cyd Strittmatter general guidance on any agency or management-related Keli Daniels and Cyd Strittmatter will share with you their matters, including providing assistance in mediating and day-to-day “in the trenches” experiences and discuss how to arbitrating claims. This is your chance to become fully informed and gain working knowledge of your relationship maneuver through difficult situations and take care of yourself in auditions and callbacks. These working actors with your talent agent and manager. Your professional will teach from the perspective of professionals who have future and your income may depend on it! managed to stay relevant in an ever-evolving business and sagaftra.org/professionalrepresentatives continue booking commercials for nearly 25 years. cameraleft.com/basics-of-booking
CLICK HERE for Summer Intensive registration 6
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS BOOTH, BODY AND BEYOND: VO TECHNIQUES FOR VIDEO GAMES AND MORE Saturday, July 29, 1:30 – 4:45 p.m. Kal-El Bogdanove, Chris Faiella and Ike Amadi Join Kal-El Bogdanove, lead voiceover and performance capture director of Fallout 4, for an in-depth workshop on performance techniques to strengthen your booth work across all media and prep you for the unique perks and challenges of working in video games. Come prepared to experiment with body memory, spatial relationships, non-verbals and more. Demo scripts will be available or bring a piece of your choice. Special guests include voice director Chris Faiella and AAA game veteran Ike Amadi.
COMMERCIAL CASTING DIRECTORS PANEL Saturday, July 29, 1:30 – 4:45 p.m. A panel of commercial casting directors and session directors will answer questions and share their tips, advice and experience on how commercial casting differs from theatrical and how to be more successful in your commercial acting career. Panelists will be announced closer to the event.
CONQUER YOUR FEAR IN THE AUDITION ROOM AND BEYOND Sunday, July 30, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Jamie Rose Do you bang the steering wheel after an audition, frustrated that nerves got in the way of your performance? Do you BRINGING THE SELF INTO SELF-MANAGEMENT have a to-do list to help get more work but just can’t seem Saturday, July 29, 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. to get started on it? What is stopping you? Fear. In this workshop, Jamie Rose will teach tried and true mental Bonnie Gillespie So much of the creative pursuit is an inside job. Yes, control techniques to conquer your fear so you can be free to do your best work. Optional: It would be helpful to read the what you can, but release what you cannot to find balance book The Tools by Phil Stutz and Barry Michel before the and keep this hustle fun. In this lively workshop, you will learn practical tools for going with your gut as you build the workshop. jamierosehere.com career — and industry — of your dreams while living a life that’s filled with joy — and bookings! From running your CREATE YOUR OWN WEB SERIES business to connecting with the right fellow storytellers, we Saturday, July 29, 9 – 10:30 a.m. are diving deep. All levels welcome. bonniegillespie.com Entertainment is changing faster than ever, and creating your own content has become an important part of an actor’s career. Working under a SAG-AFTRA contract is COLD READING WITH AARON SORKIN SIDES good for business, it’s good for the union and it’s good for Saturday, July 29, 1:30 – 3 p.m. your art, giving you creative control and expression. Join Your 90 minutes in this gymnasium will give you the our powerhouse panel of creators who will share their opportunity to speak words provided by one of the finest experience and advice to help you get started taking charge writers working in the industry today. No pesky of your career. Scheduled are Fielding Edlow, creator and memorizing, just plug into your gut instinct and leave us star of Bitter Homes and Gardens; Steve Silverman, writer, knowing a lot more about you as an artist than we knew before you started. Buff up your cold reading mindset with director and producer of Pretty, The Inn and Club 5150; nurture, not torture. You will work with another actor and Rory Uphold, actor, writer and director of This Is Why We’re Single and Only in HelLA and Caroline Coderoni, you will leave the class floating on air, directly from The SAG-AFTRA television and new media entertainment West Wing. contracts manager. This panel will be moderated by Mari Weiss. COMMERCIAL ACTING: WHY DO I NEED TECHNIQUE? Sunday, July 30, 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Scott Wissner In this fun, informative workshop, Scott Wissner will break down the importance of having a commercial technique. You must have an acting technique to succeed in the commercial acting business. Most actors do not. Scott will give valuable tips and provide ample time for questions and answers to help demystify the commercial acting process. Attendees will perform in front of the class and be given helpful redirects. Scott will also be available to answer questions about how a casting office likes to work, current trends in the industry and how headshots and resumes should look. cameraleft.com/teachers/
DIAGNOSTICS LABS See schedule for names of instructors and available times. Receive one-on-one feedback from experts in the field. Each lab will be limited to six students and will feature different instructors from the weekend. Each student will get 15 minutes, so come prepared. Bring an audition, a monologue, your headshot or demo and questions. The more specific you are, the more you can get out of your time. This is not a substitution for the instructor’s scheduled workshop. At the instructor’s discretion, the class as a whole may observe individual sessions.
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WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS FINANCIAL WELLNESS, YOUR ART AND YOUR BUSINESS Saturday, July 29, 3:15 – 4:45 p.m. Miata Edoga Has financial stress become a constant reality in your life? Do you suspect you need to handle your money differently, but not sure where to start? For actors, a lack of financial education combined with inconsistent earning patterns, the cost of basic life necessities and the expenses of building an artistic business can have devastating financial results. But there are practical tools and systems to have a much better understanding of, and control over, your funds. Come learn how to start managing and maximizing your money to truly sustain your acting career.
SUMMER INTENSIVE TIP #4 BE PREPARED! The AFI campus is on a hill with lots of stairs so wear comfortable shoes. Don’t forget the sunscreen, a water bottle to refill — and your Fitbit to count your steps! FIND YOUR TRUTH Sunday, July 30, 3:15 – 4:45 p.m. Melissa Center Melissa Center combines an organic approach to scene work while maintaining the practicalities that go into being a successful working actor in L.A. She believes that how you show up to class, for your craft and life is the same. Class begins with a brief review of these topics: What are issues coming up in “the biz,” the world and in life? How do we balance our life as artists with the realities of commerce? Melissa will teach you a way to approach new material, resulting in an immediate, instinct-based connection. melissacenter.com FINDING YOUR AUTHENTIC VOICE Saturday, July 29, 1:30 – 3 p.m. Nick Leland Too often, the actor takes the vocal requirements of the character and script for granted, thus depriving the actor of making a truly authentic contribution to the performance with a free and clear vocal instrument. This class is designed to explore and enhance the actor’s voice through a series of functional integration exercises, freeing the individual actor’s instrument. The class will focus on the areas of warm-up, mindfulness of breathing and breath control, resonating, sounding from center, vocalization, and sensitivity to language and character.
GENERAL AMERICAN ACCENT CLINIC Sunday, July 30, 1:30 – 4:45 p.m. Gaby Santinelli Are you from another country and want to master the General American accent? Are you a North American actor with a regional dialect who would like the option to speak neutral Gen Am? Get the nitty gritty with L.A.’s “Coaching Cowgirl,” Gaby Santinelli, at this rapid-fire diagnostic American accent clinic. Gaby will determine where you’re at today and guide you toward what to do next. Please bring two printed copies of a one-minute monologue. Text will also be provided. gabysantinelli.com HOW TO LAND A SERIES LEAD THIS YEAR Saturday, July 29, 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Joseph Pearlman With 10 clients having booked starring roles this past year, Joseph Pearlman will show you what it takes to land a series lead in 2017. Learn to market yourself like a celebrity. Get a career-launching game plan that delivers hard results and learn insider secrets of the industry’s top movers and shakers. Learn how to supercharge your audition rate and book roles with less effort. Select attendees will coach one on one with Joseph on currently casting major film/TV auditions to reach their booked role transformation. josephpearlman.com IMPROV FOR ACTORS Sunday, July 30, 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Bill Applebaum Improv is about being creative and trusting one’s instincts, it is not about being clever and funny. Improvisational acting works for comedy and drama. Learn to speak the truth on stage. Through improvisation, actors will discover how to access and listen to their creative voice. This workshop focuses on the practical application of improvisation as it relates to auditioning and being a more creative actor. Everyone will get stage time. actorsimprovstudio.com INTENTIONAL AUDITIONS THAT BOOK JOBS Sunday, July 30, 1:30 – 4:45 p.m. Loren E. Chadima Do you get nervous when a casting director hands you new sides? Do you walk out of your audition thinking, “I wish I had more time to prepare?” Loren has developed proven, repeatable techniques that will help you memorize lines and connect to the reader with less than five minutes to prepare. You will learn the 9 Questions to Intentional Acting to breakdown a script. Then get on your feet and put these tools into practice. By the end of class you will know what your audition was missing and how to fix it. All actors will work. The9Questions.com, IntentionalActing.com 8
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS IT’S AN INSIDE JOB: HOW TO GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY Sunday, July 30, 1:30 – 4:45 p.m. Alison Robertson Working with Alison Robertson will allow you to challenge yourself and get real about what’s in your way. You will learn to set and take strong actions in all areas of life. You will learn how to allow your authenticity to make you successful and start believing your dreams are closer than you think. You will leave the class with gratitude for what you already have and a plan to make life bigger. This class is open to all levels. There will be one-on-one work with Alison based on time and volunteers. alisonrobertsonassociates.com KEEPING COMMERCIALS UNION Saturday, July 29, 9 – 10:30 a.m. Shaine Griffin Commercial work can be a great opportunity for prodigious exposure and a respectable income. Recent changes in the industry have had a profound effect on the commercial landscape and the industry in general. Learn how SAG-AFTRA members are leading the charge in protecting and expanding union commercial opportunities in concert with the union’s efforts to work with industry partners. We will discuss past efforts, successes and plans moving forward. Join SAG-AFTRA Associate Commercials Strategist Shaine Griffin to learn more. sagaftra.org/BestInTheBiz MAJOR CRIMES: MEET THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM Sunday, July 30, 1:30 – 3 p.m. Showrunner and cast of Major Crimes What is it like to be a series regular on a long-running successful show? How do they keep coming up with those storylines, week after week, year after year? How does an actor keep grow when doing the same part over and over? Here is a chance to find out. Meet the cast and creative forces behind the hit show Major Crimes. NEW MEDIA BOOTCAMP 101: UNDERSTANDING THE INS AND OUTS OF WORKING UNDER A SAG-AFTRA NEW MEDIA CONTRACT Saturday, July 29, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Dan Bowser and Caroline Coderoni Whether creating your own content or bringing a complex character to life, new media contracts have created exciting opportunities. In this workshop, staff from the SAG-AFTRA Television & New Media Entertainment Contracts Department will give you a crash course in everything a performer needs to know when setting foot on any new media set. Topics will include minimum rates, terms and conditions, working with the union and more. sagaftra.org/newmedia
OPENING NIGHT PANEL & RECEPTION Friday, July 28, 7 – 10 p.m. at SAG-AFTRA Plaza Art. Business. Union. These three aspects are the foundation of every SAG-AFTRA member’s career, and they are the theme of this year’s Summer Intensive. We may become renowned actors, cutting-edge filmmakers, series regulars, show creators or performers who write or do stand-up comedy. No matter where we end up in a show biz career, we remain inspired artists, committed businesspeople and proud union members. Let’s celebrate that! Please join us for this spectacular opening night panel kicking off the 2017 Summer Intensive with a group of professionals who embody these three principles. Panelists will be announced closer to the event. OWNING THE ROOM: STRATEGIES FOR A COURAGEOUS AUDITION Saturday, July 29, 1:30 – 4:45 p.m. Karen Austin Given the opportunity to express yourself creatively, where do you stop and what do you stop yourself with? Karen Austin shares simple steps to bring all of yourself to the audition party: how to make the leap into strong choices outside your comfort zone, help with unpacking self-sabotage and practical techniques for delivering your best. Some participants will perform on-camera, time permitting. karenaustinacting.com PRACTICAL TIPS FOR HOW TO AVOID THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR Sunday, July 30, 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Jordan Goldman and Jen Krater How can you make it easier for editors and directors to keep you in the final cut? Jordan Goldman, ACE, will demystify the editing process as he explains the key things professional actors should and shouldn’t do to ensure their on-set performances make it to the screen. Then, acting coach Jen Krater of Krater Studios will teach the audience how to perform these simple but crucial skills. Come learn what is needed of you and how to do it! editorsadviceforactors.com, kraterstudios.com
SUMMER INTENSIVE TIP #5 BE SOCIAL! Spread the word on social media about the Summer Intensive and the SAG-AFTRA L.A. Conservatory while you’re attending! 9
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS PRACTICE AUDITIONING WITH CASTING DIRECTOR PATRICK BACA Sunday, July 30, 9 – 10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 30, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Patrick Baca, Mari Weiss Back by popular demand from last year, this workshop simulates a real casting experience. Participants have the opportunity to get on their feet and audition in front of a casting director using actual sides from film and television projects. Each actor will only get a few minutes to work on the part, just as you would if you were called in at the last moment. Please note: Not everyone will have the chance to get on their feet and those who do will be picked by lottery.
REMOVE THE SUBCONSCIOUS BLOCKS HOLDING YOU BACK Saturday, July 29, 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Kym Jackson Kym Jackson will show you how to recognize and clear blocks from your past that are standing in the way of your success. Procrastination, anxiety, lack of money or love, feeling unworthy and hoarding clutter are products of blocks from past experiences and influences. When your blocks are removed, the right people show up, money flows to you and life is just easy. Join Kym to finally become the best version of yourself and live the life of your dreams. hollywoodsguide.com
REQUIREMENTS ON A THEATRICAL SET: ACTING & OTHERWISE Saturday, July 29, 9 – 10:30 a.m. A veteran film and television actor will share her experience about the rules, tools and information you need to bring on a variety of sets: big budget films; low budget independents; network four-cameras; network or cable single camera; “star” run sets; working with firsttime directors; working in L.A., on location in the U.S. or out of the country; long-running hit shows; new series; and sets with tons of friction. Bring your questions! Having worked over 250 jobs, there is no theatrical setting she has RECORD BETTER AUDIO – HOME STUDIOS DEMYSTIFIED not worked in. Sunday, July 30, 9 - 10:30 a.m. RETHINKING THE ART AND BUSINESS OF ACTING Juan Carlos Bagnell Juan Carlos Bagnell will walk you through the best practices Saturday, July 29, 3:15 – 4:45 p.m. Stuart Rogers for sending clean auditions, polishing up your podcast and improving your home sessions. Separating fact from fiction, Many talented people have had their dreams crushed the class will take a practical approach to dealing with noise, because of how they dealt with the business of acting. treating your space and picking that perfect microphone. Do What if you could not only have joy in acting, but also in the pursuit of work. In this class, we will explore ways of you have questions about how to get started or how to looking at the art of acting, as well as administration of an improve your sound? Juan Carlos has the answers! acting career that includes the idea that pleasure enhances somegadgetguy.com productivity. If your career is stalled or you are losing joy in your art, plagued by procrastination, or just plain not RECONDITION YOUR AUDITION having any fun, let’s see if we can find possibilities for you Sunday, July 30, 3:15 – 4:45 p.m. that you haven’t explored before. stuartrogersstudios.com Lesly Kahn Of course you can act; nobody’s questioning that! But are those skills translating into your auditions? After you’ve waited two hours to be seen, after you’ve heard the casting SUMMER INTENSIVE TIP #6 director offer the part to someone else, this class will explore ways to set you apart from the 25 other people who show up BE DRIVEN! who look just like you. You will even get some new tools. Bring paper and pen. leslykahn.com The AFI campus has limited parking so PROMO AND NARRATION – THE FUNDAMENTALS Saturday, July 29, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Ike Amadi What is it that makes a compelling promo or an engaging narration? Both remain highly sought after, but genuinely difficult to decipher, let alone master. In this workshop we will introduce and explore the tools necessary to build the skills specific to these storyteller arts. Actor Ike Amadi will answer your questions and break down the craft in easily relatable terms and methods. No gimmicks or pretense, just the simple truth of the work. jmtalent.com/amadi.html
arrive early to get a good spot. Better yet, carpool, take the metro or use Uber/Lyft. 10
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS REVITALIZING YOUR FOCUS, FUNCTION AND FLOW Sunday, July 30, 9 – 10:30 a.m. Kristine Oller As an ambitious performer with an abundance of possibilities and plans, it’s easy to run full speed ahead in different directions, simultaneously feeling energized and paralyzed, enthusiastic and uncertain. Kristine Oller will teach you how to infuse your career with a bit more space and a bit more strategy. She’ll roll up her sleeves and coach you through some of the frustrations and opportunities that you are dealing with now. You’ll get guidance that you can immediately apply to turn your effort into ease — without losing your edge. kristineoller.com SCENE BREAKDOWN AND AUDITION Sunday, July 30, 1:30 – 3 p.m. Aaron Pont This workshop will help actors make strong — correct — choices using the writer’s intention when auditioning. Aaron Pont will teach you how to use the camera to greatest effect. The whole audition is just you, and the camera can be your best friend. Learn how to truly understand what is happening in the scene and how to make it real. The workshop will also include several simple acting techniques that stop actors from overcomplicating the audition process and allow moment-to-moment freedom while continuing to build the strongest scene and staying true to the intent of the dialogue. And of course, remember to have fun! SELF-TAPING SOLUTIONS FOR ACTORS Sunday, July 30, 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Tim Powell Record professional-quality auditions and deliver them directly to agents and casting directors. Discover how to achieve outstanding results on a tight budget, understand and implement the principles of three-point lighting, select the best equipment for your needs, and make composition choices that grab and hold your viewer’s attention. Learn where to find recording apps that produce excellent results and how to meet file size requirements and deliver your auditions efficiently and free of charge. And yes, you can secretly use your smartphone or tablet for professional selftaping. auditionsup.com, timpowell.com
SUMMER INTENSIVE ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS AT
SHAKESPEARE SELLS SOAP: COMMERCIAL THEORY AND VOICEOVER Saturday, July 29, 9 – 10:30 a.m. Talon Beeson Based on the bestselling book Starting Your Career in Voice-Overs, this workshop focuses on the 7½ commercial voiceover archetypes necessary to begin building your stable of commercial reads. Using techniques from commedia dell’arte stock character work, First Folio technique and Commercial Theory, this workshop allows the actor to develop voiceover skills and achieve the elusive “one-read.” The one-read can be used to quickly make strong choices in cold readings for mic, stage and camera. Capped off with a chance to read on mic, this workshop can be a starting place or refresher for the voiceover actor. talonbeeson.com SOCIAL MEDIA GROWTH FOR ENTERTAINERS Saturday, July 29, 1:30 – 3 p.m. Ryan Walker Taught by social media expert Ryan Walker, this class teaches you how to grow and develop a beneficial social media presence and incorporate it into your daily life. Includes Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and other relevant platforms and an outline of how they can best be utilized as an entertainer. Learn to make more efficient use of your social media. Topics will include “following” relevance in casting, sponsored content, timed and precise posting, and gaining smart followers. ryanwalkerofficial.com STAND-UP COMEDY WORKSHOP Saturday, July 29, 1:30 – 3 p.m. Corey Craig and Matthew Moore Learn how to make your life experiences the subject of a killer stand-up set. This workshop will go over stand-up comedy basic rules, including setup, premise and stage etiquette. Selected individuals will have the opportunity to test out freshly minted material before the end of the workshop. coolbeanscomedy.com/#/class/ STUNT & SAFETY Q&A Sunday, July 30, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Deven MacNair Deven MacNair and other stunt professionals will go over the information crucial to know before agreeing to do a stunt. There will also be beginning hand-to-hand combat training for the screen. devenmacnair.com
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WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS A SUCCESSFUL SINGER REQUIRES THE WHOLE PERSON Saturday, July 29, 3:15 – 4:45 p.m. Come learn how the voice works and take part in a master class that applies and analyzes the basic production of singing. We will be discussing how voices are affected by more than just technique or lack thereof, and how to successfully use your craft of singing to make a living doing what you do best. TALKING POINTS: WALLA, VOICE DOUBLING & MORE Sunday, July 30, 1:30 – 4:45 p.m. Jack Levy Sound designer Jack Levy will cover walla groups, voiceover, voice doubling and more. Learn about what makes a good “looper,” how to prepare and other special skills. Learn how to shoot automated dialogue replacement (ADR) and what is expected. Understand the process, the dos and don’ts, and how to best work with the producers in studio to match production and give them what they need. Understanding the entire production process lends itself to better performances on set and in studio. anefx.com UNLOCKING THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA Saturday, July 29, 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. Is social media important for an actor? You’re on Facebook and you have a Twitter account, but now what? Come learn about how to think about and approach social media. Whether you have one follower or 1 million, social media can help you book jobs, get representation and improve your auditions. You will come away with guidelines to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed, confused or intimidated by social media and will be able to unlock its power to transform your career. WRITING A BIO THAT SHINES Saturday, July 29, 9 – 10:30 a.m. Claire Winters Do you sit down to write your website bio and become paralyzed with fear and second-guessing? Claire Winters will lead you through exercises to tell the story of your career with creativity and intelligence in your own distinct voice. Not only will you emerge with a framework for a bio you will be proud to share, but you’ll also have increased self-awareness and inspired ideas for your next steps. Students will draft their bios in the workshop and some will receive feedback. This workshop is best suited for students with professional credits and training. wit-and-spark.com
SUMMER INTENSIVE TIP #7 BE A PRO! Just like an audition, you should be on time, be prepared and if you cannot make a class, please let us know. We have understudies standing by to fill your spot.
SAG-AFTRA LOS ANGELES CONSERVATORY COMMITTEE Jane Austin - Co-Chair Kevin McCorkle - Co-Chair Bill Applebaum Charles Carpenter Lee Garlington Murisa Harba Kym Jackson Nicholas Leland Tim Powell Tyler Rhoads Gaby Santinelli Shaan Sharma Wynter Spears Bob Telford Joseph Tran Teddy Vincent Ryan Walker Angela Watson Mari Weiss
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS HOW MUCH DOES THE EVENT COST?
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I’M CONFIRMED?
Absolutely nothing! The Summer Intensive is included in your Conservatory registration fee.
After you log in to the SAG-AFTRA website, go to the Summer Intensive registration page and scroll to the bottom for your personal schedule.
DO I NEED TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS? Yes! Space is limited! All events require online registration. HOW DO I REGISTER? SAG-AFTRA Conservatory members must RSVP online here. There will be no phone or in-person registration available. WHO CAN I CALL IF I HAVE PROBLEMS LOGGING IN? If you need assistance with your login and password, please call (323) 549-6789. WHO CAN I CALL FOR GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SUMMER INTENSIVE? Please call (323) 856-7736 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. NOTE: There will be no phone registration available. CAN I BRING A GUEST?
CAN I JUST SHOW UP AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY NOSHOWS? Please check with the Conservatory office in the Mayer Library Building for any class openings. Otherwise, feel free to go to the classroom and wait in the standby line. Please note that classes will be overbooked to account for no-shows. IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY WORKSHOPS I CAN TAKE? No, as long as your classes don’t overlap, feel free to take advantage of as many workshops as you can. CAN I RECORD THE CLASSES ON MY PHONE OR COMPUTER? Recording is absolutely prohibited and if you are caught doing so, you will be asked to leave the workshop. WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM LATE TO A WORKSHOP?
Summer Intensive is only open to current Conservatory members. All members must RSVP for themselves and cannot bring guests.
Workshops close 10 - 15 minutes after the scheduled start time. We ask that you please arrive early or on time to avoid disruption to the class.
CAN I LEAVE HALFWAY THROUGH ONE WORKSHOP TO GO TO ANOTHER?
HOW DO I KNOW WHERE MY CLASS IS LOCATED?
There is a map of the campus posted on page 15. We will also No. Each member can only be registered for one workshop and have maps posted around campus. Should you need attend one per time slot. Doors will close for all workshops approxadditional assistance, please come to the Conservatory office in imately 10 – 15 minutes after starting. the Mayer Library Building or ask one of our friendly volunteers. WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO ARRIVE? We suggest arriving early. Parking is very limited on the campus, as this is our busiest weekend of the year. WHERE DO I PARK? Limited parking is available on the AFI campus as well as the Immaculate Heart High School. Parking will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be kind to volunteers who will be available to assist with parking directions. If you arrive late, be prepared to hike up the hill to get to your classes. If you are directed to park off campus, please read street signs carefully. We will not be responsible for parking tickets. We recommend carpooling or taking alternate methods of transportation. See the back page for suggestions.
SHOULD I BRING HEADSHOTS AND MY RESUME? Yes. As an actor, your headshot and resume are your calling card. You should always have them with you. OTHER THAN HEADSHOTS, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD BRING? Be sure to bring your own pens and paper. For your convenience, we also suggest bringing your own lunch and water bottle. WILL THERE BE FOOD AVAILABLE? There will be two food trucks available to purchase food and drinks on the lunch break. To avoid long lines, we recommend that you bring your own lunch. WILL WATER BE AVAILABLE? There are several water fountains on campus, so be sure to bring your own water bottle and fill up throughout the day to stay hydrated.
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THE PRACTICAL ACTOR Advice from a Working Actor By Kevin McCorkle Our profession is among the most challenging. As masters of our own fate, the road to success can be intimidating, unpredictable and frustrating. Time actually spent on work is dwarfed by time spent getting work; pursuit of the job often seems to be the true labor. Investing in pictures, developing websites, building a social media presence, attending classes, driving to auditions and networking — pursuing the job is the real work. But, this is the life you have chosen. There is no time for complacency, no waiting for something to happen. The uncertainty beneath the “do work to get work” concept is a nagging feeling for many members. Actors must make money and no one gets a job just because they “need” it, just as no athletes are drafted because they need to play and no dancers acquire spots in a company because they need to dance. Everyone must earn their cherished roles with proof of performance, their unique ability honed through endless hours of practice, performing in small venues, being coached and directed, perhaps failing, yet waking up every morning ready to do it all again. Throw yourself into the competition, not with other actors but with yourself, and strive to be an even better performer and more authentic person each day. We are humans, not machines, so we must accept the inevitable missteps and failures that help us grow. Now is the time to do the work to get work with a real plan, a strategy and solid support system. You will surprise yourself by how high you can soar. As a program of your union, The SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory is the ideal place to take classes. Register for the new year and commit yourself to taking the Conservatory’s careerboosting classes. Registration for the next season opens in August — watch for it!
NEW SEASON APPLY FOR THE 2017-2018 SAG-AFTRA LOS ANGELES CONSERVATORY The Summer Intensive marks the end of activities for the 2016-2017 SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory Season. IT’S TIME TO REJOIN! To enroll online starting August 14, CLICK HERE. To print out an application, visit: sagaftra.org/laconservatory The deadline for registration is September 1.
ONLINE CASTING DATABASE WITH iACTOR As part of your SAG-AFTRA Conservatory membership, you are eligible to be cast in AFI projects. If you would like to be considered, be sure to update your iActor profile. This will allow you to indicate an age range and portrayable ethnicities, upload pictures, add links to your website, and upload voice and demo reels. You must have an iActor account to be selected for AFI projects. To register or update your iActor account, go to: 14
LOCATION OF CLASSES Navigating the AFI Campus can be a little tricky. To the right, you will find a map of the campus with each building marked. Note: The campus is located on a hill and there are quite a lot of stairs to go from one building to the next. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
LIB: MAYER LIBRARY BUILDING FIRST FLOOR FB: FRANKOVICH BARNES SCREENING ROOM LIB: 102 SECOND FLOOR MGSR: MARK GOODSON SCREENING ROOM
WB: WARNER BUILDING FIRST FLOOR TED ASHLEY SCREENING ROOM WRATHER A WB 102 WB 106 WB 107 WB 110
MANOR HOUSE Classes and diagnostic sessions held on the first floor in the conference room.
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL EVENTS, INCLUDING FRIDAY NIGHT. SPACE IS LIMITED. REGISTRATION BEGINS JULY 19 at 10 A.M. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Questions? Call (323) 856-7736
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AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE We are located on the campus of The American Film Institute 2021 N. Western Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90027 From the Golden State Freeway (I-5): Exit Los Feliz Boulevard West. Drive approximately two miles on Los Feliz past Griffith Park until Los Feliz curves sharply to the left before becoming Western Avenue. The AFI entrance is the first driveway on the right. If you pass Franklin Avenue, you have gone too far.
AFI PUBLIC TRANSIT MAP GO GREEN TO THE SUMMER INTENSIVE Red Line to Hollywood/Western: (from Downtown and North Hollywood) Metro Bus to Hollywood/Western: 180, 181, 217, 757 and Rapid Bus and 780 Metro Bus to Franklin/Western: 207 and Rapid 717 (Call 1-800-COMMUTE or visit metro.net for times and fare) Hollywood Dash to Franklin/Western (ladottransit.com/dash for times and fares)
Tips for riding your bike: Ride like you drive (with direction of traffic, signal when turning, stay out of the door zone). You can take your bike on all Metro trains. All Metro buses have two racks on the front of the bus (Dash does not have racks). Bring a lock for your bike to lock it up during classes (there are some trees and high poles to lock to). Wear sunblock. Hydrate. Bring baby wipes to freshen up. Rules of the road and more tips on illuminateLA.com.
2021 N WESTERN AVE LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
(323) 856-7736
CONSERVATORY@SAGAFTRA.ORG SAGAFTRA.ORG/LACONSERVATORY