Westport, CT Classes
To be an actor, you must know yourself. Only when you find your “own truth” can you bring it to a role. In this class, working and aspiring actors work on various scenes to deepen and expand their acting skills. Students will focus on developing an actor’s deepest possible emotional connection to the work and finding true spontaneity within their work.
Brian J. Carter teaches all acting classes.
Stay tuned for announcing a new session of dialects and workshops for actors and filmmakers!
SAVE THE DATE
Pre-IFP Short Film Program – expanding to two weeks this year!
Week One: Monday-Saturday, July 15 – 20 (Saturday, July 20 is a rain date), 10 am-6 pm
Week Two: Monday-Saturday, July 22-27 (Saturday, July 27 is a rain date), 10 am-6 pm
This unique program brings students of all ages together to produce a series of professional short films (2-5 minutes). Guided by a professional crew, our college and high school directors will bring their own scripts or the scripts of our middle school writers to life, starring our elementary and middle actors (high school actors may participate in week one). Everyone involved will have professional short films to keep forever (and for use for college applications or professional reels). See below for more information.
Independent Feature Film Program
July 29-August 11 (all dates mandatory – August 11 is a rain date)
The Independent Feature Program is for students committed to pursuing or already pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. IFP allows a limited number of high school writers, actors, designers, and technical crew members to work alongside a small crew of working professionals to create a feature film. Throughout the summer, participants will be required to participate in every aspect of filmmaking, from writing to pre-production to post-production experiences, with the core experience being the filming of the film conceived and written by the participants alongside professional writers, directors, and crew.
ABOUT THE PROFESSIONAL SUMMER FILM TRAINING PROGRAMS
Our summer film program is an in-depth and rigorous training program that allows students to learn about every aspect of filmmaking in front of and behind the camera! It is also a tremendous amount of fun as we bring all our students of all ages together to create films that will last forever! Students can participate in the short film program(for one week or two weeks), the feature film program (two weeks), or both (with a discount, of course.).
Because our students participate in every aspect of production, from writing the scripts to post-production, they are building their skills and their resumes. All of our films are shot on professional cinema RED Komodo cameras – the same cameras that studio and professional feature films are shot on. We use multiple professional cinema cameras (RED, Canon, and Blackmagic), a professional grip kit, and additional equipment for our feature film, including a jib, dolly, and gimbal. Last summer, most scenes were shot with a five-camera setup.
Students can learn and use all of this equipment – something that is not provided even in some of the top university undergraduate film programs.
New this year:
When not filming, all students will be scheduled for workshops with our fifteen-person professional crew members. Our on-set teacher will coordinate with the students to facilitate this teaching. Workshops will include cinematography, editing, and equipment skills training.
Our new paid internship program for college students will expand the community of artists and give our high school students a chance to work with future peers from top film schools.
We have produced 27 short films and four feature films in the last four years. Our films have received over sixty film festival selections or honors. Our industry resources have allowed our high school students to serve as production assistants on professional films after participating in the summer film program.
Our films have been recognized by film festivals including – All American High School Film Festival, Blackbird Film Festival, Woodstock Film Festival, Boston International Kids Film Festival, Ridgefield Independent Film Festival, Amsterdam International Film Festival , The Hollywood First-Time Filmmaker Showcase, Sarasota Film Festival, Atlanta Children’s Film Festival, KIDS International Family Film Festival, San Diego International Kid’s Film Festival, Newcastle International Short Film Festival, Brooklyn International Short Awards, New York International Film Awards, Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards & Festival, Santa Cruz Independent Film Fest, New York Independent Cinema Awards, Highland Square Film Festival, LA Indies, Independent Shorts Awards, Dallas Movie Awards Festival, Brooklyn International Short Awards, Dallas Shorts, Niagara Falls International Short Festival, Miami short Film Festival, Vegas Shorts, Indie Short Fest, Screen Test Student Fest, and New York Arthouse Film Festival.
Our high school writers and directors in our short film programs have used the films as part of their college applications and have been accepted to programs at top film schools such as NYU, UNC-School of the Arts, Emerson, Depaul, Columbia College, UT Austin, SCAD and Ithaca. Our actors have used the footage for professional reels and college applications and have been accepted to top acting and film programs at universities such as New York University, University of Southern California, Emerson, Chapman, Loyola Marymount, UT Austin, PACE, Ithaca, DePaul, Berkeley, North Carolina School of the Arts and UCLA.
We are one of the few programs in the country offering an in-depth immersion in feature filmmaking (in fact, we haven’t found any others that use our model). The program has drawn participants from New York, Connecticut, California, and Pennsylvania. We look forward to expanding this opportunity for professional training to an even broader geographic range.
SPRING AND WINTER TRAINING
Join our students who have booked series regular and guest-star roles on Hulu, CW, Apple TV, NBC, and more; feature films; and Broadway shows, and have been accepted to the top acting and film schools, including NYU, USC, Chapman, Emerson, UCLA, LMU, Berkeley, Pace, UT- Austin, SCAD, CCM, and many more. With our assistance, they have interned at NYC theatres and talent agencies.
TV AND FILM ACTING CLASS
As we gear up for our summer film program and want to get back into the groove of self-taping now that the industry labor strikes have been resolved, we are launching an exciting new TV AND FILM ACTING class for all ages. In this class, students will work with Brian J. Carter and also have their work evaluated by a casting professional from one of NYC’s busiest offices. Additionally, in the final weeks of the class, we will film short films working with a professional crew, and each student will finish the course with reel footage for professional auditions or college portfolios! There will be an opportunity for those who want to direct (or prep for directing for our summer film program). And for those who wish to expand their production skills, professional crew members from our summer film program join us for the filming of the short films.
As always, new students can audit the semester’s first class!
Because this class will be rigorous, we are not breaking up the winter and spring into two sessions this year.
Sundays
Jan 14, 21. 28; Feb 4, 11, Mar 3, 10. 17, 24; Apr 7, 28; May 5, 12, 19
Grades 3 -5
FEE: $750
2:00 – 3:30 pm
SIGN UP FOR GRADES 3-5 (payment plans available; email us for info)
Grades 6-8
FEE: $850 (payment plans available; email us for info)
4:00 – 6:00 pm
High school
FEE: $850
6:30-8:30 pm
SIGN UP FOR HIGH SCHOOL (payment plans available. Email us for info)
WINTER REMOTE CLASS (Virtual Classroom)
Grades 4th-12th
For those who live outside of NYC and Fairfield County, CT area or those who want to double up on their training. This class focuses on TV and Film on-camera training and auditions. Actors will learn how to bring themselves to each role and on-camera techniques.
$400
Tuesdays (January 23, 30; February 6, 13, 20, 27; March 5, 12, 19)
6:30-8:00pm
SIGN UP FOR REMOTE ACTING CLASS
SPRING REMOTE CLASS (Virtual Classroom)
Grades 4th-12th
$400
Tuesdays (April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 8, 14, 21)
6:30-8:00pm
WRITING FOR STAGE AND FILM
Sundays, noon-2 pm
Jan 28; Feb 11; March 24; April 28; May 19 and June 2
Fee: $600
SIGN UP FOR THE WRITING FOR STAGE AND SCREEN WORKSHOP
Our writers’ workshop is ongoing, and aspiring writers can join anytime. Students will work with our professional writer, Matt Minnicino, to develop their writing. Students are encouraged to send drafts regularly in between meetings for written feedback. During classes, portions of the student’s work will be read aloud for feedback (students also have the option for written feedback only).
CREATORS AND THE BUSINESS WORKSHOP
Ages 13 and up
$500
Thursdays, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm
Thursdays, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm
January 11, 18, 25; Feb 8, 15, 22; March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11, 25; May 2, 9, 16, and 23
SIGN UP FOR THE CREATORS AND THE BUSINESS WORKSHOP
A professional gathering for working and pre-professional artists of all ages to discuss working in the industry, current issues, and the essential skills and information creators need. Meeting weekly on Zoom, topics include how to produce; how to pitch a project, the corporate structure of the industry; and what the future of the industry will look like. This is a participant-driven discussion. Participants will be sent articles, studies, and other media about the business. Members of the industry regularly join us for Q&As.
PRIVATE LESSONS
For those who want more individual focus in addition to the group acting classes or to dig deeper into their training with one-on-one sessions when there are fewer school extra-curricular activities, these lessons will be individually tailored for each student. Lessons will be scheduled at standard times to ease teacher and student schedules. If there are students who are focusing on similar skills, we are open to discussing a small group of two or three students. Discounted rate available only to students currently enrolled in Sunday or Wednesday classes and adult students.
Private lessons will be scheduled by session.
Weekly one-hour sessions (10 Lessons during winter session) $600 per session – SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSONS (one session)
Bi-weekly one-hour sessions (5 Lessons during winter) $375 – SIGN UP FOR BI-WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSONS (one session per sign up)
SUMMER PROFESSIONAL FILM TRAINING PROGRAMS
Our summer film program is an in-depth and rigorous training program that allows students to learn about every aspect of filmmaking in front of and behind the camera! It is also a tremendous amount of fun as we bring all our students of all ages together to create films that will last forever! Students can participate in the one-week short film program, the two-week feature film program, or both (with a discount, of course.). Last year, over three weeks, we produced eight short films and a feature film! Because our students participate in every aspect of production, from writing the scripts to post-production, they are building their skills and their resumes.
Participation is offered first to our current students in any of our classes/private lessons and professional coaching clients of high school age. All other participants must complete an informational interview before acceptance to the program. Please email us to register for the program or more information.
All of our films are shot on professional cinema RED Komodo cameras – the same cameras that studio and professional feature films are shot on. We use two RED cameras, three additional cinema cameras, and a professional grip kit for our feature film. Students can learn and use these cameras – something that is not provided even in some of the top university undergraduate film programs. This summer’s fourteen-person professional crew will work with those students interested in learning skills that can get them internships or hired on film sets as soon as they graduate high school. There is no better way to spend a summer break from college than on set!
We have produced 25 short films and four feature films in the last three years. Our films have been recognized by over 50 film festivals, including – The International Film Festival Manhattan (winner of best US narrative film), Boston International Kids Film Festival, Sarasota Film Festival, Blackbird Film Festival, Niagara Falls Film Festival, Dallas Shorts, the London Independent Film Awards, and the Independent Shorts Awards. Our student summer short films have been screened as part of MOCA Westport’s Teen Film Showcase. We will also be hosting our own screening of all this past summer’s short films and our feature film, FRIED OREOS, this spring, so stay tuned.
Our short film programs’ high school writers and directors have used the films in college applications. They have been accepted to programs at top film schools such as NYU, Emerson, Depaul, Columbia College, UT Austin, SCAD, and Ithaca. Our actors have used the footage for professional reels and college applications and have been accepted to top acting programs at universities such as NYU, Emerson, Loyola Marymount, UT Austin, PACE, Ithaca, and UCLA.
Pre-Independent Film Project Short Film Program
Rising 4th-9th graders have the opportunity to be actors in our short films! Or to write their own film that one of our high schoolers will direct!
Rising 10th-12th grade are our writers and directors!
DATES AND FEES TBA
10 am-6 pm (rehearsals and filming will be staggered throughout the week)
Pre-IFP takes place the week before the summer’s independent feature film project. This unique program brings students of all ages together to produce a series of professional short films (2-5 minutes). Guided by a professional crew, our high school directors will bring their own scripts or the scripts of our middle school writers to life, starring our elementary and middle school actors. Everyone involved will have professional short films to keep forever (and for use for college applications or professional reels).
Independent Film Project Feature Film
Rising 9th grade – 2023 high school graduates
DATES AND FEES TBD
A program for students committed to pursuing or already pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. IFP allows a limited number of high school writers, actors, designers, and technical crew members the opportunity to work alongside a crew of working professionals to create a feature film, and there is an opportunity for our rising 8th graders to be a part of the experience as writers; in minor roles and as crew members. Additionally, younger actors who have already worked professionally may request approval to participate in the independent film project!
Throughout the summer, participants will be required to participate in every aspect of filmmaking, from writing to pre-production to post-production experiences, with the core experience being FILMING of the film conceived and written by the participants alongside professional writers, directors, and crew.
Participation is offered first to our current students in any of our classes/private lessons and professional coaching clients of high school age. All other participants must complete an informational interview before acceptance to the program. Please email us to register for the program or more information. Registration is due by March 31.
This rigorous program provides practical, hands-on experience in acting, filmmaking, design, tech, and post-production, mirroring the same process used in professional filmmaking. Participants have also contributed original music to the films’ soundtracks. Throughout the summer and most especially during the principal photography period, ALL participants are expected to behave in the same manner they would in a professional circumstance and fully commit to filmmaking’s challenging schedule and demands.
In addition to professional film credits for their resumes, high-quality footage for professional reels, and academic applications (especially college applications), this experience prepares artists for their desired careers.
Writing and script development has already begun – we can always use more writers, so please let us know if you are interested. Pre-production and rehearsals are scheduled in June and July based on participant availability (to accommodate travel schedules, zoom may be used for some rehearsals). Post-production is in the fall and winter of 2023.
Please email us to register for the program or more information.