While some 90% of actors come from backgrounds with theater training, 90% of work for actors is in filmed media. To be successful in this highly competitive field of acting, knowledge of techniques specific to film work is essential for today’s actor.

Study in the film capital of Europe. Not only is Prague a beautiful historic location with an active student life, but hundreds of international productions have been shot in the city including, Bourne Identity, Van Helsing, The Illusionist, Casino Royale, and the recently released Wanted and Prince Caspian.

Students will have a direct connection to large scale professional films via Department Head, Nancy Bishop who is the lead casting director in Prague. Because there is a limited pool of Prague-based English speaking actors, students will find themselves in an advantageous position for film castings on English language productions.

-A serious and professional learning environment
-An intensive curriculum that encompasses all aspects of acting
-Hands on work in front of camera
-Total immersion in film acting craft.
-Production of scene work specifically designed to showcase actors on a showreel
-Crucial participation in the film making process
-Acting work in minimally twelve short films per semester
-Access to quality professional film making resources
-An opportunity to tailor design a course of study that could incorporate other Prague Film School courses

The department will provide:
-Valuable contacts to a network of film makers including classmates and faculty at Prague Film School
-Career guidance
-Effective courses in on-camera casting technique, and actor marketing
-Direct links to film productions in Prague
-At the end of the year, students will walk away with a quality show reel that effectively showcases them for professional work

All instructors for the acting program are working professionals culled from the many skilled crew members who make Prague their home. Expect to work with an international group of professional directors, actors, camera crew, voice/dialect coaches, stunt coordinators, and casting directors.

The program gives preference to actors who already have some experience. Theatre actors who wish to make the transition to film are especially welcome. Inexperienced or beginning actors are also encouraged, provided that they demonstrate adequate commitment, and potential.

1. COMPLETE APPLICATION FORM.

2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
All prospective students for the Acting for Film program should submit a one page statement of purpose, outlining a brief summary of their experience and explaining why they wish to attend the program. Statements that contain a serious and committed intent to pursue a disciplined study of acting will be given preference in the program.

3. C.V.
Actors with previous experience should submit a CV listing their work in theatre, film, TV and commercial work. The CV could contain both professional as well as amateur/school projects.

4. HEADSHOT
An A4 size (or 8”x10”) neutral photo of the applicant from the neck up should be submitted in color or black and white.

4. REEL. (optional)
All applicants who have a showreel of thier work should submit it. Otherwise applicants could submit a taped monologue of their work, 1-2 minutes long.

5. LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION from a professor, instructor or a professional who knows the applicant’s work.

Please write to filmschool@rexpats.com for an application.

The Acting for Film program at the Prague Film School prepares actors to become technically skilled, versatile and marketable in the film industry.

Coursework emphasizes training for the naturalistic portrayal of character, the most frequent style used in film. Students will also engage in workshops for immediate expressiveness and improvisation, enabling work in response to images and to meet non-narrative challenges of alternative film styles.

Because there are many valid approaches to character portrayal, the process taught at the school makes use of complementary techniques such as Meisner‘s behavior-based exercises, Robert Cohen’s techniques for integrating the actor’s many technical tasks and physicalization exercises adapted from the Lecoq school. These tools are applied to the preparation of scenes which are filmed and critiqued for effectiveness.

Courses in Voice and Movement will also be essential components of the curriculum. Regular sessions will be held in movement, dance and yoga for relaxation and breath control. Vocal training for resonance and versatility will be offered with special attention given to creating speech dialects useful for work in international productions.

Acting is both an art and a craft. Film acting students will learn the specific skills that make up the craft of film acting, as well as delving into the entire film-making process. Students will learn, for example, how the cinematographer’s shot sizes affect performance, how the sound crew’s needs affects the actor’s vocal range and volume and how the actor can make interesting choices, using the frame as a proscenium device.

Since Prague Film School’s filmmaking program involves the production of short films each semester, the Acting for Film students will gain crucial on camera experience in shorts that will provide valuable material for show reels. In the second semester a final project in an editing course will guarantee that all students leave with a marketable, professional quality demo reel.

For more information, or to sign up for this program, contact nancy.bishop@filmstudies.cz