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Directors & Actors workshop
for working and aspiring film directors and actors. Achieve authentic, powerful, and memorable performances that read well
on camera.
Feb 25-26, 2012
Sat-Sun, 10am-6pm
Shetler Studios
244 W54th St,
New York, NY
Participating Directors: $235. limited to 8
Participating Actors: $235 Initial, private session required (scroll
down for info)
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| Directors & Actors, Fall 2011 |
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DIRECTORS & ACTORS Director and actor, Ela Thier, offers a revolutionary approach to achieving
real-life and memorable performances that read well on camera. Scroll down for course description and instructions for: Directors, Actors, Observation. View
Ela's reel at: www.ElaThier.com. Besides
having a vision, a great director also knows how to communicate their vision and bring it to life through their collaboration
with their actors.
Unfortunately, many people are taught to believe that some people have a natural and inexplicable ability to do just
that, and others don’t.
It’s
been my experience that simple, effective, and user-friendly directorial tools can elevate any director in their ability to
evoke the performances that they’re looking for.
This workshop includes talks, demonstrations, and coached rehearsal sessions, in which directors will gain and practice
simple techniques to consistently drawing out the best possible performances from their actors.
Learn how to communicate with actors to achieve natural, powerful, and
memorable performances that best serve the story and your vision, time and again.
Workshop is limited to 8 directors. Each director receives one-hour of a coached
rehearsal session. Optionally, directors are invited to submit original scenes in advance that they’d like to direct
in class.
Submitted scenes should be typed,
in screenplay format, under 5 pages, and involve only two characters. All submissions must be sent at least one-week prior
to the workshop. Scenes that for one reason or another may not be conducive to studying directing actors may not be selected
to be used at the workshop. Directors who don’t submit a scene, or whose scene can’t be used for our purposes,
will be given an original scene, written by Ela, to direct in class.
Limited
to 8 directors. Directors at all levels of experience are welcome to participate. Register as a director ACTORS No fictional
character under the sun, no matter how well-written s/he is, can be more interesting, complex, richer, or deeper, than a real
human being, which is what you are. Given the fact that there’s no one in the world like you, what you have to offer
as an actor, to any given piece, is completely unique, exciting, and distinct from what any other actor can offer. Rather
than "acting", you'll discover that by combining the scripted lines of a fictional character with who you really
are, and you’ll automatically create a rich, real-life character that no one else but you could create.
This workshop offers a safe, supportive
and encouraging environment where actors have the space to do just that, and you'll acquire specific tools to help you
be yourself in every type of environment so that you're not depended on having
This workshop will introduce you to an approach that will revolutionize your approach
to acting. You’ll recover your confidence in your ability to act, and you’ll know that you can count on a great
performance time and again. You’ll learn how to collaborate with directors to help realize their vision while contributing
what is unique to you. Actors who've taken this workshop found themselves looking forward to auditions, because actors who
know how to bring their real selves to an audition always stand out of the pack.
For maximum attention, workshop is limited to only six actors. Each actor receives
three scenes in advance (under 5 pages) to be performed over the course of the weekend. Directors-in-training work with actors
on their scene, while being coached by Ela. Fruitful collaborations have formed in the past that went on to getting produced,
between actors and directors who worked together in this workshop.
OBSERVATION Observing the workshop is a great way to get your feet wet,
and walk away with a set of powerful and user-friendly tools that you can apply to your work. Everyone is welcome to attend for observation: directors, actors, and anyone interested in learning
more about the craft. Register for observation |
Ela has one of the most unique approaches to acting I have ever
seen. I learned more in five minutes of her class than I have in five years of training. Ela taught me how to stop "acting",
which in turn made me into a much better actor. The supportive atmosphere
makes it possible for everyone to be themselves and do their best work. She
has also shown me how to work with directors, an area that most acting classes don't touch on. Ela's workshop was one of the best things I've ever done. After just a few classes I noticed a difference in the way I perform and more importantly, audition. KATIE HALLER Actor Ela's
workshop brought my confidence back. Just when I started feeling lost in what the industry was "looking for",
Ela reminded me that the most powerful thing I could bring to a project was myself. After beginning class I booked the very
next thing I was seen for.
NABIL VINAS Actor Ela takes the acting out of acting. She will
help you get out of your head and into your heart. She will strip away everything you don't need and what is left will be
nothing short of beautiful. The simplicity of her approach has been both revolutionary and liberating for a mostly theater-trained
actor like myself. She will teach you to find yourself, not play the character. This not only translates to a more truthful
performance, but a performance that is much more interesting and exciting to watch. She creates an environment that is warm,
encouraging and above all, fun. This class was worth every penny. Thank you, Ela! Did I mention I already booked two roles
within days of completing your class?!
KAREN BERZANSKI Actor
I have studied with the 'top' teachers in LA and you, my darling, have no
idea how powerful your inner compass is to get the actor to where they need to go - and you do it blind. You're toe to toe
with Ivana Chubbuck, and this is just your beginning.
MABEL PANTALEON
Actor
Guiding actors to performances that are effortless is truly an art form and Ela is truly a master!
She is what every actor would love a director to be. I'm glad I've been acting for long enough to appreciate how rare
Ela's talent as a director actually is. The irony about directors is that the best ones make it look like they're not doing
anything. They make it look simple. Actors, you may not know it yet but trust me, you really want to work with Ela! I look
forward to saying "I told you so!"
MATTHEW MURUMBA
Actor
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As an actor, I sincerely wish that it were possible for you to teach every
director. You have a true gift for directing and teaching, which are enhanced that much more by your caring and compassion.
I am so grateful to have been able to benefit from it.
JENN HAMBLIN
Actor
Being an actor in Ela's class was a first-hand experience into the director's mind. Receiving direction
and on-point adjustments from Ela brought the scenes to entirely new levels. I always felt a sense of comfort in the space,
and was not at all afraid to take risks; I knew I was in good hands.
BRYAN FITZERALD
Actor
Having had the enjoyable privilege of working with Ela as an actor, I can
say with all honesty that she works from the passion of her heart and thinks with the clarity of a professor combining instinct
and intelligence. Ela leaves the actor with a feeling of security and the all-important knowledge that its perfectly fine,
and possible, to be yourself!
MARK BYRNE
Actor
Ela's approach is gold for new directors. She demystifies directing by teaching practical strategies for communicating
with actors and creating naturalistic performances that don't look like acting. There is nothing so magical as watching a
scene you've written turn into something awesome under her guidance. Her directing class has made me both a better director
and a better writer.
LAURA DURKAY
Director
I walked away from the workshop with simple but powerful directing techniques
that I can't wait to utilize, and I gained the confidence to know that there's nothing stopping me from directing right now.
Thanks Ela!
HURIYYAH MUHAMMAD
Director
I especially
appreciate the respect that you have for the director. You approached each scene differently, putting yourself at the service
of each director's unique vision and interpretation of their scene.
EWA SKLODOWSKA
Director
Many
directors can identify what is “not working” with their scene. Few of us, however, can make precise changes in
a short period of time that bring our imagination to life. Ela guided us to director-actor relationships that removed the
wall which stood between me and what is the most powerful weapon a filmmaker has in his arsenal: the actor. With her help
I’ve watched my work and the works of others become real and emotional experiences.
RAMAZAN NANAYEV
Director
The directing actors workshop was an incredible opportunity. I worked with professional actors in a supportive environment,
feel much more at ease directing actors, and I now have a powerful toolbox for troubleshooting scenes, especially when the
lights are up and there's no time left!
JENNA PAYNE
Director
Ela’s simple tools to direct actors stretched my imagination and taught
me how to successfully build drama into scenes. I laughed, brainstormed, and loved-every minute of the workshop. And now I
have a list of great actors for future readings and productions. Thank you, Ela!
PAMELA TIMPSON
Director
Ela's directing class was such a great gift that I've given to myself. I learned so much about directing and my confidence
in this practice has boosted tremendously. Ela provides a comfortable atmosphere and makes learning enjoyable.
EVELYN M. GREEN
Director
I feel confident and equipped to direct film actors. I appreciate you teaching specifically as a film director and
gained many different practical tools to use on set that could only come from experience.
DINA KAGAN
Director
I was introduced to new directing tools in this class, a great
group of actors, and got plenty of hands-on practice with on-the-spot thoughtful feedback from Ela. The class inspired me
to write original material to workshop, and I left the class gearing up to shoot a film with two of the actors that I worked
with.
SAMINA SAMI
Director
Ela's classes were essential to my growth as a writer-director. Using her techniques, it became easy working with actors
to craft brilliant performances. And having actors as part of the class gave me invaluable insight into the actors' perspective.
MICHAEL
ROSCH
Director
Ela, you are amazing! There's not
enough I can say about what I've learned in this class. To name just a few highlights: *Giving "actable" directions
and not talking to actors about their emotions *Helping actors out of their 'comfort zones' and working with them to expand
their range *Helping actors become more conversational and creating natural-looking performance *Using props and sets effectively,
so they feel like a natural part of a scene *Simplifying blocking and not getting bogged down in it *Knowing how to pace a
scene *Allowing the script to tell the story and helping actors avoid "indicating" tones and gestures
Your approach empowered me to explore without fear, and your solid and simple techniques enhance and strengthen any scene!
I loved working with fantastic actors, and with the freedom to be creative while receiving feedback in an encouraging, supportive
and joyful environment. Thank you, thank you, thank you! GEORGE WILSON JR. Director |
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