“It was worth the three-hour drive from Kingston.
“In the room with John and the other students we explored elements that related to the scene work, the craft, and the business. Exercises were presented during scene work to enhance our awareness of the medium and how best to create within it. Through one simple exercise I found my ‘cinematic voice’, much different in placement and sensation than my theatre voice, and that simple shift changed everything.
“We recorded ourselves on SD cards with highly constructive instruction from John on how best to review the material. We watched each other on screen in the studio and later were able to watch our own footage at home; how does the camera see you? I learned SO much over the six weeks.
“It really was worth the drive.” Cassel Miles
On Camera Class Nov. 9
These are professional track acting classes with practices that help meet the actor's needs to work in the film and TV industry.
The format of the class is that you will use typical television scenes as a device to get you up in front of the camera practicing. The scenes will be selected both from series shooting in Toronto and according to your type. In the six week course, you will do four or five different scenes.
You and your partner are filmed separately in a two-camera shoot and your work is recorded on an SD card, which is provided.
I critique your work and coach you individually as well as teach lessons to the whole class. Improvisations, exercises and games, geared to naturalistic acting in a realistic setting are used to assist your work.
The goals in this course are: the ability to analyze a scene, play truthfully, build your confidence and conviction, and develop a proper method of work -- all leading you to be a better actor and getting more work.
The key element is proper practice and repetition leading to good habits.
You learn by having the experience.
Classes are 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm EST, every Monday from November 9 to December 14.
A photo and resume must be submitted before attendance can be confirmed.
$550.00 (tax included)
Podcast:
Tips & Insights: An Actor’s Discussion with John Boylan
Ryerson Theatre School, 2009
“The way you approach the work was exactly what I needed. I have studied with many different teachers and sometimes I wonder why I didn’t find you sooner...
I really feel what I have discovered since working with you is invaluable. You have helped me trust myself again. The ideas, exercises and philosophy you inspire as you teach are the way I have always wanted to approach my acting. You have helped me to believe in that. You have helped me shift some very old narratives and guided me to free my own voice and creativity in my work. I feel I have built a new foundation within my work to grow from.”
About John Boylan.
A well-known Canadian actor, acting coach, teacher and mentor, John Boylan was the founder of Centre for the Arts, a community arts centre which served the community from 2002 to 2009.
John is a graduate actor from The National Theatre School of Canada and some film and television credits include Story Theatre, Keeping Track, Five Days at Memorial, Pet Sematary.
He taught at the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson Theatre School) from 2002 to 2018.
He ran the Directing the Actor class at New York University, Graduate Film School, the National Screen Institute, Winnipeg, The Directors Guild of Canada, Toronto and at Centre for the Arts.
In addition to his ongoing classes at his studio, he was a guest tutor at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London for many years.
He delivered a Master Class to members of the acting company at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
He created the acting for film and television course at The Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin; taught at the Guthrie Theatre, Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh, The Actors Centre, London, and in Zimbabwe for FIA (International Actor’s Federation).
In Toronto taught at George Brown Theatre School, York University graduate and undergraduate theatre departments and Humber College. Across Canada at Workshops in the Performing Arts, Vancouver; Moving Images Group, Halifax, and Queens University. John designed and delivered workshops in the Vancouver, St. John’s and Halifax CBC studios for ACTRAWORKS.
A mentor under the Canadian Senior Artist’s Resource Network (CSARN) program and he taught the first ever on-camera class at The Yale School of Drama.
