our curriculum
Learn, Grow, Expand & Explore Your Talents!
Disguised Players
Kids & Teens TV Show
Exclusive Acting Class for Ages: 7-18
In this exclusive workshop for young actors, students will transform into masked characters for a final TV pilot filmed at our Mission Viejo studio. We will explore the use of masks in movies, TV, animation and video games. Each week we will embody famous masked characters, generating ideas for students to create their own original masked roles and sketches! Students will get to play Shakespearean ingenues, masquerade rogues, super heroes/villains, doctors, nurses, firemen/woman, sci-fi robots/monsters, goofy jesters/animals and so much more!
Students will learn fundamental on-camera skills and on-set jargon with an emphasis on eye work. We will also play improv games and explore basic story structure to help develop unique characters.
*The pilot will be recorded at our studio. The following week it will be edited, and a special screening will take place at Z Playhouse. The pilot will be shared via Dropbox for developing reels and streamed on our YouTube channel.
TV/Film Audition for
Young Actors
Special Acting Class for Ages: 5-10
In this intermediate level Film/TV acting class for young actors, students will learn audition techniques for the camera. We will go over audition etiquette and revisit relaxation techniques to feel comfortable in an audition situation. Students will be given short scenes and we will break them down to make unique choices for strong performances in an audition setting. The auditions will be recorded and reviewed for tips on how to grow.
Pre-req.: Acting through Film Genres: Fundamental class
Cellphone Cinema:
Special Filmmaking class
An Exciting Filmmaking Class for Ages: 11-18
In this special filmmaking class for pre-teens and teens, we will be learning how to tell stories with our cellphones. The best camera is the one you have with you! Using our personal cameras, we will learn how make a short indie video. We will begin with learning the basics of storytelling. Then, we will brainstorm and storyboard our ideas. We will learn how to shoot captivating cinematography with our cell phones, so the picture serves the story. We will also explore various apps that can enrich our videos. Finally, students will learn how to edit their videos on their cellphone and how to add sounds, voice over, music and titles.
Requirements: No acting or filmmaking experience required but students must have their own cellphone and be able to download apps.
TV/Film Audition for Teens
Special Acting Class for Ages: 11-18
In this intermediate level Film/TV acting class for pre-teen and teen actors, students will learn audition techniques for the camera. We will go over audition etiquette and revisit relaxation techniques to feel comfortable in an audition situation. Students will be given scenes and we will break them down to make unique choices for strong performances in an audition setting. The auditions will be recorded and reviewed for tips on how to grow.
Pre-req.: "Acting through Film Genres: Fundamental" class or "Scenes for Film/TV: Fundamental Acting" class
Acting Through Film Genres:
Fundamental Class
Fun Intro Class for Ages: 5-10
In this exciting class, we will be exploring storytelling through various genres of film along with acting games. Each week the students will perform in different genres such as: Action, Comedy, Horror, Fairy Tale, Drama, etc. Students will embody clowns, action heroes, princesses or zombies! As the class progresses will we rehearse our genre stories in front of the camera. *Scenes will be recorded on set at our Mission Viejo location.
The following week they will be edited, and a special screening of all the students’ work will take place on the last class. The scenes will be shared via Dropbox.
Foundations of Storytelling for Teens
Intro Writing Class for Ages: 11-18
In this intro writing class, we will delve into what makes a great story. We will look at storytelling throughout the ages and study Aristotle’s Poetics and Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Various TV/Film screenplay strategies will be discussed and through writing exercises students will discover ways to get their creative juices flowing. Each week we will watch and breakdown short films. Students will complete a draft of their own short film idea, which they may opt to produce in the summer session. A reading of all the students’ work will take place on the last class and we will discuss ways to improve the drafts.
Scenes for Film/TV: Fundamental Acting Class
Exploratory Intro Class for Ages: 11-18
In this foundational acting class for pre-teens and teens, we will be playing improv games to ignite creativity and build up confidence. Various acting techniques will be explored to understand character development. Meditation and calming techniques will be introduced to help the actors focus on their roles and relax in front of the camera. Students will be paired up and listening exercises will be practiced so they can authentically work off their scene partners. The students will then rehearse a scene and learn how to perform in front of the cameras. They also will learn the basics of various behind the camera positions.
*Scenes will be recorded at a real location. The following week they will be edited, and a special screening of all the students’ work will take place on the last class. The scenes will be shared via Dropbox.