school
Enhance Acting Skills
Receive valuable training to help you become a more versatile and skilled actor.
Screen Acting ClassesRichmond Hill
Stand By! Rolling! Action!
Commercials, movies, TV, webcasts, scripted shows, reality shows, documentaries, binge-watching, tik-tok, youtubers and animated work for voiceover actors! The list goes on! The camera sees things differently than the human eye. Students develop their naturalness on camera (or on ‘tape’ for voiceover), listening/responding, characterisation, focus, spontaneity and ability to improvise - all the elements needed for an assured screen or audio performance.
The technical side of screen work, and the differences between stage and screen are also explored, focusing on: voice, text analysis, expression, intention, on camera auditions, on-set technique and terminology, creating the illusion of spontaneity + immediacy in scripted work, defining and structuring the frame. It all leads towards the students creating a body of work (scenes, monologues, commercials, music videos, trailers, short films, etc.)
OVATION!
Is proud to be an official TIFF Industry Member.
videocam
On Screen Presence
Practice on screen with constructive feedback. Learn how to engage audiences and convey emotion.
movie
Learn About Filmmaking
Learn aspects of filmmaking to help you understand camera angles, lighting, and shooting setups.
videocam
Screen Acting Classes
All Levels Programme Overview
For students wishing to learn, develop and deliver an assured screen acting performance. Screen acting is a ton of fun and some really cool work and learning! As they move through the Levels, students learn that authenticity in pursuit of scene objectives is the key to success when acting for the camera.
They learn how to put the actor’s basic skills and tools to work by creating a dynamic and powerful scene for presentation. They learn how to navigate the technical demands of acting on a film set while drawing upon acting fundamentals to block, rehearse, and shoot ensemble scenes. As they progress, classes tackle a series of increasingly challenging single-scene and multi-scene film auditions, monologues, 2-person or ensemble scenes that become more and more tailored to their individual strengths and weaknesses.
At the higher levels, students take responsibility for producing as well as acting in their Final Film Project. They apply all of the acting skills they have learned, as they audition for, research, and rehearse their role. They also actively participate in production and wardrobe discussions taking more responsibility for fully immersing themselves in their roles for these projects.
Specialist Acting Programmes
Voiceover Acting Programme Overview (Level 4/5)
Let Your Voice(s) be Heard! ~ This is an intermediate to senior acting programme for students wishing to develop and explore their voice for diverse voice-over projects (eg: commercials, narration, cartoon/character work, reporting/announcing, etc). Participants must have some previous acting/vocal experience and an interest in building their vocal power, control and versatility.
This programme builds on elements of our stage and screen acting and comedy classes. Today, videos, animated TV shows, commercials and movies are huge. Opportunities for voice-over work are everywhere! The voice-over actor has to be a master of their instrument; establishing a fully fleshed out character and creating an unforgettable impression, using only their voice.
This programme is your chance to find and develop the uniqueness and versatility of your voice for this exciting (and profitable) area of the arts business. Students will be introduced to the kind of vocal demands and techniques used to create and sustain different kinds of voice-over performances for TV, Movies, and Radio, including commercials and animations. In this class you will:
- Learn warm-up techniques and how to preserve your voice.
- Learn how to project your voice.
- Develop your speaking skills.
- Voice commercials.
- Create sound effects using the voice.
- Work on building tonality of voice, inflections, pauses, and pacing.
- Learn how to set up your own studio for podcasts and voice-overs.
- Learn about microphones and how sound travels.
- Create character voicing and radio plays.
- Record your voice in a professional recording studio.
- Create the voice of a cartoon character.
- Perform a radio play in front of a live audience.
All Levels & Specialist Programmes
Performances & Notes
There are no live/stage performances involved in screen acting programmes
Screen acting classes do in-studio filming during regular class times, but if additional filming time is required outside of regular class times a schedule will be provided well in advance to all participants in order to accommodate filming needs.
Each screen class creates a final film project which will be screened for their world premiere at the That’s A Wrap Film Fest! held in June. Details will be announced during the season.
Voiceover acting class does in-studio in-class recording. Additional recording days (outside of regular class time at a professional recording studio) may be required through the season. Students/parents will be notified in advance. Some of the voiceover work will be included in the June event - That’s A Wrap Film Fest! Details will be announced during the season.
OVATION! chooses intelligent, sometimes challenging, thought-provoking scenes and short films for our Level 4 and 5 screen acting and voiceover programmes. Any challenging subject matter is dealt with in a supportive and responsible educational manner. We are committed to gender-blind and colour-blind casting.
Previous or concurrent experience with the fundamental aspects of stage acting (including: voice, text analysis, expression, intention, character) is an asset and may be a requirement of admission to the higher Levels of this Programme.
Season Overview & Student Feedback
More Information On Screen Acting Classes
- 01
Our Season runs from mid-September to the end of May with weekly classes for each programme.
- 02
The programme Levels progress from primary through senior, introducing or enhancing the various components of the discipline and programme. Each Level covers a 3 to 4 year age range. Depending on age, experience, and when they begin with us, a student could be in the same Level for 1 to 3 seasons. Students learn how to function as both leaders and followers, experiencing the range of responsibilities and learning opportunities associated with being in a class with a variety of ages, personalities, and types of learners.
- 03
As students progress each season and also through the Levels, they build their personal and performer’s toolkit with more in-depth advanced learning through various teaching tools, focused on skill acquisition, technical development, and practical performance application. As the Level increases, the in-studio class-time lengthens and the expectations increase with more or lengthier materials, more ‘mature’ but still age-appropriate content, and more advanced learning tools requiring increasingly more at-home preparation time between classes. The Level 3, 4 and 5 programmes may also include more shows, performances, and filming opportunities.
- 04
Each class and student is provided with a detailed Course Curriculum Outline at the beginning of the season outlining all performance or filming requirements and specific curriculum goals, learning tools and teaching strategies: a roadmap of where and how we’ll take the class through the season! We discuss specific goals with each student, at the start, at the mid-way point, and at the end of the season so we always know what we’re working towards! And each student receives a personalised Progress Report at the end of each season celebrating their amazing achievements and growth, setting intentions for their continued development, and recommending next steps, all based on the student’s own goals and interests for their training and development.
Related Classes
Beyond Screen Acting
Explore classes related to Stage Acting to build your skills and expand your knowledge with OVATION! Performing Arts Academy.
