1 Year Screen Acting Programme
A Year of Training and a Starring Role in a Short Film.
When
March 2026 - February 2027
Where
Online & Pinewood Studios
Times
Weekday Evenings & Weekends
Your Journey To The Silver Screen
Designed for actors looking to refine their craft and acquire invaluable industry experience on a part-time basis. Engage in frequent classes led by seasoned film & TV professionals and take the spotlight in a short film production.
Unleash Your Inner Performance
A part-time classroom format alongside online sessions provides freedom to maintain personal and professional commitments while you progress your acting skills.
Get Listed on Spotlight
Upon completion of our 1 Year Screen Acting Course you will be eligible to apply for Spotlight.
Spotlight connects performers with roles in theatre, television and film productions around the world.Â
Casting Ready Headshots
Professional YellowBelly headshots, delivered in three distinct edited looks.
YellowBelly create industry-recognised, cinematic headshots that capture your essence on screen.
Train Around Your Schedule
Online evenings and monthly weekend sessions provide part-time structure that fits real life.
Stay committed to your craft without sacrificing your routine as this course blends online and in-person sessions.
Industry Made. Industry Ready.
Develop real industry skills and film consistently, building a showreel that grows with you.
Designed by Award-Winning Professionals
Tailored by Film & TV Professionals, designed to maximise chances of success for screen actors and increase employability skills for acting work.
Regular Showreel Filming
Across the 12 months, you’ll build a growing showreel across multiple genres, while gaining real on-set mileage and applying new skills every step of the way.
Industry Access, Built In.
Work with real directors and crew, gain natural industry exposure, and attend major film festivals like BFI or Raindance with curated seminars and networking parties, designed to accelerate your career.
Your Year, Unlocked.
See the full progression of skills, shoots, and milestones that shape you into a working screen actor.
- Icon Represents In-Person Training Held at Pinewood Studios
Month 1 - Fundamentals of Screen Performance
Month 1: Fundamentals of Technical Screen Performance
Amongst being able to define key screen acting terms you will apply the differences between stage and screen acting and develop on-camera presence in practical filming sessions.
- Define key screen acting terms.
- Identify differences between stage and screen acting.
- Begin developing on-camera presence.
- Analyse and dissect screenplays – props and continuity.
- Understand character motivations and objectives.
- Practice script breakdown techniques.
- Understand the fundamentals of voice in screen acting and how it impacts a take.
- Learn techniques to improve tone and diction for scripts of any genre.
- Develop daily habits to protect and look after your voice even when you’re not acting.
- Learn and implement the quick fixes for finding free vocal tone before auditions and filming.
Introduction to the concepts of on-camera blocking. Exercises in understanding space and camera angles. Practicing blocking with simple dialogues and movements.
Learning Outcomes:
- Gain foundational knowledge of on-camera blocking.
- Understand how to move effectively in relation to the camera.
Workshops on physical expression and presence in front of the camera.
Exercises in maintaining continuity of movement across different shots.
Group activities to enhance spatial awareness and physicality.
Learning Outcomes:
- Develop skills in maintaining physical continuity basics within a scene.
- Enhance on-screen physicality and presence.
Month 2 - Developing Your Character with Emotion & Authencitiy
Month 2: Developing Your Character with Emotion and Authenticity On Camera
Having built the structure for performing on screen, Month 2 will arm you with a unique skillset for bringing emotion to your performance, supported by psychological gestures, vocal delivery and physical freedom on set.Â
- Learn techniques for portraying authentic emotions on screen.
- Practice emotional recall exercises and how to manage them.
- Begin building emotional range for various genres.
- Analyse scenes for character development.
- Develop character backstory and relationships.
- Apply emotional authenticity to scenes.
- Review a script in detail.
- Learn to embrace emotional challenges.
- Preparation for realising your potential emotionally and physically.
Begin to enable increased emotional and creative freedom through physical and vocal delivery. Consolidate your vocal technique and increase confidence.
Learning Outcomes:
- Advance your understanding of how the body can support the voice and encourage a fresh delivery for every take.
- Build an advanced understanding of how a performance can be inverted to provide an editor or director with choice.
- Discover a variety of emotional possibilities.
Focused exercises on portraying authentic emotions on camera.
Scene rehearsals emphasising emotional expression and reaction.
Feedback session on emotional delivery and authenticity.
New skills are underpinned by the blocking fundamentals from month 1.
Learning Outcomes:
- Improve skills in portraying genuine emotions on screen.
- Gain insights into effective emotional delivery for screen acting.
Advanced scene study focusing on character development.
Practicing scene blocking with a focus on character dynamics on camera.
Group critiques and discussions on character portrayal from playback.
Learning Outcomes:
- Deepen understanding of character development within scenes.
- Enhance ability to integrate character backstory into blocking on camera.
Month 3 - Auditioning for Film & TV
Month 3: Introduction To Auditioning For Screen
This month is dedicated to not only teaching the foundational skills required for successful auditions but also to identifying and addressing the individual fallbacks or weaknesses that each student may have.Â
This self-awareness and targeted improvement will be crucial for your growth as an actor for future months of the course and enable tutors to provide more specificity in their direction.
- Learn how to prepare for screen auditions.
- Perform mock auditions with feedback.
- Introduction to Self Taping.
- Practice cold reading skills.
- Enhance improvisational abilities for auditions.
- Receive feedback on improvisation.
Workshops on preparing for screen auditions, including self-tape setups.
Mock auditions with peers and instructors, simulating real audition scenarios.
Group discussions on techniques and strategies for successful auditions.
Learning Outcomes:
- Master the art of audition preparation.
- Learn effective techniques for screen auditions.
Receiving and implementing feedback from mock auditions.
Improvisation exercises to enhance spontaneity in auditions.
Final round of auditions incorporating improvisational elements.
Learning Outcomes:
Understand how to adapt based on audition feedback.
Improve improvisational skills in audition settings to offer fresh delivery for casting directors.
Month 4 - Beneath the Lines: How A-List Actors Break Down a Scripts
Month 4: Beneath The Text: Advanced Script Analysis & Showreel Filming
Unlock the secrets of subtext in screenwriting enabling you to discover complex emotions and thoughts beyond the text of the script. Working with Director Sue Dunerdale, you will learn how to build upon overarching scene analysis by dissecting dialogue line by line, building specific subtext for every word of a character.
To support analysis of the text, you will introduce non-verbal communication and develop skills in improvisation, supported by character and story motivations; fundamental for successful auditions and fresh performance delivery on set.
Understand subtext in screenwriting.
Practice conveying emotions through non-verbal cues.
Analyse scenes for subtextual layers.
Dive deeper into script analysis.
Explore subtext and character motivations.
Develop strategies for navigating complex scenes.
Scenes given for weekend filming.
Exercises in conveying subtext through non-verbal cues to enable improvisation.
Scene rehearsals focusing on the layers of subtextual communication.
Feedback and analysis of non-verbal performance elements.
You will begin to work on scripts in preparation for showreel filming.
Learning Outcomes:
Develop ability to convey subtext through non-verbal means.
Gain deeper understanding of non-verbal communication in scenes.
In-depth scene work exploring complex character motivations and subtext.
Group performances filmed for showreel material, with a focus on nuanced emotional delivery.
Critique and feedback session on scene analysis and performance.
Learning Outcomes:
Enhance skills in analysing and performing complex scenes.
Refine ability to deliver nuanced emotional performances.
Month 5 - Meisner Technique: Building Real, Honest Performance
Month 5: The Meisner Technique
Find your emotional parameters using The Meisner Technique so that the character becomes you, and you become the character. You will begin to understand more about yourself and personal nuances that can create interesting and dynamic behaviour appear and feel like a subconscious process on screen.
Further extending character embodiment skills you will begin to understand how props can become part of your performance and how to incorporate them into a scene of any genre.
Explore The Chubbuck Technique having read the book (Provided in the course).
Practice sensory and emotional memory exercises.
Apply Method Acting to character development.
Develop multi-dimensional characters.
Explore character arc and transformation.
Apply character-building techniques to scenes.
Introduction to The Chubbuck Techniques and exercises.
Workshops focused on deep character immersion and backstory.
Group activities to explore and develop character nuances.
Learning Outcomes:
Understand and practice Chubbuck Acting techniques.
Understand how to immerse in a character in a safe environment.
Filming of scenes incorporating advanced character-building techniques.
Group rehearsals focusing on character transformation and arc.
Feedback session on character portrayal and scene integration.
Learning Outcomes:
Apply character-building techniques to complex scene work.
Enhance ability to portray character transformation authentically take after take.
Month 6 - Building A Voice That Works When You Need It
Month 6: Vocal Freedom and Connecting Thoughts to Breath
Freeing your voice is imperative to progressing in new genres, specifically period drama.
Working alongside two of the industries top dialect coaches, you will be encouraged build upon training your voice and learning technical vocal skills that can be applied to a performance with quick results, vital on time constrained film sets.
Master voice modulation and articulation.
Understand the importance of clear diction.
Practice voice exercises for screen acting.
Explore character physicality and mannerisms led by the voice.
Understand how body language conveys character traits.
Apply improvised physicality to scenes.
Workshops on voice modulation and articulation.
Vocal exercises and drills for clarity and expression.
Recording and playback for voice analysis.
Learning Outcomes:
Discover unique tools you can apply to any role to enhance the sensitivity of your scene work, raising the emotional ability for you and a co-star.
Learn acute mannerisms you can apply to bring a character to life.Â
Explore character physicality through movement exercises.
Techniques for portraying different character mannerisms.
Group activities to understand the role of body language.
Integrate your voice and body for an emotionally freeing performance.
Learning Outcomes:
Have a dedicated toolkit of vocal exercises to enhance any performance on demand.
Understand weaknesses in your body that interfere with physical freedom in performance and how to fix them.
Month 7 - Continuity & Truth in Out-of-Sequence Shoots
Month 7: Acting Against The Schedule: Filming Out Of Sequence
As a screen actor, you will find yourself portraying characters whose emotional arcs unfold in non-linear ways, requiring you to embody various emotional states with authenticity regardless of filming order.
In this month, you will hone your skills in maintaining character consistency, continuity, and emotional truth while navigating the complexities of shooting scenes out of sequence. By the end of this month, you will emerge with a heightened ability to craft compelling performances that seamlessly fit within the demands of any shooting schedule.
- Master maintaining continuity in scenes.
- Ensure emotional consistency throughout takes.
- Analyse professional on-set practices.
- Analyse and choose scenes for personal development.
- Engage in self-directed study and analysis for when you can’t be with the Director.
- Prepare a scene for in-person practice.Â
Over two days you will be stretched to practice delivering a consistent performance and character arc out of sequence.
Day 1 Learning Outcomes:
- Exercises focused on maintaining continuity in acting across different takes.
- Work on emotional consistency within the context of the scene.
- Performances followed by a review session for detailed feedback.
Day 2 Learning Outcomes:
- Master the skills needed to maintain continuity in scenes.
- Understand and practice emotional consistency in acting.
- How to match where your stakes are from one day to another.
Month 8 - Acting Across Genres: Drama & Comedy
Month 8: Genre Exploration - Drama vs Comedy Acting
This month is dedicated to understanding the nuances of each genre and equipping students with the tools to excel in both. Through in-depth analysis of iconic scenes, hands-on exercises, and immersive workshops, you will delve into the unique storytelling techniques, pacing, and tone that define drama and comedy.
Whether evoking tears or laughter, you will complete the month filming two showreel scenes each with a focus on the two contrasting genres, and skills to apply in your acting career.
- Understand the nuances of dramatic acting.
- Analyse and perform scenes from various dramatic genres.
- Embrace the challenges of dramatic storytelling.
- Explore comedic timing and delivery.
- Perform comedic scenes with precision.
- Develop a strong sense of humour on screen.
Workshops on acting for dramatic genres and showreel filming with a Director and Crew.
Scene work from dramatic scripts, exploring emotional depth.
Group discussions on the nuances of dramatic storytelling.
Workshops on acting for comedic genres and showreel filming with a Director and Crew.
Exploration of comedic timing and delivery.
Performing and analysing comedic scenes.
Techniques for creating humour and engaging the audience.
Month 9 - American & RP: Essential Dialects for Professional Actors
Month 9: Dialect & Accents On Screen
Expand your casting potential and ability to authentically portray characters from diverse backgrounds and regions with the asset of accents.
Through hands-on exercises, interactive workshops, and expert guidance from a dialect and accent coach, you will develop a keen ear for accents and learn the techniques necessary to convincingly embody characters with precision and authenticity.
These tools can be applied to any accent and help those who’s English is their second language improve on their delivery of dialogue in varying genres.
Focused practice on Standard American and British (RP) accents, including vowel and consonant adjustments, rhythm, and intonation patterns.
Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to perform basic exercises in Standard American and British accents.
- Understand the key differences and nuances between these accents.
- Start developing proficiency in switching accents.
Comprehensive practice sessions focusing on Standard American and British accents.
Use of audio-visual materials and exercises for imitation and correction.
Personalised feedback from a dialect coach.
Learning Outcomes:
- Improve proficiency in Standard American and British accents.
- Develop skills to accurately mimic accents through listening and practice.
Applying learned accents to scripted scenes.
Exercises on maintaining accents consistently during performances.
Exploring the influence of character backstory on accent.
Learning Outcomes:
- Apply acquired accents in a scripted performance context.
- Maintain consistency in accent use throughout a scene.
- Understand the impact of character background on accent choice.
Month 10 - How Top Talent Wins Roles: Audition Success
Month 10: Success On Screen - Audition Success
Month 10 of our comprehensive 1-year screen acting course shines the spotlight on audition success, equipping students with the skills and strategies needed to excel in the highly competitive world of casting.
With a focus on practical techniques and insider tips, this month offers you invaluable insights into the audition process, empowering you to confidently navigate auditions and leave a lasting impression on casting directors.
- Develop a personalised audition preparation routine.
- Perform advanced cold reads and sides.
- Handle callback auditions with confidence.
- Understand the psychological aspects of auditioning.
- Overcome performance anxiety and nerves.
- Apply mental preparation techniques.
Advanced audition simulations with diverse roles and scenarios.
Techniques for preparing and presenting audition pieces.
Feedback session from instructors and peers.
Learning Outcomes:
- Develop advanced skills for preparing and executing auditions.
- Gain insights into handling different audition formats.
Workshops on mental preparation and overcoming audition anxiety.
Role-play and scenarios to practice audition psychology.
Group discussions on strategies for successful auditions.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand and apply psychological techniques for audition success.
- Learn strategies to manage performance anxiety and nerves.
Month 11 - Short Film Preparation
Month 11: Short Film Prep
Month 11 takes you into real pre-production. You’ll work directly with the director, writer, and cast through read-throughs, character development, and story work to build the world of your short film.
You’ll break down scenes, understand the shooting schedule, and learn how each stage of prep sharpens your performance. This is where your character starts to breathe — and where you step into the role like a professional.
Students will deliver their first read through of the script with the Director and Writer Present. This process will allow for any dialogue tweaks and for the cast to hear each character for the first time.
Cast and Crew will discuss the filming schedule. This will help you to be best prepared for each day of filming and understand the world flow of making a film.Â
You will gain an insight into what informs a filming schedule and how to ensure continuity in your performance.
Over two days you will work with your co-stars and the Director to workshop each scene of the film, discussing thematics and character choices in addition to props and costume.
Rehearsals are continued with the Director, Cast, DOP and 1st AD to discuss the cinematography of scenes and refine the shooting schedule against the requirements.
Month 12: Short Film Production
Month 12 is your shoot. You step into the lead of a professionally made short film, working with an industry director and full crew to bring your character to life.
You’ll rehearse, block, and film like a working actor — then walk away as the star of a polished, professional short film ready to showcase your talent.
You will work alongside an award-winning crew and Director to apply your training on a professional film set. Over a diverse 5 Days you will shoot on location and at Pinewood Studios, learning the demands of performance in difference scenarios.
now showing at pinewood studios
Start Your Career
On The Big Screen
Your short film will be premiered at the famous John Barry Theatre, Pinewood Studios named in memory of the legendary Bond composer.
Month's 11 and 12 of our 1 Year Screen Acting Course culminate in the production process, as you bring a short film to life from script to screen.
This immersive experience offers you the opportunity to apply the skills developed over the year in a real-world setting, gaining hands-on experience on set.
Award-Winning Crew
Over 5 Days Of Filming you will work alongside our award-winning crew of industry professionals to bring the story to life.
A Marketing Tool For Success
You'll lead in a short film which will be submitted to various film festivals, including the Cannes Short Film Corner.
Embodying The Role On Camera
Through detailed rehearsals with the Director and Cinematographer you will explore the intricacies of your character and how it will be captured on screen.
Build Your Network
Discover a world of opportunity and limitless potential by connecting and collaborating with industry elites. Meet Producers, Directors, and Casting Directors.
Booking Options
Pay In Full
Inc. VATPayment Plan
Inc. VAT- Deposit: £1,554.00
- Second Payment: £2,849.00
- Third Payment: £2,849.00
- Fourth Payment: £2,849.00
- Fifth & Final Payment: £2,849.00
- Contact us for Bespoke Payment Plans.
Booking Options
Select a course date and add to cart to proceed with payment.Â
You will be required to submit a Self-Tape before your booking is finalised.
Please read our Terms and Conditions before making a booking.
Price range: £12,000 through £12,950 inc. VAT
Please read our Terms and Conditions before proceeding with your booking.
Professional headshots are fundamental to showcasing your look on an Acting CV.
You’ll participate in a professional headshot shoot with YellowBelly including 3 edited images showcasing different looks.Â
Meet Your Tutors
Meet Your Crew
Frequently Asked Questions
All weekend workshops will be filmed and available to download shortly after your session, crucial to your development.Â
Upon completion of the course you will be eligible to apply for Spotlight.Â
Over the duration of the course you will film showreel scenes with a professional crew and Director. These scenes will be professional edited and available to use on casting platforms.
Yes! We have partnered with YellowBelly to provide actors with professional headshots. You will be given a slot during your time on the course.
You can book through our website. We accept all major Credit & Debit Cards, PayPal and International Payment Providers. After payment we will request a self-tape and your acting CV. Your booking will be confirmed upon review of this information.
Yes, we welcome international students on all of our courses. The course is taught in English, so it is important that you have proficient English language skills.
All in-person workshops are held at Pinewood Studios on the weekend, either on a Saturday, Sunday or across both days. Please see our Getting To Pinewood page for details on getting to the studios.
The course is limited to a maximum of 14 participants.
Online Sessions are held from 6pm to 9pm UK Time. In-Person Sessions are held on the weekend 10am to 5pm UK Time with the exception of showreel filming days which are longer.
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