Inhabiting the Role: Deepen Your Character for Camera

About this Course

Immerse yourself in this practical training course led by the esteemed Acting and Dialogue Coach, Mel Churcher. With an impressive career spanning over 35 years and a robust list of credits, Mel has collaborated with luminaries across the globe in the entertainment industry. From training actors to collaborating closely with directors on international film and TV projects, Mel brings unparalleled expertise and insight to every session. This practical course offers a unique opportunity to work directly with a world-renowned coach, honing your skills and gaining invaluable insights from Mel’s wealth of experience.

Course Outline

In-Person Training

Day 1

Introduction to Meisner & The Foundation of Listening

Focus: Getting out of your head and into truthful behaviour

Introduction to the Meisner Technique
The Repetition Exercise
Active listening and observation
Responding truthfully in the moment
Emotional authenticity and freedom
Introduction to text

Day 2

Investing in the Reality of Doing

Focus: Building emotional connection and instinctive responses

Advanced repetition exercises
Physical activities
Fictional Circumstances
Moment-to-moment truth
Partner connection work
Improvisation exercises using Meisner principles
Approaching Text with Action.
On-camera practice

Day 3

Independent Activities & Scene Preparation

Focus: Bringing real behaviour into performance

Independent activity exercises
Working truthfully under imaginary circumstances
Scene introduction using Meisner principles
Text Analysis introduction
Application to text.
Emotional Preparations.
On-camera practice.

Day 4

Scene Development for Camera

Focus: Preparing for filming

Scene rehearsals
Application of previous techniques to scenes.
Blocking for camera
Performance refinement
Camera awareness without losing spontaneity
Final rehearsal and direction

Day 5

Filming Day

Focus: Professional filming of scenes

Professional filming setup
Scenes performed in pairs
Direction from industry professional
Simple cinematic coverage (Master & Singles)

Each actor will:

Perform one professionally filmed scene
Work with a professional director
Experience a film set environment

Mel takes a holistic approach over the week of process, taking you through the step by step process of creating, developing and delivering assured on screen performances using a physical approach to fuse the actor and the role. This allows you to find freedom and life in your screen performance. We will film throughout the course – completing with a filmed and edited scene for you.

What You'll Love

Led by A-List Acting Coach Mel Churcher

Times

10.30am – 5.30pm Mon-Weds 9.30am – 5.30pm Thurs 10.30am-1.30pm Fri

Designed For

All Levels of Ability

When

Various Dates

Meet Your Tutor

Philippe Bosher is a graduate of the MA Actor Training and Coaching programme at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where he specialised in contemporary Meisner technique. An experienced and highly regarded tutor, Philippe regularly teaches at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and is widely recognised as one of the industry’s leading Meisner practitioners.

Spotlight Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for Spotlight Membership, you must successfully earn a total of 500 points through Actors Studio Training.

Each course is worth a specific number of points, and courses can be repeated to earn additional points. Once you have accumulated at least 500 points, you will be eligible to apply for Spotlight Membership.

Earn 40 Points From This Course

Earn 500 Points To Be Eligible for Spotlight

Casting professionals choose Spotlight to cast their projects because performers on Spotlight are recognised as the industry’s best.

Booking Options

This course has limited availability and spaces are first come first served.

Please read our Terms and Conditions before proceeding with your booking.

£780

Course Dates

Clear

Spread the cost interest free with Pay in 3 at Checkout. We accept all major debit and credit cards.

Actors Studio, Pinewood Studios, Pinewood Road, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, SL0 0NH

Free parking available at Pinewood Studios

Free frequent shuttle bus service from London Uxbridge Tube Station, Slough & Gerrards Cross. Transfer from station to Pinewood Studios – 10 minutes (Weekdays only)

Canteen & Coffee shops on site (not open at weekends)

Excellent and fast transport links from London

We offer recommendations for accommodations conveniently located near the studios

Work closely with A-List Acting Coach Mel Churcher

Film scenes for future development

Designed to enhance your screen acting skills

Suitable if you are (17 yrs+) and committed to improving your screen acting skills

Attracts a varied age range. International Students Welcome

The course is taught in English, so it is important that you have proficient English language skills

Small Class Size

Build convincing characters

Develop a holistic approach you can bring to set

Learn to bring truth and life to every take

Mel Churcher stands as one of the world’s foremost Acting and Dialogue Coaches in the realm of Film and TV, boasting an illustrious career spanning decades. She has worked with acclaimed actors such as Daisy Edgar-Jones (“War of the Worlds”), Michelle Yeoh (“The Lady”), Daniel Craig and Angelina Jolie (“Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”), Jet Li (“Unleashed”), Keira Knightley (“The Hole,” “King Arthur”), Henry Cavill (“The Count of Monte Cristo”), and Sam Riley (“Control”). Mel’s influence extends beyond individual coaching sessions; she has also made significant contributions to esteemed institutions such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (where she served as Head of Voice and Text for twelve years), Shakespeare’s Globe, The Young Vic, Manchester Royal Exchange, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and the Royal Court Theatre in London. Furthermore, Mel’s global impact is evident through her internationally acclaimed books on screen acting, which have served as indispensable resources for actors and industry professionals worldwide.

What Actors Are Saying

This is a brilliant course - so much content taught by amazing experienced tutors who are still working in the world of TV and Film.

To do a course in Pinewood is lovely and the week filming the bespoke showreels was a brilliant finale. Highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to work in TV and film.

A galvanizing month of thorough Screen training ranging from acting techniques to technical terms. Having over 20 years of experience in the business I wanted an intense course to brush up my screen skills post-pandemic and that is exactly what I got.

Plus it is run by a very lovely bunch of creatives who tailor make the experience to nurture the best out of individuals.

The screen actors course gave me the tools, knowledge and skills to be able to apply myself to acting for screen. It was intense, hard work and seriously fulfilling.

I feel even more confident and prepared to take on the industry armed with acting toolkit. Thank you Actors Studio. Highly recommended!

I did the month long Screen Acting Masterclass at Pinewood Studios. It was one of the best things I have ever done and I’m so glad I chose to do it! Every coach and member of crew was so professional and so kind and fun at the same time. I have gained invaluable knowledge and connections as well as friends!

I would recommend to anyone looking to start transitioning into screen acting and even if you’ve got experience!

The Masterclass in Screen Acting at Pinewood was an absolute honour to study. The course itself is brilliantly structured over four weeks. It's designed to open your eyes to the technical and emotional aspects of acting for screen, that up to this point, I have was not aware of at all.

The crew are absolutely fantastic and really make the course what it is - from talented and inspiring teachers, directors, scriptwriters, 1st ADs, camera crew, lighting and sound technicians - they're all inspiring in their own way.

Truly the best screen acting training experience. The masterclass in screen acting has taught me wonders about the industry from technicalities to the artistry to how to build yourself in the business.

This course had really challenged me every day, feeling tired as I got home and learning scripts everyday. The bar was set to high standards which really pushed me to come out as a much better actor.

The 4-week Masterclass at Actors Studio was a life changing experience! The Actors Studio team is wonderful and an honor to work with. This is a high quality training with great course content, inspiring teachers, a fantastic crew and amazing people in a creative environment.

The course itself is challenging but very informative, encouraging and fun! I can highly recommend the Masterclass and I will definitely come back to do another course soon - Thank you!

Almost every single day on the course, could be split into its own individual workshop. Working with different professionals in the field on so many different elements of the industry, the scope covered in 20 days is exhaustive - in a good way.

This is certainly no walk in the park, you will be pushed in mentally and emotionally novel ways, ways not provoked before. You will surprise yourself!

Covering the course in detail would require an essay. To put it shortly, if you have the time, money and curiosity, then go for it.

In one word EXCELLENT! At Actors studio, I did one week with Tim Kent, one week with Paulette Randall and one month Masterclass. One better than the other!

Tim was great, I've learned a lot from him. Paulette's exceptional energy is just the best thing when you're filming. And the Masterclass was amazing! Each time I did an Actors studio course, everything went so smooth.

The filming crew is super professional and talented, but also kind, supportive and funny. Each member of Actors studio team is friendly and positive.