film, video & TV training | professional development

Learn the fine art of directing screen actors with Alkinos Tsilimidos, the 'actor's director' and some of Australia's leading screen actors: John Brumpton, Laura Gordon, Sarah Hallam, Georgia Bolton, Daniel Frederiksen, Rebecca Bower, Nick Colla, Wendy Bos, Ashley Zukerman and Shaun Goss.

Over this three day intensive you will develop your preparation and communication skills and learn how to:

• Analyse script
• Cast and audition
• Elicit performance
• Find your directing style
• Collaborate with actors
• Work with casting Directors
• Conduct rehearsals and block through on set
• Create the right atmosphere on set
• Affect performance in the edit

This is an intensely collaborative workshop where you will receive constructive criticism from the facilitator, from professional actors and your classmates.

Extension Rehearsal (Option)
The cost for a full day (6 hours) rehearsal is $910.00 (with two hired Actors; $200 per additional hired Actor) or $510 (without hired Actors - bring your own)
This extension option is exclusively available to people who have undertaken the foundation Directing Actors workshop.
Rehearse your own project under the guidance and mentorship of Alkinos and two hired professional actors in an intimate environment, to workshop your own screen project/scenes. This is an intensely collaborative workshop where you will receive constructive criticism from the facilitator, from professional actors and other observers or classmates you invite along.
Costs include mentor, classroom and camera hire. Actors are additional cost as above.

Who should do this course?
Any emerging filmmaker wishing to develop skills in working with professional cast, or anyone wanting to workshop their script with professional cast and Director.

Where can I go after this course?
Graduates leave with the skills and knowledge required to cast, rehearse and direct actors prior to and during filming for film, television or drama and can pursuing a career in, or further study in film and television direction

Are you interested in being Accredited for this course?
Successful completion of this course can be counted as units of credit toward the Advanced Diploma of Screen & Media (Features and TV Series Development). Contact training@openchannel.org.au for more information.

How do I Enrol?
EITHER
1. Apply for the Advanced Diploma of Screen & Media (Features and TV Series Development) or
2. Complete a Short Course Application Form.
Short Courses Application Form (pdf)

Tutors

ALKINOS TSILIMIDOS
Alkinos has directed many of Australia's finest screen actors in his six feature films and is rightly considered one of Australia's most important contemporary directors. He is widely known as 'the actor's director' and for his uncompromising approach to telling stories of social relevance with honesty and integrity. A 1988 graduate of Swinburne School of Film and Television, his 1994 debut feature film Everynight...Everynight, starring Bill Hunter and David Field, won critical acclaim internationally and was selected for the prestigious Venice Film Festival. His 2001 film, Silent Partner (wth David Field and Syd Brisbane) was nominated for the Australian Film Institute Awards and screened at several film festivals around the world including Toronto International Film Festival. In 2004 Tom White (with Colin Friels, Rachael Blake and Dan Spielman) was nominated for numerous awards, with Colin Friels receiving the IF Award for Best Actor. His 2008 film Em4Jay (with Laura Gordon and Nick Barkla in the title roles) screened at numerous international film festivals. Variety magazine, the Screen industry bible, said, "(its) authenticity makes Em4Jay a down under low budget triumph".

Most recently, he joined forces again with Colin Friels and Nick Barkla for the haunting Blind Company (2009), whose performances Margaret Pomeranz (of ABC TV's 'At The Movies') described as 'excellent' and 'truly arresting'. Of Alkinos, she said, '(he is a ) talented, compassionate filmmaker...He's got a heart (...) and it shows." Acclaimed writer/director Larry Clark (Kids, Bully, Ken Park) said "This is film at its best. A must see. Colin Friels and Nick Barkla wreak naked, embarrassing, honest emotional havoc. Blind Company is a major work."

Alkinos is currently working on his sixth feature film, Outlaw Joe, starring Samuel Johnson and a cast drawn from 16th Street Actors Studio.

Actors
John Brumpton (The Loved Ones, Red Hill, Dance me to my Song, Underbelly)
Laura Gordon (Bed of Roses, Saw V, Em 4 Jay)
Sarah Hallam (Rush, City Homicide, Blind Company)
Georgia Bolton (Tangle, Knowing, Noise)
Daniel Frederiksen (Summer Coda, Stingers, Blue Heelers, Ghost Rider)
Rebecca Bower (Kick)
Nick Colla (City Homicide, Neighbours, Saddle Club)
Wendy Bos (Hawke, McLeod's Daughters)
Ashley Zukerman (Rush, The Slap, Lowdown, The Pacific)
Shaun Goss (Emerald Falls)

Read more about past Directing Actors courses on the OC blog:
http://openchanneldoc.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html
http://openchanneldoc.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

Testimonials
"I couldn't be more delighted with the Open Channel course 'Directing Actors'. Alkinos cut through the muddling haze surrounding the art and craft of directing with a philosophy of integrity and honesty. Through the two weeks of the workshop we got a clear, precise insight into the role and responsibility in a Director's hands. Without fuss, without gloss and without hype. This was truly a wonderful experience. One I doubt will be equalled. All thanks to Alkinos."

"You can talk all you like about the theories of directing, but to be given the space, the teaching and the actors who can help realise what works and what doesn’t in live situations is the best way to learn. Not everyone can spend years doing a degree course in filmmaking, and with several film courses already teaching all angles of the filmmaking process, it’s been a privilege to spend two weeks honing in on directing alone. Highly recommended!"