"I have known Peter for over ten
years and feel he is an talented director/acting coach. Whether it be preparing for an audition or developing a character for a specific role, I have been able to count on Peter for great advice and ideas."

  

 

Ongoing Classes

The A-to-Z journey of a film performance.

I'm often asked by actors what sets my training apart; they're understandably interested in what they can expect if they work with me.  Here's the first thing I tell them: imagine your very first read of a script, or your first audition, as "A." Now imagine your day on the set, finally shooting the scene - truthful and specific, subtle and powerful - as "Z." How do you get yourself from A to Z?

That's your process, and a process designed from the ground up for on-camera performance is what I try to teach.

Structure

New York classes are run in ongoing four-week cycles, during which each actor will take a scene from first read through shooting.  Actors receive material in advance, and are expected to arrive the the first session rehearsed and off-book.  Then...


R E C E N T
CLASSWORK

PART 1: IN THE CHAIRS.
Scenes are worked "in the chairs," face-to-face. Class explores in-depth the choice-making process for film, and the actors' ability to commit truthfully to the script, their partners, their choices.

PART 2: SCENES ARE WORKED.
Actors show their scene "on its feet" with blocking and activity, and work with the instructor on prop, staging, and choice modifications that will be necessary before shooting the scene the following week.

PART 3: SCENES ARE SHOT.
Each scene is shot twice, one close-up per actor;  actors not on-camera work as crew or background in each other's scenes.

SCENES ARE VIEWED.
The footage is screened. Individual feedback focuses on topics including continuity, relationship between choice and shot, the actor's commitment to choices, understood thought, how the actor is working with the shot to maximize performance, and much more.


 

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