ACTING FOR FILM & TELEVISION

Acting may seem glamorous, but it requires a lot of commitment to the craft and hard work before ever seeing your name in the credits of a film or television show.

Our once a week Acting for Stage, Film and Television program is designed to help actors understand the craft of acting, as well as the professional skills needed to succeed in the theater, film and television industry.

Students learn fundamental skills and techniques for better improvisation, auditioning, and stage & on-camera acting. Courses are taught by a diverse staff of experienced entertainment industry professionals.

Karina Arroyave was born in Colombia and moved to New York City at the age of 1. She studied acting at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School and later studied comedic acting at The Groundlings in Los Angeles. She made her stage debut playing the title role in Marisol at the Louisville Humana Festival. In 1993, she made her Broadway debut in the Jane Bowles’ play In the Summer House.

From 1988 to 1994, Karina starred as Bianca Marquez Walsh in the CBS daytime soap opera As the World Turns. She made her film debut in 1989 drama film Lean On Me opposite Morgan Freeman and Beverly Todd. She later had supporting roles in the films Falling Down (1993), Dangerous Minds (1995), One Eight Seven (1997), In Too Deep (1999), and Crash (2004), to name a few. On television, Karina Arroyave played the role of Jamey Farrell during the first season of Fox series 24 from 2001 to 2002. Other television appearances include Criminal Minds:BEYOND BORDERS, The Mysteries of Laura, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, New York Undercover, The Practice, NYPD Blue and Blue Bloods.

In 2019, Arroyave played Karla Córdova, a Salvadoran detainee, during the final season of Netflix comedy-drama, Orange Is the New Black.

Critics and the public alike hailed Karina Arroyave’s performance of Karla Córdova, a Salvadoran detainee, during the final season of Netflix comedy-drama, Orange Is the New Black as “…one of the most compelling characters in the entire series…” and “…Arroyave’s portrayal of Karla was both captivating and heartbreaking…”  To see a clip of per portrayal of Karla please click on the link below for a peek.

Introduction to Acting

This program introduces students to some of the fundamental skills & tools required for developing the acting process. Designed to build self-awareness, develop imagination and concentration, recognize emotional truth, learn the actor’s vocabulary, and demonstrate the ability to be honest and committed in their acting. Students learn how to behave as a professional actor and demonstrate the focus and respect necessary in an acting class, on set, or on stage.

Introduction to Text Analysis

In this program students learn practical techniques for analyzing tv, film, and theater scripts. Students develop a process for creating characters using an array of techniques. When demonstrating this process, students are directed through various acting and text breakdown exercises. They learn how this process translates into truthful performances.

Introduction to Improvisation

Environments, characters, and scene building are the key fundamentals of storytelling. Students have the opportunity to develop skills that inspire self-confidence, spontaneity, and imagination in order to enhance scenes and auditions.

Introduction to Camera

Students learn fundamental techniques required to perform confidently in front of a camera. Through a series of exercises, students learn how to make bold actor’s choices for various shots and scenarios. They also develop a deeper understanding, level of respect, and appreciation for set etiquette, professionalism, and other crew members on set.

Introduction to Audition

Every actor needs to audition. This course helps students gather the skills for auditioning for roles in film, TV, and commercials. They learn what an audition is, who the players are, and what is expected of an actor in a professional situation. By simulating the audition process and reviewing their screen work in class, students begin to explore the technical aspects of working in front of a camera, the preparation of text involved, and how to present themselves with confidence and creativity.

Acting Fundamentals

Jumping into script work, students explore fundamental acting skills and tools required for working with text. They begin to explore the rehearsal process and play with more confidence, while engaging with the importance of text analysis and research. Through various scene exercises and full script analysis, students learn how to build authentic characters and work towards developing a longer scene to present in front of their peers. In collaboration with the Intro to Camera course, students prepare a short version of the scene for camera.

Improvisation Fundamentals

Improvisation fundamentals hone students’ skills by combining introduction elements with improvised storytelling, and revealing the relationship between actor, writer, and director. This course further expands each actor’s capabilities and methods to develop character.

On-Camera Fundamentals

An deeper understanding of the importance of continuity through specific on-camera exercises.  Discover how your choices affect the story told within the camera frame.

Audition Fundamentals

Through fine-tuning fundamental auditioning skills, students gain self-awareness, technical skills, focus, and versatility in a variety of audition situations. Simulated auditions and call-backs help students strengthen and focus their acting technique with increasingly challenging texts. By reviewing their work on screen, they build self-awareness and technical mastery of the audition frame. This course highlights critical professional skills needed to thrive in the audition room.

Each student gets the individual attention needed for their artistic growth

PROGRAM INFO