Service Description

Acting for Camera is a Tier 2 course. This 4-week class, led by Chicago based Actor Mickey O’Sullivan, is a comprehensive exploration of the craft of acting for camera. Each week focuses on specific aspects of on-camera performance and provides students with an understanding of the industry and practical skills.  Week One - Indie Film Intensive Students dive into unique demands and opportunities presented by indie film acting - learning how to approach characters in smaller productions, where creativity and resourcefulness are key. The focus will be on character development, improv techniques, and dynamics of intimate film sets. Week Two - Television and Film Acting Techniques Shift the focus to acting in television, where storytelling often unfolds over multiple episodes. Students explore the nuances of working with episodic an film scripts, building consistency in character portrayals, and adapting to the faster pace of TV/Film production while remaining calm and making choices that give the actor agency on set. Week Three - Genre, Styles and Stakes During the third week, students will tackle the challenges of acting in different genres, from drama to comedy to thriller. They will explore how to authentically portray heightened emotions and navigate high-stakes situations, while maintaining credibility and connecting with their audience. Week Four - On-Set Professionalism and Adaptability In the final week, students will gain insights into the professional aspects of on-camera acting. They will learn what it’s like to work on a set, collaborating with crew members and fellow actors to bring a project to life. Additionally, they will develop essential skills to handle unexpected changes and how to adapt their performance seamlessly in response to directorial notes and script revisions. Teacher's Note Actors must make choices on their own. They must make accurate choices to the format, the genre, the situation and to the part of the story they are helping to tell. This requires an awareness that only comes from practice and experience. Throughout the course, Mickey O’Sullivan will share personal experiences and practical advice, providing students with a glimpse into the realities of the industry. Mickey believes that most of the answers to our problems as actors are solved when we figure out what data is available to us and what story is being told.

Contact Details

• 2424 West Montrose Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA

  (312) 766-6682

  studio@theforgechi.com