Service Description

Open Tier Have you ever been told that your facial expressions are too large on camera OR that your expressions aren’t clear enough? Take a workout-style class for your face! Participants will explore the power of facial muscle potential for clear nonverbal communication and characterization possibilities. In this class you’ll learn to harness performance possibilities for facial expressions across all levels of intensity from the smallest expressions desired in Extreme Close Up (ECU) to more intense expressions more appropriate for Wide Shots (WS). Our goal is to create clear, specific, repeatable, and reliable communication. Week 1 ~ Just the FACS Understand Action Units (AUs) and Action Descriptors (ADs) by awakening the major muscle groups of the face through facial muscle études (Facétudes). Week 2 ~ Micro-expressions Harness AUs and ADs to create recognizable emotional expressions. Week 3 ~ Face-on/Face-off Activate and release compelling expressions for MOS and beyond. Week 4 ~ Putting it all together Combine everything together with playful improvisations and skill drills on camera Who is Matthew Ellenwood? Matthew Ellenwood (they/them) is a performing arts educator and owner of Ellenwood Studios; founded in Chicago in 1995 to train multidisciplinary performers in voice, acting, emotional regulation (EmoVerity), and artistic collaboration for professional careers onstage and onscreen. Matthew has presented voice, acting, and emotion performance pedagogy workshops worldwide including professional conferences for NATS, VASTA, PAVA, and the Voice Study Centre U.K. They are also a co-founder and the Artistic Director of Terra Mysterium, a performance troupe focused on devising and producing original pieces of theatre and film. They hold a Bachelor of Music degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Masters of Music degree in vocal performance and pedagogy from Northwestern University. Certifications include: Estill Master Trainer (EMT) through Estill Voice International (EVI), Alba Method, Associate Teacher through the Alba Method Association (AMA), Michael Chekhov Acting Technique teacher’s certificate through Michael Chekhov Association International (MICHA). Matthew also has training in Knight-Thompson Speechwork. Check out more of their work at https://www.matthewellenwood.com ***This is a 4 week session, skipping November 28th. It will look like 5 weeks on the site, but there will only be 4 classes.

Contact Details

• 2424 West Montrose Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA

  (773) 302-7405

  studio@theforgechi.com