Overview

Led by industry experts, experience hands-on, skill-based learning. Our classes are for students at any stage of their creative development with a focus on both personal and artistic growth. NIDA Open provides a dynamic environment where young artists can explore their passions, gain confidence, and develop their craft in an inspiring and supportive environment. 

Learning framework

Each term we focus on a specific area of performance practice to ensure students have a varied experience and learn a range of essential creative skills. Students are able to join us at the start of any term during the year. NIDA Open Acting on Screen courses are designed across a four term structure within the following learning framework: 

Term 1 Improvisation and Performance Craft 
Term 2 Voice and Movement 
Term 3 Devising and Contemporary Practice 
Term 4 Script Work and Technique 

Term 1: Read Between the Lines

Get camera-ready as you develop the technical skills required to give your best on-screen performance every time. Use improvisation as a rehearsal tool and record a variety of well-known TV and film scripts. Discover the role spontaneity plays alongside the technical elements of your on-screen performance.

Components

• Spontaneity: Apply improvisation techniques to scripted and non-scripted on-screen performance.
• Collaboration: Collaborate as part of a team in recorded performance exercises.
• Technique: Learn and apply fundamental screen acting techniques.

Term 2: Just Breathe

The on-set experience can be challenging and actors often forget to ‘just breathe’. Explore vocal techniques to focus your breathing, steady your nerves and deliver grounded on-screen performances in high pressure situations. Shoot scenes, review playback and discover what it is to be an actor in control of their breath.

Components

• Physical awareness: Explore techniques that allow you to be more physically present in performance.
• Voice: Identify strategies for engaging the voice in delivery
• Technical skill: Apply specific voice and movement choices to influence character and performance.

Term 3: Down the Lens

Deadpool, Peepshow, Fleabag…even Ferris Bueller did it. Explore the art of ‘breaking the fourth wall’ and bringing the screen audience into the world of storytelling. Work with your NIDA Open teaching artist and ensemble to devise a comedy world that connects directly with the viewer. Develop on screen acting skills as you explore camera technique to reveal characters inner thoughts and unique insights to scenarios as they play out.

Components

• Collaboration: Work as an ensemble to write and perform your own scenes.
• Technical skill: Adopt various roles on set and gain an understanding of screen crews responsibilities.
• Contemporary practice: Gain experience in the various roles required to create an original work for screen.

Term 4: Got the Job!

Explore character development in a TV series. Work with your NIDA Open teaching artist to apply the Stanislavski acting technique to one of your favourite characters. Learn textual analysis and develop your character within a series arc. Shoot selected scenes from different episodes and see how your creative choices develop the story.

Components

• Rehearsal and evaluation: Rehearse and perform a selection of scenes from a popular TV series to camera.
• Acting technique: Use Stanislavski technique to develop a character over a series arc.
• Technique: Practice acting to camera techniques. Discover the difference between live and recorded performance craft.

For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions.