Unitec: Master Class by US film acting coach Jeremiah Comey

US film acting coach Jeremiah Comey coming to NZ

Unitec to run Master Class by Comey in February 2013

Renowned American filmacting coach, Jeremiah Comey, is coming to Auckland in February 2013 to run a Master Class for local actors, directors and screenwriters.

Highly sought after in the industry, Comey is delighted Unitec has invited him back to our shores after his last visit to New Zealand 20 years ago. He still recalls that 1993 visit as one of the highlights of his teaching career. He thrived on being able to bring together actors, writers and directors, in a practical workshop. Film performance was embraced as the central learning and everyone worked as actors in the first week, applying a performancebased methodology, which had practical application in the second week, when performancefocussed scenes were written and shot.

The Master class will run from 18 February – 1 March, 2013 at Unitec’s Department of Performing and Screen Art’s Film and Television studio in Mt Albert, Auckland. This is an opportunity not to be missed for local actors, directors and writers.

Background

Film acting, like all art, is a form of communication. Actors on film express the chaotic splendor of human emotion, via their interaction with each other. Jeremiah Comey's studio offers each student the opportunity to master the art of being emotionally open on film. He operates on the same conviction that made Vincent Van Gogh's art so powerful, which is the idea that brilliant art is the purest expression of the artist's self. Just as great artists define themselves by their art, so do brilliant film actors communicate through their quality.Quality is a combination of their individual personality and their talent.

Jeremiah Comey's method, the Art of Film Acting, teaches actors how to achieve and respond to honest emotions oncamera by utilizing five key principles: Concentration, Acceptance, Not Knowing, Giving and Receiving and Relating. Using these principles encourages actors to experience rather than indicate an emotion. Comey's method has been studied by many actors such as Billy Zane, Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Rathbone, Adrian Paul, Mehcad Brooks, Armie Hammer and Kayla Ewell.

For an understanding of his work, read Jerry’s book The Art of Film Acting – A Guide for Actors and Directors – Jeremiah Comey or check out Jerry’s website on: https://jeremiahcomey.com

Testimonials

“When I first came to LA I was lucky enough to find a manager who would sign me with no credits, but she insisted that I attend Jeremiah Comey’s studio. Jeremiah knows everything about teaching the craft of film acting, and I firmly believe all my success is due to my representation and my teacher, Jeremiah Comey.”
Jackson Rathbone, Actor (The Twilight Saga, The Last Airbender, Beautiful People, Senior Skip Day)

"I have known Jeremiah Comey for many years and observed his excellent work with actors. He has a brilliant reputation in the filmmaking community asone of the industry's finest acting coaches."
Robert McKee, Renowned Lecturer and Author of Story: Style, Structure, Substance and the Principles of Screenwriting.

“I was fortunate to have participated in Jeremiah Comey’s NZ workshop back in 1993 and he had a profound effect on not just me, but all those who attended. This is not to be missed as opportunities like this are rare and I am proud that we have managed to secure Jeremiah Comey for this Master Class.”
Athina Tsoulis, Writer/Director, Head of Performing and Screen Arts, Unitec.

Programme

Week 1: February 18-22, 2013
Cofacilitated by Jeremiah Comey and Vicky Yiannoutsos

Industry professionals made up of actors, directors and writers will come together and all work as actors in the relating exercise.
The Relating exercise uses the script to explore connectivity between actors, encourage emotional availability and instinctive alertness, where creativity is honed and actors urged to ‘be in the moment’ and take risks. Practical and handson, actors work in pairs. The work is taped using 2 cameras, onto a split screen, and later observed.

Week 2: Feb 25-March 1, 2013
Cofacilitated by Jeremiah Comey and Vicky Yiannoutsos

Everyone will divide into smaller groups of actors, writers and directors to shoot scenes, with Unitec Film & Television students crewing the shoots.Actors not involved in shooting scenes will do chair work. Directors and writers may choose to crew each other’s films.
Each team is made up of five personnel which includes: 2 actors, 1 writer, 1 director, 1 camera person, 1 sound person, 1 editor.

A detailed schedule will be distributed to those registered on confirmation of Comey’s programme.

The cost to attend this Master Class is NZD$925 (GST inclusive) which covers the two week master class. 10% discount for Industry Guild, Actors Equity and WIFT members. To register, complete the registration form and email to prees@unitec.ac.nz or fax to (09) 815 3092, att: Peter Rees.

ENDS

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