AuditionHell
with Peter Skagen

and featuring casting director

Deb Green (Brokeback Mountain) in the Calgary classes.

The flagship weekend class now in its 6th year.
(For times and locations, see the Schedule page.)

You'll learn everything you need to know to start your film and television acting career from a working actor and a major casting director.

Streaming video: Deb Green talks about cold reads.

Peter: Since starting with you a year and a half ago, I've done 4 movies, a feature and 7 commercials. If this is hell bring it on. Thank you, thank you. P. S.

Streaming video : recent student Christine Korol

Streaming video : recent student Adam Beauchesne

Streaming video : recent student Sean Guist

Sign up for your trip to Hell.

Repeater Rate!!

If you've taken Hell One before, take it again for half price.

Sign up for your trip to Hell.

Or call Peter: (403) 807-1960

Directions to the studio.

It's not the best actor who gets the part.

Far from it.

Who does? The best auditioner. Every time.

Why? Because auditioning is its own little art form with its own protocol that casting people expect to see. Especially American casting people. Do it wrong and your chances go out the door with you.

And you never know why. Then you get discouraged.

And then you give up.

Instead, master the technique and start getting hired.

Examples of things you should never do: shake hands; aplogize for anything; wear a costume; have a Canadian accent; put your hair over your ears. There are dozens more.

Examples of things you should do: know your 'sell'; manage your colors; master your 'slate'; make your scene audition-friendly; act on the 'red carpet'. There are dozens more.

AuditionHell was designed by casting directors and perfected by a working actor to teach you how to get through the maze, and onto the set.

Streaming video : Anita Smith talks about confidence

Some of the topics covered:

• Why this is a great place to start.
  Headshots and resumes.
  ACTRA
  What's an agent and how to get one.
  How casting works from A to Z.
  Casting directors.
  Skills and accents.
  How to promote yourself.
  How to manage your career.
  Your silhouette and essence.
  Your 'sell'.
  Your first screen test.
  Your best medium and types of roles.
  The audition.
  The room set-up.
  The protocol.
  The top 21 mistakes.
  Slating.
  Basic camera acting technique.
  Mock auditions.
  The call-back.
  Practice, practice.
  How to do a scene on camera.
  Basic movie acting.
• And a lot more.

Then...
Perform for Deb Green (Calgary).
Get all your questions answered by a top casting director.

Finally: graduate.

Everything is shot on state-of-the-art equipment, and projected on a 12-foot screen.

Everyone gets a free DVD of all their work over the weekend.

What you need to prepare: Each actor should be ready with a film scene, along with a copy of the scene for a reader. Scenes should be under two minutes in length, and show off the actor to their best but also be challenging, and age and gender appropriate. Go to www.whysanity.net or www.script-o-rama.com for scripts, as starting places.

Bring: headshots and resumes if you have them (but don't go out and get them done if you don't) notepad, water, and wear comfy clothes.

Skill Level Requirement:: This information is just as valuable to someone new to the profession as it is to those who are seasoned and skilled. Most students in Hell One are just starting out.

Streaming video: Mature student Doug McKinnell talks about skill level.

Teens: There are a few teens in almost every class. They should be mature and focused, and parents should be aware that there may be coarse language spoken in some of the scenes.

Group size: Maximum of 14.

Sign up here with your name and contact info.