MN Studios invites the publlic to its open house Thursday, Aug. 29 and learn about its upcoming acting classes and workshops in downtown Darien.
Photo from MN Acting Studio
Matt Newton teaching kids film and TV acting.
— an announcement from MN Studios
Come meet Matt Newton (on-set coach for Ava Duvernay’s Emmy nominated mini series “When They See Us,” and learn about our upcoming fall workshops, classes and one on one coaching.
PRICE: FREE
Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
RSVP
MN Studios is at 22 Grove St., Darien.
Questions? Email us at darien@mnactingstudio.com
Immediately after the open house, a free actor/filmmaker networking event takes place at the studio from 7 to 9 p.m.
Come join Matt Newton and the teachers, students, Connecticut filmmakers and other artists in the community at our end of summer networking event held at our beautiful studio in downtown Darien. New actors are welcome!
PRICE: FREE
Now Interviewing Students for Fall Classes
- To set up an appointment to meet with our founder Matt Newton and discuss which class is right for you, please email darien@mnactingstudio.com.
Upcoming Classes
STARTS WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4
4 week ON-CAMERA BOOTCAMP with Bryan Davis (level 2)
Ages 18 and up. This ongoing, intermediate monthly on-camera class meets once a week on Wednesdays. This is a great class for actors with strong theatre training, who are transitioning from theatre to tv and film, and want to learn the essential skills of acting for the camera. Bryan will assign current scripts 2 days before each class, which are to be memorized as if the actor is stepping onto set. During class, Bryan will work with each actor to enhance their scene, including making choices, memorization, prep, taking direction quickly, and finding their unique personality in the work. Areas covered include comedy (single and multi camera), one hour drama, cold reading technique, working on set, chemistry reads, audition etiquette (slate, eyelines, multiple character scenes), discussion of “type,” and making strong choices with little prep time. Limited to 10 students. All actors receive a video of their work each week for further review and growth.
Wednesdays, 6 to 9 p.m.
$285 ($270 for alumni with code)
NEXT SESSION: SEPT. 4, 11, 18, 25
STARTS THURSDAY, SEPT. 5
Four-week ADVANCED on-camera acting BOOTCAMP WITH Matt Newton (LEVEL 3)
Ages 18 and up. This ongoing, monthly class meets once a week on Thursday nights. This real world, practical, honest on-camera class is for professional actors who are auditioning at the network level and want to work on current scripts each week in an extremely challenging, professional level class. Matt will assign scripts 1-2 days before each class, and actors are expected to come in memorized and with strong choices in very little prep time. Matt will coach each actor to take their on-camera skills to the next level, with quick redirects, strong choices, difficult audition scenarios, last minute cold-reads, and anything else that would be thrown at you in an on-camera scenario (whether in an audition or on set). Limited to 10 actors by audition only.
Thursdays 4 to 7 p.m.
$299
NEXT SESSION: SEPT 5, 12, 19, 26
STARTS SATURDAY, SEPT. 7
Four-Week BEGINNER ON-CAMERA ACTING with Matthew Porretta (level 1)
Ages 18 and up. This ongoing, monthly class meets once a week on Saturdays. This real world, practical, introductory on-camera class is for new actors who want to understand the basis of film acting in a safe, non judgmental setting. Matthew Porretta (“Blacklist”) will assign scripts each week from current tv shows, and will work closely with actors to break down character, understand script analysis, memorization skills, and what it means to be relaxed and present in front of the camera. Actors will learn the fundamentals of film acting, and what to expect when working on a real film set. Matthew will also offer guidance for figuring out your type, finding auditions, and building your resume.
September 7, 14, 21, 28
$285
11 .am. to 2 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 7
Youth BEGINNER ON-CAMERA ACTING workshop with Karen Summerton (one day)
Ages 7-10. This fun, one day small group workshop is for new young actors who want to learn what it’s like to act in front of the camera. Actors will be assigned a script before class, and will work on “film acting” in a fun, practical setting. Actors will work with improv, as well as scripts to understand what it means to be real and authentic in front of the camera, and bring their unique personality to the script. All actors will work extensively on-camera, and all parents will receive a video of the work after each class.
Saturday, September 7th. 2:30 to 5 p.m. $75
SATURDAY, SEPT. 14
Youth AUDITION FOR THE CAMERA workshop with Matt Newton (one day)
Ages 10-14. This one day small group workshop is for actors with some training who want to work on current scripts in a real world, on-camera audition setting with acclaimed tv audition coach Matt Newton. Students will be assigned current scripts before the workshop (from shows like “Stranger Things”, “Sydney to the Max”, etc.), and will be coached to learn what it takes to deliver a polished, professional on-camera audition. Matt will discuss the casting process for network tv, what is expected in the audition room, how to make strong choices (no matter what your level of experience is), how to memorize quickly, take direction on the fly, and bring their unique personality to the script. This is a great workshop for actors who are considering a professional career in acting and want to learn what it takes to audition at the highest level. To be accepted into this class, you must email your pic and res to info@mnactingstudio.com.
September 14th. 2:30-5 p.m. $125.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 21
Youth HOW TO BOOK COMMERCIALS one day workshop with Karen Summerton
Ages 8-13. Acting coach and commercial actor Karen Summerton will walk young actors through the basics of auditioning for on-camera commercials. Specifics include slating, improv, taking direction, as well as the different types of commercials. All students will be assigned scripts, and will be filmed. Karen has booked commercials for Amazon, Chobani, Degree, Arm and Hammer, Bud Light, Mountain Dew, Jenny Craig, and countless others. She is currently repped by a NYC talent agency.
2:30-5 p.m. $75
SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
SHOWBIZ 101 TALK BACK
with casting director STEPHANIE HOLBROOK (“THE SINNER”) and Acting Coach MATT NEWTON (“Jessica Jones”)
All ages welcome. Join us for this open and honest talk back about the realities of the tv and film business with two of the most recognized professionals in their field.
SATURDAY, OCT. 5
HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN WEBSERIES/SHORT FILM
with award winning filmmaker MATT NEWTON
All ages welcome. Whether you have a finished script or even just an inkling of an idea, this popular one day workshop with award winning filmmaker Matt Newton will give you a comprehensive understanding of the “business” of creating your own project. Matt will discuss ideal script length, what genre makes the most sense for you, how to hire a film crew and shoot it affordably, how to crowdfund your project, come up with a budget, how to navigate film festivals, distribution, and create your own opportunities for yourself. Matt has written, crowdfunded and directed 3 short films, attended dozens of festivals, and won Best Director for his latest film “Vacation Rental” at the Northeast Horror Film Festival (now on Amazon Prime).
2:30-5 p.m. $75
SATURDAY, OCT. 12
“10 STEPS TO BREAKING INTO ACTING”
one day workshop with acting coach MATT NEWTON
Matt is the author of the successful book “10 Steps to Breaking into Acting,” and offers this comprehensive workshop to actors who want to level up in their careers. Whether you or just starting out, or already working, this workshop covers everything actors need to know, from what kind of footage to post on your online profile, how to format your resume for maximum success, how to meet an agent or manager (or how to change the one you already have), how and when to join the union, how to avoid scams, how to find auditions that aren’t sketchy, and how to present yourself and your marketing materials in the best way possible to set yourself up for success. All students receive a PDF of Matt’s book as a follow up to this workshop.
2:30-5 p.m. $99.