“To grasp the full significance of life is the actor’s duty, to interpret it is his problem, and to express it his dedication.”
– Marlon Brando
An online acting class can be a fantastic resource for beginner or experienced actors. There are so many benefits to taking online acting classes, from lower cost, to convenience, which I talk about in my article “Are Online Acting Classes Worth It?”
In this article, I’m going to focus on what to look for in an Online Acting Class so that you can choose the best class for you.
Here are my ‘7 Key Takeaways’ you’ll want to be mindful of before paying for and committing to online acting classes.
- WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE ONLINE ACTING CLASS?
Do your research and ask questions. How many people will be in the online acting class? If there are 20 people or more in a class, you may feel unseen in your little box. 8 to 12 people is generally a good rule of thumb and an appropriate size. An intimate to medium class size can ensure you receive proper attention and support. This also keeps you engaged so you don’t get distracted by what’s going on in your home or around you.
- HOW LONG WILL THE ONLINE ACTING CLASS BE?
How long is the online acting class? Being an acting student in an in-person acting class for 4 hours is quite different from being in an online acting class for 4 hours. That’s a lot of focus when you’re only looking at each other’s faces in each other’s square box. Your comfort level and ability to concentrate needs to be taken into consideration by the acting teacher who creates the class flow. Are there opportunities to pan out and move your body within the frame or will you be seated the whole time?
- HOW MUCH ATTENTION WILL THE ONLINE ACTING CLASS PROVIDE?
How much time will be focused on you? Some online acting classes try to cram in as many people as they can into the class. They charge less but the size of the class makes up for the small charge. You will want the teacher to feel un-pressured for time so they can give you a full unbridled coaching. If an acting teacher is just ‘checking off the boxes’, the amount of coaching you receive will be general and lacking in detail. You might want to avoid the ‘fast food’ style class and go for the online acting class offering in depth guidance and sustenance.
- IS THE ONLINE ACTING CLASS EXPERIENTIAL IN NATURE?
There are plenty of non-interactive online acting courses out there right now. Although I think there is a place for these types of classes, from my 25 years of experience as an acting teacher, acting classes are best taught in an experiential way. Putting up a blackboard and listing to theory, or simply explaining acting principals, just doesn’t cut it. You can always buy an acting book written by a master teacher and read it for a lot less money instead. Of course, it’s tempting to put together this kind of a course since the teacher simply pre-records the lessons and they don’t have to show up in front of the actual students. Being able to participate in acting a scene or doing an acting exercise with a partner, however, helps you to see and vividly experience the theories behind the teaching. Whether in person or online, an acting class taken in real time will give you added benefits a pre-recorded acting class cannot offer.
In our acting classes in Toronto, both on-line or in person, an acting student reaps the benefits of participating in an experiential exercise
- IS THE ONLINE ACTING CLASS WELL SUITED TO YOUR LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE?
Watching and imitating someone else’s acting is not going to be as useful to you as an actor as finding your own personal unique approach to acting. This can only be done through trial and error. Look for an online acting class that includes practical and useful coaching and critiquing. The acting teacher needs to meet you at your level. You will want to feel challenged yet able to work through what’s being asked of you. You might not always be able to hit that acting note you want, but you should be able to take a valuable lesson away with you so that you can continue to work with it. This means the acting instruction is clear so that it makes sense to you, and you feel you can apply it comfortably.
- IS THE ONLINE ACTING CLASS FOCUSED ON YOUR ORGANIC PROCESS OR IMMEDIATE RESULTS?
Are you trying to put the cart before the horse? Be sure to ground yourself in an online acting class that offers the basics before you attempt an acting class that is all about results and how to get into the industry. You want an online acting class that helps you develop a well-established and process-oriented body of work before you attempt a career at it. Auditioning for non-paid film or stage roles is a great way to gain valuable experience while training in an online or in person acting class geared towards developing your craft.
- IS THE ONLINE ACTING CLASS A SAFE SPACE FOR YOU TO EXPLORE CREATIVELY?
An essential ‘must have’ for an online acting class or any acting class for that matter, is a safe and caring holding environment. Let’s face it, acting is a vulnerable art-form that requires acting students to reveal themselves in intimate and deeply expressive ways. You want to be wary of an acting class that expects you to open up and let it all go without providing healthy boundaries and a safe container in which to do so. An online acting class that respects your creative process and a teacher who acts in a responsible manner is definitely your safest bet. That’ll ensure you’re not ‘wounded’ in your work as an actor, and you can blossom in an environment that supports your growth as an artist and human being.
Cindy Tanas Actors Studio teaches acting classes for Theatre and Film in Toronto and the GTA, Collingwood and Southern Georgian Bay.
Connect with Cindy for a free consultation
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Acting Teacher / Mentor / Life Coach Cindy Tanas, has run a highly reputable and successful Toronto acting school for over 25 years. She teaches Acting Classes for beginners and experienced actors. Cindy is a member of ACTRA, former Chair and member of TAAS (Toronto Association of Acting Studios) and member of Theatre Ontario.
Cindy Tanas Actors Studio offers a holistic approach to acting in Toronto since 1995. Both in person and online acting classes are available.
www.torontoactingstudios.com
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www.theatreontario.org