The Actors Portfolio
Making History in Ireland!
In 2016, Jay was continuing his work as a contracted acting teacher for various acting institutes across Ireland in addition to running The Actors Point.
Whilst in Limerick, he received feedback from some students, informing of their interest to have acting courses at further education level which were similar to the ones promoted in Dublin. Locals from Limerick wanted closer access to training, rather than travelling into Dublin to learn.
Between classes and during the Holiday break period, Jay researched and discovered that Limerick, in 2016, did not have any courses on offer for adults which combined both actor training for stage and screen. Upon receiving feedback from various casting directors, agency representatives and other industry professionals, the need for voiceover training was added.
All three areas of training for stage, screen and voiceover were essential in the development of an actor's craft and provided work opportunities.
- AUGUST 2016 marked The Actors Portfolio -
A 5-Month professional program designed for adults which trained in the skills of acting for stage, screen and voiceover and provided practical experience and a portfolio of work in which they can use to promote their acting abilities.
The Actors Portfolio made history in Ireland as the first, independently run, acting course which umbrellered all three areas of acting at an adult further education level.
It ran from August to December of 2016.
Layout
The Actors Portfolio was a course divided into 3 main areas:
1. Training
2. Practical
3. Industry
Classes were held on a weekly basis (2 days per week) and extra days were used for the Practical component.
Students received a 50-page folder of notes, scenes and assignments, designed by Jay, in which they worked from.
TRAINING (2 months)
Consideration of acting proficiency was taken into account with two types of student levels:
- complete beginners
- those with a degree of experience
The aim was to get students to a degree of mutual training level.
The training had a trajectory laid out:
1, Foundations of Acting (universal concepts and understanding of acting)
2. Theories and Practices of Acting (exploring popular and specialised acting techniques)
A range of acting approaches were covered in lecture, practical and assignment form:
Students studied core components of acting (e.g. Stanislavski, Mask Work and Viewpoints)
Text Work (both heightened and contemporary)
Improvisation (e.g. Short Form and Long Form)
Acting techniques Specific for Stage
Acting techniques Specific for Screen
Lectures on the history of acting, scene studies and homework assignments were provided throughout this component of study. From time to time, students were assessed on their training and received feedback to aid thei development.
PRACTICAL (2 Months)
After training, students were given an intensive 2 months of practical experience. The work they produced became material for their acting portfolio.
During this time, the students had the opportunity of working with companies and services relating to the industry.
The period was an intense schedule. In addition to acting, students practised the skills of organisation, teamwork, independent proactive preparation, research, adaptability, time management and problem-solving.
Stamina, discipline, patience and self-reflection were also used.
Projects required students to use different styles of acting, undertake different approaches of directing and prepare their own costumes.
Students experienced the practice of being a 'working actor' open to a period of ongoing work assignments.
Extra days of both night and day time hours were required, a combination of studio and location venues were used.
Overall, the students acheived the following assignments:
17 Short Scene Films
5 Voiceover Clips
1 Animation
1 Thirty-Minute Improv Film
TOTAL: 24 Projects in 8 weeks.
Fruit Bowl
Fruit Bowl is the voiceover-animation project the students made.
Converse
Converse was the thirty-minute improvised film the students made.
Using their skills in improvisation, students were only given under 2 hours of filming and direction.
There was no preparation beforehand, no rehearsals and no discussion. Complete improvisation.
The film was seen by many, and in 2021, it was selected as a case study for postgraduate students from
The Central School of Speech and Drama.
IMDB Recognised -
Industry
The Industry component partially overlapped into the Practical area, where students had a chance to work with various companies, services and individual professionals during their training.
Profiles include Animatzione Studios, Dance Limerick, Open Door Studios, LSA Agency and Open Door Studios.
Additionally, students focussed on the skills of screen tests, sharpening their audition preparation and practice.
Although a small group, the students had a thorough opportunity to train, practise and deliver a lot of great results through their acting skills.
Ready to Begin?
Call: +353 (0) 89 493 1417 or Email: theactorspoint@gmail.com