JAY FINIOCCHIARO, MA
The founder and main tutor of The Actors Point is Jay Finocchiaro. With a wealth of experience in the entertainment industry since the 1980s, Jay brings his knowledge and experience to help students strengthen and develop their skills in acting.
Jay initially trained as a performer (dancer, singer, actor and musician) and entertained in over 30 countries. Later, he studied theatre, education and acting at the University of New South Wales and developed his actor training through various institutes such as NIDA (whose graduates include Cate Blanchett and Mel Gibson) and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting (whose alumni include Robert De Niro, Kevin Costner and Marlon Brando).
Over the years, Jay has worked in many prominent, award winning and successful projects for theatre, film and television. Some of which won coveted awards such as the BAFTA, Primetime Emmy, Academy Award and the Guinness World Record Award.
Jay furthered his studies at Raindance Film School and the prestigious Australian Film Teleivsion and Radio School (AFTRS) during his time focussing on the specialisation of directing and screenwriting. Taking the chance to learn from experienced practitioners, Jay attended a number of masterclasses and industry sessions. Profiles included Quentin Tarantino and French New Wave auteur, Jean-Luc Godard. Jay earned his master of arts degree (film) from De Montfort University, UK and specialises in the narratological components of screenwriting.
As a teacher, coach and tutor of acting, Jay has worked throughout Australia, in the UK, Europe and USA. Amongst the places he has taught for include Identity School of Acting, Sydney Film School and Dublin Central School of Acting. Jay has organised workshops at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation in Los Angeles, the Cockpit theatre in London and masterclasses led by industry profiles Andrew Lesnie (Academy Award winning cinematographer of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings) and Richard Donner (film director of Superman starring Christopher Reeve and Gene Hackman).