Perth Actors Collective (PAC) was co-founded in 1992/3 by Annie Murtagh-Monks and has evolved significantly during the years since. Now inspired by The Actors Studio and Group Theatre NY, PAC launched in 2021 a new Advanced Studio in Perth. Those legendary collectives both created collaborative and supportive places for actors to nurture and extend their craft skills and stretch themselves on a regular basis. Our new studio helps skilled creatives come together to inspire and collaborate with a like-minded ‘tribe’.
Structure:
Acting sessions are the heartbeat of this studio. Commencing Monday January 29th, PACAS will hold 22 fortnightly evening sessions (avoiding public holidays) on Monday evenings throughout 2024. These sessions provide a venue for members to receive insights and constructive coaching on characters or scenes of their own choosing and from their own motivation. When the work is ready, it is brought into session where two moderator coaches provide feedback and workshopping suggestions, manage feedback from the other members present and offer guidance for further exploration. Our moderators are award winning experienced professionals in either theatre or film and television. Moderators will include Annie Murtagh-Monks (acting coach/casting director), Ben Young (film & TV director/writer), Caroline Brazier (actor/acting coach), Steve Le Marquand (actor/acting coach), Renee Webster (film & TV director/writer); Dr Michael McCall (director/actor/lecturer); Andrew Lewis (director/actor) and Martin Wilson (film director/writer). During sessions when time permits, moderators will also provide teach different necessary craft skills for actors to develop. We will incorporate filming of scenes during at least one third (7) of the 22 sessions to enable honing of screen acting skills in members.
Members can choose their own material – classical, contemporary, adaptation, scene from film, television or play script, monologue, short story or stand-up comedy routine. Members can also write their own material. Actors are free to choose their own part and scene partners. However, at times they may be given suggestions of suitable material from a coach which could extend their skills further.
At any fortnightly session held at Backlot Studio, Leederville up to 10 actors will perform (i.e., total of 5 scenes). Full Members elect to choose which sessions they would like to perform at. Sessions can be booked in advance to fit in with work commitments. Guidance and coaching is given by two moderator coaches at each session and the work is commented on by members present at the session. Filmmaker members of the Studio can choose to direct one of the scenes at sessions and receive feedback. Full Members do not have to perform or even attend every session but are able to attend whenever their work schedule permits. This Studio is advanced and at a higher level than other PAC courses so the feedback from moderators will be totally honest, constructive and designed to stretch actors. Those who crave this should apply for Full Membership. Selection of Full Members is by the panel of 8 coaches.
Associate Members are invited to attend all 22 (or 11 if half yearly) sessions to watch and observe the workshopping for a low membership fee. Associate members comprise actors, filmmakers, writers who have previous experience or training. Associate actor members can volunteer to be reserves and will have the chance to perform and receive feedback when Full Members become unavailable due to work or illness.
Membership Eligibility:
All members of PACAS (both Full & Associate) will be invited to become members after passing successfully through a selection process requiring submission of a CV and showreel or self-tape. Membership in the studio is offered on a yearly or half yearly basis and is subject to annual renewal. To ensure the level of excellence of the Studio, eligibility for membership is selective and strictly based on the skill level of the actor or filmmaker as selected by the Coaching Panel. Invitations to join the Studio in 2024 as a Full Member will be offered to the most skilled actors who have applied by the application deadline of 5pm Friday December 29, 2023. Note a $50 deposit is required to accept an offer of membership with membership fees due in full by January 22, 2024.
There are three types of Membership: *directors or writers must also have industry experience and provide CV and showreel when applying.
Annual Full Membership: entitles actor to attend all 22 fortnightly sessions throughout 2024 and perform regularly at these to receive feedback & coaching. Cost $1100 (plus GST) Limited number.
Half Year Full Membership: entitles actor to attend 11 fortnightly sessions in the first half of 2024 and perform regularly at these to receive feedback & coaching. Cost $750 (plus GST) Limited number.
Associate Membership Full Year: entitles an actor, director* or writer* to attend any or all 22 fortnightly sessions throughout 2024 who can give feedback/ direct*/ act as reserve. Cost $495 (plus GST)
Associate Membership Half Year: entitles an actor, director* or writer* to attend any or all 11 fortnightly sessions in the first half of 2024 who can give feedback/ direct*/ act as reserve. Cost $300 (plus GST)
NB: Membership Fee to the Studio provides professional development and is therefore claimable as a tax deduction for professional actors & filmmakers.
Networking
In addition, all members of PACAS are invited to attend free private networking to be held throughout the year with visiting or local leading industry professionals.
Dates of Sessions 2024
22 Mondays commencing at 7pm (networking from 6pm): (note some avoidance of public holidays)
Jan 29, Feb 05 & 19, March 04 & 25; April 15 & 29; May 13 & 27; June 10 & 24;
July 01,15 & 29; August 12 & 26; Sept 09 & 30; October 14 & 28; November 11 & 25;
and End of Year Party: December 09.
How to Apply for Membership of PAC Advanced Studio:
Send your application ASAP and not later than 5pm Friday December 29, 2023 to annie@perthactorscentre.com.au and include your CV or link to your Showcast/CN/or IMDB page AND include a link to your showreel. If you don’t have a current showreel you can send links to 2 self-tapes.
Please don’t forget to include the following:
Your name……………………………………. Age…………………………
Email address………………………………………………………………….
Mobile number……………………………………………………………….
Are you are applying for: full membership……… associate membership ……. or either?……….
Half year or full year?………… Do you have an agent? If so, which?………………………………….
Are you applying as an actor …….. director…… writer……..
Have you included link to: CV…… IMDB/other page…… Showreel …….or Self-tapes……
Note: If you know of an advanced actor or filmmaker who would benefit and possesses the required skill level for our studio feel free to share this with them.
For further information email courses@perthactorscentre.com.au