Auditioning On Camera:

What Directors Want To See In Auditions

A Working Director's Perspective with John Swanbeck

JOHN SWANBECK (Director/Producer) directed THE BIG KAHUNA, starring Kevin Spacey & Danny DeVito. In pre-production for THE TUTOR, shooting in Tokyo, 2010 - producing and directing. In development for the dark comedy IN CASE I HAVE TO KILL YOU.

Mastering Hollywood means mastering the camera.  

Auditioning is showing directors two things: cinematic skills and a specific, vivid character that pops.

Most actors bring their theatrical craft to their work on camera. The two are different mediums and require different techniques and a different set of skills. Learn from a working film director the specific, tangible skills that directors require of actors in auditions and that actors can quickly and easily apply to their auditions, in order to be both cinematic and powerful on camera.

In auditions, directors want to see that actors can create a cinematic character - a vivid and specific character that commands the attention of the camera. Learn from a working director the creative tools directors use when approaching a character with actors; learn the creative tools directors use when approaching a scene with actors; learn how directors work with actors on set and how to quickly and effectively translate a director’s direction into vivid, specific choices.

SCHEDULE:

Next session begins AUG 16th (no class Sept 6th for Labor Day)
4-week intensive

Monday evenings, 7pm-10pm

Cost:  $250/4week session
($150 deposit due prior to class, but we will fill quickly)

ABOUT THE COACH:

John Swanbeck (Writer/Director/Producer) made his directorial film debut with THE BIG KAHUNA, starring Kevin Spacey, Peter Facinelli and Danny DeVito. He continues to produce and direct many films.  His screenplays include the romantic comedy, THE PERFECT GENTLEMAN, and the time travel comedy, BORN LOSER. Short film scripts include, THE PACKAGE (co-writer w/Isabel Ferrer), THE PARANOIDS, THE RETURN OF THE FLY, and UBERGIRL. His stage play, ANTIGONE AT THE WHITE HOUSE, was produced in Los Angeles by BlueSwan Productions, with Swanbeck directing. Also in Los Angeles, he directed the critically acclaimed stage productions of the U.S. Premiere of WINTER, by Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse, which subsequently traveled to Britain and Scandinavia, and the U.S. Premiere of THE FORCE OF CHANGE, by Gary Mitchell, an Irish Thriller set in Belfast. Among Swanbeck's New York stage credits are the Off-Broadway U.S. Premiere of NEVER THE SINNER by John Logan, whose films include GLADIATOR, THE AVIATOR, SWEENEY TODD and the U.S. Premiere of ALL KIDDING ASIDE by Richard LaGravenese, whose films include BELOVED, THE HORSE WHISPERER, and THE FISHER KING. Has directed a number of stage productions in Chicago, where he received a Joseph Jefferson "Best Director" Award for his production of Stephen Berkoff's GREEK. His production company, BlueSwanFilms, is located in Los Angeles.

Student Comments:

This class with John is revolutionary. It is breaking open
everything I hoped for, and giving me a window into my creative
control. Great toolbox, his approach.

- Marta Woodhull, ACW student

... John [Swanbeck] doesn't accept anything but greatness from the people he works with, ...he is able to bring out that greatness in anyone...  I left his class wanting more out of myself.

- Jason Trevits, ACW student

ACW is bonded and licensed.  A workshop is not a job interview or audition. The presence of a casting director, agent or manager is neither a guarantee nor a promise of employment. The intent of the class is solely educational. Attending a workshop is not a way to obtain employment as an actor. Such contact as you may have with a casting director at a workshop rarely results in any further contact with that casting director or any company affiliated with that casting director.