An Actor Prepares - for Episodic TV

“I’ve seen wonderful actors get a plum guest role on a series only to lose it after the first day of production, not because they weren’t good actors, but simply because they didn’t know how the system works.”

What's expected of you when you're cast on a TV series? In this participatory workshop Ellen will present an insider's guide to acting in a television series. You'll find out what directors and producers look for in a TV audition, how casting decisions are made, and what you can do to increase your chances.

You'll learn what to do after you get that coveted job: What to do on your first day of production on TV show; why you shouldn’t discuss acting with a TV director; what’s expected of you at rehearsals, run throughs and camera blocking. You'll discover how to handle yourself on the set, who you should ask questions of; who you shouldn't; the best way to treat the star and why lunch matters. Plus how to survive when your lines get cut.

So when you get that happy call telling you what time to report to the set, you'll know what to do. Besides act.

Join the ranks of talented actors creating their own projects. Don't wait for Hollywood to call - knock down it's door!

Topics covered:

Getting The Job
- Audition Process - what makes you castable from a producer's POV
- Audition Exercise - active participation with feedback
Keeping The Job
- What to Do Before You Go – how to prepare
- What to Do When You’re There - what’s expected of the guest actor on the set
- How to Approach:
The Star, The Director, The Executive Producer
- Some Rules – both on and off the set
- Lunch – the most important meal of the day
- Production Schedule – what’s expected of the guest actor each day
The Long View
- Career is not just this job.

SCHEDULE:

Sunday, September 7th: 9:30am-1:00pm

Intensive Cost:
$50 - by September 4th
$60 - after September 4th

Please be sure to check out the follow up course to this workshop: An Actor Prepares

...I LOVED it. Ellen [Sandler] comes from where the air is rare, and gives us her perspective from watching people win roles and keep them once they get on set, and also, unfortunately, from watching people lose their hard won gains. She helps you realize that to do more of what does work, and less of what doesn't is the key to success. I'd recommend it to any actor that wants to work in LA, not just play at their career.
- David Lawrence

ABOUT THE COACH:

Ellen Sandler

writer/producer

ELLEN SANDLER received an Emmy nomination for her work as Co-Executive Producer for the CBS hit Everybody Loves Raymond and she is the author of
The TV Writer’s Workbook, published by Bantam/Dell (2007).

She has worked as a writer/producer on over 25 half hour network television series including ABC’s long running comedy, Coach. In addition to her staff positions, she has created original pilots for ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox Family, Oxygen, The Disney Channel and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.

Ellen began her career in the theatre where she continues to work as both a playwright and a director. She has directed Fran Dresher, Anne Heche, Daniel Stern, Megan Mullally, Joe Regalbutto, Doris Roberts, Rhea Perlman and many other prominent actors in her own plays as well as the plays of others. She is the Co-Founder of The Jewish Women’s Theatre where she serves as Artistic Director.

Her consulting company, Sandler Ink, provides script development and career coaching, for professionals and emerging writers in the entertainment industry. She teaches television writing at USC, HB Playwrights Foundation in New York and is a popular speaker at conferences and universities both in the US and abroad.

Ellen is a member of the Writer’s Guild of America, and earned an MFA from the American Film Institute.

Don’t miss your chance to work with one Hollywood's heavy hitters!