PRICE
$720 + GST (Payment Plans Available)
DAY
Tuesday Nights
DATE
20th of October - 8th of December
TIME
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Foundations of Screen Acting
Act I: Groundwork is TAFTA’s entry-level, on-camera acting course designed to give aspiring actors a solid, practical foundation in screen performance. This ongoing, term-based class is ideal for those starting their journey, returning to acting after time away, or transitioning from theatre to film and television.
In this hands-on, immersive class, students will work entirely on camera as they build the technical and emotional tools needed to perform with confidence, truth, and screen awareness. You’ll explore script analysis, character work, frame awareness, audition preparation, and performance technique, all while gaining the real-world experience of being directed and filmed regularly.
Mick Preston playing Henry in Preacher
This is the first step in TAFTA’s structured screen acting pathway. Students are welcome to train in Groundwork for multiple terms, with the opportunity to progress into Act II: The Craft once their teacher feels they’re ready to move forward.
Key areas of focus include:
Acting for camera vs theatre
Script and character analysis
Line learning techniques
Performance focus exercises
Understanding frame size, eye lines, and camera angles
Scene work and truthful delivery
Audition technique and industry expectations
Mick Preston playing Nick Wright in TKG: The Kids of Grove
Meet Mick:
With over two decades of experience across film, television, theatre, and voice, Mick Preston brings a wealth of knowledge, authenticity, and care to his teaching. A true actor's actor, Mick trained in New York under the legendary Uta Hagen and was personally selected to appear in her celebrated documentary, Acting Class by Uta Hagen.
Mick spent more than a decade living, studying, and working in both New York and Los Angeles, immersing himself in a range of renowned acting techniques including Method, Meisner, Michael Chekhov, and Jacques Lecoq. His extensive training is matched by an impressive body of professional work across stage and screen.
His screen credits include Shantaram (Apple TV+) as Constantin Floris alongside Charlie Hunnam, Preacher (AMC) as Henry, Neighbours as Allan Hewitt, House Husbands, and the feature film The Legend of Ben Hall, in which he portrayed William Gibson.
As a teacher, Mick holds a Bachelor of Education and has taught acting extensively in New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Melbourne. He is known for his generous, grounded approach and his ability to create a safe yet challenging environment where actors can take risks, deepen their craft, and grow with confidence. Drawing on decades of international training and industry experience, Mick is passionate about helping actors discover truthful, compelling performances both on screen and on stage.
