PRICE
$660 + GST (Payment Plans Available)
DAY
Wednesday Nights
DATE
4th of February - 1st of April
TIME
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Scene Work, Character, and Emotional Technique
The Craft is the next step in TAFTA’s structured screen acting pathway. Designed for actors who have completed Groundwork or have a basic grasp of on-camera performance, this course focuses on developing truthful characterisation, confident emotional access, and refined scene work for screen.
Working within TAFTA’s term-based structure, students will train weekly with John Orcsik, deepening their performance skills through advanced script analysis, emotional authenticity, and on-camera scene study. Actors will be challenged to step further into character, explore emotional nuance, and approach complex material with confidence.
John Orcsik as Johnny Gilbert in Ben Hall
John played Johnny Gilbert for 8 episodes of the popular mini tv series Ben Hall.
A key component of this class is John’s signature emotional technique - a safe, effective, and repeatable method for accessing powerful emotions on cue without relying on personal trauma or emotional recall. Developed specifically for screen actors, this technique helps you hit emotional beats take after take, while maintaining presence, connection, and control.
Whether you're working with grief, joy, fear, or anger, this technique offers a physiological pathway to emotional access making it ideal for high-pressure audition environments and emotionally demanding screen roles.
John Orcsik as Det. Mike Georgiou in Cop Shop.
John played Det. Mike Georgiou for 556 episodes over 6 years.
Actors will also engage in scene work, monologues, and emotional exercises that develop range, responsiveness, and immediacy in performance. Students can continue in The Craft across multiple terms, progressing to Act III: The Working Actor once their teacher determines they’re ready to take the next step toward professional-level industry training.
Key areas of focus include:
Emotional access without emotional recall or trauma
In depth scene study
Character development and psychological detail
Breathwork and emotional release
On-camera rehearsal and performance
Audition-style emotional preparation
Training in presence, responsiveness, and vulnerability
Creating truthful, impactful performances under pressure
Meet John:
John Orcsik is a distinguished Australian actor, screenwriter, director, and producer whose career spans nearly six decades. He launched his screen career in 1967 on Bellbird, followed by roles on Crawford Productions series such as Homicide, Division 4, and Matlock Police. He appeared in the cult soap Number 96, both on television (1972) and in its 1973 feature film adaption.
His breakout role came in 1978 as Detective Mike Georgiou on Cop Shop, where he starred in over 550 episodes until the show's finale in 1983. Reflecting on his time on set, Orcsik shared how “It was bloody hard work, sometimes 17‑hour days, but it was also such fun”.
Following Cop Shop, he wrote scripts for Prisoner and continued acting in numerous films and series such as Petersen (1974), The Man from Hong Kong (1975), Pacific Drive, Neighbours, The Saddle Club, Stingers, The Doctor Blake Mysteries, and recent credits like Superwog and New Gold Mountain.
In 1994, Orcsik founded The Australian Film & Television Academy (TAFTA) on the Gold Coast. Under his leadership, TAFTA expanded to Sydney and Melbourne, offering nationwide workshops and classes. There, he developed a unique "Emotions" technique - a modern approach to screen acting that emphasises authenticity and quick, easy access to emotion in performance.
Although primarily known for his on-camera work, Orcsik has directed numerous theatre and television productions and written for TV. He scripted multiple episodes of Prisoner, contributed to Division 4 and Silent Number, and continues developing his own writing projects today.
A passionate industry educator, he has helped shape the careers of many now-established actors. TAFTA alumni include:
Chris Pang (Crazy Rich Asians, Charlie's Angels)
Eliza Taylor (The 100, Neighbours, Christmas Inheritance)
James Frecheville (Animal Kingdom, The Drop, The Dry)
Teressa Liane (The Vampire Diaries, Into the Badlands, Neighbours)
Ella Newton (Harrow, Neighbours)
Jesse Spencer (House, Chicago Fire, Neighbours)
Students frequently praise his mentorship: “Everything I know about acting has come from TAFTA … it’s the whole mentality and training system behind it,” and “John has been there the whole way.”
Content Notice:
Some scenes and scripts used in class may contain mature or distressing themes, including references to trauma, assault, or intense emotional states. Students are always encouraged to work at their own pace and can request alternate material if needed. This is a supportive learning environment where safety and growth are prioritised.
