PRICE
$495 + GST (Payment Plans Available)
DAY
Thursday Nights
DATE
22nd of October - 3rd of December
TIME
6:30pm - 9:30pm
If you are looking for a technique that can help you become emotional on cue, take after take that doesn't require you to use real events from your past - to take all the pressure off the “Key acting moments”? Then this short course is what you’re looking for. This technique will empower you with confidence to face with emotional beats in a scene.
John Orcsik as Johnny Gilbert in Ben Hall
John played Johnny Gilbert for 8 episodes of the popular mini tv series Ben Hall.
Using John Orcsik’s unique method, you will learn a physiological process to express your emotions on screen, without the need to use emotional recall, sense memory, or any other potentially damaging techniques. There is no need to learn line, prepare a scene or imagine a traumatic event to prepare yourself for this class, it is just you and the technique.
Using a technique rather than emotional recall allows you to practice it, over and over again and become better and faster at accessing the required emotion every time.
John Orcsik as Det. Mike Georgiou in Cop Shop.
John played Det. Mike Georgiou for 556 episodes over 6 years.
In the fast paced world of Film & TV, this is a reliable tool that, once learnt, you can call on at any time.
These are tools that an actor can use throughout their career, no matter what mood you are in, you can create the right emotion on screen for your character with these physiological processes.
COURSE OUTCOMES:
Ability to express the Four Basic Emotions at will: Anger, Fear, Joy, Grief.
Practice working on each of these emotions with texts ranging from easy to difficult.
Ability to cry on cue (without accessing any past traumas)
Comprehensive emotional training
Deep understanding of how emotions physiologically present themselves in your body, your different energy centres, and how they can be accessed in performance
Training in presence and being in the moment
Breathwork
Immediacy in performance
Monologue Work
Practice makes perfect! On completing this intensive you will have learnt John’s emotions technique to the point where you can practice it on your own, so you are ready to hit that emotion when you’re under pressure on set or in an audition.
Meet John:
John Orcsik is a distinguished Australian actor, writer, director, and the founder of The Australian Film & Television Academy (TAFTA), established in 1994. With a career spanning more than five decades across film, television, theatre, and screen education, John has become one of Australia’s most respected figures in the entertainment industry.
John’s breakthrough role came with the iconic Australian television series Number 96, where he played Simon Carr, a performance that led to his reprisal of the role in the feature film adaptation. He continued to build an extensive screen career with major roles including Johnny Gilbert in the ABC/BBC/20th Century Fox television series Ben Hall, alongside acclaimed British actor Jon Finch, then Father Mulcahy in the beloved Australian drama series The Sullivans.
One of John’s most recognised roles came as Detective Mike Georgiou in the legendary Australian police drama Cop Shop, where he starred in more than 550 episodes until the show’s finale in 1983. Reflecting on his time on the series, John has said, “It was bloody hard work, sometimes 17-hour days, but it was also such fun.” The series became one of the highest-rating programs in Australian television history, and John also contributed as a writer, penning multiple episodes throughout its successful run. His writing credits extend across some of Australia’s most significant television productions, including Prisoner, Matlock Police, Division 4, Homicide, and Bluey.
Following Cop Shop, John continued acting across film and television, playing Ken Bennett in the children’s series Zoo Family, appearing in 26 episodes, as well as recurring roles in Home and Away (22 episodes) and Neighbours (23 episodes). His more recent screen credits include The Dr Blake Mysteries, Superwog, New Gold Mountain, and the Hallmark/Jaggi Entertainment production, A Melbourne Match.
Alongside his acting career, John has dedicated much of his life to developing and mentoring the next generation of Australian screen actors. In 1994, he founded The Australian Film & Television Academy (TAFTA), which has since expanded nationally and become one of Australia’s leading screen acting training institutions. Under John’s leadership, TAFTA developed its unique “Emotions” technique, a modern approach to screen acting that focuses on authenticity, emotional connection, and helping actors access truthful performances quickly and effectively.
John has directed numerous theatre and screen productions and continues to create, develop, and mentor within the Australian film and television industry. His approach to training combines decades of professional experience with a deep understanding of the practical demands of working on set.
Throughout TAFTA’s history, John has played an instrumental role in shaping the careers of many successful Australian actors. TAFTA alumni include Chris Pang (Crazy Rich Asians, Charlie’s Angels, Palm Springs), Eliza Taylor (The 100, Neighbours), James Frecheville (Animal Kingdom, The Drop, The Dry), Jesse Spencer (House, Chicago Fire, Neighbours), Teressa Liane (The Vampire Diaries, Into the Badlands, Neighbours), Osamah Sami (Ali’s Wedding, Shayda, Savage River), Lauren Esposito (The Conjuring 2, Love Child), Markella Kavenagh (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Romper Stomper, Picnic at Hanging Rock), Ella Newton (Harrow, Girl at the Window, Dangerous Animals), and Harrison Popple (Itch, The Imposter, Crazy Fun Park).
Students throughout TAFTA’s history frequently credit John’s mentorship as instrumental in their development, with many acknowledging that his guidance, training methods, and industry knowledge have helped shape the foundation of their acting careers.
Today, John continues to inspire emerging performers through TAFTA, sharing his decades of professional experience and his passion for authentic storytelling, performance, and the craft of screen acting.
TRIGGER WARNING:
Some of the scripts used for this session contain content that may be distressing for you.
Please note that the scripts contain direct reference and use of the following words and notions:
SA, Assault, trauma, grief, and extreme emotions (anger, yelling etc)
Whilst we always encourage you to push your boundaries and treat all sessions as if you were cast in a project, this is a learning environment and we want to ensure you are as comfortable as possible!
Please let us know if you have any questions, and if you believe you'll find this content too difficult to work with.
