FUll Time Program - FEBRUARY Intake
IMMERSIVE PROFESSIONAL SCREEN ACTING PROGRAM
FOR FILM & TELEVISION ACTORS
30 WEEKS | 3 DAYS PER WEEK | 360 CONTACT HOURS
TAFTA’s Full-Time Screen Acting Program is a practical, industry-focused alternative to traditional tertiary training. Designed for those ready to dive headfirst into their acting career, this program is ideal for recent Year 12 graduates, gap year students, or anyone seeking a creative and career-driven year of study.
Train three days a week in a supportive, professional environment where you’re encouraged to audition, work, and earn while you study. Unlike many conventional full-time programs or universities, our structure is designed with flexibility in mind, because we believe real-world experience matters. You’re free to actively audition for professional projects while you train, something not typically permitted in many formal drama school settings. You won’t be limited to theory or stuck in lecture halls. Instead, you’ll gain hands-on screen time, industry mentorship, real-world casting insight, and a professional showreel by the end of your course.
With a focus on screen-specific skills and training delivered by respected working professionals, TAFTA’s full-time program is where you build your craft, grow your confidence, and begin your career. There’s no age limit, we welcome students from all backgrounds, whether you’re stepping out of high school or stepping into a new chapter.
Structure
Class Days:
Monday Wednesday and Fridays
Time:
10 am - 5 pm
February Intake 2026
Auditions now open
Commencing on the 23rd of February
Schedule
The Full Time program is an immersive 30 week program of practical screen acting training. TAFTA will cultivate you the artist, you the actor, and you the business, guiding you to be industry ready upon graduation.
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Begin with an in-depth introduction to character development. Learn how to interpret scripts and bring written characters to life through thoughtful and truthful performance.
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Explore how your physical presence supports storytelling. This module focuses on movement within the frame and teaches you how to work effectively with the camera to enhance your on-screen performance.
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Develop the tools to break down a script and uncover the subtext behind each scene. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of intention, motivation, and the emotional beats that drive a performance.
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Get to know your character from the inside out. So you can make clear, honest choices that read on camera. You'll learn how to find your character's motivations, emotions, and relationships, and bring them to life in a natural, grounded way.
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Begin with Emotions, a unique emotional technique developed by John Orcsik. This method teaches you how to access and portray a full range of emotions authentically, without placing strain on your mental and emotional well-being.
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Learn the audition process and the necessary skills to implement into your audition process.
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The Business of Acting, a hands-on session with John Orcsik that explores the practical side of an acting career. You’ll gain valuable knowledge about industry standards, representation, networking, and the business strategies necessary for long-term success.
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Next, you'll begin your accent training with US Accent. In today’s increasingly global industry, a strong and believable American accent is a vital skill. Starting from square one, you’ll learn proven techniques to develop and sustain an authentic U.S. accent
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In Improv you will learn how to be free in your performance. To let yourself be free and play with the wide opportunities of your performance.
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This module challenges you to apply all the techniques developed throughout the course. Advanced Scenework pushes you to expand your emotional depth, character work, and on-screen presence through complex scenes and elevated performance expectations.
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Expand your accent range with this foundational class in R.P, the standard British accent often used in screen. Learn the key sounds and placement and musicality of the accent, giving you a strong foundation for British roles.
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This unique class has been carefully crafted to teach you how to convey powerful and nuanced messages using only your eyes. Learn how to master stillness, subtlety and intention to deliver impactful performances without relying on dialogue. Ideal for close-up work on camera and emotionally charged scenes.
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With the craziness of this career it’s important to expand your knowledge more then just acting. Script Writing will offer insight into the writing and development side of the industry. You’ll gain hands-on experience with scriptwriting and pre-production, learning what it takes to bring a concept from idea to camera-ready.
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In Casting, you'll work directly with a casting director to understand the casting process and what professionals in the industry are truly looking for.
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In Group Scenework you will be put into groups of 4 or more actors. You will then learn how to stay present in the scene and make sure you don’t disappear in the background or the craziness of the scene.
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Mid way through your program you will go through the process of Scene Selection and shoot the selected scenes in our studios. This will prepare you for our end of program showreels.
Meet the Teachers
John Orcsik: 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. 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”.
Mick Preston: With over two decades of experience across screen and stage, Mick Preston is an accomplished actor and teacher trained in New York under Uta Hagen, who selected him to appear in Acting Class by Uta Hagen. His credits include AMC’s Preacher, Apple TV’s Shantaram, and The Legend of Ben Hall. Holding a Bachelor of Education, Mick is known for his grounded, generous approach and for creating a supportive yet challenging environment for actors to grow.
David Willing: David Willing is a writer/director based in Melbourne Australia. David studied Film & TV at Deakin University and his graduation film Disintegration received the highest honours and screened at Longford Cinema along with the MUFF and Eyecandy film festivals. He has written 10 feature films with his debut feature 'Surrogate', a paranormal horror, having it's World Premiere at Sun Theatre on April 2022 and has since amassed more than 5 millions views online. In 2019 he launched Screenplay Method’s 1 Step-A-Day Screenplay, an online Screenwriting resource he developed after 15 years experience teaching 1000’s of Screenwriters and Filmmakers.
Osamah Sami: Osamah Sami is an award-winning Australian actor, writer, and comedian. He recently starred in Sundance Film Festival Opening Night and Audience Award Winning film 'Shayda', in which his performance earned him his second Australian Academy (AACTA) Award nomination for Best Lead Actor. He is also the co-writer and star of Sydney Film Festival Audience Award-winner, the hit Australian rom-com 'Ali's Wedding'.
Nathalie Antonia: Nathalie Antonia is an award-winning writer and improviser with a career spanning the UK, Australia, and the U.S. She has written and improvised alongside some of the world’s funniest talent, and has created sketch shows and award-winning short films in Los Angeles. Now based in Melbourne, she runs the hit improv show No Scripts Given, featuring an all-star cast, and is currently developing original projects for television.
Tyler Coppin: American born and raised Tyler Coppin is one of Australia’s earliest coaches of the US Accent having started during the 80’s wave of Aussie actors to Hollywood. Today he continues to train many of the actors of our young and exciting generation. A few of his past clients are Heath Ledger, Madeleine Madden, Melissa George, Joel Edgerton, Magda Szubanski, Ben Mendelsohn, and Mavournee Hazel (Piper Willis from Neighbours). Actors and students love working with Tyler because of his passionate, warm and thorough approach that gets them the results they want.
Simone Buchanan: After playing Debbie Kelly for many years in Australia's longest running sitcom Hey Dad, Simone went on to star alongside Deborah Lee Furness in internationally acclaimed feature film Shame. Simone has also starred in many television dramas including. Neighbours, Mcleods daughters, BlueHeelers, Water-rats, All Saints, Pacific Drive, A Country Practice, and Upper Middle Bogan, Her film credits include: High Country, My Brilliant Career, with Sam Neal, Patrick, alongside Rachel Griffiths and Charles Dance, Boar, starring alongside Hugh Sheridan and John Jarratt and most recently, The Girl at the window with Radha Mitchell.
Tim Marshall: Tim Marshall is an award-winning writer/director who, after having his short film Followers play in competition at Sundance Film Festival and SXSW, has had film and television projects in development with Screen Queensland and Screen Australia. His most recent feature film Closing Night, co-produced by Orange Entertainment Company (ABC's 'Retrograde') is currently in post-production, with the support of Screen Queensland. He has worked with some of the world’s top script consultants including Meg LeFauve (writer, Inside Out), Andrew Ellard (writer, Red Dwarf, IT Crowd), and Lynne Vincent McCarthy (script editor of The Babadook and The Nightingale).
Colin Budds: Colin Budds is a veteran Australian film and television director with over 40 years’ experience across local and international productions. He has directed hundreds of hours of television, including some of Australia’s most iconic and globally successful series such as Home and Away, Neighbours, H2O: Just Add Water, The Saddle Club, and Prisoner, working across drama, family, fantasy, and crime for major studios including Paramount. Known for his sharp storytelling instincts and actor-focused approach, Colin is also a respected mentor, passionate about guiding performers into professional work with confidence, clarity, and camera-ready craft.
The Audition Process
If you have any questions about the interstate audition process OR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS please email ENQUIRIES@tafta.com.au
What to expect in your audition
Come prepared and bring yourself. For your audition, choose one two-hander from the provided pieces, have your lines fully memorised, and research the text your piece comes from. This audition is our chance to get to know you, so don’t be afraid to make bold, personal choices. Acting is about expression, not guessing what we want to see. As Bryan Cranston says, “You’re not going there to get a job. You are going there to do a job. You act. And there it is." Have fun, be yourself, and show us what makes you unique. Successful applicants will be contacted regarding a place in our Full-Time Program, and if you’re not selected this time, we strongly encourage you to audition again, it’s never a no, just a not-yet.
Please prepare one two-hander from the selection below and upload your self-tape to the application form. There will also be a self tape guide for your reference. Please, only choose one character to read for.
Showreel
A strong showreel is a crucial part of any actor’s professional package and essential for getting noticed by agents and casting directors. As part of our full-time course, you'll graduate with a polished showreel made up of four crafted scenes that showcase your range and talent.
Midway through the course, you’ll film two in-house scenes at our studios using a three-camera switchboard setup, giving you a dynamic and polished result. The course then concludes with two on-location scenes, professionally shot to industry standards. These final scenes not only elevate your portfolio but also give you an authentic on-set experience, working under the guidance of a respected, working film & TV director.
Throughout the process, TAFTA’s professional instructors will support and mentor you, ensuring that your final showreel is something you’re proud to present to the industry. You'll also gain insight into the technical and collaborative aspects of production, helping you better understand the film and television workflow. Each student will be required to be present on set to experience the technical aspects of being on set and working in film and TV.
You’ll receive your showreel in formats ready for Casting Platforms or your personal website, everything you need to launch your professional career with confidence.
SHOWREEL SHOOT Examples
Pricing
What makes tafta different?
ON-CAMERA TRAINING FOCUS
The majority of your training at TAFTA will be done in front of a camera - either in the studio or on location.
We nurture your unique skillset to encourage comfort in front of the lens, increase camera awareness, whilst developing your acting craft. The course will teach you how to make authentic choices, true to your artistry that convey a sense of power, honesty and vulnerability. There is no screen-focused acting program that provides you with the same amount of professional exposure, support, and technical training than our Full-Time Program.
nearly every class will provide you with the opportunity to get up and film a piece - after which the footage is yours to use towards bettering your acting craft and, in some cases to use towards your material, as all class material is filmed and recorded professionally.
THE MODERN ACTOR
At TAFTA, we strongly believe the modern actor needs to be multi-hyphenate, to create and capitalise on all opportunities in the industry. We encourage our students to explore other ways of being creative.
At TAFTA we facilitate learning in other aspects of the Film & TV Industry. You will learn skills including screenwriting, producing, content creation, and crewing, so you can take your career into your own hands - don’t wait for the phone to ring.
Many of our alumni have gone on to write, produce, and direct as well as act in a professional capacity.
THE LIFE OF AN ACTOR
TAFTA not only arms actors with the tools and techniques required to become a professional performer in the industry but also assists in developing personal strengths and the mental endurance to handle the hardships of the industry.
Working as an actor is a fulfilling, exciting, and rewarding career, but there are many unique challenges along the way. With a team of actors and film makers behind the scenes at TAFTA, we will be there to support you every step of the way.
Upon graduation you are part of the TAFTA family - our door is always open if you need guidance along your acting journey as well as a plethora of alumni support services and discounts.
“I can honestly say that everything I know about acting has come from TAFTA, not just the skill and rehearsal practice, it’s the whole mentality and training system behind it. It’s not just a school, it’s more like a family.”
— CHRIS PANG | Charlie’s Angels, Crazy Rich Asians
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