Part Time Program - February Intake
IMMERSIVE PROFESSIONAL SCREEN ACTING PROGRAM
FOR FILM & TELEVISION ACTORS
32 WEEKS | 2 NIGHTS A WEEK | 192 CONTACT HOURS
An Accessible screen acting program for those who can’t commit to full time study.
The TAFTA Part Time Program is a unique program designed specifically for emerging or established actors looking to take the next step in their career.
Over four terms you will deepen your understanding of the art and craft of acting, not only receiving the tools your need to fulfil your potential as a fully-formed actor, but as an all-round Film & Television creative too. This program is a safe and supportive platform for you to take control of your career - empowering you to be so much more than just an actor.
With classes only two evenings a week, The TAFTA Part Time Program gives you the freedom to maintain work responsibilities, studies, lifestyle, and even auditions and acting work whilst doing your training.
Structure
Class Days:
Tuesday and Thursday
Time:
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Age Limit: 17+
February Intake
Commencing on the 24th of February
Schedule
The Part Time program is a 32 week journey into practical screen acting training, content creation, industry knowledge and mindset training where we cultivate you the artist, you the actor, and you the screen creative, and guide you to be industry ready upon graduation
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Emotion’s, 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.
-
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.
-
Get Set offers essential insights into the fast-paced environment of life on set. You’ll learn how to adapt quickly, meet professional expectations, and navigate the dynamic nature of working on a film or television production.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Scene Selection is where we personally help select the right scenes for your end of program Showreel, which will lead us in to Showreel Week. Where your selected scene will be professionally filmed on location, giving you a polished, industry-standard piece to use as a calling card for future opportunities.
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'.
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.
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.
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).
Showreels
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 Part Time Program, you'll graduate with a polished showreel.
The program 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.
PRICE
HOW TO APPLY
Admission into the tafta part time program is by application ONLY
Please contact us if you have any questions about the application process.
What makes tafta different?
ON-CAMERA TRAINING FOCUS
Almost all of your training at TAFTA will be done in front of a camera - either in the studio or on location.
You will learn to find comfort in front of the lens, increase camera awareness, and practice the power of stillness, conveying a story with just a look, or even making wild physicality authentic and believable on screen.
You will get copies of all your footage every class so that you can assess your own performance in playback, and monitor your growth as an actor.
THE MODERN ACTOR
At TAFTA, we strongly believe the modern actor needs to be a multi-hyphenate, to create and capitalise on all opportunities in the industry.
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 in your own hands and aren’t waiting for the phone to ring.
On top of that, we encourage our students to explore other ways of being creative. Many of our alumni have gone on to write, produce, direct, and star in award-winning short films, plays and films!
THE LIFE OF AN ACTOR
TAFTA not only arms actors with the craft required to become a professional performer in the industry but also aids in developing personal strengths and the mental capacity to handle the hardships of the industry.
Working as an actor is a fulfilling, exciting, and rewarding career, but there will be many challenges along the way. With a team of actors 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.
“The incredible amounts of knowledge that I have learnt have been insane and I owe so much to TAFTA. TAFTA, you have taught me everything about the craft, from on-set etiquette, learning to be comfortable in this industry, how to audition and self-tape and I don’t know where I would’ve started without you!”
— LILLY VAN DER MEER | Xanthe Canning on ‘Neighbours’
ANY MORE QUESTIONS?
We’re very happy to help!
Fill in this question form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.