Private Coaching
Looking for personalised guidance to take your acting to the next level? TAFTA offers private coaching sessions with experienced industry professionals John Orcsik and Lana Golja. These one-on-one lessons provide a focused environment to work on audition material, rehearse scenes, refine technique, or develop specific skills such as screen performance and accent work. Whether you are preparing for an upcoming audition or simply want dedicated time to strengthen your craft, private coaching allows actors to receive tailored feedback and individual mentorship to support their growth.
Private Coaching with John Orcsik
Students also have the opportunity to work one-on-one with TAFTA founder John Orcsik through private coaching sessions. These personalised classes are ideal for actors who want to prepare an audition, workshop a scene, or focus on strengthening specific aspects of their screen acting technique in a focused environment. It is a rare opportunity to receive direct guidance and mentorship from one of Australia’s most experienced industry professionals
$150 per hour
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.
Private Coaching (Kids & Teens) with Lana Golja
These personalised lessons are ideal for preparing audition scenes, working on material for self-tapes, or developing specific screen acting skills in a focused environment. Lana also offers Standard U.S. accent coaching for young actors, helping students develop clarity, confidence and consistency when performing in an American accent.
$100 per hour
Meet Lana
Lana Golja is an actor and long-time member of the TAFTA community. She began her journey at TAFTA over 15 years ago as a student, attending workshops and classes, filming countless self-tapes, and performing in a two-handed production of Macbeth directed by TAFTA founder John Orcsik at the 2020 Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Since booking her first lead television role in the Logie-nominated series Worst Year Of My Life, Again! during her final year of high school, Lana has appeared in productions including Winners & Losers, Upper Middle Bogan, House Husbands, Summer Love, Wentworth, The Mongoose and most recently Hallmark/Jaggi Entertainment’s Aussie At Heart .
Alongside her acting career, Lana has spent several years working with children across Australia and internationally in the children’s entertainment space. She has performed and worked with well-known brands including Disney, Mattel and Peppa Pig, gaining extensive experience engaging with young audiences through live entertainment and events.
At TAFTA, Lana teaches several youth classes for ages 5 and up, including Mini Movie Makers, Juniors and Teens, and also runs TAFTA’s School Holiday Programs. She enjoys helping young performers build confidence, explore creativity and develop a love of storytelling in a supportive and encouraging environment.