Teen Acting & Film Making Intensive
Ages 13-17 | 10:00am – 3:00pm | Wed 14th, Thu 15th, Fri 16th January | $330 inc. GST
What to bring: healthy lunch, snacks, water bottle, and USB or SD card
Designed for aspiring young performers ready to take the next step, this three-day immersive combines screen acting, filmmaking, improv, industry insights, creative self-development and career planning. Students will work on a self-tape scene, a two-person filmed scene (suitable for showreel use), explore directing and camera work, and even collaborate to create original short scenes inspired by creative prompts.
Beyond performance, students will take part in a Career Vision Board Project, guiding them to clarify their goals, dream big, and map out actionable steps towards their future, from finding representation to booking professional work. Students will also gain insight into how to package and market themselves professionally, including building a compelling showreel and creating a professional portfolio.
To give students a taste of life on a real set, participants will be split into two groups: one group will take on the “crew” roles, learning about key positions such as director, assistant director, camera operator, and production assistant using a fun, easy-to-follow worksheet. The other group will be the “cast”, exploring the differences between extra, day player, bit part, and lead, and practicing how to take direction and perform under real-world conditions. Halfway through the exercise, the groups swap roles, giving everyone hands-on experience from both perspectives. This activity encourages teamwork, communication, and a practical understanding of how a professional set operates.
Students will also participate in mock auditions, learning how to slate, read scripts, cold-read with confidence, and receive constructive feedback in a safe, supportive environment. Additional sessions cover on-set etiquette, call sheet basics, and professional behaviour, helping students understand the expectations of working on a real film or television set.
Actor and teacher, Lana Golja will share personal insights from her own experience transitioning from teenage actor to professional adult in the industry, discussing topics such as understanding age-appropriate boundaries in auditions, setting personal limits, building resilience, and surrounding yourself with the right support network. She will also provide guidance on building confidence, managing rejection, and strategically pursuing opportunities in the entertainment industry.
By the end of the workshop, students will not only have filmed material to take home but also practical knowledge, creative skills, and industry insights that will set them apart as emerging actors ready to navigate the professional world.
Meet Lana:
This workshop is led by actor and TAFTA alum Lana Golja, whose television credits include Worst Year of My Life, Again!, Winners & Losers, Upper Middle Bogan, House Husbands, Summer Love, and Wentworth. This year, she has filmed several projects, including roles in the U.S. feature The Mongoose alongside Liam Neeson and Australian horror/slasher film Kick On.
With over a decade of experience working with young people, Lana has taught dance, hosted children’s events, and performed with world-leading entertainment brands including Disney, Nickelodeon, and Mattel. She brings warmth, creativity, and care to the studio, creating a fun and safe environment where each student feels supported, celebrated, and inspired to explore their own unique voice on screen.
Lana Golja, playing Nicola Grey in ABC/CBBC’s
Worst Year Of My Life, Again!
Who This Workshop Is For:
This intensive is perfect for teenagers aged 13–17 who are passionate about performing arts and interested in screen acting. Whether they are just starting out and curious to explore acting for camera, or are already experienced and looking to take their craft to the next level, this workshop provides the tools, skills, and insider knowledge to help them grow.
What They Will Walk Away With:
Filmed scenes on USB or SD card, including a self-tape scene and a multi-camera two-person scene suitable for showreel use
Hands-on experience in acting, improvisation, content creation and directing, gaining insight into performance and on-set collaboration
Practical knowledge of professional set roles and etiquette
Confidence in mock auditions, script reading, and taking direction on camera
Understanding of how to package and market themselves to agents and casting directors, including building a showreel and portfolio
Tools and guidance to set career goals and create actionable steps, supported by their completed Career Vision Board
Insights into navigating the transition from teen actor to professional, including resilience, boundaries, and building a safe, supportive network
New friends and a supportive creative community, all while exploring their craft in a fun, inspiring, and professional environment