Technique Master Class with Howard Fine

SYDNEY: June 29th - July 2nd

MELBOURNE: July 4th - July 7th

REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE MASTER CLASS ANNOUNCED BELOW

Howard Fine is unique among his contemporaries. An award-winning acting coach and author-on-acting, he has built his unshakeable reputation as a genuine world-leading authority on acting on the back of his LA-based practice. Howard Fine has been integral in the careers of many of today's most recognisable actors and spent years assembling the most cutting-edge, dynamic, open and insightful acting school faculty possible. It is this generosity of spirit and undeniable gift as a teacher that attracted world-leading authorities to his studio and have kept them working in harmony for almost two decades.

"Howard is not a guru. He does not work from a place of selfish aggrandizement. He is generous and encouraging, not dictatorial and egomaniacal. He loves actors and their process. He is loving and nurturing while still demanding that his actors continue to strive for their personal best... I have not worked on a single role - whether it was for the stage, film or television - without going to Howard."

Michael Chiklis - Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning actor

('The Shield', 'Fantastic Four', 'No Ordinary Family', 'Vegas')

About Howard Fine

As the Artistic Director at the head of an outstanding acting school faculty, Howard Fine is considered by many to be the best acting teacher alive today - having been voted the ‘Best Acting Teacher in LA’ by leading US publication and trusted industry heavyweight ‘Back Stage’ magazine. He is employed by the FBI to train their undercover agents and has been publicly thanked by the head of the Screen Actors Guild for his ongoing commitment to support actors in their work. Howard Fine's reputation as an acting coach came to prominence after he worked closely with Brad Pitt on the set of 'Interview With A Vampire'. He has personally helped many actors overcome obstacles in their technique and careers and for years has had an extensive list of private students that have included Bradley Cooper, Chris Pine, Jared Leto, Carla Gugino, Jennifer Connelly, Simon Baker, Salma Hayek, Garry Shandling, Justin Timberlake, Will Smith and Gerard Butler, amongst many, many others. As Michael Chiklis so expertly outlines in the introduction to his book (quoted above), Howard Fine does not work from a place of selfish aggrandizement, his dedication to the craft has enabled him to steadfastly build, without fanfare or ego, his studio and a lasting legacy in the heart of Hollywood.

Howard Fine has been in California since he moved there in 1985, his reputation as an astute teacher has led many industry insiders to acknowledge his influence:

“Within my 30 years of casting, I have viewed and worked with many actors.

Howard Fine’s technique is a contributing factor to those actors who consistently stand out.”

Victoria Burrows (Casting Director - ‘The Lord of the Rings’, ‘The Hobbit’, ‘The Lovely Bones’)

About the work - 'Fine on Acting:A Vision of the Craft'

Howard Fine's work is an extension and evolution of the ideas and principles of Uta Hagen and her contemporaries. His approach to the craft is a distillation and refinement of the concepts that exploded into the consciousness of actors after the formation of the Group Theatre in 1931 (Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner) and with the foundation of H.B. Studios in 1945, which in 1948 was joined by the legendary Uta Hagen as co-artistic director.

In 2009 Howard's award-winning book 'Fine on Acting: A Vision of the Craft' was published. In the book, Howard acknowledges the personal and collective influence of the individuals who comprise the faculty at his studio, many of whom operate significant private practices of their own. 'Fine on Acting: A Vision of the Craft' has enabled Howard's views on acting to receive wider recognition and was the catalyst for the Australian studio launching in February 2012.

“If anybody ever asks me where they need to go to study as an actor, I say Howard Fine.

You will be moved, inspired, challenged...all the things a true artist needs to grow.”

Christopher Kirby ('Iron Sky', 'Mao's Last Dancer', 'Daybreakers', 'The Matrix Revolutions')

About the Master Class

For the Master Class, Howard will personally dedicate time to creating an ensemble of actors. Participants will need to read Howard's book and work through his rehearsal techniques. These actors will then work closely and intensively with Howard on pre-selected scenes. The scene work takes place in the public forum of the Master Class and acts as the entry point for Howard, the actors and the auditors to explore the techniques, lessons and process of acting as outlined in 'Fine on Acting: A Vision of the Craft'. Howard Fine's Master Class environment represents one of the most dynamic, open and engaging learning experiences possible - his uniquely generous spirit creates a room free of judgement and is the best possible environment for enabling the breakthoughs that are guaranteed to occur. Howard Fine is a passionate advocate of the actor and the lessons delivered in the Master Class are designed to live outside of the learning environment.

Places to participate in the Master Class are very limited and are subject to an application process. In order to enable as many actors to benefit from the Master Class as possible, the event is open to auditors who are assured of being treated as equals in the room. There are few rules at Howard Fine's Master Classes but two encapsulate the tone of the event perfectly - "be present as colleagues in the room, support the participants, do not sit in judgement" and "do not leave with your questions unanswered."

“Howard is a master at helping actors make their work real, rather than just look natural...I couldn't recommend Howard and his acting method more highly.”

Peter Rasmussen (Maura Fay Group Casting Director - 'Underbelly Files', 'John Doe', 'The Doctor Blake Mysteries')

Why the Master Class?

Work with an award-winning, world-leading, international acting coach.
Be introduced to a technique that has been changing the Australian performance landscape since it was introduced in July 2011.
Experience breakthroughs that will empower you for the rest of your career.
Become part of the ensemble for the Master Class and experience the famous, supportive atmosphere that Howard creates.
Dedicate four days to unlocking your potential with a technique that is a direct evolution of the work of Uta Hagen and her contemporaries.
A springboard into the work, and the best possible introduction for continuing your training at The Studio both here and in LA.

“Howard Fine aims to strengthen YOU the actor so you can have the confidence, knowledge and vision to work freely and truthfully from within...

If you think you are even close to your full potential already, then this guy will really shock you..."

Jay Ryan ('Top of the Lake', 'Offspring', 'Terra Nova', 'Beauty and the Beast' [CBS])

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The new and unique HFAS Master Class format for 2013

The Howard Fine Acting Studio is committed to constantly improving each and every one of our courses and programs. Since we began hosting Howard's Master Classes in July of 2011 we have been collating, assessing and reviewing ways to fulfil that commitment. The result is the improved Master Class format for 2013 outlined below:

There will be a much smaller working ensemble (down from 32 to 24).
Participants will therefore work with Howard for far longer and with more intensity.
Each scene pairing will work on the 'floor' with Howard on three of the four Master Class days (up from two of the four).
The intensive pre-homework requirements have been expanded.
We've added a far greater lead-in time to rehearse with your partner prior to the Master Class.
Events have been calendared specifically for the participants to explore the work, bond and ask questions prior to the event.
Participants are invited to attend a pre-Master Class meet and greet evening.
A comprehensive Waiting List system has been introduced.

Details, Participation and Auditing

Sydney Dates: June 29th (Saturday) - July 2nd (Tuesday)

Sydney Times: 9:30am-6:30pm

Sydney Venue: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh

Melbourne Dates: July 4th (Thursday) - July 7th (Sunday)

Melbourne Times: 9:30am-6:30pm

Melbourne Venue: TheatreWorks, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda

Participation Fee: $1100

Auditing Fee: Various - see bottom of page

Participating Actors (what to expect):
After submitting their details (see the form below) and being invited to form part of the Master Class ensemble, participating actors are carefully paired by Howard and have a play assigned to them to use in the Master Class. All participating actors will need to source a copy of Howard’s book, ‘Fine on Acting: A Vision of the Craft’ to read and use in the rehearsal period prior to the commencement of the Master Class - copies are available to purchase from the office or via the button above.

What Howard Expects of you as a Participating Actor:

Comprehensively read Howard's book.
Select a five minute scene (no longer) from your assigned play to use in the Master Class (assistance will be provided if needed).

Conduct necessary research (outlined in Howard's book) to understand the context of the play and your character.
Workshop and rehearse the scene using the rehearsal tools outlined in 'Fine on Acting:A Vision of the Craft'.
Supply the necessary objects and articles to make 'place' (see Howard's book) outside of the furniture that The Studio will be providing for you.

Auditing Actors (what to expect):

The Howard Fine Acting Studio is dedicated to providing actors with the opportunity to improve their acting craft through active observation and objective analysis. This analysis is assured to provide actors with a thorough insight into and a workable knowledge of The Studio’s approach to acting and Scene Study.

What Howard Expects of you as an Auditor:

Be active, committed and engaged in observing and learning.
Provide the best possible support to your fellow actors (whether auditing or working).
Ask your questions.

Prior to the Master Class all auditors will be given a list outlining the texts that the participants will be workshopping, enabling them to carefully study the source material and appreciate how Howard approaches script analysis, the key techniques that he employs and the differences in performance that occur as a result. To get the most from actively auditing the Master Class and to gain a genuine understanding of Howard's process and approach we strongly encourage all auditors to attend all four days and have read Howard’s book, ‘Fine on Acting: A Vision of the Craft’ prior to attending the event.

How to Apply to be a Participant:

Applying to be a participant in either the Sydney or Melbourne Master Class is a simple process:

Step 1: Enter your details in the registration form below

Step 2: Once you receive our automated reply send your resume, photograph and further application details to the specified email address at the office*

After receiving and processing your application we endeavour to notify successful applicants as soon as possible to give the maximum preparation time. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of their application status. Successful applicants will be provided with a payment schedule for the Master Class and are requested to make a deposit prior to being assigned their scene and partner.

*Howard Fine's Master Classes are extremely popular, please do not be offended if you are not selected to participate. The selection process is NOT designed to reflect Howard's opinion of your progress, talent or ability as an actor - the criteria used for selection is designed to assure the most diverse class possible.

How to Secure Your Place as an Auditor:

Securing you place as an auditor is extremely simple, you can book right now by clicking on the 'book now' button below.

Auditing Fee:

Audit all four days -        $395*
Single day pass -                   $110
Weekend Pass -                    $200

*Howard’s book will be provided for free to auditors who have purchused an auditing pass for all four days and can produce a receipt.

All correspondence pertaining to the workshops will be communicated via email. It is your responsibility to check your email regularly. If you have not received the automated email response (which occasionally gets placed in spam folders) after beginning the application process please send an email to admin@howardfinestudio.com.au. Please try and avoid phone calls (unless of course it is a true emergency).

Please include your phone number and email address in all correspondence. Payment information will be sent with your acceptance email. Please do not send any payments until you have been officially accepted.