Welcome to Actor Prepares

ACTOR PREPARES, India’s finest acting school for talented individuals who wish to pursue careers as actor-performers in the entertainment industry, is opening in Chandigarh. Over a period of six months, the intensive full-time professional-level course provides specialised training in acting. The classes at ACTOR PREPARES are conducted by competent in-house faculty members who passionately teach the craft through practicals, theories, games, exercises and extensively filmed practicals. Bollywood celebrities, which comprises the school’s visiting faculty, will share with students their invaluable on-the-job experiences and tips to success.

ACTOR PREPARES has been opened in collaboration with the Society for Tourism and Entertainment Promotion (STEPS) in Chandigarh and supported by a host of members of the entertainment industry. They include Mahesh Bhatt, Yash Chopra, Naseeruddin Shah, Dolly Thakore, Waheeda Rehman, David Dhawan, Satish Kaushik, Farah Khan, Amal Allana, Govind Nihalani, Tabu, Akshaye Khanna, Priyadarshan, Irfan Khan, Boman Irani, Gurinder Chadha and Deepak Nayyar.

First batch in Chandigarh school begins 1st June 2007, interview / auditions to be held on 12th & 13th May '07. Last date for receipt of application is 7th May '07. For details contact
Ms. Sarabdeep Kochhar or Mr. Sahib Singh (+91-9216257333)
STEPS,
Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management,
Sector 42,
Chandigarh – 160042.
Tel : 0172-6450433, e-mail: stepschd@gmail.com.
For prospectus and admission form, please send a DD/PC of Rs. 300/- payable at
Chandigarh in favour of ACTOR PREPARES to the above address.

School and Facility

The Institute is located at the Central Crafts Institute (CCI), Sector 11, Chandigarh and has been designed on minimalist lines to suit the requirements of actors. The Institute also boasts of the following state-of-the-art facilities:

Theatres:

A fully-equipped studio-theatre for rehearsals and private performances

Library:

The school's library has a sizeable number of books and journals as well as materials suitable for study and reference. Continuing additions of course-related materials are made to this collection. The school has a collection of rare films, videos and DVDs.

Pantry:

The pantry will provide the staff and students with refreshments and lunch at reasonable rates. The menu is carefully designed by our nutritionist and meets the best dietary standards.

Procedure

Applicants for the full-time programme may fill the application form form in the prospectus by sending a draft for Rs 500 payable to ‘Actor Prepares’ requesting a copy of the prospectus. Alternatively, they may download the application form from the relevant link on the website and send it filled in with a draft of Rs 200 payable to ‘Actor Prepares’ to cover processing charges.

Admissions are finalised by competitive auditions and interviews. Candidates must perform one scene of their own choosing and one scene given by us at the audition. Each scene must not exceed 3 minutes. Talent and potential are the primary criteria for admission and should be evident at the time of the auditions and interviews. There will be a total of about 30 students enrolled for each programme. A select number of applicants will be put on a waiting list once selections are completed. Applicants selected will need to provide medical proof of good health before commencing the course.

Notification

Applicants will be notified of their selection via mail, at the address specified in the application form. Confirmation of final selection may be delayed in instances when a candidate is placed on the waiting list.

Tution Fees

The fee for the full-time programme is Rs 1.80 lakhs and includes:

Registration and administrative charges

Stationary (reading and writing material

Class uniform

Professional portfolio

Fees for the full-time programme may be paid in two installments. The first installment is to be paid on the first day of the course. The second installment may be made as a post-dated cheque dated one month after the course commences.

Cancellation

As the selection is limited to a few carefully selected applicants, no requests for refund of fees will be accepted, except under medical exigencies.

Scholarships

15% of the selected students will be given scholarships named after eminent theatre personalities on a need-cum-merit basis for the full-time programme, provided the faculty is convinced of their exceptional talent.

Course Duration

The duration of the course will be six months with a vacation period of two weeks. Limited government holidays will be observed by the school.

Diplomas

Diplomas will be awarded to students fulfilling 90% attendance.

Medical Certificate

At the time of admission the students will have to provide a medical certificate stating the following :

• Not suffering from any contagious disease.
• Fit to undertake physical training, i.e. dance, martial arts, yoga, aerobics, etc.
• Not suffering from blood pressure, diabetes, etc.

Teaching Modules

FULL-TIME PROGRAMME

a) Acting Techniques:

Incorporates different world renowned techniques which help in understanding, analysing and applying the craft of Acting. The module spans the history of Acting: Traditional & Classical modes of Acting, Modern Acting i.e. Method Acting /Realistic form of Acting and the post-Modern i.e. contemporary methodologies, to comprehend the art of performance more efficiently.

b) Creative Body Movements:

The body is the basic tool of an actor, just as brushes and canvass are to a painter. Creative body movements are prime exercises which are conducted in the beginning of almost every acting class conducted by the faculty. These movement classes enables one to become graceful and energetic, and makes one aware of factors like rhythm, gait, pace, tempo, gestures, postures, body language, compositions, etc. which later help one in understanding scenes more effectively.

c) Yoga:

The beneficial role of Yoga in shaping the body and the mind is beyond dispute. Students begin the day with Yoga classes at ACTOR PREPARES for the first eight weeks.

d) Aerobics:

Aerobics keeps one physically fit and active, tones up the body, makes one aware of muscles, muscular tensions and rigidity. Aerobics is taught in the last four weeks of the course.

e) Stunts and Martial Arts:

Almost every actor is called upon to do stunts during one’s career. ACTOR PREPARES familiarises students with the techniques of live combat.

f) Dance:

Actors need to be in synchrony with tune and rhythm. To equip students to meet the demands of Indian cinema, ACTOR PREPARES has a competent array of dance instructors in Modern dance, Indian dance, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Bollywood routines and also the art of lip-sync.

g) Voice Culture:

The voice is another tool of an actor. In voice classes, students get to understand the power of their voice and gain an insight of how to modify it by controlling various resonators and muscles. By doing different breathing exercises, the students learn voice modulation which helps them in understanding the nuances of diction and articulation.

h) Diction & Speech:

The students are taught the importance of clarity of speech -- articulation as well as expressions. The students are made to analyse and study various monologues from plays and films, which later helps them in dialogue delivery

i) Actor and Camera:

This aspect of training is a highly technical endeavour which deals with all the technical nuances of film acting, concerning the camera. Here the students get to know the importance of the camera, camera placement, camera movement, shot division, shot taking, types of shots, the presence of the actor before the camera, the significance of the ‘mark’ vis-à-vis the camera, etc.

j) Film Appreciation:

The film appreciation module at ACTOR PREPARES makes the students study films extensively, analyse cinema in its microscopic details, capture the exclusive aesthetics of filmmakers world over, and above all, fall in love with the medium immensely.

k) Scene Studies and Script Analysis:

These are intensive classroom exercises where various types of scenes, and the components within the scenes, are meticulously studied by observing the minutest details of classic movies. The emergence of ideas like ‘conflict’, ‘status’, ‘motive/want’ of the character in the particular scene, ‘urgency’ of the situation, fluctuations in the circumstances and the spontaneity of the character in the situation to adapt to the circumstances are keenly studied and applied in the practical sessions. Scripts for acting sessions are deeply studied for the meanings, interpretations, unit divisions, sub-text, stresses, pauses, for the purpose of characterisation.

l) Dubbing:

The craft of dubbing and voice-over for movies, television, animation series, etc.

m) Television and Radio:

The students are exposed to the television and radio industry. They are briefed about the multi-camera set ups for TV and are also given lessons in creating live images through their voices, which is of prime importance to them when they opt for careers in these media.

n) Grooming and Personality Development:

The students are taught the importance of personality and the art of grooming oneself and how acting can be applied to do the same.

DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE

An ACTOR PREPARES diploma will be awarded to all students upon satisfactory completion of the course.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Accommodation

Students residing outside Chandigarh are expected to arrange for accommodation at their own cost. However, the school normally assists students in finding comfortable premises to reside in.

Medical / Insurance

Basic medication and a first-aid kit are available in the school. Students, however, are advised to insure themselves to defray medical costs in the event of illness or accident. The school does not accept liability in this regard.

Uniform

The school will provide each student of the full-time programme one uniform free of cost. The uniform consists of a T-shirt and leggings that are suitable for physical classes. Additional sets may be purchased from the school.

Club / Alumnus Association

The students are encouraged to form their own clubs for recreational, welfare and other extra-curricular activities. This helps to bring about an inter-personal exchange between the students and in enlarging the ACTOR PREPARES family.

Counselling

Living in the stressful times of today and the sudden change of environment can be demanding. This is accentuated in the case of students from small towns and disadvantaged backgrounds. The school provides counselling and help to all students during the initial phase of transition.

RULES & REGULATIONS

All students must conform to the rules and regulations of the school.

The Dean, in his absolute discretion, has the right to terminate the enrolment of any student whose presence or conduct is, for any reason, incompatible with the standards and reputation of the school.

The duration of the full time programme is six months, Monday to Saturday, normally from 0830 hours to 1800 hours. Occasionally, classes may be extended beyond regular hours and on weekends as well.

No relatives or outsiders will be given permission to attend the classes or rehearsals.

Students will not be allowed to avail of any other training outside the school. They also will not be allowed to seek or accept any amateur/ professional agreement, or undertake any outside employment during the course.

Selected students may seek and accept scholarships or financial support for the course. The source and extent of such support must be made known to the school prior to admission. A certificate of selection will be issued upon request.

Smoking and consumption of alcohol within the school premises is strictly prohibited.

The students must insure themselves to cover any medical costs in the event of illness or accident. The school does not accept any liability in this regard.

Students must arrange for their travel and accommodation themselves.