One-Year Full Time
Professional Acting Program 2024

 
 
 

Check out our Testimonials Page to see what our alumni have to say about us.

Overview

Developed by world renowned acting coach Howard Fine and his equally prestigious teaching staff at the Howard Fine Acting Studio, this one-year program is a challenging, inspiring, rigorous and rewarding course that will fully transform your voice, body and mind to make you a bold and confident actor, able to operate at the highest levels within the industry.

This course delivers award-winning training that is only available at the Howard Fine Acting Studio. The techniques we champion have been taught to Oscar, Golden Globe, Emmy, ACCTA, AFI and Logie winning actors. Upon completion of the course, students graduate with high-level acting techniques, extensive industry insight, professional showreel material, professional voicereel material and access to Performers Connect who actively strive to secure each graduate an agent.

If you are interested in the Full Time program we highly recommend attending one of our free Full Time open days or sample classes to experience the training first-hand.


 

Course Information

The Full Time course gives students access to a multi award-winning, international faculty. The tuition incorporates comprehensive technique training, scene study, vocal work, Alexander Technique, Shakespeare, improvisation, audition technique, self-tests, on-camera, voice acting, monologues and industry-focused study modules.

The Full Time course is a rigorous program which replicates the conservatory-style training of leading US institutions. Graduating actors of the Howard Fine Acting Studio are entitled to audition for Red Stitch Actor's Theatre esteemed graduate program (placing them in contention for a one-year professional theatre contract). They also work with a fully professional film crew to create showreel footage, a fully professional sound studio to create a voicereel recording and work with numerous leading Australian casting directors. The industry aspects of the course are further enhanced as students work with the highly prestigious Australian Shakespeare Company. After attending Branding sessions with a representative of one of Australia’s leading agencies, our industry components culminate with the opportunity to work with Performers Connect who actively seek to secure every participant an agent.

As a bonus upon graduation, participants are given access to Howard Fine’s twelve-month online acting program Vision of the Craft (valued at $750) for free. The online program contains lessons for both revision and further study.

The Howard Fine Acting Studio Full Time course is delivered exclusively in Melbourne across four terms annually. The tuition comprises of modular and ongoing training which is complimented by a series of online lectures and workshops. A portion of the program is brought to you live and online via our award-winning international faculty based in LA. The course takes actors on a journey that requires high levels of focus, dedication and commitment. Accordingly, applicants must be aged 18 and over and have a strong command of the English language. Previous performance experience or training is beneficial but is not an entry requirement. Admission is strictly by audition and interview.

“Since graduating…I have locked down an agent, filmed numerous short films, training and education videos, a television commercial, done voice-over, started producing and directing for screen and am opening [a play] tonight…” - Heather Allardyce

“In my 2 short years since graduating; I’ve appeared in 8 television commercials, completed 2 seasons of the International Award winning web-series ‘Full Disclosure’ [and been] nominated for best 'Supporting Actress at the Inaugural New Jersey Webfest.” - Maryanne Niceforo

 

Application Form

 
 

One-Year Full Time Professional Acting Course 2024

Apply Now

Applications are only valid once the application fee has been received and your resume and photograph have been emailed to admin@howardfinestudio.com.au. You can pay your application fee beneath the application form.

Please Note: When you apply for the course we will add you to our Mailing List so you can stay up to date with the latest news. Be sure to add us to your address book.

 
 
Full Time application processing fee 2024
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Key Details

 

General

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: February 2024
AUDITIONS: Rolling from July 2023 - February 2024 (early offers apply).

COURSE DURATION: 40 weeks (inclusive of three, two-week term breaks, plus one mini-break).
CONTACT HOURS: Typical course contact hours are 9:30am-5:30pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday each week. Outside of this, there are several occasions throughout the year when other days are included in the schedule. Contact us if you would like to discuss the schedule in more detail.

Students within the Full Time course can anticipate 2-8 hours of homework per week.

NOTE: Due to the international nature of our faculty and/or their status as industry professionals, the Full Time schedule and course content may be subject to change.


Term Dates

Term 1 March 6 - March 28 (4 weeks)
Term 2 April 17 - June 28 (11 weeks - includes a mid-term break of one week)
Term 3 July 17 – September 20 (10 weeks)
Term 4 October 9 - December 6 (9 weeks)


Financial Information

COURSE FEE: $15,950 (inclusive of GST)

PAYMENT PLANS: For those accepted into the course, a deposit of $1,000 (paid in two instalments) is required to secure participation. Remaining fees are due in either weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments throughout the duration of the program, with full payment due at the beginning of December, prior to graduation. Other payment options may be available upon request.


Audition Process

Auditions for the Howard Fine Acting Studio Full Time course are rolling from July-February. Upon receiving your application, resume, photograph and audition fee, you will be contacted to schedule a suitable audition time. All auditions are hosted online and we recommend completing your application as soon as possible as early offers apply. Please note that we do not accept pre-recorded auditions.

For further information about preparing for your audition, and to access the audition pieces, please click below. 


Faculty

For the full list of Faculty and their biographies, visit our Faculty Page.

 Course Breakdown

 

Foundation & Technique

The Full Time program commences with several weeks of intensive technique training. During this module students are introduced to the award-winning acting principles of the Howard Fine Acting Studio. Students learn how to access authentic emotions in performance, how to analyse a script and how to rehearse effectively. This module also deals with common mistakes and the fundamentals of the craft of acting.


Scene Study

Throughout the year students will undertake several Scene Study units consolidating lessons learnt in other modules, deepening their understanding of technique, and developing self-critiquing skills. In these classes students work with a partner on an assigned scene from The Studio’s extensive library of modern classics and esteemed works.


Acting & The Camera

This unit is designed to give actors freedom when working on screen. The program begins with a lecture describing who everyone is on a film set & what they do. Students then undertake a series of progressive exercises that provide ‘lived-experience’ of working on camera including how to play within the frame, what changes when working in close-up, negotiating the camera and shooting out of order. In a hands-on environment, students work in small groups and undertake filming exercises every class.


Film Production

Students will learn essential on-screen techniques and work with a professional crew and director as they participate in a film shoot; footage from which can form the basis of a professional showreel.


Working With The Pros

This module focuses on bridging the gap between actor training and the ‘business’ side of the industry; giving actors the opportunity to workshop scenes with a number of highly regarded and experienced casting directors. Students will apply their training and present scenes to several prominent casting directors who provide industry focused feedback.


Audition Technique

Across three course units, students learn how to quickly and skilfully approach film & television scripts for the purpose of auditions. Students will learn how to ground themselves, and present their best work in the audition and self-test space. Students work on material from a variety of different genres in these classes.


Alexander technique

In ongoing classes, students undertake Alexander Technique training that will allow them to recognize patterns of tension in their work, explore the correct usage of the body, active relaxation and finding balance between the mind and body in performance.


Improvisation

Improvisation has taken Hollywood by storm over the last two decades, with some of the most highly respected and award-winning actors starting life as improvisers. This course unit helps actors learn how to apply improvisation to acting, and give their work an innovative and creative edge. Actors learn how improvisation can enhance scene work, rehearsal and performance, and use improvisation to create devised theatre and comedy.


Australian Shakespeare Company

Students will undertake this module with our industry partner the Australian Shakespeare Company and learn fundamental approaches to Shakespeare in performance. This work is based largely on the teachings of Cicely Berry (pioneering British theatre director and vocal coach) and focuses on text and language.


Monologues & Technique

This class gives students the opportunity to hone their craft by applying Howard’s teaching on script analysis and role preparation to monologues. Students will learn how to personalise and use their authentic selves while working moment-to-moment on their material. Upon completion of this unit students have two monologues that they can use for future auditions.


Voice Over Technique & Reel Creation

Taught by Voice Over aficionado Abbe Holmes, students will learn the skills and techniques required to work in the voiceover and audiobook narration industries. Working with a variety of script styles and text for spoken word, Abbe will help students understand where they may fit within the voiceover industry. Sessions in a sound recording studio will provide professional experience and insight into working collaboratively. By the end of this module students will have professionally recorded voice samples to add to their collateral.


Finding the Character’s Voice

David Coury is the vocal director at the Howard Fine Acting Studio LA, where he specialises in teaching his self-devised programs designed to empower actors through speech and voice work. Finding the Character’s Voice is a course unit especially designed with the Full Time Program in mind.


Speech & Singing For Actors

Developed by David Coury, the Speech and Singing for Actors program responds to the needs of actors to have a strong and powerful connection to their unique emotional sources and uses vocal exercises to develop the actor’s ability to connect to text in performance. Students will explore the application of emotional experiences when approaching their work and discover ways to safely use the entire range of their emotional sources in performance.


Voice

To fully serve the actors' process and to provide the best training possible, the Howard Fine Acting Studio believes strongly in ongoing voice training. As part of the Full Time course, students can anticipate rigorous and regular voice training.


Performers Connect

The Howard Fine Acting Studio has partnered with Performers Connect to ensure our graduates get the best opportunity to be professionally represented in the Australian Industry. This module is firmly focussed on life after graduation and ensuring all students get the best possible start in the industry.


Branding

Led by a representative of one of Melbourne’s leading theatrical agencies, Branding introduces students to concepts that help them position themselves within the industry, how to market who they are and gain industry exposure.


Lectures

The Full Time course features several lectures which focus on specific elements of technique. Hosted online from Los Angeles by Howard Fine, Marilyn McIntyre and David Coury, and from Melbourne by Philip Hayden. The lectures may include: Eight Steps to Role Preparation, Your Voice & Impulse, Emotional Courage, Auditions & the Industry, Imagination and Playing Physical Conditions.