Beginning/Intermediate Acting Class, Hollywood, with Peter Valentino

Beginning and intermediate acting class / seminar Saturday, April 20th, 2-5pm.

Come explore acting with instructor Peter Valentino. We will work on and explain: improv, scene study, cold readings and monologues. This is an opportunity for you to learn about acting and actors. Acting is about imagining the world of the character and living in that world. As a filmmaker you must have compassion for the actors and an understanding of their process.

Only $10 to attend and to participate. You will be getting on stage and doing the work, plus you will see actors’ completed scenes.

Neon Venus Art Theatre

7023 Melrose Ave. at La Brea

LA 90038

323-867-7973

The class covers:

Scene study is the basis of actor training. We use scripts from films which I supply as well as those brought in by students. Actors are expected to work with a scene partner outside of class during the week and to bring the scene back to class for performance. We may video tape the scene if it is ready. The actor learns a lot by seeing themselves played back. This allows the actor to self correct things that they did in the scene that they didn’t like. I always stress the importance of looking at the video for both things you like and for things you don’t.

Cold readings are an important part of auditions. The actor should learn to make choices about the character immediately and to look at the other person and form a relationship without letting the script get in the way.

Improv is important because it enhances the actors imagination and the ability to think on your feet. In this class the main improv skill I want actors to learn is “yes and” meaning the ability to create together with the other actor in the scene without denying what the other actor is creating and then adding to each other’s ideas.

Monologues are frequently used in the auditioning process. They are either dramatic or comedic. Every actor should have a least one of each. A monologue allows auditioners to see what the actor can do with something that is already memorized.

BIO
Peter Valentino is the instructor of this scene study class. Peter was part of an improv group in New York City called the "Flying Monkeys", which performed at the famous Don't Tell Mama's in Manhattan. They were an outgrowth of the Chicago City Limits Improv Group, itself founded by members of Second City Improv. Peter also trained in Los Angeles with Donald Petrie (Director of Miss Congeniality, Grumpy Old Men, and many others), and with Barry Pearl (from the movie Grease). Peter was a voice trainer in NYC for over 15 years, and he applies his knowledge of voice to acting. In 2008, Peter became co-owner of the Neon Venus Art Theatre in Las Vegas. In 2009 he opened a second location on Melrose, Hollywood. In Las Vegas, he has directed and produced plays for kids and adults, and has provided technical and managerial support for other live performances, Improv Shows, community events, etc.