Gimme A Break: Building Your Onscreen Acting/Modeling Career, Step 3
Learn even more about how to start a career in acting/modeling, with step-by-step information, no-nonsense advice, and guidance from an educator/performer/"momager"
Miss Suzanne (M.A., CCC-SLP)
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(120)
What's included
16 pre-recorded lessons
average 20 mins per video7 weeks
of teacher support5 hrs 22 mins
total video learning hours1 year access
to the contentHomework
1 hour per week. Almost every video has an activity - whether it's to think about, to discuss with a parent/guardian, or to complete (like calculating commissions paid to agents) that may be completed if the learner wishes. Additional homework in the form of worksheets will be provided for various meetings, to be completed if the learner wishes to get extra practice or to review what they've learned.Assessment
If students would like to complete a quiz/multiple quizzes to test their knowledge, the teacher would be happy to provide that, and calculate a score. If students who have completed "Step 1" hadn't completed their resumes, slate videos, reels, or headshots, they are welcome to submit them during this class ("Step 3") for feedback.Class Experience
Ever thought about onscreen acting or modeling? Not sure where to start? Get pro tips from an educator, performer, and "momager" who is guiding her own children through the industry! I've condensed years of information, troubleshooting, mistakes, repairs, advice, experience, realizations, conversations, reading, and observations into a caring but no-nonsense class format for learners who want to pursue on-camera work. The entire "Gimme a Break" series will cover marketing yourself, preparing materials, watching out for scams, financial aspects (like work permits, Coogan Accounts, taxes, commissions), working on set, professionalism, and more. In STEP 1, each class session involved completing a task to help you prepare your needed materials for marketing and auditioning, and I provided feedback. In STEP 2, each class session gives you something to think about, something to discuss with your parent/guardian, or an activity to try - all of which help you understand how to be prepared and professional when undertaking on-camera work. (STEP 3 debuts November 2024!) STEP 2 covers the casting process, sides and scripts, auditions of all types, and necessary paperwork in order to work, plus a review and a preview of Step 3. STEP 3 (this class) covers being all ready to be on set, including on-set courtesy, how to "work the camera", understanding lighting and camera techniques, what happens after the shoot, post-production, marketing, expectations, frustrations, and on-set life vs. "regular life". Learners do not need prior experience. Completion of STEP 1 and STEP 2 is *highly recommended* as content in STEP 3 builds on STEPS 1 and 2. Classes technically can be taken concurrently. My teaching style is warm, nurturing, empathetic, and engaging. I project both energy and professionalism. As a long-time educator and as a parent of three kids, I truly care about kids, their safety, and their self-esteem. I love performing, both on stage and on camera, and enjoy engaging with learners about the topic. Each class meeting will consist of a teacher-made video and/or document covering the topics for the meeting. Learners can post questions or materials to the classroom, or send me a message, to get feedback on the projects for each meeting. **This class provides information and feedback, and is not a guarantee of employment. This class does not constitute legal or financial advice, but is for educational purposes only.**
Learning Goals
Learners will gain understanding of how to launch a career in on-screen acting and modeling in a safe and professional way.Learners will learn on-set vocabulary that is specific to the industry.
Syllabus
16 Lessons
over 7 WeeksLesson 1:
All Set for On Set, Part 1
Getting to set; Call time; Ready to Shoot; Craft services; Activity. 20 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
All Set for On Set, Part 2
Understanding directions; Vocabulary; Order of commands; Being sick while filming. 25 mins of video lessons
Lesson 3:
All Set for On Set, Part 3
On-set courtesy; Meeting people; Who to listen to when; Your job; Difficult people. 19 mins of video lessons
Lesson 4:
Making the Most of the Camera, Part 1
Are you camera-ready?; On stage vs. on camera; Your eyes; Smiling. 23 mins of video lessons
Other Details
Learning Needs
Teacher is neurodiverse and actively accommodates multiple learning styles and needs. Multi-modal learning is provided.
Parental Guidance
All content is teacher-generated; photos/videos used are teacher's own, available for use through Canva/Photoshop/etc., and/or annotated as to origin. Learners are not required to use any third-party tools to participate in the class. Learners are reminded throughout the class that, if they want to look something up, to be sure that their parent/guardian knows what sites they are looking at on the internet, and to whom they are speaking, and parent/guardian supervision is discussed throughout the class. There is one external link from YouTube that is played in class to illustrate certain techniques as part of an activity/worksheet; one character says, "I love you," but there is no kissing (except a quick kiss on the top of a hand).
Pre-Requisites
Taking Steps 1 and 2 is **HIGHLY RECOMMENDED** as they provide a foundation for the skills in Step 3. Step 1, 2, and 3 can, technically, be taken concurrently.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Sources are noted throughout the course (e.g. United States of America Department of Labor website; San Jose State University Archives, etc.). Photo and video sources are listed below the photo/video or elsewhere on the page, or included as an appendix (as an attached document).
Joined February, 2020
4.9
120reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree from San Jose State University (San Jose, CA, U.S.A.)
Bachelor's Degree from University of California Irvine (Irvine, CA)
Teacher has been performing on stage and on camera for far more years than she'd like to admit... let's just call it "more than 40"... in the realms of piano solo performance, orchestra, string ensembles, dance, drill team, creative writing, dance production, acting, and modeling. She has continued in dance production, acting, and modeling to this day, as well as guiding her three children (now in college, high school, and elementary school!) through starting and maintaining their burgeoning careers in music (composing, performing, producing, recording, copyrighting, album release, marketing); on-screen acting, modeling, and competitive dance; and modeling. Most recently, she and/or her kids have appeared in commercials and advertising materials for companies/products such as Amazon Alexa, Amazon Go, Boom Learning, Womplebox, NBBJ, 1-800-Flowers/Harry & David, Bartell Drugs, and local businesses. She also has an M.A. in Education, and a B.A. in Linguistics, and has owned her own business (a solo speech-language pathology practice) since 2006, and helped one of her kids start a music composing business.Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$9
weekly or $60 for all content16 pre-recorded lessons
7 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Choose your start date
Ages: 11-18
