Our Classes
Testimonials - Kaitlyn Wong
Kaitlyn Wong
"Coaching at Armstrong has absolutely changed who I am as an actor. The wonderful coaches have taught me so much in so little time and I am so grateful for my experience at AAS."

Feature Lead, Wrong Turn 4

  • AAS actors are encouraged to view their training as they would going to the gym. Our classes are not degree oriented or about completion - they are about maintenance and regularity. And folks, the most successful actors are the busiest when they are not working.


    AAS TERM CLASSES FALL SUMMER WINTER (13 + 6 WEEK)

    Our 13 week Term classes are offered once a week in the evenings during the weekdays while classes on the weekends take place during the day. 2 Instructors, mid-term and final reports help you monitor your progress and what you need to focus on to improve your work.  At the end of the Term, you get an opportunity to showcase your work for School Director, Dean Armstrong.  His evaluation serves to determine placement for continued training at the school and to give you a better idea of where your work falls within an industry standard.

    While our 6 week classes follow the same mandate, they take place during daytime hours and happen twice a week.  The compressed structure means that you work with one instructor for the full 36 hours and receive one final evaluation.

    As you advance in your training, you get a chance to work with guest casting directors and directors too – I mean, your training cannot get any more relevant than that.


    AAS INTENSIVES SUMMER (4 DAY + 2 WEEK)

    Our 4 day and 2 week Audition Intensive classes are offered only during the summer months.  These classes are ideal for actors wanting to meet the challenge of multiple auditions in the same week and sometimes even in the same day.


    AAS 5 MONTH CONSERVATORY PROGRAM

    Offered once annually, this highly advanced comprehensive program is designed to effectively integrate training + practical work.  From theory, methodology and exercise to the on-set experience, the precise focus of this course is to launch tomorrow’s screen stars. The fundamentals of on camera performance are explored in extensive detail while balancing an organic approach with the precise measure and specificity of the medium. All classes are shot in HD and are documented on memory card for outside review, learning + growth.  In addition, AAS Conservatory actors will walk away with an edited audition demo + 20 minute short, professionally and exclusively written and directed for the program.  Additional industry leaders as guests, including agents, casting directors + directors, ensure current and relevant direction for effective and immediate integration.

  • AAS 5 Month Conservatory Program


     

    THREE HUNDRED + TWENTY NINE HOURS OF TRAINING

    Admission for program by audition only.
    Auditions will be held by AAS School Director + Artistic Director the week of December 12.  Monday thru Friday from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.  Side material will be provided to all auditioning actors.  Photo and resume submissions are required prior to auditioning.  Submissions may be emailed to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with the subject line ‘AAS CONSERVATORY PROGRAM AUDITIONS’.  ACTORS WHO ARE UNABLE TO MEET SCHEDULED AUDITION TIMES, HAVE THE OPTION TO SELF-TAPE FOR THE PROGRAM. SUBISSIONS MAY BE RECEIVED BY DVD/MAIL AND/OR ELECTRONICALLY (CASTING WORKBOOK, SENDSPACE, YOUSENDIT, ETC.).  SIDE MATERIAL WILL BE SELECTED AND EMAILED ON MONDAY DECEMBER 12, 2011 TO ALL INQUIRING CANDIDATES.  SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 6:00PM (E.S.T) FRIDAY DECEMBER 16.   
    Out of all considered submissions, only 6 female and 6 male actors will be chosen to participate in the inaugural year of the AAS Conservatory Program.
    PROGRAM DETAILS AT A GLANCE.

    Ages: 19 - 29
    Class size: 12
    Class Training Begins:  Monday February 6 2012
    Class Training Ends:  Thursday May 31 2012
    Regular Class Days + Times: Monday thru Thursday, 12:00 – 4:00pm 
    There will be no classes the week of March 19
    Preproduction for Short: Monday June 4 thru Friday June 8, 2012
    Preproduction Hours:  10:00 – 4:00 pm
    Principal Photography for Short: Monday June 11 thru Friday June 15  
    Principal Photography hours: 8 hrs per day TBD by Director
    There will be no classes the week of June 18
    Screening of Short at The Spoke Club:  Monday June 25, 2012  
    Instructors: 
    Dean Armstrong
    Salvatore Antonio
    Douglas Nyback
    Jamie Lamb
    Mark Bowden
    Bruce Hunter
    Joy Juckes
    Guest Director:  TBA
    Guest Casting:  TBA
    Guest Agents: TBA
    + Other Special Guests:  TBA
    Tuition: 10,990.00 + HST 

    Course Description: This is a highly advanced comprehensive program designed to effectively integrate training + practical work.  From theory, methodology and exercise to the on-set experience, the precise focus of this course is to launch tomorrow’s screen stars. The fundamentals of on camera performance are explored in extensive detail while balancing an organic approach with the precise measure and specificity of the medium. All classes are shot in HD and are documented on memory card for outside review, learning + growth.  In addition, AAS Conservatory actors will walk away with an edited audition demo + 20 minute short, professionally and exclusively written and directed for the program.  Additional industry leaders as guests, including agents, casting directors + directors, ensure current and relevant direction for effective and immediate integration.

    Class Focus:  On camera audition technique + partnered scene study covering a range of different genres and styles of performance for both film + television.  Additional disciplines including text + improvisation, comedy on camera and a focus on breath body + text, help to round and diversify the individual talent for an unparalleled level of industry competitiveness.

    Class Content (includes + is not limited to):  Text analysis, character development, relationship + environment study, on camera audition and on set technique + preparation, the call back with one redirect, the working call back, the screen-test, the table-read, creating the illusion of spontaneity + immediacy in scripted work, defining and structuring the frame and defining industry competitiveness. Guest industry seminars are followed by the filmmaking and production experience from the audition process with a professional casting director to principal photography with one of Toronto’s leading episodic and feature directors.

    additional DISCIPLINE NOTES:

    BREATH, BODY + TEXT: Armed with the basics of Joy's "intention-Driven Resonance" techniques, actors will explore range of character--age, status, relationship and "hit"--and emotional connection through voice. Actors come away from this course with their own process for preparing the voice, combating fear and nervousness, and allowing their unique qualities of character to ring true.  

    TEXT + IMPROVISATION:  In this workshop Bruce will show you how to apply improvisation to the written word and demonstrate methods used in improv to deconstruct the material.  Using, Where, Who and What or Environment, Character and Conflict, actors will become more skilled at understanding teleplays, screenplays and even commercial material; showing you things that you never even considered when looking at the printed word.  This class will go in to much more detail involving Status, Listening, endowing emotions, constructing ideas, storytelling and heightening awareness.

    Please Note: AAS instructors actively work in the film and television industry and as such may develop conflicts preventing them from fulfilling their teaching obligations. In the event a conflict arises, a suitable instructor with equal experience will be brought in.

    5 Months at a Glance.
    VOICE BREATH, BODY + TEXT 2 WEEKS   FEB 6 - 16
    TEXT + IMPROVISATION 2 WEEKS FEB 20 – MARCH 1
    ADVANCED SCENE STUDY FEATURE 2 WEEKS MARCH 5 - 15
    ADVANCED SCENE STUDY EPISODIC 2 WEEKS MARCH 26 – APRIL 5
    ADVANCED AUDITION TECHNIQUE EPISODIC 2 WEEKS APRIL 9 - 19
    ADVANCED AUDITION TECHNIQUE FEATURE 1 WEEK APRIL 23 – APRIL 26
    ADVANCED AUDITION TECHNIQUE SOAP 1 WEEK APRIL 30 – MAY 4
    ADVANCED AUDITION TECHNIQUE SITCOM 1 WEEK MAY 7 – MAY 10
    INDUSTRY GUEST SEMINARS 1 WEEK MAY 14 – MAY 17
    DAY 1 TBA
    DAY 2 TBA
    DAY 3 TBA
    DAY 4 TBA
    AUDITION DEMO 1 WEEK MAY 21 – MAY 24
    4 ACTORS PER DAY 3 DAYS, DAY 4 EDITING/REVIEW
    CASTING FOR SHORT 1 WEEK MAY 28 – MAY 31
    DAY 1 AUDITION
    DAY 2 DVD REVIEW OF AUDITIONS
    DAY 3 CALLBACKS WITH WORKING REDIRECTS
    DAY 4 SCREEN TEST with CASTING DIRECTOR followed by casting + Q + A WITH CD
    PREPRODUCTION with COACH 1 WEEK 6 HOUR DAYS 10 – 4 PM JUNE 4 - 8
    DAY 1 READ THRU and TEXT ANALYSIS
    DAY 2 WORKING SCENES
    DAY 3 WORKING SCENES
    DAY 4 WORKING SCENES
    PRODUCTION 1 WEEK 5 DAYS 8 HR DAYS TBD BY DIRECTOR  JUNE 11 - 15
    18 WEEKS
    1 WEEK OFF
    SHORT SCREENING PREMIER:  MONDAY JUNE 25TH AT THE SPOKE CLUB
Recent Actor Bookings
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