SCHEDULE

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

SCREENWRITING

Instructor: Torre Catalano 
Times Offered: 8am, 2pm, 4pm M-F

 With over 20 years of experience as a professional writer in the industry, Torre’s screenwriting class will cover the entire spectrum of creative writing for entertainment. Through a series of fun exercises, instructions and assignments, you will learn:

• Narrative structure and story arc 

• Plot points for feature film scripts 

• Character development 

• Format and structure for 30 minute and 60 minute television pilots

• Synopsis and logline writing 

• Page count and formatting 

• TV series and feature film breakdowns 

• The difference between a treatment and a script

• Writing for commercials and music videos 

• Pitching and submitting scripts to agents and producers

• Putting together a writer’s resume 

 Known in the business for his wild characters and intriguing storylines, Torre will reference some of the greatest scripts ever, as well as his own experience, to deliver a class you’ll never forget.

DIRECTING

Instructor: Torre Catalano 
Times Offered: 10am, 6pm M-F

Torre Catalano has directed just about every kind of content that exists in entertainment, from feature films and TV shows, to live concerts and events, to commercials, music videos and documentaries. His class will teach

• Working with actors 

• Directing for feature film 

• Blocking and camera plots for television 

• How to use various cameras and equipment 

• Working with writers and producers to drive story 

• How to gain experience and grow a resume 

• How to cut together a director’s reel 

• Directing for commercial and music video

• Putting together look books and mood boards 

• Compiling and submitting resumes 

 In this class students will practice directing real actors from the other classes, and learn all the necessary basics to kickstart a career as a filmmaker!

ACTING FOR COMEDY

Instructor: Ryan Pratton
Times Offered: 8am, 2pm

Ryan has been performing for more than twenty years. A proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA, Ryan has worked at the highest level on stage and screen including shows like ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live,’ National commercials for McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Shock Top Beer Super Bowl commercial starring TJ Miller, to name a few. Ryan’s stage credits include multiple leading roles in Neil Simon Productions in Los Angeles, the critically acclaimed ‘Shear Madness,’ still running across the country and The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, as well as a cast member of the longest running sketch comedy shows in Hollywood, ‘Top Story! Weekly.’ Ryan’s teaching style combines his thousands of hours on stage/set, with the training he has received from top institutions in Los Angeles and highly regarded in the industry. Students will be learning:

Acting for commercials

• Specific techniques for on camera success in auditions.

• Terminology in the room ie; buttons, lead-ins, playing out

• Cheating

Improv: Improv is one of the most important tools an actor can posses, and with regard to commercials where there are often no sides, or lines, it is critical.

• How to build a scene

• Creating scenes from a single suggestion

• Beginning scenes from a grounded place

• Using the environment

• Being specific

• Sketch comedy

• Writing a sketch

• Building characters

• Impressions

• Finding the fun

• Timing for comedy

• Pacing for comedy

• The rule of 3’s

Ryan will be creating environments that are identical to actual auditions. Working through situations every actor is guaranteed to encounter in the room, and more often than not fails to deliver what is simple but needed, and expected from top casting directors, directors, and producers.

ACTING ONE & TWO

Instructor: Ryan Pratton
Times Offered: 8am, 2pm

Ryan has been performing for more than twenty years. A proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA, Ryan has worked at the highest level on stage and screen including shows like ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live,’ National commercials for McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Shock Top Beer Super Bowl commercial starring TJ Miller, to name a few. Ryan’s stage credits include multiple leading roles in Neil Simon Productions in Los Angeles, the critically acclaimed ‘Shear Madness,’ still running across the country and The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, as well as a cast member of the longest running sketch comedy shows in Hollywood, ‘Top Story! Weekly.’ Ryan’s teaching style combines his thousands of hours on stage/set, with the training he has received from top institutions in Los Angeles and highly regarded in the industry. Students will be learning:

Acting One

• Preparing to act

• Vocal warm up

• Energy exercises

• Warming up the body

Acting One- Scene Work

• Learning how to work in the moment

• Meisner exercises

• Doors and Activities

Acting Two- Scene Study

• Advanced scene study

• Building a character

• Breaking down sides/scripts

• Audition techniques

Ryan will be creating environments that are identical to actual auditions. Working through situations every actor is guaranteed to encounter in the room, and more often than not fails to deliver what is simple but needed, and expected from top casting directors, directors, and producers.