INSTRUCTORS 

TORRE CATALANO

Torre Catalano has been creating some of the most compelling content in the film industry for 15 years.

In his early 20’s, Torre was the youngest executive at Capitol Records worldwide. In his role as head of Video Production, he built a digital content initiative that garnered nearly one billion online views for superstars like John Legend, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, P!nk and more. From live concert films, to music videos, to documentaries, Torre’s work has earned numerous awards, including an Emmy for Will I Am’s “Yes We Can.”

 As a narrative filmmaker, Torre wrote and directed the celebrated film “Seasick Sailor,” starring Keir Gilchrist, Emily Osment, Martin Starr and Steven Bauer. The film won best picture at The Hollywood Independent Film Festival, The Williamsburg Film Festival and The Best Shorts Worldwide Competition. His feature “Almost Anything,” Starring Brandon Jay McLaren and Jodi Balfour premiered at the Cinequest Film Festival where it won the Audience Award.

In organizing the Buffalo Film and Television Workshop, Torre is bringing his expertise in creative cinema back to his hometown. In 2000, Torre attended a similar workshop – which changed his life and sent him on the path to the career he has today. Torre hopes to light the same creative fire in the attendees of this program, and give back the gift of film to his hometown.

FRANK KRUEGER

Frank Krueger is an award winning actor, writer, producer and professional acting coach with over 20 years of experience in the industry.

He has performed on stage in dozens of theatre productions across the country including Hamlet, A Few Good Men, and The Diary of Ann Frank, as well as directing several Los Angeles productions including Checkov’s Three Sisters, Laughter On The 23rd Floor, Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, and SubUrbia.

 He has produced a wide range of award winning short films, digital series and  independent feature films. 

 In 2014, he wrote, produced and starred in the internationally distributed feature film, 20 Ft Below: The Darkness Descending with Danny Trejo. 

 Most recently, he appeared in the Emmy award winning Best Limited Series, The Assassination of Gianni Versace with Darren Criss, the award winning feature film, The Lurking Man, as well as hit shows like Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Mindy Project.

Frank has taught at the world renowned conservatory program at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, where he specialized in classes in Acting Technique, Auditioning for the Camera, and Working in Film.

 He is currently the owner and head instructor of  The Annex Acting Studio, the only “pay what you can” acting studio in Los Angeles. We are so excited to have Frank bring his expertise to the workshop, teaching dramatic acting for the beginner and intermediate.

RYAN PRATTON

Ryan Pratton has been working a working actor for almost 20 years. He is the star of Hollywood’s longest-running sketch comedy smash “Top Story Weekly. Known mostly for his comedic roles, Ryan has been seen on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!,' as well as numerous feature films and National commercials including McDonald's, Best Buy, Pizza Hut, Shock Top Beer Super Bowl Campaign starring TJ Miller and many more. Ryan has been working and studying in the LA comedy scene since 2006, including The UCB Theatre and iO West. Ryan gained the attention of SNL with his signature impressions of Ashton Kutcher, Ty Burrell, and Vince Vaughn. You might recognize Ryan from his numerous leading roles in major network pilots and TV films. He is currently working on a half hour comedy, 'Professionals,' which recently wrapped production in Los Angeles.  

Ryan incredible experience and keen sense for comedic acting has made him one of the most sought-out teachers in California. We are thrilled to have him for our two-week workshop, where he will be teaching amazing  skills for auditioning, acting for commercials, comedy, live sketch and improv. Do not miss this class!

ALLEN KELLEY

Allen is an award-winning producer with over a decade of experience under his belt. Beginning his career in set lighting on countless music videos from the likes of Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Drake, and the Foo Fighters, Allen deftly navigated the crew side of the industry and has quickly become one of the most dynamic and versatile Independent Producers in the business. Pulling from his blue collar set experience and his professional office prowess, Allen effortlessly commands productions from all genres and formats both nationally and abroad, from the arctic tundra of extreme reality shows like “Ice Road Truckers” to the Moroccan deserts of North Africa on Fox’s hit “Prison Break”, Allen’s other production credits include Netflix’s “Spoils of Babylon”, the feature film “Kings” starring Halle Berry and Daniel Craig, as well as Cinemax’s Horror Drama “Outcast”, not to mention numerous commercial work with brands like Adidas, Puma, Converse, Lincoln, Amazon, and McDonalds.

Few Producers enjoy the perspective and understanding of the inner workings and tradecraft of production from the ground up. Whether it’s working with Directors in balancing the nuances of logistics and numbers with creative, hiring and collaborating with crew and talent, mitigating any conflicts that will undoubtedly arise and in general, keeping the wheel moving forward in the art form that is filmmaking, Allen personifies the multitude of skill sets that makes him an undeniable wealth of knowledge and invaluable asset for any production to take flight. Having Produced Torre’s award-winning films “Seasick Sailor” and “Almost Anything”, not to mention countless other projects over the years with Mr. Catalano, it would not be a master class in filmmaking without Mr. Kelley’s presence.

If we could bottle his insight and sell it we would have done so long ago, but until we figure that out the next best thing is to take his class!