Actors Lab

Actors Lab exists to support actors make their way from initial steps to a professional career, and keep them acting fit once they get there. We offer a variety of complementary and progressional courses built around a five term structure.

Welcome to our line up for 2012. As always I’m trying out new ideas, courses and approaches: if I’m learning and taking risks then everyone is. I’m pulling in more guest tutors too, adding a variety of different experiences and approaches. There are a few new workshops here, and the tried and true ones are evolving steadily every year to offer better value.

Enjoy!

Peter Feeney

OUR AIMS

We aim to keep fees low to make regular attendance easier. Group numbers are kept small so that each actor gets a good acting workout most sessions. Our technique is applicable to both theatrical and camera outcomes. Where needed we’re happy to recommend other reputable voice, acting or accent coaches. We provide support and encouragement for participants to form their own scene groups independent of us.

Attendees to all workshops please note: discussion of the actor / agent relationship is now off limits. Please do not ask about your current representation.

Term 2 Acting Workshops

Start 23rd Apil

Industry nights

Starts Monday 23rd

Various directors and casting directors

Industry Nights have become an Auckland institution, with some of our best actors and directors attending these practical, fun evenings. Get challenged by the combined experience of our top casting directors & directors. Each week a new director directs you in scenes of their choice, imparting their unique working style and practical insights. This I.N. courses has a Film/ TV emphasis. Some footage to be uploaded to a private youtube link for you to view.

Past guest directors include: Sima Urale, Jonathan Brough, Geoff Cawthorn, Murray Keane, Roseanne Liang and Stephen Lovatt; casting Directors: Tina Cleary, Andrea Kelland & Annabel Lomas.
Peter Feeney conducts the first session.

With Camera
Fee: $360 for six sessions with discounts
Runs Monday nights 6pm-9.30pm at Ferndale House Mt Albert

Casual Camera Clinic - CCC

With Peter Feeney

CCC is having a break and recommences on Sunday 29 April.
Book in for a ONE hour session ANY Sunday from 29 April.

Here’s how it works

On Sundays usually, but any other time by appointment
Work on your own scene or one Peter provides
Work on auditions or work in progress
Work for an hour on the scene with a scene partner with Peter, or on your own
The footage is uploaded onto a private youtube link for you to view
Further notes and suggestions emailed to you
Handouts, recommended reading and tip sheets

Benefits

Do better auditions
No big classes and long wait times
Add understanding and deeper dimensions to your film acting
Peer partnering – always work with someone of similar ability
Set your own pace – come as much or as little as you can afford
Do tests for overseas work
Put test reels together

Starts Sunday 29 April. All sessions in Milford in the North Shore.

With Camera
Cost is $60 + GST per one hour session in a scene pair or 45 minutes on your own. Payable in advance
Discounts: 10% off for returning actors (after three sessions), Actors Equity & Actors Guild members

The latest Acting Workshops Brochure - 2012 Click Here

To apply Click Here

Testimonials

"Peter Feeney!!! He was pretty instrumental into getting two of my sons into film. Josh and William McKenzie in the 'Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell,' NZ Film . He workshopped them. He really was my God Send."
Angela Vaughan, Facebook comment

“Peter is a very gifted young actor who will always be genuinely interested in exploring his work and finding new approaches to it, and opening this out to his fellow actors.”
Cicely Berry, Voice Director, Royal Shakespeare Company.

“Peter brings a fresh vision to his work coupled with professional wisdom and his inimitable energy.”
Miranda Harcourt, Actor, Coach, Ex-Head of Acting, NZ Drama School

"Peter your passion for your craft and your desire to engage with audiences of all ages was inspiring.”
Hilary Beaton, CEO, Downstage Theatre

“I can thoroughly recommend Peter as a marvellous proponent of the principles and techniques he has encountered and uses himself in his acting processes. He is a gifted man with much to contribute to his profession.”
Dean Carey, Director, Actors Centre Australia

“I found this course really valuable. You had no ego about teaching us – which meant I never felt you were imposing your own views on us, rather you let us discover things ourselves but also shared your wisdom and experience freely. Awesome!”
Hannah Banks, Auckland Participant

“You are a wonderfully insightful and optimistic actor, and this allows you to draw the very best work out of everyone. But what is unique about this course is that you aim and succeed in
giving everyone involved the skills to be this for themselves. And – above all, the classes were FUN and challenging and filled with great people! Thanks!”
Lotte St. Clair, Actor & Sydney Participant

About Peter Feeney

Peter Feeney Peter has performed in TV, film & theatre since 1994, appearing at the Fortune, Court & Circa theatres in NZ & The Queensland Theatre Company in Australia. Recent TV & film credits include 30 Days of Night, Legend of the Seeker & Spartacus (US); Rude Awakenings & This is not your Life (NZ). His NZ films include Toy Love, Black Sheep, the internationally acclaimed short The Platform and most recently the telemovie Siege (screening in March on TVNZ).

Peter has worked or trained with Cicely Berry (RSC), Robert Benedetti (Film producer/ Theatre Director), Rob Marchant (TV/Film Director and proponent of the Mike Leigh ‘method’), Dean Carey (Director, Actors Centre Australia), Tom McSweeney (Casting director) and Miranda Harcourt, and uses elements of all their approaches in his teaching. Peter is a published author, magazine writer, and has worked as a casting director for TV and as a presenter trainer at TVNZ.

Since 2001 - in Australia and New Zealand - Peter has taught acting. In 2005 he directed and acted in the play Milo’s Wake, touring in 2006 throughout NZ. Peter’s screenplay from the play is now in development. His one man show A Night with Beau Tyler toured NZ in 2008 & 2009 to over 30 centres around NZ.

Peter has an Honours degree in Politics & History from the University of Melbourne and a Dip. Drama from the University of Auckland. He was Nominee for Best Actor, 2003 NZ Film Awards.