Find ease acting on camera in a safe and small class.
Exploring truth on camera is both technique and philosophy. Learn to allow your specificity to anchor you, and trust yourself in the moment-to-moment work that follows.
ASSIGNMENTS
Your very first assignment will include a specially created “Actor Reflection Questionnaire”! Once you answer these questions, you’ll begin the process of understanding your marketability. If you’ve done this questionnaire with me before, you might be amazed at how much has changed for you!
You’ll also receive an automated assignment when you register. It will include 2 assigned scenes and details on how to select and prepare your own scene that fills appropriate casting possibilities for you. No monologues.
WATCH YOURSELF ON CAMERA
We film your scenes and provide you with downloads after each class. It’s an excellent way to study your progress, catch your “tricks,” and see what the producers/directors are seeing on the monitors.
You’ll watch your videos outside of class. I do not run playback in class—I like to keep your focus on what you are experiencing in the moment.
THE AUDITION ROOM
Who’s in it, and how does it work? We recreate the audition room in every class for ON-CAMERA auditions. In addition to auditioning for your colleagues, you will also experience sitting “behind the table” and learn to assess what makes a good audition by observing others. Be assured that I am the only one giving direct feedback in class.
PREPARATION FOR YOUR MATERIAL
Use approaches that connect you to the words and make the text play as a natural conversation (to the camera, to the reader, and to the people behind the table who are hiring you). My approach was developed extensively while directing with Baz Luhrmann, and it applies to theater, television, and film. My directing sensibility is to create ease that reads on camera. The camera loves the moments between the moments.
YOUR REALITY VS. THE DIRECTOR/CASTING DIRECTOR’S REALITY
Explore your perception of the types of roles you are seeking to be hired for vs. the types of roles you are auditioning for.
AUDITIONING IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF AN ACTOR’S PROCESS
Focus specifically on strengthening your individual on-camera acting skills by examining and working on your on-camera audition skills. I use the audition room as a microscope to look at your entire process as an actor.
LEARN THE TRICKS OF THE CAMERA & HOW TO BE CAST IN THE RIGHT ROLES
My years of experience as both a casting director and film/theater director will support you in shaping your audition skills and your perspective on the business.
BEYOND CLASS
I encourage you to use select takes from class to generate interest in your talent. Yes, you can post them anywhere if it’s a published film/TV show that’s already aired. Post your scenes on your websites or to share them with reps—it’s a great conversation starter about your process as an actor!
My joy is matchmaking, and I seek those opportunities for my alumni. For this reason, I have created an Alumni Database where you can upload class videos.
I’m also an active voice in our Acting Collective!
This class is for actors who are committed to moving to the next level in their acting on camera, in auditions, and in performance. I teach a process and philosophy—some call it a technique, and some call it a philosophy. This class welcomes actors who are either new to or experienced with working on camera. I will build you from the ground up—or rebuild and evolve your existing skills. I run a very tight ship, and feedback is guided and unique to each person’s journey.
This class is for you if you want to feel safe and free to take risks. Find out what is in your way from booking or moving to the next level.
If you’re a working actor, you can trust that you will be challenged.
If you’re a new or returning actor, you can trust that you will be inspired.
This is not a networking class with a casting director. This is an acting and auditioning class with a teacher who has over two decades of professional high-level experience and who cares most about the actor’s process. In the end, I believe it is the process that books the job and supports the actor’s need to stay inspired.
TIME COMMITMENT
You will need to plan for homework time to research your assignment and prepare your materials. All studio classes are designed to stretch and support your complete prep process as an actor for self-tapes and in-person auditions. The more you put into the class, the more you get out of it!
OUR WORK TOGETHER
This is not a networking class with a casting director. This is an acting and auditioning class with a teacher who has over two decades of professional high-level experience and who cares most about the actor’s process. In the end, I believe it is the process that books the job and supports the actor’s need to stay inspired.
ACTING COACH: Heidi’s career has spanned over 25 years and includes time as the lead Casting Director at Telsey+CO for the Broadway musical RENT, as well as for 70+ projects in theater, film, television, commercial, and voiceover. She’s coached countless actors into roles for Film, TV, and Theater. Most recently, she coached and prepped Halle Bailey for her audition and screen test for Disney’s upcoming The Little Mermaid. Heidi’s active filmmaker career informs her director’s eye and influences her aesthetic for working with actors.
For full acting coach bio, click here. For filmmaker portfolio, click here.
Finally, I’m teaching in LA!
I’ve spent the past 20+ years working intermittently in Los Angeles as a casting director, theater director, and film director. I know the City of Angels very, very well! We’re truly in an era of bicoastal casting, and I’m always happy to bridge the two cities.
This 2-Day Intensive is specially designed for LA.
It’s a fast-paced-but-dig-deep kind of focus. I love to jump right in!
In two days, we’re going to work on settling your ease on camera, (re)building your confidence in the audition room, paying attention to details in your prep, and owning your personal acting and marketability strengths.
If you’ve never studied with me before, you’ll be introduced thoroughly to my process.
If you’ve already studied with me before, it’s a new format! There may be familiar references, but also new scenes and exercises. And of course, I’ll bring my constantly evolving aesthetics as I coach you.
If you haven’t met me yet, you may want to know more about how I think and why I teach. First, I always get major inspiration and rejuvenation when working with talent on camera. You all inspire me, as an artist and as a teacher. The best part about casting, for me, was being in the audition room, and the best part about directing is being on sets with actors and crews making and creating together. So when I’m teaching, I get the best of both worlds.
I eagerly look for windows of opportunity between my own projects to teach this class because the process of working together sustains my artistic spirit too!
With so many classes and networking events out there, I frequently see confusion arise in actors about your marketability, your skills, and your belief in your own talent. Think of me as a private coach within your audition process.
My passion lies in supporting you as an actor as you navigate through the information and the “truths” presented to you about yourself and the business. This is a safe class to explore your marketability and camera skills.
There are actors of ALL levels of experience and ages in my classes and private coachings: working TV actors, veteran theater actors (Tony Award-winning, regional, fringe), film actors in supporting and leading roles, commercial actors, and actors returning to the business after a hiatus called “life happens.” When you start working in front of the camera, the playing field quickly gets leveled.
My classes are not separated by levels of talent. Everyone, including the award winners, starts with me in Part 1 or in an Intensive, and we build a process together. I lay in the lessons and techniques very thoughtfully and purposefully over the classes. Some actors will say it is like developing a philosophy together. This class will give you more than just techniques. It’s the whole package.
I look forward to working with you,
Heidi Miami Marshall
Heidi and Johnny were invited to speak at the SAG Foundation about actors producing their own work (November 11, 2017).
Listen to Heidi chat in depth about casting RENT, Jonathan Larson, what inspired her to start her coaching career, filmmaking, and more on the podcast The Cool Kids Table: Ep 7 – Heidi Marshall.
Listen to Heidi talk behind-the-scenes casting tips on the podcast No, I Know: EP#20 RENT Audition Throwback (and new tips!).
Listen to Heidi discuss the iconic film Sixteen Candles on the podcast Still Got It: Episode 90: Sixteen Candles.
Really great–the kick in the butt I needed.
I loved this class! I always learn a lot from Heidi and enjoy her teaching style— she is great at being both honest and supportive. I also really enjoy the intensive model— it’s great to be able to focus 100% on acting for a few days!
I really enjoyed it–it was a positive and safe environment to try new things 🙂
Thank you, Heidi, for allowing me to be a part of your class despite not having worked with you prior. I left the final class with a new sense of confidence that I did not realize I did not have going in. I am very excited for the future and eager to audition and meet casting directors. I knew I was brave and enjoyed taking risks, but now I can say that I am that ON CAMERA also.
I learned a lot and got some great practice under my belt. I was also challenged; loved this intensive!
Love love love! It was so fun to feel more free in front of the camera and really enjoy the opportunity to just act more than worrying about “doing it right” I adore you Heidi! Such a genius you are.
Epiphany! I am over joyed by the inspiration to keep doing this and validation to keep it going…in a smarter way! When one becomes SAG, or at least in my experience, I forgot it’s still about playing and the fun of excavating a story and character. The business side overwhelms me at times and I begin to question my life as an actor. Thank you for stoking the fire within Heidi!!!!!
It’s gotten me out of my head about the audition process a little. Relying on “natural ability” worked when I was a kid, but it also allowed me to avoid some of the work that might actually help me improve as an actor. Likewise, I’ve literally NEVER done a difficult dramatic scene in a class before, so just DOING it has helped my confidence in that regard.
Full disclosure — please note that we do not guarantee that actors in these classes or workshops will be hired for any project that we might direct, produce, or cast. We teach and coach because we enjoy supporting and nurturing actors as you develop your personal process for auditioning, working and creating your own work.