Course Description

Being a great performer is only one element of building and maintaining a successful acting career. Acting is not just a craft, it is also a business – and when you’re starting out, you have to be your own business manager.

In this five evening class we’ll work on everything you need to get your acting career off the ground – outside of being the best actor you can possibly be.

By the end of the class you will have all the written and digital materials needed to apply to any upcoming acting job opportunity as well as clear, independently actionable guidelines on photo and video materials needed to showcase your work in a professional manner (putting together your starting package doesn’t have to be expensive!).

You will gain a thorough understanding of what screams “amateur” when presenting yourself to casting, agents, managers, directors and producers. You will also learn about red flags to watch out for when being offered a job or representation.

If your acting is at its best, but your career isn’t progressing, make sure you understand the rules of acting as a business.

The information provided in this course is aimed primarily at actors interested in working in the US, the UK or on international productions.

Week 1
Typecasting, branding, self-pitch & entry level roles

Week 2
Top quality materials, job submissions & meaningful networking

Week 3
Resumes and other materials, written self-introductions, agents & managers

Week 4
Contracts & callsheets

Week 5
Social media, casting profiles, unions, US/UK work visa for actors

About Marei Annis

Marei Annis started the acting department at ELFS Japan in 2019. She runs her own independent production company AVA – All Visions Align and has produced, written, directed and starred in a variety of film and stage productions in Japan, Germany, London and Los Angeles.
Her teaching technique is a fusion of influences compiled from experiences across all creative aspects of filmmaking and acting as well as life- and business coaching.

Amongst many others Marei herself trained with Monika Gossmann (Iron Sky, Mank), Lisa Pescia (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld) and Bernard Hiller (coach of Cameron Diaz, Michelle Pfeiffer,…). She has also produced three feature films, wrote and directed several plays, a webseries and various short films and she trained in “Contextual Coaching” (NLP and RET based) for a deeper understanding of how to reach and empower students on an individual level.

Marei’s approach to teaching always begins with the student as an individual and focuses most on finding and refining the talent, experience and passion that’s already there – then tailoring a unique path and method based on their needs, strengths and goals.