All Levels [18+]
2 days, 4 hours per day. THE "BACKSTORY" ABOUT THE CLASS: Clearly it was time for a new class. It'd be "Dramatic Literature", sure, but focused on sceenplays, not stageplays. And designed with an actor in mind. We ran one, a "test" class, in January. It was a hit. If you haven't read it, here's an excerpt from the very first memo I sent out about the class: ...on those occasions that I ask actors to pick their own work, I end up baffled not only by the scripts that are chosen but, more, by the actual scenes chosen within a script. "You always pick great scenes" (the actor's butter-up that inevitably precedes asking me to pick the scene) is flattering, but begs a question: why? Why do so many actors struggle with finding the "strong" scene within a screenplay, then struggle to break down the scene itself? Maybe becuase nobody taught them how. William Goldman (one of me heroes, whose work will be examined in the class) once observed that writing a good screenplay is one of the hardest things he can imagine. I agree, and it's one of the reasons I love reading well-written screenplays. Just love it. I love seeing how the writer overcomes the challenges the form presents; love the little "aha" moments when they manage to elegantly, surprisingly, work within the form, using the tools at hand to move the story forward (and what, exactly, do I mean by that? We'll discuss it in class.). I forget, sometimes, that after having read a couple of thousand screenplays one becomes fairly familiar with the form. This class is designed to at least start you down that path. I want you to be able to recognize the characteristics of a strong screenplay, to see what makes it strong-- and to understand the role of the actor in work written for the screen, and how it differs from work written for the stage. I want you to become an expert at breaking down a scene. And, of course, you'll get to read some great scripts and be introduced to the work of some really strong writers. And, hopefully, I'll infect you with my love of reading scripts. Prerequisite: None. Saturday / 2:30pm until 6:30pm *AND* Sunday / 2:30pm until 6:30pm 1 class on Saturday, [DATE TBA] *AND* Sunday, [DATE TBA], 2008 Course fee YES, spaces are still available! CLICK HERE AND FIND OUT HOW TO SIGN UP! If you're planning to send your registration form by regular mail, please follow it up with an EMAIL to matt@cpcasting.com All classes are held at C.P. Casting,
As an acting coach, Mr. Kelley's clients include Chris O'Donnell, Eliza Dushku (Bring it On, Buffy..., True Lies, etc.), Rick Fox (forward, LA Lakers, roles include Oz, He Got Game, Eddie, etc.), Dane Cook, celebrity chef Todd English, as well as numerous on-air and public figures, and most of the crazed crew on the "Tourgasm" bus. He has conducted seminars for the Screen Actors Guild New England and Southwest, among others; he co-taught a Boston seminar, "The Feature Film Audition," with John Lyons. Mr. Kelley is currently on the faculty of Boston University's School of Film as well as the Studio at C/P Casting in Boston. Shortly after joining C/P to run the Studio, Mr. Kelley began casting for C/P; his work included Boston principal casting for over a dozen feature films and hundreds of regional and national commercials. Mr. Kelley is also a screenwriter and filmmaker; The Path Most Resistance, Mr. Kelley's most recent film, premiered in New York in June, 2006, following a screening in competition at the Jackson Hole Film Festival; upcoming screenings include the Breckenridge and Woods Hole Film Festivals. Sporting Dog, Mr. Kelley's previous film, was an official selection in over forty film festivals worldwide and won awards at the IFC/CMJ Festival in New York, the Northampton Film Festival, The Atlantic City festival, the Crested Butte Reel Fest, among others. It has aired on Bravo and PBS stations nationwide. Onstage, he most recently directed Fool For Love off-Broadway; other theater directing credits includ the following Boston premieres: Search & Destroy (Lansdowne Playhouse); Four Dogs and a Bone (Boston Center for the Arts); Etta Jenks (ICA theater); Execution of Justice; Burn This; and Don't Touch that Dial. Other theatrical directing credits include Glengarry Glen Ross, Entertaining Mr. Sloan, T-Bone & Weasel, and Sunday on the Rocks. Annika, Mr. Kelley's current feature film, is in production with Alexa Fogel and Beech Hill Films. Here's what some former students have said about Peter Kelley: ----- "Thank you for helping me to summon some of the most stimulating moments of my life in pursuit of a thrilling dream. Bravo. Really." – Andrew Syek "Peter Kelley is the most gifted teacher of any kind that I have ever had in my entire life. His dedication to his profession is remarkable. I began my acting career late in life but thanks to Peter I have made amazing progress and have enjoyed considerable success in Boston and New York both in film and in theater." – Dave Dwyer "I have known Peter for over ten years and feel he is an incredibly talented director/acting coach. Whether it be preparing for an audition or developing a character for a specific role, I have been able to count on Peter for great advice and ideas." – Chris O'Donnell "Peter works harder at what he does than anyone I know... it means so much to have someone who really knows and cares. Thank you, Peter, for all the help." – Eliza Dushku "Peter Kelley is, without doubt, the best acting coach that I have ever had. Because of him, I have achieved a level of honesty and truthfulness in my work that I had been previously unable to reach. He has the uncanny knack of drawing out of an actor his/her true self, by showing what is real, and by helping one to disregard any of those things which usually confuse and blind one to simply 'being.' He does this by guiding the actor to discover that truth themselves, instead of merely presenting the answer. The dedicated actor, armed with this newfound awareness, is therefore able to grow and expand upon their craft exponentially." – Jennifer Queirejiero
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Peter Kelley -- Recently featured as "One of New York's top film acting coaches." on MTV, Mr. Kelley has worked professionally as an acting coach and director of film and theatre for over fifteen years, and is the Founding Director of both The Harrison Project and The Studio at C.P. Casting.