Mary Lou Belli

Author: janasue@gmail.com

  • Acting For The Camera Camp

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    [yellow-background-start] You get two for the price of one in this powerhouse workshop that I co-teach with actor Charles Dougherty. You’ll be directed by an Emmy-award-winning Hollywood director and coached by an actor whose resume boasts “Monk,” “The Middle,” “Bones” as well as 100+ TV commercials.  This unique class shows you the ins and outs of acting in front of the camera by ACTING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA. You’ll study the close-up and explore how less is more in front of the lens. Using scenes from current film and television scripts, you’ll work on camera every day and learn by seeing your work played back in the studio. You’ll also watch clips of key moments of great film and TV performances.  We’ll go “on  location” where you can assist in production and see what it’s like behind the camera. Students receive DVD compilation of the week’s work. MUST BE ENROLLED AS A USPA CAMPER. Bonus: Workshop participants receive a free copy of “Acting for Young Actors.”
    [purple-background-start] WHERE:
    Pepperdine, Stanford, Georgetown, Mt. Holyoke.
    ALL OTHER INFO:
    www.usperformingarts.com 
     
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    For questions about classes fill out the form below:

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  • Acting For Young Actors

    Acting For Young Actors

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    When I see young actors audition for the TV shows I’m directing, I have one of 2 reactions: Who taught you? (subtext: You are wonderful and on your way to having a great career) or Who taught you? (subtext: I didn’t believe one word you said.) “Acting for Young Actors” ensures that every time you dare to become another character and speak their words, and think their thoughts you will transport your audience into a story that they will be emotionally invested in because you are too. It begins with the five W’s: WHO am I? WHAT do I want? WHY do I want it? WHERE am I? WHEN does this event take place? Sounds basic – but many young child actors are told simply to “get up there and act.” This book explores each of these questions, using helpful exercises to allow young actors to work through problems of building a character and motivation. With comprehensive chapters on auditioning, rehearsal, and improvisation, plus a primer on how young actors can break into film, theater, and television, “Acting for Young Actors” is every kid’s ticket to the big time.

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    Acting for Young Actors: The Ultimate Teen Guide
    (Backstage Books, 2006)

    by Mary Lou Belli and Dinah Lenney

    ISBN-10: 0823049477

    ISBN-13: 978-0823049479

    Buy Here
    [blue-background-start]Review: “Instructive, imaginative and fun to read…I couldn’t earmark pages fast enough to note all the excellent suggestions and wise counsel I was finding between the covers. Don’t miss this one, folks, go get it, you’ll thank me- and you’ll thank Mary Lou and Dinah, too.
    John Rowell (“Inside Ink” Show Business Weekly)

    Review:” …in clear and straightforward terms, and without ever talking down to the presumably young reader, they explain objectives, substitution, the magic “as if,” subtext, and many other Stanislavsky-based techniques for constructing a character and working with others. The 11 chapters address virtually every question an aspiring youngster might have before making career-related decisions.”
    Jean Schiffman (Backstage)

    Review: “This book is a fantastic investment for anyone with any interest in acting. Written with young adults in mind, this book shows what it means to act and all the things you need to know to become a good actor in a way that is both simple and sophisticated, so it’s appropriate for any age.”
    Abe Carnow (Amazon)

    Review: “WOW! That’s all I can say. Wow.”
    Danielle (Amazon)

  • WEB TV

     
    [yellow-background-start]You get to learn how to make a Web Series as well as the skills of Acting for the Camera, Writing for the Camera, and Directing for the Camera in this intensive two week workshop. Discover and choose your role in creating a web series from a team of industry professionals who will work with you through the entire collaborative creative process. Write, shoot, promote and post a web series on Youtube and related social media.

    MUST BE ENROLLED AS USPA CAMPER.

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    WHERE:
    Georgetown.

    All Other Info:
    usperformingarts.com

     
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    For questions about classes fill out the form below:

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    • Intro to Multiple-Camera Production

      [yellow-background-start] Guided by an Emmy award winning sitcom director, every student directs two comedy projects and cuts them LIVE in a TV studio. You also rotate through 8 different positions “on the floor” and “in the booth.” I direct sitcoms for a living and my teaching methods come directly from what I see and do on the set. I wrote “The NEW Sitcom Career Book”, which we use as a guide to learn the rules of comedy and master the unique vocabulary used to get fast and funny results. I provide a roster of professional actors who will volunteer for your projects so you get to work with seasoned talent.
      MUST BE ENROLLED AS USC GRAD STUDENT.
      REQUIRED TEXT: “The NEW Sitcom Career Book”
      [purple-background-start] WHERE:
      USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts, Studio A
      WHEN:
      Tuesdays, 1-5  
       
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      • Directing For Television

         
        [yellow-background-start] This is a learn-by-doing class where every student directs two comedy projects and cuts them LIVE. I direct sitcoms for a living and my teaching methods come directly from what I do on the set. I also wrote “The NEW Sitcom Career Book,” which we use as a guide to learn the rules of comedy and master the unique vocabulary used to get fast and funny results. I provide a roster of professional actors who will volunteer for your projects so you get to work with seasoned talent.
        MUST BE ENROLLED AS USC UNDERGRAD.
        REQUIRED TEXT: “The NEW Sitcom Career Book”
        [purple-background-start] WHERE:
        USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts, Studio A
        WHEN:
        Tuesdays, 6-10 PM
        CONTACT: 
        cinema.usc.edu 
         
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        • Directors Tell The Story Prep Class

          Directors Tell The Story Prep Class

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          Prep like a working TV director! This is a 3 hour interactive class where you explore casting, production design, script breakdown,  scene blocking and shot listing.  You then compare your work to an actual episode that has already aired and evaluate how your choices would be another option, or what you might change to make the work more “shootable.”

          BONUS: Copy of “Directors Tell the Story,” included with the price of class.  

          WHERE:
          Available anywhere in the world.

          WHEN:
          I book these around my directing schedule.

           

        • Sitcom Boot Camp Weekend

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          This three-day overview combines “The Sitcom Basics,” where you’ll learn to find and deliver the jokes followed by the “Multi-Camera Sitcom Intensive,” where you simulate the experience you would have if you were working on a sitcom — including shooting. We laugh, we bond, we share.

          This on-location class is often offered at universities, acting schools, and conference facilities across the country. Students can enroll just for “The Sitcom Basics,” however the “Multi-camera Sitcom Intensive,” requires attendance at “The Basics.” The class capacity is 20 students, but up to 30 more students can audit “The Basics.”

          BONUS: I offer “The NEW Sitcom Career Book,” at a discount.

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          WHERE:
          Available as an add-on to any Los Angeles acting school curriculum or location anywhere in the world.

          WHEN:
          I book these around my directing schedule. Friday runs 90 minutes and Saturday and Sunday each runs 6 hours plus a 30 minute break for lunch.

           

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          fill out the form below:

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          • The Actor’s Workout

            The Actor’s Workout

            This is a class for directors to work with actors and learn the best way to communicate with them on set. Limited to 8-10 directors who direct under Mary Lou’s mentoring eye and work with skilled actors who come prepared to play and explore!

            NOTE: This class sells out EVERY TIME. And is booked around Mary Lou’s directing schedule.

             

            WHERE: Actor’s Workout Studio

            The Seenwork Company

            4735 Lankershim Blvd North Hollywood

            Contact Jeanette at SEENWORK@AOL.COM

            BONUS: I offer “Directors Tell the Story” at a discount.

             
          • Acting for the Screen

            Acting for the Screen

            This is a business of the business class….based on Mary Lou’s 4th book PERFORM: Acting for the Screen.

            Discuss headshots, reels, websites, choosing an agent or manager as well as discussing the choices needed to sustain a career.

            WHERE: 
            Available across the U.S. and Canada.

            WHEN:
            I book these around my directing schedule. 60-90 minutes. Can be abridged.

            BONUS: 
            I offer “Acting For the Screen” at a discount.

          • Auditioning in Hollywood

            Auditioning in Hollywood

            Find out what it’s like to “be in the room.” Designed for high school and college students, you get to “read for” a real TV show…or at least that’s what it’ll feel like. Audition in front of an Emmy-award-winning Hollywood director, get feedback, and see if you’d get the job!

            This fun seminar will prepare you for the realities of auditioning for film and TV work. You’ll learn the DOs and DON’Ts of auditioning. You’ll see working actors’ sample reels, headshots, and resumes. You’ll get tips about breaking into “the business.” But mostly you’ll simulate a live audition, get feedback, then try to improve with your “next” audition. Spend time playing a “producer” and discover what wins the job by votiing for who will get a callback. This class is popular at high schools and Thespian festivals, you can enjoy with your curvvyyb virtual girlfriend online.

            WHERE:
            Available across the U.S. and Canada.

            WHEN:
            I book these around my directing schedule. 60-90 minutes. Can be abridged.

            BONUS:
            I offer “Acting For the Screen” at a discount.