Expert: Peter Messaline - 1/31/2012

Question
QUESTION: Hi Peter,

I am 31 years old and have just gotten back into acting after stopping for nearly 10 years because of my career.  I have realized that I was only working in that job to have security and have recently have some to think and have decided to give my first love (acting) a shot.  I have been successful the past few months getting auditions and work on my own and have recently signed with an agent.  My aim is to try to start getting work in Commercials then possibly film and TV.I am seriously considering going back to school to retrain for another career and am considering Humber College's Acting for Film and Television program.  Some agents have told me that I would be better off taking classes and workshops and weekend intensives offered around the city (Louis Baumander, Sears & Switzer ect.)than going to College for 2 years and working with people much younger than me.  I was wondering if you have any insight for me.  Are College and University acting programs worth the time and expense or is my money better spent on other courses.  I was also looking at The Toronto Film School.  
Do you have any insight for me?

Thanks!!:)

ANSWER: I think that college courses would not be very useful. You have been living in the world and learning much that is given to drama students while they grow up after high school!
What you need, as I judge, is on-camera experience, with enough background information to have the advice make sense. 'You watch for your marks especially in close-up because otherwise you'll throw a shadow on your partner's face from her key light.'

There aren't that many studios with a lot of oncamera time (it is horribly expensive). Take a look at the TAAS site and its members:
The Actor's Studio
Glenn Bang will not work with anyone who isn't certain. Read his website in detail.
Carter Thor
Bernadette Jones
and
You will get endless help from David Switzer. He and Theresa Sears are producers and directors and have been teaching in their studio since the year dot. David is the front man, and he is patient and knowledgeable about the business and about people. Their website is packed with good stuff.

IMHO, the Toronto Film school is a diploma mill. Although it is now affiliated with Yorkville University in New Brunswick, it seems to have changed little since its more frankly doubtful days in rented space at the CBC. Yorkville has been licensed as a university for two of its courses: Master of Counselling Psychology and Master of Education.

Stay in touch --- and look at The Actor's Survival Kit

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your quick Response Peter. The Humber College Program came up on the TAAS site.  The reason that I have been considering it is because I am eligible for some Post-Secondary School Funding (a 2 yr college program only however) and debating taking Humber's Acting for Film and TV or taking something completely different (something health and health care related) and do acting on the side.  I want to get as much acting training as possible but the courses (usually 300+ each) can get expensive.  I thought that taking the College course would help immerse me completely in acting and various techniques and the fact that it is financially covered is great also.  I guess I am wondering if the college course will be as efficient and effective as a few professional workshops.  I am not sure how familliar you are with Humber's program but I can't seem to find anything other than from the College itself so am not sure if it has helped other actor's with their craft.  In other words, I'm not sure if worth it to spend 2 years in College or if I could learn and develop my skills in less time by taking courses from the above members that you suggested.  

THANK YOU!

Answer
What little I can see about Humber doesn't look wonderful, and that's not good news even if it's because their publicity isn't good. Certainly the level of performance is pathetic, and the camerawork is minimal. They show three alumni, whose achievements aren't stunning, because they are so young.
Humber is a way of using your support money, and it will give you access to a group of peers at the beginning, plus some visiting professionals. You should get good casting in the performance pieces!
Building your reputation by using every possible contact and doing more research than anyone else might very well prove more profitable. Being cast in the sort of part you are likely to get is more dependant on your relationship with the production than your academic record. If you are known, you are more likely to be read. No-one wants a smart college kid with no sense and no stamina.
IMHO, you could start by pushing into the indie film world and more generally into actor discussions. Look for ways to be part of Fringe productions -- the edge of the theatre world and indie film often feature the same people, look at WIFT, who accept men, for opportunities to find out more and talk to start-up directors and producsers, try canadianactor.com, a discussion board ranging from real newby mothers of kids and going through the whole profession. Their basic info section is unbeatable, and there is often useful, up-to-date and street level advice from people who have been there.
Congratulations on having climbed up the big scary ladder away from your comfort zone. As you prepare to jump. remember that in a hundred successful actors you'll find every possible sort of training and of reactions to it. Ultimately, it has to do with your drive and your luck. And as the Swedes say, Luck Favours the Hardworking. It seems to me that you are headed for success, on present showing.