It’s never too late to chase a dream. If you’ve been wondering how to break into the film and television industry, Atlanta offers plenty of ways to get started.
Acting, writing, and filmmaking classes are available in spades throughout Atlanta. If you’re looking for classes that start in August or September, you’ll have your pick of everything from improv to screenwriting.
See what upcoming classes you can choose from below, and visit any one of these organizations’ website to see what they have coming in the future.
Drama Inc.
Drama Inc. offers a plethora of acting classes for all levels of experience, including script analysis and scene study classes, on-camera basics, and stand-up. Plus, actors can also study the methods of acting teachers like Sanford Meisner and Uta Hagen. Drama Inc. also offers screenwriting classes at different levels. For the full list of the classes offered at Drama Inc., check out their website.
Nick Conti’s Professional Actor’s Studio
Nick Conti’s Professional Actor’s Studio offers weekly acting classes ranging from beginner to advanced levels. There are also classes geared toward teenagers, improv, and combat training. Potential students can also audit one class for free. Check out Nick Conti’s full calendar of classes here.
Catapult Acting Studios
Catapult Acting Studios offers a number of acting classes for youth (ages 4-17) and adults. The entirety of Catapult’s catalogue can be found on its website. Catapult also offers a conservatory program for both youth and for young adults (ages 16-25) that offers a more intensive curriculum for actors looking to master TV/film performance.
Atlanta Film Society
Presented in partnership with Georgia Production Partnership, The PA Academy is an in-person course that prepares students for success on their first day on set. The PA Academy teaches students everything they need to know to be a production assistant in any department, and takes place every February, June, August, and November. The August session will take place Aug. 16-17 at Electric Owl Studios.
“How to Make a Documentary: Ideas, Research, and Concept Reels
This four-part online course starts Sept. 6 and is taught by Imani L. Warren, an award-winning producer and filmmaker based in Florida. The course aims to explore the necessary tools and techniques of documentary filmmaking. The last class will take place Sept. 27.
“Special Effects, Monsters and Mayhem: A Guide for Filmmakers”
This workshop will take place at the Plaza Theatre on Sept. 13. Makeup FX artist and specialty costumer Midian Crosby will teach students the pros and cons of practical in-camera effects versus digital, how to get the best effects for your budget, and more.
Film producer Linda Burns will teach this three-class series geared toward students just starting out in the film industry. The three classes will all take place on Sept. 20.
Alliance Theatre
Over multiple classes at the Alliance Theatre, students will learn basic acting techniques, develop physical and vocal awareness as an actor, and more. There are multiple sessions available for this class, with the soonest running from Sept. 2 to Oct. 7.
The next step in acting class at the Alliance builds on the foundation learned in Acting I. In these classes, students will learn different ways to approach a scene, as well as how to create dynamic relationships and emotional reality. There are five sessions available, with the soonest running from Aug. 21 to Sept. 11.
“Musical Theater I: Acting through Song”
Musical theater isn’t just about singing, but learning how to act through your singing as well. In this multi-week course, students will learn all about vocal health and protection, how to analyze a song, phrasing, and more. There are three sessions available with the soonest running from Aug. 18 to Sept. 29.
This course helps actors move through the moments of tension or stress they will inevitably face in their career. Students in this class will learn improved self-awareness, tools to reduce stress and anxiety, and more. There are two sessions available, with the soonest running from Aug. 13 to Sept. 3.
What The Actor’s Body does for the physical, The Actor’s Voice does for your words. This class is geared toward students who want to work on improving their voice, develop better breath support, increase their communication skills, and more. The only session for this course runs from Aug. 11 to Sept. 8.
If you’ve ever shown an interest in the art of improv, this is the class for you. In this intro course, you will learn how to be more mindful and engaged when working through an improv scene, and how to build bridges between your instincts and logic. The only session available runs from Aug. 26 to Oct. 14.
In this film screenwriting class, students will learn a step-by-step approach to screenplay creation, including character outlines, drafts, and dialogue writing. There are two sessions for this course, the soonest of which runs from Aug. 21 to Sept. 25.
The Alliance also offers free workshops between each class session to give prospective students the opportunity to participate without committing. The next musical theater workshop is on Aug. 11, and the next improv workshop is on Aug. 12.
Dad’s Garage
“Do Improv Good with Kevin Gillese”
Kevin Gillese, the former artistic director of Dad’s Garage, teaches this four-week master class on improv. The course dives into how authenticity, emotional truth, contrast, and commitment are the things that really make improv shine. Prior improv experience is required for this course, which runs Sept. 7-28.
Dad’s Garage also offers classes for all levels of improv performance, as well as classes on sketch-writing, directing, and other types of performance throughout the year.
Whole World Improv Theatre
“The Actor’s Toolbox: A Character Study Master Class with Tanya Wagner
During this six-week short-form improv class, Whole World veteran Tanya Wagner will teach students how to think on their feet through improv games and a fast-paced environment. Students will learn how to harness their spontaneity and more. The class takes place from Sept. 21 to Oct. 26.
Whole World Improv Theatre also offers a selection of courses for adults as well as teens and children, ranging from beginner to advanced. Check out Whole World’s list of courses here.