Screen acting classes in Sydney: your questions answered

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How much do screen acting classes cost at JJ Splice?

Screen Academy Foundation is $187 a week for eight weeks, $1,496 in total including GST, or $1,421 if you pay upfront (a 5% discount). The Screen Craft Intensive is $209 a week for thirty weeks, or $5,956.50 upfront. Weekly payments are charged to a card on file. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Afterpay, Zip Pay, Apple Pay and cash.

When are classes held?

All classes are on weeknight evenings from 6pm to 9pm, so they fit around daytime work. Foundation is one night a week, Wednesday or Thursday depending on the intake. The Intensive is two nights a week, with two six-week production blocks of one night a week. Your exact dates are in your MySplice app from the day you enrol.

Do I need experience?

Not for Foundation. It is designed for actors just starting out as well as actors with some experience who want more time on a professional set. The Screen Craft Intensive needs some screen acting experience or training, which can include short courses elsewhere; you submit an example of your work (a professional scene, an old self-tape, or something shot on your phone) and come in for an intake interview. If you are not ready for the Intensive you may be offered a Foundation place and move up from there.

Is there an age limit?

The Academy is for actors 18 and over. If you are 17 we consider applications case by case: a parent or guardian signs your Course Agreement with you, we speak with them before you start, and they are kept in the loop on payments and attendance. Ask them to email artists@jjsplice.com.

How big are the classes?

Eight actors maximum. If fewer than six places are filled before the start date, the intake may be postponed, because the curriculum, scene pairings and shoot schedule are planned around a confirmed group.

Where is the studio?

56 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills, about five minutes' walk from Central Station. Train, light rail or bus are the easiest ways in. Street parking is free after 5pm but limited. The studio is in a basement and is not currently wheelchair accessible.

What equipment do you use?

RED Digital Cinema cameras, wireless lapel microphones and professional studio lighting. Scene work in class is shot on two cameras switched live, the way sitcoms are made; your showreel scenes are shot single-camera over multiple set-ups and takes, the way films are made.

What do I leave with?

Foundation: one Cinema-Quality Showreel scene, professionally edited and graded, delivered in high definition and yours to use. Intensive: two two-hander scenes and two monologues, ten weeks of workshop recordings, and your own page on casting.directory with a bio and headshot. Both courses include the MySplice app with class recordings, scripts, dates and notes from Dean.

Who teaches?

Every scene is directed by Dean Francis, a feature film director with two AACTA nominations who has taught actors at NIDA and filmmakers at AFTRS, among others. More on the About page.

What preparation do I need before week one?

Study the screenplay you are sent and start learning your lines before the course begins. In both courses you must have all your lines learned by week three.

What if I enrol and change my mind?

If, after your intake interview, you decide the course isn't for you, contact us within 24 hours of the interview for a full refund. After that, enrolling is a commitment to the full course: if you withdraw part-way, the remaining course fees stay payable. Full terms are in the Terms and Conditions and your enrolment agreement, which we encourage you to read before signing.

Will this get me an agent or work?

We can't guarantee where your career goes. We can guarantee you leave with the craft skills and the finished scenes to give yourself a real shot, and a listing on casting.directory where industry can find you if you choose to be listed.

Can I get a showreel without doing a course?

Yes. JJ Splice also makes standalone showreels in the same studio; see the Showreels page.

Ready to apply?

Apply now or book a free strategy call. You can also read about the classes, the two courses compared, and how to choose an acting school.