Directing for Actors

VFS IN-PRODUCTION BOOTCAMP

LEARN ACTING/DIRECTING FROM
A VETERAN ACTOR, DIRECTOR,
EMMY-WINNING PRODUCER

An unparalleled 3-day In-Production Bootcamp event for actors & directors looking to elevate their craft.
Learn directly from an Emmy-winning industry veteran in VFS’s state-of-the-art film sets & black box studios.

GIL BELLOWS

Actor, Director, & Emmy-Winning Producer

Gil Bellows is an Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, and Director. After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Bellows gained wide attention for his performance as Tommy in The Shawshank Redemption, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards. On television, Bellows is best known for playing Billy Thomas, the romantic lead in Ally McBeal, which earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award. As a producer, Bellows has several notable accomplishments, including Mick Jackson's HBO biographical drama Temple Grandin, which earned him both a Primetime Emmy Award and a Peabody Award.

How It Works

In film & TV production, the connection between directors and actors is one of collaboration. While directors provide the overarching vision, actors infuse their characters with depth, emotion, and authenticity. VFS’s 3-day In-Production Bootcamp is your chance to explore this relationship through scene study, live performance, and more while working with industry legend Gil Bellows. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for aspiring/established actors & directors to gain exclusive industry insight & experience for their career.

There are three registration options for you to choose from:

1) AMA Industry Talk only

2) AMA Industry Talk + Bootcamp (Observer)

3) AMA Industry Talk + Bootcamp (Advanced Acting Participant)

VFS AMA (Ask Me Anything) Industry Talk:

Attend a Talk with Emmy-winner Gil Bellows

Friday, April 11 | 5 – 8 p.m. PDT | VFS Film Campus, 151 West Cordova Street

AMA Industry Talk Attendee – $20

In-Production Bootcamp:

Industry Panel and Rehearsals/Blocking
Saturday, April 12 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. PDT | VFS Film Campus, 151 West Cordova Street

Studio Performances – Final Scenes Performed
Sunday, April 13 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. PDT | VFS Film Campus, 151 West Cordova Street

3-Day Observer – $100*
3-Day Advanced Acting Participant – $250* (must apply with an acting partner)

*Includes AMA Industry Talk

Ensure that you scroll through the entire registration form for all options.

AMA Industry Talk: The Relationship Between Actors & Directors

VFS is thrilled to be hosting Gil Bellows as the next guest in our AMA Industry Talk series. Gil follows in the footsteps of industry greats like Matthew Lillard, Kevin Smith, Emmy-winning Director Michael Spiller, and recent guest Emmy-nominated Hallmark Director Ron Oliver. Gil will take the stage, alongside VFS Acting Head Omari Newton (Netflix’s The Dragon Prince), to discuss how directors successfully communicate with performers and the symbiotic relationship between actors and directors in film & TV production. As always, the audience will have a chance to ask questions.

In-Production Bootcamp

Our In-Production Bootcamps truly bring the industry to you! With options for aspiring actors, actors with prior industry training/experience, and even for directors, you’ll get to experience the professional on-set relationship of directors & actors as they work together to bring a scene to life through a scene study, blocking, and a live performance. The bootcamp will also feature a Panel Discussion on Saturday with Gil, Omari Newton, and other special industry guests (stay tuned for this announcement!). This is an incredible opportunity to gain practical experience that you can take with you into your acting or directing career.

You may register as either an Observer or an Advanced Acting Participant (both options include the Friday AMA Industry Talk):

Observer:

• For aspiring actors & directors with little-to-no training or experience who want to gain knowledge on the working relationship of directors and actors.

• As an Observer, you will join the Panel Discussion on Saturday and watch all aspects of the scene study & performance, with occasional opportunities to ask questions.

• You may also be asked for insight during the performance.

Advanced Acting Participant:

• You must apply with an acting partner (as a pair) for this experience. If you are unable to find a partner, please email [email protected].

• Advanced Acting Participants must have prior acting training and/or industry experience.

• You and your partner will join the Panel Discussion on Saturday, and work with Gil Bellows through the scene study, blocking, & live performance, receiving feedback on your abilities.

• You and your partner will need to submit a single application that includes a joint audition during registration.

• Audition tapes should feature a contemporary film dialogue performed together in less than one minute.

• Applications must be submitted no later than April 3.

Note: As there are limited spots for this experience, acting pairs that are not accepted may still attend as Observers OR receive a full refund.