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 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 a versatile Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, & Director with an international resume spanning over two decades. Most noteworthy is his performance in AFI’s Top 100 The Shawshank Redemption, nominated for seven Oscars. His most recent credits include American Gods, The Twilight Zone reboot, & The Handmaid’s Tale. As a producer, Bellows earned a Primetime Emmy for the HBO biographical drama Temple Grandin. Now, Bellows returns home to Canada to share his vast knowledge of the craft of acting on-campus at Vancouver Film School.

Gil Bellows - An unparalleled 3-day In-Production Bootcamp event for actors at VFS - portfolio of movies

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 Acting Campus, 198 West Hastings 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 (Solo) – $150*

3-Day Advanced Acting Participant (Duo) – $250*

*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 professional acting development opportunity to gain practical experience that you can take with you into your 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 listen to 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 may apply with an acting partner (as a pair) OR solo for this experience. If you are applying solo, VFS will pair you with an acting partner on the day of the event.

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

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

• During your registration, you and your partner (if applicable) will need to submit an audition tape.

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

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.

FAQ

1. Who is Gil Bellows, and what is his role in the acting and directing bootcamp?

Gil Bellows is an actor, director, and Emmy-winning producer known for his roles in The Shawshank Redemption, Ally McBeal, The Handmaid’s Tale, & more. In this bootcamp, he leads acting workshops and provides insights into the craft of acting and directing.

2. When and where does VFS’s In-Production Bootcamp take place?

The bootcamp takes place from Friday, April 11, to Sunday, April 13, at VFS’s Film Campus, 151 West Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC.

3. What are the different registration options available?

There are three options:

AMA Industry Talk only – $20
AMA Industry Talk + Bootcamp (Observer) – $100
AMA Industry Talk + Bootcamp (Advanced Acting Participant – Solo) – $150
AMA Industry Talk + Bootcamp (Advanced Acting Participant – Duo) – $250

4. What is the difference between an Observer and an Advanced Acting Participant?

Observers attend the panel discussion and watch all aspects of the scene study and performance, with occasional opportunities to ask questions. Advanced Acting Participants, who must apply with a partner, actively engage in scene study, blocking, and live performance, receiving direct feedback from Gil Bellows.

5. How can I apply as an Advanced Acting Participant? What if my application is not accepted?

Apply individually OR as a joint application with your acting partner. Include a one-minute audition tape of a contemporary film dialogue. If not accepted, you can attend as an Observer or receive a full refund.

6. Are there any prerequisites for attending the bootcamp?

Observers do not need prior experience. Advanced Acting Participants should have some prior acting training or industry experience.