THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Actor, Director, and Emmy-winning Producer Gil Bellows is coming to Vancouver Film School from April 11-13 for our next In-Production Bootcamp event: Directing for Actors! This the third In-Production Bootcamp at VFS, following our 2024 events with Emmy-winning Director Michael Spiller and most recently our Hallmark Moviemaking Magic experience in December. Get the full scoop below OR, if you can’t wait to register, reserve your spot here before they’re gone.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring actors & directors (and even graduates of our Acting for Film & Television program) in and around the lower mainland to join us on-campus to learn directly from an industry veteran who has appeared in AFI’s Top 100 Film The Shawshank Redemption, Suits, The Handmaid’s Tale, American Gods, and many, MANY more. Over three days, you’ll attend an AMA Industry Talk with Gil, followed by an acting and directing bootcamp where Gill will work directly with YOU for a scene study, blocking, and live performance (complete with industry feedback) to supercharge your acting/directing skill set.
Gil Bellows will join us on-campus for VFS’s In-Production Bootcamp from April 11-13 (above: Gil in The Shawshank Redemption).GIL BELLOWS’ REMARKABLE CAREER
With an international resume spanning over two decades, Gil Bellows is a versatile who got his start acting in film & television after graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Most noteworthy are his performances in AFI’s Top 100 The Shawshank Redemption, nominated for seven Oscars, and as the romantic lead in Ally McBeal, which earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award.
His most recent credits include American Gods, The Twilight Zone reboot, Suits, Smallville, Chucky, The Handmaid’s Tale, and more. As a producer, Bellows’ work includes the HBO biographical drama Temple Grandin, which earned him both a Primetime Emmy Award and a Peabody Award. Now, Bellows returns home to Canada to share his vast knowledge of the craft of acting on-campus at Vancouver Film School.
IT ALL KICKS OFF WITH AN ‘ASK ME ANYTHING’…
On Friday, April 11, the In-Production Bootcamp commences with a fireside chat on the working relationship between directs and actors on set. 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.
Alongside Omari Newton, VFS’s Head of Acting, Gil will discuss this in detail with an emphasis on 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.
VFS AMAs offer exclusive creative & career insights that only titans of industry can provide! Gil follows in the footsteps of industry greats like Matthew Lillard and Kevin Smith who have previously taken the stage for a VFS AMA. Watch Kevin Smith’s (unfiltered!) AMA Industry Talk from 2021 for a glimpse into what you’ll experience:
…FOLLOWED BY A HANDS-ON BOOTCAMP
Our bootcamps truly bring the industry TO YOU! Whether you’re an aspiring actor, an established actor, or a director who’s looking to step into an actor’s shoes for a weekend (metaphorically, of course), you’ll acquire real, on-set experience with how directors & actors work together to bring a scene to life through a scene study, blocking, and a live performance to conclude the event.
The bootcamp will also feature a Panel Discussion on Saturday with Gil, Omari Newton, and other special industry guests (stay tuned for this announcement!).
There are three options for registration:
1) VFS AMA Industry Talk with Gil Bellows
2) AMA Industry Talk + Bootcamp (Observer)
3) AMA Industry Talk + Bootcamp (Advanced Acting Participant)
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. Should you not have a partner to register with, VFS may be able to pair you.
- 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.
- Registration requires a short audition with your partner and must be submitted no later than April 3.
HOW TO REGISTER
If you’re an actor or director looking for hands-on experience that you can take with you into your career – look no further! But don’t wait – spots are extremely limited for this event. For full details and to register, click here. A reminder that Advanced Acting Participants must register by April 3!
FAQ
1. What is the Directing for Actors bootcamp with Gil Bellows?
The In-Production Bootcamp is a three-day immersive event hosted by VFS, offering actors and directors the opportunity to learn directly from actor, director, and Emmy-winning producer Gil Bellows. Participants will engage in scene studies, live performances, and gain hands-on industry training to elevate their craft.
2. When and where will the bootcamp take place?
The bootcamp is scheduled from April 11 to April 13, 2025, at VFS’s Film Campus, located at 151 West Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC.
3. What are the registration options and costs?
There are three registration options:
- AMA Industry Talk Only: Attend the Ask Me Anything session with Gil Bellows on April 11 from 5-8 p.m. PDT for $20.
- AMA Industry Talk + Bootcamp (Observer): Includes the AMA Talk and access to the bootcamp as an observer for $100.
- AMA Industry Talk + Bootcamp (Advanced Acting Participant): Includes the AMA Talk and active participation in scene studies and performances for $250. Applicants must apply with an acting partner and have prior acting training or experience.
4. How can I register for the bootcamp?
Interested individuals can register at https://vfs.edu/content/in-production-bootcamp-the-art-of-directing-actors. Due to limited spots, early registration is recommended.
5. Who is Gil Bellows, and what is his industry experience?
Gil Bellows is a versatile actor, director, and Emmy-winning producer with a career spanning over two decades. He is renowned for his roles in The Shawshank Redemption, Ally McBeal, American Gods, and The Handmaid’s Tale. As a producer, he earned a Primetime Emmy for the HBO biographical drama Temple Grandin.