Acting for Film & Television
On-Campus Certificate Courses
Grow your acting skillset & portfolio for the entertainment industry.
This is your opportunity to connect with yourself and other actors around the world who want to take the first steps in discovering and developing their craft.
We welcome enthusiasts, high school students, mature students, and anyone looking to make a career change. When you finish a certificate course at Vancouver Film School, you will receive a digital certificate of completion confirming your experience.
Explore the certificate courses:
* Upon successful completion of a CONNECT course, the cost can be deducted from any full-time Advanced Production program tuition at VFS. Only one discount may be applied. Contact a VFS Advisor for eligibility.
**Students must confirm they are at least 16 years old at the beginning of the course in order to register.
***Please note that courses may be cancelled at any time due to low enrolment. Upon cancellation, registrants will receive a full refund.
To meet your industry instructor(s), click here.
If you have any questions, please contact: [email protected]
Acting: From Script to Screen (on-campus)
This 7-week course empowers actors in their professional journey as an actor. This course is intended for students with some previous acting experience and a basic understanding of the craft.
With expert guidance from instructors, you will become a collaborative and empowered actor in the online rehearsal space, getting comfortable on camera and developing a better understanding of what it means to listen and give & receive with a scene partner. As you progress through the course, you will activate your imagination and fully embody your unique take on the text and character of a script.
You will finish this course with a polished and professional self-tape recording for your creative portfolio.
- Expand on text script analysis principles taught in ‘Connecting to Craft’.
- Deepen analysis skills by working on a film script.
- Discover how to conduct a thorough character analysis.
- Refine your rehearsal techniques.
- Develop best practices for safe & creative collaboration, actor self care, setting boundaries, and clear communication with other artists.
- Learn to partner and rehearse with another actor/reader.
- Execute with confidence the technical aspects of auditioning for online platforms.
- Memorize, rehearse, record, and submit a self-tape audition scene.
- Receive important feedback for your second take.
- Finish with a recording of your audition scene.
- English Level: all participants are required to speak and write English at an acceptable level. In order to succeed in any VFS program, you will need to understand technical terms and be conversant enough in English to participate in presentations and in-depth discussion. For this program we recommend an IELTS Band 6.0 – Academic level or equivalent.
Some prior acting experience is recommended.
Course Details:
Dates: May 28 – July 9, 2025
Duration: 7 lessons
Time: Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m. PST
Cost: $550
On-Camera Acting: The Craft of Self-Taping (on-campus)
This 7-week certificate course will offer students a better understanding of how to achieve a balance between a subtle, internal life and a clearly projected intention. This is the key to filmic naturalism.
These lessons will be put into practice through self-taped auditions. Self-tapes are now the norm for industry casting and academic submission. Having a clear understanding of the format and a list of common mistakes can give the actor a competitive edge.
You will finish this course with a polished and professional self-tape recording for your creative portfolio.
- Record an acting self-tape that meets industry format standards.
- Recognize key principles of acting for the screen.
- Identify common technical mistakes when auditioning for film and television roles (labeling, missing slate, distracting props and wardrobe, etc.)
- Define eye-lines and marks and their importance to on-camera acting.
- There are no requirements for this course.
Students are not required to have any previous training or experience.
Course Details:
Dates: April 16 – June 11, 2025
Duration: 7-week certificate course, one on-campus class per week
Time: Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m. PST
Cost: $550
Acting: Voice Acting (on-campus)
Dive into the exciting world of voiceover acting in this hands-on, 4-week course! In Week 1, you'll learn essential voice acting terminology and get an overview of the craft, followed by a recording session of a simple script. Week 2 focuses on commercials, with video and audio examples to guide your recording of a commercial script.
In Week 3, you'll immerse yourself in the world of video games, recording a powerful opening monologue inspired by iconic scenes. Finally, Week 4 will take you into the world of animation, where you'll voice characters from a curated selection, using scripts developed for the Kadenze program.
By the end of the course, you'll have acquired the skills and experience needed to bring a wide range of characters to life!
- Learn key voice acting terminology and industry concepts.
- Develop an understanding of vocal techniques and script interpretation.
- Record a basic script, demonstrating clarity, tone, and expressiveness.
- Analyze and perform commercial voiceovers, adapting delivery to different branding styles.
- Explore character-driven performances for video games and animation.
- Perform a compelling monologue for a video game character, focusing on emotion and storytelling.
- Bring animated characters to life using scripts tailored for the Kadenze program.
- Participate in hands-on recording sessions with guided feedback.
- Enhance vocal control, projection, and emotional expression through practice.
- Experiment with vocal range and delivery styles to suit different roles.
- Receive constructive critiques to refine skills and improve future performances.
- English Level: All participants are required to speak and write English at an acceptable level. In order to succeed in any VFS program, you will need to understand technical terms and be conversant enough in English to participate in presentations and in-depth discussion. For this program we recommend an IELTS Band 6.0 – Academic level or equivalent.
- Participants must confirm they are at least 16 years old at the beginning of the course in order to register.
Course Details:
Dates: June 4 to 25, 2025
Duration: 4-week course, one on-campus class per week
Time: Wednesdays, 6 - 8 p.m. PDT
Cost: $350
Future Dates: July 8 to 29, 2025
Time: Tuesdays, 6 – 8 p.m. PDT
Andrés Soto
Actor, Producer & Mindset Coach
An actor from Costa Rica, Andrés began his career as an Engineer and TV Producer. He studied Communications at The University of Costa Rica and is a Vancouver Film School graduate. He is known for The Flash, Far Cry 6, and Yellowjackets.
Omari Newton
Actor, Writer & Producer
Alison James
Actor, Director & Senior Instructor at VFS
Alison is a New Zealand and Canadian actor/director/writer, who has worked in Canada, Germany, NZ, and the UK. She is best known for her roles as Nurse Tiffany in the soap opera Shortland Street and Death of a Cheerleader.
Missy Cross
Instructor (Singing for Actors)
Missy is an actor, director, and theatre producer. She sings in a touring blues rock band called Wooden Horsemen and spearheads her own company Mindful Actor Workshops. A VFS alumna, she has taught camera, voice, singing, and has also directed student work.
Sam Bregoliss
Artist, Educator & Creator
Sam has worked as a dancer, actor, and choreographer for the past 10 years. He has had the privilege of performing, choreographing, and adjudicating all across North America and Europe. Sam has appeared in award-winning short film Eleftheromania, starring Olympia Dukakis, and in national marketing campaigns for Save-on-Foods. In the spring of 2020, he partnered with the Kamloops Music Collective and began producing/directing online musical theatre content for young audiences. He is thrilled to bring you his first-hand knowledge and industry experience, along with his passion and dedication for arts education.