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INFO
ON ACTORS RETREAT
INFO
ON COACHING AND CLASSES
PHOTOS
OF NOVEMBER RETREAT 2002
PHOTOS OF OCTOBER/NOVEMBER RETREAT 2003
INFORMATION ON ONGOING SCENE STUDY CLASS FOR
DIRECTORS
INFORMATION
ON THE SEMINAR SERIES FOR DIRECTOR
2006: DIRECTORS' CRASH COURSE,
Film Arts Foundation
November 3, 4, 5 2006.
Mail us if you have questions.
Thank you for your interest in this extraordinary weekend. The next Directors' Weekend will be November 2007.
Jennifer Kollman shoots for Noel Lawrence. Yes! That's Glorinda Marie on the Boom! |
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| Director Nicole Olivier checks out a script with Alex Plant | ![]() |
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| Actors Shelley Richardson, left, and Donna Aldrich, center, take a break to review their scripts. Jennifer Kollman, far right. | ![]() |
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| Johann Schiffer and Clay Atchison watch the action. | \ |
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| Ken Leeds, Alexandra Arista and Thai director, Jiraporn |
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WHAT OTHERS SAY ....
THE "MUST EXPERIENCE" WEEKEND
NOVEMBER 2006 -
"Hester's guidance and explanations were crystal clear, which allowed me to get right to the core of the work and the learning process."
Nicole Olivier, Director
"Hester's gift for teaching precise methods to inspire & capture great performances is remarkable. Her ability to have fun at the same time is a delight!"
Clay Atchison, Director
"By far the most useful acting workshop I've ever attended."
Alex Plant, Actor
"This class provided excellent practical exercises working with film directors."
Ken Leeds, Actor
"The weekend was a total plus. Hester is really great with imparting information and it was so great to see just what a director needs to do to produce a great film."
Ralph Filice, Actor
"This class gave me the opportunity to work with all different types of directors and to do more different roles in a weekend than I ever dreamed possible."
Shelley Richardson
"Hester teaches directors the most effective ways to communicate with actors in order to get the results that will match or surpass their creative vision for their projects. Her 'Directing Actors' class clearly helps the director to bridge that gap and to pull the best performances from talent. She teaches practical skills that will become vital to the director once he or she is on the set. The actors who participate also learn much regarding set etiquette and other pertinent skills that will sharpen their abilities as well over this intense weekend. Hester offers a bountiful information packed weekend for both directors and actors alike. Her broad knowledge both as an experienced director and as an accomplished actress herself provides a valuable learning experience for all who participate. This class is a must for everyone."
Glorinda Marie, SAG Actor

Clay Atchison rehearses with Ralph Filice and Shelley Richardson.
Auditioning Actors to
Find What You're Looking For
- Acquire skills to run smooth auditions, spot good craft and actor preparation.
Discern if actors are ready for lead or supporting roles. Read and assess actors
resumes. We will cast the scenes to work on during the retreat. Actors practice
cold reading and audition skills.
Rehearsals - How, What,
Where and When
- Develop, rehearse and prepare a short scene for shooting. Practice rehearsal
skills, develop acting vocabulary of "actions and objectives" for better results;
motivate shot set-ups through text analysis. Examine dialogue to engage positive
results. Actors work on rehearsal technique, relationship and character development,
frame-line, eye-line, matching action, making marks.
Effective Communication
Take to Take
- OK, everyone knows you need/want to do another take. Discover ways to encourage
adjustments from take to take for results you can feel are right. Learn on-set
etiquette and vocabulary skills for active results. Protect egos, avoid bruisings.
Actors, work on-camera skills as we re-take and match action. Directors, please
bring a basic camera package and be available to give actors tape copies for demo reels.
1st Annual Directors Retreat:
PHOTOS HERE.
November 8, 9, 10, 2002
2nd Annual Directors Retreat: PHOTOS HERE
October 31, November 1,2, 2003.
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Next Retreat - NOVEMBER, 2007.
Call or Email us -
(650) 726-5424, Hester Schell
info@bayareacasting.com
Directors must provide your own basic
equipment: basic camera, sound, light package.
Participants rotate in crew positions.
Let us know your interest as soon as possible.