‘THE MAKING OF’
One week. One ensemble. One piece of comedy. One creative process.
Led by Actor and Acting Coach Alexa Morden and Screen Director Matt Holt.
From cold read, to creation
[REGISTER HERE]
What if, instead of waiting in a workshop to perform one scene twice, you actually had the time and space to develop the work? Away from the pressure to impress. Away from the feeling that you have to get it right first time. Away from the expectations that can sometimes take the joy out of simply acting. A place to explore character, experiment, try something new, build relationships, receive direction... and play.
All actors have been told:
“Why don't you just get some friends together and make something?”
So that's what we're doing.
Except your friends are actors you've just met, and you've got an experienced acting coach and screen director there to guide you through the making of it.
Over four online sessions across one week, you'll become part of a small ensemble and work together to develop a piece of screen comedy - taking it from a cold read to a final recorded performance over Zoom.
But this isn't just about making a piece. It's an opportunity to experience the making of comedy for screen - from the first table read of a TV script, through character and ensemble work, experimentation, direction and rehearsal, to bringing the work together for a final recording.
You'll be part of the process from beginning to end: exploring the material, making choices, developing the characters, responding to direction and discovering what the piece can become.
Matt and Alexa are both passionate about craft, process and play - and this intensive is an opportunity to put those things back at the centre.
ONLINE
These sessions will place entirely online - which means you can be part of it wherever you are in the world.
Think back to those A-list Zoom table reads during lockdown: actors joining from their kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms, coming together from completely different places to make something. That's the spirit we're after.
Being online doesn't mean being disconnected, it can be liberating.
No rushing from work. No worrying about what you look like when you arrive. No expensive train tickets or rush hour travel.
You can finish your day, make a cuppa, open your laptop and suddenly find yourself in a creative room with other professionals you might never otherwise have in the same room.
THE FOUR PILLARS
1 - PROCESS
We wanted to create something different to a regular workshop setting. Matt and I are both passionate about craft, process, and play. Not just performance.
Over four sessions, you'll become part of a small ensemble and experience something closer to the process of developing a piece of screen comedy than a traditional drop-in workshop.
You'll work through character, relationships, choices, direction, dynamics, experimentation and rehearsal - allowing the work to evolve throughout the process.
2 - PLAY
Comedy requires play. Spontaneity. Listening. Imagination. Trying something that might not work — and being willing to try it anyway. This is a space where you can put down the pressure to get it right and give yourself permission to play.
3 - CRAFT
You'll be working on the craft of screen performance and comedy. We'll explore character, intention, relationships, behaviour, and more. You'll receive direction and coaching throughout the process, with opportunities to revisit and refine your work.
4 - CREATION
This experience has a beginning, a middle and an end.
You'll start with the material. You'll explore it, develop it, rehearse it, and then you'll bring it together.
The final session will be a recorded presentation of the work you've developed as an ensemble.
This isn't an audition or a showcase. There isn't an audience sitting on the other side of the screen. It's simply a chance to capture the work you've created together - giving the process a natural ending and something tangible to take away from the experience.
You'll receive a recording of the final piece to keep for yourself.
TWO PERSPECTIVES. ONE CREATIVE ROOM.
This intensive is led by me, Alexa Morden, and award-winning director for screen Matt Holt, bringing together two complementary perspectives on the screen acting process.
ALEXA MORDEN
As acting coach, I’ll bring a process-focused approach to text work, character development, and developing your instincts and choices. We’ll explore what sits underneath the words, how relationships and circumstances shape behaviour and I’ll help you refine your work as you respond to direction and the ensemble around you.
MATT HOLT
Matt brings the director’s perspective to the room. With vast experience as a comedy director, he’ll explore performance, rhythm, character relationships and the choices that make comedy work on screen. He’ll help you refine precise, detailed comedy while simultaneously keeping scenes fresh - encouraging performers to stay present and never ‘ask the laugh’.
Together, we aim to create a space where actors can experience both sides of the creative conversation: the actor’s process and the director’s eye. There will also be opportunities to ask industry questions and gain insight into working in TV from the perspective of actor and director.
SMALL GROUP
You’ll be working as part of a small, intimate ensemble, with substantial material, meaningful characters and real opportunities to experiment, develop and be directed. Everyone will have something to sink their teeth into, with space to play, take risks and contribute.
You’re not one of twenty actors waiting for your turn. You’re part of the process.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
This is for actors who:
Miss working alongside other actors and creating something together
Want to stop worrying about whether they're doing it right and get back to experimenting
Feel like they haven't had enough opportunities recently to simply act
Want more time to explore and develop a piece of material
Want to develop their skills in screen comedy
Enjoy experimentation, collaboration and play
Are looking for something more intensive and immersive than a traditional one-off workshop
Have previous actor training or professional experience
You don't need to consider yourself a “comedy actor”. You just need to be curious, collaborative and willing to play.
COME AND ACT
Not impress. Not network. Not pitch yourself. Not worry about your Spotlight profile. Not try to prove that you're good enough.
Just act. Work. Play. Experiment. Collaborate. Make choices. Get directed. Try again. And see what happens.
This isn’t an audition class. We’re not here to give you self-tape tricks or teach you how to “perform” an audition. We’re here to work on the thing underneath all of that: your craft.
Because when the craft gets stronger, everything else gets stronger too. Your choices become clearer. Your instincts become sharper. You become more connected, more responsive and more confident in the room - and that inevitably feeds into the way you approach acting opportunities.
COST
£220
This includes three 2-hour ensemble sessions (Mon, Weds, Fri) followed by a final presentation/recording of the work (Sat). 6-8pm GMT.
OCTOBER COURSE - week commencing October 12th
NOVEMBER COURSE - week commencing November 9th
READY TO BE IN THE ‘ZOOM WHERE IT HAPPENS’?
[REGISTER HERE BEFORE SEPTEMBER 25th]
Places are strictly limited and will be selected after registration closes.
*PLEASE NOTE* - this is not a class for beginners. Attendee’s will have previous actor training or professional experience.