No Drama School? No Problem!

The Yorkshire Academy of Film and Television Acting (YAFTA) takes a fresh look at training for the film and television industry. 

With traditional drama schools only just beginning to add screen acting training to their programmes, not having classical training is not a barrier to success on screen. In fact, alternative training can actually prepare you more effectively for working specifically in film and television.

So what options are there if drama school isn’t for you?

The first and best option is always to undertake some form of training with a professional acting academy. At YAFTA we offer both ongoing weekly classes and more intensive training over a period of months.

The YAFTA Acting for Screen Diploma is an 18 month course designed specifically for aspiring actors for whom drama school is not feasible. The course combines acting training; following the structured YAFTA syllabus up to advanced level, with industry skills; preparing students for auditioning and working as a professional actor. Diploma students graduate ready to work in the film and television industry, complete with headshots and showreel, and often begin working sooner. www.yafta.co.uk/yafta-diploma

Students in our weekly classes also follow a structured syllabus and train with the same top class tutors but at a slower pace as classes are for one hour once a week only. There are classes for all ages and ability levels, including complete beginners, across Yorkshire. Full details of classes can be found at www.yafta.co.uk

Whilst not a replacement for more extensive training, short courses can be a useful refresher or foundation for actors wanting to move into screen work. YAFTA’s six day Intensive courses include five days of in-depth acting and industry training followed by a casting masterclass with a top casting associate. Networking is also an important element of your life as an actor which is why YAFTA offers masterclass opportunities for both students and non-students. www.yafta.co.uk/yafta-intensive

The final thing you can do to help you get seen for screen work is making sure all your actor tools are up to date. This means headshots that look like you, not you three years ago! It also means creating a professional showreel without music or montages. Luckily YAFTA can help you out with both of these too! www.yafta.co.uk/headshots or www.yafta.co.uk/showreels

While some may say there is no substitute for ‘learning on the job’, the reality is that making film and television is an expensive business and productions aren’t going to take risks on unknown actors, no matter how talented you are. Therefore make yourself an attractive prospect with professional tools and proven experience and training.

YAFTA offers professional screen acting training for aspiring and working actors of all ages while the YAFTA Talent Agency represents child, teen and adult actors and disabled artists. Find out more at www.yafta.co.uk and www.yafta.tv