***HELP REALLY NEEDED!!!*** Teen Acting on Film Summer Programs!

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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Hello! I have returned again! Thanks everyone who have answered my past posts because they were incredibly long haha!
So as some of you know I’ve been trying to figure out what summer programs I can go to, and right now I’m trying to focus more on acting ones since there are no classes near me at all. I’m 16 so rising junior, and I absolutely know that this is what I want to do with my life but I really need quality rigorous training that isn’t juvenile or just “for fun”, because that comes along with it because I think performing is the most fun of course!

What I’m having a hard time looking for right now is summer programs that specialize or at least mainly include acting for the camera as well as just of course the fundamentals of acting. I’m really really incredibly interested in learning about Meisner. Of course I’d love for it to have great reviews (that’s the problem - I can’t find reviews for most of them!), and my main problem is it can’t be too long because of some health issues I have, or too expensive. Dream scenario it would be about two weeks, provides housing, and not be more than $2000ish. I know that’s crazy but that’s just what we’re shooting for. As long as it has recommendations or housing plans that’s okay too! The location isn’t too much of a problem but it would probably be best if it was either near Chicago, New York, or California since we could vacation any of those places.

I absolutely love places like Rutgers or Northwestern Cherubs, but they’re both too long and too expensive but that’s absolutely the work ethic I love!

I was looking at UCLA’s summer acting program, but I can’t find ANY reviews at all! Especially compared to other programs. There is a great program with US performing arts but the website looks kind of odd and the info hasnt been updated in years haha! The one on UCLA’s website has hardly any info so I wasn’t sure.

I found a conservatory program that’s 4 weceks with the Neighborhood Playhouse that sounds PERFECT for Meisner and everything, but it IS four weeks and no matter how much I’d love to do that, without housing I just don’t know logistically how I’d be able to do it since I’d need to be with my family.
I also love American Academy of Dramatic Arts Youth Summer Program (ACYA), but there’s no reviews either and absolutely NO housing plan at all!

I’ve looked at places like the Relativity School, AMDA for acting, Acting Studio of Chicago (but that’s not really a program), but there’s no reviews for any of them either. Plus I’d really really love staying overnight with a group of people like me at more of like an intensive program!

I’ve heard NYFA is a scam, Young Actors Camp might be too juvenile or a scam, and I’ve also heard SOCAPA might be a scam but it does look like it has great training and I did kind of like it. Only problem is you HAVE to pay $500 just to apply!

There are SO many acting on film programs for teens it is RIDICULOUS!!! I’ve gone through hundreds in New York and California and I just have to guess that most of them aren’t really good at all because there’s so many where they just say you come for a week and make a movie but I know they don’t actually like teach you anything of substance. So it’s incredibly hard to find one!

ANY help at all would be really amazing! Most of the film programs seem to not care when you sign up so the dates aren’t too much of a problem I just have done so much research for weeks and I’m just not getting anywhere at all. Thank you!!

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I posted in the Acting forum for you :slight_smile:

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I know it’s not in a big city, but have you considered OCU’s 2 week intensive - Acting for Stage and Screen? It sounds very much like what you are looking for. You have a demo reel of your work when you leave along with 2 weeks of fantastic training. Here is the link for more info: http://www.okcu.edu/music/performing-arts-academy/summer/acting-stage-and-screen/index The cost, including housing, is $2500 so close to what you were looking for. Some OCU Theatre graduates you may have seen include Gabriele Ruiz who currently stars in “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”, Kelsey Griswold who most recently played Dominque Brown in “American Crime Story - The People vs. OJ Simpson” and Lakshmi Manchu who has had recurring roles in shows such as “Desparate Houswives” and “Boston Legal”, Another OCU grad is Chris Harrison, host of ABC’s “The Bachelor”. I know it seems strange to go to Oklahoma to get great training, but I can’t say enough good things about the school, its summer programs for high school students and its college degree programs. Check out the camp link and see what you think!

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I wasn’t sure we could post links so here is the acting one http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Ranked–1-Acting-School-by-CBS—Now-enrolling-summer-programs.html?soid=1102107213218&aid=1U1P4QM_hTM

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@bisouu thank you SO much for actually responding haha!! its much appreciated! Ive actually never heard of that studio so thank you so much for the link I love it it sounds amazing!! the only problem is its an ongoing program for a few weeks but its not residential, and there’s no way I could stay in California for that many weeks without a program providing housing. but thanks for the info any way I really love the website!

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@vvnstar I actually hadnt really heard about that program so thank you SO much for the link! amd actually I dont know how I missed it because it sounds exactly like what I want!! it sounds INCREDIBLE!!! so really thank you SO so much for taking the time to respond!! I showed it to my family and they think it sounds amazing too, but they are a little skeptical because its in oklahoma, haha! they just havent realky heard that much about the program. Ive heard SO much about musical theatre, but I was wondering if you knew of any reviews specifically for the acting program in any way? it would definitely help in helping get my family to see what a great opportunity it would be! thank you again!!

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^^^One way to find out more (since there may not be written reviews online) is to contact the program and ask lots of questions. Also, ask if there are any former students whose contact information they can give to you as references about their experiences and then contact those families.

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@futureactress19 I mentioned some of OCUs recent acting graduates because their success is the best endorsement a program can be given. OCU has always had a very well respected MT program, and this relatively new stronger focus on the acting program has benefited all. MT students take acting classes in the school of theatre alongside BFA acting students. And there is a lot of crossover between the two programs. I understand that Oklahoma is not your first thought when thinking of how to get great acting training - but some of the best programs for acting and MT are nowhere near NY, LA or Chicago. Think Minnesota Guthrie for Acting or CCM or Michigan for MT. Going to school away from the bright lights of the big city can be a good thing. You might look at the OCU school forum and look at the threads about alumni to see where they are working. It may give you more evidence you need to see it is a strong program producing a lot of working performers. There are also some threads about the summer programs where you can read from others who have attended in the past or will be attending this year. I think particularly given the parameters of what you are looking for in a summer program, OCU would be a fantastic choice.

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Are you trying to find something for this summer? Have you looked into the New York Film Academy? Otherwise most college programs applications close January or February. You might try Penn State or Hart? Or maybe Temple in Philadelphia.

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@Ducky312 ya I did actually! everyone said it was a scam so far.

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@futureactress19. Is it a high caliber program? maybe not. Lots of international students. I know someone who attended a short program. They liked it. Did it move there career foreword? I’m not too sure. Good luck to you

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@Ducky312 Okay ya that’s about what I thought. Thanks so much for the info!