Adapt
Hone
Practise
Succeed
1-1 Audition Preparation
Is it for me?
I deliver one-to-one lessons giving acting coaching for auditions for both established actors and for those seeking to successfully apply to Drama School. The audition is your one short chance to really shine, to be memorable and to land the job. Believability is the most important thing, which comes from allowing yourself to play, to be and to not be affected by nerves. Being real is key to being castable - not presenting or over-acting, just being.
If you are a professional actor, you might want some lessons in order to increase the number of jobs that you land, to focus on a particular character for an important audition, to build a repertoire of audition speeches, to improve your sight-reading, or perhaps you just want advice on handling nerves - they happen to us all. The ultimate aim of a professional actor is to create real, believable characters which serve the play/writer/director. Listening, observing, improvisation and play will help make all of your characters different.
Alternatively, you may have a big audition coming up that you want some specific help preparing for - don't be afraid to get in touch! I can help you prepare in advance, and even meet with you on the day of the audition to steady your nerves before you go in and to give you every chance possible to land the role.
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Finally, if you suffer from dyslexia, please, get in touch! I have developed some amazing techniques for dealing with dyslexia myself, which have made all the difference to my own acting and voice-over work, as well as helping many other actors.
What will I learn?
Sight-reading is often something that we don’t get much chance to practise as actors - in fact, many of us only seem to do it in auditions. I can really work with you to improve your skills in this area. Working with improvisation and cold-reading will help you learn how to quickly create a life for your character and we will focus on such specifics as:
1) Breaking down a script and marking emotional changes
2) Understanding a character's choices, inner-actions, physical actions, script subtext, emotions, perceptions and motivations.
3) Just playing with the scene to find out what serves the piece and sounds and looks real.
If you are preparing for Drama School auditions, you might not have much experience of auditions - I can help you with audition technique as well as focusing in a really detailed way on improving your speeches. We will work together to give you an awareness of your overall posture and physical gestures, where your voice and singing range is currently, acting through song and how you engage a room.
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Whether you are an established actor or just starting out I firmly believe that having the ability to play is key to being a good actor. I use Laban and Meisner, as well as my own techniques to help build physicality, listening and reacting skills. I give detailed feedback and direction so that you are challenged to be thinking and working hard. Although learning a piece is important, looking at clues in the text can inform the character's make up and needs/weaknesses. Above all, I treat sessions like a rehearsal - and rehearsals are all about trying things out, making mistakes, playing, discovering new acting choices and exploring the text and characters.
Perhaps you are just worried about your Shakespeare pieces? Don’t worry, I have great experience teaching and performing Shakespeare and can really work alongside you to help you to get to grips with his fantastic language which holds so many acting clues.
Whatever you want to focus on, I can help you to be more believable, confident and to really shine in your auditions.
Remember, always be observant - watch how all those real-life characters around you walk, move, speak and gesture as they communicate with the world. Everything you see and experience will inform your acting and the choices which you can make. Have a look at some of Meisner’s teaching - relaxation and Meisner’s repetition exercises will really help your concentration and your ability to react. When learning and working on your speeches, remember these important questions: Who am I? What do I want? Why do I want it? How will I get it? What do I need to overcome? When is it? Your answers to these will effect your style and your acting choices.
What do I need to know?
If you're interested in one-to-one voice over training then the absolute best way to proceed is to get in touch with me by email so that we can arrange a quick Zoom chat to discuss your needs and devise a plan of action.
Sessions usually take place at The Voice Zone's studio in Walton-on-Thames in blocks of 2 hours. However, on some occasions it is possible to meet in Central London, particularly if you would like to meet before a specific audition (for an increased fee to cover room hire and/or travel expenses).
There is a small discount available for Spotlight members. Sessions are a minimum of 2 hours in length.
What do other actors think?
Matthew Bancroft
M & P Artist Management
"I was required to do a read through for a feature film in front of Casting Director Jeremy Zimmerman, Martha Fiennes and acting alongside a few very well known British actors using a convincing American accent. Peter knew exactly what to do. I got the belief in the character and how to relate it to myself. He helped me cultivate something that was very organic. He was also very helpful when it came to the day of the read-through, meeting me in central London and making me read aloud walking round the streets of London prior to casting."
Marietta Melrose
Louisa Spring Management (LA)
"Peter Warnock not only helped me get into a top drama school but he also gave me the confidence that I am talented enough to follow my dreams. He gave me the space to explore and find my own approach to a character but at the same time thanks to his incredible sense of good theatre Mr. Warnock took the best out of me and emphasized it. I cannot find words strong enough to express my gratitude so I will just say thank you!”