A 'dramatically' different holiday
Come and join us for a week of work and play at an “Actors’ Retreat” in the autumn of 2023.
You will be warmly welcomed.
Would you like to learn more about the professional acting world?
Would you like a safe and supportive environment in which to practise your craft?
Would you like to share a week with like-minded people in a lovely property in the beautiful Mizala valley in Andalucia?
Then this course is for you!
The dates for the next two courses are:
Saturday 14 to Saturday 21 October 2023
Saturday 4 to Saturday 11 November 2023
The cost per person is £485
I am taking advantage of Jack’s visit to make the following offer for anyone booked on the October or November retreats this year: you will have the option to film an original, specially written, short showreel scene for just £125 and to have a free headshot session (only pay if you want to purchase any of the photos). The location here in Spain is wonderful and we hope to be able to take advantage of this to shoot some really interesting scenes. He and I will be exploring future collaborations, looking at the possibility of running further courses in Spain which we hope will enable actors to learn more about the craft of screen acting as well as providing showreel footage for participants. We anticipate that future courses will also provide the opportunity for participation in a collaborative short film created during the week as part of the course.
If you would like to find out more, please contact me here and I will send you more details about the retreat and these bonus opportunities.
Please note that the cost does not include flights or transport to the property. We can arrange transfers from Almeria airport and an optional day trip to the local resort of Mojacar.
We will have a celebratory evening at the end of the course where participants will be encouraged to showcase their skills!
Jack Laurenson is an up-and-coming film director and screenwriter with a 15-year background in documentary photography and other mediums of storytelling. He spent three years living and working in Southeast Asia after graduating from the University of the Arts London with a degree in photojournalism. Jack's path has since led him to become an award-winning filmmaker and a recent graduate of the London Film Academy. Over the past five years, with the majority of his time spent in Ukraine, Jack has crafted compelling documentaries and two short narrative films, which are now starting to earn recognition on the festival circuit. He's now channeling his passion into further short films and documentaries while writing the screenplay for his debut feature film.
If you have any questions about any aspect of the holiday please contact me, Helen Grady, via the contact form here.
I will answer questions, send you more details and tell you how to book if you are interested.
"This was the MOST magical experience crammed with so many perfect moments, my heart is full. It’s you guys and what you are creating there, your warmth, generosity, kindness and knowledge. I so enjoyed acting with everyone and all the scenes and exercises… The industry information I have learned is invaluable and I now have lots to process and a crazy “to do” list."
"Helen is a person who you immediately warm to - her generosity, gentleness and great sense of humour. You feel safe and respected and encouraged during the workshop sessions. She also brings a great deal of experience and knowledge of the industry to the group. Amongst other things, it was great to learn more about life as a jobbing actor, the role of a casting director, the function of Spotlight, and self tape castings. It was so helpful to be able to practise self tapes, monologues and duologues in a safe space, with constructive criticism as well as praise and encouragement from Helen, and the group. Working up at the Cactus Patch villa in the mornings was an experience I'd not have missed for the world either! As working collectively, safely and having a lot of fun and giggles bonded us as a group I think."
"The hospitality was spectacular and you have such a warm and genuine presence as a teacher and mentor. There was something magical about working in the morning and then reconvening together as a group for “the main work” in the afternoon. The relationships we all formed would not have been the same without the labour on your property. You have a great insight into the industry which alone was worth the trip, but more than that, the experiences and knowledge shared amongst our group of like-minded, motivated artists was invaluable."
"I miss it sooo much!"