Acting FAQ – Screen Acting Classes with Paul Moore (Geelong & Melbourne)

Acting FAQ – Index

This acting FAQ hub answers the most common questions about acting classes in Geelong and Melbourne, audition preparation, agents, self-tapes, and building a professional acting career. Whether you’re a beginner actor or working professionally, explore detailed guides below.

• Acting Classes in Geelong
• Acting Classes in Melbourne
• Kids Acting (Film & Television)
• Teen Acting (Film & Television)
• Adult Acting (Film & Television)
• Online Acting Classes
• Beginner Actor Advice
• Kids & Teens Tips
• Online Course

• Self-Tape Masterclass
• Mastering the Craft
• Performance Psychology
• Indi Film Production

• Working With Acting Agents
• Audition Preparation
• Casting Director Insights
• Career Development
• Working on Set & Industry Behaviour

• Acting and Film Industry Glossary
• Filmmaking Glossary

• Training With Paul Moore

Acting Classes in Geelong FAQ

What makes your acting classes in Geelong different from other acting schools?

Most acting classes teach technique — but at Moore Acting Instinct in Geelong, we teach transformation. Actors don’t just learn how to perform; they learn how to understand themselves. Our approach blends on-camera training from day one with performance psychology, helping actors discover confidence, resilience, and emotional truth. This method was born from my own journey — years of panic attacks, self-doubt, and the fight to find my authentic presence. When I finally realised that the only way out was through, everything changed. That mindset — leaning into discomfort rather than avoiding it — is the foundation of every class at MAI.

Unlike traditional Geelong acting schools, we train actors across kids, teens, and adults the same way we prepare them for film and television: with honesty, curiosity, and instinct-based choices. Students work on camera every session, develop emotional connection, and practise the exact skills casting directors expect in Australia’s film and TV industry. If you want acting classes in Geelong that change the way you think, feel, and create — this is the place.

Do you offer acting classes for beginners in Geelong?

Absolutely. Beginners are the heart of my program. Some of the strongest actors I’ve trained in Geelong walked in with shaking hands, dry mouths, and no idea where to start — and within months, they were filming scenes, shooting commercials, auditioning for major projects, and even landing roles. Acting is not about talent; it’s about courage. Beginners are often the most powerful performers because they haven’t built layers of bad habits — they arrive open, curious, and ready to grow.

Our beginner acting classes in Geelong focus on building confidence, emotional clarity, and truthful connection. You’ll train on camera from your very first session, learning how to be present, grounded, and instinctive. Whether your goal is overcoming fear, stepping into film, or discovering a creative spark you didn’t know you had, beginners are always welcome. Every expert was once a beginner — the only difference is they took the first step.

Do you teach acting classes for children in Geelong?

Yes — kids acting classes are one of the most rewarding parts of Moore Acting Instinct. Children arrive with raw imagination, unfiltered honesty, and a natural instinct most adults spend years trying to get back. Kids don’t need to “learn” how to act — they simply need a safe, inspiring environment where they can channel their creativity into screen-ready performances.

Our kids film and television classes in Geelong focus on confidence, emotional awareness, teamwork, and on-camera performance. We help young actors understand how to listen, react, and trust their instincts — skills that go far beyond acting. Many parents tell us their child becomes more confident at school, more expressive at home, and more willing to speak up in class.

It’s not about creating child stars — it’s about helping kids grow into grounded, resilient humans who are not afraid to be themselves. And if they do end up on a TV screen someday… even better.

Do you offer acting classes for teenagers in Geelong?

Yes — and teens are often the most explosive, powerful performers we work with. Teenagers feel everything intensely: fear, excitement, frustration, curiosity, hope. At MAI, we help teens harness those emotions and channel them into truthful film and TV performances. Our teen acting classes in Geelong show young performers how to turn vulnerability into strength and insecurity into creative power.

Teens work on camera every session, learning how to connect truthfully, manage nerves, deliver lines naturally, and make instinct-driven choices that stand out to casting directors. This age is crucial — it’s when identity forms and confidence either grows or collapses. Our goal is to build young actors who know who they are, trust their voice, and step into any room with presence.

Teens who train at MAI have gone on to book commercials, short films, online series, and indie projects — but more importantly, they’ve learned to back themselves. That alone can change a life.

Do you offer adult acting classes in Geelong?

Yes — adults come to MAI for many reasons: creative expression, confidence building, personal transformation, or the dream of working in film and television. What they all discover is this: acting isn’t just about performing — it’s about reconnecting with parts of yourself you’ve forgotten.

Our adult acting classes in Geelong focus on performance psychology, emotional connection, on-camera skills, and instinct-driven choices. Many adults battle self-doubt or feel like they’re “too old” to start. But age is an advantage — maturity gives you emotional depth, life experience, and a level of truth younger actors haven’t lived yet.

Whether you want to heal, grow, express yourself, or pursue acting professionally, our classes give adults the tools to shine with authenticity and confidence.

What style of acting do you teach in your Geelong classes?

At Moore Acting Instinct, we teach instinct-based acting — a method shaped by performance psychology, emotional truth, and practical on-camera training. Rather than forcing actors into rigid technique, we help them unlearn tension, reconnect to their authentic self, and trust their impulses in real time.

This approach was influenced by my training at the Stella Adler Academy in Los Angeles, where I learned that confidence is not a personality trait — it’s a habit of stepping into the moment without hesitation. In the U.S., they don’t apologise for being good; they step forward and own it. That mindset became the core of MAI.

Our classes blend the best of Adler, Meisner, and instinctive screen training — allowing actors to perform with depth, ease, and emotional honesty. It’s a style that works beautifully for film and television, and it helps actors grow as humans, not just performers.

How does on-camera training work in your Geelong acting classes?

Every class at MAI is filmed — because the camera doesn’t lie. On-camera training shows actors what their body, voice, and emotions are really doing in the moment. This is essential for film and TV acting; it teaches awareness, subtlety, and presence in a way traditional stage training can’t.

In our Geelong acting classes, students perform scenes, monologues, improvisations, and exercises directly to camera. They learn how to hit marks, find light, stay grounded, and keep emotional truth alive while being filmed. Afterward, we review the footage together so actors can see their patterns and discover their strengths.

Film acting is about authenticity, not performance. When actors learn to work with the camera instead of fighting it, everything changes.

Can acting classes in Geelong help build confidence?

Absolutely — in fact, confidence is the core of everything we do. I created Moore Acting Instinct after battling years of panic attacks, anxiety, and self-doubt. I know what it’s like to freeze, to overthink, to feel overwhelmed by your own mind. Acting became my way out — not because it made fear disappear, but because it taught me to face it.

Our Geelong acting classes use performance psychology, emotional awareness, and discomfort training to help students develop real inner confidence. You learn how to breathe under pressure, stay present when nerves hit, and find truth in the moment. Many students arrive anxious, shy, or uncertain — and within weeks, their energy transforms.

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with; it’s built through action, awareness, and repetition. Acting just happens to be one of the fastest ways to build it.

Can I join your Geelong acting classes if I’ve never acted before?

Yes — beginners are my favourite people to train. When you’re new, your instincts are clean, honest, and unfiltered. You’re not trying to “look good”; you’re simply trying. That effort creates incredible performances.

Most beginners worry about being judged, not knowing what to do, or feeling out of place. But at MAI, everyone starts from the same place: curiosity. In your first session, we explore your emotional range, your presence, your ability to connect, and your natural instincts.

Within a short time, beginners learn how to work with a script, perform on camera, find emotional truth, and speak with presence. Many of my beginners have gone on to land commercials, TV roles, and film projects — not because they were perfect, but because they were willing.

If you’re drawn to acting, trust that instinct. It’s trying to tell you something.

Do your Geelong acting classes prepare students for film and television work?

Yes — everything we teach is designed specifically for film and TV. Our training includes:
• on-camera scene work
• script analysis
• audition preparation
• self-tape training
• emotional connection
• instinct-driven performance choices
• line delivery
• subtlety for screen
• improvisation
• industry expectations

Film acting requires stillness, truth, and connection — and students at MAI develop these skills every session. Actors also learn how to prepare for casting director briefs, self-tapes, call-backs, and on-set professionalism. My own experience acting on Winners & Losers, producing Rostered On (250+ million views), and directing Stashamo High gives students real insight into how the industry works.

You’re not just learning. You’re preparing for real opportunities.

Can your Geelong acting classes help me get an agent?

Yes — many students come to MAI specifically to prepare for agency representation. We help you build:
• a professional showreel
• a compelling bio
• high-quality headshots
• a polished self-tape
• a strong emotional foundation
• confidence on camera
• industry readiness

Agents want actors who are prepared, reliable, emotionally present, and easy to work with. Our training ensures you have everything an agent looks for. Many of my students have secured representation after building their materials through MAI’s structured training pathway.

When you’re ready, I guide you through the exact process of applying to reputable agents in Australia and beyond — including how to write to them, what to include, and how to follow up professionally.

Do students from your Geelong acting classes get real acting opportunities?

Yes — many have. Students from Moore Acting Instinct have gone on to land:
• TV commercials
• short films
• independent features
• online series
• corporate videos
• modelling campaigns
• theatre roles

Some have even appeared in major advertising campaigns and ongoing acting work. Why?
Because they train on camera, develop confidence, and understand how to give casting directors what they need: truth, connection, and presence.

When you become emotionally available and grounded on screen, roles happen naturally.

How long does it take to improve in your Geelong acting classes?

Improvement varies, but most students feel a shift within their first few sessions. Because we train on camera every time, progress is visible — you can literally SEE your transformation.

Within 4–6 weeks, actors usually develop:
• stronger presence
• deeper emotional connection
• improved confidence
• greater awareness
• clearer line delivery
• sharper instincts

Within 12 weeks, many students begin creating scenes, filming showreel material, and preparing audition-level performances.

Growth is not about speed — it’s about honesty. When you commit to the work, transformation follows.

Do you offer one-on-one coaching in Geelong?

Yes — one-on-one coaching is one of the most effective ways to accelerate growth. Private lessons allow us to focus on your specific needs:
• confidence
• emotional access
• on-camera presence
• line learning
• scene work
• audition preparation
• performance psychology

One-on-one coaching can fast-track your skill level dramatically, especially if you’re preparing for auditions, wanting to overcome fear, or aiming for professional acting opportunities.

Can I join acting classes in Geelong just to build confidence, not become an actor?

Absolutely — many people begin acting training simply to become more confident in everyday life. Acting teaches:
• emotional awareness
• communication skills
• presence
• leadership
• courage under pressure
• public speaking
• self-awareness

Confidence is built through repetition, vulnerability, and consistent exposure to discomfort. Acting gives you all three. Many of my students say acting classes have improved their work life, relationships, communication, and sense of self.

You don’t need to want a career in film or TV to benefit from acting. Acting is personal development disguised as performance.

What age groups do you teach in your Geelong acting classes?

I teach kids, teens, and adults — each group with its own unique emotional and psychological strengths.

Kids learn through play, curiosity, and imagination.
Teens learn through emotion, intensity, and identity.
Adults learn through awareness, resilience, and lived experience.

Everyone trains on camera, everyone explores emotional truth, and everyone learns the performance psychology that builds confidence.

Do you run acting workshops in Geelong?

Yes — we run workshops throughout the year that dive deep into:
• self-tapes
• audition technique
• screen presence
• improvisation
• emotional access
• performance confidence
• on-set skills

Workshops are fast, immersive, and perfect for actors who want to level up quickly.

How do I join your Geelong acting classes?

Joining is simple — reach out through the Moore Acting Instinct website (paulmoore.com.au), send a message, or contact me directly. Once we connect, I help you choose the right program based on your goals, age, and current level of experience.

Our classes fill fast because we keep group sizes small to ensure every actor gets personalised attention. If you’re reading this and feel even a small spark — follow it. That’s how all great journeys begin.

Where are your acting classes located in Geelong?

We operate from a dedicated studio space in Geelong, designed specifically for on-camera training. The environment is professional yet welcoming, allowing actors of all ages to explore, experiment, and grow in a space that encourages vulnerability and creativity. The studio is equipped for filming, lighting, and reviewing footage — the essential tools for screen acting development.

Why should I train with you instead of another Geelong acting school?

Because I don’t just teach acting — I teach people. My approach blends acting, psychology, resilience training, and creative instinct. I’ve lived through panic attacks, fear, self-doubt, and the long journey of rebuilding confidence from the ground up. I’ve acted on prime-time TV, produced viral content, and directed feature films — but my real gift is helping people discover the courage they didn’t know they had.

At MAI, you won’t just learn to act — you’ll learn how to understand yourself, express truthfully, and step into any moment with confidence. That’s what makes all the difference.

Acting Classes in Melbourne FAQ

Do you offer acting classesn Melbourne as well as Geelong?

Yes. While Moore Acting Instinct was born in Geelong, I also work with actors in Melbourne through targeted classes, workshops, and one-on-one coaching. Melbourne is one of Australia’s most vibrant film and television hubs, and it’s important for actors to have access to training that prepares them for that level of opportunity. I bring the same instinct-based, on-camera approach that we use in Geelong directly to Melbourne actors — focusing on truth, confidence, and performance psychology.

Rather than running endless weekly drop-in classes just to “fill a timetable”, my Melbourne acting sessions are intentional. They’re designed for actors who want to move, not just talk about it. Whether you’re a beginner wanting to start in film and TV, a working actor needing tune-ups, or a professional looking for performance coaching, my Melbourne acting training helps you build presence, sharpen instincts, and prepare for real-world casting.

You also have the option to combine Melbourne-based training with online coaching and Geelong studio sessions, so your development doesn’t depend on postcode. If you’re in Melbourne and serious about acting, there’s room for you.

Are your Melbourne acting classes suitable for complete beginners?

Absolutely. You don’t need credits, training, or “talent” to begin. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to show up honestly. Some of the strongest transformations I’ve seen have come from Melbourne actors who walked in with no experience at all — just a feeling that there might be more inside them than they’ve been allowing themselves to express.

In my beginner acting classes for Melbourne actors, we start with the fundamentals: presence, breath, emotional awareness, and listening. From there we move into on-camera work, simple scenes, improvisation, and performance psychology — the mental tools that help you manage nerves and anxiety. You’ll discover how to respond truthfully in the moment rather than “acting” on top of your feelings.

The aim isn’t to turn you into a perfect actor overnight. It’s to ignite your instincts, build your confidence, and show you that you have far more range, depth, and courage than you think. Whether you stay in acting or not, that experience will change you.

Do you run acting classes in Melbourne for kids and teens?

Yes. I work with kids and teens from Melbourne who are passionate about film and television, or who simply want to build confidence and self-belief. Young performers today are exposed to screens constantly — but very few are taught how to use those screens consciously. Our training helps kids and teens understand how to be natural, grounded, and emotionally truthful in front of the camera rather than trying to “perform for likes”.

For kids, we focus on imagination, play, listening, and simple on-camera exercises that build confidence and joy. For teens, we go deeper into identity, emotional truth, and storytelling — helping them navigate the intensity of adolescence in a healthy, creative way. Some will pursue agents and auditions; others will simply use the tools to find their voice, strengthen boundaries, and grow into more confident humans.

Whether you’re in Geelong or Melbourne, the intention is the same: create a safe, inspiring environment where young actors can explore who they are, not who they think they’re supposed to be

Do you offer adult acting classes in Melbourne?

Yes — and adults are a huge part of my work in Melbourne. Many adults come to acting later in life, after raising families, building careers, or surviving big personal challenges. They often arrive with powerful life experience but very little belief in their artistic potential. My job is to unlock that potential, not just for the industry, but for their own sense of self.

Adult acting classes and coaching in Melbourne focus on on-camera performance, emotional depth, and performance psychology. You learn how to step into a scene with clarity, breathe under pressure, and express honestly without overthinking. We also explore how to bring your real history and lived experience into the work — so the character feels grounded, not fabricated.

Some adults will want to pursue professional opportunities; others just want to reclaim courage, creativity, and confidence. Either way, acting becomes a vehicle for growth. It’s never “too late” — in fact, your age is your advantage.

Where do you teach acting in Melbourne?

I work with Melbourne actors through a mix of in-person workshops, pop-up intensives, and 1:1 coaching either in suitable studio spaces, quiet locations, or online for self-tape and performance coaching. Because my focus is quality over volume, I don’t run a big “factory-style” Melbourne acting school with dozens of overlapping classes. Instead, I create targeted training experiences designed to get results for serious students.

Actors from Melbourne also regularly travel to Geelong for studio-based training, filming, and showreel work. Many combine this with online sessions, which makes the journey easier and more flexible. My goal isn’t to lock you into a rigid schedule; it’s to build a pathway that works for your life while still pushing you to grow.

If you’re based in Melbourne and want to train, reach out. We’ll find the right structure for you — whether that’s workshops, private coaching, or a hybrid model.

What kind of acting do you focus on in your Melbourne classes — theatre or screen?

My primary focus is screen acting — film, television, commercials, online series, and self-tapes — because that’s where most modern opportunities lie, especially in Melbourne. Stage skills are valuable, but the camera demands a different level of truth, subtlety, and psychological presence. The training you receive with me is specifically designed to help you feel at home in front of a lens.

In Melbourne acting coaching sessions, we work on:
• screen auditions
• emotional truth
• listening and reaction
• line delivery
• self-tape excellence
• on-set mindset
• performance psychology

If you can act for the camera, you can easily expand into theatre. But the reverse isn’t always true. That’s why I build you from the lens outward: small, honest, grounded, and instinctive.

Can you help Melbourne actors prepare for casting director self-tapes?

Definitely. Self-tapes are now the primary audition format for actors in Melbourne and across Australia. A strong self-tape can change your career; a rushed, unprepared one can quietly close doors you never even knew were open. I work with actors to ensure their tapes are professional, emotionally alive, and casting-director ready.

We look at:
• framing and lighting
• eyeline and focus
• emotional arc
• pacing and beat changes
• instinct-driven choices
• truth instead of “showing off”
• what casting directors actually want to see

Whether you have a commercial brief, a TV drama scene, or a feature film audition, we break it down, rehearse it, and film it in a way that honours the story while showcasing your unique presence. For Melbourne actors who want to stand out in a self-tape-heavy industry, this training is essential.

Do you offer one-on-one acting coaching in Melbourne?

Yes. One-on-one coaching is one of the most powerful ways to move quickly, especially in a competitive city like Melbourne. In private sessions, we can focus directly on your goals: landing an agent, preparing for a specific audition, building a showreel, overcoming anxiety, or transitioning from theatre to screen.

Sessions can be in person (where practical) or online via high-quality video. Because screen acting is the focus, online coaching works incredibly well — it mirrors the real audition environment and teaches you how to connect through the camera, which is exactly what casting directors see.

If you’re serious about growth and want targeted feedback and structured development, 1:1 acting coaching in Melbourne (and online) can change the trajectory of your career.

Are your Melbourne acting classes right for someone returning to acting after a break?

Yes — and you’re not alone. Many actors in Melbourne step away from the craft for years — sometimes decades — due to work, family, health, or life changes. When they feel the pull to return, they often wrestle with doubt: “Is it too late? Have I missed my chance? Can I still do this?” My answer is simple: if the desire is still there, the door is still open.

Returning actors bring depth, life experience, and emotional weight that can’t be faked. My role is to help you reconnect with your instincts, rebuild your confidence, and recalibrate your instrument for the current industry. We’ll work on screen skills, mindset, and body awareness, while also addressing any fears or limiting beliefs that crept in during the break.

Acting isn’t about being the youngest or the most “in demand”. It’s about being truthful, courageous, and ready when the moment arrives. Your journey is still valid.

How are your acting classes in Melbourne different from big-name studios?

Large Melbourne acting schools often run big classes with rotating teachers, generic curriculum, and limited personal attention. That doesn’t make them bad — but it does mean some students slip through the cracks or stay stuck at the same level for years. My approach is different: intimate, intentional, and tailored.

Because I’m actively working as an actor, filmmaker, and coach, every exercise we do is grounded in real industry practice. You’re not just learning theory; you’re learning how the work actually functions on set, in audition rooms, and in self-tape scenarios. I also bring performance psychology and my own journey with anxiety into the process, helping you navigate the mental game in ways many schools don’t address.

You’re not another face in a roster. You’re a person with a story, and my goal is to help you tell it truthfully through the work.

Do you help Melbourne actors build showreels?

Yes. A strong showreel is often the bridge between “I’m training” and “I’m working”. I help actors create showreel scenes that feel cinematic, truthful, and specific to their casting type. We don’t just film generic clips; we design scenes that show the kind of roles you could realistically be cast in right now.

Showreel work can be done through:
• Geelong studio sessions
• Melbourne shoots where viable
• hybrid approaches
• repurposed self-tape material that’s strong enough to clip into your reel

As the executive producer and lead actor of Rostered On and the creator of Stashamo High, I know what directors and editors look for when they cast from footage. Our goal is to create something that feels like it came from a real project — not a “student scene” — so agents and casting directors can see you in context.

Can you help Melbourne actors get an agent?

Yes — I regularly help actors prepare for and approach agents in Melbourne, Sydney, and beyond. But I’m going to be honest: agents are not magicians. They are business partners. They want to sign actors who are professional, prepared, and emotionally reliable. Before we even send an email, we make sure you are agent-ready.

That means:
• strong headshots
• a compelling showreel
• consistent self-tape quality
• a clear sense of type and casting
• mindset resilience
• realistic expectations

Once those foundations are in place, I guide you step-by-step through the process of finding the right agents, contacting them, following up, and building a professional relationship. The goal isn’t just to “get signed”; it’s to become the kind of actor an agent is excited to work with.

Are your Melbourne acting classes suitable for people with anxiety or low confidence?

Yes — and in many ways, they’re designed for you. My entire approach to teaching acting grew out of my own history with panic attacks and performance anxiety. I know what it’s like to feel your heart racing, your throat tighten, and your mind spiral. I also know the freedom that comes from stepping through that fear instead of running from it.

In Melbourne acting coaching sessions, we work with anxiety, not against it. We use breath, body awareness, mindset tools, and gradual exposure to build confidence over time. You’re never thrown in the deep end without support, but you are invited to grow beyond what you think you can handle.

Acting is one of the fastest paths I’ve found to real confidence. Not the fake “pretend I’m okay” kind — the grounded, quiet knowing that you can handle whatever shows up in the moment.

How often should I train if I’m based in Melbourne?

Consistency beats intensity. For most Melbourne actors, I recommend:
• one solid coaching session or class per week
• plus personal practice (scripts, self-tapes, exercises)
• and regular exposure to real material (scenes, monologues, improvisations)

Some actors will train more frequently during intense periods (audition seasons, project preparation), then ease off slightly while filming or working. Others will maintain a steady rhythm year-round.

Because my training can be combined across Melbourne, Geelong, and online, you don’t have to be in the same physical studio every week to stay consistent. The question isn’t “How many hours do I train?” It’s “How consistently do I show up for my growth?”

Do you offer corporate or confidence-building acting workshops in Melbourne?

Yes — I sometimes work with professionals, leaders, and teams in Melbourne who want to build presence, communication skills, and on-camera confidence for presentations, video content, and public speaking. Acting training is one of the most effective ways to increase performance under pressure.

These workshops focus on:
• body language
• voice control
• emotional clarity
• storytelling
• overcoming fear of being seen
• improvisation under pressure

You don’t have to call yourself an “actor” to benefit from acting tools. Many business leaders and professionals have used this training to become more authentic, engaging, and resilient in front of audiences and cameras.

Do Melbourne actors travel to Geelong to train with you?

Yes — frequently. Geelong is just a short trip from Melbourne, and many actors choose to travel to MAI for deeper work, studio sessions, filming, and workshops. The change of environment can be powerful — stepping out of the Melbourne rush and into a focused creative space where the only goal is your growth.

Some actors split their training: private online coaching during the week, then occasional in-person intensives or filming days in Geelong. This hybrid model works well for those juggling jobs, study, or family commitments while still wanting serious training.

If you’re committed, the distance stops being an obstacle and becomes part of the journey.

Is there a difference between how you teach Melbourne actors and Geelong actors?

The core philosophy is the same everywhere: instinct, truth, and performance psychology. I teach people, not postcodes. That said, Melbourne actors sometimes face additional industry pressures — more competition, more hype, more noise. Part of the work there is helping you stay grounded in who you are, rather than getting swept into comparison and imposter syndrome.

In both Geelong and Melbourne, I focus on building emotional intelligence, camera skills, and real-world readiness. The difference lies more in logistics than in content. Whether you’re from Geelong, Melbourne, or anywhere else, the work is about courage, honesty, and consistent practice.

Do I have to be “talented” to join your Melbourne acting classes?

No. Talent is wildly overrated. What matters is willingness: to show up, to be honest, to try, to fail, to learn, to repeat. I’ve seen “naturally talented” people do very little with their gift because they never developed resilience. I’ve also seen people who thought they had no talent at all grow into compelling, working actors simply because they refused to quit.

In my Melbourne acting coaching, I’m not looking for perfection. I’m looking for hunger, curiosity, and heart. The rest we can build together. If you feel a pull towards acting — that tiny whisper saying “Maybe this is for me” — that’s enough.

Can I train with you in Melbourne if I live outside the city?

Yes. Many actors travel in from regional Victoria or interstate and combine in-person intensives with ongoing online coaching. We can structure your training so that you get maximum value from the time you’re physically in Melbourne or Geelong, then maintain momentum remotely.

The industry has changed — self-tapes and online casting mean you no longer have to live in the city full-time to be in the game. What you do need is skill, confidence, and a clear, honest presence on camera. That’s what we build, regardless of your postcode.

How do I get started with acting training in Melbourne?

Start by reaching out — through my website, social media, or email. Tell me a bit about who you are, where you’re based, and what you’d love to explore. From there, we’ll decide together whether private coaching, workshops, or a hybrid model is the best fit.

You don’t need the perfect plan; you just need the first step. Acting is not reserved for “special” people. It’s for anyone willing to step into the unknown, feel everything, and keep breathing. If that sounds like you — or the version of you you’d like to become — then you’re ready.

Kids Acting FAQ (Film & Television)

What makes your kids acting classes in Geelong and Melbourne different from other programs?

Most kids acting classes teach lines, energy, and “performing”, but children don’t need more performance — they need more truth. At Moore Acting Instinct, our kids acting classes in Geelong and Melbourne are rooted in emotional awareness, confidence building, and natural on-camera presence. We don’t teach kids to “act”; we teach them to be real in front of a camera. Children are naturally instinctive — they feel, respond, and imagine without the adult layers of self-doubt. My job is to protect that instinct, not crush it.

Kids work on camera from day one, learning to listen, react, and trust their emotional impulses. We explore imagination-based exercises, storytelling, and scene work that encourages curiosity rather than pressure. Many parents tell me that their child becomes more confident at school, more expressive at home, and more willing to try new things after joining our classes.

The training is grounded, gentle, but powerfully effective. Kids develop emotional intelligence, communication skills, and resilience — qualities that help them in life, not just acting. Whether they dream of being on TV or simply want a confidence boost, our kids acting classes teach them the courage to show up as themselves.

Is my child too shy for acting classes?

Shyness is not a weakness — it’s a starting point. Some of the strongest young actors I’ve ever trained began incredibly shy. They entered the room quietly, avoided eye contact, and barely spoke. But shyness is simply sensitivity turned inward. When given a safe space, supportive coaching, and gentle challenges, shy children can blossom into expressive, confident performers.

In our kids acting classes in Geelong and Melbourne, we teach children how to feel safe being seen. We focus on emotional awareness, breath, expression, and connection — small steps that build genuine confidence. Kids discover that acting isn’t about being loud or “outgoing”; it’s about honesty. A shy child often becomes a deeply truthful actor because they feel things intensely and observe the world carefully.

Parents regularly tell me: “I can’t believe the difference. My child speaks up more, smiles more, and seems more relaxed socially.”
Shyness is not something to fix — it’s something to nurture. Acting just gives them a pathway to do that.

What age can children start acting classes?

Children can begin acting classes as early as 6 years old, but every child develops differently. At Moore Acting Instinct, we focus on readiness rather than age. If your child is curious, imaginative, expressive, or even just quietly observant, they’re most likely ready. Some kids step into class confidently; others take a few weeks to warm up — both are perfectly normal.

Our kids acting classes in Geelong and Melbourne are grouped by age and developmental stage, so younger children don’t feel overwhelmed and older kids don’t feel held back. The goal isn’t to turn them into professional actors at 7 years old — it’s to introduce them to a safe, inspiring creative environment where they can explore imagination, storytelling, and emotional awareness.

By the time children reach 9–12 years old, they begin to understand character, intention, and story structure, making this a great window for more advanced skills. If your child shows creativity, watches films closely, imitates characters, or is naturally expressive, acting may be the exact outlet they need.

Do you teach film and TV acting to kids?

Yes — our kids acting program is specifically designed for film and television. While many acting schools focus on theatre-style training, we prepare young performers for screen work from the very beginning. Kids learn how to act truthfully on camera, respond naturally, and understand the emotional subtlety required for TV and film.

In our kids film acting classes, your child learns:
• how to perform for the camera
• how to listen and react truthfully
• how to build emotional awareness
• how to use imagination for character work
• how to connect with their scene partner
• how to feel confident in front of a lens

Screen acting helps children develop mindfulness, presence, and communication skills. They also gain early exposure to the skills casting directors look for when considering young actors.

What if my child has never acted before?

Perfect — we don’t need experience; we need openness. Kids who have never acted often bring the most truth to the work because they haven’t developed self-conscious patterns yet. They simply explore. They imagine. They respond. They create authentically without trying to “perform”.

In beginner kids acting classes, we focus on:
• imagination games
• character play
• emotional expression
• storytelling
• connection
• on-camera exercises

Every child receives supportive guidance, gentle structure, and space to grow at their own pace. If acting becomes a passion, great. If not, they still walk away with more confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence — skills far more important than memorising lines.

Will my child be on camera during classes?

Yes — but in a safe, encouraging, pressure-free way. On-camera work is the foundation of our program. Kids learn how to feel comfortable on screen by experiencing it gradually and playfully. They begin with simple improvised moments, then move to scenes, reactions, emotions, and character work.

The camera teaches children:
• focus
• stillness
• awareness
• expression
• courage
• emotional clarity

When children can stay calm, honest, and present in front of a lens — they can do it anywhere.

Parents often tell me that after on-camera training, their child becomes less nervous during school presentations, more confident socially, and more at ease being seen.

My child has anxiety. Will acting classes help or overwhelm them?

Acting is one of the best tools in the world for children with anxiety. I say this from lived experience — I battled panic attacks for years. I know what it feels like for your body to go into panic over nothing. That’s why my method focuses on emotional safety, understanding, and gradual confidence building.

In our kids acting classes in Geelong and Melbourne, anxious children learn:
• how to breathe through nerves
• how to stay present
• how to express emotions safely
• how to turn fear into focus
• how to trust themselves
• how to handle pressure gently

We move slowly, with support, and never force a child into something they’re not ready for. Anxiety isn’t the enemy — avoidance is. With the right tools, your child will feel stronger, calmer, and more capable in everyday life.

Will acting classes help my child build confidence?

Absolutely. Confidence grows from consistent exposure to manageable challenges. Acting gives kids safe, structured opportunities to express themselves, take risks, and explore emotions — all with guidance and encouragement.

Kids who train with us become:
• more articulate
• more resilient
• more expressive
• more self-aware
• more willing to try new things
• more comfortable being seen

Confidence is not something kids are born with; it’s something they practise. And acting is one of the most effective confidence-building tools available — especially when the teaching is rooted in psychology, empathy, and instinct like it is at MAI.

Will my child learn how to audition for film and TV?

Yes — if they want to. Some kids join for confidence and creativity; others genuinely want to pursue acting as a profession. For kids who want to audition, we teach:
• how to self-tape
• how to deliver lines naturally
• how to take direction
• how to respond truthfully
• how to manage nerves
• how casting really works
• how to stay grounded under pressure

With Australia’s booming film and TV industry (and especially Melbourne’s casting scene), young actors with solid on-camera training have a real advantage.

Do you help kids get acting agents?

Yes — but only when the child is ready emotionally and skill-wise. Getting an agent too early can put unnecessary pressure on a child. My focus is on building confidence, truth, and skill first. Once a child shows readiness, consistency, curiosity, and genuine excitement — then we begin preparing materials.

We help with:
• headshots
• showreel scenes
• self-tape examples
• agency submissions
• understanding the industry
• parent expectations

Agents want kids who are grounded, expressive, reliable, and emotionally aware. We prepare them for exactly that.

What if my child loses interest?

That’s totally normal. Kids try things. They shift. They explore. Acting isn’t something to force. Many kids take a break, then return later because something inside them remembers how good it felt to be expressive.

Kids evolve, and acting training grows with them. If your child pauses and later wants to return — they can always come back stronger and more self-aware.

Will my child learn public speaking through acting?

Yes — naturally and organically. On-camera acting teaches:
• presence
• projection
• clarity
• listening
• storytelling
• emotional grounding

Kids who train in acting often excel at school presentations, speeches, and social situations. They learn how to stay calm under pressure, how to speak with intention, and how to connect with an audience.

Acting is public speaking with imagination layered on top.

How does acting help with emotional intelligence?

Acting is emotional education. Kids learn to:
• identify their feelings
• name emotions
• express safely
• read facial cues
• listen to tone
• recognise tension
• build empathy

In a world dominated by screens, emotional awareness is becoming rare. Acting brings children back into connection with themselves and others. It teaches them to understand what they feel — and why — giving them tools many adults were never taught.

How do you keep kids safe emotionally in your acting classes?

Emotional safety is non-negotiable. Kids are never pushed into emotional experiences they’re not ready for. We use gentle exercises, clear boundaries, and positive guidance. Every session includes grounding, breath work, and reflective practices so children never leave overwhelmed.

I battled my own emotional struggles for years — panic attacks, fear, and self-doubt. I know how fragile young minds can be. Our method teaches emotional strength without pressure, fear, or force.

Do you teach kids how to read scripts?

Yes — once they’re ready. Script work begins with:
• understanding character
• breaking down intention
• exploring emotional stakes
• learning natural delivery
• listening and reacting

Kids learn that a script is not about memorising lines — it’s about connecting truthfully to the story.

Do you run kids acting workshops in Melbourne?

Yes — throughout the year. Workshops include acting fundamentals, on-camera skills, confidence-building, improvisation, and film-specific techniques. They’re fast-paced, fun, and deeply supportive.

Can acting classes help improve my child’s behaviour or focus?

Often, yes. Acting encourages emotional regulation, discipline, empathy, and listening — qualities that improve behaviour at home and at school. Kids with ADHD or high sensitivity often thrive because acting channels their energy and curiosity into something meaningful.

Do you film scenes with kids for showreels?

Yes — we film age-appropriate, gentle showreel scenes that highlight natural performance, emotional truth, and personality. Parents love the final result because it captures their child’s authenticity rather than forcing a performance.

Does my child need professional headshots?

Not at first. Natural photos are fine for beginners. If they choose to pursue representation or auditions, then we’ll guide you through booking professional headshots with photographers who understand children.

How do I enrol my child in kids acting classes?

Simple — visit paulmoore.com.au, send an enquiry, or reach out directly. Once I understand your child’s goals, personality, and needs, we’ll determine whether ongoing classes, confidence-focused training, or film-based coaching is the right path.

Acting isn’t about creating young stars — it’s about helping young humans grow.

Teen Acting FAQ (Film & Television)

Do you offer acting classes specifically for teenagers?

Yes. Teens are a huge part of what I do. I offer acting classes specifically designed for teenagers in Geelong, and I work with teen actors from Melbourne and across Australia through workshops and online coaching. Teenagers sit at an incredible crossroads: they feel everything intensely, they’re building their identity, and they’re craving spaces where they can be fully themselves. Acting gives them that space.

Teen acting classes at Moore Acting Instinct focus on film and television performance, emotional truth, and confidence. Teens train on camera, explore scenes, improvise, and learn how to channel their real emotions into story instead of bottling them up. We talk honestly about nerves, self-doubt, perfectionism, and the pressure of social media.

These classes are not about “creating young stars” — they’re about helping young humans develop resilience, confidence, and self-awareness, whether they pursue acting professionally or simply use the skills in life. When teens realise they don’t have to hide who they are to be powerful, everything changes.

What makes your teen acting classes different from other programs?

Most teen acting classes focus on performance — energy, lines, and “being dramatic.” At Moore Acting Instinct, we focus on truth. Teenagers are already dramatic; they don’t need more drama. They need tools to understand what they feel and how to express it in a healthy, creative way.

Our teen acting program blends film and TV training with performance psychology. Teens learn how to manage nerves, handle rejection, breathe through anxiety, and trust their instincts. They work on camera every session, learning how to act for close-ups, self-tapes, and auditions. They also learn how the industry works — agents, casting directors, showreels, and the reality behind “overnight success.”

The difference is simple: I see teens as emerging adults with serious emotional lives, not just kids to keep entertained. I teach them with the respect and honesty they deserve, and I give them tools they’ll use long after class ends.

My teenager struggles with anxiety and self-esteem. Will acting help or make it worse?

Handled carelessly, acting can overwhelm sensitive teens. Handled with care, it can be life-changing. I know anxiety from the inside — panic attacks nearly ran my life for years. That’s why my teaching method is rooted in understanding, not pressure.

In teen acting classes, we don’t force vulnerability; we invite it gently. Teens learn how to breathe under pressure, recognise their emotional patterns, and speak their truth in front of others. They discover that fear doesn’t mean “stop” — it means “you’re stepping into something that matters.”

Acting becomes a safe lab where they can explore fear, shame, anger, joy, and excitement without being judged. As their skills grow, so does their self-esteem. Many parents tell me their teenagers become calmer, more expressive, more confident, and more willing to participate in life after training. Acting doesn’t fix everything, but it gives them real tools to face themselves — and that’s rare.

Are your teen acting classes suitable for complete beginners?

Absolutely. Many teens start with zero experience — just curiosity. Some come because they love movies and want to understand how acting works. Others come because they’re shy and want to build confidence. Some are pushed by parents, and only later discover they actually like it.

In beginner teen acting classes, we start with the basics:
• listening and reacting
• simple on-camera work
• improvisation
• emotional truth
• script fundamentals

We move at a pace that feels challenging but safe. Nobody is expected to be “good” right away. The real win is when a teenager shows up honestly — even if they’re nervous. Skill follows courage.

Do you work with teens who already have some acting experience?

Yes. I love working with teens who are already on the path — whether they’ve done school plays, drama classes, student films, or even professional work. For experienced teen actors, we focus on:
• deepening emotional range
• strengthening screen craft
• refining self-tape technique
• building showreel material
• preparing for agents and auditions
• performance psychology under pressure

The industry can be harsh. Teens need a mentor who understands both the craft and the mental game. My role is to help them grow as artists and as humans — grounded, strong, and ready.

Do you help teen actors with self-tapes and auditions?

Yes — this is a big part of my work. Self-tapes are the new audition room, especially for teenagers. If a teen can nail a self-tape, they can reach casting directors in Melbourne, Sydney, and beyond from any location.

We work on:
• breaking down audition sides
• making bold but truthful choices
• using eyeline, frame, and space
• listening and reacting instead of “performing”
• creating emotional arcs in short scenes
• filming high-quality self-tapes at home

I also coach teens on the mindset side: dealing with rejection, handling “no response,” and staying in the game long-term. The goal is not just to send tapes — it’s to send tapes they’re proud of, regardless of outcome.

Can teen acting classes help with school performance and public speaking?

Definitely. Acting classes are like a gym for communication, emotional intelligence, and presence. Teens who train consistently often:
• speak more confidently in class
• feel less fear around oral presentations
• handle group work better
• become better listeners
• express themselves more clearly
• read social situations more accurately

Acting trains the same muscles needed for leadership, relationships, and adulthood. Even if your teen never steps on a set, the skills transfer everywhere.

Do you offer teen acting workshops in Melbourne and Geelong?

Yes. I run teen acting workshops in Geelong, and periodically in Melbourne, focused on film and TV performance, self-tapes, audition prep, and confidence. These workshops are intensive bursts of growth — ideal for teens who want to dive deep quickly or top up their skills between regular sessions.

We cover:
• on-camera scenes
• improvisation
• emotional connection
• industry insight
• performance psychology
• mindset tools

Workshops often become turning points — where a teen realises, “I can actually do this.”

How do you handle competition and comparison between teens?

The acting industry can easily foster comparison and insecurity. I deliberately cultivate the opposite. In my teen acting classes, we treat the room as a team, not a competition. Each actor is encouraged to support others, celebrate their wins, and learn from each other’s breakthroughs.

We talk openly about comparison, social media pressure, and self-worth. Teens learn that another actor’s success doesn’t diminish them — it proves what’s possible. They also come to understand that they’re not in competition for the same roles as everyone; they’re uniquely castable in their own lane.

When teens feel safe and supported, they take bigger creative risks — and that’s when their work really starts to shine.

Do you help teens understand how the acting industry actually works?

Yes. I believe in demystifying the industry, especially for young actors. There’s a lot of misinformation out there — people promising instant fame, paid “auditions,” or overpriced opportunities. I’m honest about the realities: the grind, the rejection, the slow build, and the joy of real progress.

Teens learn:
• what agents do (and don’t do)
• what casting directors look for
• how TV and film sets actually function
• the difference between real opportunities and scams
• how long it really takes to build a career
• how to stay mentally and emotionally healthy along the way

An informed teen — and parent — is far less likely to be exploited.

Is your teen acting training focused more on theatre or screen?

My training is screen-focused: film, TV, commercials, online series, and self-tapes. Theatre skills are valuable, but the camera is where most modern opportunities exist — especially for teens. Screen acting teaches subtlety, presence, and emotional truth in close-up.

Teens learn:
• how to work within frame
• how to act with their eyes
• how to do less and mean more
• how to ground their energy for camera

Once they grasp that, transitioning into theatre is much easier than the other way around.

Can teen actors from outside Geelong and Melbourne work with you?

Yes. Many teens from regional Victoria and interstate work with me online. We use video sessions for:
• scene coaching
• self-tape prep
• performance psychology
• confidence-building

Because auditions are now often online, this training mirrors the environment they’ll actually be using. For major showreel or workshop opportunities, they sometimes travel in to Geelong or Melbourne for intensives.

Distance is no longer the barrier it once was. Commitment is what counts.

How do you keep teen actors emotionally safe in heavier scenes?

Teen actors are capable of incredible emotional work — but they must be guided carefully. I never throw young performers into trauma-heavy material without preparation and support. We always start by building emotional literacy: helping them understand their own feelings, boundaries, and triggers.

For deeper scenes, we:
• create clear separation between actor and character
• focus on breath and grounding
• use structured warm-ups and cool-downs
• reflect after emotional work
• never mine their real trauma for “better acting”

The goal is emotional artistry, not emotional harm. Acting should strengthen teens, not break them.

Do you work with teens who want to get into drama school or performing arts courses?

Yes. I help teenagers prepare for drama school auditions, performing arts high schools, and tertiary acting courses. We choose audition pieces that fit their age, experience, and emotional range, then work intensively on performance, specificity, and presence.

We also discuss:
• audition mindset
• how to handle nerves
• what panels look for
• how to stand out authentically
• how to adjust quickly to direction

Preparing for drama school is about more than a good monologue — it’s about showing who you are as an artist and human.

Does my teen need to be “confident” to start acting classes?

No. Many teenagers join precisely because they aren’t confident. They feel awkward, invisible, anxious, or trapped in their own head. Acting gives them structured ways to practice being seen, heard, and felt.

Teen acting training at MAI is like a gym for courage. They learn to:
• speak up
• take space
• hold eye contact
• express emotion
• say “yes” to challenges

Confidence doesn’t appear overnight — it’s built through hundreds of tiny moments of bravery. Acting provides those moments.

Do you film teen scenes for showreels?

Yes. When they’re ready, we film age-appropriate showreel scenes that showcase their natural screen presence, emotional range, and casting type. These scenes can be used for agents, casting websites, or school applications.

I approach showreels with a filmmaker’s eye — drawing on my experience producing Rostered On and creating Stashamo High. The goal is to capture something that feels like it belongs in a real project, not a classroom.

How do you help teens deal with rejection?

We talk about it up front. Rejection is not a glitch in the system; it is the system. Even the most successful actors lose far more roles than they win. I teach teens that auditions are not pass/fail tests — they’re opportunities to practise their craft in front of professionals.

We reframe:
• “I didn’t get it” into “I got experience.”
• “They didn’t want me” into “They were looking for something different this time.”
• “I failed” into “I’m still in the game.”

When teens understand that rejection is data, not a verdict on their worth, they become far more resilient — both in acting and life.

Can acting training help teens with social media confidence and online presence?

Yes. Acting teaches teens how to be intentional with how they present themselves on camera — which is directly linked to how they show up on social media. They learn:
• how to speak clearly on video
• how to stay grounded when being seen
• how to express themselves authentically
• how to notice when they’re performing for approval rather than connection

This makes them less vulnerable to the pressures of likes, views, and comparison. When a teen knows who they are, they’re much harder to shake.

Is there a risk of acting making my teen “too dramatic”?

Teens are already dramatic — acting doesn’t create that. What it can do, when taught well, is give them tools to channel their emotional intensity into craft instead of chaos. We emphasise discipline, respect, empathy, and responsibility alongside creative expression.

Teens learn that acting is not about attention-seeking; it’s about storytelling in service of something bigger than themselves. When they understand that, much of the “drama” softens, and what remains is passion.

How can my teen get started with your acting program?

The first step is simple: reach out. Tell me a bit about your teenager — their age, experience (if any), challenges, and dreams. From there, we’ll decide together whether ongoing classes, one-on-one coaching, or workshops are the best fit.

Your teen doesn’t need to know exactly what they want yet. They just need a chance to explore. Acting gives them that chance — to find their courage, their voice, and their place in the story.

Adult Acting FAQs (Film & TV, Confidence, Career)

Am I too old to start acting as an adult?

Absolutely not. In fact, adults often make the best actors because they’ve lived, felt, and experienced real life. The Australian film and TV industry needs mature-age actors — casting directors constantly look for real people with real emotional depth, especially ages 30–65. If you’re based in Geelong or Melbourne and thinking about starting adult acting classes, you are not behind — you’re right on time.

At Moore Acting Instinct, I’ve trained adults in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, even 60s — many of whom booked their first commercials or screen roles within months. Adults bring nuance, instinct, lived pain, fear, joy, and truth — things young actors have to work hard to fake.

Age is not a barrier; it’s a superpower.

The only people “too old” are the people who never start. Acting is not about age — it’s about honesty. If you can tell the truth, you can act.

I’ve never acted before. Can I still join adult acting classes?

Yes. In fact, most adults who join my film and TV acting classes in Geelong or Melbourne are complete beginners. They often say things like:

“I’ve always wanted to act.”
“I never had the confidence.”
“I didn’t get the chance when I was younger.”
“I’m starting fresh.”

These adults become some of the most powerful actors in the room because they’re hungry to learn. Beginners don’t have bad habits — they have curiosity. And that’s the greatest asset.

We start with:
• on-camera confidence
• truth-based performance
• emotional connection
• breathing and grounding
• scene work
• improvisation
• self-taping techniques

You don’t need talent. You need willingness. Let me turn that into skill.

What can adult acting classes help me with outside of acting?

Acting training is one of the most transformative personal development tools for adults. I’ve coached CEOs, teachers, tradies, psychologists, parents, and professionals who didn’t want to become actors — they wanted confidence.

Adult acting classes help you:
• speak with more presence
• overcome fear of being seen
• reduce anxiety
• build emotional awareness
• communicate clearly
• break old patterns
• rebuild confidence after setbacks
• grow in self-belief
• reconnect with your creativity

Many adults say acting made them feel alive again. It reconnects you to the part of yourself you lost somewhere along the way — curiosity, playfulness, courage, truth. And that can change your entire life.

I have anxiety. Can adults with anxiety do acting classes?

Yes — and in many cases, they become the best actors. I say that from lived experience: anxiety nearly ran my life. Panic attacks. Racing thoughts. Feeling like I wasn’t enough. It’s why I created Moore Acting Instinct.

In adult acting classes, we don’t run from anxiety — we work with it. We explore breath work, grounding, emotional release, nervous system awareness, and performance psychology techniques I developed after years of fighting my own panic. Adults learn that fear isn’t the enemy; avoidance is. When you confront fear in a safe space, it loses its power.

Acting becomes therapy without the label. You learn to stay present under pressure — a skill that transforms auditions and life.

Will I be on camera in adult acting classes?

Yes. From day one. Acting for film and TV is all about truth in front of a camera. Many adults fear being recorded because they’re afraid of being judged, not good enough, or “awkward.” But filming you safely, gently, and consistently rewires that fear.

You learn:
• how to look authentic on camera
• how to work in close-up
• how to act through the eyes
• how to stay grounded
• how to express truthfully
• how to break out of stiffness

The more you’re on camera, the more freedom you feel in real life.

Do adults need to memorise lines for class?

Not at first. We focus on truth, emotional connection, and presence before worrying about lines. When you’re comfortable on camera, memorisation becomes easier. Once you train instinct, the words come naturally.

Later, yes — we practise memorisation techniques, scene work, and performance psychology tools for line retention. You’ll learn to take in dialogue quickly and deliver it truthfully.

What’s the difference between your adult acting classes and theatre acting classes?

Theatre teaches projection, energy, and big expression. Film acting teaches truth, stillness, and emotional detail. My program is built for screen acting — the medium where most adult opportunities exist.

Film and TV require:
• subtlety
• presence
• emotional honesty
• grounded delivery
• internal life

We focus on close-up work, self-tapes, auditions, and the psychology behind screen performance. You learn how to “do less but mean more,” which is the heart of great film acting.

Can adults get acting roles without an agent?

However, once you build momentum, I help you find an agent suited to your casting type. Adults often skip ahead quickly once they have strong self-tapes and showreel scenes — because they bring grounded emotional life.

Your age is not a barrier; it’s a strength.

Can adult acting classes help me become more confident at work?

Absolutely. Acting is confidence training disguised as creativity. When adults learn to breathe, speak, express emotion, and stay grounded under pressure, everything changes at work:
• public speaking becomes easier
• presentations feel calmer
• leadership becomes clearer
• communication improves
• fear reduces

Professionals regularly tell me that acting training improved their career more than any business course.

How do adult acting classes help with emotional expression?

Most adults have spent years shutting down emotions — for work, for relationships, for survival. Acting helps you safely reopen that emotional range.

We explore:
• micro-expressions
• breath connection
• emotional memory
• psychological realism
• vulnerability training
• letting go of tension

Adults often say they feel more alive after class. Acting reconnects you to yourself.

Do you offer one-on-one adult acting coaching?

Yes. I offer private coaching for adults who want personalised sessions for:
• auditions
• self-tapes
• screen acting technique
• emotional confidence
• personal development
• performance psychology

Many adults prefer one-on-one because it allows deeper, faster growth.

How long does it take for adults to get good at acting?

Depends on the person. Some adults grow rapidly because they’re open, humble, and willing to fail. Others take time because they’ve spent years hiding their emotions.

But here’s the truth: acting isn’t about “getting good.” It’s about becoming real. When you stop performing and start telling the truth — that’s when everything changes.

Most adults see big shifts within 6–12 weeks.

Can adults book paid acting roles quickly?

Yes — many of my adult beginners have booked paid roles within months. Why?

Because:
• adults are easier to cast
• there’s huge demand for real faces
• life experience gives emotional depth
• casting directors prefer authentic adults

Commercials, brand campaigns, online content, and TV roles constantly need adults who look real — not polished models.

If you’re committed, opportunities will come.

What if I feel awkward or “not good enough” to act?

Every adult feels this at first. Self-doubt is universal. It doesn’t mean you can’t act — it means you’re normal.

Awkwardness disappears when truth begins. You’ll learn how to:
• let go of perfectionism
• release tension
• breathe into presence
• trust your instincts
• connect emotionally

The moment you stop trying to be “good,” you become great.

I want to be an actor but I don’t know where to start. Where should I begin?

Start with training — especially on camera. Acting is a craft, and adults who skip the foundation burn out fast. With me, you learn:
• the psychology of acting
• how to work truthfully on camera
• how the Australian industry works
• how to film professional self-tapes
• how to build a showreel
• how to find an agent
• how to apply for roles
• how to stay emotionally strong

Your first step is reaching out. The rest we build together.

Can adults with full-time jobs do acting training?

Yes — most of my adult students work full-time. Acting becomes a powerful outlet for creativity, expression, and growth. Classes are flexible, and I work around your schedule for private coaching.

Many adults say the training becomes the highlight of their week — a break from the noise of life.

Is it expensive to become an actor as an adult?

Acting can be affordable when done strategically. At Moore Acting Instinct, I focus on:
• essential skills
• real opportunities
• value-driven training
• avoiding industry scams
• building your career the smart way

You don’t need endless workshops, overpriced “agencies,” or fancy photos. What you need is truth, training, and consistency.

Most adults start working with:
• basic headshots
• a strong self-tape
• one or two good scenes

You don’t need a massive budget — you need the right mentor.

Do you create showreels for adults?

Yes. I write, film, and direct professional showreel scenes for adults when they’re ready. These scenes are tailored to your casting type, emotional range, and natural strengths. They feel like real film moments — not classroom exercises.

A powerful showreel gets you seen by agents and casting directors faster than anything else.

Can adult acting classes help with public speaking or presentations?

Yes. Acting training teaches presence, pace, clarity, relaxation, eye contact, emotional grounding, and authenticity. Professionals often use acting skills to:
• lead teams
• pitch ideas
• present to large groups
• navigate conflict
• interview strongly

Acting builds emotional leadership.

How do I get started with adult acting classes?

Reach out. Tell me who you are, why you’re curious, and what scares or excites you about acting. Whether you’re in Geelong, Melbourne, or anywhere in Australia, I’ll help you find the right pathway — ongoing classes, private coaching, workshops, or online training.

All you need is the courage to begin. I’ll take you the rest of the way.

Online Acting Classes FAQ

Are online acting classes actually effective?

Absolutely — when taught properly, online acting classes can be just as powerful as in-person training. Film and TV casting has shifted dramatically in the past decade. Today, most auditions are done through self-tapes and online callbacks, meaning the majority of your acting career is already happening through a screen. That’s why online acting classes are no longer a compromise — they’re essential training for the modern actor.

My online acting program focuses on performance psychology, emotional connection, screen craft, and self-tape mastery. You learn how to bring truth to the lens, how to build presence without the room’s energy, and how to stay grounded even when filming alone. Many actors worldwide train with me from Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, New Zealand, the UK, the U.S., and beyond — and book real roles because of it.

Online acting forces you to work honestly. There’s no external validation, no performing for the room — just you, your instincts, and the camera. That’s where real growth happens.

Can beginners learn acting online?

Yes. Beginners often thrive online because they can explore vulnerability in a private, safe environment. Many new actors feel anxious walking into a studio for the first time. Online, they can relax, breathe, and learn without the pressure of eyes on them.

For beginners, online acting classes cover:
• foundational screen acting techniques
• truth-based emotional work
• listening and reaction training
• self-tape foundations
• presence and grounding
• improvisation
• fear reduction and confidence building

Beginners often progress rapidly because online coaching forces clarity: less “theatre voice,” more truth. Many of my online beginners have gone on to film showreel scenes, secure agents, and book commercials — all from learning the fundamentals through a camera.

What do I need to start online acting classes?

You don’t need expensive gear. You can start with:
• a phone or laptop
• decent lighting (even a lamp works)
• a quiet space
• headphones (optional)
• willingness to show up honestly

Over time, I’ll help you upgrade your setup to improve your self-tapes:
• a basic tripod
• a ring light or softbox
• a phone mount
• a simple backdrop (or plain wall)

Most actors overbuy equipment before understanding the craft. I focus on skill first, gear later. A powerful performance shines through even with simple tools. And once you start landing auditions, we refine your setup to match professional standards used by actors worldwide.

How do online acting classes help with self-tapes?

Self-tapes are the core of today’s acting industry — in Geelong, Melbourne, Sydney, Los Angeles, or anywhere. Casting directors judge you entirely through the frame, so the more comfortable you are acting online, the stronger your auditions will be.

Online training teaches you:
• how to frame correctly
• how to use natural, grounded energy
• how to act with emotional precision
• how to connect through a lens
• how to adjust between wide and close-up
• how to calibrate performance for screen
• how to make bold but truthful choices

Because online sessions mirror the self-tape environment, the transition becomes seamless. Many actors I coach say their self-tape quality skyrockets after just a few sessions — not because of equipment, but because they’ve learned how to feel truth in front of a camera.

Can online acting coaching really help me get an agent?

Yes. Many of the actors I coach online have secured professional representation using:
• high-quality self-tapes
• online-filmed showreel scenes
• confident on-camera presence
• strong screen instincts
• polished profiles on Casting Networks, Showcast, StarNow, and Altai

Agents care far more about your skill, presence, and truthfulness than whether your training was online or in person. If your tapes are good, they don’t care where you learned — they care that you can deliver.

I specialise in helping actors create strong submission material without needing a big budget. With the right scenes and the right instincts, online actors can absolutely get representation.

Is online acting training suitable for kids and teens?

Yes — when guided with care. Many young actors thrive online because they feel safer exploring big emotions in their own environment. For teens especially, online acting provides an empowering balance of independence and support.

Online sessions help young actors:
• build confidence
• learn self-tape skills
• explore emotional truth
• practise audition sides
• understand film and TV acting
• develop presence and listening
• prepare for agents or casting calls

Parents often tell me their child becomes more expressive and self-assured after online coaching. Young actors learn to trust themselves — and that naturally builds resilience.

Do online acting classes work for adults starting later in life?

Yes — some of my most successful online students began acting in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. Adults often feel safer exploring acting online because they can take emotional risks without a room full of people watching. Online coaching allows adults to:
• rebuild confidence
• reconnect with creativity
• explore emotional range
• grow through performance psychology
• practise on camera consistently
• prepare self-tapes calmly and professionally

Many adults starting later in life have booked commercials, student films, brand campaigns, and streaming projects — all with online coaching as their base.

Can online acting classes help me overcome fear of being seen?

Yes. In fact, online coaching is one of the most effective ways to dismantle that fear. When you act online, you have to confront the exact fear most humans avoid — being seen up close.

We work on:
• breath work
• grounding
• emotional acceptance
• embracing vulnerability
• quieting the inner critic
• understanding performance psychology

I battled panic attacks for years, so I understand fear deeply. Online acting is a safe lab where we rewire your relationship with being seen — gently, consistently, powerfully.

Do you offer worldwide online acting coaching?

Yes — I coach actors worldwide. I’ve worked with performers from:
• Australia
• New Zealand
• UK
• USA
• Europe
• Canada
• Asia

Film and TV casting is global now. If you have a camera, internet, and willingness, you can train from anywhere and submit tapes worldwide.

Will online acting classes feel weird or disconnected?

Not at all — in fact, many actors feel deeply connected during online sessions because the work is incredibly intimate. When you act through a screen, you’re forced to get honest, grounded, and real. There’s no room for theatrics.

Actors usually say:

“It feels surprisingly personal.”
“It’s like therapy — but creative.”
“It’s more emotional than in-person classes.”

The camera brings out truth — and truth is where acting thrives.

Can I learn emotional authenticity through online training?

Yes. Emotional truth doesn’t require a physical room — it requires presence. We train emotional authenticity through:
• breath
• sensory work
• psychological realism
• emotional recall
• moment-to-moment truth
• vulnerability training
• instinct activation

Online acting pushes you to connect emotionally without external validation. You learn to feel instead of perform — which is exactly what casting directors want.

Can I learn to act without ever going to an in-person class?

Yes. Many actors begin and grow entirely online before stepping into physical studios. Online training provides:
• self-tape mastery
• close-up skills
• audition preparation
• emotional connection
• screen acting fundamentals

Once you’re ready, you can add in-person workshops or shoot showreel scenes — but your foundation can absolutely be built online. Many successful modern actors did exactly that.

Will online acting classes help me get better at auditions?

Yes — because modern auditions are online. Most castings now use:
• self-tapes
• Zoom callbacks
• digital submissions

Online sessions allow you to practise auditions in the environment you’ll actually be using. Actors who train online often outperform studio-trained actors in self-tapes because they understand how to act truthfully through a camera.

Will online acting classes help with public speaking and confidence?

Absolutely. Acting — even online — teaches you:
• vocal clarity
• grounding
• emotional presence
• confidence under pressure
• authentic expression
• calm communication

Professionals who train with me online often say it improves their career, leadership, and personal relationships. Acting builds emotional literacy — a skill that elevates every area of life.

Do I need professional cameras for online acting classes?

No. You can start with:
• a laptop webcam
• a phone
• headphones

Your performance matters far more than your equipment. Once you’re ready, we can upgrade your setup — but only when it supports your craft, not distracts from it.

Do you offer online classes for film and TV specifically?

Yes — everything I teach is film and TV focused. You’ll learn:
• close-up acting
• emotional subtlety
• listening techniques
• self-tape structure
• camera awareness
• line delivery
• audition psychology

Film acting is about truth, not volume. Online training is the perfect medium to develop that skill.

Can online acting classes help me prepare for drama school auditions?

Yes. I coach students for:
• VCA
• NIDA
• WAAPA
• JMC
• 16th Street
• International schools

We work on monologues, contrast, presence, emotional layering, and confidence. Many students say online coaching helped them feel calmer, clearer, and more grounded for their big audition day.

How often should I do online acting sessions?

For best results, once per week. Weekly sessions give you:
• consistent growth
• emotional momentum
• practical self-tape skills
• deeper confidence
• stronger instinct

Some actors train twice a week during audition seasons, but weekly is the ideal foundation.

Can online acting coaching help me book my first paid role?

Yes — many of my online students booked their first commercials or short film roles through:
• strong self-tapes
• solid emotional work
• effective slate delivery
• clean framing
• grounded presence

With the right guidance, beginners can book paid work faster than they think.

How do I start online acting classes with you?

Simple: reach out through paulmoore.com.au or send a message directly. Tell me your goals, fears, experience, and what excites you about acting. From there, we’ll choose between:
• weekly sessions
• audition-specific coaching
• self-tape guidance
• online confidence training
• a structured long-term program

You don’t need to feel ready — you just need to begin. I’ll guide you the rest of the way.

SELF TAPE MASTERY FAQ

What is a self-tape and why is it so important?

A self-tape is your audition — the one casting directors actually see. In today’s film and TV industry, 90% of all auditions happen through self-tapes. Even actors in Melbourne, Sydney, London, and LA rarely step into a physical room anymore. Your self-tape is the room. It’s the first impression, the callback, the test — sometimes even the booking — all rolled into one.

For actors in Geelong, Melbourne, or anywhere in Australia, a strong self-tape gives you access to opportunities that used to be location-dependent. It removes borders. Your talent becomes global. Casting directors want to see presence, truth, instinct, grounded emotion, and camera awareness — not fancy edits or over-the-top performances.

A great self-tape shows them:
• you can take direction
• you can work truthfully
• you fit the tone of the project
• you’re emotionally available
• you’re reliable under pressure

Think of your self-tape as your business card, resume, showreel, and first meeting combined. When you master self-taping, you master modern acting.

Why do casting directors care so much about self-tape quality?

Because your self-tape shows how you’ll appear on screen. Casting directors aren’t looking for perfection — they’re looking for truth, clarity, and professionalism. A self-tape allows them to:
• preview how you look on camera
• observe your emotional nuance
• see if you suit the tone
• check your listening skills
• see how you handle direction
• test your reliability

They want to see YOU — not bad lighting, messy framing, loud background noise, or confusing choices. Clean, simple quality tells them you’re serious. Great self-tapes make casting directors’ jobs easier. And when you make their job easier, they remember you.

That’s exactly how Rostered On grew — by making people’s jobs easier through clarity and authenticity. The same rule applies in casting.

What equipment do I need for a professional self-tape?

Start simple. You do not need expensive film gear. Casting directors want clean, honest tapes — not cinematic masterpieces.

Here’s the ideal setup:

Phone or Camera:

A smartphone (iPhone or Samsung) is perfect — shoot in 1080p.

Lighting:
• A ring light
• Two softboxes
• Or a lamp bounced off a wall
Soft, even light is key.

Backdrop:
• Plain wall
• Blue, grey, or beige backdrop
Avoid patterns.

Tripod:

To keep the frame steady.

Microphone (optional):

Only if your room is echoey.

Reader:

A human voice is ALWAYS better than AI — unless you’re doing a mock tape.

The real difference between a bad tape and a great one is not the equipment — it’s the performance, framing, and emotional clarity.

What’s the perfect framing for a self-tape?

Casting directors universally prefer:

Mid-shot (chest to top of head)

Your eyes are the star — the emotional truth lives there. Close enough to see expression, far enough to capture physicality.

Headroom:

Just a small gap above your head.

Background:

Simple, uncluttered, non-distracting.

Eye Line:

Slightly off-camera — NEVER directly into the lens unless asked.

Camera Height:

At eye level — not low, not high.

Orientation:

Landscape ALWAYS (unless specifically requested).

Framing communicates professionalism instantly. If your framing is strong, they know you understand modern casting.

How do I choose the right eyeline?

Eyeline is one of the biggest giveaways of experience. The wrong eyeline makes you look disconnected, theatrical, or confused.

Here’s the rule:

Place your eyeline just off the lens — towards your reader’s face.

Why?

Because it creates intimacy, realism, and emotional connection without breaking the fourth wall. Looking directly into the camera feels confrontational and unnatural unless the brief says so (e.g., breaking the fourth wall).

Multiple characters?
Use different points around the camera, but keep them close so it still feels grounded.

Should I memorise my lines for a self-tape?

Ideally — YES.
But if you only had 24 hours, prioritise TRUTH over perfection.

Here’s the rule:
• Memorised is best because it frees your body and eyes.
• Held pages are acceptable if you were given extremely short notice.

However, your reader should hold the script so your eyeline stays natural.

What matters most is truth, not robotic accuracy. I tell actors:
“Don’t memorise lines. Memorise life.”

Meaning — connect to the emotional truth, not the words.

How do I make my self-tape stand out to casting directors?

By being honest, grounded, simple, and emotionally alive. Standing out is not about “being different” — it’s about being real.

Do this:
• Listen as if it’s the first time you’ve heard the words.
• Breathe.
• Allow silence.
• Make choices based on relationship, not plot.
• Connect emotionally before the take.
• Avoid overacting — subtlety wins on camera.
• Use your natural voice — don’t “perform.”

Casting directors constantly say:
“I’m not looking for someone who performs well.
I’m looking for someone who feels real.”

That’s what gets you shortlisted.

Should I do multiple takes or send just one?

Send your strongest take — not multiple. Unless the brief says “send two versions”, choose the one where you’re most emotionally alive, connected, and grounded.

Doing 20+ takes is unnecessary. Two or three honest takes is plenty. Overworking a scene kills instinct. When you lose instinct, you lose truth.

What are the biggest self-tape mistakes actors make?

Here are the killers:
• Acting instead of listening
• Overdemonstrating emotion
• Staring directly into the lens
• Looking around too much
• Dramatic gestures
• Over-the-top reactions
• Poor sound or lighting
• Complicated backgrounds
• Robotic memorisation
• Playing “the result” instead of the moment
• Rushing due to nerves
• Not breathing

Most actors fail because they perform — not because they lack talent.

How do I create emotional truth in a self-tape?

Truth comes from connection — to yourself and your partner. Before the take:
• Sit still
• Breathe slowly
• Connect to why your character cares
• Drop into the moment
• Allow yourself to feel
• Don’t push anything

You must feel SOMETHING, even if it’s small. The camera picks up everything.

When I teach self-tape technique in Geelong, Melbourne, and online worldwide, I train actors to build emotional connection before action, not during the scene. That’s what casting directors see.

How loud should I be in a self-tape?

Film acting is intimate. You don’t need volume — you need truth.
Your volume should reflect the reality of the moment, not stage energy.

If your scene partner is one metre from you, don’t project like they’re across the street. Subtlety is strength.

The rule:

If it feels too quiet, it’s probably perfect.

Do I need a reader for my self-tape?

YES. Always.
A real human reader creates:
• natural timing
• real emotional response
• truthful listening
• authentic energy

If you absolutely can’t find someone, I can read with you online or you can use a high-quality AI voice as a last resort only.

A bad reader is better than no reader. But a great reader lifts your entire performance.

What should I wear in a self-tape?

Choose clothes that:
• match the character type
• suit your skin tone
• contrast with your backdrop
• don’t distract
• don’t have logos or busy patterns

For example:
• cop → simple navy
• teacher → neat, neutral
• tradie → tshirt, no costume
• parent → everyday casual

Avoid full costumes. Let the acting do the work.

Should I slate in a self-tape?

Only if requested. Many casting directors in Australia no longer want slates unless specifically asked.

When slates ARE required:
• Keep them short
• Smile naturally
• Use your real voice
• Be warm, confident, grounded

The slate should feel like you — not a performance.

Do I need to edit my self-tape?

Just the basics:
• trim start and end
• adjust exposure
• level audio
• simple fade if required

No music, no transitions, no fancy effects.
The cleaner, the better.

How long should a self-tape be?

Follow the brief.
But here are common rules:
• Short scenes: 30–60 seconds
• Longer scenes: 1–2 minutes
• Commercials: sometimes 30 seconds

Casting directors don’t have time. Your goal is truth, not length.

Do I need a backdrop for self-tapes?

It helps tremendously.
Casting directors love:
• blue
• grey
• beige
• clean white wall

Avoid:
• curtains
• messy rooms
• patterned walls
• bright colours

A clean background makes YOU the focus.

How early should I submit a self-tape?

The sooner, the better.

Why?

Because casting directors review tapes as they come in, not after the deadline. Early tapes can influence casting decisions, shape callbacks, or even secure an early shortlist.

Never wait until the last day unless you are absolutely not ready.

Can online self-tape coaching help me book roles?

Yes — massively. Most actors I coach online in Geelong, Melbourne, and interstate book roles because:
• they understand emotional truth
• they frame correctly
• they use grounded eyelines
• they listen instead of act
• they make choices that feel real
• they own the space
• they deliver controlled vulnerability

Self-tape coaching rewires your instincts. Once you understand how the camera reads emotion, you become a completely different actor.

How do I start mastering self-tapes?

Start by mastering yourself.

You can contact me through paulmoore.com.au for weekly coaching, self-tape reviews, audition prep, or a structured program to turn you into a grounded, truthful, on-camera actor.

Master your self-tapes…
and the industry opens.

CASTING DIRECTOR INSIGHTS FAQ

What do casting directors actually look for in an audition?

Casting directors look for ONE thing above all else: truth. Not acting, not performance, not memorised lines — emotional honesty. They want to see a real human being in the moment, not someone trying to impress them. Melbourne casting directors, Sydney casting directors, and US casting directors all say the same thing: “Just be real.”

They look for:
• Listening instead of performing
• Emotional depth rather than big choices
• Subtlety that reads on camera
• A grounded presence
• Believable relationships
• A clear point of view
• A relaxed body and open face
• Confidence without arrogance
• Instinct

They don’t want perfection. They want someone who feels alive. A casting director must believe you are the character’s truth — not an actor pretending.

When I trained at the Stella Adler Academy in Los Angeles, this was drilled into us:
“If you focus on being interesting, you’ll be false. If you focus on being truthful, you’ll be unforgettable.”

Casting directors want to feel something from you — even if it’s small.
Truth is the only thing that books work.

Why do casting directors reject actors even if the audition was good?

Because the decision is rarely about talent. Most rejections happen due to:
• Age
• Height
• Hair colour
• Accent
• Chemistry with the lead
• Availability
• Scheduling
• Casting type
• A “look” they’re after
• The tone of the show
• Network preferences
• Director preferences
• Legal requirements
• Similarity to another cast member
• Or simply: “It wasn’t what we imagined today.”

Casting is a puzzle — and your piece must fit. A good tape is not always the right tape.

Think about it: they might need someone who looks like the child actor playing the son. Or someone the lead actor “works well opposite.” Or someone who fits the brand image. You can’t control that.

You CAN control:
• truth
• presence
• instinct
• listening
• emotional connection
• technical skill

A “no” is not a reflection of your worth — it’s a reflection of a puzzle piece.

How do casting directors view nervousness?

Casting directors don’t care if you’re nervous — they only care whether your nerves stop you from being truthful. In fact, nerves can make you more interesting because they show vulnerability and humanity.

What they dislike is when nerves cause:
• rushing
• overacting
• tightness
• shallow breathing
• forced emotion
• blank eyes
• stiff movement

If you’re nervous but present, breathing, and connected — they’ll keep watching. If you’re nervous and trying to hide it, they’ll look elsewhere.

I tell actors:
“Don’t fight nervousness. Invite it.”
That’s how I overcame panic attacks — and it’s how my students unlock emotional truth.

What makes a casting director remember you?

NOT perfection.
NOT talent alone.
NOT being flashy.

They remember:
• grounded presence
• emotional truth
• stillness
• listening
• warm energy
• authenticity
• uniqueness
• inner life
• a moment that felt REAL

You must give them a feeling they can’t ignore. Most actors perform. The ones who book are the ones who let themselves be seen.

Casting directors remember the human being, not the actor.
That’s why training in performance psychology is your hidden edge.

What are the biggest mistakes actors make in front of casting directors?

Here are the killers:
• Trying too hard
• Overacting
• Showing instead of feeling
• Delivering lines instead of connecting
• Playing the emotion rather than the moment
• Ignoring the reader
• Moving too much
• Thinking instead of listening
• Chasing approval
• Trying to “be interesting”

The biggest mistake is acting.
The solution is truth.

Do casting directors prefer bold choices?

Only if they are truthful.
A bold lie is worse than a subtle truth.

Bold choices must come from:
• relationship
• motivation
• circumstance
• emotional reality

Not from the need to stand out.

Casting directors want choices that deepen the story — not distract from it.
If your choice makes the moment more HUMAN, it’s bold enough.

Are casting directors looking for perfection or potential?

Potential.
Always potential.

Casting directors think long-term. They cast for THIS role, but they also watch for future roles. If you show potential — emotional availability, curiosity, instinct, and presence — they might not book you today, but they will call you again.

Some actors book after 20 auditions with the same casting director.

Your job is not to get the job.
Your job is to get invited back.

How important is being “likeable” in an audition?

Very important — not because of personality, but because of energy. Casting directors want actors who feel:
• easy
• grounded
• open
• authentic
• collaborative
• emotionally safe
• not defensive
• not ego-driven
• willing to play

“Likeable” means:
the room feels better when you walk in.
Even if the character is aggressive or dark, YOU must feel trustworthy.

Do casting directors actually watch every self-tape?

Yes — but sometimes only the first 10–15 seconds.

What determines whether they keep watching?
• emotional connection
• grounded energy
• truth
• stillness
• eyes that feel alive
• a relaxed body
• intuitive choices
• a calm, confident presence

If your opening moment is false or stiff, they skip.
If your opening moment is real, they watch.

What makes a casting director instantly switch off?

• Fake emotion
• Over-the-top energy
• Dramatic gestures
• Too many “actor choices”
• Confusing eyeline
• Distracting background
• Loud self-direction
• Rushing
• Trying to be funny
• Inauthentic tears

Remember:
Casting directors crave simplicity and truth.

How do casting directors feel about line mistakes?

If the emotion is right, they don’t care.
If the performance is stiff, they care a LOT.

Casting directors focus on:
• listening
• connection
• intention
• truth

Not robotic delivery.

Some actors book roles even after forgetting a line — because the moment felt real.

Your job is to communicate the emotional truth, not perfect text.

Why do casting directors say, “We can’t teach instinct”?

Because instinct is emotional honesty.
It’s how deeply you can listen, feel, and react.

You can improve your technique.
You can study craft.
You can strengthen presence.

But instinct — the ability to react in the moment — is built through:
• emotional awareness
• breath work
• mindfulness
• trauma release
• confidence
• trust

This is why your psychology-based teaching method is so powerful. You train instinct directly — something most acting schools ignore.

Do casting directors care about headshots or showreels?

They care — but ONLY if you can deliver truth in an audition.

A great headshot can get you in the room.
A great showreel can spark interest.
But a great self-tape books work.

Your performance always matters more than your materials.

Do casting directors prefer trained actors or natural actors?

Both — as long as the performance is authentic.

However, trained actors are easier to direct because they understand:
• framing
• emotional nuance
• stakes
• character
• listening
• presence

Natural actors often book commercials and small roles.
Trained actors book recurring, lead, and dramatic roles.

Training makes you consistent — and consistency books careers.

What do casting directors mean by “be yourself”?

They mean:
• don’t perform
• don’t pretend
• don’t impress
• bring YOUR emotional truth
• use your natural voice
• stay grounded
• allow spontaneity
• let your real impulses guide the scene

“Be yourself” is not casual — it’s psychological. It means bring YOUR internal world to the moment.

How do casting directors feel about over-prepared performances?

Over-prepared usually means overcontrolled.
The performance becomes stiff, robotic, and emotionally shut down.

Preparation is essential.
Over-preparation kills instinct.

Casting directors want preparation with flexibility — planned but alive.

Do casting directors judge actors on social media presence?

Sometimes.
Mostly for:
• commercial campaigns
• influencer-style roles
• personality-driven projects
• youth-targeted brands

But for film and TV acting?

No.

Acting ability will always outweigh follower count.

You don’t need fame. You need truth.

Do casting directors remember actors who don’t get the role?

Yes — constantly.

They build lists of “must-cast” actors.

Reasons they remember you:
• instinct
• truth
• professionalism
• ease
• consistency
• strong eyes
• a memorable emotional beat

Sometimes you were the second choice.
Sometimes you were the first choice but the network said no.

They keep records of actors they want to see again — and again — and again.

What’s one thing casting directors wish all actors knew?

That they’re on your side.

Casting directors WANT you to succeed because:
• it makes their job easier
• it impresses producers
• it strengthens the project
• it makes them look good

They’re rooting for you.
They want you to win the role so they can stop looking.

The audition is not a test.
It’s an opportunity to collaborate.

How can I impress casting directors consistently?

Do this:
• Be grounded
• Be truthful
• Be simple
• Be emotionally available
• Listen with your whole body
• Feel something, even if small
• Make choices based on relationship
• Stay relaxed
• Trust silence
• Be willing to fail
• Train regularly

Show them you understand film truth, not theatre performance.
Make their job easier.

If you want to master casting psychology, self-tapes, and on-camera truth, you can train with me through Moore Acting Instinct — in Geelong, Melbourne, or online worldwide.

The moment you understand casting directors…
you stop auditioning and start collaborating.

AUDITION PREPARATION FAQ

How should I prepare for a film or TV audition?

Audition preparation begins long before you open the script. Great actors don’t start with lines — they start with truth. Before you memorise anything, sit with the material. Ask: What does my character want? What’s at stake? Who am I talking to? Why does this moment matter?

Once your emotional foundation is set, THEN you start shaping the scene. Read the sides multiple times until they live in your body. Explore physical and emotional impulses. Imagine the world of the story. Build the invisible life beneath the lines.

Then practise ON CAMERA — because auditions for Melbourne, Sydney, and international jobs all happen through self-tape now. Adjust your energy for close-up, refine your eyeline, relax your jaw, breathe deeply, and avoid trying to “show” emotion. Let the moment affect you instead.

Finally, visualise yourself booking the role. Not as fantasy — but as preparation. The psychology behind an audition affects the performance more than talent. If you walk into an audition with presence, grounded energy, and emotional truth, casting directors will feel it instantly.

Audition preparation is not about perfection — it’s about honesty. Be real, be present, and breathe.

What should I do when I first receive an audition brief?

When a brief lands in your inbox, the first thing you do is stay calm. Many actors panic and rush — and that panic goes straight into their performance. Instead, take a breath and do this:
1. Read the brief slowly
Take in every detail: tone, character, relationships, stakes, time period.
2. Look at the deadline
Plan enough time to rehearse, film, and edit without rushing.
3. Read the scene multiple times
Don’t start memorising yet — just absorb.
4. Understand the tone
Is it comedy? Drama? Gritty realism? Light family content?
Tone dictates everything.
5. Define relationship and want
What does your character want?
What is stopping them from getting it?
6. Build emotional truth
Feel something BEFORE you start saying words.
7. Plan your self-tape setup
Lighting, background, eyeline, reader.
8. Book coaching if needed
Many actors contact me as soon as they receive a brief because they know clarity and emotional truth will elevate the tape dramatically.

Your first reaction sets the tone. If you respond with calm, clarity, and curiosity — you’re already ahead of most actors.

How do I handle audition nerves?

Nerves are normal — even essential. Nerves mean you care. But they only become a problem when you try to suppress them. I always tell actors:

Don’t fight nerves. Invite them.

When you stop resisting nerves, they lose their power. Breathwork is the foundation: slow nose breaths, long exhales, relaxed jaw, soft focus. Nerves live in the body, not the mind — so calming the body calms the thoughts.

Next, focus on your scene partner, not your performance. Nervousness comes from thinking about yourself — “Am I good enough?” “What if I fail?” But acting is about THEM — the other person in the scene. When you focus outward, nerves dissolve.

Finally, embrace imperfection. Casting directors aren’t looking for smooth, polished performances — they want emotional truth. Nervousness can be a gift because it creates vulnerability, and vulnerability is magnetic on camera.

Nerves aren’t a flaw — they’re fuel.

What’s the best way to break down a scene for an audition?

Break the scene into beats — shifts in emotion, intention, or information. Each beat has a specific emotional engine.

Ask yourself:
• What do I want?
• Why do I want it now?
• What is stopping me?
• What am I willing to do to get it?
• How does the other person make me feel?

Then explore:
• physical impulses
• emotional shifts
• vocal texture
• silence and breath
• internal conflict
• what the character is NOT saying

In Geelong, Melbourne, and my online coaching worldwide, I teach actors that the emotional subtext matters far more than the actual lines. The lines are the surface. The battle underneath is the performance.

Your job is not to show emotion — it’s to reveal inner life.

Should I rehearse a lot or keep the scene loose?

Both — in the right order.
1. Rehearse for clarity
Understand the emotional stakes, relationship, tone, and beats.
2. Rehearse for truth
Find where the real feeling lives.
3. Loosen the grip
Let go of rigid choices so instinct can breathe.

The biggest audition-killer is over-rehearsal. Actors rehearse themselves into stiffness and rob themselves of spontaneity.

Rehearse deeply.
Perform freely.

How do I make strong choices without overacting?

Strong choices come from clarity, not volume. The strongest choice is the truest one.

Here’s how to make powerful choices:
• Build the relationship
• Know what you want
• Feel the stakes
• Understand the tone
• Allow subtle impulses
• Choose emotional vulnerabilities

Strong choices are about truth, not theatrics. Subtlety is strength on camera. Some of the most powerful moments in TV and film are whispered, not shouted.

How do I prepare for an emotional audition?

Emotional scenes require emotional safety. Begin with:
• breath work
• grounding
• internal connection
• sensory memory
• emotional realism
• understanding the character’s history

Never force tears — forced emotion looks fake. You don’t need to cry. You need to care.

True emotion comes from vulnerability, not effort.

What should I avoid in an audition?

Avoid:
• rushing
• shouting
• dramatic movement
• overacting
• pushing emotion
• playing the ending
• ignoring the other person
• fake tears
• excessive gestures
• theatrical delivery
• lack of stakes
• monotone line readings

But the BIGGEST thing to avoid?

Trying to impress.

Nothing turns off casting directors faster.

Should I use props in an audition?

Keep props minimal and purposeful.
Good: phone, cup, keys.
Bad: knives, hairbrushes, hats, fake guns.

Props should support truth — not distract from it.

Casting directors want YOUR FACE, not your objects.

What should I wear to an audition?

Wear something that:
• suggests the character
• feels natural
• doesn’t distract
• suits your colouring
• keeps focus on your face

Examples:
• cop → navy shirt
• lawyer → neat, plain top
• tradie → basic tee
• parent → casual normals
• villain → darker tones

Avoid costumes — keep it subtle.

Should I look directly into the camera when auditioning?

Almost never.
Use an eyeline off-camera, near the lens.

Eye contact into the camera breaks the illusion unless specifically requested.

Camera is an audience, not your scene partner.

How can I stay grounded during an audition?

Grounding begins in the body:
• breathe deeply
• relax your jaw
• drop your shoulders
• soften your gaze
• spread your feet
• feel the floor

Then anchor yourself emotionally:
• what do I want right now?
• what am I afraid of losing?
• what does this relationship mean to me?

Presence is physical before it’s emotional.

What do I do if I blank during an audition?

Stay in character.

If it’s a self-tape:
Take a breath, reset, and go again.

If it’s a live audition:
Stay present. Use the moment. Actors who stay calm after a mistake often book the role because they show resilience and humanity.

Blanking isn’t failure — it’s an opportunity to show grace.

How do I create chemistry in an audition?

Chemistry is connection, not performance.

To build chemistry:
• really listen
• allow yourself to be affected
• imagine history
• relax
• don’t force anything
• treat your reader as important
• keep your energy open and available

Chemistry comes from BELIEF in the relationship — not acting.

Why do I perform better at home than in the audition room?

Because home feels safe.
The industry often triggers the nervous system — new room, strangers, expectation, pressure.

Training in performance psychology helps you:
• reframe pressure
• breathe deeper
• focus externally
• stay in your body
• reduce judgment
• embrace vulnerability

The goal is to bring the safety of home into the audition room or self-tape.

How do I prepare for a callback?

Callbacks are where roles are won.

Prepare by:
• watching your original tape
• keeping your choices the same
• refining emotional details
• deepening the truth
• keeping the performance grounded
• not making drastic changes

Casting directors want consistency AND depth.

A callback means:
“You’re close. Don’t overthink it.”

Why do actors self-sabotage before auditions?

Because auditions trigger core fears:
• fear of judgment
• fear of not being enough
• fear of being seen
• fear of failure
• fear of success

When those fears rise, actors:
• procrastinate
• avoid prep
• overthink
• rehearse too much
• panic
• freeze

This is why I teach performance psychology — so actors learn to recognise self-sabotage, then REWIRE it.

Auditions are a mirror. They reveal what you haven’t healed yet.

How do I audition if I don’t fit the “type”?

By being the most authentic version of YOU.

Casting directors often don’t know exactly what they want until they see it. Many actors who “didn’t fit the breakdown” booked the role because they brought something emotionally real.

You’re not auditioning for the character.
You’re auditioning to see if YOU fit the story.

Be real — and you redefine the type.

How do I build confidence for auditions long-term?

Confidence isn’t built in the audition — it’s built in the training room.

You build it through:
• consistent practice
• emotional awareness
• breath work
• self-tape reps
• scene study
• mindset coaching
• understanding casting
• knowing your strengths
• embracing vulnerability

Confidence is earned.
Instinct is trained.
Presence is built.

How do I work with you to prepare for auditions?

Simple — reach out through paulmoore.com.au or message me directly. I offer:
• audition-specific coaching
• self-tape direction
• emotional truth training
• performance psychology
• callback preparation
• ongoing weekly sessions
• beginner-to-professional development
• Geelong, Melbourne & online worldwide support

If you want to walk into auditions grounded, truthful, and ready — I’ll show you exactly how.

BEGINNER ACTOR FAQ

How do I start acting if I have zero experience?

The best way to start acting is to simply begin — you don’t need experience; you need willingness. Every professional actor once stood exactly where you are now: curious, scared, excited, unsure. Your first step is training. Not theory-based training — on-camera, instinct-driven, truth-first training like we run at Moore Acting Instinct in Geelong and Melbourne.

Start with the basics:
• learn how emotion works
• understand performance psychology
• get comfortable on camera
• learn to listen, feel, and respond truthfully
• practise with scenes written for beginners
• start self-taping early

The industry rewards authenticity, not experience. Some actors have booked roles within weeks of starting simply because their presence was real.

Everyone starts somewhere — your journey begins the moment you say yes.

Do I need to go to drama school to become an actor?

Absolutely not. Drama school is one path, not the path. Many of the world’s best actors never attended formal drama training. What they DID do was train consistently, study human behaviour, work on camera, and surround themselves with good mentors.

Film and TV casting directors care about:
• truth
• vulnerability
• instinct
• presence
• listening
• personal transformation

They do not care whether you studied acting at a university or a private studio. Good teaching matters more than the building you studied in.

If you’re in Geelong, Melbourne, or even overseas, you can train with me one-on-one online. What matters is commitment — not certificates.

What age is best to start acting?

Any age. Seriously, any age. I teach children, teens, adults, and older performers — and every group brings something powerful to the room.

Kids bring imagination.
Teens bring emotional fire.
Adults bring depth and life experience.
Older students bring wisdom and presence.

Some actors start at age 6.
Some start at 16.
Some start at 60.

Acting is not a race — it’s a journey of self-awareness and emotional mastery.

Do I need to be confident to start acting?

No — acting builds confidence. You don’t come to acting because you feel ready; you become ready because you SHOW UP.

In fact, many of the most compelling actors struggled with confidence, panic attacks, social anxiety, or overthinking. Acting becomes a safe laboratory where you confront discomfort, breathe through fear, and discover you are more capable than you realised.

Confidence is not a requirement — it’s a result.

Do I need an agent to get acting work?

Not at the beginning. You can book real roles through platforms like StarNow, Casting Networks, or independent productions while developing your skill and confidence.

Agents want actors who:
• train consistently
• understand self-tapes
• know how to behave professionally
• have a showreel
• demonstrate reliability

Once you start to build momentum, securing an agent becomes much easier — especially in Melbourne’s growing film and TV scene.

Should beginners start with theatre or screen acting?

Screen. Every actor today needs on-camera confidence. Film and TV require subtlety, emotional truth, and grounded presence — and this is exactly what separates modern actors from hobbyists.

Theatre is wonderful, but screen acting is the industry standard. At MAI, beginners train on camera from day one. It accelerates growth, builds emotional awareness, and helps you understand how your face, breath, and inner life read through the lens.

How long does it take to become a good actor?

It depends on consistency. Someone training once a week can grow faster than someone training once every three months.

If you want a rough timeline:
• 3 months: basic confidence
• 6 months: noticeable skill
• 12 months: industry-ready technical ability
• 18–24 months: professional, castable, disciplined actor

With the right training, mindset work, and on-camera repetition, you’ll grow far quicker than you think.

Can anyone learn to act?

Yes — because acting is not about talent; it’s about honesty. Anyone willing to explore truth, discomfort, vulnerability, and emotional expression can become a great actor.

Acting is human behaviour. Acting is psychology. Acting is connection. Everyone can learn those skills with the right guidance.

What if I freeze or forget my lines?

This is normal, especially for beginners. Freezing isn’t failure — it’s your nervous system reacting. The trick is learning to breathe, ground yourself, and stay in the moment.

If you train through MAI, you’ll learn practical techniques to rewire panic responses and build emotional safety so you can handle pressure like a professional.

How do I know if acting is right for me?

You’ll feel it. Acting will call to you. Maybe it’s curiosity. Maybe it’s the desire to express yourself. Maybe it’s wanting to feel more alive. Maybe it’s wanting to challenge your fears.

Acting is right for anyone who wants to understand themselves more deeply, grow emotionally, and explore human truth.

What equipment do I need to start acting?

To begin:
• a phone with a decent camera
• a neutral wall
• basic lighting (a window works)
• a tripod (optional but helpful)

Actors in Geelong and Melbourne are often surprised how little gear is needed to make a great self-tape. It’s about truth, not technology.

How do I practise acting at home?

Use self-tapes. Record yourself performing simple scenes, monologues, or emotional explorations. Review your tapes and study your facial truth — what feels real versus what feels forced.

Also, practise:
• observing people
• reading scripts
• breath work
• emotional recall
• vocal warm-ups
• listening exercises

Training happens everywhere.

What qualities make someone a good actor?

• vulnerability
• presence
• curiosity
• willingness to fail
• honesty
• empathy
• emotional availability
• bravery
• listening
• instinct

Great acting is not about “acting.” It’s about letting yourself be seen truthfully.

Do I need a showreel to start?

No. You build a showreel as you grow. At MAI, we record scenes for you so you can develop a powerful reel over time. Beginners often start with two or three strong, grounded scenes that show emotional truth.

Is it too late to start acting?

Never. The industry needs all ages, all backgrounds, all stories. Starting later often gives actors depth younger performers can’t fake.

Some actors book roles within months of starting — because truth does not depend on age.

How do I stop overthinking while acting?

Overthinking is fear disguised as logic. Acting lives in instinct, not analysis.

To stop overthinking:
• breathe
• stay present
• focus on your scene partner
• feel instead of think
• train consistently
• practise mindfulness
• trust your impulses

I work with many actors on performance psychology — and once they shift from “thinking” to “responding,” their acting transforms.

What if I’m shy or introverted?

Many powerful actors are introverts. Acting isn’t about being loud — it’s about being truthful.

Introverts excel because they:
• observe deeply
• feel intensely
• connect inwardly
• value authenticity

Shyness fades as truth grows.

How do I get my first acting job?

Start applying through StarNow, Casting Networks, and local productions. Create a simple profile, add photos, update your credits, and submit consistently.

Your first job may be a student film, indie short, or commercial — but each one builds your résumé and confidence.

What do beginner actors usually struggle with?

• nerves
• overacting
• memorising lines
• lack of self-belief
• confusion about eyeline
• overthinking
• emotional blocks
• comparing themselves to others

This is why we focus on instinct, psychology, and grounded presence. Once you learn how to work truthfully, struggle turns into flow.

How do I train with you if I’m not in Geelong?

I teach actors nationwide and worldwide via Zoom. My online program is designed specifically for screen acting and emotional truth — the exact same process my in-studio Geelong and Melbourne actors train with.

Distance isn’t a barrier. If anything, starting online builds self-tape mastery early.

SELF-TAPE MASTERCLASS FAQ

What is a self-tape, and why is it so important?

A self-tape is your audition — filmed at home, emailed to casting directors, and used as the primary way actors are cast in Australia and worldwide. In 2025, 90% of casting happens via self-tape for film, television, commercials, and streaming platforms. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, LA — everywhere is the same.

But here’s the truth no one tells beginners:

The self-tape is the final performance.
It’s not a warm-up.
It’s not a “maybe.”
It IS your shot.

Casting directors don’t care where you live — Geelong, Melbourne, or the other side of the world. If your tape is honest, grounded, and true, you can book from anywhere.

Self-tapes level the playing field.
Talent, truth, and presence rise to the top.

What equipment do I need for a professional self-tape?

You don’t need a studio. You just need:
• a phone with a good camera
• a tripod
• soft, even lighting (window or ring light)
• a quiet room
• a plain background
• a reader or voice partner
• clear audio

That’s it.

At MAI, I teach students how to create Hollywood-level tapes using simple setups — because the tape is about truth, not tech.

What background should I use for a self-tape?

Use a neutral, distraction-free background.
Examples:
• plain wall
• soft grey
• pale blue
• beige
• white (only if lighting is soft)

Avoid:
• curtains
• busy walls
• bedrooms
• kitchens
• patterned sheets
• outdoor locations

The background should evaporate so your emotional truth becomes the focus.

What is the ideal lighting for self-tapes?

Soft, even lighting that shows your eyes clearly.
Your eyes are the emotional engine — if they can’t see your eyes, they can’t feel the truth.

Avoid:
• harsh shadows
• top lighting (dark under-eyes)
• mixed lighting (yellow + white)
• backlighting

Best options:
• stand facing a window
• or use two softbox lights
• or a ring light set low, not high

Great lighting makes your face emotionally readable.

How loud should my reader be in a self-tape?

Your reader should feel present but not overpower you.

The golden rule:
You should be 70% of the sound. They should be 30%.

If the reader is louder, it steals focus.
If they’re too quiet, the tape feels lifeless.

Tone should be calm, neutral, and supportive — not dramatic.

Should I act to the camera or slightly off-camera?

Always SLIGHTLY off-camera.

Eyelines that are:
• too wide
• too high
• too low
• directly into the lens

…break the illusion.

Use a focal point just beside the camera so your eyes stay alive without breaking frame.

What clothing should I wear in a self-tape?

Wear colours that complement your skin tone and reflect your character.

Character suggestions:
• lawyer → dark solid top
• tradie → simple tee
• mother/father → casual neutrals
• nurse → soft tones
• villain → deep, rich colours

Avoid:
• bright neon
• distracting patterns
• stripes
• pure white (unless lit softly)

Costume? NO.
Character suggestion? YES.

How long should a self-tape be?

Only as long as the scene requires. Don’t drag it out.

Casting directors want:
• clarity
• truth
• emotional connection
• natural pacing

They do NOT want long intros, chatting, explanations, or unnecessary fluff.

In and out.
Truth, connection, done.

Should I slate in my self-tape?

Yes — if requested. Keep it quick:
• name
• height (optional)
• agent (if applicable)
• profile (side → front → side)

Smile warmly and be YOU.
The slate tells casting:
“This is the human being behind the performance.”

How do I memorise lines quickly for a self-tape?

The trick is NOT memorising — it’s understanding.

Use:
• emotional beats
• repetition
• walking while learning
• chunking (small sections)
• writing lines by hand
• reading aloud

Actors I coach often memorise scenes in 20 minutes using performance psychology techniques.

Memory is a by-product of clarity, not effort.

Should I be emotional in my self-tape?

Only if the truth of the moment demands it.

Emotion should be:
• Felt
• Not forced
• Lived
• Not performed

Real emotion emerges from stakes — not effort.

If the tears aren’t real, don’t chase them.

Truth is always enough.

How many takes should I film?

2–4 takes max.
If you’re doing 20 takes, you’re chasing perfection, not truth.

The first few takes are instinctive.
After that, you start performing instead of feeling.

Your best take is often Take 2 or Take 3.

Should I use props in a self-tape?

Only if essential and simple.

Good props:
• phone
• cup
• keys
• folder

Bad props:
• food
• hats
• weapons
• costumes
• distracting objects

Props should help you feel the moment — not steal the moment.

Why do self-tapes often feel “fake” when I watch myself?

Because you’re seeing two things:
1. Your performance
2. Your self-judgement

Actors judge their own faces more harshly than anyone else.

With training, you learn to detach and view the tape as the character — not yourself.

It’s a skill.
And it’s transformative.

How do I look more natural in a self-tape?

Three steps:
1. Slow down
Rushing looks fake.
2. Breathe
Breath is truth.
3. Listen
React to your reader, not your mind.

Natural performance is emotional honesty plus stillness.

Should I edit my self-tape?

Yes — clean cuts only.
Do NOT:
• add music
• add transitions
• change brightness dramatically
• apply filters
• alter the audio unnaturally

Make simple cuts between scenes and slate.
That’s it.

How do I create chemistry in a self-tape without another actor present?

Chemistry is created through:
• imagination
• listening
• emotional truth
• breathing
• vulnerability
• internal life

You don’t need the perfect reader.
You need the perfect connection to the RELATIONSHIP.

Chemistry = belief.

Can I film a self-tape on my phone?

Yes — phones today shoot incredible quality.

Set your phone to:
• 1080p or 4K shoot horizonal unless instructed otherwise
• 24fps or 30fps
• rear camera for better quality
• correct exposure

Most Netflix actors have booked roles from phone-shot self-tapes.

Should I smile or stay serious in my slate and scene?

Slate: warm, friendly, YOU.
Scene: whatever the truth demands.

Don’t force smiles; don’t force seriousness.

Authenticity wins.

What if I need help filming a self-tape?

You can work with me one-on-one in:
• Geelong
• Melbourne
• or online worldwide

I help actors:
• break down the script
• understand the emotional truth
• film their best possible take
• handle nerves
• build grounded presence
• nail casting psychology

A coached tape often looks 3–4 levels more professional — and casting directors notice.

WORKING WITH ACTING AGENTS FAQ

Do I need an acting agent to get work?

Not at the beginning — but eventually, yes. Most major film and TV roles in Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane) are cast through agents. Agents act as your gateway to casting directors, major productions, and professional opportunities.

But here’s the truth:

Agents don’t get you work — your TRAINING gets you work.
Agents simply deliver opportunities.

If you’re unprepared, ungrounded, nervous, or unclear in your acting truth…
an agent won’t magically fix that.

Start building credits through platforms like StarNow, Casting Networks, and indie work.
Build your confidence, your showreel, your emotional depth.
Then approach agents.

Representation is earned through readiness — not luck.

How do I know when I’m ready for an agent?

You’re ready when you can consistently deliver:
• grounded self-tapes
• authentic presence
• emotional truth
• confidence
• ability to take direction
• a professional attitude
• basic on-camera technique

You don’t need perfection.
You don’t need fame.
You don’t need a huge résumé.

You need:
skill + consistency + truth + a great first impression.

If you’re unsure, I assess actors every day and guide them on timing.

What do acting agents look for in new talent?

Agents look for actors who are:
• easy to promote
• emotionally available
• grounded on camera
• coachable
• hardworking
• reliable
• able to self-tape well
• unique in their casting type
• willing to train consistently
• committed long-term

They want actors who make THEM look good when pitching to casting directors.

Your job is to be:
truthful, professional, and ready.

How do I find a good acting agent in Australia?

Start with reputable talent agencies in:
• Melbourne
• Sydney
• Brisbane
• Gold Coast
• Adelaide

Look for:
• professional websites
• real credits
• actors you recognise
• positive reputation
• clear communication
• ethical behaviour
• no upfront fees

Avoid agencies that:
• demand money before representation
• promise fame
• have no industry presence

A good agent invests in YOU — not the other way around.

How do I apply to an acting agent?

Most agencies require:
1. Headshots (simple, natural, industry standard)
2. Showreel or self-tape scene
3. Résumé (credits, training, skills)
4. Cover letter
5. Links to profiles (Castings Networks, Showcast, Starnow)

Send a warm, grounded email expressing why you feel aligned with their agency.

I help actors craft agent emails that stand out with truth, confidence and clarity.

What should I write in an email to an acting agent?

Be:
• respectful
• clear
• confident
• personal
• concise

Example approach:

“Hi, I’m an actor based in Geelong/Melbourne currently training full-time and developing strong on-camera skills. I would love to be considered for representation if you feel my casting type aligns with your vision.”

Agents love clarity, humility, and emotional groundedness.

What should my acting résumé look like?

An Australian acting résumé is clean, simple, and industry-standard:
• Name
• Contact
• Height / Age Range
• Hair / Eye Colour
• Agent (if applicable)
• Training
• Film credits
• TV credits
• Theatre
• Commercials (often omitted publicly)
• Skills
• Accents
• Special abilities

Your résumé should show relevance — not length.

Do I need a showreel to get an agent?

A showreel helps, but many agents sign actors who submit:
• 1–3 strong, grounded scenes
• A professional self-tape
• A short chat-to-camera video
• Strong headshots

Agents don’t need Hollywood — they need TRUTH.
A powerful, authentic scene is more valuable than a flashy montage.

Why do agents reject actors?

Usually for reasons unrelated to talent:
• They already represent your type
• Their books are full
• Your submission wasn’t personalised
• The timing wasn’t right
• Your showreel didn’t match your age range
• They didn’t feel a consistent “brand” from you
• You looked nervous
• You looked unprepared
• Your energy didn’t suit their roster

Rejection is not personal — it’s logistics.

And timing is EVERYTHING.

How do I make myself stand out to an acting agent?

Stand out by demonstrating:
• truth
• professionalism
• grounded presence
• clear casting type
• consistency
• training
• emotional depth
• a strong self-tape
• a clean, simple brand

Agents want to feel:
“This actor is ready to work.”

You stand out by being REAL — not loud.

Should I pay an agent for representation?

Never.
Never.
Never.

Legitimate acting agents earn commission when YOU earn work.
They do not:
• charge joining fees
• force headshot packages
• require subscriptions
• sell “starter packs”

If they want money upfront — walk away.

How often should I contact my agent?

Once you’re represented:
• update them every 3–6 months with new credits
• notify them when you complete training
• tell them when you produce new self-tapes
• communicate politely and professionally

Don’t overwhelm them.
Agents want actors who trust the process, not actors who panic.

Should I stay with the first agent who signs me?

Not necessarily.
Some actors outgrow their first agent.
Some agents don’t submit you often.
Some agents don’t specialise in your casting type.

You’re not trapped — this is a partnership.

Always choose the agent who:
• believes in your trajectory
• submits you regularly
• understands your brand
• gives honest feedback
• respects you

Representation must FEEL right.

Can I have multiple agents?

In Australia, generally no — except for specific categories:
• one theatrical agent
• one commercial agent
• one voice-over agent
• one international agent

But you cannot have two agents for film & TV simultaneously within the same region.

What percentage do acting agents take?

Standard commission rates:
• 10% for film, TV, commercials
• 15% for international work
• 5–10% for theatre (varies)

Any agency demanding more than 20% for standard screen work is not industry-standard.

How long does it take to get an agent?

It varies:
• Some actors get signed in a week
• Some take months
• Some take a year of training and growth

The stronger your materials and presence, the faster the process.

Most actors I coach land agents within 3–6 months of consistent training.

How do I know which agent is right for me?

The right agent:
• communicates clearly
• sees your potential
• supports your growth
• values truth over ego
• submits you for suitable roles
• believes in your uniqueness
• listens
• cares

You should feel respected — not desperate.

What if I feel insecure about applying to agents?

Welcome to the club.
Every actor fears rejection — it’s human.

But here’s the truth:

Agents WANT new talent.
Agents WANT fresh energy.
Agents WANT real, grounded performers.

If you’re training, growing, filming self-tapes, and developing your emotional truth — you ARE worthy.

Let fear be the signal that you’re stepping into your future.

What should I do if an agent doesn’t respond?

Do NOT take it personally.

They might be:
• overworked
• at capacity
• restructuring
• temporarily closed for submissions
• not needing your particular type at the moment

Wait 6 months, grow, film new self-tapes, update your materials — then reapply.

Persistence wins.

How can you help me get an agent?

I specialise in preparing actors for representation.
Together we:
• build your emotional truth
• sharpen your self-tape skills
• film professional scenes
• create your casting profile
• build your showreel
• craft your brand
• refine your headshots
• prepare your agent email
• choose the right agencies for your type
• guide you through rejections
• get you ready for success

Most actors I’ve coached land an agent because they enter the industry with clarity, truth, and professional presence.

Mastering the Craft: Core Acting Skills for Film & Television FAQ

What are the most important acting skills for film and television?

The core skills for screen acting are truth, presence, instinct, breath, emotional availability, stillness, and listening. Film magnifies EVERYTHING — your eyes, your breath, your internal life.
On camera, small is big, and stillness is powerful.

Unlike theatre, screen acting is intimate. The lens sees your thoughts before your words. To master film & TV acting, you need:
• inner emotional truth
• grounded physicality
• micro-expressions
• breath control
• deep listening
• authentic connection
• vulnerability
• psychological awareness

These are the skills I teach at Moore Acting Instinct in Geelong and Melbourne: the invisible tools that make good actors great — and great actors magnetic.

What does “acting truthfully” actually mean?

Acting truthfully means you feel the emotion rather than performing it. Truthful acting is psychological, not theatrical.
It’s the difference between:
• showing sadness vs feeling loss
• pretending to argue vs being affected by the other person
• acting scared vs allowing fear to move through you

Truth is not performance.
Truth is permission.

The camera is a lie detector — and truth is the language it understands.

What is “presence” in acting?

Presence is the ability to fully exist in the moment — physically, emotionally, and energetically. Presence is built through:
• calm breath
• relaxed muscles
• open awareness
• emotional connection
• grounded body language
• willingness to be seen

Presence is why some actors walk on screen and you can’t look away.
It’s magnetism.
And it’s trainable.

How do I develop emotional range as an actor?

Emotional range grows from emotional awareness. To expand your range:
• acknowledge your emotions
• stop judging them
• practise breath-focused emotional access
• explore different stakes
• train on camera regularly
• study human behaviour
• feel rather than force

Your emotional life is your artistic toolbox.
The more you know yourself — the more your characters come alive.

What does it mean to “listen” in acting?

Listening is the cornerstone of great acting. Not “waiting for your line” — but absorbing, feeling, reacting.
When you deeply listen:
• your reactions become real
• your eyes stay alive
• vulnerability emerges
• chemistry builds naturally

Listening is where truth begins.

What’s the difference between stage acting and film acting?

Stage acting is expressive, projected, and energetic.
Screen acting is intimate, grounded, and subtle.

On stage:
• big gestures
• strong voice projection
• visible emotion

On screen:
• micro-emotion
• breath
• eyes
• stillness
• internal life

Screen acting is not smaller — it’s deeper.

How do I stop overacting on camera?

Overacting comes from insecurity. When actors try to impress, they push too hard.

To stop overacting:
• slow down
• breathe
• feel rather than show
• relax the face
• listen deeply
• keep your wants simple
• reduce movement
• trust stillness

Less noise = more truth.

What is the best way to study character?

Character begins with emotional truth, not external traits. Explore:
• what the character WANTS
• what they FEAR
• what they VALUE
• what they are HIDING
• how they LOVE
• how they protect themselves

Character is built from psychology, not performance.

How do I access emotions quickly?

Through:
• breathwork
• sensory triggers
• personal memory
• imagination
• intention
• physical activation
• understanding the stakes

Actors don’t “fake” emotion — they wake it up.

What makes a performance feel natural instead of forced?

Natural acting comes from:
• relaxed muscles
• grounded feet
• calm breath
• listening
• spontaneity
• connection
• simplicity

Forced acting comes from fear.
Natural acting comes from trust.

What is “instinct” in acting and how do I build it?

Instinct is your body responding before your brain interferes. Instinct is emotional truth, impulse, and vulnerability. Build it through:
• repetition
• mindfulness
• self-tapes
• discomfort training
• letting go of control

Instinct is your superpower — and it’s trainable.

Why do some actors appear more “magnetic” on screen?

Because they allow themselves to be SEEN.
Magnetic actors:
• don’t hide
• don’t perform
• let emotion live in their eyes
• breathe openly
• connect authentically
• trust silence

Magnetism is openness — not technique.

How do I stop thinking and start feeling in a scene?

Thinking is fear.
Feeling is truth.

Shift by:
• breathing deeply
• asking, “What do I WANT?”
• dropping into your body
• listening to your scene partner
• surrendering perfection

Feel first, think second.

How do I build confidence in my acting ability?

Confidence is not a trait.
Confidence is earned.

Build it through:
• consistent training
• emotional exposure
• self-tape repetition
• small wins
• grounded breath
• mindset work
• coaching

Confidence is the result of showing up — especially when scared.

Why do my acting performances feel flat sometimes?

Flatness often comes from:
• low stakes
• shallow emotion
• lack of truth
• overthinking
• unclear wants
• fear of vulnerability

Raise the stakes, deepen the emotion, and ground your intention.

Your performance will rise instantly.

What is “emotional truth” and why do casting directors want it?

Emotional truth is when you feel the feeling rather than perform it.
Casting directors crave truth because it’s relatable, human, and rare. Most actors try to act. The great ones allow themselves to feel.

Truth connects.
Truth books roles.

How do I make my acting more subtle on camera?

By removing everything unnecessary.
• cut gestures
• reduce movement
• soften the face
• slow the breath
• trust silence
• focus your emotional want
• deepen your inner life

Subtlety is power.
Silence is loud on camera.

How do I make strong acting choices?

Strong choices are:
• emotional, not theatrical
• rooted in psychology
• connected to want
• grounded in relationship
• based on vulnerability
• driven by the stakes

Strong = honest.
Honesty = unforgettable.

What makes an actor “believable”?

Believability comes from:
• emotional availability
• stillness
• genuine connection
• specific thoughts
• grounded breath
• lived stakes
• authenticity

If you believe what you’re feeling, the audience will too.

How do I know if I’m improving as an actor?

You’ll feel it.
Improvement looks like:
• less fear
• more presence
• deeper listening
• cleaner self-tapes
• richer emotional truth
• more ease in discomfort
• clearer direction from coaches
• better instincts
• more grounded confidence

Growth sneaks up on you — then shows up everywhere.

WORKING ON SET & INDUSTRY BEHAVIOUR FAQ

What should I expect on my first day on a film or TV set?

Your first day on set will feel overwhelming — lights, crew, cables, cameras, schedules, intensity. But underneath all the noise is one truth:
Everyone wants you to succeed.

Film crews in Australia — especially Melbourne’s booming industry — are some of the most supportive humans you’ll ever meet. They’re professionals, specialists, and problem-solvers.

Expect:
• early call times
• waiting… then more waiting
• quick bursts of intense performance
• constant resets
• dozens of eyes on you
• multiple takes
• adjustments between shots
• rapid changes
• new instructions without warning

Your job is to stay:
• calm
• grounded
• adaptable
• open
• grateful

A great performance is half the job.
A great attitude is the other half.

What is “set etiquette,” and why does it matter?

Set etiquette is the unspoken code of conduct on a film set. It keeps the machine running smoothly.

Good set etiquette includes:
• arriving early
• knowing your lines
• listening
• respecting crew
• staying quiet when rolling
• thanking everyone
• not touching equipment
• being emotionally ready
• staying in your zone without being dramatic

Bad etiquette can cost you future work.
Good etiquette builds your reputation faster than talent alone.

Directors remember the actors who make their job easier.

What do directors look for from actors on set?

Directors don’t want perfection — they want collaboration.
They want actors who:
• listen
• adjust quickly
• take notes without ego
• stay emotionally grounded
• connect authentically
• offer presence, not performance
• bring the character’s psychology, not theatrics
• stay ready through delays

Directors LOVE actors who make fast, truthful adjustments.
If you can pivot instantly, directors will fight to work with you again.

How should I talk to the director?

Keep communication simple, respectful, and collaborative.

Try:
• “How would you like this moment to feel?”
• “Would you like more subtlety or more urgency?”
• “Do you want the emotion restrained or released?”
• “Is there anything I can simplify?”

Avoid:
• talking for too long
• defending your choices
• explaining your acting technique
• telling them what your character “would” do

Ask smart questions.
Do the work.
Let the director lead.

How do I work with the camera crew?

Respect the camera team — they are your allies. They control framing, lighting, and how your performance is captured.

Best practices:
• hit your marks
• don’t step over cables
• don’t touch gear
• stand where they ask
• stay still during adjustments
• thank them

Camera operators LOVE actors who work with the lens instead of fighting it.
Learn your angles.
Trust their craft.

What should I NEVER do on set?

Never:
• be late
• complain
• use your phone between takes
• interrupt crew
• give other actors notes
• blame others
• be defensive
• break focus during a take
• get drunk, high, or reckless
• gossip
• make it about you

Set behaviour determines career longevity.

One moment of arrogance can cost you relationships.

What does it mean to “hit your mark”?

Your “mark” is the exact spot where lighting, camera focus, and framing are designed around your body.
If you miss your mark — even by 10cm — the shot breaks:
• focus fails
• lighting fails
• composition fails
• continuity fails

Great actors hit their mark instinctively.
It’s part of your professional discipline.

Why is waiting such a big part of being on set?

Because filmmaking is problem-solving in real time.

Between shots, the crew must:
• reset lighting
• adjust camera angles
• move props
• tweak costumes
• adjust sound
• set continuity
• rehearse blocking

Your job during the waiting periods:
• stay grounded
• stay connected
• stay ready

The best actors don’t “switch on” — they stay emotionally available throughout.

How do I maintain emotion over multiple takes?

By understanding emotional regulation, not emotional exhaustion.

Use:
• breathwork
• micro-releases
• quick resets
• staying connected to your want
• sensory triggers
• internal truth rather than external effort

Your emotional life must be accessible, not drained.
Learn to FEEL, not force.

What does “hitting continuity” mean for actors?

Continuity means repeating your actions the EXACT same way across takes so editors can stitch the scene seamlessly.

Continuity includes:
• when you turn
• where you look
• when you pick up a cup
• when you sit
• your gestures
• your tempo
• your emotional beats

Sloppy continuity ruins edits.
Great continuity elevates your professionalism.

What’s the difference between a “wide shot,” “medium shot,” and “close-up”?

This knowledge is CRUCIAL for screen actors:

Wide Shot
• full body
• movement matters
• emotion must be clear but not big

Medium Shot
• waist up
• mix of gesture + facial truth
• grounded performance

Close-Up
• face dominates frame
• micro-emotions are everything
• stillness is power
• breath is story

Great actors know how to adjust truthfully for each shot.

How should I behave in the green room or holding area?

Act like a professional:
• stay calm
• stay quiet
• respect other actors’ preparation
• avoid complaining
• avoid comparing yourself
• avoid gossip
• stay focused
• conserve energy

People notice everything — especially how you carry yourself when you’re not “on.”

What is a “cold read,” and how do I handle one on set?

A cold read is performing new material with almost no prep time.
It could happen:
• if the script changes
• if the director rewrites
• if a scene is added
• if they want a quick alternate take

Handle it by:
• breathing
• simplifying
• listening
• grounding yourself
• focusing on relationships
• trusting instinct

Cold reads reveal your TRUE acting ability.

How do I handle last-minute script changes?

With openness, ease, and trust.
Directors love actors who can adapt instantly.

Use this process:
• read it once
• understand the emotional want
• simplify the beats
• breathe
• trust the first instinct
• let go of perfection

Adaptability is a superpower.

How do I stay confident when surrounded by experienced actors?

Remember: everyone started somewhere.

Confidence on set comes from:
• knowing your lines
• breathing
• connecting to truth
• staying humble
• trusting your training
• focusing on the moment

Comparison kills creativity.
Presence revives it.

How do I build good relationships with cast and crew?

You build industry relationships through:
• gratitude
• kindness
• professionalism
• showing up prepared
• being easy to work with
• bringing grounded energy
• maintaining humility
• being reliable

People hire actors they LIKE.
Talent gets you noticed — behaviour gets you rehired.

How do I prepare for a long shooting day?

Long days require:
• sleep
• hydration
• warm-ups
• emotional preparation
• snacks
• patience
• openness
• mental resilience

Film sets test your stamina.
Your job is to protect your emotional truth across 8–12 hours.

Should I watch playback on set?

Only if:
• the director invites you
• it helps the performance
• you won’t become self-critical

Some actors benefit from playback, others tighten up.
Know thyself.

How do I deal with imposter syndrome on set?

By accepting it.
Imposter syndrome means you’re growing.

Use:
• breath
• grounding
• emotional truth
• self-compassion
• staying present
• trusting the work

You’ve earned your place.
You’re meant to be there.

How do I become the kind of actor everyone wants to hire?

Be:
• truthful
• professional
• humble
• grounded
• open
• collaborative
• prepared
• emotionally available
• respectful
• consistent

Talent is common.
Professionalism is rare.
Truth is unforgettable.

You combine all three.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT & LONG-TERM GROWTH FAQ

How do I build a long-term acting career in Australia?

A long-term acting career is not built on luck — it’s built on discipline, mindset, relationships, self-awareness, and emotional truth.
In Australia, especially Melbourne and Sydney, the actors who last are those who:
• train consistently
• stay humble
• sharpen self-tape skills
• build emotional intelligence
• create their own opportunities
• remain adaptable
• evolve their craft
• nurture relationships with casting
• stay resilient through rejection
• trust their unique pathway

A career is not one “big break.”
It’s 1000 small moments of growth.

When you train at Moore Acting Instinct in Geelong or Melbourne — or online from anywhere in the world — you’re not just learning how to act.
You’re learning how to BUILD A LIFE inside the industry with strength, purpose, and truth.

A career is not found.
A career is BUILT — brick by brick, choice by choice, truth by truth.

What’s the most important mindset for a successful acting career?

The mindset is simple but rare:

Acting isn’t about being chosen. Acting is about being READY.

Most actors wait.
They wait for auditions, agents, momentum, luck.

Successful actors prepare.

They train daily.
They improve their emotional truth.
They film self-tapes weekly.
They grow quietly behind the scenes.
They strengthen their psychology.
They stay ready for the moment opportunity knocks.

You can’t control the industry.
But you can control:
• your presence
• your preparation
• your identity
• your resilience
• your craft

When you combine readiness with truth…
Opportunity finds YOU.

How do I structure my acting training to grow each year?

Create a training cycle that repeats every 12 months:

Quarter 1 — Skill Expansion
• emotional depth
• scene work
• on-camera truth
• instinct
• performance psychology

Quarter 2 — Material Creation
• self-tapes
• updated showreel scenes
• headshots
• monologues
• chat-to-camera videos

Quarter 3 — Industry Alignment
• agent updates
• casting profile upgrades
• brand refinement
• new professional photos

Quarter 4 — Production & Application
• apply for roles
• create your own work
• act in indie films
• collaborate with local filmmakers
• review the year

Repeat.
Grow.
Evolve.

This is the system I use in my Geelong and Melbourne acting programs and for online actors worldwide.

How do I create my own opportunities as an actor?

This is the future of acting.
You don’t wait — you MAKE.

You create opportunities by:
• filming your own short scenes
• shooting micro-films with friends
• building your own characters
• collaborating with local filmmakers
• writing simple stories
• producing passion projects
• joining indie productions
• making self-tape “test scenes” weekly

This is what YOU did with Stashamo High, Paul.
This is what you did with Rostered On — which became the first Australian webseries Netflix ever bought from its original release.

Actors who create their own work become unstoppable.

What should I focus on in the first year of my acting career?

The first year is not about fame or bookings.
It’s about building a foundation.

Focus on:
• self-tapes
• emotional truth
• confidence
• industry literacy
• training consistently
• personal growth
• collecting small wins
• building resilience
• developing presence
• joining workshops in Geelong, Melbourne or online
• getting comfortable on camera

Your first year is about building who you’re becoming — not who you think you need to be.

How do I keep momentum when I’m not booking roles?

Momentum is created INTERNALLY, not externally.

You build momentum by:
• filming one self-tape every week
• learning a new scene every fortnight
• updating your casting profiles
• collaborating with local filmmakers
• training with new emotional tools
• creating short clips
• improving your craft
• staying connected to why you started

Momentum is generated by your work — not by other people’s decisions.

How do I handle long periods between auditions?

You TRAIN between auditions.
You grow between auditions.
You build strength between auditions.

When auditions slow down:
• refine your skills
• deepen your emotional access
• create your own scenes
• update your reel
• record test tapes
• take workshops
• study human behaviour
• read scripts
• rehearse monologues
• practise close-up work

Actors who only work when they’re auditioning stay stuck.
Actors who train year-round build careers.

What are the biggest career mistakes actors make?

The biggest mistakes are:
• waiting to be chosen
• relying on raw talent
• fearing rejection
• not training consistently
• ignoring self-tapes
• overthinking
• comparing themselves to others
• chasing perfection
• expecting overnight success
• letting insecurity run their choices
• being inconsistent
• giving up too soon

A career is a marathon — not a moment.

How long does it take to build a successful acting career?

Everyone’s timeline is different.

Some actors book within 3 months.
Some within a year.
Some after 3 years of consistent training.
Some after 10 years of perseverance.

Success is not time-based.
It’s transformation-based.

The more you transform your craft, mind, presence, and psychology — the faster your career grows.

How important is networking for actors?

Networking isn’t forcing connection.
It’s building genuine relationships.

Connect with:
• filmmakers
• actors
• writers
• directors
• creatives in Melbourne & Geelong
• indie producers
• theatre makers
• film students

Collaborations lead to opportunities.
Opportunities lead to credits.
Credits lead to momentum.

NETWORKING ISN’T TALKING.
NETWORKING IS CREATING TOGETHER.

What’s the best way to build my acting brand?

Your brand is your story + your truth + your presence.
To build it:
• choose headshots that feel like YOU
• define your casting type
• create consistent online profiles
• choose roles that align with your emotional truth
• share your journey
• invest in skill more than aesthetics

Your brand is your emotional signature.

How do I find my “casting type”?

Your casting type is your natural essence + your emotional truth + your energy.

Look at:
• what people trust about you
• what people fear from you
• what you radiate naturally
• your emotional weight
• your humour
• your intensity
• your softness

You find your casting type by doing the work, filming scenes, and studying your presence on camera.

What is the biggest myth about acting careers?

That you need to be discovered.
You don’t get discovered — you get DEVELOPED.

The myth says:
“You need luck.”

The truth says:
“You need discipline.”

You build visibility by becoming undeniable.

How do I grow faster than other actors?

By training with:
• honesty
• discipline
• emotional courage
• humility
• self-awareness
• psychological insight

Most actors avoid discomfort.
You run toward it.

That’s why you grow.

How do I turn acting into a full-time career?

You combine:
• training
• auditions
• creating your own work
• landing an agent
• building industry relationships
• staying consistent
• staying visible
• filming your own projects
• growing into leads
• expanding your emotional power

Full-time acting is not about volume of work — it’s about consistent relevance.

How do I avoid burnout as an actor?

Burnout happens when you chase validation instead of truth.

Avoid burnout by:
• breathing
• moving your body
• taking space
• resting
• doing scenes that feed your soul
• reconnecting with your why
• training with presence
• surrounding yourself with grounded mentors
• focusing on growth, not results

Your nervous system is the foundation of your artistry.

Protect it.

Why do some actors become successful and others don’t?

The difference is not talent.
The difference is:
• consistency
• resilience
• adaptability
• self-awareness
• willingness to fail
• emotional intelligence
• long-term discipline
• training

Success is psychological, not magical.

How do I deal with jealousy toward other actors?

Jealousy is comparison without context.
You only see their moment — not their journey.

When jealousy appears:
• breathe
• reset
• focus on your growth
• celebrate others
• honour your timeline

Your path is YOURS.
No one can take it.

Should I move to Melbourne or Sydney to grow my career?

Melbourne and Sydney offer more auditions, yes — but you can start anywhere.

Geelong actors now book film and TV from home via self-tapes.

Your location is no longer your limitation.
Your skill is the limitation — and THAT is in your control.

How do I build a 10–20 year acting career?

By becoming:
• emotionally resilient
• psychologically strong
• technically skilled
• adaptable
• curious
• humble
• consistent
• creatively fearless
• mentally disciplined
• grounded in truth

A long career is built through character — not credit lists.

You become the actor who lasts by becoming the human who grows.

KIDS & TEENS ACTING FAQ

Is acting safe and appropriate for kids and teens?

Absolutely. When taught properly, acting is not just safe — it’s transformative.
At Moore Acting Instinct in Geelong and Melbourne, our kids and teen classes prioritise:

• emotional safety
• confidence building
• supportive environments
• age-appropriate material
• nurturing self-expression
• gentle on-camera exposure
• guided communication skills
• psychology-backed techniques

Children learn emotional awareness, teamwork, resilience, and self-belief.
Our focus isn’t on fame — it’s on character.

Your child grows stronger, braver, and more expressive in a safe, structured, inspiring space.

What age can my child start acting classes?

Children can start as young as 6 years old for foundational acting and confidence-building. Teens can start anytime between 12–17.

At different ages, they learn different things:
• 6–9: Imagination, storytelling, confidence
• 10–12: Communication, listening, awareness, camera basics
• 13–15: Emotional truth, scene work, grounded presence
• 16–17: Professional preparation, self-tapes, performance psychology

Each age group is nurtured according to where they are emotionally and developmentally.

How does acting help children build confidence?

Confidence is not just “feeling bold.”
Confidence is understanding yourself.

Acting teaches kids:
• to speak clearly
• to project their voice
• to trust their instincts
• to step into discomfort
• to manage nerves
• to express emotion safely
• to be seen and heard
• to embrace vulnerability
• to believe in themselves

Children who train with us in Geelong and Melbourne often see confidence improve at school, in friendships, and at home.

Confidence is a muscle.
Acting strengthens it.

How do acting classes help with anxiety?

Acting is one of the most powerful anxiety-reducing tools for young people.

Why?
Because acting normalises:
• nerves
• pressure
• uncertainty
• emotional expression
• being observed

We teach kids and teens HOW anxiety works — and how to breathe, ground, and transform it into presence.

This is the same method Paul used to conquer his own panic attacks.
We turn fear into power.
We turn nervousness into courage.

What skills do kids and teens learn in acting classes?

They learn:
• confidence
• communication
• camera awareness
• emotional intelligence
• self-expression
• teamwork
• problem-solving
• creativity
• resilience
• listening
• imagination
• social skills
• presence

These are life skills — not just acting skills.

Are the classes suitable for shy or introverted kids?

YES — shy children often thrive the most.

Introverted kids excel because:
• they listen deeply
• they feel deeply
• they understand nuance
• they bring emotional truth
• they grow steadily
• their progress is profound

We take care to build trust and safety before expression.

Many parents tell us:
“This is the first place my child has felt comfortable speaking up.”

Do kids need any experience to start?

None. Zero.
Experience is not required — curiosity is.

Kids learn through:
• simple scenes
• fun roleplay
• on-camera games
• confidence-building exercises
• imagination work
• gentle challenges

We meet each child where they’re at and grow them naturally.

Why is on-camera training important for young actors?

Because modern acting is all CAMERA-based.
Everything — from auditions to callbacks to commercials — is filmed.

Kids and teens who train on camera learn:
• emotional subtlety
• eye-line control
• micro-expression
• presence
• grounded truth
• self-awareness
• comfort in front of the lens

We train them for the REAL industry — gently, safely, purposefully.

How do you ensure emotional safety in class?

We protect your child through:
• age-appropriate material
• psychological guidance
• emotional boundaries
• no heavy trauma scenes
• no adult content
• careful pairings
• safe words for overwhelm
• gentle warm-ups
• monitored emotional transitions

Kids never perform material beyond their emotional maturity.
Safety first — always.

Will acting classes help my child with school performance?

YES. Acting boosts:
• reading
• public speaking
• social confidence
• emotional regulation
• leadership
• focus
• teamwork
• creative writing

Teachers frequently tell parents:
“Your child has become more outgoing, focused, and expressive.”

Acting translates directly into better school engagement.

Can acting classes help with bullying or self-esteem issues?

Absolutely.

Acting builds:
• resilience
• identity
• strength
• self-belief
• communication skills
• emotional understanding

Kids who feel unseen become kids who feel powerful.
Kids who feel alone become kids who feel supported.

Acting gives them a place to BELONG.

What happens if my child becomes overwhelmed or emotional?

We support, guide, and ground them.

Our process:
• step aside
• breathe
• validate feelings
• de-escalate
• slow down
• return when ready

Your child will NEVER be rushed.
They are safe.
They are heard.
They grow through emotional awareness — not pressure.

How do teens benefit differently from younger kids?

Teens gain:
• deeper emotional understanding
• real on-camera technique
• self-assurance
• professional discipline
• career pathways
• self-tape familiarity
• film & TV literacy

Teens are developing identity and presence — acting accelerates their personal growth.

Can acting classes help my teen prepare for the film & TV industry?

Yes. Teens learn:
• screen acting fundamentals
• self-tape skills
• audition psychology
• set etiquette
• collaboration
• character analysis
• emotional truth

By 16–17, teens can train at an almost adult level.

Some teens from MAI land roles in commercials, shorts, or feature films.

Do kids and teens need headshots or agents?

Not at the beginning.

Kids start with:
• fun learning
• confidence
• performance awareness

If they show passion and consistency, we can help parents:
• choose headshots
• create profiles
• approach agents (only if appropriate)
• guide auditions
• prepare self-tapes

We NEVER rush children into the industry.
We let growth happen naturally.

Does my child need to memorise lines?

We introduce memorisation gently.
Kids learn:
• simple beats
• small sections
• playful repetition
• emotional understanding

Teens learn full scenes, but with psychological support.

The goal is NOT perfection — it’s joy and truth.

What kind of scenes do kids and teens work on?

Scenes are:
• age-appropriate
• fun
• truthful
• creative
• emotionally safe
• written for young performers
• filmed gently
• guided with care

No heavy trauma.
No adult themes.
No inappropriate content.

Can parents watch the classes?

Parents can attend:
• open days
• showcase sessions
• viewing days
• end-of-term filming nights

During regular classes, kids learn best without parent observation — it builds independence and confidence.

But you’re always welcome to discuss progress with us.

Do acting classes help with teenage identity and expression?

YES — profoundly.

Teens learn:
• who they are
• how they feel
• what they value
• how to speak truth
• how to express emotion safely
• how to communicate under pressure
• how to understand relationships

Acting becomes a mirror that shows them their strength.

Many parents say:
“This helped my teen find themselves.”

How do I enrol my child or teen in acting classes?

Just visit paulmoore.com.au and choose:
• Kids Acting Classes (Geelong)
• Teen Screen Acting (Geelong)
• Melbourne Workshops
• Online Coaching (Worldwide)
• Holiday Intensives
• 1:1 Performance Coaching
• Self-Tape Training

We welcome beginners, shy kids, confident kids, anxious teens, passionate performers — EVERY young person who wants to grow.

Acting teaches kids and teens something school rarely teaches:

How to be brave. How to express. How to feel. How to believe in themselves.

At MAI, we don’t just teach acting.
We teach courage, identity, confidence, and presence.

ONLINE ACTING COURSE & WORLDWIDE TRAINING FAQ

Can I learn acting online from anywhere in the world?

Absolutely.
In fact, online acting training has become one of the most powerful tools for modern actors.

With Zoom coaching, on-camera exercises, and psychological performance work, students can train directly with Paul Moore from anywhere — Australia, the UK, USA, Europe, Asia — anywhere with a laptop and internet connection.

Acting is no longer limited by geography.
Your growth is global.
Your opportunities are global.
Your training can be global too.

At MAI, online acting is not “second best.”
It’s laser-focused, personal, and deeply transformative.

What’s the biggest benefit of online acting classes?

Online training forces actors to master the camera, the exact medium used for:
• Netflix
• Stan
• Disney+
• Amazon
• Feature film auditions
• TV commercials
• Self-tapes
• Casting director briefs

Online acting teaches you:
• micro-expression
• emotional truth
• stillness
• presence
• eye-line control
• grounded delivery
• self-tape mastery

These are the exact skills working actors need.
Online training makes you sharper, faster and more conscious than most in-studio training.

Do online acting classes actually work?

YES — incredibly well.

Why?
Because acting is emotional truth.
And truth travels through the lens.

Online classes teach you:
• how to connect emotionally through a screen
• how to be authentic under pressure
• how to perform with precision
• how to self-direct
• how to adjust quickly
• how to deliver intimate, truthful performances

Actors around the world have booked commercials, TV roles, indie films, and web series after training online with MAI.

The medium doesn’t matter.
The work does.

What do I need to start online acting training?

You only need:
• a laptop or phone
• internet connection
• 1–2 metres of space
• a quiet room
• decent lighting (a lamp works)
• headphones (optional but helpful)

You do NOT need a full studio to begin.

As you grow, we’ll help you build a simple, powerful self-tape setup — no over-the-top gear, just what works.

Can beginners join the online acting program?

Absolutely.
There is no required experience.

Beginners often progress even faster online because the training is:
• intimate
• focused
• personalised
• pressure-free
• emotionally safe

You learn at your pace, in your environment, guided one-on-one by Paul.

What skills will I learn in Paul Moore’s online acting course?

You will learn:
• screen acting technique
• emotional presence
• instinct work
• psychological performance tools
• character analysis
• natural delivery
• cold reading
• camera confidence
• self-tape mastery
• audition preparation
• storytelling
• voice & breath
• performance mindset
• scene work

It’s the full professional screen acting curriculum, delivered anywhere in the world.

Can online acting classes help me get an agent?

YES — absolutely.

Through online training, we can:
• build a strong casting profile
• film self-tape examples
• create a mini-showreel
• shape your brand
• identify your casting type
• refine your headshots
• prepare agent submissions
• rehearse your agent meeting
• guide you through the entire process

Many students have secured agents off online-trained materials alone.

Do online acting classes help with self-tapes?

Online training is the BEST way to master self-tapes.

You will learn:
• framing
• lighting
• audio
• angles
• pacing
• audition psychology
• delivery adjustments
• natural eye-line
• emotional anchors
• nuanced performance
• connection through the lens

Self-tapes are now the #1 way actors are cast.
You must master them — and online training is the perfect environment.

What if English is not my first language?

No problem.
In fact, it can become a strength.

We work on:
• tone
• clarity
• accent control (if needed)
• rhythm
• emotion over language
• story over perfection

Many international actors bring unique presence and authenticity because of their cultural backgrounds.

We don’t hide your difference — we use it.

Can teens do online acting lessons as well?

Yes — teens thrive online.

With guidance, they learn:
• confidence
• focus
• emotional truth
• screen presence
• self-expression
• discipline
• communication skills

Teens who feel shy in groups often feel safer online, allowing them to grow quickly.

Can online acting classes help me transition from theatre to film?

Yes — and it’s one of Paul’s specialties.

We shift you from:
• big movement → subtle truth
• projection → grounded breath
• stage presence → micro-emotion
• audience connection → camera connection
• external performance → internal stillness

Theatre actors often experience a HUGE breakthrough when transitioning to screen online because they can immediately see their adjustments on camera.

What makes Paul Moore’s online acting training different?

Three things:

1. Performance Psychology

Paul teaches emotional awareness, nervous system regulation, instinct work and the mindset behind authentic screen truth.

2. On-Camera From Day One

Every moment is filmed.
Every exercise is screen-based.
You grow fast.

3. Emotional Safety & Identity Work

Training with Paul is not ego-driven.
It is truth-driven.

You learn who you REALLY are on camera — and that changes everything.

Can online acting classes help me reduce anxiety?

YES — profoundly.

Paul has lived experience with:
• panic attacks
• anxiety
• self-doubt
• fear
• overthinking

His method transforms anxiety into presence through:
• breath
• grounding
• focus
• emotional access
• nervous system understanding
• psychology-backed techniques

Online training becomes a safe space to practise confidence.

Can I train online and still audition for film & TV in Australia?

Yes.

Most auditions today are:
• self-tape
• Zoom callbacks
• remote chemistry reads

Actors ALL over Australia — including Geelong, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth — now audition from home.

Training online prepares you for the exact way roles are cast today.

Can I join if I live outside Australia?

Absolutely — students from:
• USA
• UK
• Europe
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Germany
• India
• UAE

train with Paul every year.

Time zones are flexible.
Sessions can be arranged morning or night.

Your talent has no borders.
Your training shouldn’t either.

Will online training help me book roles on Netflix, Stan, or Amazon?

YES — because the skills you learn online are the skills required for screen auditions.

You learn:
• subtle emotional connection
• stillness
• tone
• framing
• truthful delivery
• character psychology
• audition presence

That’s exactly what working actors use on Netflix shows.

Rostered On — which Paul starred in and produced — was purchased by Netflix.
He knows the level required.

What if I don’t know where to start?

You start with YOU.

You start with:
• a scene
• a breath
• a moment of truth
• one step
• one session
• one spark

We build from there — gently, clearly, powerfully.

No pressure.
Just growth.

How personalised is the online coaching?

It is 100% customised to your:
• personality
• background
• strengths
• goals
• emotional blocks
• casting type
• career path

This is not a generic “class.”
This is a crafted journey.

Does online training include showreel development?

Yes — and it’s incredibly effective.

We build:
• custom scenes
• self-tape style scenes
• emotional beats
• contrasting characters
• clean, professional footage

Your online sessions naturally become polished material for your casting profiles.

How do I start online acting training with Paul Moore?

Just visit paulmoore.com.au and choose:
• Online 1:1 Coaching (Worldwide)
• Global Self-Tape Coaching
• International Acting Course
• Zoom Acting Sessions
• Worldwide Film & TV Actor Training

You can start from any country, any level, any background.

Because acting is not about where you are.
It’s about who you are willing to become.

FILM PRODUCTION & INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING FAQ

How do you make a feature film on a micro-budget?

You make it with courage, creativity, and ruthless focus — not money.

A micro-budget film is built from:
• relationships
• passion
• simplicity
• authenticity
• resourcefulness
• a story you can shoot ANYWHERE
• actors who believe in the project
• a team willing to problem-solve
• local locations
• smart scheduling

This is exactly how Paul Moore made:
• Rostered On for $10k (later sold to Netflix)
• Stashamo High for under $30k (expanding to a $50k feature)

Micro-budget filmmaking isn’t a limitation.
It’s a creative weapon.

What equipment do I need to shoot a film?

Far less than you think.

You can make a feature with:
• a DSLR or mirrorless camera
• 1–2 lenses
• basic audio
• natural lighting or simple LEDs
• a laptop for editing
• determination

The truth:
Your story and performances matter more than your gear.

Rostered On proved that.
Stashamo High continues proving it.

How do you choose a story that works for low-budget filmmaking?

Choose a story that is:
• character-driven
• emotionally rich
• location-light
• flexible
• intimate
• real
• grounded
• filled with truthful moments
• driven by performance, not spectacle

Low budget should never equal low quality.
It just means smart storytelling.

How do you cast your own film?

You cast actors who:
• show emotional truth
• understand subtlety
• rehearse professionally
• are reliable
• align with your vision
• communicate clearly
• bring their own ideas
• respect the craft

Paul casts directly from:
• Moore Acting Instinct (MAI)
• local Geelong & Melbourne talent
• actors trained in screen truth
• actors who are hungry, humble, and ready

Talent isn’t everything.
Mindset is.

How do you schedule a micro-budget film?

You schedule strategically:
• group locations together
• shoot scenes by location availability
• prioritise simple setups
• minimise company moves
• rehearse before shoot days
• shoot 4–8 pages per day
• avoid unnecessary extras
• keep a flexible team

The secret is momentum.
Move fast — but never rush the truth.

How do you choose locations for a low-budget film?

Use:
• places you know
• places you have access to
• public spaces
• homes
• workplaces
• schools (with permission)
• parks
• alleys
• backyards
• cars
• shops

Geelong is FILLED with cinematic, untouched locations.

Rostered On and Stashamo High are proof of what’s possible when you film locally.

How do you get good performances with a small crew?

Small crews create intimacy.
Intimacy produces truth.

With fewer people watching, actors:
• relax
• feel safer
• take risks
• explore depth
• offer layered performances

Paul’s method is performance-first:
• emotional truth
• instinct
• psychology
• grounded presence
• camera awareness

Small crew = BIG authenticity.

How do you keep actors comfortable during guerrilla shoots?

By leading with:
• clarity
• kindness
• preparation
• communication
• honesty
• emotional support
• safe work practices

A comfortable actor is a truthful actor.

And truth is the heart of all great film.

How do you manage sound on a low budget?

Sound is 70% of your film.
Invest in:
• one good shotgun mic
• a basic boom pole
• a lav mic if possible
• quiet locations
• clean dialogue

Sound > camera.
Always.

How do you build a small but effective film crew?

Choose people who are:
• problem-solvers
• reliable
• multi-skilled
• calm
• respectful
• enthusiastic
• ego-free

You don’t need a huge team.
You need the RIGHT team.

Rostered On was made with a small, hungry crew — and it went worldwide.

How do you create cinematic shots without expensive gear?

Use:
• natural light
• simple framing
• stable tripods
• motivated camera movement
• close-ups that capture truth
• foreground objects
• depth
• symmetry
• handheld realism

Cinematography is storytelling — not equipment.

How do you fund a micro-budget film?

Multiple ways:
• personal savings
• small grants
• crowdfunding
• investors
• contributions
• partnerships
• self-funding

Paul’s films were funded through:
• $10k personal investment (Rostered On)
• $30k budget (Stashamo High)
• Geelong Waterfront Film Foundation grant
• private investors for expansion

You THEN use your finished film to raise MORE funding later.

How do you work with grants like Screen Vic, Screen Australia or local councils?

You need:
• clarity of vision
• a structured pitch
• budget transparency
• a compelling story
• a clear audience
• a strong reason for local relevance

Stashamo High is now in discussion with Screen Victoria and Screen Australia for next-stage support.

Grants want projects with:
• passion
• leadership
• purpose
• commercial potential

You already have all three.

How do you stay motivated when filming gets hard?

You return to WHY you started.

Filmmaking is problem-solving with a camera.

The key is:
• emotional stamina
• leadership
• self-belief
• humour
• flexibility
• grounded energy
• clear focus

Filming a feature for under $50k is not easy.
But it’s powerful.

And it inspires others to dream bigger.

How do you create a production that actors LOVE being part of?

You create:
• safety
• trust
• clear communication
• creative freedom
• psychological support
• space to explore
• care for each performer

Actors follow LEADERS.
Not directors.
LEADERS.

Be the leader they trust.

How do you edit a micro-budget film?

Edit with:
• pacing
• truth
• simplicity
• emotional arcs
• clean dialogue
• rhythm
• intentional breath

Editing is sculpting emotion.
It’s where your story becomes real.

How do you prepare a film for festivals or distributors?

You need:
• a strong trailer
• a clear pitch deck
• a unique angle
• your story
• your Why
• a targeted festival list
• a timeline
• promotional materials
• social media momentum

Stashamo High has:
• a trailer
• a rough cut
• a pitch deck
• local media interest
• investor conversations
• distributor discussions

It’s exactly the model future filmmakers can follow.

How do you market a low-budget film effectively?

Use:
• social media
• local press
• cast communities
• behind-the-scenes footage
• interviews
• relatable stories
• your personal journey

People don’t connect to budgets.
They connect to honesty.

How do you get distributors interested in a micro-budget film?

Distributors care about:
• story
• audience
• cast
• relevance
• shareability
• authenticity
• marketability

Rostered On succeeded BECAUSE it was real, raw, gritty and Australian — not despite it.

Stashamo High has the same DNA.

How do actors and filmmakers work together to build careers?

Collaboratively.
Fearlessly.
Respectfully.
Creatively.
Humanly.

Actors need storytellers.
Filmmakers need truth-tellers.
Together, they create careers — and communities.

This is how you’ve built MAI.
This is how you’ve built Stashamo High.
This is how you will build your yearly feature-film legacy.

PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY & MINDSET FOR ACTORS FAQ

How do I overcome performance anxiety before acting?

Performance anxiety is not a flaw — it’s a physiological response your body has learned to fear.
You don’t fight it. You don’t suppress it.
You invite it.

Paul’s breakthrough came when he said:
“Bring it on.”
That flipped the switch.

To overcome anxiety:
• breathe low, not high
• focus on physical sensation
• welcome the adrenaline
• anchor yourself in the moment
• stop resisting your nerves
• turn fear into fuel
• allow yourself to feel EVERYTHING

The body relaxes when the mind stops fighting.

Why do actors feel nervous even after years of training?

Because nerves signal that you CARE.

Even world-class actors feel nervous because:
• they want to tell the truth
• they want to honour the moment
• they want to be seen
• they’re emotionally exposed

Nerves = humanity.
Humanity = great acting.

You’re not broken — you’re alive.

What’s the fastest way to calm nerves before an audition?

Use the 3-Point Grounding Technique Paul teaches at MAI:

✔ 1. Feel Your Feet

Shift focus from your thoughts → to your body.

✔ 2. Slow Your Exhale

Long exhale = nervous system resets.

✔ 3. Drop Your Shoulders

Signals safety to your brain.

This changes your physiology instantly — and your psychology follows.

How do I build confidence as an actor?

Confidence is built, not granted.

You build confidence by:
• showing up
• training consistently
• pushing comfort zones
• making mistakes
• surviving rejection
• taking emotional risks
• trying again
• trusting your instincts

Confidence is repetition with courage.

Why do I overthink when acting?

Overthinking happens when the mind tries to protect you.

It’s:
• fear of judgement
• fear of failure
• fear of being seen
• fear of not being enough

The antidote?

SHIFT FOCUS from “How am I doing?” → to “What do I want?”

When you focus on your character’s objective, not your performance, your overthinking dissolves.

How do I access deeper emotion on camera?

Emotion doesn’t come from forcing.
It comes from allowing.

You access deeper emotion by:
• trusting your instincts
• understanding your triggers
• removing self-judgement
• staying present
• anchoring breath
• letting go of control
• embracing vulnerability
• connecting truthfully with your scene partner

Great actors don’t “act.”
They allow.

How do I stop freezing up when the camera rolls?

Freeze responses are survival mechanisms.

To unlock them:
• Breathe longer on the exhale
• Look away briefly to re-centre
• Release tension in your jaw
• Blink slowly
• Reconnect with intention
• Remember you only need ONE truthful moment

The camera doesn’t need perfection.
It needs presence.

How do I deal with rejection in the acting industry?

Rejection isn’t personal — it’s logistical.

Actors rarely understand that:
• the role may be cast early
• producers may want a specific age
• your height may not match the lead
• your look may not match the story
• the project tone may need another energy
• you might be too strong for a small role
• your essence may remind someone of someone else

Rejection is rarely about talent.
It’s about puzzle pieces.

You’re not being rejected — you’re being redirected.

Why do some actors crack under pressure and others thrive?

Because the ones who thrive:
• regulate their nervous system
• understand their psychology
• trust their instincts
• embrace discomfort
• practise truth over perfection

Pressure doesn’t break strong actors — it reveals them.

How do I build emotional resilience as an actor?

Resilience is built through:
• repeated exposure to discomfort
• learning to sit in vulnerability
• understanding your triggers
• developing emotional literacy
• strengthening your body-mind connection
• trusting who you are
• processing feelings, not suppressing them

Acting is emotional sport.
Resilience is your training ground.

How can I stop worrying about what people think of me on camera?

Because you’re not the point — the story is.

Shift from:

❌ “How do I look?”
❌ “Do they like me?”
❌ “Am I good enough?”

TO:

✔ “What do I want in this moment?”
✔ “What truth am I expressing?”
✔ “What does the story need?”

When you serve the story, the ego disappears.

How do I become more present in scenes?

Presence comes from:
• listening
• grounding
• connecting
• allowing silence
• feeling rather than thinking

Presence is NOT intensity.
Presence is absence of self-judgement.

Why do I lose connection halfway through a scene?

Because your attention slips.

Bring it back by:
• returning to breath
• reconnecting to objective
• feeling your body
• listening to your partner
• simplifying your thought process

Connection is a muscle.
Strengthen it through awareness.

How do I keep belief in myself during slow career periods?

You return to:
• discipline
• training
• truth
• story
• curiosity
• growth
• your WHY

Momentum is internal, not external.

The actors who last are the actors who keep working without applause.

How do I stop comparing myself to other actors?

Comparison is a false measurement — because no two actors have the same:
• life story
• energy
• emotional blueprint
• appearance
• trauma
• joy
• instincts
• voice
• truth

You are not competing.
You are surrendering to YOUR path.

Your uniqueness IS the advantage.

How do I deal with imposter syndrome as an actor?

Imposter syndrome often hits actors because the craft requires:
• vulnerability
• exposure
• emotional truth
• self-awareness

The key is to recognise:

Imposter syndrome means you are GROWING into a new identity.

It’s not a sign you’re failing.
It’s a sign you’re EVOLVING.

What do I do when I feel emotionally blocked?

You don’t push.
You pause.

Then:
• breathe
• soften
• listen inward
• release tension
• explore gently
• allow emotion, don’t demand it

Blocks are not walls — they are messages.

They show you where healing needs attention.

How do I develop a stronger emotional range?

Range expands when you:
• study human behaviour
• explore your psychology
• practise emotional scales
• create safe emotional access points
• build vulnerability stamina
• train with someone who understands emotional safety

This is Paul’s specialty.
This is the heart of MAI.

How do I break bad acting habits?

Recognise them.
Slow them down.
Replace them.

Common habits:
• overacting
• rushing
• shallow breath
• forced emotion
• self-consciousness
• mimicking others

Better habits:
• stillness
• listening
• grounded breath
• emotional truth
• intention
• curiosity
• presence

Habits aren’t broken by force — they’re replaced through awareness.

How do I build the mindset of a long-term, unstoppable actor?

You build:
• courage
• resilience
• truth
• consistency
• emotional intelligence
• discipline
• compassion
• curiosity
• grit
• self-trust

The unstoppable actor is NOT the most talented.
The unstoppable actor is the one who:

➡ keeps growing
➡ keeps showing up
➡ keeps learning
➡ keeps risking
➡ keeps believing
➡ keeps telling the truth

This is not just acting.
This is identity.
This is legacy.

TRAINING WITH PAUL MOORE & MAI

Who is Paul Moore and why do actors train with him?

Paul Moore is an Australian actor, filmmaker, teacher, and innovator whose journey spans:
• prime-time TV (Winners & Losers)
• global streaming (Rostered On – the first Aussie YouTube series purchased by Netflix)
• guerrilla filmmaking (Stashamo High — full feature created for under $50k)
• performance psychology (helping actors conquer nerves, trauma, & anxiety)
• teaching thousands of students in Geelong, Melbourne, and worldwide

Actors train with Paul because he isn’t repeating textbook acting techniques.
He teaches truth.
He teaches instinct.
He teaches psychology.
He teaches courage.
He teaches what he lived — rising from panic attacks, self-doubt, and emotional chaos… to global screens.

Paul doesn’t just shape actors.
He transforms humans.

What makes Moore Acting Instinct (MAI) different from other acting studios?

MAI is NOT a traditional acting school.
It is a performance psychology laboratory.

At MAI:
• actors train on camera from day one
• classes prioritise emotional truth over technique tricks
• we study human behaviour, not just scripts
• actors learn to feel comfortable feeling uncomfortable
• every student learns the psychology that underpins great performance
• classes are designed around identity, instinct, and resilience
• actors train to become fearless, grounded, truthful storytellers

It’s a raw, honest, powerful environment… and that’s why actors grow FAST.

What is the “Moore Method” of acting?

Your method blends:

1. Emotional Truth

You teach actors to connect to their real emotional impulses, not artificial ones.

2. Instinct Training

The gut never lies.
The mind does.
Instinct is king.

3. Performance Psychology

Understanding the nervous system, breath, thought loops, and fear triggers.

4. On-Camera Precision

Micro-expression. Stillness. Truthful eyelines. Presence.

5. Discomfort Training

Actors grow by stepping into discomfort — and learning to stay open.

6. Vulnerability Work

Real acting begins where your mask ends.

Your method is fearless, compassionate, disciplined, and deeply human.

Why does Paul train actors from a psychological perspective?

Because acting is emotional sport.
It requires:
• vulnerability
• access to truthful emotion
• resilience under pressure
• courage in front of others
• self-awareness
• emotional literacy
• grounded presence

Paul’s lived experience with anxiety and panic attacks makes him uniquely qualified to teach actors how to regulate and redirect those sensations into presence and power.

He teaches actors not just HOW to act…
but how to feel.

What is it like training one-on-one with Paul?

It is intense, honest, transformative, and exhilarating.

One-on-one training with Paul feels like:
• someone finally seeing your potential
• someone pushing you to discover who you really are
• someone calling out your truth
• someone guiding your psychology gently yet firmly
• someone who BELIEVES in you
• someone who makes you braver than you ever were before

Actors walk away from sessions feeling:
• expanded
• grounded
• confident
• clearer
• emotionally open
• professionally sharpened

It’s coaching that changes your craft AND your life.

What type of actors does Paul work best with?

Actors who are:
• hungry
• humble
• self-aware
• emotionally honest
• curious
• ready to grow
• not afraid of discomfort
• willing to challenge themselves
• committed to the craft

Paul thrives working with actors who want to:
• break through blocks
• pursue professional screen work
• build emotional depth
• improve self-tapes
• prepare for film & TV
• expand into international opportunities

Passion > experience.
Truth > talent.

Why do so many actors say Paul brings out their BEST performances?

Because he creates:
• psychological safety
• emotional challenge
• technical clarity
• tailored feedback
• authentic connection
• laser-focused direction
• a zero-BS honesty zone

He sees your blind spots.
He pushes you through emotional resistance.
He amplifies your strengths.
He removes your fear.
He pulls the truth out of you.

Great acting requires a fearless guide.
Paul is that guide.

Does Paul train kids, teens, and adults differently?

Absolutely.

For kids:
• confidence
• communication
• imagination
• emotional awareness

For teens:
• identity
• presence
• self-expression
• emotional truth

For adults:
• depth
• psychology
• nuance
• professional preparation
• on-camera mastery

Same philosophy.
Different approach.
Respectful to each stage of development.

Can beginners train directly with Paul?

YES — beginners often progress fastest because:
• they have fewer bad habits
• they’re open
• they’re curious
• they’re emotionally available
• they’re not trying to “perform”

Paul has taken absolute beginners from zero experience to booking commercials, films, and agents.

Is Paul’s training suitable for professionals?

Yes — Paul trains:
• working actors
• agency-signed actors
• film professionals
• theatre actors transitioning to screen
• indie filmmakers
• performers seeking breakthrough moments

His sessions redefine technique and reconnect actors with emotional truth.

Professionals often say:
“This is the training I wish I had years ago.”

What does Paul look for in an actor during training?

He looks for:
• truth, not slickness
• presence, not polish
• instinct, not overthinking
• courage, not perfection
• humanity, not performance
• openness, not resistance

He can teach technique.
He can’t teach honesty.
Honesty must come from the actor.

Why does Paul say actors must feel comfortable feeling uncomfortable?

Because growth happens right at the edge of discomfort.

When actors:
• feel nerves
• feel pressure
• feel judged
• feel exposed

…they often shut down.

Paul teaches actors to stay OPEN in discomfort —
and THAT is what makes performances powerful, nuanced, and alive.

What’s Paul’s philosophy on self-tapes?

Self-tapes are your career currency.
Paul teaches actors to:
• make bold choices
• keep it simple
• stay grounded
• avoid overacting
• understand framing
• stay emotionally connected
• use breath effectively
• trust subtlety
• create magnetic stillness

He teaches the modern self-tape style casting directors want.

How does Paul help actors break emotional blocks?

Through:
• nervous system grounding
• emotional awareness
• trauma-informed techniques
• vulnerability training
• psychological reframing
• breath control
• impulse work

He helps actors feel SAFE enough to access truth.

You can’t perform truthfully unless you feel safe.

How does Paul prepare actors for high-pressure auditions?

He trains them in:
• emotional centering
• intention clarity
• instinct work
• rapid adjustments
• grounding
• camera connection
• tactical breathwork
• psychological reframing

You walk into auditions feeling calm, ready, and in control.

How does Paul support actors between sessions?

Paul offers:
• feedback on self-tapes
• script breakdown guidance
• industry advice
• emotional coaching
• online support
• emergency audition prep
• career strategy

He doesn’t just train you —
he mentors you.

Why do actors say Paul’s teaching changes their personal lives too?

Because acting is self-exploration.
When you:
• understand your emotions
• learn to regulate your nervous system
• heal old patterns
• access authenticity
• find your truth

…you become a stronger, calmer, more grounded human.

The craft becomes therapy — not because you’re broken, but because acting reconnects you with who you truly are.

What results do actors get from training at MAI?

Students have:
• booked commercials
• landed lead roles
• secured agents
• gained massive confidence
• overcome anxiety
• lifted self-esteem
• broken emotional blocks
• transitioned into film and TV
• starred in indie projects
• built lifelong confidence

MAI actors don’t just grow.
They evolve.

What’s Paul like as a leader and mentor?

He is:
• passionate
• honest
• fearless
• intuitive
• empathetic
• insightful
• psychology-driven
• direct
• inspiring
• disciplined
• real
• human

He leads with truth.
He teaches with heart.
He builds champions, not performers.

How do I start training with Paul Moore?

Visit paulmoore.com.au and choose:
• 1:1 Acting Coaching
• Self-Tape Sessions
• Adult Classes (Geelong/Melbourne)
• Teen Classes
• Kids Classes
• Online Worldwide Coaching
• Industry Consultations
• Career Pathway Planning

If you feel the call…
follow it.

Because if there’s one thing Paul teaches more than anything else:

The moment you step forward is the moment your life changes.

ACTING & FILM INDUSTRY GLOSSARY

Audition

Your moment of truth — a chance to bring a character to life in front of those who build worlds.
It’s not about impressing.
It’s about connecting.

Callback

Round two — where casting wants to see if you can deepen, refine, or replicate your magic under more pressure.
This is where presence beats performance.

Self-Tape

The modern audition.
Your career shot from your bedroom.
Simple setup. Clean framing. Emotional truth.

Slate

A brief introduction before your scene.
Not a performance — a moment of YOU.

Cold Read

Auditioning with little or no preparation.
Raw instinct meets sharp listening.

Script Sides

Sections of the script actors receive for auditions — the slices of story you must make live.

Objective

What your character WANTS in the scene — the anchor of truthful acting.

Beat

A shift in energy, intention, or emotional direction.
The heartbeat of the story.

Mark

The exact spot an actor hits for camera framing.
Invisible discipline that keeps scenes technically sharp.

Eyeline

Where you look — one of the most powerful tools in screen acting.
Correct eyeline = emotional connection.

Close-Up (CU)

A shot focused on the face.
This is where micro-expression becomes the language.

Medium Shot (MS)

From waist or chest up.
The standard for most acting work — truth must still shine.

Wide Shot (WS)

Full body.
Movement, space, and blocking matter more here.

Blocking

Choreographed movement within a scene.
It must feel natural AND camera-friendly.

Coverage

All the different angles needed to tell the story in editing.
This is filmmaking’s safety net.

Continuity

Matching actions, props, and positions across takes.
Invisible detail. Essential for realism.

Table Read

Cast sits together to read the script aloud.
Magic, nerves, discovery — all born in one room.

Screen Test

A higher-stakes audition filmed professionally to see if you fit the world of the production.

Chemistry Read

Testing emotional connection between actors — truth can’t be faked here.

Stand-In

Someone who takes your place for lighting setups.
Helps the crew work efficiently while you rest.

Background Actor (Extra)

Actors who fill the world — creating authenticity and depth.

Call Time

Your scheduled arrival on set.
Early = professionalism.
Late = career suicide.

Wrap

The end of filming for the day.
Exhale. Celebrate. Hydrate.

Action

The moment the world begins.
Breathe. Drop in. Live.

Cut

The moment the world ends.
Stay present. Stay open. Don’t self-judge.

Director’s Notes

Adjustments given after a take — not criticism, but guidance toward deeper truth.

Pick-Up

Retaking a small section of a scene for precision.

ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement)

Recording dialogue in a studio to fix or enhance audio.
Technical — but essential.

Voice Over (VO)

Narration or character audio recorded off-camera.
Acting through sound alone.

Demo Reel (Showreel)

Your career calling card.
Truth, contrast, emotional range — cut into 1–2 minutes.

Casting Director

The gatekeepers of opportunity.
They want truth, presence, and preparedness — not perfection.

Agent

Your industry advocate who negotiates contracts and access to opportunities.
Still — YOU drive your growth.

Manager

Career strategy, branding, and long-term guidance.
Not common in Australia, but invaluable globally.

Producer

The decision-maker behind the scenes.
They build the world and hire the humans.

Director

The storyteller who shapes the emotional and visual heartbeat of the project.

DP / Cinematographer

The artist of the lens — lighting, framing, mood, texture.
They make you look incredible.

Gaffer

Chief lighting technician — the painter of light.

Grip

Handles rigging, equipment movement, and physical camera support.
Unsung heroes of every set.

Boom Operator

Holds the mic above your head for hours.
Respect them — they make you sound real.

Editor

The surgeon of emotion.
They stitch your truth into story.

Blocking Rehearsal

A rehearsal dedicated purely to movement, spacing, and camera positions.
This is where actors learn the dance between freedom and precision.

Off-Book

When an actor has fully memorised their lines.
Being off-book frees your intuition — this is where REAL acting begins.

On-Book

Reading lines from the script.
Useful early — but staying here too long kills instinct.

Beat Change

The micro-moment where emotion, intention, or energy shifts.
Invisible — but deeply felt.

Subtext

What your character REALLY means beneath the words.
This is the soul of performance.

Inner Monologue

The thoughts running under your scene.
It fuels truth, presence, and emotional depth.

Emotional Recall (Affective Memory)

Using personal memories to access emotion.
Can be powerful — but must be used carefully, safely, and with emotional awareness.

Given Circumstances

Everything the script tells you about the world, the character, the stakes, the relationships.
Actors build truth from these clues.

Magic If

Stanislavski’s “What would I do if I were in this situation?”
It’s not acting. It’s empathy.

Stakes

What your character has to lose.
High stakes = high truth.

Objective vs. Obstacle

The engine of every scene:
Objective = what I want.
Obstacle = what stops me.
Tension lives here.

Tactics

The different strategies your character uses to get what they want.
Charming. Threatening. Pleading. Teasing. Breaking.

Actions (Verbs)

Playable intentions like:
• to convince
• to seduce
• to intimidate
• to comfort
• to expose
These shape performance with precision.

Emotional Substitution

Replacing your character’s situation with a real-life emotional memory to stimulate authentic feeling.

Sensory Work

Using imagination to recreate sensations — smell, taste, temperature — to deepen presence and truth.

Neutral

A state of presence without judgement, posture, or tension.
This is your reset point — your home base.

Grounding

Connecting breath, body, and awareness to reduce nerves and enhance truth.
This is essential in Paul’s method.

Emotional Block

When fear, trauma, self-criticism, or conditioning stops emotion from flowing.
Blocks aren’t barriers — they’re invitations to heal.

Moment-to-Moment

Staying present, responsive, and alive in each second — not pre-planning.
This is where magic happens.

Listening

The real kind — where you absorb not just words but energy, eyes, breath, emotion.
Great acting starts here.

Throwaway

Delivering a line casually, lightly, or without force.
Often the most truthful choice.

Adjustment

A quick directional tweak from a director.
Your ability to adapt fast is professional gold.

Repetition (Meisner)

A technique using repeated phrases to build impulse, truth, and instinct.
It trains emotional honesty.

Emotional Beats

The emotional “chapters” of a scene — the shifts, turns, and revelations.

The Fourth Wall

The invisible barrier between actor and audience.
On camera, it’s replaced by the lens.

Breaking the Fourth Wall

Acknowledging the audience or camera.
Used in comedy, mockumentary, or stylistic storytelling.

Cheat In

Adjusting your body or angle slightly toward the camera to maintain visibility while still appearing truthful.

Cross

Walking across the set or frame during a scene — should always serve story, not distract.

Counter

A complementary movement by another actor to maintain composition or rhythm.

Cue

The trigger for your dialogue or action.
Timing creates flow.

In The Moment

When the actor is fully present, emotionally alive, and connected.
This is the holy grail of performance.

Holding The Frame

Staying still enough for the camera to read micro-expression while remaining emotionally active.

Naturalism

Acting style rooted in realism, truth, and authenticity.
Australian film + TV LOVES this.

Heightened Reality

Slightly elevated acting—used in comedy, stylised films, certain dramas.

Improvisation

Unscripted exploration driven by impulse and instinct.
Paul’s specialty.
Actors learn freedom here.

Reset

Returning to your starting emotional, physical, or positional state between takes.

Wrap Party

A celebration at the end of filming — honouring the collaboration, growth, and shared journey.

Scene Partner

The actor opposite you — your emotional anchor in any moment.

Deep Listening

Beyond hearing — it’s absorbing meaning, tone, breath, pain, joy.
This is where real connection lives.

Living Truthfully Under Imaginary Circumstances

The essence of acting.
Meisner said it.
You embody it.

Playing the Opposite

When an actor chooses a surprising emotional choice opposite to the obvious one.
This creates tension, mystery, and depth — and casting directors LOVE it.

Open Call

An audition open to the public — no agent required.
Great for beginners and emerging actors in Geelong, Melbourne, and nationwide.

Equity (MEAA)

Australia’s actors’ union protecting wages, rights, and working conditions.
Essential for professional actors.

Reaction Shot

A close-up capturing an actor’s emotional response.
Often more powerful than the dialogue itself.

Emotional Arc

The emotional journey your character travels from beginning to end.
Acting lives in transitions — not destinations.

Physicality

How your body expresses character — posture, movement, tension, rhythm.
The body speaks before the mouth does.

Emotional Range

Your ability to authentically access multiple emotional states on command.
Built through repetition, awareness, and resilience.

Technical Acting

Precision work required to sync performance with camera, lights, and marks.
Truth + technique = screen mastery.

Method Acting

Living through the character’s mindset to access deep emotional truth.
Powerful — but must be practised safely and ethically.

Psychological Gesture (Chekhov)

Using expressive physical movements to unlock emotional impulses.
Helps actors break patterns and discover new instincts.

Pace

The speed of delivery or movement.
Can shift tone, world, and emotional stakes instantly.

Rhythm

The underlying pulse of a scene — emotional, vocal, physical.
Actors can surf this like a wave.

Stakes Raising

Intentionally increasing the severity or urgency of a scene.
Essential for drama, thrillers, and emotional storytelling.

Vocal Warm-Up

Exercises to open the voice, enhance clarity, and expand range.
Your voice is an instrument — tune it.

Breath Work

Breath regulates nerves, emotion, and presence.
Actors who master breath master truth.

Eye Acting

The art of expressing life, emotion, and intention through your eyes alone.
Screen acting GOLD.

Frame Awareness

Understanding how much of your body the camera sees — and adjusting intensity accordingly.

Energy Shifts

The micro-adjustments in intensity, focus, and emotional charge.
When done consciously, they electrify scenes.

Status Playing

Exploring power dynamics between characters.
Status isn’t posture — it’s energy.

The Moment Before

The emotional and psychological state a character enters the scene with.
Never start empty — start alive.

Imaginary Circumstances

The world your character believes in — even when the set looks like tape marks and lights.

Active Listening

Not waiting for your line — absorbing your partner with your entire nervous system.

Line Reading

Delivering lines in a predetermined way.
The killer of spontaneity — avoid it.

Camera-Friendly Movement

Small, grounded, precise movement that still feels alive.
The camera catches everything.

Hero Shot

A powerful, dramatic shot that elevates the character’s importance.
Iconic moments are built here.

OTS (Over The Shoulder)

A shot from behind another actor’s shoulder — used in most dialogue scenes.

Insert Shot

A close-up on an object — hands, phone, letter — used for storytelling clarity.

Hero Prop

A prop that gets its own close-up or storytelling focus.

Naturalistic Performance

Acting rooted in authenticity, rawness, and emotional truth.
Australian films excel in this style.

Stylised Performance

Intentional exaggeration, rhythm, or surreal qualities for genre storytelling.

Voice Matching

Matching tone, pace, and resonance for ADR or animation.
Skill of pros.

Physical Objective

What your character wants physically — to sit, to leave, to approach, to escape.
These create natural behaviour.

Emotional Objective

What your character wants internally — love, forgiveness, power, approval.
This is where stakes live.

Button

A small action or line that ends the scene with impact.
A powerful way to stand out in auditions.

Reset Energy

The ability to shake off a take and prepare for the next with clarity and calm.

Showreel Scene

A custom-created scene designed to display your range, presence, and casting type.
This is Paul’s speciality.

Off-Camera Reader

Someone reading lines for your self-tape.
The quality of their energy affects YOUR performance.

Emotional Drop-In

A technique to quickly access emotional truth before a take.
Breathing, memory, imagery — all tools.

Beat Sheet

A breakdown of emotional and storytelling beats used by actors, writers, and directors.

Scene Analysis

Studying a scene’s structure, emotional arcs, objectives, obstacles, and tactics.
Professional actors do this BEFORE memorising lines.

Character Arc

The transformation a character undergoes across a story.
Good acting tracks every shift — even the subtle ones.

Emotional Trigger

A stimulus that helps an actor access an emotional truth quickly.
Used wisely, it’s powerful. Used poorly, it’s dangerous.

Script Breakdown

The process of analysing every scene for objectives, stakes, relationships, transitions, and hidden emotional currents.

Super-Objective

The overarching desire guiding your character through the entire story.
When actors connect to this, their performance becomes magnetic.

Given Moment

The exact emotional state your character enters with — shaped by everything that happened before.

Actor’s Beat Map

A detailed diagram plotting emotional shifts, intentions, and energy changes.

Backstory

The life your character lived before the story begins.
Whether written or imagined, it fuels authenticity.

Endowment

Giving emotional value to props, people, or places to deepen truth.

Active Choice

A strong, playable, specific decision that makes the performance alive.
Casting directors beg for this.

Vocal Colour

Changing tone, resonance, or timbre to express emotional shifts.

Vocal Variety

Using pitch, pace, volume, and rhythm dynamically.
A lifeline for screen actors AND public speakers.

Physical Tension

Muscle tightness that blocks emotion, voice, breath, and authenticity.
Release creates honesty.

Neutral Spine

A posture that allows breath to flow and emotion to move.

Emotional Freedom

Acting without fear, judgement, or self-censorship.
This is the foundation of Paul Moore’s teaching.

Psychological Truth

The emotional and behavioural realism beneath performance.
This separates good actors from unforgettable ones.

Sensory Memory

Using taste, smell, sound, and touch memories to stimulate emotional presence.

Eye Line Match

Matching eye lines across multiple shots to preserve realism in editing.

Character Gesture

A repeated physical action that reveals personality or inner conflict.

On-Set Etiquette

Professional behaviour that builds trust with directors, producers, and crew.
This can book you more work than your acting.

Actor’s Business

Small actions that make a scene feel lived-in: pouring a drink, fixing a jacket, tapping a pen.

On-Screen Chemistry

The invisible connection between actors that brings scenes alive.

Acting Through Silence

When the character’s truth is expressed without words.
Screen gold.

Non-Verbal Acting

Communicating intention, emotion, and story through micro-expression and physical behaviour.

Script Annotation

Marking beats, breaths, emphasis, moments of connection, and internal shifts.

Emotional Rehearsal

Practising emotional transitions without dialogue to strengthen instinct.

Inner Conflict

The war within the character.
Great actors lean into this — not away from it.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something the character doesn’t.
Actors must play truthfully — not with foreknowledge.

External Conflict

The problems characters face in the world.
These shape action.

Internal Conflict

The emotional contradictions inside the character.
These shape nuance.

Sightlines

Directing your eyeline so the audience knows who or what you’re connected to.

Acting for Close-Up

Reducing physical movement and amplifying emotional detail.
Less is more — but more is deeper.

Acting for Wide Shot

Using full-body storytelling, energy, and staging.

Masking

When one actor unintentionally blocks another from camera view.

Downstage / Upstage

Stage directions still used metaphorically in film to describe status or prominence.

Spike Marks

Tape on the floor marking where actors or props should land.

Pick-Up Shot

Capturing additional moments after principal filming to smooth story flow.

ADR Cue Sheet

The list of lines needing rerecording in studio.

Actor Availability

The schedule that determines casting possibilities.
Professionalism = flexibility.

Casting Breakdown

A detailed brief describing the role, type, tone, skills, and emotional world casting needs.

Screen Presence

The intangible quality that makes an actor watchable, magnetic, and compelling.
Paul’s coaching style helps actors unlock this instinctually.

Character Essence

The emotional DNA of a character — their core truth.
When actors find this, everything becomes instinctive.

Emotional Substitution

Swapping the script’s situation for a personal emotional memory to unlock authentic feeling.
A powerful bridge into truth.

Status Transaction

The subtle power exchange that happens between characters through eye contact, posture, tone, and intention.

Inner Tempo

The emotional rhythm pulsing under a character — slow, frantic, playful, heavy.
Helps define behaviour.

Vocal Anchoring

Connecting voice to breath and emotion so the character’s truth resonates through the body.

Beat Shift

The emotional turn within a moment.
Brilliant actors live in these micro-changes.

Emotional Calibration

Adjusting intensity for the camera distance — the closer the lens, the softer the truth.

Character Objective Ladder

A hierarchy of desires:
Immediate → Scene → Super-objective.
Actors who understand all three create dimensional work.

Internal Image

A visual picture an actor holds to stimulate emotion or intention.
E.g., “I’m talking to him, but I see the moment he left.”

Vocal Mask

When emotion is blocked by tension, fear, or armour.
Removing the mask reveals depth.

Physical Triggers

Movements or gestures that unlock emotional responses.
Paul uses this with students to break patterns.

Paraphrasing

Rephrasing script lines during rehearsal to discover emotional ownership before adding precision.

Emotional Reset Breath

A deep, intentional breath that resets emotional charge between takes — vital for high-stakes scenes.

Character Spine

The unshakeable belief or life philosophy driving every choice the character makes.

Sensory Anchors

Sounds, textures, smells, or memories actors return to for emotional stimulation.

Subtle Acting

Micro-expression, inner life, stillness, and presence — film’s greatest language.

Emotional Threshold

The point where emotion breaks through — tears, laughter, anger.
Actors learn to control or unleash it.

The Reveal

A moment where hidden truth surfaces.
Actors build toward it with restraint and awareness.

Character Contrast

Intentionally showing opposing qualities within a character — vulnerability beneath anger, humour beneath pain.

Active Listening Cue

An emotional beat triggered by your partner’s energy, not the words on the page.

Scene Geography

Understanding where everyone is in the space to maintain continuity, focus, and storytelling flow.

Story World

The emotional and physical rules of the environment your character lives in.

Script Compression

Adjusting performance because film compresses time, emotion, and behaviour into shorter scenes.

The Turn

A major emotional pivot — anger flips to shame, fear flips to courage, love flips to heartbreak.

Subtle Stakes

Not loud, dramatic stakes — but quiet, internal ones.
The loss of dignity.
The fear of being seen.
The longing for approval.

Emotional Elasticity

The ability to stretch between emotional states quickly and safely.

Storytelling Weight

How much emotional responsibility a character holds within each scene.

Whisper Acting

Soft, close, intimate performance that pulls the audience into your breath.
A powerful screen tool.

Vocal Placement

Shifting voice into chest, head, mask, or throat to alter character energy.

Behavioural Specificity

The tiny human details — a blink, a hesitation, a half-smile — that reveal inner truth.

Actor’s Inner Weather

The emotional climate under the scene — stormy, calm, anxious, hopeful.
This colours everything.

Breath Pattern

Every character breathes differently based on fear, confidence, status, trauma, openness.
Actors shape this intentionally.

Emotional Logic

The sequence of emotional cause and effect that makes performance believable.

Character Filter

The lens through which the character sees the world — pessimistic, trusting, guarded, chaotic, curious.

Reacting vs Responding

Reacting is instinctive.
Responding is conscious.
Great actors blend both.

Micro-Tension

Tiny, almost invisible tension in eyes or jaw that communicates suppressed emotion.

Character Resistance

The emotional truth the character tries to hide — gold for drama.

Camera Intimacy

Knowing how to create connection with the lens without pushing, performing, or forcing.

Pulse Work

Feeling emotional energy pulsing through the body, letting it guide behaviour.

Emotional Honesty

The foundation of EVERYTHING.
The courage to let the truth emerge — even when it scares you.

This is Paul Moore’s signature.

201. Reverse Engineering a Scene

Studying a scene backwards — from outcome to beginning — to understand emotional architecture.
This technique builds clarity and confidence.

Emotional Mapping

Charting emotional highs, lows, conflicts, and reveals to create layered, grounded work.

Dynamic Stillness

Stillness that is full, alive, and electric — not empty or frozen.
A MUST for powerful screen acting.

Micro-Reactions

The tiny shifts in the eyes, breath, or face that reveal internal truth.
Casting directors obsess over this.

Intention Shifts

Switching from one active verb to another mid-scene (“to protect” → “to wound”).
Creates depth and unpredictability.

Emotional Horizon

The unseen emotional direction your character is heading toward — longing, danger, hope, collapse.

Trigger Line

The specific line where emotion breaks open — tears, rage, laughter, release.

Character Rhythm Signature

Every character moves, thinks, and feels with a different internal beat.
Finding this creates instant specificity.

Emotional Pulse Check

A quick self-awareness moment before shooting to align performance with the scene’s emotional tone.

Energetic Anchoring

Grounding your emotional life to a partner, prop, or memory to stabilise truth under pressure.

Character Breath Cycle

Patterns of breathing influenced by trauma, confidence, secrecy, or excitement.
Subtle — but powerful.

Behavioural Truth

Actions revealing character more than words — a nervous glance, a tightening jaw, a hesitant reach.

Emotional Continuity

Matching emotional state across multiple takes while staying fresh and alive.
A master skill.

Emotional Fidelity

Staying loyal to the emotional truth — even in highly technical environments.

Reframing

A camera movement shifting perspective mid-scene — actors must adapt without breaking truth.

Camera Awareness

Knowing where the lens is without “playing to” it.
Essential for film and TV.

Layered Choices

Stacking multiple intentions, fears, desires, and secrets into one behaviour.
This creates award-winning performances.

The Hidden Want

The subconscious desire your character won’t admit — even to themselves.
This is where acting becomes art.

Actor’s Toolbox

The personal set of techniques, habits, and psychological strategies that fuel your truth.

Active Thought

Thoughts that move energy and behaviour — NOT blank thinking.
The camera reads the mind.

Shadow Emotion

The feeling beneath the surface emotion.
E.g., anger hiding grief.

Emotional Texture

The “feel” of the emotion — jagged, smooth, heavy, fast, suppressed, rising.
Textures create nuance.

Behavioural Echo

When past trauma or history subconsciously influences present-day behaviour.

Moment Expansion

Slowing inner experience to deepen presence and truth on camera.

Compression Acting

Delivering emotional truth with minimal physical movement for close-ups.

Activation Cue

A word, memory, or gesture that instantly activates emotional intensity.

Eye Storytelling

Using your eyes to communicate subtext, resistance, longing, guilt, secrets, love.

Nervous System Acting

Acting that uses breath, sensation, and awareness to regulate emotion.
A modern, safe acting approach.

Psychological Blocking

Patterns created by unresolved trauma or fear that limit emotional access — healing unlocks craft.

Interpretive Acting

Honouring the writer’s intention while bringing your emotional truth to the role.

Transformational Acting

Completely altering voice, body, emotion, psychology, and presence.
Requires training, courage, and emotional safety.

Energy Tracking

Monitoring emotional energy through a scene to create consistency and flow.

Vocal Restraint

Holding back emotion to create tension — extremely effective in screen acting.

Behavioural Release

A sudden emotional break when resistance collapses — often unscripted, deeply truthful.

Character Logic

Understanding the world through your character’s worldview, not your own.

Emotional Subworld

The internal emotional “place” your character lives in — melancholy, chaos, hope, fear.

Sensory Expansion

Increasing awareness of sounds, smells, textures to heighten presence and emotional access.

Emotional Precision

Choosing EXACT emotions instead of vague generalisations.
Specificity = humanity.

Actor’s Calibration

Adjusting intensity between takes depending on lens, lighting, pacing, and director feedback.

Emotional Constriction

When characters fight emotions — clenched jaw, shallow breath, stiff posture — a powerful acting tool.

Emotional Pulsing

Allowing emotion to rise and fall naturally through breath, physical sensations, and impulse.
A living current beneath performance.

Character Weight

The heaviness or lightness with which a character carries themselves — shaped by past wounds, confidence, trauma, or joy.

Story Momentum

The force pushing the story forward — actors must honour this energy in pacing and emotional timing.

Dual Motivation

When a character wants two conflicting things at once — gold for complex performances.

Actor’s Reset Ritual

A quick technique (breath, shake, mantra) used between takes to stay emotionally agile.

Anchor Thought

A simple mental cue that instantly reconnects an actor to the emotional core of the scene.

Character Resonance

The emotional frequency shared between actor and character — when you “click.”

Emotional Proximity

How close your character is to their emotional edge — simmering or erupting.

Behavioural Layering

Adding micro-behaviours that reveal depth — nervous tapping, protective posture, suppressed smiles.

Psychological Framing

Viewing the scene through your character’s belief system rather than your own.

Vocal Resonance

The vibration of emotional truth through the voice — chesty, soft, grounded, trembling.

Behavioural Misdirection

The character’s attempt to hide their true emotion — which makes it even more visible to the audience.

Character Duality

Holding two truths simultaneously — strength and fear, love and resentment, pride and shame.

Reactivity

How quickly a character responds emotionally to stimulus.
High reactivity = volatility.
Low reactivity = suppression.

Emotional Permission

Giving yourself freedom to feel without judgement — one of Paul’s core teachings.

Presence Expansion

Increasing your emotional and energetic footprint without physical movement.
The camera FEELS this.

Grounded Stillness

Stillness that is connected, alive, and full of inner motion — a Paul Moore signature.

Character Posture

The alignment that reveals a character’s life history — confident, collapsed, guarded, open.

Scene Fulcrum

The point where the emotional weight shifts from one character to another.

Analog Acting

Creating an emotional experience through internal sensation rather than logic.

Actor’s Perspective Shift

Changing your inner point of view to unlock a new emotional truth.

Emotional Rebound

The emotion that returns once resistance drops — often more powerful than the original feeling.

Whisper Moment

A quiet emotional reveal, often delivered softly, creating massive audience impact.

Performance Flow State

The psychological zone where instinct, presence, emotion, and truth merge.
Actors chase this moment.

Behavioural Honesty

Acting without flourishes, tricks, or performance habits — pure, raw truth.

Emotional Micro-Shift

A small emotional transition — jealousy → hurt, pride → fear.
The camera LOVES these.

Internal Gesture

A feeling of motion inside the body even when the actor is completely still.

Affective Shift

The emotional turn driven by a sensory or psychological trigger.

Actor’s Inner Dialogue

The thoughts that shape behaviour — the camera picks them up.

Layered Listening

Listening with your emotional body, not just your ears.
Essential for screen chemistry.

Emotional Drop

When emotion suddenly “drops” into the actor’s body, often creating stillness or tears.

Vulnerability Window

The moment a character is emotionally open before the walls come back up.

Unspoken Want

What the character desires but cannot verbalise — the heartbeat of subtext.

Thought-Driven Behaviour

Actions shaped by internal thought instead of external blocking.

Reflective Acting

A style where the character is processing more internally than externally — powerful in drama.

Relational Energy

The dynamic energy exchange between scene partners — chemistry lives here.

Emotional Drag

Residual emotion that lingers into the next beat — used to shape transitions.

Subtle Reveal

A tiny behavioural moment that signals deeper emotional truth — often unscripted.

Tension Architecture

The structure of push–pull energy between characters within a scene.
Mastering this = riveting acting.

Character Disruption

The moment something breaks the character’s emotional pattern — shock, betrayal, discovery, confession.

Emotional Carryover

When emotion from one scene subtly influences the next — even if you try to hide it.
This is the invisible thread of character continuity.

Emotional Silhouette

The overall emotional outline of a character across a scene — the shape their inner journey creates.

Reaction Memory

Remembering how your body reacts emotionally, not just intellectually — key for continuity in emotional scenes.

Impulse Recognition

Catching the spark of an emotional impulse the moment it arises instead of suffocating it with thought.

Behavioural Anchoring

Using a physical action (like touching a ring or adjusting clothing) to lock into character truth.

Subtle Status Shift

Microscopic changes in status — a glance down, a lifted chin, a quiet inhale — that create powerful storytelling dynamics.

Emotional Echoing

Reflecting another character’s emotional state without mirroring it — a sign of deep listening.

Breath Charging

Using breath to “charge” emotional intensity before stepping into a moment — a Paul signature.

Emotional Softening

When a character’s emotional armour melts for a split second — often the most human moment.

Thought-Driven Silence

Silence filled with internal movement, intention, and conflict — magnetic on camera.

Character Fracture

The moment the character breaks from their usual behaviour pattern — revealing truth or vulnerability.

Emotional Preload

Holding an emotional state BEFORE the scene begins so it hits instantly on “Action.”

Energy Reversal

An intentional flip from high to low energy (or vice versa) that creates dynamic contrast.

Character Micro-Objective

The tiny, immediate goals within a scene — “get them to look at me,” “hide the fear,” “avoid the question.”

Breath Syncing

Matching your breath rhythm to your scene partner to create connection and chemistry.

Memory Residue

The emotional “leftovers” from an event in the character’s past that colour their present behaviour.

Screen Stillness

Stillness that vibrates with internal emotion — the top-tier skill of screen actors.

Emotional Precision Markers

Tiny internal checkpoints actors use to stay aligned with emotional arcs (e.g., “soften jaw here,” “breath catches here”).

Internal Temperature

How “hot” or “cold” a character feels emotionally — anger = heat, numbness = cold.

Character Alignment

When your behaviour, thoughts, intentions, and emotions all align with the character’s truth.

Whisper Conflict

Conflict delivered quietly, with restraint — often more powerful than shouting.

Energetic Withdrawal

Pulling energy back to create mystery, tension, or fear — brilliant in thrillers.

Actor’s Inner Compass

The internal sense of truth guiding performance choices.

Emotional Saturation

Filling yourself with an emotion until it feels heavy, dense, or overflowing.

Behavioural Substitution

Expressing an emotion through an unexpected behaviour (laughing when sad, smiling when hurt).

Character Echo

Repeating small behaviours over time to show emotional consistency.

Emotional Fading

Letting emotion drift away gradually instead of stopping abruptly — natural, human, real.

Identity Slip

A moment where the character accidentally reveals their true self — even if they try not to.

Internal Build

Slow emotional escalation without external expression — the camera reads the pressure.

Psychological Mask

The persona your character presents to the world — covering their true emotional self.

Emotional Collapse

The moment psychological resistance finally breaks — raw, grounded, unforgettable.

Dual Layer Performance

Playing two emotional layers at once — what the character feels vs what they show.

Character Vulnerability Point

The emotional wound that defines the character’s deepest fear or need.

Energetic Push

Subtle forward energy — wanting more, leaning in, fighting for connection.

Energetic Pull

Retreating, protecting, hiding — used to reveal fear, guilt, or shame.

The Emotional “Drop-In” Moment

The exact second you emotionally arrive in the scene — essential for powerful openings.

Behavioural Unmasking

When a character unconsciously drops their facade — a gift for dramatic storytelling.

Emotional Echo Beat

When a past emotional moment influences a later behaviour — continuity gold.

Inner Collision

When two internal truths clash violently — creating emotional explosion or implosion.

Actor’s Emotional Signature

The unique emotional energy YOU bring to every role — your artistic fingerprint.

Emotional Axis

Your character’s emotional “north and south” — the poles they swing between (love ↔ fear, confidence ↔ doubt).

Character Signal

A subtle behavioural clue signalling a deeper emotional truth — often unconscious.

Inner Pulsework

The shifting rhythm of your emotional energy — fast, slow, stalling, surging — that the camera reads clearly.

Emotional Stacking

Layering multiple emotions on top of each other (hurt + humour, rage + restraint) to create cinematic depth.

Behavioural Friction

The tension between what a character feels and what they DO — the root of powerful acting.

Emotional Imprint

The emotional “stamp” one character leaves on another after a scene — shaping the next beat.

Thought Compression

Intensifying thought without physical movement — ideal for extreme close-ups.

Behavioural Displacement

Redirecting emotion to an unrelated action (cleaning, pacing, adjusting clothes) revealing inner chaos.

Character Drop-Off

Where your character lands emotionally once the scene ends — crucial for continuity.

Breath Sculpting

Designing breath patterns that shape the emotional arc of a moment.

Energetic Shadowing

Matching your energy to a scene partner to create tension, connection, or conflict.

Subconscious Objective

The desire your character is not aware of — but that shapes everything.

Resistance Acting

Deliberately resisting emotion to build pressure; often more powerful than releasing it.

Behavioural Leak

When suppressed emotions slip through in tiny gestures — pure gold for realism.

Emotional Density

How “heavy” or “thick” an emotion feels in the body; anger has weight, grief has mass.

Character Torque

The emotional force driving your character forward — their momentum.

Actor’s Emotional Anchor

A moment, memory, or truth used to stabilise emotional performance.

Scene Voltage

The emotional electricity in a scene — actors must generate and sustain it.

Thought-Driven Stillness

Stillness powered by intense internal thought — hypnotic on camera.

Emotional Tether

What keeps the character emotionally tied to another person, object, or memory.

Behavioural Echo Chamber

When a character repeats emotional patterns without realising — brilliant for trauma roles.

Pressure Point Acting

Identifying the exact emotional point where a character breaks — and playing to it.

Emotional Suspension

Holding emotion without releasing it — creating unbearable tension.

Character Displacement

When a character emotionally checks out — disconnecting from reality to survive discomfort.

Scene Gravity

The emotional weight pulling the characters into conflict or connection.

Vocal Texture

The emotional “feel” of the voice — raspy, warm, brittle, tight, shaky — shaping character identity.

Psychological Stakes

What the character stands to lose internally — identity, love, pride, safety.

Energetic Lock

When a character shuts down emotionally — still, rigid, unreadable.

Behavioural Unravelling

Slow emotional collapse revealed through micro-behaviours instead of dramatic outbursts.

Character Substitution

Replacing an emotional memory with a more accessible one to unlock performance truth.

Emotional Misdirection

Creating mystery by hiding the real emotion behind humour, sarcasm, or distraction.

Narrative Weight

How much emotional responsibility your character carries for the story’s arc.

Inner Breakpoint

The exact psychological moment where a character’s emotional logic shifts.

Emotional Undercurrent

The emotion beneath the surface energy — subtle but always present.

Character Disconnection

When a character becomes emotionally numb — often after trauma or shock.

Thought Transfer

Non-verbal communication through intention and focus — actors use this in intense close-ups.

Behavioural Freeze

A moment of emotional overwhelm where the body stops but the eyes reveal everything.

Emotional Drift

Slowly losing emotional grounding — intentionally used for characters spiralling mentally.

Actor’s Emotional Load

How much emotional content the actor must carry in a scene; affects pacing and breath.

Character Collapse Point

Where the psyche breaks — the climax of emotional storytelling.

Emotional Saturation Threshold

The point where a character cannot hold in emotion any longer — the brink before release.

Psychological Lockdown

A character shutting off emotional access due to trauma, fear, or survival instinct.

Subtextual Pivot

When the emotional meaning of the scene shifts without changing dialogue.

Character Hum

The low, constant emotional frequency a character carries through the entire story.

Emotional Resonance Point

The moment an emotion lands so deeply it affects the entire character arc.

Behavioural Mini-Break

A micro emotional break — a flicker of pain, a tear that doesn’t fall, a breath that catches.

Inner Dissonance

When what you feel, think, and do are out of alignment — conflict on the inside.

Vocal Unmasking

When the voice betrays a hidden emotion despite the character trying to hide it.

Breath Fall

A breath dropping low in the body — signalling vulnerability or emotional surrender.

Internal Stretch

Expanding emotional space inside the body to increase availability and presence.

Character Tension Line

The invisible psychological line a character refuses to cross — until they are forced to.

Resist/Release Technique

Alternating between suppressing and releasing emotion to create waves of authenticity.

Energetic Silence

A silence so emotionally loaded it becomes louder than dialogue.

Emotional Re-Entry

The moment an actor reconnects with the emotional thread after a break or reset.

Character Drift

Gradual emotional or psychological drifting that shows decline, confusion, or collapse.

Internal Elevation

Raising emotional intensity without changing physical behaviour.

Actor’s Thermal State

The “emotional heat” inside the body — hot, neutral, cold — shaping performance tone.

Micro-Charge

A tiny jolt of emotion that ignites a shift — felt in the eyes or breath.

Emotional Flashpoint

The moment of emotional ignition — where everything suddenly turns.

Behavioural Bloom

When a suppressed emotion finally rises to the surface.

Psychological Colour

The emotional “shade” your character operates in — melancholy blue, angry red, hopeful gold.

Energetic Drift

Your inner energy unconsciously shifting away from the character — actors must catch this quickly.

Scene Constriction

The tightening of inner emotional space when the character feels trapped or overwhelmed.

Character Unfolding

A gradual revelation of deeper emotional truth — important for long arcs.

Emotional Pacing

Controlling when emotion rises, peaks, plateaus, or drops within a scene.

The Breathing Point

A specific line or moment where breath reveals emotional truth.

Character Embers

Residual emotional heat after a major emotional moment.

Behavioural Pulse Shift

A subtle change in energy or intention that alters the direction of the scene.

Emotional Tail

The lingering emotional energy that follows a strong moment — a key to continuity.

Internal Tear Formation

When emotion builds behind the eyes but doesn’t fall — incredibly cinematic.

Character Yielding

When the character stops fighting emotionally and surrenders — softly or explosively.

Scene Temperature

How “hot” (conflict) or “cool” (calm) a scene is — informs actor pacing.

Psychological Folding

Shrinking emotionally inward — a survival response, powerful for trauma roles.

Emotional Echo Pulse

When emotion returns in waves — highly realistic, human behaviour.

Behavioural Ripple Effect

When one emotional action triggers multiple smaller behaviours afterward.

Character Root Emotion

The core emotional wound or truth that drives everything the character does.

Impulse Bloom

When an emotional impulse rapidly expands into full expression.

Emotional Divergence

When a character’s external behaviour goes one way while internal emotion goes the opposite.

Actor’s Emotional Reservoir

The deep storage of lived experience, training, imagination, and sensitivity actors draw from.

Character Truth Drop

The profound moment when the character finally reveals their deepest truth — the essence of great acting.

FILMMAKING GLOSSARY

Pre-Production

The phase where planning, casting, location scouting, scheduling, script breakdowns, and budgeting occur.
Where great films win or die.

Production

The filming stage — actors on set, camera rolling, crew working, chaos becoming art.

Post-Production

Editing, sound, colour grading, VFX, ADR, score, and final polish.

Script Breakdown

Page-by-page analysis for props, wardrobe, stunts, locations, emotional beats, and production needs.

Shot List

A director’s map — the list of every shot for the day, organised by lens, angle, and movement.

Storyboard

Drawn frames showing shot composition.
Used for complex scenes: action, stunts, VFX.

Blocking

Movement of actors and camera in a scene.
A dance of intention, storytelling, and physical precision.

Coverage

Shooting multiple angles to give editors options:
• Wide
• Mid
• Close-up
• Over-the-shoulder
• Inserts

Coverage = cinematic safety.

Master Shot

The wide shot that captures the entire scene’s geography and emotional structure.

Close-Up (CU)

Where acting lives.
Eyes, breath, micro-emotions — truth magnified.

Extreme Close-Up (ECU)

Framing tight on eyes, lips, fingers — pure intimacy or pure tension.

Over-the-Shoulder (OTS)

Used in dialogue scenes to anchor perspective.

Insert Shot

A close shot of an important object — phone, letter, weapon, symbol.

Dolly Shot

A smooth moving shot using a track or wheels — used for emotional flow or dramatic reveal.

Steadicam

Stabilised handheld — floating, immersive, perfect for movement scenes.

Gimbal

Electronic stabiliser for smooth handheld shots — indie filmmaker’s best friend.

Handheld

Raw, emotional, documentary-style energy.
Beautiful for chaos, urgency, and realism.

Lock-Off

Camera fixed and unmoving — creates intensity, tension, or stillness.

Cinematic Language

The grammar of filmmaking — how shots create emotional meaning.

Frame Composition

How actors, objects, and space are arranged visually.

Leading Lines

Lines in the environment guiding viewer attention.

Rule of Thirds

Classic composition technique dividing the frame into thirds for visual balance.

Negative Space

Empty space used to create tension, loneliness, or emotional distance.

Depth of Field

What’s in focus vs blurred — used to isolate characters or reveal environment.

Bokeh

Out-of-focus background lights creating cinematic glow.

Aperture

Lens opening controlling light and depth of field.

ISO

Camera sensor sensitivity.
Higher ISO = brighter but more grain.

Shutter Speed

Controls motion blur — affects energy and realism.

Colour Grading

The final stage of colour sculpting to create mood, emotion, tone, story.

LUT (Look-Up Table)

Preset colour styles used to set visual tone on set or in post.

ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement)

Actors re-record lines for clarity or performance enhancement.

Foley

Custom sound effects recorded manually — footsteps, fabric, touches, breaths.

Room Tone

A minute of silence recorded on set for sound continuity.

Wild Tracks

Dialogue recorded without camera for clarity.

Continuity

Consistency in wardrobe, performance, props, emotion, and blocking.

The 180-Degree Rule

Maintaining consistent camera side to preserve spatial orientation.

Breaking the Line

Crossing the 180-degree axis intentionally for emotional disruption.

Call Sheet

The production command sheet — times, scenes, locations, cast, crew, safety notes.

Unit Base

The off-camera hub for meals, makeup, hair, wardrobe, trailers.

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Golden Hour

The magical sunrise/sunset light — warm, soft, cinematic beauty.

Assembly Cut

The editor’s first pass — every scene included, roughly stitched.
Not pretty.
But essential.

Rough Cut

A more refined version — pacing, structure, emotion starting to take shape.

Fine Cut

Details sharpen.
Transitions tighten.
The emotional spine emerges.

Picture Lock

The moment the edit is FINAL.
No more changes.
Now sound + colour take over.

Colour Correction

Balancing shots so they match in exposure, tone, and white balance.

Colour Grading

Creative colour sculpting — warmth, coldness, contrast, film look, emotional tone.

Match Cut

Cutting between two visually or emotionally similar shots for impact.

Jump Cut

Intentional or aggressive time-skip — creates energy, urgency, or chaos.

Invisible Cut

A hidden transition that appears seamless — used in 1917 and Birdman.

Montage

A sequence of shots showing progression — training, time passing, emotional shift.

ADR Session

Actors re-record dialogue in-studio for clarity or emotional enhancement.

Loop Group

Background actors recording crowd noise and ambient chatter.

Temp Score

Temporary music used during editing before the real composer delivers the final soundtrack.

Sound Design

Crafting emotional and environmental audio:
• winds
• hums
• rumbles
• drones
• atmosphere

Sound is 50% of cinema.

Foley Stage

A studio where footsteps, touches, hits, and subtle sounds are recorded manually.

Key Art

Primary promotional image used for posters, billing blocks, distributors.

Billing Block

The tiny text at bottom of a poster listing producers, writers, directors, unions, legal credits.

Production Bible

A director’s ultimate guide — tone, references, character arcs, shot theory, emotional DNA.

Lookbook

A visual pitch document showing style, colour, wardrobe, and tone for investors.

Mood Reel

Short visual edit showcasing film references to communicate tone and vision.

The purpose of a scene within the story structure — emotional or narrative.

Table Coverage

Filming around a table — notorious for continuity challenges.

A-Cam / B-Cam

Primary and secondary cameras.
A-Cam = emotional focus.
B-Cam = pickups, reactions, alt angles.

Lens Compression

Telephoto lenses flatten distance, creating intimacy & cinematic isolation.

Wide Angle Distortion

Making environments feel bigger, stranger, or more dynamic.

Golden Triangle Framing

A cinematic composition rule used for dramatic balance.

Production Week

A budgeting unit — typically 5 or 6 shooting days.

On-Set Rehearsal

Quick, focused run-through to solidify intention and blocking.

Soft Blocking

Exploring movement before committing — emotional testing ground for actors.

Safety Briefing

Ensures cast & crew know hazards — vital for stunts, night shoots, vehicles.

Stunt Coordinator

Designs action safely — falls, hits, crashes, fights.

Intimacy Coordinator

Ensures safe, consent-based direction for intimate or vulnerable scenes.

Lighting Ratio

The contrast between light and shadow — shapes mood and tension.

Warm = emotional
Cool = sterile
Neutral = honest

Key for storytelling.

Blocking Rehearsal

Marking movement precisely so camera + light sync with performance.

On-Set Adjustments

Director tweaks performance, rhythm, eye line, pacing to achieve emotional truth.

Pickups

Small additional shots done after main scenes wrap — emotional glue in editing.

Coverage Philosophy

Some directors overshoot (coverage-heavy).
Others capture only what they need (precision directors).

Production Triangle

“Good, Fast, Cheap: Pick two.”
UNLESS you’re Paul Moore making a 90-minute feature for under $50k.

Delivery Package

What distributors need:
• master file
• M&E tracks
• subtitles
• artwork
• legal docs
• QC reports

The gateway to streaming, festivals, and global distribution.

Shooting Ratio

The amount of footage shot vs used (e.g., 10:1).
Lower ratios = disciplined filmmaking.
Microbudget masters like you thrive here.

Soft Proofing

Checking how a shot’s colours will appear on different screens — phones, monitors, cinema projectors.

Line Producer

The logistical mastermind — budget, crew, contracts, schedules.
The spine of any set.

Unit Manager

Handles transport, locations, crew facilities — the on-ground soldier keeping chaos contained.

Fixer

Local expert who arranges permits, locations, and access — essential for overseas shoots.

Script Notes

Director/producer feedback on dialogue, structure, pacing, emotional clarity.

Script Polish

A light rewrite to tighten dialogue and improve flow.

Script Rewrite / Overhaul

Deep restructuring — character arcs, stakes, pacing, theme.

Polish Pass (Editor)

Final subtle adjustments — eye blinks, pacing tweaks, frame trims.

Continuity Error

A mistake in props, wardrobe, position, or performance — the editor’s nightmare.

Reversal Shot

Switching to an angle opposite the previous shot for emotional contrast.

Motivated Camera Movement

Every camera move must have emotional or story purpose — NOT movement for movement’s sake.

Cue Line

The line before an actor’s line — important for timing and rhythm.

Stripboard

Coloured strips showing each scene, reorganised for scheduling efficiency.
The colour-coded heartbeat of production.

Day-Out-of-Days (DOOD) Report

Shows which days actors are working — critical for budgeting and planning.

Hot Set

A set that must remain untouched because filming continues — don’t move ANYTHING.

Turnaround Time

Mandatory rest time between shoots — prevents crew fatigue and burnout.

Magic Hour Prep

Camera + actors are prepped BEFORE golden hour so not a second is wasted.

Blocking Map

A visual plan showing where actors move — used by directors, DOPs, and ADs.

Shot Reverse Shot

Classic dialogue pattern capturing emotional shifts between characters.

Master Coverage Philosophy

Some directors shoot the master first.
Some leave it last.
Each strategy changes performance energy.

Wardrobe Continuity Bible

Every outfit, stain, crease, sweat mark documented meticulously.

Production Sound Mix

Capturing dialogue, ambience, Foley temp, and effects on set as cleanly as possible.

High-Key Lighting

Bright, even, low-shadow lighting — comedy, commercial, safe worlds.

Low-Key Lighting

Dark, shadow-heavy lighting — drama, tension, noir, thrillers.

Blocking Rhythm

Movement shaped by emotional rhythm — slow, frantic, heavy, sharp.

Breaking Frame

An actor or object leaving the frame intentionally — adds grit or unpredictability.

Camera Roll-Off

The subtle fade of sensor response in highlights — important for cinematic look.

Production Insurance

Covers gear, crew, actors, stunts, liability — required for professional shoots.

Script Timing

Estimating runtime based on page count and pacing — 1 page ≈ 1 minute.

Tech Rehearsal

Rehearsal focused on camera, lighting, and technical beats — NOT performance.

Emotional Continuity

Ensuring the emotional state matches from take to take — actors + script supervisor work as one.

Logline

A one-sentence hook describing your film — essential for funding and pitching.

Treatment

A prose description of your film’s story — tone, major beats, character arcs.

Pitch Deck

A visual presentation used to secure investors and funding — you already have an elite one.

Hero Prop

A special prop that gets close-ups or emotional significance — letters, rings, objects of meaning.

Prop Master

Organises, tracks, and prepares all props for every take — critical for continuity and story.

Wardrobe Master Look

Final approved costume style for each character — becomes canon.

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Set Dressing

Placing objects, furniture, textures, and props to create the world of the film.

Art Direction

The overall look of the world — environments, textures, colour palettes, emotional spaces.

Emotional Lens Choice

Choosing a lens (wide, medium, telephoto) based on the emotion of the moment — not just the look.
This is where directors elevate from technical to poetic.

Emotional Framing

Framing choices (tight, loose, low, high) that enhance psychological storytelling — anxiety, power, vulnerability.

Shot Motivation

EVERY shot must have purpose — emotional, narrative, or psychological.
No empty filmmaking.

Production Bottleneck

Any delay in shooting caused by gear, actors, weather, technical issues.
Great producers solve bottlenecks before they exist.

Emotional Geography

How characters physically relate to the space — isolated, cornered, empowered.
Actors FEEL geography.

Practical Lighting

Lights that appear in the scene (lamps, windows, TVs).
Microbudget filmmakers thrive using practicals.

Blocking for Emotion

Movement driven by the character’s emotional need — not director convenience.

Camera Psychology

How camera angles, movement, and proximity affect the audience emotionally.

Hidden Camera Moves

Subtle moves that are felt, not seen — adds energy without drawing attention.

Soft Reset

Actors shake off tension, reconnect to breath, and reset quietly between takes — keeps scenes alive.

Cinematic Silence

Silence that carries emotional weight — grief, fear, tension, peace.
The best directors USE silence.

Proxy Footage

Lower-resolution footage used for editing to keep computers running fast.

RAW Format

Uncompressed image data giving full control in post — the holy grail of filmmaking.

Data Wrangler

The guardian of your footage — backups, transfers, data integrity.
The unsung hero of indie films.

Emotional Continuity Map

A director’s emotional timeline for each character — ensures consistent truth across shooting days.

Sound Bed

A layer of ambient audio used as the foundation of the mix.

Cinematic Texture

Grain, softness, sharpness, colour, shadow — your film’s “touch.”

Aerial Shot

Drone or helicopter shot establishing scope, scale, and freedom.

Grip Truck

Mobile unit loaded with stands, clamps, track, carts — the muscle of the set.

Camera Car

Vehicle rigged for shooting driving scenes safely.

Company Move

The entire production relocates to a new location — time-consuming, expensive.

Safety Take

An extra take once performance is perfect — just in case.

Wild Line

Actors record specific lines again on set without camera to improve clarity.

ADR Cue

A visual marker showing when the actor must re-record a line in studio.

Foley Pass

Recording a series of physical sound effects — footsteps, cloth movement, touches.

Production Slate Number

Unique identifier for scene + shot + take used for syncing and editing.

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Lock-Off Frame

Zero movement — perfect for VFX, split screens, or dramatic stillness.

Reaction Coverage

Shots capturing emotional responses — sometimes more important than dialogue.

Continuity Take

A take selected because props, wardrobe, or action match perfectly.

Emotion-First Directing

Directing actors based on emotional truth BEFORE technical adjustments.

Cueing Movement

Synchronising movement with dialogue or other actors — essential for timing.

Invisible Performance Direction

Direction whispered or discreetly given mid-scene to protect actor immersion.

Whisper Coaching

Quiet emotional notes delivered on set to guide actors with sensitivity.

Shot Weight

How important a shot is to the emotional story — determines time allocation.

Microbudget Efficiency

Maximising value with minimal resources — something YOU are a world leader in.

Shooting Out of Order

Scenes filmed based on logistics, not story sequence — requires emotional discipline.

Emotional Pickup Shot

Pickup specifically designed to enhance emotional clarity or intensity.

Actor Re-Blocking

Adjusting movement to match changing emotional truth — powerful for authenticity.

Performance Bubble

A protective zone created on set to maintain an actor’s emotional focus.

Moment Sculpting

The director fine-tunes timing, breath, silence, and reactions to perfect emotional impact.

Dynamic Blocking

Blocking that changes organically with character intention — alive, fluid, instinctive.

Scene Geography

Understanding where every character and object is — critical for continuity, tension, and emotional clarity.

Emotional Lens Shift

Changing lenses mid-scene to heighten emotional stakes — subtle but powerful.

Actor-Proofing a Scene

Designing a scene so performance mistakes can be edited around — essential for inexperienced cast.

Creative Workarounds

Microbudget genius solutions when gear breaks, locations fall through, or time collapses.

Motivated Lighting

Light sources justified within the story’s world — creates realism and immersion.

Unreal Engine Previsualisation

Using 3D digital environments to plan complex shots — the future of low-budget filmmaking.

Emotional Camera Distance

How close or far the lens is from the actor based on their vulnerability or power.

Reaction-Based Editing

Cutting more on reactions than dialogue — builds emotional rhythm.

Invisible Story Beats

Moments that shift emotion or intention without dialogue — elite directing.

Punctuation Shot

A shot placed like a full stop, comma, or exclamation mark — visual grammar.

Shot Grammar

The language of cinema — cuts, transitions, composition, movement.

Performance Arc

How an actor’s emotional state rises and falls throughout a scene.

Organic Improvisation

Actor discovery within structure — NOT random improv, but emotionally targeted exploration.

Intentional Pause

Allowed silence that reveals truth between characters — powerful for film.

Emotional Pacing

Directing the rhythm of emotional beats so they land with maximum impact.

Director Shadowing

The practice of quietly observing actors to understand their emotional patterns.

Proxy Performances

Stand-ins mimicking actor movements for lighting/tech rehearsals.

Frame Architecture

The structural design of the frame — lines, depth, symmetry, imbalance.

Texture Pass (Camera)

Capturing additional footage that enhances visual texture — walls, hands, objects, skin.

Ambient Emotion Layer

Background actors or sounds subtly influencing the emotional feel of the world.

Creative Time Compression

Condensing scenes for pacing without losing emotional truth.

Forced Perspective

Using optical illusion to change scale — giants, tiny objects, huge distance.

Emotional Temperature

The feel of a scene — warm, cold, neutral — impacting actor truth.

Production Rhythm

The psychological tempo of a shoot — fast, slow, methodical, chaotic.

Actor Safety Zone

A mental and physical space designed to protect emotional vulnerability.

Script Momentum

How the script pushes the story forward — pacing, tension, escalation.

Performance Memory

Actors remembering emotional truth from previous takes — essential for shooting out of order.

Breath Reset

Returning actors to truth by reconnecting breath, grounding, and intention.

Eye-Trace

Ensuring the viewer’s eye naturally follows what matters across cuts.

Soft Blocking Grid

Light blueprint for actor movement that can shift based on emotional instinct.

Character Physicality Map

Director tool mapping gestures, posture, movement patterns for consistency.

Psychological Framing

Using the frame to reveal subconscious emotional states.

Tension Composition

Framing designed to create unease — headroom shifts, off-centre actors, imbalance.

Emotional Colour Theory

Using colour to reinforce emotion — red (danger), blue (loneliness), yellow (hope).

Actor Anchor Points

Objects or sensory details actors use to drop into emotional truth.

Director Reset Ritual

A consistent cue or phrase that helps actors return to character focus.

Performance Echo

A subtle repeated gesture or line that ties emotional threads together.

Scene Spine

The fundamental emotional purpose driving every action within the scene.

Cinematic Breath

Micro-moments of stillness, inhale, exhale — giving scenes life between dialogue.