elevate.
Hello Artist,
We’re still reeling from your collective artistry, engagement, and presence during our Roundtable: Elevate. Thank you.
You’ve asked some fantastic questions, and we’ve answered them all below (seriously, there were a TON)!
Can’t wait to see your face again in class, on the screen and/or within the membership!
Happy almost autumn,
the aws team
Ok, here we go! Questions and answers…
Immediate
Q. Any spots still available in aws classes?
A. Yes, some! Below is the availability of our most immediate classes starting in September. As always, all upcoming classes are listed on www.ArvoldWarnerStudio.com/classes.
Recurring Scene Study starts 9/7 VIRTUAL
NEARLY SOLD OUT - 2 spots remaining
By application only (submit ASAP, class begins on Tuesday)
**See below re: prerequisite work-around
Total Prep 9/16 HYBRID (a mixture of in-person and virtual attendees)
In person - SOLD OUT
Virtual - spots available
Elevate Your Hustle starts 9/12 HYBRID (a mixture of in-person and virtual attendees)
SELLING OUT FAST
In-person - 4 spots remaining
Virtual - 4 spots remaining
Scene Study Fundamentals VIRTUAL
Starts 9/20 - spots available
Q. I wasn’t able to attend the Roundtable...can I watch a recording now?
A. Yes! You can watch it for a limited time HERE (or wayyy below). As always, it will live within the aws membership vault forever so you can watch it on repeat if you like.
PreRequisites
Q. Does every class require Total Prep as the prerequisite?
A. Some do, but not all. Classes that do not require a prerequisite are Elevate Your Hustle, Meisner The Foundation, Embodiment for the Actor, and Tru Online Communication for Screen Artists. All other offerings DO require the prerequisite of either Total Prep, Total Prep Online, Total Prep Fusion, Total Prep I+II, or Dynamic Character Creation taken within the past 3 years.
Q.**What if I want to sign up for a class that requires a prerequisite, but starts BEFORE the next Total Prep class is offered? Is there a work-around?
A. Yes! On a case-by-case basis, we have granted permission to start a class as long as you also enroll and take Total Prep within the first few weeks (ex. starting Recurring Scene Study 9/7 and attending Total Prep 9/16). Please email aws@arvold.com requesting this work-around.
Payment
Q. Do I get a payment plan as a non-member?
A. You sure do! Payment plans are available to everyone, and applicable to specific classes only.
Q. Do we get a discount if I sign up for class and haven’t become a member yet?
A. You must be a member to apply your unique discount code.
Q. Is there a discount for annual membership?
A. There is! If you sign up for an annual membership, you get 2 months of membership for FREE. Pro membership is $75/mo or $750/yr ($150 savings), core membership is $50/mo or $500/yr ($100 savings).
Hybrid
Q. How does Hybrid work in your studio?
A. Hybrid means there will be students in-person in our Atlanta studio, as well as joining us virtually from anywhere in the world. Hybrid is a mix of in-person and virtual students in the same class. There will be an in-person instructor and additional instructors may be in-person or virtual.
Q. Does that mean the virtual class is "watching" the in-person class, or is there a dedicated instructor leading the virtual class?
A. Whether joining virtually or in-person, all students will be attending the class and participating in all related activities. We've gone to great lengths to ensure that every participant is interactive and benefits from this hybrid experience.
Q. I struggle with the idea of taking acting classes online and I'm not in Atlanta. What should I do?
A. We're with you…or rather, we were with you. We didn't think virtual acting class would be as beneficial as in-person acting class when the pandemic started either. We were wrong. There are benefits from both, and with so much of the industry operating virtually now, virtual acting class can prepare you in ways that will knock your socks off.
Q. If I sign up for a hybrid class, can I switch back and forth between virtual and in-person attendance as my schedule allows?
A. We ask that you are consistent with what you signed up for. However, if you sign up for a hybrid class as an in-person attendant, but need to attend a class virtually, you can talk to your instructor in advance and plan for that change on a case-by-case basis. If you sign up for a hybrid class as a virtual attendee, attending in-person may not be possible due to capacity requirements of COVID-19 rules.
Q. Is Elevate Your Hustle appropriate for non-Southeast actors?
A. Yes, while this Elevate course focuses on the Southeast, at least 75% of our curriculum will be applicable to any market.
Q. If I sign up for Elevate and can’t attend a class, can I watch it later?
A. We understand that working screen artists book gigs, so we’ve curated our curriculum to address this. Participants in Elevate will be paired up in duos or trios, ensuring that if a class is missed by one, other ensemble members will be able to bring their fellow artist up to speed before the next session. Our teaching artists are also available for individual consults or coaching outside of the class.
Q. For Elevate, are we allowed to pick which classes we attend in person or virtually, or is it already scheduled?
A. You must sign up for either virtual or in-person attendance, however certain exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. i.e. if a student is on-set and cannot attend in-person, we may allow them to participate in our virtual setting. Talk to your instructor.
Q. So if I attend Elevate Your Hustle virtually, I don’t really lose anything by not being there?
A. Our curriculum is designed to fulfill virtual students equally to in-person students and vice versa. When we have breakout rooms and parallel work sessions, they are catered to the type of attendance you choose.
Q. Do I need to sign up for Total Prep before signing up for Elevate?
A. Elevate does not have a prerequisite.
Q. Is Elevate appropriate for seasoned actors?
A. Yes, this class is designed for working professionals, however those new to the industry or region are encouraged to apply with the understanding that it is a fast-paced environment.
Q. Is Elevate an online class only?
A. Elevate Your Hustle is a hybrid class...you can join us in-person in our Atlanta studio, or virtually from anywhere in the world.
Q. Is Elevate Your Hustle a class taught by multiple teachers each taking a different topic/angle of the business every week?
A. Short answer, yes! Our aws teaching artists will be focusing their unique skillsets on the various topics covered in this course. We’ll also have special guest speakers.
Q. May teens take Elevate Your Hustle?
A. On a case-by-case basis, mature screen artists 16+ may be permitted to attend, however our adult curriculum is curated towards college level and above. Emailing aws@arvold.com is the best way to connect for a unique situation.
Q. So is Elevate Your Hustle more like a business class about the biz? Not an acting class?
A. That is correct! We focus on the business aspects of artistry, such as materials, communication, networking, accounting, organization, mindset, and so much more. This class will provide the acumen to support a stable, long lasting career.
Scene Study
Q. Are Scene Study Fundamentals and Scene Study Recurring on-camera courses?
A. Scene Study Fundamentals is a 6wk long course geared towards screen artists delving into the foundational craft practice that is necessary for any actor to take the leap into memorable scene work. Recurring Scene Study is a three-month course of study geared toward weekly practice and conditioning for the actor who is auditioning regularly. By virtue of the in-person or virtual nature of these classes, on-camera aspects to the craft will come into play. These are both holistic scene study classes.
COVID19
Q. What are the COVID precautions for in-person classes?
A. To enter our studio, you must be fully vaccinated (per CDC standards) and show your vaccination card at check in. We conduct temperature checks at the door, and masks must be worn at all times unless given permission from aws staff to remove for scene work or taping. There are to be no more than 15 people in the studio at any time. These are current CDC guidelines and may be changed at any time. If we need to shut down our in-person offerings, we will pivot all curriculum and studio offerings to virtual.
Q. Can I attend virtually if I’m not yet fully vaccinated?
A. Yes, and you’re encouraged to do so!
General
Q. What is the location of the physical Atlanta studio?
A. Our studio is located in the Toco Hills Promenade in the North Druid Hills area of Atlanta. The physical address will be sent to you upon signing up for an in-person offering.
Q. What class is best for beginners?
A. All aws classes are divided into class levels. Every screen artist should do a self assessment and see which classes are appropriate for their current career and craft level. Note, though, that even highly experienced artists do take our foundational level classes.
Q. Is there an audition requirement to study at aws?
A. There is no audition, however our level 3 & 4 offerings are by application only and require submission of materials for consideration.
Q. Can I talk to someone about what to sign up for?
A. Absolutely! Email aws@arvold.com and an aws team member will be happy to chat with you.
Q. Are there classes for writers or any writing groups?
A. Yes, and we're just getting started…our studio pro members have an accountability group called Creative Cafe, a hybrid space for screen artists to meet weekly for a concentrated 2hrs focusing on their writing, journaling, or character development. We also have several gifted teaching artists who specialize in consulting on development of story, reviewing scripts, and providing effective feedback. And finally, we’re developing new curriculum and offerings specifically for writers and directors...stay tuned for more!
Q. Are there in-person classes in Virginia as well, or only ATL?
A. Our in-person offerings are currently in Atlanta, GA, however you can participate in our virtual offerings from anywhere in the world. Our teaching artists span the US (NY, Chicago, Los Angeles, VA, GA) and we plan to have pop-up in-person offerings in other cities soon.
Q. So if I join aws membership, I understand that I'll receive a discount on classes. But what else is there?
A. A ton. Once you're inside the membership you can participate in weekly accountability groups, monthly all-member chats, rsvp to live/virtual events, including our speaker series, connect with fellow members via the app, and so much more. Metaphorically speaking, we set out to build a cabin, and ended up creating a gigantic palace for your artistry. Join us!