The faciliator of the weekly sessions and founder Dan Eady said the purpose of the workshops is so participants can refine their screen acting skills through scripted scenes, gain hands-on experience at operating technical equipment, and provided opportunities for aspiring actors to break into the entertainment industry.
"It’s based around scene work ... which emulates how it is on a real film set."
Many of its members had already contributed to notable productions such as The Royal Treatment, Uproar, and various other film and television projects in and around Dunedin.
"It is an ultra-competitive industry, so these kinds of classes provide a space, a workshop for those to take their discipline to the next level.
"As far as being a better screen actor goes, this is a place where you can improve."
Actor and dedicated group member Emily Frith said after participating in the workshop, she landed a role as an extra in the upcoming feature film Uproar.
"That was amazing seeing what we do in this class on a huge scale."
Another group participant Jason Holden said the workshops had made a significant impact on his ability to secure roles.
"I’ve been auditioning for some films and TV programmes, and I’ve just recently landed a fairly big TV commercial.
"I was stoked man, it was huge."
Mr Eady said the first "incantation" of the workshops began in Brisbane, where at one session Eady co-faciliated along with Australian actor, Christopher Sommers, and film directors Peter and Michael Spierig came along to a session.
They workshopped a scene that would later find Christopher with a role in the 2014 film Predestination, starring Ethan Hawke.
Mr Eady said seeing the film was "pretty mind-blowing" because up until that point, he had not appreciated how influential creative developments like that could be.
"They found the experience valuable for their process, and eventually watching the version of that scene — I guess that was powerful."
Mr Holden said another stand-out moment for the group was when New Zealand actress and acting coach Miranda Harcourt conducted a two-day workshop in Dunedin.
"She’s Nicole Kidman’s acting coach — she deals with the A-listers."
Mrs Frith said looking ahead, the group had aspirations beyond acting
by themselves.
"We are trying to do extra things, more than just our acting role, to learn all about the screen business."
The group members have been empowered to generate their own work, including a short piece Mrs Frith wrote, presently undergoing editing.
The workshop’s 50th session is scheduled for September 20.
