We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.
Archilochos
Jump to — Intro | Navigation | Action | Sword | Tactical | Creature | Heroes | Cinematic | Pro Series
– INTRO CLASSES –
Motion Capture Essentials
Cost: $250 | Duration: 2 Days for 4 Hours | Prereqs: None
Register for upcoming classes:
If you want to be the best, then your training starts here.
This class is for the beginning or experienced actor, stunt or physical performer wanting to understand and better prepare for work in Performance Capture. This class introduces the performer to the world of Motion Capture, and helps them understand:
- What “motion capture” is and recognize the different types of Motion Capture technology.
- How performance capture acting is similar, and how it can be very different than film acting.
- The different types of performance capture and what you’ll need to get ready for it.
- Imagination meets movement: Introductory movement exercises to help you better understand the challenges, difficulties and magic of performance capture action and acting.
Intermediate Performance Capture Skill Set: basic nav action, in-game movement, and intermediate movement performance.
Actors, Stunt-people and Specialty performers alike will benefit from the essential skills in Performance Capture Bootcamp as it advances and evolves the craft learned in the Intro class and builds upon them so that you are fully prepared to not only understand everything involved with Navs (Navigations, the full scope of movements needed to drive the characters in video games and film) but the process, rules and variables often associated with this type of performance capture. This class also covers essential action including the fundamental attacks and reactions that are required in even the most basic of action scenes and nav captures.
Notes: This is a very physical class. Please inform instructor of any physical restrictions or persistent injuries before class begins. Safety first.
– NAVIGATION SERIES –
The Character Forge: Ready Player 1 (Nav 1)
Cost: $220 | Duration: 4 Hours | Prereqs: None
Register for upcoming classes:
Navigation, Locomotion, and In-game Performance Mastery – Level 1
Navigation, Locomotion, and In-game movement are various terms used to describe the basic movements of characters in a video game. The animators use these motion captured performances to create character realistic (and sometimes fantastic) movement, action, and navigation for their digital characters in video games and VR experiences. This class expands on what is learned in “Introduction to Motion Capture” and helps Action Actors, Stunt Performers, Creature Performers, and Athletes not only master these skills but understand what it takes to get the job and flourish in the world of Video Game Navigation Performance.
Notes: This is a very physical class. Please inform instructor of any physical restrictions or persistent injuries before class begins. Safety first.
The Character Forge: World of NavCraft (Nav 2)
Cost: $220 | Duration: 2 Days for 3 Hours | Prereqs: Nav 1
Register for upcoming classes:
Continuing and building on the basics learned in Level 1, this class goes deeper into the skills that will prepare you for a career in Video Game Performance Capture, by combining the discipline of precise movement with the nuanced art of character performance. The demand for skilled character navigational Performance Artists of quality is high and the video games & VR market only continues to grow. This class will help solidify the skills you absolutely need to be a part of this growing, and demanding industry. Grab your rifle. Tighten your scabbard. Call your allies and Leeroy Jenkins!
Note 1: This is a very physical class. Please inform the instructor of any physical restrictions or persistent injuries before class begins. Safety first.
The Character Forge: God of In-Game: RagNav – Lords of the Motion Field (Nav 3)
Cost: $220 | Duration: 2 Days for 4 Hours | Prereqs: Nav 1 & 2
Register for upcoming classes:
A career in developing and performing characters for video games requires a distinct combination of skills. This is where it all comes together. Forge your mind, body, and spirit into solid yet directable characters that game-developers need to tell their stories, stories that millions of fans around the world will experience. Understanding how to interpret and execute and even develop specific “dance cards” for both traditional and motion field performance types. Help game-devs achieve their vision by helping them solve on-set problems through collaborative creativity and solid, efficient work. Also learn the secrets to being the first on a game developer’s “go to” list, when it’s time to hire performers.
Prepare yourself for Hardcore Mode.
Note 1: This is a very physical class. Please inform the instructor of any physical restrictions or persistent injuries before class begins. Safety first.
– ACTION SERIES –
Action for Actors 1: Stunt Fighting Basics
Cost: $75 | Duration: 2 Hours | Prereqs: None
Register for upcoming classes:
Every Studio knows that ACTION sells. Action permeates almost every facet of the biggest-budget Video Games, Films and TV shows. This class will help get you up to speed in the basic skills and information that Actors, Action-Actors, Stunt Performers and Creature Performers ABSOLUTELY NEED to perform basic fighting and reactions in the Action genre. This course is especially valuable for Actors that intend on auditioning or performing action if they want to have an edge.
Note 1: This is a very physical class. Please inform the instructor of any physical restrictions or persistent injuries before class begins. Safety first.
Action for Actors 2: Intermediate Stunt Fighting Performance
Cost: $220 | Duration: 4 Hours | Prereqs: Action 1
Register for upcoming classes:
Action 2: Intermediate Stunt Fighting Performance continues to expand the performer’s repertoire of fighting moves, reactions, and on set expectations to get them on par with working professionals. You’ll continue your combat training, adding movement, style, and rhythm to advanced cinematic combat techniques and understanding.
Actors, Action Actors, Creature and Stunt Performers alike must absolutely have these skills in their toolbox to be fully prepared for film, tv, and video game performance.
Note 1: This is a very physical class. Please inform the instructor of any physical restrictions or persistent injuries before class begins. Safety first.
Action for Actors 3: Advanced Stunt Fighting Performance
Cost: $220 | Duration: 2 Days for 3 Hours | Prereqs: Action 1 & 2
Register for upcoming classes:
Action 3: Advanced Stunt Fighting Performance continues your cinematic combat training both widening and deepening skills and reactions professional action performers are expected to wield. Performers will learn more about advanced strikes, blocks and position mastery to help the camera and action team to tell the story. Infighting, grapples, proper falling techniques and “force performance” (proper performance reaction to applied violent force) are all part of this class. This class in combination with the Action workouts will help Action Performers gain a foothold in an Industry that demands both safety and the very best in their action performers.
Actors, Action Actors, Creature and Stunt Performers alike must absolutely have these skills in their toolbox to be fully prepared for film, tv, and video game performance.
Note 1: This is a very physical class. Please inform the instructor of any physical restrictions or persistent injuries before class begins. Safety first.
– SWORD SERIES –
The Way of the Sword 1: Swordplay Basics for Action Performance
Cost: $220 | Duration: 4 Hours | Prereqs: None
Register for upcoming classes:
Samurai. Swashbucklers. Jedi. These warriors of myth, legend and history have captured our imaginations for as long as we can remember. This class dedicates itself to teaching you how to help bring these legendary stories to life by learning basic swordplay strikes, parries, footwork and reactions as well as the on-set weapon etiquette to keep you safe during your choreography training and final performance.
The Way of the Sword 2: Advanced Swordplay Performance
Cost: $220 | Duration: 2 Days for 3 Hours | Prereqs: The Way of the Sword 1
Register for upcoming classes:
The Way of the Sword 2 takes the basic sword skills learned in Way of the Sword 1 and builds upon them, adding footwork, character skill, and cultural context to your performance. This 6 hour class, combined with practice and our optional weekly workouts, will sharpen your sword skills to a solid, audition ready state. Furthermore, you’ll be prepped and ready for Way of the Sword 3.
The Way of the Sword 3: Expertise in Swordplay Performance
Cost: $250 | Duration: 2 Days for 4 Hours | Prereqs: The Way of the Sword 1 & 2
Register for upcoming classes:
The Way of the Sword 3 seeks to further advance not only the myriad of techniques used by the performance fencer but to also deepen their understanding of the language of the blade. Historical context, cultural milieu, and advanced blade fighting techniques that you might find in often, vastly disparate sword fighting environments will give you a fencing vocabulary that will have you well prepared for every character and sword fighting setting you may encounter.
This 8-hour class, combined with practice and our optional weekly workouts, will sharpen your sword performance skills to a solid, performance-ready state.
– TACTICAL SERIES –
Tactical 1: Firearms Undergoing Battle Assault Readiness
Cost: $220 | Duration: 4 Hours | Prereqs: None
Register for upcoming classes:
From Avengers to Battlefield, Call of Duty to John Wick…
Today’s storytelling demands that performers have a solid FIREARMS/Weapons skill set. This course will get the Pcap performer audition and performance ready by being comfortable with modern weapon use, tactical movement, firearm etiquette, trigger discipline, and proper weapon-fire replication. We will also cover some fantasy weapons common to the genre (Phasors, Beam weapons, armor ignoring Rebel Blasters) as well as the basic bullet hit reactions and blast reactions.
Notes: This class uses plastic replica weapons as used on most Pcap stages.
Tactical 2: Advanced Tactical Performance
Cost: $220 | Duration: 2 Days for 3 Hours | Prereqs: Tactical 1
Register for upcoming classes:
Tactical 2 continues to build upon and expand the performers’ tactical firearms skillset. We focus on further ingraining basic firearms operating procedures while introducing advanced firearm manipulation, tactical group movement and command, and preferred methods of tactical positioning used by law enforcement, military and special forces.
Tactical 3: Call of the Battlefield
Cost: $250 | Duration: 2 Days for 4 Hours | Prereqs: Tactical 1 & 2
Register for upcoming classes:
Tactical 3 takes weapon handling and movement to the next level with a hard focus on the skills necessary for a performer to approach the skillsets of a professional Tactical Operator. Emulating tactical sets used by SWAT, Rangers, and Seals, the performer will begin to master basic competencies in skills including prone transitions, “slicing the pie”, breaching, special weaponry, combatives and advanced squad movement etc. If you want to separate yourself as a serious performer with firearm & tactical performance chops, then front and center. This is where that happens.
Notes: This class uses plastic replica weapons as used on most Pcap stages.
– CREATURE SERIES –
Beast Mode 1: Introduction to Creature Performance
Cost: $220 | Duration: 4 Hours | Prereqs: None
Register for upcoming classes:
“I am an animal who dreamed he was a man. But the dream is over and the beast is awake.” ~Sabertooth~
Performance capture is often at its finest when creating characters that are “other than human.” From Aliens to Zombies and everything in between this class helps you to “Wake the Beast”. To understand the different body types, movement ranges, and mindsets that will allow you to begin creating fantastic yet realistic characters that are the definitive keystone in Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Horror genre performance. Whether preparing for video games or film, you will not only lay the foundation for future character work of every type, you will learn and assimilate many of the special rules, tricks and pro-tips that are absolutely essential to your skill sets in all aspects of performance.
Beast Mode 2: Fantastic Beasts (and Where to Find Them)
Cost: $220 | Duration: 2 Days for 3 Hours | Prereqs: Beast Mode 1
Register for upcoming classes:
Intermediate Creature Movement Performance
This second class in the Beast Mode series helps you not only hone your character building and creature movement skills but to carve out the memorable performances necessary to prepare for and “nail” auditions, collaborative pre-visuals, and performances for video games, VR, tv and film.
Beast Mode 3: Of Gods & Monsters…
Cost: $250 | Duration: 2 Days for 4 Hours | Prereqs: Beast Mode 2
Register for upcoming classes:
From Boris Karloff and Haruo Nakajima to Doug Jones and Andy Serkis, the tradition of extreme character performance or “Creature Performance” is a difficult and nuanced art that can be riveting and beautiful as it is complex and strenuous.
Armed with the tools learned in Beast Mode 1 & 2, Beast Mode: 3 deep dives into those complexities of creature performance. Performers will work on Extreme Gate Analysis (Specialized Creature Walks), Instinctual Theory and how it relates to not only character performance but (Mocap and Practical) “Rig” movement.
Scenes and exercises performed in this class will stress the skills necessary to hone and master your art and in turn your career as an actor of some of the world’s most celebrated and memorable characters.
– HEROES SERIES –
Heroes 1: The Hero’s Journey: The Call
Cost: $220 | Duration: 4 Hours | Prereqs: None
Register for upcoming classes:
What is a Hero?
Wonder Woman? Luke Skywalker? The Black Panther?In the Hero’s Journey, you will learn what it takes to be the Chosen, The Hero and even a Super-Hero. You’ll examine the emotional states, and thus the physicality, that defines Heroic performance so that your auditions and performances are sharp, and crystal clear. Understanding the Hero will give you the advantages you’ll require to compete in a market of Film, TV, and Video Game opportunities needing a Hero to lead their project.
That Hero could very well be you…
Heroes 2: The Hero’s Journey: The Point of No Return
Cost: $220 | Duration: 6 Hours | Prereqs: Heroes 1
Register for upcoming classes:
In Heroes 2 you will continue the Hero’s Journey, delving deeper to understand what is expected of your character choices, character development and how to welcome the obstacles that your inner (and outer) Hero must face to survive and thrive in a world that may seem competitive and hostile. Simultaneously we will drill down harder into Superhero movement and motivation to prepare you for an industry that requires and expects the very best.
Heroes 3: The Hero’s Journey: Art Thou Worthy?
Cost: $220 | Duration: 2 Days for 4 Hours | Prereqs: Heroes 2
Register for upcoming classes:
You have survived the ordeals and the uphill fights to arrive here…
In Heroes 3 you will dare to reach out and seize the sword, lift the hammer or claim the reward… that which you will need to break through the obstacles, battle the darkness and complete your journey… or fall, trying…
But… will you rise again?
Performers in Heroes 3 will complete their training in understanding what is required of a Hero and be better prepared for auditions and performances by having the necessary tools to surpass their competition and ace their roles.
Furthermore Heroes 3 will go deeper into creating the movements, shapes and silhouettes required of performers looking to bring life to Mythic Heroes and Superheroes, in an industry that not only requires, but demands only the best for Films, TV and Video Games.
You need only answer… Art thou Worthy?
– CINEMATIC CLASSES –
Magic, Wizardry, and the Force in Mocap Performance
Cost: $220 | Duration: 4 Hours | Prereqs: None
Register for upcoming classes:
Merlin, Maleficent, Skywalker, Hermione, Gandolf, Scarlet Witch, Dr. Strange and The Last Airbender. These adepts of otherworldly forces bring wonder and awe to generation after generation.
Magic, Sorcery, Wizardry, The Force…
No matter the name, the mystical might behind Fantasy and Sci-fi is actually often more science than art.This class helps to hone your character choices and movement skills so that you master the performance of wielding your character’s supernatural forces, and better understanding the fundamental elements, timing, and mannerisms that it takes to make those choices count in the magical fabric of storytelling.
We will look at the many types of Magical performance, Movements, and the interplay between forces and character as well as how to focus your character work to better support the story.
From Padawan to Sorcerer Supreme, this class puts the magic in your hands.
– PRO SERIES –
Tactical Performance & Scene Work – Special Forces with Mikal Vega
Cost: $400 | Duration: 7 Hours
Next class: TBD
Train Tactical Performance and Scene Work with the Call of Duty, Director, former Navy SEAL, Mikal Vega.
Basic Training
Learn what is expected of a performer when working on one of the most successful game franchises in history. Learn tactical safety and technique as well as the mindset and energy required to represent those portraying modern action-oriented storytelling at its highest level.
Advanced Tactical & Scene Work (Requires instructor approval)
Building on basics learned in Spec Ops Basic Training, performers will learn how to use their tactical skills in combination with movement and team tactics. Safety and firearm competency is paramount to performing for film, tv, or video games and this takes the performers’ tactical skills to the next level.
There will be a 1 hour lunch halfway through the class.
A note from Director Mikal Vega:
This class, at its core, is my endeavor to impart some of what I have learned transitioning from serving as a Navy SEAL into becoming a director of multiple Call of Duty projects specifically relating to performance in front of the camera and on a motion capture stage.
If I could convey the subtle power of proper tactics in a manner that could ride the fine line of real and entertainment from a strict relationship to performance not only would I get an amazing shot but I would be providing my performers real tools that would deepen their performance from a perspective of innate understanding engrained through the embodiment of foundational techniques I have developed upon my creative journey.
This class is strictly for the performer that wants to explore beyond the confines of traditional tactical training and walk the length of the razor’s edge where the world of creativity and destruction cohabitate.
PRO SERIES – Welcome to the Jungle – Animal Movement Intensive with Pro Movement Coach Nito Larioza
Cost: $175 | Duration: 3 Hours
Next Class: TBD
Top Choreographer and Mocap Movement Director, Nito Larioza (Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland, Tintin, Real Steel, Godzilla, Transformers, Xmas Carol, Catwoman, X Men, TMNT, Mars Needs Moms
Mr. Larioza will conduct a 3 hour animal movement intensive combining movement and scenes to help performers better understand how to best operate their instrument in service of the character in relation to Film performance in the world of Performance Capture.
Performers will work with Mr. Larioza to create believable characters in a cinematic world that though beyond human, still operate truthfully with a human emotional core.
Note: This is a professional level class that will require a higher level of physicality. This class will have homework, to be completed before the class begins.
– PAST PRO SERIES GUESTS –
Cinematic Scenes Workshop w/ Cinematics Lead Kristen Sych
Get experience in working on Video Game Cinematics under the direction of Mr. Kristen Sych. His experience in the Video Game industry spans 19 years as both a Cinematic Lead and Animator on one of the world’s most popular games Call of Duty: Black Ops.
Get experience acting in video game cinematics while simultaneously carving out memorable characters, mapping out beats, and living in, sometimes larger than life, imaginary circumstances while still telling very human stories.
A cinematic is a short, movie-like scene helping advance the story of a video game. Video games have several of them in a single game, not to mention cinematics shot for commercials and pre-visualizations. With video games profits dwarfing annual film profits, the need for actors and action actors in cinematic video games only continues to rise. This class will get you more comfortable with what to expect in a video game cinematics shoot.
Kristen Sych began his career animating in 2D for commercials, television shows and movies such as Curious George and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. He made the transition into 3D animation working on the Spiderman 3 video game, and then shortly after moved onto the Call of Duty: Black Ops animation team. Staying with the series, his skills grew and he rose through the ranks, moving to specialize in cinematic work for the franchise, eventually becoming the Cinematic Lead Animator for Black Ops 4 and 5.
Over the course of his career Kristen has directed innumerable actors in motion capture, both in stunt and performance work, and enjoys the back and forth of the creative process on the set.
PRO SERIES – You booked it, now what? – with Casting and VO director Carrie Keranen
During Carrie’s directing career, she’s noticed some trends regarding the things that trip up actors when they are in the booth. Of course, for the actor, it feels like an individual experience but truly they are having a universal experience. This class will address the most common hiccups in actionable ways. Everyone will be working consistently during the class and there will be homework before we start and between the two classes so get ready to play your instrument! Also, please note: this class will be most beneficial for actors who are already getting audition copy and have had at least one booking since we will be drawing on, and navigating through, a lot of real life experiences.
Part 1: Tools for the Toolbox
Every actor comes up against the same things. And what feels like a very individual experience for you is actually a universal experience across the board. So let’s tackle some of those sticky things and get them unstuck. We are going to look at tongue twisters, punctuation interpretation, contextualizing and discover what the “meat” of the sentence is. We have lots of things to tackle!
Part 2: Imagination, Re-direction, and Emotional Flexibility
Building on what we have already done we now delve deeper into how to manage yourself in the booth by working on taking direction and how to integrate it into the performance you have crafted. There will be a lot of drills to help tune up your instrument and expand your fluidity, which will result in you being more relaxed in the booth come game time! This class will also have homework leading up to it so please be sure you have time in your schedule for it.
About Carrie:
Carrie Keranen is a voice over director who casts all her own projects. She has worked with hundreds of actors from all across the country and at all levels of their careers. She has directed for Video Games, Foreign Language Dubs, On camera and live theater. Her clients include multiple properties for Netflix, HBO, HBO Max, NCSoft and other companies currently under NDA. Highlights of her work include Lineage 2 Mobile, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Elite Season 2, Baby (all three seasons), Veneno, Patria, Superdrags, Biohackers, Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan as well as Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny. She has also appeared in hundreds of voice over projects so she has an excellent understanding of what the actor is experiencing in the booth. Mentorship and participating positively in the lives of others is a core value of hers and she looks forward to working with you!
Erin Fitzgerald’s Character Creation
There is no such thing as ‘Voice’ Acting, there is only acting. Performers will create authentic and imaginative characters that work behind the mic for cartoons and video games. This class looks deeper at connecting the body and breath as the source of creating believable characters, so that our performances behind the mic are as strong in the booth as they are outside. Using cold read exercises, video game and animation audition copy; we will bring our characters to life with every facility of our instrument, while examining the power of transforming the body and its parts as the bedrock of great performance, vocal or otherwise.
Where you might have heard Erin before:
Storybots, Batgirl, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Ever After High, Monster High, Naruto Shippuden, Sailor Moon, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Death Stranding, Elder Scrolls… and so many more!
Neil Newbon
Veteran performance capture actor/director Neil Newbon leads a day workshop covering performance capture character studies, from character design to multi-role performance and movement challenges in pcap – drawing on his extensive experience in over 100+ game and animation titles and 11 years in mocap and pcap as an actor, VO actor, stunt coordinator/performer, director, producer, creature specialist and mentor.
(Over 100+ game titles for Quantic Dream, Ubisoft, Sony, Square Enix, Capcom, CCP, Bethesda, Creative Assembly, Guerilla Games, EA, and on film and TV series projects by Sony, Square Enix, Scott Free, 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures)
Performance Capture Movement & Pcap Career Mastery with Mocap Industry Pro: Noel Vega
Top Stunt Coordinator/Producer/Mocap Performance Liason: Noel Vega (Call of Duty Black Ops 2, 3, 4, Call of Duty: World at War, Amazing Spiderman 1, 2, 3, X-Men: Destiny, True Crime: New York & Hong Kong, UFC Undisputed, Star Wars: Jedi Outcast, Lineage 2 and others totaling over $16 Billion in V. Game Sales.)
Mr. Vega will conduct a 4-hour intensive on how to Improve Pcap performance, what’s expected of pro-level performances, and how to get called back into the job. He’ll explore navigation/in-game performance skills as well as cinematic performance.
Action Actors and Stunt Performers will work with Mr. Vega on performing the in-game skills and scenes common to top (AAA) video game, and film sets. This work will give performers critical feedback as well as a perspective of the hiring entities’ mindset & process so that performers can best understand what to expect and how to best prepare so they will be performance and career ready.
Application process: This is a professional level class. Performers must submit a photo and acting resume, and a short statement on their goals for the class. Please email these to [email protected].
Reservations without material will not be considered. Also please note whether or not you have had Stunt, Martial Art, Military, Tactical or Tactical (F.U.B.A.R.) Performance training.
Tom Keegan
Top Cinematic Video Game MoCap Director Tom Keegan
(Star Wars: Battlefront II, Wolfenstein: Youngblood, Dead Rising 3, Mirror’s Edge)
