John Boylan | Acting Coach
  • 2025 Schedule The Intensive On Camera Audition Intensive Directing the Actor Semi Private Sessions Semi-Privates On Demand Demo Reels Mentor Sessions Audition Coaching The New Year Intensive The Follow-Up The Chair Next to Mine
  • Tips and Insights Definitions Informed Articles Shout-Outs Recorded Poetry
  • Teaching Videos Student Videos Demo Reels
  • Testimonials
  • Film Camp for Teens Independent Short Film Screenings Galleries
  • Contact
John Boylan | Acting Coach
  • Classes/
    • 2025 Schedule
    • The Intensive
    • On Camera
    • Audition Intensive
    • Directing the Actor
    • Semi Private Sessions
    • Semi-Privates On Demand
    • Demo Reels
    • Mentor Sessions
    • Audition Coaching
    • The New Year Intensive
    • The Follow-Up
    • The Chair Next to Mine
  • Resources/
    • Tips and Insights
    • Definitions
    • Informed
    • Articles
    • Shout-Outs
    • Recorded Poetry
  • Videos/
    • Teaching Videos
    • Student Videos
    • Demo Reels
  • Testimonials/
  • Archives/
    • Film Camp for Teens
    • Independent Short Film Screenings
    • Galleries
  • Contact/
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John Boylan | Acting Coach

Toronto-based acting classes for camera

Tips & Insights

Tips and Insights, by John Boylan. He offers film acting classes and personal coaching for Toronto-based students.

John Boylan | Acting Coach
  • Classes/
    • 2025 Schedule
    • The Intensive
    • On Camera
    • Audition Intensive
    • Directing the Actor
    • Semi Private Sessions
    • Semi-Privates On Demand
    • Demo Reels
    • Mentor Sessions
    • Audition Coaching
    • The New Year Intensive
    • The Follow-Up
    • The Chair Next to Mine
  • Resources/
    • Tips and Insights
    • Definitions
    • Informed
    • Articles
    • Shout-Outs
    • Recorded Poetry
  • Videos/
    • Teaching Videos
    • Student Videos
    • Demo Reels
  • Testimonials/
  • Archives/
    • Film Camp for Teens
    • Independent Short Film Screenings
    • Galleries
  • Contact/
January 24, 2021

Reminder.

January 24, 2021/ John Boylan
Reminder.

Often what the coach or director is telling you is a reminder.

You already know it but need to be reminded.

It’s good if you want and like to be reminded.

I was acting in a film one time with Eva Marie Saint and Jerry Orbach and when Eva’s close-up came, she …

Read More
January 24, 2021/ John Boylan/
The Work
January 10, 2021

Headshots.

January 10, 2021/ John Boylan
Headshots.

There’s a lot of work needed to figure this one out.

Generally, in the early part of your career getting a headshot done is a bit of a nightmare. There aren’t any courses on it. On how to do it.

In fact, the very idea of a course on headshots probably sounds absurd. Certainly not de rigueur. And not …

Read More
January 10, 2021/ John Boylan/
The Business
December 27, 2020

'Can I change the words?'

December 27, 2020/ John Boylan

It’s a bit like how many fairies on a pin head.

Much debated by actors in bars.

There is no one answer to the question, but even if there was - what good would that do you?

Treat each situation …

Read More
December 27, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Work
December 13, 2020

Caine and able.

December 13, 2020/ John Boylan
Caine and able.

Michael Caine is a wonderful actor.

And he was a movie star.

The 1987 Michael Caine on Acting in Film video is interesting to watch.

I took two tips from his video …

Read More
December 13, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Work
December 01, 2020

Boy to man.

December 01, 2020/ John Boylan
Boy to man.

The actor in class is a nice Ontario boy, but he’s playing a character who’s a man.

There’s a difference between a boy and a man. Between a girl and a woman. As an actor you need to know if your character is behaving like one or the other.

Both are useful.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the manager …

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December 01, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Work
November 15, 2020

A read-through.

November 15, 2020/ John Boylan
A read-through.

Some words are written to be read and some words are written to be said.

When we say, ‘Let’s read the scene.’ we mean, let’s speak it - let’s play it.

Text is written in words and you can get diverted when asked to read by …

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November 15, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Work
November 11, 2020

'All Rise!'

November 11, 2020/ John Boylan
'All Rise!'

That’s what they say in court when the judge enters.

Well, they do on TV.

You might, like many actors, ask what you can do to be a better actor when you’re not filming or in class.

Observing. That’s something.

Go to a …

Read More
November 11, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Work
July 05, 2020

Time.

July 05, 2020/ John Boylan
Time.

Is a question you’ve considered often and will continue to do so.

Pick up the pace. Pick up your cues. Speak quicker. Feel the rhythm of the scene. Take a beat.

A pause.

Shooting a commercial you’re under strict time guidelines. You might …

Read More
July 05, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Life
June 28, 2020

Witches.

June 28, 2020/ John Boylan
Witches.

There are no witches.

But, you’re like one.

When you work well you conjure. How you and your fellow actors do that is secret. It’s difficult to do …

Read More
June 28, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Life
June 21, 2020

Tricks of the trade.

June 21, 2020/ John Boylan

The young actor asks the master coach if she has a trick that will make him a better Shakespeare actor.

She’s horrified. And rightly so.

‘No trick will make you a good actor. Only hard work will.’, she responds. Our young actor …

Read More
June 21, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Work
June 14, 2020

Translating.

June 14, 2020/ John Boylan
Translating.

So many terms you run into in the TV business need translating.

They don’t mean what they say.

The point is to use your brain. Think things through. If a phrase has you caught off-guard give it some consideration. Rather than take it on face value and as the …

Read More
June 14, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Life
June 06, 2020

'I’m a good actor'.

June 06, 2020/ John Boylan
'I’m a good actor'.

If you are then say it.

What does good mean? There isn’t a pure definition of a ‘good actor’, but some facts support the idea.

Such as: you’ve trained, you’ve got an agent, you worked for three seasons at the Stratford Festival, did …

Read More
June 06, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Life
June 06, 2020

Paul Robeson.

June 06, 2020/ John Boylan
Paul Robeson.

Why do proprietors of casting studios hang posters of Hollywood movie stars on the walls?

You may have your own thoughts on Marilyn and Marlon, but do you need to be looking at …

Read More
June 06, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Business
June 06, 2020

Counting words.

June 06, 2020/ John Boylan

Does counting the number of words in your line and the number in the other character’s line help you learn the scene?

Part of the form of the scene.

Supporting the content.

Often the two lines are equal. Rhythmic …

Read More
June 06, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Work
June 06, 2020

Homeopathy.

June 06, 2020/ John Boylan
Homeopathy.

In homeopathy, one treats the main symptom first.

Do the same when you prep for auditions.

An actress with lots of theatre experience comes to me with a TV audition and says …

Read More
June 06, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Audition
May 31, 2020

Three basic levels of arguing.

May 31, 2020/ John Boylan
Three basic levels of arguing.

There are as many levels of argument as there are human situations. Here are three common ones.

Passive-aggressive.

This common low-level argument form is frequent in relationship and sentimental …

Read More
May 31, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Work
May 24, 2020

Telling your mother.

May 24, 2020/ John Boylan
Telling your mother.

Do you still call your mother when you book a role?

Sharing your success is proper. 

But, as a professional can you develop the strength to carry on without validation other than your own …

Read More
May 24, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Life
May 17, 2020

Stuck-up, kick-down.

May 17, 2020/ John Boylan

Try and present your work.

A common trait today, once someone has achieved a certain position of power, is to learn how to hold on to it. That can include kicking down the ladder anyone trying to come up and sucking up to those above.

If you get desperate you may find yourself trying to …

Read More
May 17, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Work
May 10, 2020

Someone you know, love and trust.

May 10, 2020/ John Boylan

Use this as a ‘like or as if’ when needed.

Playing to the lens in a commercial extolling a product the question can come up ‘Who am I talking to?’. Picking a real person you know, love and trust can assist you to make …

Read More
May 10, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Work
May 03, 2020

Say Nothing.

May 03, 2020/ John Boylan
Say Nothing.

Say nothing is when you change your self-talk.

Your old narratives.

It’s a cousin to my ‘Do nothing’ program.

It’s essential for growth to look at your narratives.
You know, like the one you …

Read More
May 03, 2020/ John Boylan/
The Work
  • Previous
  • Next
  • Classes/
    • 2025 Schedule
    • The Intensive
    • On Camera
    • Audition Intensive
    • Directing the Actor
    • Semi Private Sessions
    • Semi-Privates On Demand
    • Demo Reels
    • Mentor Sessions
    • Audition Coaching
    • The New Year Intensive
    • The Follow-Up
    • The Chair Next to Mine
  • Resources/
    • Tips and Insights
    • Definitions
    • Informed
    • Articles
    • Shout-Outs
    • Recorded Poetry
  • Videos/
    • Teaching Videos
    • Student Videos
    • Demo Reels
  • Testimonials/
  • Archives/
    • Film Camp for Teens
    • Independent Short Film Screenings
    • Galleries
  • Contact/

John Boylan | Acting Coach

John Boylan | Toronto Acting Coach

Available Classes

Calendar
Semi Private Sessions
Aug 4
Aug 4, 2025 – Aug 15, 2025
Semi Private Sessions
Aug 4, 2025 – Aug 15, 2025

Using a feature film scene and typical TV scenes you will have time and space to pursue questions that you need to work on. With only one other actor there is a peaceful atmosphere to do detailed work that can most assist you…

Aug 4, 2025 – Aug 15, 2025
On Camera
Sep 8
Sep 8, 2025 – Oct 13, 2025
On Camera
Sep 8, 2025 – Oct 13, 2025

These are professional track acting classes with practices that meet the actor's needs to work in the film and TV industry.

This course is right for you if: you are committed to being a professional actor; you have some experience in theatre or film; you have some actor training; you recently graduated from theatre school; you have an agent or are actively seeking one …

Sep 8, 2025 – Oct 13, 2025
The Intensive
Oct 22
Oct 22, 2025 – Oct 28, 2025
The Intensive
Oct 22, 2025 – Oct 28, 2025

The Intensive is right for you if: you are committed to being a professional actor; you have some experience in theatre or film; you have some actor training; you recently graduated from theatre school; you have an agent or are actively seeking one.

The only course of its kind in Canada.

The best work is often the result of …

Oct 22, 2025 – Oct 28, 2025
On Camera
Nov 10
Nov 10, 2025 – Dec 15, 2025
On Camera
Nov 10, 2025 – Dec 15, 2025

These are professional track acting classes with practices that meet the actor's needs to work in the film and TV industry.

This course is right for you if: you are committed to being a professional actor; you have some experience in theatre or film; you have some actor training; you recently graduated from theatre school; you have an agent or are actively seeking one …

Nov 10, 2025 – Dec 15, 2025
Featured
The Follow-Up.
The Follow-Up.

This is a one-hour session over Zoom geared to discuss the work in your most recent class or anything relating to your acting career.

For years I’ve been frustrated that I don’t get to speak much to the actors …

Audition Self-Tape Coaching.
Audition Self-Tape Coaching.

Working on Zoom this method of recording all the takes while I coach you has proven successful. We keep working, hone the scene, make adjustments …

Demo Reels.
Demo Reels.

I can help you make a demo reel and we can schedule it at whatever time suits us both. Please send your photo and resume.

The first step is a one-hour consultation where we discuss who the reel is for, what types suit you, which scenes to do, your hair and wardrobe.

Second step is …

 
It's your space. Take your place.
 

IT'S YOUR SPACE. TAKE YOUR PLACE.

All posted class times are Eastern Time Zone (EDT/EST). A photo and resume must be submitted before registration is confirmed. Scheduled classes and coachings cannot be re-scheduled. If you’re unable to attend you forfeit the time and fee. Make up classes are not held over to future sessions, there are no refunds and money cannot be used towards another class. We reserve the right to change the time, date, and price of our courses.

416 568 9072

john@centreforthearts.com

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