March Break Acting for Film Lab

Ages: 10–18
Length: 5 Days (March 16-20th)
Outcome: A complete short film with students acting in all roles
Focus: Acting, character, story, collaboration

Program Overview

The March Break Acting for Film Lab is an immersive, performance‑focused filmmaking experience where young actors collaborate to create an original short film from concept to final performance. Over five days, students explore character, story, improvisation, and on‑camera acting while participating in a real film production led by filmmaker Jerry Wolf.

All technical aspects—cinematography, directing, lighting, sound, and editing—are handled by the instructor. This allows students to concentrate on acting, emotional expression, teamwork, and creative decision‑making.

By the end of the week, students will have starred in a polished short film they can proudly share with family and friends.

Program Structure

Day 1 — Story & Pre‑Production

Goal: Build the story and characters together
Activities:

  • Idea generation (guided brainstorming)

  • Choose a story

  • Build characters: motivations, relationships, conflicts

  • Theme discussion: what the story is about

  • Based on this session, the instructor will create a script for the following day

Outcome:
 A story outline + character breakdowns. I, the instructor, will then go home and create a script for the next day that is suitable for shooting.

Day 2 — Rewriting, Rehearsals & Blocking

Goal: Finalize the script and get actors ready
Activities:

  • Group writing session (Instructor guides the structure, participants supply ideas/dialogue)

  • Finalize script pages

  • Table read

  • Rehearsals (scene by scene)

  • Blocking: where actors move, how scenes flow

  • On‑camera acting basics (framing, eyelines, continuity)

  • Emotional beats + intention work

Outcome:
 A finished script + rehearsed scenes + confident actors.

Days 3, 4 & 5 — Production (Filming Days)

Goal: Shoot the entire short film with a professional workflow
Daily Flow:

  • Costume/props check

  • Shoot scenes with multiple takes

  • Review select takes with actors to help them adjust their performance

About the Instructor — Jerry Wolf

Jerry Wolf is a Woodstock‑based filmmaker with more than 25 years of experience in writing, directing, and producing independent films, web content, and music videos. He has spent much of his career working closely with young actors, helping them discover confidence, emotional truth, and a sense of play on camera. Many of these youth‑led films can be viewed on his website and YouTube channel (www.cinethetica.com / “Cinethetica” on YouTube), where families can see the kind of imaginative, character‑driven work he creates with young people.

In 2025, Jerry was selected for Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch program, and he is currently developing his first feature‑length film—a dark supernatural drama scheduled for production in 2026. Jerry’s approach to working with young actors is gentle, collaborative, and rooted in improvisation. He creates an environment where students feel safe to take risks, explore emotions, and try new ideas without fear of “getting it wrong.”

Safety, Professionalism & Environment

Parents can expect a well‑structured, respectful, and safety‑conscious environment. Jerry maintains clear boundaries around equipment, movement, and on‑set behaviour, ensuring that every participant feels supported and included. Scenes are designed to be age‑appropriate, emotionally safe, and manageable for a mixed‑age group.

He runs the set the way he runs his professional productions—calm, focused, and encouraging—while always keeping the well‑being of young performers at the centre of the process.

Why Jerry Loves Working With Youth Actors

Jerry believes young performers bring a unique honesty, imagination, and emotional openness to storytelling. Their creativity is unfiltered, their instincts are fresh, and their willingness to play often leads to surprising, powerful moments on camera. Helping young actors discover their confidence and artistic voice is one of the most rewarding parts of his work.

Communication With Parents

Jerry maintains a warm, open line of communication with parents throughout the program. He is available for questions, check‑ins, and clarifications, and he ensures families understand the daily structure and expectations. Parents can feel confident knowing their child is supported, supervised, and engaged in a meaningful, creative experience.

Final Deliverables

At the end of the program, families receive:

  • A completed short film, professionally edited and delivered digitally

  • An acting headshot to apply to future film

  • Behind‑the‑scenes photos (optional), capturing the creative process

  • A group cast photo to commemorate the experience

These materials give students something lasting to celebrate and share.

Screening Event

We will host a special screening event where families can watch the finished film together on the big screen.
Date and location will be announced once the venue is confirmed.

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Program Price & Registration

$550 + HST per student