Acting & Filmmaking — Intensive. Hands-On.

📅 March 20–22 & March 27–29 Friday evenings: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

(Alternate dates: April 9–11)
Participants must be fully available for both workshop weekends. A contingency date (April 9–11) is reserved if needed.

SETLIFE: Prototype Edition is a hands-on film production workshop for actors and emerging crew seeking real on-set experience.

Over two immersive weekends, participants collaborate to produce a professionally shot short film. Actors perform on camera. Crew rotate through key set roles. Together, the ensemble trains inside a structured production environment designed to mirror a working film set.

This is not a lecture-based class.

It is a working production.

• Work on a live film set from prep through principal photography

• Train within real production workflow and set etiquette

• Rotate through essential crew roles (crew participants)

• Perform on camera in a guided production setting (actors)

• Develop audition preparation and on-camera technique (actors)

• Professionally shot demo-reel footage

• Screen credit

• Practical production experience

• A working understanding of how a film set operates

• Actors seeking meaningful on-camera experience

• Emerging filmmakers and crew

• Artists curious about how film sets actually work

No prior film experience is required — only commitment, professionalism, and collaboration.

SETLIFE is led by Paul Hopkins (Reacher, Disney’s Z.O.M.B.I.E.S., More Tales of the City), with industry mentorship from:

Patsy McCracken – Assistant Director

Aviel Kurulkar – Director of Photography

Tony Smith – Guest Industry MentorApplication, Selection & Tuition

... MORE TBC

SETLIFE: Prototype Edition is selection-based to ensure a strong and balanced ensemble.

All applicants (actors and crew) must:

• Submit an application form

• Register with a $50* deposit by February 23

Priority consideration is given to current and former students of The Actor’s Atelier (Paul's acting classes).

Final decisions will be confirmed no later than February 25.

*Deposits are applied toward tuition upon acceptance and fully refunded to applicants who are not selected.

• $650 + HST — Actors

• $350 + HST — Crew

Full payment is due by March 7. Payment instructions will be provided upon acceptance.

Accepted actors will be invited to an optional audition workshop on February 28 (Zoom available if needed).

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Paul Hopkins