Frequently asked questions

WHERE DO I BEGIN?

THE BEST PLACE TO BEGIN FOR ADULTS IS WITH OUR ONLINE SCRIPT ANALYSIS LECTURE. YOU WILL LEARN HOWARD’S 8 STEPS TO SCRIPT ANALYSIS AND ROLE PREPARATION AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT OUR STUDIO AND THE CLASSES WE OFFER.

FOR KIDS, WE RECOMMEND OUR ACTING TECHNIQUE CLASS FOR KIDS OR THE 4-DAY KIDS INTENSIVE.

What Technique Do You Teach?

Howard Fine does not have his own branded technique per se, but takes a practical approach. His teaching is derivative of Uta Hagen, who similarly did not call her technique a “method”. Our actors use both imagination AND draw upon their real experience in a safe and professional environment. We emphasize using your authentic self. We don’t use tricks or shortcuts – acting is a craft. Whether you have studied Meisner, Method Acting, comedy, improv, are classically/conservatory trained, or have just learned on-camera acting techniques – we will help you deepen your actor’s toolbox and give you access to your full range of expression to find yourself inside any role.

Do You Offer Classes for Kids?

Yes, we now offer kids classes! While much of our studio remains 18+, we are excited to head up a premier, multi-faceted young actors program offering the same award-winning approach our studio is known for, but in an age appropriate way meant for kids. All instructors carry the necessary certifications as required by law, and bring years of youth teaching experience to our studio. While Howard does not personally teach our youth classes, we think you will love our kids teachers who have all been taught by Howard himself for years! For more information on this exciting program, visit our KIDS CLASSES PAGE.

Do you offer online acting classes?

Yes! Fine Online is the destination for quality online actor training! We have brought our proven LA-based training to the online space so you can get celebrity acting coaching directly from your home. Our faculty has new tools & resources to deliver the same quality actor training anywhere in the world. In addition to Howard’s acting technique class, our online acting classes include auditioning for film and TV, self-tape coaching, Voiceover, Alexander Technique, and on-camera technique to keep you sharp in our rapidly changing industry. Because this is a huge opportunity for actors to get ahead, we are proud to offer the best online acting classes for the future of the business. We hope you’ll join us!

I Have Previous Training and Experience, What Class is Right for Me?

THE 6-WEEK ACTING TECHNIQUE IS PERFECT FOR ACTORS OF ANY LEVEL. A GREAT STARTING POINT, BUT FAST PACED AND HIGH-LEVEL, ATTRACTING MANY WORKING AND NAME ACTORS TO TAKE AND RETAKE IT. WE ARE KNOWN FOR THE BEST ACTING CLASSES AND THE TOP ACTING COACH, SO NO CLASS WITH HOWARD FINE IS A “BEGINNER COURSE”. ACTING TECHNIQUE CAN BE TAKEN ONLINE OR IN PERSON. IF A 6-WEEK COMMITMENT ISN’T RIGHT FOR YOU, THEN OUR 4-DAY SCENE STUDY INTENSIVE, OFFERED ONCE A YEAR IN PERSON, MAY BE THE BEST PLACE TO START. EITHER THE 6-WEEK CLASS OR THE 4-DAY INTENSIVE ARE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO JOIN OUR SCENE STUDY CLASSES. AUDITION FOR FILM & TV, ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE, ACTING FOR THE CAMERA, AND OUR VOICE CLASSES CAN ALL BE TAKEN AT ANY TIME. NO PREREQUISITE IS REQUIRED.

What if I’ve Never Acted Before?

WE WELCOME YOU! THE SCRIPT ANALYSIS AND ACTING TECHNIQUE COURSES ARE FOR BEGINNING ACTORS AND SEASONED PROFESSIONALS ALIKE. WE TEACH AT A HIGH LEVEL, BUT OUR APPROACH GIVES BEGINNERS A ROADMAP FOR DISCOVERING AND APPLYING THE CRAFT. AS LONG AS YOU ARRIVE WITH AN OPEN HEART AND A WILLINGNESS TO LEARN, YOU CAN SUCCEED IN CLASSES WITH VARIED BACKGROUNDS AND EXPERIENCE LEVELS. ALL ACTORS WILL BE GIVEN AN A-Z OF THE CRAFT IN ACTING TECHNIQUE, BUT OUR OPEN-ACCESS SCENE STUDY IS ALSO A GREAT WAY FOR BEGINNERS TO JOIN AN ACTING CLASS BEFORE INVESTING IN A LONGER INTENSIVE.

What Material is used in Class?

We use two primary texts: Fine On Acting: A Vision of the Craft by Howard Fine, and A Challenge For the Actor by Uta Hagen. Beginning and advanced actors alike looking to study with us would do well to read these texts. Howard’s book is available at the studio, and both are available online. We recommend these books for our 18+ students only. Our voice classes, on-camera acting classes and kids classes may require additional homework or preparation.

There are acting classes in Los Angeles where actors watch TV shows and copy the material. We avoid imitation or other ways actors get in their heads and work inauthentically. Our Los Angeles scene study classes use scenes from plays, monologues, or solo material such as Working or Humans of New York. Howard Fine faculty and students work in Film and; TV all the time, but for our scene study classes – where actors can challenge themselves and grow – the most substantial and helpful material is from theater. The on-camera, voice, and kids classes use material from TV shows, films, audition sides, cold-read material, songs, and poems.

Will your studio help me prepare for acting in film & television?

Absolutely. Howard Fine has taught some of the biggest names in movies and TV, and he has been the celebrity acting coach go-to for over 30 years in Los Angeles. It’s why we’re all here! But acting is a craft, and the most successful actors develop a solid foundation for their work. While there is benefit to learning certain specific techniques, acting itself does not change from stage to screen. Could you imagine learning to play football “for TV” or Violin “for Film? You learn to play football, you learn to play the instrument!  The difference is that bad acting looks worse on film.

So what is our philosophy? Get great at what you do! We’ll prepare you to be self-sufficient as artists so you can do your best work by knowing your craft inside out and without hand-holding. Outside preparation, rehearsal, and exercises are a big part of our training the same way musicians warm up with scales, or ballet dancers go back to bar work. It’s true that you may not always have the luxury of rehearsal time on professional projects, just as you won’t always have a coach or teacher on set, but if you can work correctly you can learn to work quickly and under less ideal circumstances. 

Olympic athletes do not show up for the competition without practicing. Great actors benefit from solid training. That’s where craft comes in. That’s where we come in. If you don’t have craft, no quick fix will save you or give you the tools for repeatable success and longevity.  Good acting looks easy but isn’t. Who do we see at Oscar time? The Meryl Streeps, the Denzels: the actors who come from the stage!

How Can Actors Advance Their Careers by Studying With You?

There isn’t one determining factor for a successful acting career. But the constants among the most successful and revered actors include work ethic, empathy, professionalism, dedication, and a strong sense of the craft.

The industry recognizes our studio for being a step above. It’s no mistake that each year actors from our studio are nominated for Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, and Tonys. How do you get there? We couldn’t possibly give you the answer, but we know those actors worked hard and applied technique. Our class standards mean you can step onto any major set ready to work.

Our actors often find ways to produce their work independently after getting a start in scene study. Plays, scene nights, one-acts, short films, and comedy sketches all tend to arise organically from relationships developed at the studio. You won’t hear the word “networking” very often, but it IS common for classmates to collaborate and bring each other on-board professional projects.

What Should I Look for in an Acting Class?

The best acting classes in Los Angeles place a demand on the actor. You must be ready to work at the highest levels of the industry. Actors must arrive on time and thoroughly prepared, and yes there is homework! While there are plenty of acting schools that will do anything to keep students, actors who train with us are developing craft to sustain a life-long career. We are proud that each and every awards season, hard-working actors and celebrities from our studio are nominated.

How Much Do Acting Classes Cost?

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR QUALITY, AFFORDABLE ACTING CLASSES, WE OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL ACTORS. THE BEST ACTING CLASSES IN LOS ANGELES ARE NOT CHEAP, BUT PROFESSIONAL TRAINING SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE AND THAT’S WHERE WE COME IN. ACTING TECHNIQUE 6-WEEK COURSE IS AT THE HIGHER END OF OUR PRICE RANGE. IT IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE AND DEFINITELY OFFERS THE BEST VALUE. IF TIME OR MONEY IS TIGHT, WE OFFER POPULAR ALTERNATIVES IN THE MID-RANGE. OUR VOICE, ON-CAMERA, AND AUDITION FOR FILM & TV CLASS ARE MOST ACCESSIBLE, ESPECIALLY FOR ACTORS LOOKING TO BRUSH UP OR WORK OUT THEIR AUDITION SKILLS. FOR FULL CLASS DESCRIPTIONS AND PRICES, PLEASE CLICK HERE!

Do You Offer Military Discounts?

Yes! Veteran, active military, or first responders who would like to study at our studio may contact our office.

Do You Have Industry Showcases?

We do not, and here’s why: many studios offer marketing opportunities for actors, and those actors are being sold on a bill of goods. Focusing on selling or branding yourself before having the right tools can kill you artistically. In our classes, the focus is on honing your craft. Our novel marketing strategy: get GREAT at what you do. Many paid showcases charge actors money and create unhealthy competition among the students without any guarantees. An acting teacher with no financial stake in an actor’s success can remain objective and actually help the actor. By not hosting showcases, we maintain a fair and creative environment and can guarantee that if you come to class to learn… you’ll get to learn!

How Do I Memorize Lines?

We cover this in class! We believe in word for word memorization for scenes, auditions, and beyond. Actors should be practiced in memorizing (not paraphrasing!), and we address this skill in our Foundation and Fine On Acting courses. Most casting directors agree that actors should be fully memorized and honor the material.

What classes do you offer for kids?

We currently offer a fantastic kids program! Our program is designed to give young actors a strong foundation in the craft for both stage and Film/ TV acting. We recommend students new to us begin with the 6-Week Acting Technique course for Kids or the 4-Day Kids Intensive. For students who complete the technique class and/or intensive, or who have some previous experience, we recommend our Audition for Film & TV program (online) or our ongoing Scene Study for Kids class (in person).

Is the studio open during the Covid-19 Pandemic?

Yes – online! Continue training right from home! Even though the LA studio is closed indefinitely for in-person classes, we are offering a variety of rich, new, and popular online courses. We all look forward to reopening when it is safe to do so. In the meantime, we are proud to offer quality education worldwide with Fine Online!

I Hear Howard Fine Sometimes Travels to Teach, Does Howard Fine Teach Acting Classes Near Me?

Howard has two acting studios: his primary location in Los Angeles, and another in Melbourne, where he visits regularly. Our Los Angeles acting classes are popular for actors based in LA, or those visiting temporarily. Howard is also a member of the University of Texas faculty, and travels annually to their Austin campus to teach. Periodically, Howard teaches short-term acting class abroad giving actors in other US cities and around the world a chance to study with him.

Is There Parking at the Studio?

There is ample street and meter parking in the neighborhoods close to the studio. Parking is always at your own risk! Always read signs and exercise caution and common sense when parking and walking to/from your vehicle. For some classes, we may offer a limited number of on-site parking spots. Please contact the office or your stage manager for details!

Do You Offer Refunds/Pro Rate Classes?

Our Los Angeles acting studio classes are in high-demand and often fill up. Because of this, we do not pro-rate for actors who begin a course and drop or who miss class time due to personal conflicts. Actors are responsible for attending the full duration of a class and for making up any missed work!. For some classes, students may reserve their spot with a deposit. This deposit is refundable until one week prior to the start date, after which it becomes a credit good for six months/one transfer. Otherwise, tuition is non-refundable and; non-transferable with few exceptions for emergencies or extenuating circumstances, at the studio’s discretion.

Can I just audition into an upper level class

No. Even advanced actors benefit from our technique classes, and this standard provides a fair playing field for actors to grow and deepen their craft.

    HAVE A DIFFERENT QUESTION?

    OUR STUDIO

    contact us

    business hours

    mon-fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
    sat-sun: closed

    follow us

    join our newsletter