On October 8, the CSC held its Acting Through the Camera workshop in Toronto, offering actors and camera crew members a unique opportunity to deepen their technical knowledge of working on a film set. Held at Sunbelt Toronto, the workshop ran from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and featured hands-on learning led by Society President Zoe Dirse csc, Phil Earnshaw csc and Sydney Kondruss.
The workshop aimed to bridge the gap between emotional performance and technical precision, equipping actors with skills to feel at home in front of the camera. Instructor Phil Earnshaw explained the importance of this type of training, saying, “While actors begin their journey mastering emotional depth and character work, the technical demands of film sets present an entirely different challenge. This workshop demystifies that world.”
Participants engaged with a range of technical aspects, such as finding their light, maintaining eyeline, working with camera movements, and understanding camera crew roles. “Young actors arrive with varying levels of on-set experience, often finding professional sets intimidating. Our workshop transforms that anxiety into understanding,” Earnshaw said.
Actors had the chance to shoot scenes using various lenses for close-ups and medium shots, learning the dynamics of working with the camera team in a practical setting. These sessions created “ah-ha” moments as students connected their performance skills with technical understanding, according to Earnshaw.
In addition to benefiting actors, the workshop also provided valuable set experience for CSC volunteers, contributing to the film community’s overall growth. Earnshaw noted, “It’s a collaboration that strengthens the entire film community.”
The workshop concluded with participants gaining a deeper understanding of how to work with a director of photography and navigate the technical elements of a professional set, all within a supportive and interactive environment.
