LATEST NEWS
OSCAR NOMINEE ERIC ROBERTS WRAPS HIS SHOOT IN HOUSTON
We are extremely honored to announce that Oscar-nominated and three times Golden Globe nominated iconic actor Mr. ERIC ROBERTS is in the cast of our current production 6 ROUNDS OF CHLOE, written and directed by Next Actor Studio co-founder and Stanislavski instructor Trisha Ray and produced by Next Actor Films, our sister company Lake Camp Productions and our Arizona-based producing partner Boat Angel Outreach. An actor since his early years, Eric Roberts has his entire family in film business, including daughter Emma Roberts, sister Julia Roberts and wife Eliza Roberts. Eric wrapped his shoot in April and we hope to see him again at the premiere. The film also stars actors Kamala Lopez (24, Miami Vice), Jana Lee Hamblin (Ballers, Jane the Virgin), and our own Next Actor Alum Alexandra Goel in the lead role of Chloe.
For more details about the film, follow our social media at @6RoCFilm and the film's imdb.
Next Actor Studio instructor and co-founder Trisha Ray directing legendary actor Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight) and Next Actor Alum Alexandra Goel in her new feature '6 Rounds of Chloe.'
NEXT ACTOR FEATURE FILM TO SCREEN IN NEW YORK AT FILM FESTIVAL
Next Actor feature film A CURRY ON AN AMERICAN PLATE (dir. San Banarje), starring Rick Fox and Charlie O'Connell, is opening in New York on May 21 as an official selection of Hoboken International Film Festival. The film, written by Stanislavski instructor Trisha Ray and director San Banarje and produced in collaboration with KK Productions, also stars Disney actress Andrea Guasch alongside Next Actor Alum Bud Patel, Sean Vida, Meera Nandlal, Christian Bhalla, Prateek Karkal, Kellie Hay, Lara Vartivar, and others.
HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS, PRODUCER & U.N. SPEAKER JOINS OUR UPCOMING FILM
We are very excited to announce that auteur KAMALA LOPEZ, whose movie credentials include I <3 Huckabees, 24, The Burning Season etc., was recently in Houston to shoot our new feature 6 ROUNDS OF CHLOE as an ACTRESS and ASSOCIATE PRODUCER. Ms. Lopez plays the role of Stella, a loud, alcholic aunt of Chloe, played by alum Alexandra Goel.
Ms. Lopez is not only a revered actress and former writing and producing partner of Ben Affleck, she is also a documentary filmmaker and an activist, who has been a speaker at the United Nations.
Below, you can watch her speak at the U.N. about her documentary Equal means Equal in which she analyzed the systemic inequalities that women have been subjected to across multiple lens – domestic violence, rape, the pay gap, rates of incarceration etc.
RICK FOX - CHARLIE O'CONNELL STARRER NEXT ACTOR FILM TO OPEN IN OCTOBER AT #NIFF2017.
Next Actor Film A Curry on an American Plate, starring Rick Fox (He Got Game) and Charlie O'Connell (The Bachelor, Dude, Where's my Car), Andrea Guasch (Disney High School Musical), alongside several Next Actor Alum such as Bud Patel, Meera Nandlal, Alex Goel, Sean Vida, Paige Medina and others will screen as part of Niff Houston International Film Festival on Wed, Oct 25 @ 8pm at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema-Mason Park, Katy. The film is directed by San Banarje, written by San Banarje and Trisha Ray and produced in collaboration with KK Production. For tickets & other info, visit niffhouston.org
CLASSES RESCHEDULED FOR HURRICANE HARVEY
Due to Hurricane Harvey, several of our classes from August 25 have been rescheduled. Please check our calendar page for the revised start dates of Sept. classes for kids, teens and screenwriting classes. Editing classes have been pushed back to October. Students who will miss the class due to evacuation or for water in their area, are able to make up on later dates. We appreciate your patience and understanding that helped us to coordinate such changes at a short notice. Please be safe and stay dry. We will continue to update our changes via twitter handle @nextactorstudio.
ALEXANDRA GOEL LANDS LEAD ROLE IN NEW FILM
We are very proud of our young method acting student ALEXANDRA GOEL, who has recently cleared the very tough emotional audition and booked the lead role in the SAG-AFTRA feature film 6 Rounds of Chloe where she will be seen with several named actors and stars. Principal photography begins in December.
THADA CATALON TO OPEN FILM AT SAN ANTONIO FILM FESTIVAL IN AUGUST
We are extremely proud to announce that Next Actor Alum THADA CATALON will present her film Created Equal, starring none other than LaBamba Star Lou Diamond Phillips, at the upcoming San Antonio Film Festival on Saturday, August 5 @ 3:30 pm. Screening will be followed by Q and A.
Thada had started her acting career at Next Actor Studio and soon moved on to screenwriting and directed her first short "An Academic Affair" which went on to screen at many film festivals. Thada who was the first recipient of the inaugural Houston Filmmaker Grant, holds three academic degrees, including a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Full Sail University, a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
For info on tickets and the film, visit www.createdequalmovie.com.
SCREENWRITING STUDENT WINS PLATINUM
We are excited to announce that NAS Screenwriting Student and Author ESTHER LUM won the highest award in the category, Platinum Remi for her screenplay Kidnapped in Kathmandu at the recently wrapped Worldfest Houston International Film Festival. Click here to read an excerpt of Esther's interview with Woodlands Online.
'ORPHAN TRAIN' DROPS TRAILER
Boat Angel Family Films & Next Actor Films/Lake Camp Productions' film and series Orphan Train revealed its first look to cast and crew on Tuesday, April 11. The film and series, both created by Brian Stewart, stars Mahie Gill, Andrea Guasch, San Banarje, Christian Bhalla, Zoie Steen and introduced Next Actor Students Romario Solis and Josh Rahman in lead roles. Romario received the award for best actor in 2016 Niff Houston International Film Festival.
NAS ALUM MEERA NANDLAL IN CW39 MORNINGS
Long time Next Actor Student MEERA NANDLAL is the new host of Channel 39's Eye Opener. Check her out @ 5 - 8 AM while she works in the studio alongside Maggie Flecknoe. Meera has previously played the role of Rani in the Next Actor Film A Curry on an American Plate that will be releasing in 2017.
DISNEY STAR ANDREA GUASCH REUNITES WITH NEXT ACTOR IN SERIES
Disney Actress ANDREA GUASCH will return to Houston in February to join the cast of Boat Angel/Next Actor Series ORPHAN TRAIN as Satellite Specialist JANETTE FALLROY, a character recently created by writer Brian Stewart. The Spanish-American actress, whose agent Katrina Bayonas discovered Penelope Cruz, will be seen next in Wim Wenders' Submergence, with Oscar winner Alicia Vikander and BAFTA winner James McAvoy and San Banarje's A Curry on An American Plate, starring Rick Fox and Charlie O'Connell..
NEXT ACTOR FILM ON DEBRA DUNCAN'S GREAT DAY HOUSTON
Next Actor Screenwriting, Directing and Acting alum Richard Finger (Forbes, Huffington Post) Alum Richard Finger's debut feature Sex, Marriage and Infidelity is now available on Amazon and iTunes. The film, produced by Next Actor Studio, Lake Camp Productions & Ariadne Films, stars a number of Hollywood celebrities such as Charlie O'Connell, Shannon Tweed, Sophie Simmons alongside Houston/NASAlum who are now LA residents such as Caroline Tudor and John-Michael Carlton among others. Check out the interview of actress Caroline Tudor with KHOU Channel 11's Debra Duncan on 'Great Day Houston' by clicking here.
NEXTACTOR FILMS' LEAD ANDREA GUASCH IN WIM WENDERS FILM
After her talent was tapped in her first English language film by Next Actor Studio, A Curry on An American Plate's lead actress and Spanish Disney star Andrea Guasch gets cast in legendary director Wim Wenders' new movie SUBMERGENCE, starring 2016 Oscar winner Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl) and Golden Globe nominee James McAvoy (Atonement). We are very proud of Andrea who is a force to watch.
NIFF HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL NOW OPEN
NiFF Houston International Film Festival is now accepting submissions for its 2016 edition that will be held in a 5-day festivity at River Oaks Theatre and Next Actor Screening Room from Oct 12 - 16. Last year, the festival brought together filmmakers and producers from around the world to present their films and speak at the awards gala. Next Actor Students worked behind the scene to make this festival one to look forward to. Submission is live on filmfreeway and withoutabox, as well as Niff online at www.niffhouston.org.
SEVERAL NEXT ACTOR STUDENTS DEBUT IN 'ORPHAN TRAIN'
Next Actor students Romario Solis, Johnny Goode, Charles Cavin and Alex Lopez do a great job in lead and supporting roles in the action-packed Christian-themed feature film Orphan Train,written by Brian Stewart (Artisse) and directed by Trisha Ray (Stanislavski Class Instructor) in Marfa, Big Bend, Galveston, Houston and Mexico. The film's main crew also consists of Next Actor Alum. Join the film's facebook page and twitter (@otrainfilm) for updates.
2016 OSCAR NOMINATION FOR NIFF SHORT FILM LEAD BRIONNE DAVIS
Congrats to Actor Brionne Davis of the 2015 NiFF Houston International Film Festival's award-winning short Narcissist (dir. Eric Casaccio), on making it to the Oscars with his starring role in the 2016 Academy Awards Nominated Film Embrace of the Serpent.
BEN PLAYS JIMMY KIMMEL ON JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE
Next Actor Alumnus, Instructor and Actor BEN WARNER gets a nice welcome to Los Angeles when he is cast in the ABC TV Show "Jimmy Kimmel Live" as "Jimmy Kimmel." The show aired on Nov 20th. You can watch the hilarious clip here.
JUNIPER JUGGLES NASA AND ACTING
Next Actor Student JUNIPER JAIRALA has her acting hands full with her roles in several upcoming features of the studio. A Cornell University graduate in mechanical engineering and masters of science in aerospace engineering and bio-astronautics from Colorado, Juniper currently works for NASA as an aerospace engineer by day and a professional fire-dancer at two Houston fire troupes by night.Earlier, Juniper was cast in supporting roles in our Christian film ARTISSE and our psychological thriller THE SHADOW BEHIND YOU. Both her films are screening at Niff Houston Int'l Film Festival on Oct 14 and 15 in Houston. Details and tickets : www.niffhouston.org
ALUMNUS RICHARD FINGER'S FILM TO CLOSE HOUSTON FESTIVAL
Next Actor Student and Huffington Post contributor Richard Finger will have his debut writing-directing feature film Sex, Marriage and Infidelity screened at the 2015 NIFF Houston International Film Festival, alongside eminent filmmakers from Argentina, Angola, France, Spain, Iran etc. Earlier the film received three nominations for Dramedy-Romance, Cinematography (San Banarje) and Direction (Finger) at the 2015 Bare Bones International Film Festival. Stay tuned for festival schedule and news.
CHARLIE O'CONNELL CAUGHT OFF-GUARD ON NEXT ACTOR SET
Actor Charlie O'Connell (Bachelor, Dude Where's My Car) was recently in Houston, shooting his scenes for our latest feature, when he received a big surprise on the set that caught him completely by surprise. Click here to see his reaction right after he talks about his role, acting style, preparation method for staying busy in Hollywood.
RICK FOX TRANSFORMS TO HIS CHARACTER FOR OUR NEW FILM
Actor and LA Lakers' RICK FOX brought to Houston stacks of notes for his role as Robert, a novelist who is fighting cancer in our upcoming film. Rick started building layers for his character from the time he got the script in his hand, using Stanislavski technique. Prior to shooting, the popular NBA star used the twitter as his character Robert, which confused many of his followers who could not understand that it was not Rick, but Robert tweeting. Click to view Rick Fox talk about preparing for the role.
EXAMINER GIVES 3 STAR TO OUR FILM THAT WILL PREMIERE IN FESTIVAL
"This Woody Allen style comedy will make you laugh, cry, and in some cases, scream," reviews Examiner, about the feature film Sex, Marriage and Infidelity, written and directed by our screenwriting and acting student Richard Finger and starring Charlie O'Connell, Richard Finger & Brooke Pascoe. During a packed cast and crew private screening in Houston, Houston Chronicle reviewed the film as a 'Woody Allenish comedy'. The film, produced by Trisha Ray and San Banarje and made possible by Next Actor alumni who worked tirelessly as cast and crew in New York and Houston, will get a festival premiere in April at the Bare Bones Film and Music Festival.
NEXT ACTOR SHORT FILM IN FESTIVAL
Next Actor Short Comedy PHYSIOTHERAPY will screen at the 2014 Gulf Coast Film Festival. The film is about a socialite whose life is altered after an accident. The film was shot in 2013 in Houston with Next Actor alumni as a prelude to the feature film THE SHADOW BEHIND YOU. Screening is on Sept 21 at Courtyard Houston NASA/Clear Lake during the short film program.
GRAMMY WINNER JOINS NEXT ACTOR TEAM
Grammy winner DAVID KAHNE joins the team of our last feature SMINY as music composer. Mr Kahne won Grammy for Tony Bennett's Album of the Year and is the current personal producer of the legendary Sir Paul McCartney. He has also produced music for movies such as Vanilla Sky, The Beach, The Armstrong Lie etc.
SOPHIE SIMMONS TALKS ABOUT NEXT ACTOR FILM TO EXTRA TV
Sophie Simmons, daughter of Gene Simmons of the rock band KISS and former supermodel Shannon Tweed, talks to EXTRA TV in an exclusive interview about our new Next Actor Studio comedy feature in which she acted. Click here for a preview and stay tuned for the entire interview to air soon.
"THIS MUST BE THE PLACE" DVD WITH GRANT GOODMAN
Check out Next Actor Studio Alumnus GRANT GOODMAN in This Must be the Place, out on DVD now. Grant plays Tommy and sings the title song with Academy Award winner Sean Penn under the direction of Cannes Film Festival's Palm d'or nominated Paolo Sorrentino. The movie also stars Academy Award winner Frances McDormand. If you missed the movie at the theatres, you can now catch it on DVD and support this very young and talented actor.
NOW ENROLLING
On-Camera Basic and Intermediate Acting Classes for Adults
On-Camera Acting Classes in Houston for Adults are held on Saturday afternoons and Monday and Thursday evenings for Beginner Adults. Non-Beginner Students can benefit from our Saturday afternoon or Tuesday evening on-camera method-acting classes. Click for full schedule and curriculum.
Stanislavski Method Classes for All Levels
Stanislavski Method Acting Workshops for Film and TV are available on Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays for beginners, Sundays for intermediates and Tuesdays for non-beginners and Wednesdays for intense actors. Click for Info on Method Acting. Teenagers with intensive acting background and maturity may join this session with approval.
On-Camera Acting Classes for Kids & Teens/Pre-Teens
Kids' Acting Classes are back on Jan 12 - Feb 9, 2019 on Saturdays at 3:30 - 5PM. Teens & Pre-Teens' Acting Classes are held on Saturday evenings from 5:15 - 7:15 PM. Advanced Teens are eligible for certain classes with Adults. Click for full schedule and curriculum.
Voice Acting Workshops
Every Friday, starting Jan 11 - Feb 8, 2019 @ 7 - 9 PM, VOICE WORKSHOPS will help students speak clearly for film, commercials, narration, voice-overs etc. Learn to work with teleprompter. Foreign students can benefit from our accent reduction classes. Click for full schedule and curriculum.
Shakespeare Acting Classes
A brand new on-camera Shakespeare Acting Class starts on Tuesdays at our Houston studio. Learn to deliver soliloquis and work with the through line of action of scenes and plays, while understanding movement, gestures, intentions and voice, Click for full schedule and curriculum.