Thank you for your interest in bongo productions. I coach actors, beginners and professionals, of all ages. I teach acting from the ground up, covering a broad range with a focus on 'on-camera' work. I coach on-set, from my home/studio in the west end of Toronto, and I teach Advanced On-Camera Skills and Screen Auditioning at HUMBER COLLEGE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED LEARNING in the Acting For Film And Television (AFTV) program. I direct casting sessions for Casting Directors and refer actors to Talent Agents.

 

ABOUT MICHAEL CARUANA:
A BUSY WORKING ACTOR for 30 years in American and Canadian film & TV, theatre acting & directing, plus more than 70 commercials. On-Set Acting Coach for the New Line Cinema feature film The Time Traveler's Wife, starring Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana.ON-SET DIALOGUE COACH for feature films OWNING MAHONEY for stars Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Minnie Driver & John Hurt.

ACTING COACH / DIALOGUE COACH for CAVEDWELLER, including stars Kyra Sedgewick, Kevin Bacon, Aidan Quinn & Sherilyn Fenn, and for Harvey Kietel feature CRIME SPREE and more American and Canadian film & TV, including Disney’s FLASH FORWARD, PSI FACTOR & QUEER AS FOLK. Michael teaches Acting for the Camera & Audition Preparation at Humber College for the Theatre and Acting For Film & Television Programs. He is a director of auditions for POWERHOUSE CASTING, GLORIA MANN CASTING and FADE TO BLACK CASTING. Michael is in constant demand as an acting coach, on set, privately and in workshops; he receives high praise from casting directors, agents, producers and actors alike. 

 

The ideal first step is PRIVATE COACHING. I offer focused, challenging, one-on-one coaching sessions in a supportive environment. I teach script analysis, audition preparation, scene-study, screen acting technique, monologues, dialects, acting in commercials, and more. I encourage a deeper personal connection to the text incorporating the techniques and processes of Michael Shurtleff, Sanford Meisner, Uta Hagen, Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, Viola Spolin, Larry Moss, Harold Guskin and more. This is proven, professional, and focused coaching, employing intuitive and analytical approaches. I encourage the actor to risk and learn while exploring the specific demands of acting for the camera. Sessions are one hour in length and can be customized to suit specific needs. I charge $75.00 per hour + gst, (pay as you go) or 6, 1 hr sessions for $400.00 + gst, paid in full at 1st session. I can accept cash or chq. made out to bongo productions. Tapes and/or DVDs of your work are yours to keep.

In bongo productions SEMIPRIVATE ON CAMERA, SCENE STUDY sessions, we partner you with an appropriate actor(ess) and we do on camera scene work, applying in depth, process preparation to compelling film & television scenes for a deeper exploration of acting for the camera, script analysis and scene work. The Semiprivate On-Camera, Scene Study sessions, represent an in depth, challenging screen acting training experience. The dual central focuses of:

1. For the intuitive I incorporate Meisner/Hagen/Guskin/Moss training strategies encouraging an intuitive, emotional & deeply personal connection with the text from the outset.

2. For the analytical preparation technique: a blueprint or formula of script analysis, including given circumstances-guideposts derived from Michael Shurtleff, distilled, adapted and enhanced.
 
I apply this combination of approaches with detailed, on-camera time exploring screen acting technique and supportive direction, playback, demonstration and critique using rich and compelling scenes from film, theatre and television.

The cost for the four, 2 hr sessions is $299.00, paid in full at first session. These sessions are held at bongo productions, 31 Keele St., next to Keele Subway station. and the schedule is flexible. You keep the DVD or tape. This series is an excellent compliment to Private Coaching, and the Successful Auditions, or Teens On Camera audition workshops. The sessions run on a continuing basis and you can begin anytime.
 

For auditioning technique & practice I offer the SUCCESSFULL AUDITIONS WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS, the KIDS ON CAMERA WORKSHOP for kids 8-12 yrs. & TEENS ON CAMERA WORKSHOP for teens 13-18 yrs. These are on Camera, weekend workshops for beginners & professionals, which focus on auditioning for TV Commercials, TV Series & Movies. An excellent follow up to Private Coaching Or On Camera Scene- Study. I teach preparation techniques and use industry TV and movie scripts. Each student is taped in a commercial and movie or TV scene audition with supportive direction, demonstration, play back, critique and discussion, you keep the tape. These are weekend workshops, (Sat. & Sun 11-5 pm) at bongo productions, 31 Keele St., next to Keele Subway station.

 

The next  Successful Auditions workshop For Adults is Feb. 16-17.

 

The next Teens On Camera workshop is Mar. 1-2.

 

The next Kids On Camera workshop is Jan. 19-20.

 

 

For more information or to register, please contact

Bonnie Feldbruegge at:

416 766-9092 or email

416 766-9092 or
bongoproductions@rogers.com
www.bongoproductions.com

 

 

"Michael is a warm, respectful and considerate practitioner with a uniquely keen sense of translating a performer's growth opportunities into sensible and realistic strategies. He employs hands-on applications which has resulted in tangible and measurable positive results." 
(Norbert Abrams from The Noble Caplan Abrams Talent Agency)

 

"Michael has a lot of talent and a lot of juice.  I consider Michael a top acting coach in the city!" 

(Casting Director Kim Everest of Powerhouse Casting)

 

"Since your workshop, I did a Co-star role on "E.R." and a spot on "West Wing".  I still remember and use what you taught me."

(Josh Kimmel L.A actor)

 

"Michael is a loving inspiration and a wonderful coach. He has all the necessary qualities; kindness, patience and knowledge. He is the best there is."
(Anna Donato, mother of Emmy nominated child actor Mark Donato)

 

"Thanks for your advice and for answering all my questions. See you at Level 2."
(Stephanie Thorpe -Best Actress: L.A. International Feature Film Festival)