DATES TIME COST LOCATION
Feb 7th - Mar 28th. 11am - 2pm $495 (GST Included) 20 Haughton Rd, Oakleigh
The TAFTA Teens Program is designed to build a strong, practical foundation in screen acting for students who are curious, creative, and eager to grow. Whether students are brand new to acting, have experience in school plays or theatre, or are ready to explore film and television, this program supports young performers at every stage of their journey. In a supportive and encouraging environment, students aged 13–17 develop confidence, on-camera skills, and an understanding of how screen performances are created. With a focus on craft, confidence, and real-world application, the program helps students deepen their screen acting technique while gradually exploring the industry and its processes at a pace that feels right for them.
At the heart of the program is scene work drawn from real film and television scripts, allowing students to develop truthful performances while learning the technical demands of acting for camera. Students regularly work on two-handed self-tape style scenes, as well as scenes filmed in our studios using a three-camera set-up, with live cutting between cameras, mirroring how multi-camera film and television sets operate in the industry. Through this process, students learn essential on-set skills such as hitting their marks, understanding framing, adjusting performance for the lens, and responding efficiently to direction.
Alongside performance training, the program places strong emphasis on industry knowledge and professionalism. Students learn about set etiquette, crew roles, call sheets, auditions, agents, and what is expected of actors on professional sets. While understanding the industry is important, the program always prioritises craft first, ensuring students develop the tools and technique needed to sustain a long-term acting career.
Students are also given opportunities to step behind the camera, assisting with cameras, lighting, and occasionally directing or developing their own short projects. This broader understanding of the filmmaking process helps young actors become more adaptable, collaborative, and confident on set.
Voice and speech are an important component of the program, with students working on clarity, projection, and accent skills, including Received Pronunciation and American accents. Improv is also incorporated as both a valuable acting skill and a creative outlet, helping students think on their feet, build confidence, and access spontaneity and play in their work.
Classes include a lunch break, giving students time to reset, socialise, and recharge during the day.
The TAFTA Teens Program offers a supportive yet challenging environment where young actors can build strong foundations, deepen their craft, and gain the confidence and practical skills needed to thrive in auditions, on set and in day-to-day life.
Meet Lana:
Lana Golja is a dedicated actor and long-time member of the TAFTA community. She began her journey at TAFTA as a student more than 15 years ago, attending workshops and classes, filming countless self-tapes, and performing in a two-handed production of Macbeth (directed by TAFTA’s founder, John Orcsik) at the 2020 Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Since booking her first lead television role in Logie nominated Worst Year Of My Life, Again! during her final year of high school, Lana has gone on to appear in Winners and Losers, Upper Middle Bogan, House Husbands, Summer Love, Wentworth, and most recently in the U.S. feature The Mongoose alongside Liam Neeson.
Lana Golja, playing Nicola Grey in ABC/CBBC’s
Worst Year Of My Life, Again!
Beyond her own career, Lana brings over a decade’s experience working with young people. She has taught dance, hosted children’s parties, and performed with some of the world’s leading children’s entertainment brands including Disney, Nickelodeon and Mattel.
Lana is passionate about nurturing emerging talent, creating a fun, safe and expressive environment where young actors can take risks, build confidence, and discover their unique voice on screen. She is excited to be guiding TAFTA’S Teens Program and is committed to helping students not only grow as actors but thrive as individuals.
Ages: 13-17.