Yes!

Our On-Camera Acting classes operate as ongoing training programs, allowing new students to join throughout the year as space permits.

Unlike the Filmmaking Track Program, acting students do not need to wait for a new semester or complete a specific sequence of courses before enrolling.

Classes are designed to accommodate both:

• New students with little or no experience

• Returning students continuing to develop their skills

Students work on a variety of topics throughout the year, including:

• Acting for camera

• Scene study

• Character development

• Audition technique

• Self-taping

• Improvisation

• Cold reading

• On-set professionalism

Because lessons rotate and evolve throughout the year, students benefit from ongoing training regardless of when they begin.

The best time to start is now.

No. Most of our programs are designed for beginners and aspiring filmmakers. Whether you're stepping in front of the camera for the first time or exploring filmmaking as a hobby or career path, we'll help you build skills from the ground up.

LaGrange Film Academy offers programs for children, teens, & adults

Specific age requirements vary by program. Most filmmaking courses are open to ages 13 and up.

Possibly, for very young actors who are serious about film acting but may not yet be ready for a traditional group class environment, private coaching sessions may be available with parent participation.

Private coaching focuses on:

• Audition preparation

• On-camera confidence

• Following direction

• Commercial and film performance skills

• Industry readiness for young performers

Please contact us to discuss your child's age, experience level, and goals.

Acting for film requires a different skill set than acting for the stage.

Our on-camera classes focus on:

• Natural performances

• Working with the camera

• Audition technique

• Self-tapes

• Continuity and consistency

• Understanding how scenes are filmed and edited

Students learn how professional actors adapt their performances specifically for film and television.

The Filmmaking Track is a structured educational pathway that guides students through every major area of filmmaking.

Courses include:

• Intro to Filmmaking

• Visual Storytelling

• Screenwriting

• Cinematography

• Lighting

• Sound

• Directing

• Editing

• Production Workflow

The program concludes with a collaborative Short Film Production Course.

No.

Students may enroll in individual courses based on their interests.

However, students pursuing leadership roles in the Short Film Production Course are encouraged to complete the recommended prerequisite coursework.

Intro to Filmmaking provides the foundation needed to succeed in the rest of the program.

Students learn:

• Film set terminology

• Production workflow

• Basic camera concepts

• Storytelling fundamentals

Students who have completed college-level filmmaking coursework may request a prerequisite waiver.

The Filmmaking Track Program is a structured, hands-on educational pathway designed to teach students every major area of filmmaking. Students progress through specialized 6-week courses covering storytelling, directing, cinematography, lighting, sound, editing, and production workflow before applying their skills in a collaborative short film production.

YEAR 1 FILMMAKING TRACK SCHEDULE

FALL SESSION 1

August – September

Monday

• Intro to Filmmaking

Saturday

• Visual Storytelling

FALL SESSION 2

October – November

Monday

• Production Workflow & Set Operations

Saturday

• Camera & Cinematography Basics

WINTER SESSION

January – February

Monday

• Intro to Filmmaking

Saturday

• Lighting for Film

SPRING SESSION 1

March – April

Monday

• Directing Fundamentals

Saturday

• Sound for Film

SPRING SESSION 2

May – June

Monday

• Editing & Post-Production

Saturday

• Short Film Production Course (Capstone)

Future Course Additions

As enrollment grows, additional Saturday classes may be added, including:

• Screenwriting for Film I

• Screenwriting for Film II

Yes!

New students may join throughout the year as courses begin. Because Intro to Filmmaking is offered multiple times annually, students can enter the program at different points and continue progressing through future course offerings.

Students with prior filmmaking education or college-level coursework may be eligible for prerequisite waivers on a case-by-case basis.

If you're unsure where to start, we'll help you choose the best entry point based on your experience and goals.

Not in our On-Camera Acting Classes.

Our acting classes are structured so students can enter at various points throughout the year. New students receive guidance and support as they integrate into class activities and exercises.

Because acting is a skill developed through continuous practice, every class offers opportunities to learn, grow, and build confidence.

Absolutely.

LaGrange Film Academy is built around hands-on learning.

Students don't just learn filmmaking theory—they actively participate in creating projects, filming scenes, operating equipment, collaborating with crews, and producing original content.

Many projects include opportunities to perform on camera, but participation depends on the course and individual student interests.

Students interested primarily in directing, editing, cinematography, or other crew positions are not required to act.

As the academy grows, we plan to bring in guest instructors and industry professionals to share their knowledge and experience through special workshops and masterclasses.

These opportunities may include:

• Actors

• Casting professionals

• Directors

• Producers

• Cinematographers

• Stunt professionals

• Editors

Yes, limited private coaching may be available for:

• Audition preparation

• Self-tape coaching

• On-camera acting

• Filmmaking mentorship

• Young performers pursuing professional opportunities

Availability is limited.

No.

Students will have access to academy equipment during classes and productions.

As students advance, recommendations may be provided for personal gear, but purchasing equipment is never required.

Class sizes are intentionally limited to provide hands-on instruction, individualized feedback, and meaningful production experience.

Because filmmaking is highly collaborative, regular attendance is strongly encouraged.

Make-up sessions are not guaranteed, but instructors will work with students whenever possible to help them stay on track.

Registration can be completed online through our website.

Enrollment is first come, first served, and many programs have limited seating.

Early registration is encouraged.

At LFA, students learn filmmaking from the perspective of working production.

Our programs focus on:

• Real-world filmmaking skills

• Acting for camera

• Storytelling

• Creative collaboration

• Professional set practices

We don't just teach film, we help students become filmmakers.

No.

LaGrange Film Academy is not an accredited college, university, or degree-granting institution.

LFA is a private educational academy focused on hands-on training in filmmaking and on-camera acting. Our programs are designed to provide practical experience, creative skill development, and real-world production knowledge in a collaborative learning environment.

LFA's goal is to help students gain the skills, confidence, and experience needed to pursue their creative interests, whether as a hobby, a stepping stone to further education, or a pathway toward professional opportunities in film and media.

If your goal is a college degree, LFA can serve as a valuable complement to traditional education by providing practical, hands-on experience that is often difficult to obtain in a classroom alone.Students learn from working filmmakers and industry professionals, with an emphasis on creating projects rather than simply studying them.