Biz Studio | Vancouver's Top Professional Acting School for Kids & Teens

Mission: To prepare young actors to audition and work in BC's film and television industry by providing professional, practical on-camera training.

Auditions can be very exciting/stressful, and so to learn effective audition technique actors have to study on camera, under pressure, in as close to an audition environment as possible. A good audition takes confidence, camera technique, and acting technique, so our programs include a balance of all three. Classes are fun and supportive, with a focus on putting in the work to be professional and developing a strong work ethic. Our actor training also builds skills like self-confidence, self-awareness, listening skills, self management and emotional sensitivity — valuable life skills at any age, and a real advantage for young actors.

Very Small Classes: Six students maximum.

Professional: Instructors are all working actors. Classes are based around the skills students need to audition and work on set.

Practical: Classes are held in a working casting studio at 788 Beatty St in downtown Vancouver. Video from class is uploaded to the website so you and your agent can track your progress. Students without an agent are included in our online showcase, and are regularly signed by local agents.

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Instructors

Michael Bean: Founder and principal coach at Biz Studio, Michael has an irrepressible and energetic teaching style. A classically trained actor, Michael's recent film credits include roles in "The Big Year" with Steve Martin & Jack Black, "Love Happens" with Jennifer Aniston, "Case 39" with Renee Zellweger, and "The Day The Earth Stood Still" with Jennifer Connelly. Michael is based out of Vancouver, BC in Canada.

Julie Patzwald: Julie's career started at age fourteen and has taken her to LA (2yrs), London (1yr), and most recently to Tokyo and through Asia working on a docu-drama for National Geographic. She has two Leo Awards (BC's top award for acting in Film & Television), the last of which was for her supporting role on Global TV's The Guard. Julie is a passionate and articulate coach, with a direct personal understanding of what it takes to be successful as a young actor.

Laura Bertram: Laura was on set full time from age twelve to seventeen as one of the leads on the Canadian TV series "Ready or Not", and has been working steadily ever since (Andromeda, Robson Arms, Supernatural, more). Recently she worked with Canadian comedy icon Seth Rogen on his new film "50/50". In addition to having first hand knowledge of what it takes to be a young actor, Laura is a licensed and practicing high school teacher in the Province of BC.

Shelene Yung: A professional actor and stunt performer, Shelene has taught acting, stunt performance, fight choreography and movement training with the Fight Directors of Canada, Duelling Arts International, The International Order of the Sword and the Pen, The United Stuntmen's Association, and more. She has extensive experience working with young actors in high schools, elementary schools, and an assortment of theatre companies like Vancouver's Arts Umbrella and Theatre in the Raw, and Regina's Globe Theatre and Hectik Theatre Company. She's a champion wrestler, teaches Jui Jitsu, climbs, scuba dives, and is familiar with a wide range of weapons. Her professional stunt credits include Smallville, SGU Stargate Universe, Fireball and Fear Itself. Check out her stunt demo on YouTube