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march
2010
bongo
productions
31 keele st. at keele & bloor, steps from keele subway station!
416 766-9092
contact
bonnie feldbruegge, administrator
contact
michael
bongo
production’s acclaimed on camera courses:
step 1: private coaching
(for actors of all ages - beginners & advanced,
flexible schedule)focused and challenging, one-on-one training sessions,
in a supportive environment, michael encourages a deeper personal
connection to the text, providing the actor the opportunity to explore
intuitive and analytical approaches to audition preparation, monologues,
on camera scene study, dialects, acting in commercials and more -
sessions are one hour in length and can be customized to suit specific
needs.
continuing - days/evenings, mon. through sat.-
begin anytime!$99 /per hr. + gst, or $499 + gst /for a series of 6
sessions
step
2: semiprivate, on-camera, scene-study
(for actors of all ages - beginners & advanced,
flexible schedule)
we pair you with an appropriate scene partner for a series of four,
two-hour, semiprivate sessions, applying process oriented preparation
techniques, combining script analysis and the development of a deeper
intuitive connection to the text, to compelling film & television
scenes, exploring screen acting technique, we create spontaneous,
bold & authentic on-camera work. this is practical & inspirational
training allowing the actor to explore the specific demands of acting
for the camera in a challenging & supportive environment. - we
can begin anytime!
continuing – days / evenings, mon. thru. sat. - $399
+ gst
step
3: on camera, audition workshops
kids on-camera audition workshop
(8-12 yrs., beginners & advanced)
is a fun, focused, on-camera, audition workshop for movie, TV series
and TV commercial auditions for kids 8-12 yrs., beginners & professionals,
with guidance & demonstration from an experienced actor/coach
who knows the ropes on both sides of the camera - detailed, proven,
process preparation applied to professional commercial, film &
television scripts, these are practical, realistic audition strategies
and techniques, all work is taped with supportive direction, playback
and critique.
sat. & sun., mar. 6 & 7, 11 am –
5 pm - $299 + gst
teens on-camera audition workshop
(13-19 yrs., beginners & advanced)
an intensive, on-camera, audition workshop for movie, TV series and
TVcommercial auditions for teens 13-18yrs., beginners & professionals,
with guidance & demonstration from an experienced actor/coach
who knows the ropes on both sides of the camera - detailed, proven,
process preparation applied to professional commercial, film &
television scripts, these are practical, realistic audition strategies
and techniques, all work is taped with supportive, direction, playback
and critique.
sat. & sun., apr. 17–18, 11 am – 5 pm, $299
+ gst
successful auditions for adults
workshop
(beginners & advanced)
an intensive, on-camera, audition workshop for movie, TV series and
TV commercial auditions for adult actors, beginners & professionals,
with guidance & demonstration from an experienced actor/coach
who knows the ropes on both sides of the camera - detailed, proven,
process preparationapplied to professional commercial, film &
television scripts, these are practical, realistic audition strategies
and techniques, all work is taped with supportive, insightful direction,
playback and critique.
sat. & sun., feb. 20-21, 11 am – 5 pm - $299 + gst
certificate
program/agent referral:
(package
includes steps 1 to 3) six hours of private coaching, 8 hours of semiprivate,
on camera scene study, plus 12 hours weekend audition workshop! Continuing,
flexible scheduling for steps 1 & 2 - begin anytime! $999.00 +
gst
our
audition workshops cover:
sure-fire
preparation techniques: the given circumstances, script analysis guideposts,
exercises for focusing and listening, the journey of the scene, memorization
tips
detailed
on-camera acting work on tv/movie scenes & commercials, who's
who on set, slating, cold readings, what to wear, enthusiasm - the
will to play, nailing the part!participants get detailed, supportive
direction and perform on camera in commercials and/or scenes that
are taped, screened and critiqued. we see past-participants of our
workshops on movie and television screensdaily.

what
they're saying about michael's classes:
norbert abrams from the nobel, caplan, abrams
talent agency says: "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.
michael commits the performers to hands-on applications which has
resulted in tangible and measurable positive results."
shari
quallenberg from ami
says:"
i always feel confident that my clients arebetter prepared after taking
ichael’s workshops. His interpretation of scripts and dialogue
is a true asset."
kim
everest from powerhouse casting says: “Michael has
a lot of talent and a lot of juice. I consider Michael a top acting
coach in the city!”
anna
donato, mother of emmy nominated teen actor mark donato says:
“michael is a loving inspiration and wonderful coach. he has
all the necessary qualities; kindness, patience and knowledge. he
is the best there is.”
josh
kimmel - toronto, los angeles, montreal actor, says: “since
your workshop, i did a co-star role on "e.r." and a spot
on "west wing". i still remember several tricks that you
taught me.”
patrick
tivy - toronto actor says: “i just got a call from
my agent -- i got the part! i don't think i'd have gotten it without
the focusing igot in your classes.”
katy
storey - "michael is a fantastic coach! he has taught
me so much about all different aspects of acting. he helped me with
so much - from on camera techniques and getting into the character,
to getting an agent and much more."
michael caruana
actor,
acting coach/teacher/director
since 1996 michael has been coaching actors of all
ages, privately at his home/studio and on set. he has been a busy
working actor for more than 30 years in theatre, film, tv movies &
series and more than 70 commercials. on-set acting coach for:
red - directed by robert
schwendke, with bruce willis, morgan freeman, mary loise parker, john
c. reilly & helen mirren, abc tv series
happy town, the new line cinema feature film the time traveler's wife,
starring rachel mcadams and eric bana. on-set acting coach and dialogue
coach for the feature film cave dweller, including stars kyra sedgewick,
kevin bacon, aidan quinn & sherilyn fenn, dialogue coach for feature
film owning mahoney, including stars phillip seymour hoffman, minnie
driver & john hurt, ken finkleman’s series: at the hotel
and acting coach for harvey kietel feature crime spree and more american
and canadian features and series including psi-factor & queer
as folk, mayday 5. michael teaches advanced on camera skills &
techniques and screen auditions at humber college institute of technology
and applied learning in the acting for film & television program
(aftv.) since 1994, michael has been a director of auditions for powerhouse
casting, gloria mann casting and fade to black casting. an acting
coach who ‘walks the talk’ and ‘knows the ropes
on both sides of the camera,’ 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.
some
recent news ...
inder
sharma is now represented by norbert abrams
at the nobel, caplan, abrams agency!
kamiran
aldebagh is now represented by karen law
at law talent!
erin
jones is now represented by karen law at
law talent!
i'm
acting coach on feature film 'red'
dir. by robert schwentke (time traveler's wife) shooting
in toronto winter 2010.
maya
hall is now represented by david dunstan
at etm!
andrew
besselling is now represented by norbert abrams
at the nobel, caplan, abrams agency!
justine
kitteringham is
now represented by david dunstan at etm!
andrew
besselling is
now represented by norbert abrams at the nobel,
caplan, abrams agency!
harrison & samantha jarvis are now represented by shari at ami!
emily neighman has just been cast as the voice of 'beaver' in the new children's series "franklin" ... we are all so pleased and definitely wanted to send a big thank you to you. i have no doubt that her work with you prepared her for the audition because of the tips and exercises that you gave her during her classes ... working with you was a wonderful experience for emily and she is looking forward to finishing up with the kids on camera workshop, thanks again. leanne neighman.
james coholan is now represented by shari at ami!
jennifer roias is now represented by norbert abrams at
the nobel, caplan, abrams agency!
tatiana walker is now represented by karen law at law talent!
i am
acting coach on the abc tv series pilot of happy town,
shooting in toronto summer/fall /09
marina
stone is now with dani delio at
creative drive talent!
simon
brand is now represented by elvira at g.t.a.
and booked tv principal roles on aftermath and extreme
forensics ..!
july
11& 12 - we had an extremely talented, enthusiastic and fun group
of teens at our teens on camera workshop, they are:
lauren gaudio, will jester, michaela milgrom, alia de santis,
jacalyn kelly, simon breton, brendan cox, patty facy and michaela
snoyer!
danielle
watling is now represented by karen law at
law talent!
thomas
darya is now represented by norbert abrams at
the nobel, caplan, abrams agency!
julian
smither is now represented by lee andrews at
j&j talent!
gabbi
grecco is now represented by lee andrews at
j&j talent!
we had
a very talented, enthusiastic and fun group of teens at our
teens on camera workshop april 18-19, they
are: olivia collins, leslie hamilton, deana hamilton, riley
kate mcnair, megan anderson, pamela johnson, michaela snoyer, taylor
evans, robin beck, bronte johnson, dharen cabuntocan, ariel alcorn,
kara marzilli & viktoria sciacca!
matine
campbell is now represented by shari at
ami!
cole
promane is now represented by barb muller at
the messinger agency and just landed a recurring
role in the new animation series “the
99”!
our
successful auditions workshop on feb. 21-22 was a great success,
a wonderful talented group, ... expecting great things from
erin jones, annie morin, stephanie cooper, laura metcalf, carol levesque,
rick kunst, analuisa almada, lindsay marie branton and the
very busy richard cordeiro!
jill
o'craven
is now represented by teri boyack at hines
management. since our workshop, she has had lead roles in
4 short films and a music video and appeared in a promotional video
for the rom.
emily
nolan is
now represented by black & block talent!
anne-marie
caicco is
now with teri boyack at hines management!
stephanie
sheri is now with teri boyack at hines management!
evan
cameron is
now represented by black & block talent!
annabel
ramjit is now represented by lee andrews at j&j
talent!
our
successful auditions workshop on nov. 15-16 was a great success,
a very talented and enthusiastic group, ... expecting big things from
stephanie sheri, kamiran aldabbagh, tedili hatzinicoletos, evan cameron,
nadine nassereddine, anne-marie caicco, vanessa del bianco, bret ryan,
diana goldman, barry wood, annabel & roger ramjit and ryan turner,
who just keeps getting better!
sara
foster is now with amanda rosenthal at
the art agency!
victoria
goncalves is now represented by norbert abrams at
the nobel, caplan, abrams agency!
patrick
smith is
now represented by penny nobel at the nobel,
caplan, abrams talent agency!
alino
giraldi is now represented by sandra gillis at
premier artists!
cat
oliver is
now represented by sandra gillis at
premier artists!
maja
perrin is
now represented by rob maxwell at
premier artists!
i was
dialect coach on manson (next film productions)
shot in toronto, about charles and his followers ... adam
wilson is intense and well cast ...
marsha
chesley came to speak to my class at humber college,
acting for film & television (aftv) - she is wonderfully articulate
and warm ... the class and i were rapt!
i took
my audition & self promotion students from humber college,
to audition for andrew hayes at powerhouse
casting, shasta lutz at jigsaw casting
and for michael stevenson at fade to black
casting, ... they did wonderfully well! we also have other
casting directors and agent coming to the college to meet/audition
them ... very exciting!
peter
brant is now represented by lee andrews at j&j
talent!
i was
dialect coach on series 'cold blood' - nf productions,
with director george d'amato, a fun set, great people!
i'm
happily back teaching at humber college in the acting
for film & television program (aftv) where i have a very
talented goup of students itching to break into the business!
i'm
enjoying teaching at studio pavas in mississauga,
on camera acting skills and techniques and auditiong
for movies & television - for kids, teens & young
adults
i was
on set acting coach for the kids on the time traveler's wife
(feature film shot in the city.) it'll be a wonderfully moving, film
- i can't imagine a more beautiful and perfect 'clare' than rachel
mcadams, eric bana's 'henry' is magnificent
and director robert shwendtke is brilliant!!
i was
dialect coach on series 'mayday 5' - nf productions,
a disaster re-enactment of air india flight 186 - irish and east indian,
a fun set, great people!
andrea
hunt is now represented by shari at
ami!
alexandra
perpick is now represented by shari at
ami!
holly
goddard is now represented by lee andrews at j&j
talent!
michael,
terryn & christina murphy (kids from the time traveler's
wife) are now represented by shari at ami!
mara
wallace is now represented by shari at ami!
grace
rooke, talented and lovely is now represented by stephanie
porter at the porter group!
jennifer
turano is now represented by lee andrews at j&j
talent
luke
gallo is now represented by lee andrews at j&j
talent, if you want to check his very cool music you can
go to www.johnnynocas.com
'hey
michael, i'm now represented by the porter group agency.
thank you so much for your help! you're a true inspiration! i did
the excercises you taught me, and guess what? they worked!' ms
ellen ding
brandon
dean is now represented by
lee andrews at &j talent!
mary
dawson is now represented by norbert abrams at
the nobel, caplan, abrams talent agency!
wendy
glazier is now represented by
lee andrews at j&j talent, she continues
her training and we'll be seeing her considerable talents on screens
big and small before too long!
ashley
caputo is now represented by black & block talent!
dani
kay smith just signed with ami. This gal
is bottled lightning!!
from
kelly murtha, she's done it again!:
" ... yes ... i'm updating you again!! just wanted to let you
know i got the part you were helping me get ready for - the quirky,
funny woman... the audition was saturday - went really well.... and
the director called this evening to say i got it ... he said i was
the woman!! thanks so much for helping me once again prepare, commit
and gain the confidence to go in and seize the role!!"
had
a great workshop on the weekend in cambridge for working reel
productions & buddy brennan, some very
talented actors in and around cambridge!
jazz
testolin is now represented by norbert abrams
at nobel, caplan, abrams talent agency!
katie
storey is now represented by king talent!
matthew
del bel beluz is wonderful as john in peter pan
at the elgin theatre! he is one very talented and
extremely busy young actor in the theatre, film & television!
ben
watson is now represented by barb meuller
at the messenger agency and is very busy.
wesley
morgan is now represented by butler ruston bell
and is very busy!
roger
ramjit is now represented by j&j talent.
elitsa
todorova is now represented by the porter group!
alex
de jordy is now represented by amy hines
talent and is a very busy young actor.
hailey
merkt is now represented by barb meuller
at the messenger agency and doing very well.
dwayne
murphy is now represented by norbert abrams at nobel,
caplan, abrams talent agency and is very busy!
phil
poirier is now represented by lee andrews at j&j
talent.
for
more information or to register, contact :
bonnie feldbruegge at 416 766-9092 or email:
bonnie-bongo@rogers.com
michael
caruana, bongo productions,
faculty, acting for film & tv (aftv)
school for the creative & performing Arts,
humber college
studio pavas
bongoproductions@rogers.com
bongo productions is a member of taas
(toronto
association of acting studios)

taped
auditions :
need
to send an audition dvd to l.a. or vancouver? i can tape your audition
at bongo productions, you'll read with a talented working actor and
coach and receive expert, supportive coaching. I book one-hour taping
sessions, at my reasonable private coaching rate and I'll supply the
dvd!

demo
reels :would
you like to put a monologue or scene on tape or dvd to show a prospective
agent? would you like to have expert coaching for the taping session?
ibook one-hour taping sessions, at my reasonable private coaching
rate and i'll supply the dvd!

suggested
reading:
the
intent to live- achieving
your true potential as an actor
larry
moss is brilliant, extremely generous
and articulate, his book is truly
helpful and wonderfully inspiring!
you can get it at theatrebooks!
also,
in my auditioning and self promotion class which
I teach in the acting for film and television program at humber college,
I've been usingmarcia chesley's book you got
the part! i have found it very helpful
and informative and an enjoyable read. it's particularly good for
us here in toronto because this is where marcia lives and works and
most of her references are our own. i highly recommend this book.
it's available at theatrebooks on st.thomas st. in toronto.
watch
for more as we build the new 'what's new' feature of our website!
coming
soon : 1) an audition checklist
2)
star student profile

for
more information including our reasonable/flexible rates, or
if you’d like to register for a class, you can contact:
bonnie or michael at 416 766-9092
or
email
bonnie-bongo@rogers.com
orbongoproductions@rogers.com
bongo
productions is a member of TAAS
(Toronto Association of Acting Studios)