Who we are

The Brighton Acting Workshop was founded in Brighton in order to address some of the lack of professional training options that the South East has. London isn’t accessible for everyone and we aim to promote and champion Brighton’s creative scene by offering affordable, adaptable training.

We are keen to work with passionate actors who’d like to develop, grow and further their training. In return, we plan our workshops with quality in mind. We’ve been to our fair share of stinky workshops, with far too much talking and not enough acting. Acting is active and we teach through doing.

Still taken from an acting scene of two female actors looking at each other
“I have been to various acting for screen workshops before and I’ve learnt more in one class with Sam than I have throughout the course of the other ones I have done. I have also learnt technique that I’ve not been taught before and it has changed the acting for screen game for me - this was apparent from the first class with him.”
— Paris

SCREEN ACTING LOCATION

BN1 Arts Centre

Vantage Point

New England Road

Brighton

BN1 4GW

 

ACTING FOR STAGE LOCATION

St Stephen’s Hall

10-11 Montpelier Place

Brighton

BN1 3BF

 

STILLS FROM PREVIOUS SCENES

  • Over the shoulder shot of an actor in an acting scene, smiling at the other actor
  • Still image taken from an acting scene in which a male actor is sitting across from another actor at a desk
  • Two male actors get in each other's faces during an intense acting scene
  • Over the shoulder shot of two actors in an acting class, performing a scene together
  • Two actors looking just past the camera with intensity during an acting for screen workshop
  • An angry character in an acting for screen workshop
  • Two women sitting on a beige couch, one with eyes closed and the other smiling with eyes closed, in a brightly lit room with plants.
  • Still image taken from footage recorded in an acting for camera workshop
  • An actor wearing an Apollo Theatre Arts t shirt during an acting workshop
  • A woman with auburn hair looking thoughtfully to the side with a potted plant and radiator in the background.
  • Two women are facing each other, engaged in conversation. The woman on the left has long brown hair, blue eyes, and is wearing gold earrings and a yellow top. The woman on the right has blonde hair, blue eyes, and is wearing a black and white striped top.
  • A still image of an actor halfway through a monologue in an acting class
  • A woman and a man are sitting and smiling at each other, engaged in a conversation against a black background.
  • Two women sitting against a dark wall, holding papers. The woman on the left has reddish-brown hair, wearing a floral jacket, white top, and purple pants. The woman on the right has short red hair, glasses, wearing an orange pinafore dress over a black top, with an unimpressed expression.
  • Two men sitting and talking in a room with black walls and blackboards.

WHY SHOULD I BOTHER BOOKING?

It’s a good question. You might not like it. You probably will, but you won’t know until you try. You don’t need to me to tell you that screen acting is one of the most valuable skills you can have as an actor but I bet that it’s one of the things that you’ve had some of the least training in. Until now. I’m offering regular time in front of a camera, without the hefty price tag, so that actors can join our community and feel like you’re training. If you’re able to come for more than one session, we can start to organise getting some scenes filmed with you and a partner, so that means, yes - some showreel material. For no extra price. Check out my testimonial section below to see what other people have said about my sessions and then make your mind up. And if you do come and you don’t like the workshop, I’ll give you your money back. Nothing to lose.

TESTIMONIALS

  • shell (brighton actor)

    (Brighton Actor)

    “I learned more in 3 weeks with Sam, than I have in the past 2 years at uni”

  • jacqueline

    (Eastenders)

    I am simply amazed at how much time, effort and dedication he puts into the course. I’ve been acting for over 20 years and have done many, many acting courses. One thing that stands out about Sam’s teaching is his ability to create a very relaxed, fun and safe environment. He makes it feel like a safe place to play, and more importantly to make mistakes, without fear of embarrassment. Any mistakes are very quickly shaped into positive and constructive feedback. He has a remarkable ability to get better performances from actors, in a really kind, fun and positive way.”

  • HARRI

    (Currently training at Bristol Old Vic)

    “These workshops feel like Brighton’s best kept secret for actors - classes full of invaluable lessons, a safe space to play and make mistakes, the best scripts, and a professionally filmed scene at the end of it. Sam is a fantastic teacher. I can’t recommend his classes highly enough.”

  • paris

    (Brighton Actor)

    “I have been to various acting for screen workshops before and I’ve learnt more in one class with Sam than I have throughout the course of the other ones I have done. I have also learnt technique that I’ve not been taught before and it has changed the acting for screen game for me - this was apparent from the first class with him.”

  • Frankie

    (Brighton Actor)

    I've been attending the drop in classes for the Acting on Screen workshops this term and have been utterly blown away. What makes this class different is that Sam's depth of knowledge on both, what happens in front of the camera and behind is astounding. He provides insight from every perspective, not just that of the director, but also the editor and the camera man, he teaches and suggests from every angle which is so helpful.  It's enabled me to learn so much in a short space of time. 

  • Rachel

    (Lead Agent at Internation Actors London)

    “The atmosphere was relaxed but focused and Sam has some great techniques to help elevate the actors performances in the scenes. Would highly recommend!”

  • WA'AD

    (Brighton Actor)

    “I highly recommend working with Sam! I’ve taken numerous acting for screen classes elsewhere but Sam’s constructive teachings and hands on approach have been the most helpful to me. He is organised, passionate, honest and I can’t wait to continue learning from him.”

  • Callum

    (Chichester Actor)

    “It is very obvious that a lot of thought and effort has gone into these sessions with the intent to get the best out of us and the best results possible. From learning about breaking down scripts to on screen techniques, there was so much helpful content that will be so useful to refer to again. Sam was constructive, patient, supportive and a pleasure to work with. I recommend Sam’s workshops to everyone as you come away with so much”

  • Simon

    (The Toys That Built America)

    “Sam is a fantastic teacher, who gives you the proper time and care to explore and grow your acting skills. Incredibly professional and passionate. Highly recommend these classes!”

  • Atlanta

    (Brighton Actor)

    “Would definitely recommend this course for any actors serious about refining their screen acting skills. Through dissecting the text, filming and watching back performance, I was able to pinpoint specific areas for improvement and existing bad habits in myself and others work. Sam’s constructive feedback and keen eye for detail has enabled me to target these areas, understand what works and what doesn’t and carry his advice into future screen work. His directing skills were also thorough and clear and I would certainly work with him again. Excellent value, what are you waiting for!?”

  • Juna

    (International Actor)

    “Sam is an incredible, capable teacher. I have learnt so much in a block of 3 sessions. It was absolutely amazing and helpful to grow as a screen actor and increase all the knowledge you need to perform confidently in front of a camera. And the footage is a awesome! Highly recommended!”

  • Jules

    (Professional Voice Teacher)

    Delighted to have attended the Screen Acting workshop weekly sessions! Sam creates a relaxed and creative atmosphere, and has great information and insights about film acting that he shares concisely and clearly. Even in one session he manages to pack it in- so you leave feeling inspired, challenged, and that you very much got your moneys worth.   The experience of regularly being in front of a camera with a bunch of friendly and supportive peers and getting insightful and constructive feedback from Sam is invaluable. I highly recommend these sessions to anyone who is interested in film acting whether experienced or not.

ABOUT SAM

Headshot of actor and director, Sam Cartwright taken in Brighton

Hello! My name is Sam Cartwright and I run The Screen Actors Workshop in Brighton. Don’t be fooled by my youthful looks, I’ve been coaching actors three times my age for the best of my adult life.

As an acting coach, I have worked with actors in multiple Olivier Award Winning Plays, West End Actors, TV regulars in shows on HBO, BBC, Channel 4, Netflix and more. Some of the actors I coach are represented by the top agents in the country including Curtis Brown, Independent, Apollo, 42 and more. I also teach Acting for Screen workshops regularly at drama schools and colleges, as well as my own private workshops to actors of all abilities.

I am also a professional actor with a wide and extensive knowledge of the acting industry. As an actor, I’ve has worked in both TV and Film on projects with Channel 4, Working Title Films, Focus Features and Radical Media. Commercially, I’ve has worked on projects with Jack Whitehall, Jess Glynne, Will Young and companies such as GoDaddy, BMW, The Hampshire Constabulary and the CEOP.

I’m also a professional photographer and videographer, specialising in actor’s headshots and actor’s showreels. My experience also extends to my work on film sets, for theatre companies in casting departments and tour management, assisting actor’s agents. I am also an award nominated writer and director.

TAKE THE LEAP AND GET BOOKING

This is your sign to book onto one workshop. Just one. You might not like it. You probably will, but you won’t know until you try. If you’ve read this far down the page then I have no more information to give you - you’ll just have to come along and see what all the fuss is about for yourself. So get booking. I’ll see you there!