UK'S FIRST BOLLYWOOD ACTING SCHOOL LAUNCHED
(6 March 2008)

The UK's first Bollywood acting school was launched today (6 March 2008) in Ealing, West London to teach talented individuals who wish to pursue careers as actors in the fast growing Indian cinema industry, Bollywood. The UK School will be the first overseas chapter of 'Actor Prepares' to open outside of India. Founded by actor Anupam Kher, 'Actor Prepares' is India's most sought after acting school in Mumbai, India.

The UK chapter of 'Actor Prepares' is a partnership between the Indian acting school, Heathrow City Partnership and Ealing Institute of Media, part of Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College. The school will provide the first course of its kind in which actors from Indian cinema such as Boman Irani, Tabu, Urmila Matondkar and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt will share their inside knowledge of the industry.

Anupam Kher, best known in the UK for playing the father of Jessminder in the hit movie 'Bend it like Beckham', founded 'Actor Prepares' in Mumbai over three years ago. Kher has been the driving force behind the British chapter the school and plans to open more in Durban and Sydney. He also plans to regularly teach courses at the UK school.

Speaking at the launch of Actor Prepares UK, Kher said: "During the filming of 'Bend it like Beckham' it became obvious to me that there was enormous potential to build much stronger links between UK and Indian cinema. The huge success of the movie shows what happens when you combine UK and Indian artistic talent. There is a natural synergy which creates something special. I am confident that if we try to learn from each other there is much we can do to improve the brand of both UK and Indian cinema and indeed TV."

The current plans include running three three-month courses a year in London, training around 50 to 60 students annually with the first course planned for September 2008.

Actor Prepares Course

The three months full-time professional course will prepare competent and professionally committed actors to be skilled in every aspect of an actor's art and craft - physical, mental and emotional. It will lay a foundation for a self-fulfilling and meaningful career as a performer in any medium - be it stage, television or film.

Students of Actor Prepares will be taught with the most modern methods, techniques and tools by qualified teachers from India, UK and elsewhere. There are two modules. The first module concentrates on building a foundation in the craft of acting and imagination. Students are trained in the techniques they need to successfully inhabit a role, which include: Acting Technique; Movement; Scene Studies and Script Analysis; Voice; Yoga; Improvisation. The second module focuses on the application of skills learnt to practical work and includes: Camera Work and learning the business.

In addition to the three month course, 'Actor Prepares' is also developing other courses and services which will include:

• Personal development for individuals and businesses
• Bollywood business mentors scheme for Industry professionals
• Bolly-preneurs" programme for start-up businesses targeted at young people
• affordable incubation units and production workspace for creative firms wishing to set up, grow and expand
• Access to state of the art facilities

Further information can be found at www.actorprepares.net