28/05/2026
Ian Hughes Masterclass Brisbane
How to Prepare, Perform, and Thrive on a Professional Film & TV Set w/ Home & Away Director Ian Hughes.
The Ian Hughes Film & Television Masterclass is a two day weekend, practical deep-dive into how great screen work is actually made — from the inside of a professional film and television set. Led by respected director and long-time Home & Away director Ian Hughes, this masterclass demystifies the “machine” of set life and empowers actors to work with clarity, confidence, and creative control. Across four focused sessions, you’ll learn how directors think, how performances are shaped for the edit, and how to prepare in a way that keeps your work alive, flexible, and responsive on the day. Over the two day intensive the course moves beyond theory into real-world craft: script analysis that reveals story and stakes, practical rehearsal tools, self-directing skills, professional communication, and on-set techniques that help you deliver strong, consistent work take after take. Each actor will work with scripted material of their own choosing across the workshop, and material chosen by Ian. Designed for actors who want to raise their professional standard, this masterclass equips you with concrete tools, smarter habits, and a deeper understanding of how to thrive creatively within the realities of film and television production.
Morning Day One
Understanding the Machine: How a Film Set Really Works.What’s actually happening around you, and how it affects your performance.
How a film set functions from the actor’s perspective.
Who’s watching, what they’re looking for, and why it matters.
The actor–director relationship
Story awareness: what moment of the story you’re really telling.
Understanding shots, coverage, blocking, and eye-lines.
Finding your place inside the “machine” without losing your craft.
Goal: Demystify the set so you can work with confidence, clarity, and control.
Afternoon Day One
Don’t lean your lines, lean your story. Preparation that actually works.
The difference between productive prep, over-prep, and pointless prep.
Script analysis for actors: beats, objectives, stakes, and turns – looking for the hidden clues in the script.
Building behaviour, not just memorisation.
Creating flexibility for on-set adjustments.
Practical rehearsal techniques that translate to the camera.
Habits that elevate your work vs. habits that flatten it
Goal: Develop a preparation process that makes you alive, present, and adaptable on set
Morning Day Two
Become a department of one. Taking ownership and control of your performance.
Working independently when support is limited.
Self-directing between takes
Clear, effective communication with directors and collaborators.
Asking smart questions (and avoiding the wrong ones)
Professional set etiquette that earns trust and screen time.
Creating consistency without losing spontaneity.
Good habits that make you indispensable and pitfalls to avoid.
Goal: Become a self sufficient, reliable actor who raises the level of every project.
Afternoon Day Two
Tips & trick’s Practical tools for delivering great work, take after take.
Resetting after a “bad” take and after a great one.
Maintaining continuity without sacrificing authenticity.
Staying Fresh from the master shot to the close-up.
Hitting the marks and technical requirements while staying emotionally
Managing energy and focus over long days.
Trusting and sharpening your instincts.
A collection of practical tips, tricks & problem-solving strategies use by working professional actors.
Goal: Leave with concrete repeatable tools that help you exceed expectations including your own.
Course Details:
June 20 and June 21
10am-5pm Both Days
Booking Link:
https://www.thehubstudio.com.au/ian-hughes-film-tv-masterclass-brisbane/
