TAKE ACTION and WRITE ACTION WORKSHOPS
SUMMER 2025
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TAKE ACTION WORKSHOP is an innovative creative gym in which working filmmakers and actors explore uniquely effective ways of collaborating with each other and the camera to create indelible screen performances. They expand their on-camera, scene-study skill set, try out new material, and interpret established scenes, all in a nurturing, creative environment. We start our LA summer season on Monday June 30, from 4-9PM. It will continue on 6/7 before switching to Wednesdays for the following 6 weeks, before returning to NYC.
THE WRITE ACTION has started on Zoom every Sunday and is at capacity. We'll be adding a Thursday section June 12. We'll read and discuss new material, analyze an established script of the month, and free-write based on a prompt. All media and levels of experience.
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Our members have been nominated for Oscars and Tonys; won Emmys; had films at Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, and Tribeca; and also have had their first time behind or in front of a camera with us. As a director and writer, I've made a feature that was in competition at Sundance, won Best Film or Best Actor at every other festival in which it competed, and was named one of the years best films in over 35 publications. As a professor, I teach in the MFA film and acting programs at NYU, Columbia, and Brooklyn College. As an actor, I've been in films from HEATHERS to INDEPENDENCE DAY; in the original production of Angels in America, and three other Broadway shows. As a script consultant, I've worked on films from $250 million dollar blockbusters to micro-budgeted features.
This week's workshopper news: Morgan's short FIRE AT WILL, featuring Becca, premieres this week at the Tribeca Film Festival. David, who's been developing his first feature with us, started production on it this week. Evan's first feature as director-writer, BARRON'S COVE, featuring Veracity, starts its theatrical run nthis week. Liisa and Carson, who expanded from acting to directing and writing in both workshops, present their first work as filmmakers this week at the Brooklyn Film Festival. Jonathan and Karis returned from Cannes, where their latest short film as director, producer, and star was an official selection of the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase. DISFLUENCY, Anna's first feature as director/writer, just premiered on Tubi, after a theatrical run this winter. Camila returned the workshop after shooting the new Spielberg movie and will make her Broadway debut this fall. Malachi, who expanded from acting to directing in the workshop, just returned from making his first short as writer-director. Kate will be directing an episode of FIRE COUNTRY this summer.
“You could make no better decision than to have Jon Shear as your teacher. I'm struck by what a rare opportunity it is to have a coach with such a rich and varied perspective on the filmmaking process. I did some of my best work as an actor while working with Jon.”
DAN FUTTERMAN
Oscar-nominated screenwriter of CAPOTE and FOXCATCHER, star of URBANIA, SAG Best Ensemble Award for THE BIRDCAGE
"NYC-based film directors, check out the TAKE ACTION workshop run by the wonderful Jon Shear. You get to do scene work with amazing actors each week. It's really changed my life."
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