MOSCOW, April 19 (Itar-Tass) —— Prominent film director Nikita Mikhalkov, the chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation, conducted a master-class at Moscow’s Cinema House on Thursday. The meeting with young film goers was held in the framework of St. Anna student and debut film festival.
Describing the film academy he is going to open in July 2012, Mikhalkov said it is meant for professional actors wishing to upgrade their skills. He said it would not be a school with desks and chairs but rather a tea house where students will drink tea, engage in conversations, discussing various themes, and will study such subjects as ethics, rhetoric, will rehearse plays and attend master-classes.
Those wishing to enroll at the academy must send recordings of their performances and set out their views of some or other parts. He said no more than 40 persons would be enrolled, while there may be at least 500 applications. “Those enrolled will be in the database, so we will be the biggest actors agency in Russia,” Mikhalkov said.
Noting that “this is an expensive undertaking”, Mikhalkov said tuition in the academy would be on a paid basis. Talented students will be able to study on credit, to repay the debt run up when they get employment.
Mikhalkov said prominent actors will be invited to perform for a fee in productions alongside young actors. When the productions go on the road, some actors might get a chance to be offered employment in some theaters in various cities.