Performance students get tips from top acting coach

World-renowned international acting, voice and presentation coach Mel Churcher worked with BA (Hons) Performance students on their professional skills earlier this month.

One of the top film dialogue and acting coaches, Mel has coached actors including Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley, Ray Winstone, Milla Jovovich, Daniel Craig and Sally Hawkins, to name a few. She watched students on screen, giving them advice on developing their professional performances.

Jordan Bull, third year performance student, says: “Mel taught us how to act while on camera and how to relax, which has truly opened my eyes.

“The notes and tips she gave were very helpful and I have already applied them to both screen and stage work. This experience was inspiring and extremely useful.”

In providing advice, Mel’s focus was on how difficult it is to speak learned lines, and how the use of visualisation and imagination can help bring the sparkle into the actor’s eye as he/she relives the world of the scene.

Maggie Tarver, programme group leader for performance, says: “The students found Mel to be inspirational and so lovely to work with. Even after three years on their degree, it is fabulous for them to work with renowned industry practitioners who can offer such great insights.

“We hope to keep working with Mel in the years to come.”