Russell Bradley Fenton

Of all the mediums of storytelling, acting and screenwriting remain the most beguiling to me. Creating chemistry through dialogue between two characters, understanding the visual rules of “show, don’t tell,” discovering how to reveal character within the camera frame, and, overall, coaching other actors to deliver those stories for the screen inspires me to participate in its form and business.

My experience of over twenty years working in the film and television industry from Los Angeles to smaller markets such as Atlanta, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Boston, has taught me many things about entertainment. Most importantly, it takes a village, and the many hats that I’ve worn, working in production, lends me a fairly wide perspective on the mechanics of acting, teaching, on camera techniques and improv. Aside from training under several improv schools such as The Groundlings, UCB and LA Connections Comedy Theatre, I’ve also offered one-on-one self tape audition sessions to help train actors on how to book the room and how to translate their approach from stage to screen. I’ve also directed two short films of my own, written over twelve screenplays, one of which sold last year to an independent film company, and another two, a feature and a series now in development for proof of concept shoots. I've even worked as an editor to another acting coach at Blue Swan Films in Los Angeles, showcasing students in various montage edits designed to show off their best work and advertise for the scene study course.

Knowledge, however, is meant to be shared, and I am impassioned to share my experiences in film and television with the storytelling community in Florida. I believe my expertise in the structure of improv, acting, and years of working in film and television production makes me a suitable candidate for networking with others on this platform. Bringing your own personal stamp when coaching others is a pursuit which I hope to inspire in fellow writers and actors who are ready to climb to the next level..