Ian Hughes Masterclass
How to Prepare, Perform, and Thrive on a Professional Film & TV Set w/ Home & Away Director Ian Hughes
Course Outline | Course Outcomes | Session Details | Apply Now
Course Overview
The Ian Hughes Film & Television Masterclass is a four-week, 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. 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. 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.a.
Session 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.
Session Two
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
Session Three
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.
Session Four
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.
Session Details
Day: 4 x Saturday
Date: 14th March 2026
Time: 10am – 2pm each session
Venue: The Audition Room – Chippendale.
Participants: 14 Maximum on each workshop
Price: $380.00
About Ian Hughes
Ian Hughes is an award-winning film and television director with more than thirty years of experience across drama, comedy, children’s television and commercial work, and over 200 hours of broadcast screen credits. Originally trained as an actor, Ian brings a deep understanding of performance and speaks the same creative language as his cast, while his BFA in Sculpture informs his strong visual storytelling and instinct for image, space and movement. Born in Canada and raised in Aotearoa, New Zealand, he has built an international career as a director, writer, performer and creative collaborator, working across all stages of production from development through to post. Known for his collaborative and actor-focused approach, Ian creates open, high-trust environments that allow artists and crews to deliver their best work. He is also the creator of the acclaimed one-man theatre work Ship Songs, currently in development as a feature film, and has collaborated with a wide range of leading screen and stage creatives throughout his career.
Apply For The Course
Please send an expression of interest including your C.V. & headshot to courses@thehubstudio.com.au or use the below form. Please note the course is by invitation only. If offered your place will only be held once payment is received in full. Failure to do so will forfeit your place on the course.
For more information or queries please don’t hesitate to call on (02) 9212 0522 or alternatively email us on the above address.
IMPORTANT INFO!! We are experiencing some unusual issues with our forms from time to time. If your form isn't sending through please email the same information, including your CV and Headshot via email to courses@thehubstudio.com.au and we'll get back to you asap. OR call 02 9212 0522. Course Application Form
Contact Us
For further questions or queries please contact us directly during 10am – 5pm / Monday – Friday on the below details:
- Office: (02) 9212 0522
- Email: courses@thehubstudio.com.au
Further Questions
The HubStudio prides itself on helping professional actors to facilitate their training journey. If you would like more information about this course, or more importantly which courses would suit you best, then please email or call us to discuss your training goals.
