TVI Actors Studio

SIMPLE REVIEW: An excellent resource for actors new to LA, looking to jumpstart an acting career, work with a CD, and/​or obtain representation.
I found TVI because I wanted to take a class with Mark Teschner (CD for General Hospital) I signed up for a 4 week class with Christy Dooley and Mark (2 week split w/​each Casting Director). Although I learned from both classes, I HIGHLY recommend taking a class with Mark (whether you want to work on SOAPS or not). Each student’s work in the class improved, (I am not saying that lightly!) and I felt I had a personal breakthrough and became more confident in my work and in auditions since the class. As a side note, this wasn’t my first acting class and I have lots of previous acting coaching/​training, including a BFA from UC Irvine – so it’s saying a lot that after 4 years of conservatory training, I learned and grew in an acting class. Because of Mark’s class, I signed up for his 4 week intensive which I hope to take in May
I decided to become a member of TVI for several reasons, one of which is obviously the significant discount members get on classes (you pay $ 35/​month for membership, currently but receive substantial discounts on classes/​showcases). The other main reason was the career coaching. Although I just started working with my career coach, I feel it’s definitely worth the investment – especially if you are new to LA or do not have representation. Even if you do have some kind of representation, you might be looking to expand or get to the next level. I’m a huge believer in creating a team of people as your support system to further your career, and I see TVI as a place to do that. Your coach will encourage you to take classes (that is part of their job) but in my experience, they only recommend certain classes that they believe would help further your stated goals. They aren’t trying to sell you everything, and I find all the career coaches to be helpful, friendly, personable, and they have even given me feedback like – I would wait to take this class, or I would take this class instead, (understanding I am not made of money, and having concern for how much money I spend). Aside from your career coach, there are ample networking opportunities to meet students, casting directors, agents, and other industry insiders.
Some of the negative reviews for TVI were written by international students – I cannot speak to what their experiences were as I am not international, I am a local LA native, who has been pursuing acting for about 10 years (as a child, and now after much more training and completing my degree, restarting as an adult).
RE reviews that say TVI tries to ‘sell you classes’ or even worse «take your money,» Good training in this industry costs money – people get BFAs and MFAs often before pursuing their dreams in LA or NY, and those costs HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS! TVI offers opportunities for actors to further their careers for a FRACTION OF THE PRICE. Comparing prices, a class at Howard Fine studios-​$ 375/​month, UCB-​$ 400 – I list these specific places to give a ballpark/​comparison for how much classes cost. As with anything, you spend money, and decide if you felt you got value from it. I feel I definitely have. I don’t think TVI is overpriced– everything included, membership a great value.
If you are comparing TVI to a university program, acting studio, or improv school – you are comparing apples to oranges. All of those programs are different and have different perks.
I have training, TVI is where I go to hone the craft I have in front of CDs, get career coaching to help me get to the next level in my career w/​representation and strategies for reaching my goals, and network.
TVI mostly offers CD workshops, but for training, the hybrid conservatory they have with AFI students is an amazing opportunity to build a reel, get your work seen by agents, network, learn, and get SAG (e). I have not done it – but it looks great and I don’t know of another school in LA with a similar opportunity. TVI is more into the hands-​on experience/​show business side of the career. You can improve your craft here, but the focus is more on the business side of making your career happen – at whatever level you are at, beginner, intermediate, looking to break through etc.
Bottom Line: Before you sign up for a class here, visit and talk with a career coach and students if you can. Make a list of what your career goals are ask how TVI can help you.
Sidenote: The facility is fine– main building and bathroom isn’t glamorous, restroom is fine, (unlike some other reviewers said) inside TVI itself it’s nicer (which is where you will be spending your time). There is ample street parking across the street, rarely in the lot. Lucas C’s review (below) is helpful, and I know him personally as he got his MFA in acting from my school. Our reviews are 5 years apart so I can’t speak to his experience, but I agree with his insight on improv training in LA.

Adam Lieblein’s lecture was simply excellent. Adam is a FOUNTAIN of knowledge and has his facts down pat when it comes to our SAG contracts as well as a myriad of other topics that SHOULD be on every actor’s must-​know list. I don’t know of any other venue a lecture of this sort is being offered, so kudos to TVI for hosting this event.

This school is the biggest scam in the whole united states of America.
Parents, children, INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS please listen up before you even think about taking a class in there.
First of all, they offer fake“scholarships“to the international students that come all over the world and all of them pay different price for the course, the expectations are high for each one of them especially that they advertise on internet that TVI is one of the best schools in the U.S.
It’s nothing like that.
Located in a small apartment in one of the old buildings of Sherman Oaks, with dirty restrooms, Tvi charges students different rates for the same course, the staff is getting commission on the amount of the student who pays lots of money (6000 dollars for a 4months course) where you learn absolutely nothing.
The studios are dirty, smelly, the director of the school Alan nsbaum is a weird guy that comes to the school smelling of alcohol promising the international students that they will get agents and get casted in movies, but in the end nothing happens, he only cares about taking money from the students, that are sadly victim of his cinism and arrogance. I was one of them and there are still few in there hanging around for the sake of being in the states on a student visa.
Some of the teachers are good, but they also feel demotivated by the way place is ran. They absolutely do not care about anything else but MONEY.
The staff is replaced every second week, nobody can work there for more than that because the school is a total mess, poor administration&management.
The scenes the students are working on are outdated and the schedule is very poor in classes for the international students.
PLEASE DO NOT DO THE SAME MISTAKE THAT I DID AND AVOID THIS SCHOOL, find another one that is serious about their students and professional.
TVI should be closed by the government this year!

Great studio, everyone in the office has always been very friendly when I’ve walked in. Would recommend checking them out!

I had audited other schools before deciding to become a member at TVI Studios. I did not have to join as a member but the student benefits are great. You get discounts on classes and showcases plus you are assigned a career coach. I love being able to come to the school and meeting with my career coach who not only goes over my resume and how to get all my acting tools in place but she also helps me prep for any scenes I need memorized. If I need to complete a self-​audition I can simply make an appointment with my career coach and come to the studio and use their HD camera to film it.
I have paid to be in the 5 day Actors Showcase. It included performing for 10 Agents and 3 Managers along with meeting 5 Casting Directors. As a bonus the showcase included a photographers panel and a 3 hour Business of Acting Class. I have not heard back from any agents or mangers from the showcase BUT this is the entertainment industry and individuals need to remember image is almost everything. If the agents and managers already have a talent on their roasters that I match, they will not take on a new client that would compete with their already signed client. It was a good experience and the knowledge I gained from the showcase was worth the money I paid. I love my acting teacher and how my class isn’t just scene study but he also gives us cold readings and reviews audition techniques. All important in gaining work.
Now for why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. The location sucks. You need to find street parking which isn’t too much of a problem. The building that the school is located in always smells like pot. I do not have a problem with pot, but the individuals who hang around the lobby area make me feel uncomfortable. The bathroom is nasty but could honestly be a lot worst. The actually area the school is located in could use a good cleaning, new carpet, painted walls, and decorations. But I’ve also worked in a recording studio that I would have said the same thing about, and the owner always responded with he could have invested on upgrading but he’d have to charge more for his services. Cost is important. Even when paying the monthly membership, this school is cheaper than other acting schools.

Had the most horrible experience with this company.
Long story short I no longer wanted to do the full-​time hybrid conservatory program and worked out that I would do shorter workshops.
They then threatened me by saying if I don’t pay for the course then I’m in breach of my student visa, so I called customs and worked out I can leave the US temporarily and then come back on a regular tourist visa. Silvia and Linda at TVI told me that despite what the authorities said I would be breaking the law.
Needless to say I did it and came back in as a tourist with not one issue at board security, and hours after arriving I received an abusive phone call from the actual owner of TVI saying I either pay the rest of the money I owe for the course (which I’ve never attended) or he will call Homeland security and have me arrested and deported. I just got off the phone with HS and they said my paper work checks out and he is no doubt trying to intimidate me to get more money.
I have currently paid about $ 1000 for the other stuff which they will not let me partake in because they are worried about getting audited (red flag much!?) and the owner yelled at me over the phone and said I’m never seeing that money again.
It’s a shame because I was interested in doing their courses, but they treat people so horribly and after this experience it is clear to me that are after one hing… $$$$money$$$$. That’s what drives this place and it trumps all compassion. The owner told me he would go out of his way to file a report against me if I don’t pay.
Furthermore, as I’m from Australia he said he knows agents and directors in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and will Personally call all of them and make sure they don’t use me for work. It is this vindictive and abusive nature that derailed me the most. I’m a young Aussie out in LA trying to break into a tough industry and they treated me like I was totally worthless.
Such a terrible work ethic and I would strongly recommend everyone to steer clear of TVI!

This place is a SCAM a Joke– don’t waste your money and most importantly your time! If you show the slightest interest in there studio they will call and call and harrass you with emails until you respond… I should’ve known then… I went to a showcase about a year ago and I had a bad feeling but being a novice actor at the time I fell for their trap. Ended up wasting $ 130 for nothing. First off all the actors that were at the showcase were a joke! I felt so embarrassed to be there. And the Agents could careless about the talent in the room, And kept checking their watch. They wrote feedback on a piece of paper that was super generic and not helpful at all. The studio feels slimy and ghetto. Please don’t make the mistake I made! Run away NOW. There are so many other more reputable and professional Casting workshop studios, please save yourself.

My daughter did one of the agent showcases here. It is more expensive than most, but her acting coach told her it was also quite reputable. The best thing about the TVI workshops is that you get actual feedback. Any actor knows that you can walk into an audition, walk out, not get the role and never have any idea why. Maybe you stink. My daughter got accurate, helpful feedback from all the agents there. She received multiple calls from agents wanting to meet with her. She signed with a (quality) agent within two weeks. We are going back for the casting director showcase in a few weeks. I don’t know about the classes and I don’t know how it works for adults, but she had a very positive experience. It is way more expensive than some other showcases, but it’s still only a couple hundred dollars. We spent way more than that on headshots and that didn’t get her an agent, TVI did.

TVI Actors Studio is not as bad as many reviewers make it out to be on here. Two of the best programs in town is Mark Teschner’s (Head of casting for General Hospital) workshop. Mark is one of the best teachers in town, and his workshops at TVI is something you have to do… Whether you want to do soaps or not, you will come out a better actor, trust me! And the local 3 Day Talent Showcase is top notch. I haven’t seen a list of better agents in a showcase situation in my life. IT IS NOT ASSISTANTS AS SUGGESTED ON OTHER POSTS! THAT IS A COMPLETE LIE! I feel people get upset when they pay there money and don’t get signed or a call from a C.D. or Agent. Those people should look at themselves and maybe study harder, figure out why they don’t get calls… Anyway, this is about learning and growing anyway… The difference between this place and others is the format is always classroom. I prefer one on one, but there is nothing wrong with this format either.
PROBLEM WITH THE STUDIO, BATHROOM IS GHETTO! MAKE SURE YOU USE THE RESTROOM BEFORE YOU GO HERE.
Also they have a membership, I am confused by other post on here as no one ever forced me to join, it was completely up to me… Membership is good for some people, but I didn’t really need it, so I pay full price for classes.
I like TVI, so try it out for yourself! :-)

Extremely kind and friendly staff! The consultants are knowledgable and really try to steer you in the right direction professionally. For me, it has been the best place to form and cultivate relationships with casting directors at an awesome price point. The agent showcase is my favorite workshop because the best agents are there, not assistants, and it is run very well. One thing they need to fix is the bathrooms though because they’re not so clean, but that’s my only complaint.

TVI is just like the other casting «workshops» in L.A.
I’m going to use terms like «most of them» or «many times» because there will always be an exception or rare occasion that something good happens. I don’t want to say «absolutely never» but that’s almost the case with these kinds of things.
I was a paying member for a while. I do have some legitimate insight to this particular studio.
They are ready to take your money for your shot at getting in front of a REAL casting director!!! Oh wait. I forgot. More often than not, it’s just a casting assistant or casting associate.
Many times, these associates and assistants don’t have years of experience. Most times they know as much about on-​camera acting as your Aunt Dorthy who told you to move to Hollywood because you have «what it takes!»
What you are truly paying for is to personally hand your headshot/​resume to the assistant/​associate and hope that it ends up in an actual file (and not the garbage can).
When you attend the workshop, you will hear a brief introduction from the guest. They will talk a little about themselves, and drop names of the projects that their casting office has worked on. You will get some side for a scene– sometimes with a partner, sometimes you’ll just read with the guest.
You’ll do your scene. You’ll get a little generic feedback. You’ll be on your way. You’ll have great expectations. You’ll sit around waiting for that casting office to call you. You’ll wonder if the money would have been better spent with a pragmatic marketing plan– LIKE MAILING OUT POSTCARDS TO TARGETED CASTING OFFICES ON A REGULAR BASIS.
Now, you can be guaranteed to bypass the associate/​assistant and work with a real casting director if you opt for the MUCH more expensive «classes.» Those run in the hundreds of dollars. I never felt so desperate that I dropped $ 400+ on one of those.
There are hundreds of ways to get work in this town. This is one of the easiest ways to spend the most money trying. (meaning it’s not worth paying money to meet casting directors) It’s their job to find you. If more actors boycotted this type of racket, then casting folks would have to do what they did «back in the day.» That’s when they did a little something called «general meetings.»
I’ve given this two stars because I do know that some people have actually procured legitimate work from casting workshops. It’s just mostly a huge waste of money. If you really want to study, go take an ACTING CLASS from a good teacher.

I went to their «agent evaluation» workshop 2 years ago which was $ 200 only to have one agent give me feedback. I felt so ripped off I haven’t been back since. Stay away!

Just had my first — and last — interaction with TVI. I do workshops all over (and get called in from them) and normally accept them for what they are: A chance to meet CD’s, some of whom are great and interested, some of whom not. Nature of the beast.
I signed up for a one-​day workshop that is taking place in 3 weeks, only to be emailed a contract that says the cancellation fee is about the same price as the workshop — unless I have a Dr.‘s note or a signed note from a union shoot. Since my schedule isn’t steady at this point, I called to cancel as soon as I saw the contract (about 10 minutes after signing up). That’s when I was told I can’t. After much argumentation, they said that my consultant is the only who can help me, but that he’s in class and is «done for the day.» I wouldn’t hear from him until Monday. I asked to speak to anyone (it’s during bsns hours, for crying out loud), only to be put «on hold» for very long. I hung up and called again and got my consultant. IT’S A MIRACLE! Guess he was available after all!
HE (Corey) was very nice and agreed to refund my payment. He’s also the ONLY reason this place is getting 2 stars instead of the one it deserves.
Waaaaay too many options around (Actors Key, Actors Link, Actors West, etc.) to put up with this.

I just finished my first class with TVI, and I have to say, wow! At first, I was a little concerned, as they are quite a bit pricier than other studios, but I have to say after this workshop it was very very worth it. I took the intensive with Mark Teschner, and cannot tell you how valuable this class is. Best class I have ever taken in LA. An audition for the show is very little compared to what you walk away with. Top level training, practical, and to the point. No generic anything, no superfluous blah blah. Felt like I was in a real conservatory.
My rep Corey was very sweet, and took great care of me, bless his heart, when the sides came through upside down, and I couldn’t rotate them from my pad, he spontaneously offered to resend them (they had to be faxed) and I had them within minutes. Which was great because I would not be anywhere I could print for a long time, and we had little time with the material as it is. (which is true to the reality of the biz) Super friendly, patient and helpful.
I highly recommend this studio.

i succumbed to this place when i 1^st moved to LA and i can see nothing has changed there.
1. don’t got to «casting director workshops» biggest scam in the biz!
2. TVI is a big SCAM that just takes your money and teaches nothing.
3. start out doing student films and get experience on that and find real places to study that just help you grow as an actor and don’t promise you unrealistic claims such as these places.
this place is a number 1 big SCAM in la. avoid!

Good place for actors

Their are better places to go. Period! Firstly, the casting directors I spoke to were not friendly at the workshops, the vibe was awful and Ive found if you’re going to take a chance on spending money to go to workshops only do it when you can afford to, dont make it a habit. And dont waste your time here. Reel Pros has been pretty good as well as Actors Key. None of these places will guarantee you a job, but at least some of the people that come in are sincere and you make connections. I recommend you focus more on making connections, acting classes, student films, etc. I went to two classes and I couldnt stand this place. uck

SIMPLE REVIEW: The cost does not equal the benefits.
Slightly more in-​depth review–
(The ad hominem nature of some of these reviews, specifically by the 5 star folks, is a little off putting. I will do my best to give you a factual breakdown of what to expect.)
I hope this helps.
Finding an acting school or a casting workshop is daunting to new actors to the LA area. Having been one I can tell you that without the experience of what is available in Los Angeles TVI looks very appealing. The staff, in my experience, was nice and VERY attentive. The Building is generally well maintained and you almost never have a hard time parking. Sadly these characteristics do not make up a quality acting school.
Most of my peers were like me, fresh off the boat arrivals to LA with a dream in their heads and a lighter wallet in their pocket. In all my classes I can’t recall there being anyone who wasn’t new to TVI and the LA acting experience, in-​spite of «Auditioning» into their advanced levels. Admittedly this could have been a circumstantial «fluke.»
I have no issue with the teachers or casting directors who were there to do what they were paid to do. Most were fun and seemed to enjoy what they were doing. That said please don’t be fooled by the concept of TVI exclusivity with casting directors. If its a busy office that office is likely sending associates to other places — plus its just good business sense to diversify your income streams and do workshops all over the place. They are getting paid for this and justifiably so.
So why only two stars? My issue is simply there are much better alternatives. What I have learned is that training, in addition to actually educating you, can be an important piece of your resume. There is no denying that certain institutions carry certain gravitas on a resume. Ivy League Schools come to mind here. They may not get you the job but they often open some doors that might not have been yawning otherwise. Its the same with actor training in LA.
I can say from personal experience that my improv training, as an example, has opened loads of doors that would have been closed. Having Groundlings, iOwest (I still can’t keep from calling it Improv Olympic– Im old that way) The Second City Conservatory, or UCB on your resume will carry more weight than TVI. Studying with Jeff Perry, Tom Irwin or frankly any of the staff at Steppenwolf classes west will be a better resume piece than TVI. LINDA LOWRY personally does a workshop there because she knows the talent is worth her time.
There are loads more options and that is my point. People have varying needs and certainly opinions on what makes good training. The only constant to you is cost. My simple belief is that the cost to benefit numbers do not add up to TVI being a place to spend your money.
I believe that there have been success stories to come out of there but lets face it those were talented people to begin with. Meryl Streep was Meryl Streep before she went to Yale.
Post script
Judging from the reviews I see that many people are taking what others experienced personally. I can’t help you there. What I can offer is some further insight or my time should you have any questions regarding this review. I put my picture on the site and used my real name.

Head’s up, the reviews with 1 star are coming from people who took one workshop, probably the only they’ve ever taken before or since, and are shocked that the result is not instant stardom. Get real people.
This is an acting school, with a full slew of teachers who are fantastic casting directors. And the fact that they have several heads of casting who teach only at TVI should tell you something.
I came to TVI before I knew anything about anything, let alone how to get cast or even remotely pursue acting as a career. I was 18 when I walked through their doors. After 1 meeting, they helped me put a resume together (even though I barely had any credits), helped with cover letters, recommended agents and classes… and were beyond helpful.
Years later, after having studied in New York and London, I came back to TVI and have them to thank for finding an agent, getting incredible recommendations from casting director workshops as well as getting called in for several auditions, and taking classes that I’ve learned so much from.
If you think that taking one workshop or one class is enough to make things happen for you in LA, think again. This is not an overnight success business. It takes years of contacts and classes and more work than complaining about whether or not the casting director you saw called you in. And one of the best resources for getting those contacts and classes is TVI. Definitely recommended.

I dunno, i dunno, i dunno. must’ve done hundreds of workshops here and the exclusive workshops series and all that jazz. i don’t blame anyone at the school for lack of success OR give credit for success (it’s entirely up to the individual and their ability to hustle). it’s just really hard for me to justify spending this much money though, when there are cheaper options that get you in front of the casting director.
bottom line: a CD won’t call you in till they’ve seen you 3 – 4 maybe even 5 times unless ur repped by a monster agent. so… if the idea is to just get up in front of a CD and do some quality work there are other ways that seem more effective in my book. like at A.C.T. Now you sign up for a series of workshops 4 – 6 weeks and the casting director sees you and develops a relationship with you. i just can’t see this happening with the one-​night-​stand CD nights.
So, you pay this grossly expensive $ 450 fee to join TVI. Because you’re now a member, all casting director workshops are free… or so i thought. I got an email saying that there will be $ 15 fee for each workshop due to rising costs. i did not appreciate that. that was my major complaint — This was NOT part of the deal I signed and an egregious breach of contract.
My original «consultant» accepted me into the program after an audition and took several of my headshots. He then quit and several days later. Apparently, when they move you to a new consultant they clear out the old consultants desk and files rather than transferring them to the new consultant. that pissed me off something fierce too.
So basically all my shit (headshots and resumes) were thrown away two days after I signed up. I like my current consultant just fine (she’s a sweetheart), but on the whole i don’t like having a contract changed after i sign it.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Not really happy here, the workshops are sooooo over-​crowded compared to some other good one’s out there. This is THE MOST EXPENSIVE casting workshop place in town and not really worth it. There are others that are cheaper and provide the same services.