Last week, aspiring actors aged 12 – 16 had the opportunity to participate in Act Out Loud, Vancouver Film School’s annual acting for film and television summer camp. Act Out Loud offers young thespians the chance to develop their on-camera skills for five days in a workshop environment.

From improvisation and monologues, to scene study and script analysis, to working with a green screen and learning about the biz, these teens got a serious education in the world of acting for film and television. Everything was filmed and participants will each receive a DVD of their work in the course.

We spoke with 12-year-old Carson Ferguson who, as a returning Act Out Loud camper, was a confident veteran.

Carson is definitely ready for his close-up.

So Carson, tell us about Act Out Loud. What were the first couple days like?

Carson: At the beginning of the week we started with some trust exercises. You fall backwards and have someone catch you. I actually fell a few times. Sometimes the other person isn’t paying attention! Then we did some improv exercises – to get warmed up. We got a monologue that we had to memorize and then perform on camera.

What was your monologue? Was it difficult to memorize?

I was Chunk from The Goonies. It was easy to memorize! I did his speech about the worst thing he ever did.

What were you most excited about going into the camp?

Carson: I was definitely looking forward to getting a real script and working from that. We got our script earlier in the week and then on Thursday, I filmed a three person scene, called Awakening. It was about a girl who has telekinetic powers.

What do you like most about acting?

Carson: It’s fun and it’s a good opportunity to pretend to be another person, doing something you’d never normally do in real life. It’s an experience.

Do you think you want to pursue acting as a career?

Carson: Oh yeah. I want to take the full-time Acting for Film & Television program when I’m older.

What kinds of movies do you like? Do you have any favourite films or actors?

Carson: I like action, comedy, and drama. My favourite movies are Resident Evil: Extinction, She’s Out of My League – it was really funny, and The Hurt Locker. I am in the middle of watching that right now. I like Neil Patrick Harris a lot, Brad Pitt, and Jeremy Renner.

What was the best part of the week?

Carson: Meeting lots of new kids in the class. Everyone got along really well and became friends. Hopefully we’ll all stay in touch.

Will you be back next year?

Carson: Oh yeah. I hope so. It was great. I did learn a lot but mainly it was just really fun.

Thank you, Carson! So glad you had a good time.

Next up for Carson, other than making his high school debut this September, is a movie he is making with his friends inspired by Shaun of the Dead. Watch for it!