EMPOWER with Michaela

Manchester EMPOWER Acting Workshop with AWARD WINNING DIRECTOR CAL O'CONNELL
2025-08-17 11:00 - 17:00 UTC | Black Octopus Studios, Black Octopus Studios Greenside Mill, Droylsden, M43 7AJ, United Kingdom
Date: Sunday, 17th August 2025Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PMLocation: Manchester, M43 7AJPrice: £79Booking deadline: Sunday, 10th August (scripts & partners sent after this date)
BOOK HERE!!!
Step Into Your Power: Acting Workshop with Director Cal O’Connell
Join us for a dynamic, in-person workshop that blends scene performance, industry insight, and transformative mindset coaching. This session is designed to help actors harness their personal experiences and resilience, turning them into compelling on-screen performances.
What’s Included?
🎬 Scene Performance & FeedbackPerform a pre-assigned scene and receive personalised feedback from award-winning director Cal O’Connell, founder of RO Pictures and creator of the hit audio drama ‘Tales From Davidstown’. With a career spanning film, audio, and gaming, Cal’s multi-disciplinary experience brings rich, actionable insights to actors looking to elevate their screen work.
🧠 Mindset Session – “From Grit to Screen”Led by Michaela Longden, this session focuses on transforming personal challenges and life experiences into powerful acting tools. Learn how to channel your unique story into your craft, building emotional depth and authenticity in your performances.
📜 Pre-Assigned ScenesScripts and scene partners will be provided one week in advance to allow ample preparation.
Industry Guest: Cal O’Connell (Director & Founder, RO Pictures)
Cal O’Connell is a multi-award-winning director with a passion for bold storytelling and genre-bending narratives. His dark audio series ‘Tales From Davidstown’ has amassed a global fanbase and is now in development as a PlayStation game concept.
Cal’s film ‘Terminal’ has won numerous awards, while his co-produced features ‘Book of Monsters’ and ‘How to Kill Monsters’ premiered at FrightFest. His work blends strong character development with genre flair, and his latest viral werewolf transformation scene has surpassed 1 million views on YouTube.
With experience in both indie filmmaking and commercial directing, Cal is a powerful resource for actors looking to expand their screen presence and industry knowledge.
Visit RO Pictures
Mindset Coach & Host: Michaela Longden
Michaela Longden is an accomplished actress, casting director, and ICF-accredited coach. She specialises in helping actors overcome mental barriers, build confidence, and harness their personal narratives to enhance their performances. Her holistic approach combines industry knowledge with psychological insight, providing actors with the tools to thrive both on and off the screen.
Why Attend?
✅ Gain direct feedback from an award-winning director with film, audio, and gaming success✅ Learn to transform personal experiences into compelling performances✅ Develop resilience and authenticity in your acting craft✅ Network with like-minded actors and industry professionals
Limited spaces available – secure your spot today and take a significant step in your acting journey.

🎬 Empower Actors Workshop: Directing for Screen with Michelle Wheatley (Coronation Street)
2025-08-20 18:00 - 21:00
📅 Date: Wednesday 20th August 2025🕕 Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm (UK time)📍 Location: Zoom (live & interactive)💷 Price: £36
🎥 About This Workshop
Michelle Wheatley (also known professionally as Michelle Hooper) brings with her years of industry experience, including directing for Coronation Street, award-winning short films, and teaching at Manchester Metropolitan’s School of Digital Arts. She has a keen eye for performance, character, and connection and she’s here to bring that directly to you in this exclusive online workshop.
What You’ll Get:
✅ Real-time scene work and direction✅ Professional industry scripts sent one week in advance✅ Direct performance feedback from Michelle✅ Insights into how top directors shape a scene✅ A community and supportive, no-fluff space to grow and stretch as an actor
Who This Is For:
Actors who want to:🎭 Develop their on-screen performance🎯 Gain feedback from a top-level director🧠 Understand the director’s process🤝 Connect with a committed and inspiring acting community
🎟️ Book Now here. Spaces are limited:

Manchester Acting Workshop Stephen Gallacher
2026-02-22 11:00 - 17:00
SOLD OUT!!!
Manchester Acting Workshop Stephen Gallacher
📅 Date: Sunday 22nd February🕚 Time: 11:00am – 5:00pm📍 Location: Mossley Community Centre, Roughtown Rd, Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne OL5 0SG💷 Price: £79
🎬 About This Workshop
Stephen Gallacher returns for this highly anticipated in-person workshop after a much-missed break – and it’s going to be a full, immersive day of screen acting and director-led scene work.
Stephen has over a decade of professional directing experience and is currently serving as Lead Director on the web series Armour, working with a fantastic cast. His recent credits include McDonald & Dodds (Mammoth Screen/ITV) as Lead Director, and second unit direction on major series such as London Kills (BBC/Acorn TV) and Fifteen-Love (World Productions/Amazon UK).
Mentored by Peter Hoar through the Directors UK Inspire Mentor Scheme, Stephen has worked closely with industry heavyweights including Aidan Turner, Olivia Colman, and Jason Watkins. His recent short film Harold & Mary, starring Dermot Crowley, enjoyed a successful run at BIFA and BAFTA-qualifying festivals, earning praise for its emotional depth and authenticity.
Stephen’s work is rooted in socio-political drama and gripping thrillers, with a strong commitment to truthful storytelling, character-led narratives, and visually authentic filmmaking.
🎭 What You’ll Get:
✅ In-depth, director-led scene work where you can move and aren’t stuck to a chair.✅ Professional and challenging scripts provided in advance (3-4 minutes long).✅ Personalised performance feedback from Michaela McCormick (Longden) and Guest Director.✅ 30 Minutes per group of performance time. ✅ A focused, supportive, no-ego environment and community.✅ Tapes sent after the workshop of your work.
🎯 Who This Is For:
Actors who want to:🎬 Work closely with a high-level TV director🎭 Strengthen their screen performance and audition technique🤝 Train alongside a committed and inspiring acting community

Manchester Acting Workshop with Becca Hirani
2026-04-12 11:15 - 18:00
Manchester Acting Workshop with Becca Hirani and Life Coaching with Michaela McCormick.
The only Actors workshop in Manchester that gives you transformational life tools from an Accredited ICF PCC executive life coach and Author.
⚡️NOW OPEN – LIMITED VIP SPACES!⚡️
Date: Sunday 12th April 2026
Time: 11:15 am - 6:00 pm
Location: Mossley Community Centre, Roughtown Rd, Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne OL5 0SG
Price: £79
About This Workshop
We are beyond excited to welcome Becca Hirani – powerhouse producer, director, and actor. With over 60 films produced and 18 directed through her own company EMRJ Entertainment, Becca brings an unparalleled wealth of experience from across the independent film scene.
Her latest project, Withering Heights, is fresh off production, adding to EMRJ’s growing slate of horror and psychological thrillers. Recently returning from touring across Asia starring in Life of Pi, Becca proves she’s every bit as dynamic in front of the camera as behind it.
If you’re ready to:

Dive into paid indie film work
Explore the world of horror filmmaking
Build your own production company/have questions about Directing
Step confidently into directing or producing

…then this workshop is not to be missed.
🎭 What You’ll Get:
✅ Morning Mindset Session to sharpen focus and boost confidence with accredited Life Coach and Author Michaela McCormick (Longden).
✅ In person feedback from a Producer and Director constantly looking for new Actors!
✅ Professional and challenging scripts provided in advance, with a partner to work with!
✅ Scene screenings and personalised feedback from Michaela McCormick (Longden)
✅ Each performance gets up to 30 minutes each with Becca Hirani
✅ Tapes of your performance sent post-workshop.
✅ Supportive, no-ego atmosphere with a like-minded creative community
This is your chance to train with one of Manchester’s most inspiring female voices in independent film and gain practical insight into how to level up your career – on both sides of the camera.
