SALTBURN, PRISCILLA, EUPHORIA

Where could one start when describing working with Les Chantery. An inspired teacher full of ferocity and heart. I remember being constantly disheartened, class after class, workshop after workshop, feeling like nobody understood the passion I had in my belly for this craft… Until I stepped into Les’s classroom. An innovative teacher and friend who demands curiosity and chastises the mundane. He let me know that it was okay to really CARE about this work, not just okay but imperative that one does care. To live it and breathe it, to be bold and kick down the door of every room you walk into. I booked my first movie while taking Les’s class and I haven’t had a moment to look back since. To curiosity and to giving a damn! Thank you sir!

MIRACLE WORKERS, BAD EDUCATION, BLOCKERS,

I met Les in his workshop and, honestly, I haven’t stopped working. He will invigorate your spirit and remind you why acting and even self tapes are fun! There was a noticeable difference in my acting, audition technique and attitude after doing Les’ class. I have done a lot of classes and workshops in Sydney and LA and his teachings are the most practical and useful for me. He is not only a brilliant acting coach/mentor, but also a wonderful, generous and wise person. His classes are bulls**t free and un-intimidating. I cannot recommend him enough.

VIKINGS: VALHALLA, CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA, THE DRY

Expansive. Rebellious. Igniting. These are words I’d use in attempt describe the ineffable experience it is to work with Les. Whilst supporting you with the wisdom of the greats, Les welcomes the actor to explore new frontiers of their humanity and encourages a willingness to fearlessly offer all of themselves to the moment. To have an opinion. To be soulful. To be playful. To be dangerous. To be real. Without Les’ infectious passion and deep curiosity, I know, I would not be the actor I am today. You’re a gift mate. I’m deeply grateful.

THE WILDS

Les completely changed the way I approach my craft. He’s a guru that has always remained one phone call away. He has a fresh, curious and daring attitude towards every scene and is able to find the depth to every character. He’s the most generous tutor when it comes to passing along his knowledge. Ever since I started working with Les I have been recommending him to every actor I know. He was able to bring me down to earth, step outside of myself and attack every opportunity that comes my way with confidence.

THE FABELMANS, HEARTBREAK HIGH: SEASON 2

Les Chantery. That name itself has a certain ring to it. I’ve been lucky to work and learn from Les. His passion for the craft is infectious. His attention to technical nuances is just as inspiring as his deep understanding of the human condition. Les was in the room when I Zoom auditioned and booked the role in Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Fabelmans’. We shared a special moment that day that I’ll never forget.

YOUNG ROCK, ALIEN: COVENANT, DOCTOR DOCTOR, MARCO POLO, HARROW

Les’s great ability to share knowledge of the craft for film and television, to the beginner through to the advanced actor, is due to his genuine care for the craft and the individual. After graduating from NIDA he was assigned as a mentor to me and I’ve experienced his generosity and enthusiasm first hand.

SAVAGE RIVER, OF AN AGE, TEN POUND POMS

I would be useless without Les Chantery. After a long period of auditioning and not getting work, I attended his 3 day masterclass and immediately booked 2 jobs. I continue to work with him as a private coach and he is a consistent source of inspiration. Bold, original and unpretentious. His teachings are absolute gold for any actor. My only regret is not working with him sooner!

JANET KING, PULSE, ALEX AND EVE- THE MOVIE, THE PRINCIPAL, CROWNIES

Something was missing within my audition technique. I was getting to the second call back and not booking the job. After Les’s workshop I felt inspired again. I learnt tricks and tips that were new to me after seven years in the business. Most importantly I walked out of that class confident and excited. Not for my next “audition” but my next “opportunity”. Les makes you believe again in the art form. And the honour it is to be apart of it and be one of its many storytellers.

MULAN, PULSE, TOP OF THE LAKE 2, LION, UNINDIAN, THE CODE

If I was to write everything I wanted to about Les Chantery and how he has helped my career, this would be a long essay so I’ll keep it as concise as possible. I found Les and his classes at a time when I really needed something but I wasn’t sure what that ‘something’ was. To be completely honest I was skeptical at first due to the general reputation of acting classes but I noticed that his work was focused on ‘audition techniques’ and not just learning how to act, so I joined. Doing my first series of classes with Les back in 2013 opened a door for me which allowed me to walk into auditions with so much more confidence and understand that it was my right as an actor to be in the room, do my work and leave. Les found a way to work with me personally and always gave me specific advice which he also seems to do with most actors he coaches, already a massive testament to his talent. I remember a specific class where we spoke about self-doubt and Les really helped me push through everything that was blocking me from doing my best work. I walked into the next casting and booked the job. It hasn’t stopped there, almost all jobs I’ve booked in the last few years, I have worked through the material with Les beforehand. He has a unique, friendly and approachable attitude towards the work and he has gone from a being a coach to a friend very quickly. Les is someone I continue to recommend to any actor that I feel will benefit from coaching and a fresh perspective. He will continue to be my ‘go to’ for any audition, job opportunity or just general career advice.

AMAZING GRACE, HERE COME THE HABIBS

His classes for me brought it back to what acting is. It’s a conversation. Not a script. I keep this in mind at all times. He is so approachable in his classes and brings it back to basics no matter what level you’re at. For me it was all about reminders, not getting caught up in the institutionalised training that may get you inside your head too much. Keep it simple, find the purpose. I adore him and credit him a lot to my film and TV work.

DANGER CLOSE, PULSE, CLEVERMAN, READY FOR THIS, THE MULE, GHOST IN THE SHELL

I began studying with Les as per word of mouth from a lot of credited actors around Sydney. I jumped into his audition technique masterclass and then continued with the on-going series for another 6 months. Hands down my understanding and grapple with the audition process jumped leaps and bounds. Les is such an alluring and magnetic teacher with a wealth of knowledge and experience. I encourage all to get amongst it.

DOCTOR DOCTOR, BACKTRACK, DRIFTWOOD DUSTMITES, REEF DOCTORS

Years ago, I walked into one of Les Chantery’s classes and have been continuing to return and spread the word about his incredible work ever since! Les has an amazing ability to give you all the tools you need to tackle the audition process both here and in America. He has a wealth of knowledge that has taken my approach to auditioning and self testing to the next level. I have used his techniques and thoughts about acting and the industry time and time again. He not only gave me a bunch of technical tools to apply on screen but he has also helped me to get out of my head and take on each “opportunity” with confidence. On top of all of this, he is kind, extremely generous, giving and approachable. I cannot thank him enough for helping me tap into the best possible version of myself i can be- both in acting and life!

NEIGHBOURS, THE FAMILY LAW, PLAY SCHOOL

It’s almost impossible to write this, because it’s impossible to put into words the influence Les has had, and still has on my career. I met Les a few years ago, I had heard (like many) that there was a course on screen acting and audition technique that was unmissable. From the first day, I knew that I had found an actor, coach and friend who would accompany and guide me through my career. He is one of my first calls when auditions or roles come in and my last call before I walk into an audition room or meeting. I’ve worked with him continually in both a class and one on one capacity and have always found myself learning something new. His thirst for knowledge on Acting and the Industry (both anecdotal and scientific) is endless and his urge to share that knowledge matches. His approach is to find what works for you and whatever gives you the best experience in the casting room or on set. Les didn’t just give me confidence, he got me to discover it within myself. I could talk all day about how great he is, but the best and most full-proof recommendation I can give is that I have booked jobs every year since I started working with him – what he does, works.

DANCE ACADEMY, CAMP, TRICKY BUSINESS, HONEY 3

Les has been an incredible inspiration to me. He re-inspired my love for acting and auditioning when I was feeling lost. His classes feel like a safe environment for actors to play and grow, and every time we have worked together one on one I have learnt so much from him. Les is the only Australian coach I have experienced who has so much up to date information and tips about self taping and working overseas plus current material and footage to work with in class. His understanding of both the creative process but also the “business” side of the entertainment industry changed my way of thinking and made me a stronger and more confident actor and auditionee. I can’t recommend Les enough and I’m so grateful for our continuous work together.

OUTLANDER, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, HOME & AWAY

I have never met a person more passionate, curious and dedicated to the craft of acting than Les Chantery. He is, in the best way possible, the biggest acting nerd you’ll ever meet! But what makes Les special is the generosity with which he shares his knowledge of acting with his students. Les’ love for acting is matched only by his genuine enthusiasm to see people grow and succeed. As a fellow acting nerd I cannot recommend his classes highly enough. As a person, you will find none more kind or dedicated to helping you reach your potential, than Les Chantery.

WE CRASHED, THE CHOSEN, OPEN SLATHER, DEEP WATER, THE PRINCIPAL, 

Les, for me, has been more than just an acting coach. I consider him a mentor, a friend and someone who has shaped my career in ways I could never have done alone. Let’s take a look at those separately; as a coach he’s taught me how to be a more dynamic actor who can change and adapt to almost any situation, as a mentor he has taught me about how the industry works from the inside and out, and as a friend he has been there for me when I’ve needed advice. He’s also a successful actor whose career I look up to and use as inspiration, and I continue to use his expertise to this day. His continued guidance gives me the confidence to achieve anything.

GALLIPOLI, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, UNBROKEN, WOLF CREEK, ANZAC GIRLS

Les’ attention to detail and knowledge of what casting directors want in the room is second to none! He has a way of bringing the innate truth and humanity out of every actor and helps them use it to portray authentic, relatable and detailed characters.

LOGIE AWARD WINNER: MOST OUSTANDING NEWCOMER, PETER ALLEN- AACTA WINNER BEST ACTOR; DEADLINE GALLIPOLI- AACTA NOMINEE BEST ACTOR, MS FISHER

The first time I met Les he was a guest teacher at NIDA running a masterclass in ‘The Art of Screen Tests’ as part of our course curriculum. It was near the end of our three year training and we were all in quiet fear of the beast that would confront us as soon as we graduated, life as a working actor. But that day changed everybody’s attitude, thought process and idea of what it meant to be a part of this modern day industry. Les invigorated the room with well researched and extremely coherent and concise analysis of what it took to get yourself in the casting room while on the other side of the world through a self test. He also shared how to carry on learning and teaching each other with his simple, but extremely effective techniques. The day affected me so much so that when it came time to graduate and select a mentor for the coming year, I put down only one choice – Les Chantery. Thankfully, it worked out and Les and I began unpacking what it was that made Joel Jackson (me) appealing, special and readable on screen and also in an audition room. I credit Les with giving me the skills to lay down my first self test for Greg Apps after NIDA which then led to my subsequent casting as Charles Bean in Sam Worthington’s Deadline Gallipoli. The continued analysis and workshops we undertook to really define my audition process led to me building interest in LA , subsequently travelling to the States, signing with UTA and laying down self tests which led to me being cast as Peter Allen in Channel Sevens mini series Peter Allen; Not the Boy Next Door. Les gave me the confidence to back myself in a room auditioning in front of towering industry professionals and the tools to continually learn and teach myself better screen technique to record first class self tests at home with my peers. Start of on the right foot in your self testing ‘career’, because that’s what it is. Start it with Les.