In-Depth Series
Weekly online acting courses to transform your emotional freedom and access.
> PEM Basics 1
> PEM Basics 2
> PEM Basics 3
> PEM Basics 4
> PEM Basics 5
> PEM Basics 6
> PEM Basics 7
About PEM Basics
If you want in-depth PEM Training, we highly recommend the PEM Basics course series.
PEM Basics is for you if you:
- Are brand new to PEM and ready to dive in
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Have done a PEM Intensive and want to explore each emotion in depth
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Want to learn PEM principles and free your instrument
This series of 7 courses gives you a structured pathway to master the art of physically accessing authentic emotion. Each six-week term focuses on one of the Six Basic Emotions, exploring its origin in the body, its function, movement, and full range of expression and allowing this into text work.
This training—which we call Emotional Basic Training—equips actors with a rich palette of emotions to create authentic, powerful performances.
By the end, you’ll have:
✓ A profound transformation of your instrument
✓ A comprehensive understanding of how to allow emotion into authentic text
✓ A vastly expanded emotional range
✓ A deeper understanding of human emotion and how to apply it artistically
PEM Basics is the foundation for all other areas of PEM, including voice, scene work, and character development.
PEM Basics 1
Aggression
Do you encounter a barrier when portraying anger in a scene or monologue? Perhaps it feels contrived or stereotypical, or maybe it triggers unexpected emotions like tears?
In PEM Basics 1, we’ll deep dive into Aggression and cover the technical, physical means to authentically convey this basic emotion. Aggression will enhance your ability to play characters who exude directness, assertiveness and drive, or who grapple with unresolved anger from their past.
Practical Craft Applications of Aggression
A heated argument, charging into battle, a competitive athlete, a business person who is assertive, etc.
The Range of Aggression
Anger, irritation, power, presence, focus, grit, assertiveness, motivation, passion, determination, rage and more.
Prerequisites: None
Don’t see a class time suitable for you? Express your interest here.
PEM Basics 2
Happiness
Acting can often pose challenges in maintaining genuine smiles and laughter, especially in repetitive performances or multiple takes. In PEM Basics 2, we’ll take a look at accessing Happiness at will, enabling you to layer your characters with warmth, ease and compassion.
Learn to operate from a space of openness without feeling personally vulnerable. Cultivate a fascination for slowness and embody a deep, quiet presence. Additionally, learn to fully let go and relax to make the most of your down-time between takes, performances and jobs.
Practical Craft Applications of Happiness
A moment of peace, a joyous reunion, a very “chill“ character, a loving parent, etc
The Range of Happiness
Happiness, bliss, relaxation, peace, calm, softness, kindness, contentment, compassion, ecstatic joy and more.
Prerequisites: PEM Basics 1
Don’t see a class time suitable for you? Express your interest here.
PEM Basics 3
Grief
Navigating the intricacies of Grief can be an issue for many actors, especially if you’re relying on personal memories.
In PEM Basics 3, we’ll delve into the profound depths of Grief with our physical, non-traumatic approach and transcend your personal experiences to play with gravitas and maturity.
We’ll also reframe this often misunderstood emotion so that you can experience the strength and power of Grief, differentiate between Grief and loss, and infuse your characters with rich histories and a grounded presence.
Practical Craft Applications of Grief
A break-up scene, a funeral, heartbreak, finding out devastating news, giving an intense speech, etc.
The Range of Grief
Melancholy, sadness, grief, loss, need, despair, desperation and more.
Prerequisites: PEM Basics 1 & 2
Don’t see a class time suitable for you? Express your interest here.
PEM Basics 4
Lust
Contrary to popular belief, creating chemistry on stage or screen does not require personal feelings for your co-star. Cultivate palpable, non-personal chemistry with any actor through learning to physically access Lust.
This versatile emotion not only enables you to portray uninhibited, cheeky, playful, and sensual characters, but also expands your repertoire to embody characters that have opposite interests and desires than your own.
Moreover, Lust serves as a vital tool for sustaining motivation in our unpredictable industry. When faced with the exhaustion of endless self-tapes or encountering resistance, tapping into Lust injects your work with renewed vigor, enthusiasm, and curiosity.
Practical Craft Applications of Lust
Commercial and TVC work, romantic chemistry, playfulness, flirtatious characters etc.
The Range of Lust
Curiosity, desire, attraction, greed and more.
Prerequisites: PEM Basics 1-3
Don’t see a class time suitable for you? Express your interest here.
PEM Basics 5
Fear
Gone are the days of personal anxiety as we guide you through artfully creating fearful atmospheres – even portraying panic attacks without compromising your wellbeing.
Learn to scream without damaging your voice, and instil your characters with a palpable sense of alertness, tension, and urgency when the scene demands.
With PEM, Fear is reframed as a supportive and empowering force rather than a hindrance. Armed with this understanding, you’ll effectively manage stage fright and audition nerves, harnessing Fear to invigorate your performances when fatigue or complacency sets in.
Practical Craft Applications of Fear
A horror scene, being chased, an abuse scene, anxiety etc.
The Range of Fear
Alertness, tension, fear, urgency, fright, nervousness, terror and more.
Prerequisites: PEM Basics 1-4
Don’t see a class time suitable for you? Express your interest here.
PEM Basics 6
Revulsion
Has your character had the final straw? Revulsion empowers us to say ‘no’ and walk away with resolve. This skill is indispensable for characters with unwavering moral principles or those in authoritative or distant roles.
Elevate your performances by infusing your characters with unwavering principles, clear value systems and the capacity to defend themselves and others by working with Revulsion.
Developing the ability to establish firm boundaries is equally essential for navigating the acting profession, enabling you to confidently assert yourself.
Practical Craft Applications of Revulsion
A character confronting a situation they vehemently oppose, a judge during a final ruling, etc.
The Range of Revulsion
Revulsion, disgust, discomfort, dislike, disdain, and more.
Prerequisites: PEM Basics 1-5
Don’t see a class time suitable for you? Express your interest here.
PEM Basics 7
Mixtures & Application
PEM Basics 7 is a highly recommended course designed to integrate and apply the foundations acquired in PEM Basics 1-6.
We will further explore:
– How to craft nuanced emotional mixtures
– Derivates of the 6 Basic Emotions
– Artfully transitioning emotions to create depth and intrigue
– Emotional impulse work
– Application to text
– Introduction to scene work
Prerequisites: PEM Basics 1-6
Don’t see a class time suitable for you? Express your interest here.