JupiterLights Actor Academy

POWER TO
THE ACTOR

We believe in building the next generation of screen talent — not just casting it. From intensive workshops to online courses and industry resources, the JupiterLights Actor Academy equips actors with the craft, tools and connections to build real careers with focus on mental health and maintaining a happy, thriving artistic life.

Online Course
Workshops
Actor Resources
One-to-One Sessions →

Online Course

Coming Soon

Julian Kostov's Online Masterclass Series

A multi-level online long form acting course combining self-taping, audition technique, character work, mindset, and practical assignments. Julian Kostov shares personal industry experience, resources, and step-by-step methods for building truthful performances — through physicality, accent work, emotional preparation, scene breakdowns, on-set etiquette and leadership, and the practical realities of working alongside major international talent on Hollywood blockbuster productions.

Self-Taping Audition Technique Character Work Physicality Accent Work Emotional Preparation Scene Breakdowns On-Set Etiquette On-Set Leadership Working with Major Talent Mindset Practical Assignments
Coming Soon

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Workshops

Advanced · Scene Study

Acting Dojo — Scene Study

A deep dive into scene work and self-study, using a tailored individual approach to help actors release emotional blocks, deepen their connection to emotion through practical methods, and access truthful, instinctive performances.

2 Days Max 14 Actors Advanced Sofia · London
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All Levels · Technique

Self-Tape, Audition Technique & the Business of the Actor

A practical self-tape and audition workshop led by Julian Kostov, where actors prepare real audition scenes, receive detailed performance and technical feedback, practise mock callbacks on camera, and learn career tools for navigating the UK, US, and Bulgarian entertainment industries.

1–2 Days Max 18 Actors All Levels Sofia · London · Online
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Actor Resources

Hi fellow artists. This is aimed at anyone interested in acting — but the focus is Balkan and Bulgarian actors and non-native English speakers who want an international career. Love it, go for it, learn patience. The industry doesn't owe you. Learn how to act, how to audition, understand who you are and find your niche. But don't stop there — write, produce and/or direct your own films and plays. The work and the hustle never stop.

Communities

Acting Communities & Groups

Two Facebook groups worth being in. Nancy Bishop runs the C.S.A. for Europe — she's London and Prague-based and a proper authority. Bonnie Gillespie's group is LA-rooted but most of her work on marketing yourself as an actor is universally applicable.

Nancy Bishop Coaching Group Self Management for Actors — Bonnie Gillespie AMAW Bulgaria (closed group)

Books — Craft & Technique

Acting Craft

The books I come back to. Meisner is the foundation. Woolson goes deep on technique. Michael Caine's book is a light read but genuinely useful — and fun.

The Work of an Actor — Michael Woolson Sanford Meisner on Acting Acting in Film — Michael Caine Secrets of Screen Acting — Patrick Tucker

Books — Audition & Business

Auditioning & the Business

Nancy Bishop's audition book is essential if you're working in European film. Anthony Meindl's book is blunt and brilliant. Bonnie Gillespie on self-management is probably the most useful career book an actor can own.

Auditioning for Film & TV — Nancy Bishop Book The F*cking Job — Anthony Meindl Self-Management for Actors — Bonnie Gillespie

Books — Mindset

Mindset & Creativity

These aren't acting books — they're life books. And that's exactly why every actor should read them. In this order.

An Actor Prepares — Stanislavski The War of Art — Steven Pressfield Big Magic — Elizabeth Gilbert The Artist's Way — Julia Cameron

Vlogs & Podcasts

Watch & Listen

Anthony Meindl's YouTube is essential — it's the closest thing to being in class. Start with his philosophy video and browse from there. The Filmmakers Podcast by Giles Alderson (who directed The Dare) is brilliant for understanding the industry from both sides of the camera. For roundtable-style master classes — Hollywood Reporter and Variety's Actors on Actors.

Anthony Meindl's VLOG — Start Here The Filmmakers Podcast — Giles Alderson Hollywood Reporter Roundtables Variety — Actors on Actors

Acting Studios — London

Where to Train in London

AMAW London is by far the best regular class studio in London — it's where I trained with Mitchell Mullen and it changed everything for me. It runs on a gym membership model. Book a free audit first. Gary Condes is another brilliant coach — I've used him for roles on Berlin Station and Shadow and Bone. Film Club by Yasen Atour (who I met on Ben Hur) comes highly recommended by people I trust.

AMAW London — Free Audit Gary Condes — Classes & Coaching Film Club — Yasen Atour

Accent & Voice Coaches

Dialect & Accent Coaching

These are three of the very best dialect and accent coaches out there and they charge accordingly. But damn are they good. You can also do these sessions online. If you want excellent results, go to the best — it's that simple.

Sarah Shepherd — Voice & Accent Rick Lipton Elspeth Morrison American Accent Training — Ann Cook

Casting Platforms — UK & US

Where to Find Work

You cannot succeed without an agent in the UK or US at some point — but while you're building, here's where to look. Spotlight is non-negotiable if you're serious. Everything else is by level. And remember: if any agency asks you for money upfront — they are scammers. Report them to Equity immediately.

Spotlight — UK Essential (£150/yr) Mandy.com — Intermediate StarNow — Beginners Casting Networks E-Talenta — European IMDb Pro — Profile & Credits

Casting Platforms — Bulgaria

Working in Bulgaria

If you're based in Bulgaria or looking to get onto local productions — including international shoots that come through Nu Boyana — these are the places to have a presence and make contact.

Shortlist.bg — Bulgarian Casting Platform Nu Boyana Casting — casting@nuboyana.com Bulgarian National Film Centre Filmforge — Acting Classes BG Bashar Rahal Acting Studio

Self-Tape

Self-Taping Right

Manuel Puro has the clearest and most concise self-tape advice I've seen. His 21-day challenge is absurdly cheap for the value — if you are serious at all, you have to take it. It gets you going and builds the habit. The UK industry likes showreels of 2–4 minutes. No montage, no music. Start and end with your face.

Manuel Puro — Self-Tape Guide The 21-Day Self-Tape Challenge Audition Tips from Manuel Puro

Headshots

Headshots — Pay the Money

Headshots are massively important and the UK has a very specific standard. Don't cut corners here. These are some of the best and most in-demand photographers working in London right now.

Matt Nalton Photography Shelford Headshots Faye Thomas Photography

Know Your Rights

Unions & Protections

Understanding contracts, rates and your rights is not optional — it's self-defence. These organisations exist to protect you. Use them. And again: if any agency asks for money upfront, report them to Equity immediately.

Equity (UK) SAG-AFTRA (US)

Casting Director Workshops

CD Workshops — London

If you're in London without an agent — or your agent isn't pulling their weight — go to CD workshops. You train your audition muscles and get in the room. Don't expect an immediate job. I've had CDs call me 4–5 years after we met. This is a long game. That said — if you're a beginner, take proper classes first.

Mixing Networks Actors Guild Actors Centre Casting Workshops

Videos to Watch

Essential Viewing

These are recommended by AMAW and other top studios. Watch them. Then watch them again. Ira Glass on The Gap will change how you think about being an artist. Brené Brown on vulnerability is essential viewing for any performer.

Ira Glass — The Gap Brené Brown — The Power of Vulnerability Brené Brown — Shame Amy Cuddy — Body Language

A Note on Drama Schools

Certificates and diplomas are mostly worthless when it comes to having an acting career. They can help in the first couple of years and a London drama school showcase might get you a shot at a good agent — but I hear a lot of stories of foreign students being cast as receptionists with two lines in those showcases because they're 'ethnic'. Drama schools also tend to be theatre-oriented and create toxic competition. If I were 19 again, I'd move to London, train at acting studios, get private coaching in voice, body, accents, and maybe enroll in a filmmaking university. You get a real diploma, learn to make your own films, and learn how to act in your spare time. Win-win-win. I recently worked with someone who told me that from his graduating class at a top-5 drama school, out of 20 graduates — only 3 are still acting. That says everything.

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