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.

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.

Les is someone who is recommend by everyone, and someone I would recommend to anyone.  His unique approch breaks down the auditioning process, imparting you with the essential tools in order to make every self tape, and time in the casting room your own.  With extensive knowledge of both the Australian and American industry, you know you are in the working with someone who’s got a secret to share, and trust me…you want to know!

I met Les a year and a half ago 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.

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.

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

If there is one person in Sydney I’d recommend for audition technique and screen acting it’s Les Chantery. He has helped countless actors find a new sense of joy and freedom in the audition room. I’ve worked with Les many times in preparation for an audition and each time he is able lift the work to a whole new level. With his extensive knowledge of screen acting and his thorough attention to detail, he is always able to bring out the best in you. Work with this man.

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.

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.

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.

Les is a wonderful mentor that nurtures your individual essence and whose own passion and curiosity for acting is refreshing and energising. He is great when you need your self belief reignited, ahead of the game when you need advice and techniques, and creates an open and professional environment to practice and be challenged in. Each week you are involved in his first hand insights into the successes of working actors and perspectives of industry professionals, breaking them down into a few simple mantras you can apply to yourself. Les is a deeply caring man who finds time with each student to guide them towards their goals and takes delight in any personal or professional successes they have. He is the actor's go to guy. So, go to him!

There's a reason why Les gets so many actors and actresses booking classes and private sessions with him. There's a reason why so many call him for last minute audition help, scene help on an actual set of a job and to be honest, general life advice. He gets what it means to be an actor on every level, and has so much experience he seems like a 100 year old mind in a young body. I, and now many others, refer to him as the Yoda of acting' . And every second you put in with this man, you get a lifetime of unrivalled teaching. My journey was never really in motion without Les. I was told quite quickly as a beginner that if I wanted to compete in the industry I needed to contact Les. And the moment I did, my world changed. Job opportunities became more than pipe dreams and in one year I had a full-time contract on Home and Away. He is clear and concise with his teaching method. He works in the style appropriate to each person's unique manner and personality and most of all he understands acting on a level no one else does. It isn’t just me who's reaped the benefits. In one of his audition intensive classes, three people all joined Home and away in a matter of about 6 months. I've worked with Les for years, and the more I work with him the more I learn beyond my wildest imagination. Working in this industry now, I have also begun to realise how many people Les has helped and influenced. They all have stories and speak of their success from him. Whenever I have a friend or a co-worker who is seeking training and coaching to advance or purify their technique I recommend Les. And the results are staggering. This man is my life coach, acting coach and most of all my friend. And I know when I need to go to that next step, whatever and whenever that is, he's one phone call away.

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.

Three 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!