From Truth to Screen – A 16-Week Creative Journey with a Guaranteed Film Role and Global Release
From Truth to Screen – A 16-Week Creative Journey with a Guaranteed Film Role and Global Release
Acting is your passion. It lights up your soul. It makes your heart sing. You feel like you’re meant to be doing it in this lifetime on earth. It’s your path. It’s where you belong. You just wish you could do more of it.
Our mission is to nurture, midwife, and champion the creativity of actors, artists, and visionary souls—whether you're just starting out or returning to your craft.
We believe creativity is sacred. It’s not just about art—it’s about transformation. When you act, write, move, or speak from your deepest truth, you don’t just express yourself—you shift consciousness.
The Star Is You is more than a course. It’s part of a cultural shift—one that directly challenges the power structures in the film and creative industries, where big studios and gatekeepers still decide who gets seen and whose stories get told.
We’re here to give power back to independent film. To centre soulful storytelling. To help new voices create work that carries meaning—stories that reflect the world we live in, offer social commentary, and call forward a more just, connected future.
This is a space to grow your voice, shape narratives that matter, and contribute to a creative wave that uplifts the planet—one truth-telling, heart-opening project at a time.
You don’t need permission to begin. You need a place to say yes.
We are that place.
Are you a young actor who loves to perform—but feels torn?
You come alive when you act. You love to imagine, to daydream, to tell stories and slip into characters. But maybe you’re also being told to focus on something more ‘sensible’. Something stable. A career path with a pension. You might be wondering how you can pursue your passion without giving up everything else—especially while you’re still in school.
Imagine an online setting where your creativity isn’t dismissed—it’s honoured. Where acting isn’t just a fantasy—it’s a skill you can develop whilst still carrying on with school.
Are you an actor who's struggling to book jobs?
You feel like your hands are tied. You can’t audition for the good roles because you don’t have an agent and you’re not in Spotlight. But you can’t get either of these till you’ve featured in a film.
Imagine landing a role in a film without needing an agent.
Are you an actor finding it tough to make industry connections?
You’re not the best at networking and don’t have time to attend lots of different events, chasing industry connections.
Imagine getting the opportunity to work with an established international acting professional.
Are you disappointed your acting training hasn't paid off?
You hoped you’d progress through the levels gaining a robust foundation of skills and honing your craft. You assumed you’d be that much closer to getting an agent and booking jobs. But the longer you attend the classes, the more despondent you get. What's the point in paying all this money if you're not improving your skills?
Imagine an acting workshop with an innovative and holistic approach that creates real breakthroughs in your skills.
Are you worried about running out of time and money in pursuit of your acting dream?
Your inner catastrophiser pipes up often, insisting that no job now means no job ever. It warns you you'll end up unhappy and penniless, having wasted your life chasing acting. Lying in bed, anxiety grips you—trusting your desire to act feels like a BIG mistake. Your gut cramps, your throat tightens, and the fear is all too real.
Imagine a real acting opportunity where you finally feel as if you're taking a solid step towards your dream.
Are you an actor with no idea how to get global exposure?
You’ve been lucky enough to get work within your national TV industry but you want more. You want to go further. You’ve love to get work on a US Netflix series. Yet you feel invisible to international casting agents, directors and producers.
Imagine getting IMDB credits so that you show up when any international casting director, producer, or director does a Google search on you
Are you an actor who is losing motivation and your mental health is suffering?
You feel alone, comparing yourself to confident, successful peers. You hide your despair, dreading the question, “Have you thought about getting a proper job?” Your inner critic calls you a fraud, insisting you’re not booking work because you’re not good enough. When you feel shit, you comfort eat, binge Netflix, and stop looking for jobs. Deep down, you fear that giving up on acting means giving up on joy—and maybe even life itself.
Imagine being welcomed into a supportive training environment where actors are valued and nurtured. Where the group is sensitively facilitated to work as a team and where the process of how we get to the outcome is as important as the outcome.
Or maybe you're facing rejection after rejection and wondering how to keep going.
What If This Is the Acting Breakthrough You’ve Been Waiting For?
The Star Is You Academy is an international acting program designed to revolutionise traditional acting training and guarantee professional acting credits for participants.
Led by Michele Lastella, a filmmaker and former instructor at the New York Film Academy, the program combines rigorous acting training with a direct path to industry recognition.
The last cohort were engaged in every step of the creative and acting process for the thriller film, Spy And Rule. It is now in post-production status.
What type of film would you like to co-create with us and star in next?
What’s Included in the Program?
A New Approach to Acting Training – Combining the best elements of classical acting methods (Lee Strasberg, Stanislavski, Stella Adler, and Meisner) with ancient meditation techniques to enhance emotional depth, presence, and self-empowerment.
A Focus on Actor Wellbeing - The acting industry can be tough, but TSIY offers a supportive space where actors feel valued. Led by a therapeutically trained facilitator, the program prioritises mental and emotional well-being alongside professional growth.
Guaranteed On-Screen Role – Every participant is cast in a professional film or an online TV series, ensuring real-world experience.
Guaranteed Release – Unlike standard acting programs, where filmed work may never see the light of day, TSIY ensures that all projects reach an audience. This is due to agreements Michele Lastella has made with Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube Official Movies Channel, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Plex, and Xumo amongst others.
A Direct Path to IMDB Credits – The program is structured to provide actors with legitimate industry credits, enhancing their professional visibility.
On-Camera Training and Professional Filming – Students not only train in acting but also gain hands-on experience in a professional filming environment.
Career Acceleration and Industry Access – The program offers direct exposure to international markets, removing the traditional gatekeeping barriers actors face.
The Star Is You Acting & Film Workshop - Propelling Your Creative Voice Onto The World Stage
£299/€299 for a 16 wk programme
SIGN UP HERE
Duration: 16 weeks
Format: Weekly online training and rehearsals (2-hour sessions)
Course Start Date: July 7th 2025
Course Location: Online with two cohorts per week. One is for Lisbon participants and one is for London participants.
Cost: £299/€299 (equivalent to just over £11 per hour). Payment link is provided after signing up.
Guaranteed Role: Every participant will be cast in a professional film
Guaranteed Release: The final project will be publicly released onto streaming channels such as Amazon.
How the Filming Works
Final Two Weeks: The last two weeks of the 16-week training are dedicated to filming the project.
Group Size Dependent:
If the group has more than 20 members, the film will be shot on location. If the group is under 20 members, the film will be created in a hybrid format (specifics TBC).
Format: Weekly online training and rehearsals (2-hour sessions)
Course Start Date: July 7th 2025
Course Location: Online with two cohorts per week. One is for Lisbon participants and one is for London participants.
Cost: £299/€299 (equivalent to just over £11 per hour). Payment link is provided after signing up.
Guaranteed Role: Every participant will be cast in a professional film
Guaranteed Release: The final project will be publicly released onto streaming channels such as Amazon.
How the Filming Works
Final Two Weeks: The last two weeks of the 16-week training are dedicated to filming the project.
Group Size Dependent:
If the group has more than 20 members, the film will be shot on location. If the group is under 20 members, the film will be created in a hybrid format (specifics TBC).
Workshop Details
SIGN UP HERE
THIS IS FOR YOU IF YOU'RE....
1. A Young Actor
Acting is in your bones—but you’re not sure how to start. Maybe it’s still a secret dream. Maybe you’ve been told it’s unrealistic.
Maybe you’ve started to believe you’re not good enough or bold enough or lucky enough. But something inside you still wants to try.
This experience is a gentle, joyful, grounded way to begin. You’ll learn from mentors who understand what it means to struggle with self-doubt—and how to overcome it.
You’ll explore your voice, your worth, and your creative power in a safe space—while collaborating with others who get it.
You don’t need an agent, a headshot, or permission.
You just need a yes.
2. An Actor in Training
You're committed to your acting journey but feel stuck in your training. You know what you need to improve, but something is holding you back. The slow progress and industry barriers—like the struggle to land an agent—feel frustrating.
You're willing to learn and be taught. You're open to self-reflection and constructive feedback.
You take a professional approach, recognising the importance of punctuality and commitment.
You're a team player, eager to grow alongside others.
3. A Working Actor
You're a dedicated actor continually refining your craft. You see every role as more than just a performance—it’s an opportunity for deeper self-discovery and connection.
Acting is your vehicle for personal growth, and through your work, you help audiences do the same. You're eager to explore a new acting method that could unlock emotional depths you have yet to reach.
You relish collaborating with industry professionals and value learning from their experience.
You want to build your IMDB credits, knowing that each one strengthens your professional profile.
You recognise a valuable opportunity when you see one and are ready to seize it for greater international recognition.
You appreciate fresh input from respected actors worldwide, embracing new perspectives.
You thrive in a professional yet supportive environment that prioritises the well-being of the actor.
4. An Aspiring Actor (No Prior Training or Experience Needed)
Maybe you’ve always dreamed of acting but have doubted yourself, convinced that breaking into the industry is impossible. Yet, despite that inner critic, the thought of acting still excites you.
We welcome you—no experience required. All we ask for is:
A willingness to learn.
A team spirit.
A professional attitude.
5. A Non-Actor Seeking Personal Growth.
You constantly strive for self-development. You see personal growth as part of your calling and a way to positively impact the world. You’ve explored various self-improvement paths—therapy, group work, new hobbies—but something about acting intrigues you.
You're drawn to acting as a way to break free from self-imposed limitations.
You want to show up for yourself more fully and move past fear and into boldness.
You want to gain confidence and emotional depth.
You yearn to express yourself with clarity and authenticity.
Welcome.
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"Testimonial goes here with two full lines."
"Vulputate odio ut enim blandit volutpat maecenas volutpat blandit. Vulputate sapien nec sagittis aliquam malesuada. Pellentesque diam volutpat commodo sed. Elementum pulvinar etiam non quam lacus. Justo nec ultrices dui sapien. Pulvinar sapien et ligula ullamcorper malesuada proin libero nunc consequat. At ultrices mi tempus imperdiet nulla."
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Hello
Meet The Team
Alexandra Stevens is a dedicated acting coach and Gestalt psychotherapist with a unique approach that integrates therapeutic techniques to enhance actors' emotional authenticity and overall well-being. Her journey into the world of acting began with her own training, where she discovered not only the joy of performance but also the profound emotional and psychological challenges that come with the craft. Recognizing the power of therapy in deepening an actor’s connection to their emotions, Alexandra combines her expertise in Gestalt and EMDR therapy with her acting coaching to help performers unlock their full creative potential.
Respected within the industry, Alexandra was recently selected as a Stage 32 Acting Lounge Moderator, a role that recognizes her unique ability to bridge the worlds of acting and psychology. She was chosen for this position due to her journey of reinvention, resilience, and deep emotional exploration, as well as her expertise in Gestalt and EMDR therapy. Her work helps actors connect with their emotions, instincts, and embodiment to enhance their performances in a deeply transformative way. Through The Star Is You Academy, she delivers the training designed by Michele Lastella, equipping actors with the skills they need to excel on-screen while fostering their well-being both on and off set.
Take the Stage—Let’s Talk
Michele Lastella brings an unparalleled depth of experience in acting, directing, and film production to The Star Is You Academy. With a background as a director, producer, and educator, Michele has designed and developed the exclusive training method that Alexandra will deliver to actors within the program. His expertise in both theater and cinema, honed at the prestigious National Academy of Dramatic Art in Italy and through his leadership role at the New York Film Academy, ensures that participants receive a rigorous, internationally recognized approach to performance. His method not only equips actors with the skills they need to thrive on screen but also guarantees their participation in a professionally produced film—an opportunity that sets TSIY apart from traditional acting training.
Beyond training, Michele is the driving force behind the production aspect of The Star Is You Academy. As a filmmaker and the founder of Sustainable Media Corp., he will personally oversee the shooting of the final film, ensuring that participants work within a professional, high-caliber environment. His extensive industry connections enable him to secure international distribution for TSIY productions, guaranteeing that every actor’s work reaches global audiences on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Roku. With Michele at the helm of production and distribution, TSIY is not just an acting program—it is a direct gateway for actors to gain IMDb credits, real industry experience, and international visibility.
Unlock Your Emotional Depth:
Free 5-Day Acting Workbook
Do you want to take your acting to the next level by connecting deeply with your emotions and delivering authentic performances? The Vulnerability Challenge Workbook is your step-by-step guide to embracing emotional truth and letting it shine through in your craft.
Over 5 days, you’ll explore your fears, connect with your inner self, and learn practical techniques to bring vulnerability into every role you play. Packed with reflections, experiments, and tools inspired by Gestalt therapy, this workbook will help you:
Whether you’re an experienced actor or just beginning your journey, this free workbook will transform the way you approach your art.
Over 5 days, you’ll explore your fears, connect with your inner self, and learn practical techniques to bring vulnerability into every role you play. Packed with reflections, experiments, and tools inspired by Gestalt therapy, this workbook will help you:
- Understand your fear of vulnerability and how it affects your craft
- Break through emotional blocks to access your full range of expression
- Embody vulnerability on stage and screen with authenticity
- Build confidence in revealing your true self in your performances
Whether you’re an experienced actor or just beginning your journey, this free workbook will transform the way you approach your art.
Download the free workbook now and start unlocking your emotional depth today!
FREE GUIDE
