I took private classes with Shaan when I first arrived in LA, and Still wasn't feeling super comfortable with my on camera auditioning. After working with him for over a year, I can safely say I not only have a much stronger grasp of my own way of working, but also have made a great friend and had the pleasure of knowing a wonderful community. First off, the class: Shaan's a working actor in LA, and for me, the proof is always in the pudding. I don't really like a ton of theory or wasting time... I'm working artist too! What was really great about his class was that most of the time was focused on getting up and WORKING. Shaan was wonderful in the way he not only pushed you with challenging material to stretch you as an artist, but also was nurturing and kind to your creativity and progress in the way only someone who also has gone through the same process can. His passion and love for this industry are immediately apparent. As a creative person, who came from some pretty not-so-creatively-encouraging teachers... I can honestly say that working with Shaan saved me artistically. Second: the community and class environment. While I didn't take many group classes, Shaan was passionate about creating a community of like minded artists (actors, writers, production, etc) and incorporating you into this family. We had "family dinner nights", script reading groups, support groups, and time set aside for working on the business side of things, among others. Listen, I believe success grows fertile in clusters, and this class was the first time in my career that I really found a community that was really connected and supportive. Overall, I genuinely recommend Shaan's class... he focuses WORKING and growing by doing, he sets a clear direction and goal for you to become a skilled, working actor, he is kind, passionate about your growth, and supportive in who you are and your dreams. You get to meet a great community of like minded artists from all walks of life. It's a great price! What else do you want? Just try it. :) read more

As an entertainment industry professional with 16 years experience behind the camera as a producer I can tell you with confidence that the Shaan Sharma Acting Studio is the real deal. I quit producing big budget TV shows and went back my life passion for acting a few years ago. Like everyone else I started at square one. I took a few commercial acting classes, did a few hundred days of background acting, joined SAG but I didn't feel I was getting anywhere or knew how or what do to get there until I met Shaan Sharma. At one of SAG/AFTRA'S commercial acting workshops taught by Shaan Sharma I FINALLY heard clear honest advice from a leader in the field. Wow. I signed up for Shaan's 4 week commercial acting workshop and was amazed of how much I didn't know and how much fun I could have learning it. I signed with a commercial agent a few weeks after taking Shaan's class. I continue to work on my acting weekly at the Shaan Sharma Acting Studio with one of his partner/teachers, Charles Carpenter. I am confident I will be book soon and often. I highly recommend auditing any of the classes at the Shaan Sharma Acting Studio so you can get some honest advice, good motivational teaching and a definite path to achieve your acting goals. Thank you Shaan for opening your life to up and coming actor's like me. It's so much easier to believe in my dreams surrounded by a community of like minded actors supporting each other. read more

Do the Los Angeles acting community a favor and check out his class! I found this studio within my first year here in Los Angeles. I thought I won the acting class lottery since I never had to waste a dime on a studio in LA that wasn't the best. I cannot say enough good things about Shaan's studio! I could list a million but I'll just list my top 5 favorite things: 1. You WILL develop as an actor and find your footing in this crazy industry if you are committed and put in the work for his class. 2. There is a beautiful community created through his classes that I have never found in a studio before. It feels more like a family than an acting class. Quality people! 3. He uses his knowledge from being a working actor to demystify the process of succeeding in this business. He takes guess work and luck out of your recipe for success in being a working actor. 4. He gives so much care and attention to all of his students and genuinely wants to see them succeed. 5. Enjoyable!!! Fun fun fun fun fun! It's my favorite part of the week! Anyone that stumbles across this gem should consider themselves smiled on from the heavens. Every dollar and ounce of energy spent at his studio has had an immeasurable return on investment already. I don't think I left enough exclamation points. Here are a few more... !!!!!!!!!! read more

If you seek training that combines honing the art of acting with the practicality of what it takes to make that very art something of value in the marketplace (if that's your goal) then THIS is the place. Shaan's studio is a true family, a place to forge life changing friendships, and the smaller class sizes guarantee work time in every class - enough to shape each performace down the finest detail (on camera, every take is yours to review and keep) making improvement a tangible, visible process. Besides that, every instructor is a booking, working actor in current big budget TV and film projects, going into the room on an almost weekly basis, and that up to the minute experience with casting in L.A. is one of the most invaluable pieces of insight an actor can receive. It also helps to demystify the audition experience, making it an actual enjoyable ritual and routine. If you're willing to commit to the work prep and rehearsal time, you'll master and understand the genres of both comedy and drama, and be ready to get working and make the best art you have. You'll improve at your own pace as well, rather than the typical, albeit artificial, schedules of other classes, and just get the story off the page and into your acting instrument. Bonus - audits are free and welcome to all! Soldier up! read more

I met Shaan 5 years ago at an act now class. At the time I was semi new to acting and didn't realize how full of traps and empty promises this town can be. I had a great four week class with Shaan and after that he did something that has never happened to me since being in LA, he kept up with me. He asked how I was doing was invested in my learning and progress in LA. At first it was shocking, because it is odd for someone in this town to have a genuine interest in your development and progress in this process with out having a direct connection to your wallet. He has even given me great recommendations for when he thinks that what I am looking for and what I need, someone else can do better. Shaan is has a great heart and a great love for creating a community that is equal parts give and take so that even if you do not stay in class you will stay active and, if you want, you can stay connected. I would recommend this class for every actor if even for only one session because its a fresh approach to class, creating more of a living experience that becomes part of your life instead of a place where you practice once a week. read more

Shaan's class is transformative for actors of any levels, because in addition to an unvarnished approach to the technical aspect, students are encouraged to embrace themselves completely to aid in their making art. It's nothing short of a blessing that Shaan makes himself available to new actors, his experience as a working actor and session director in his own right makes him an inspiration for even the most established in the craft. I started working with Shaan in 2016 after a number of disempowering experiences with acting teachers during my time in the industry, with great patience and exciting pieces of copy Shaan allowed me to clear paths to authenticity that had long been overgrown with doubt. Students will be struck by the clarity of what he is teaching and the skills being imparted by his exercises. This school will have you look at yourself completely differently, and empower you to find answers to even the toughest questions the industry has to offer. read more

I met Shaan Sharma at a SAG weekend acting workshop some month ago and have been immediately desiring to attend his class. I have been in audit and what I saw made me impatient to go deeper in the learning and practicing . The short number of students and the really convivial open way for Shaan to be with us and us in return to be honnest in sharing all together creates such a secure environment where all inhibitions flies away .The way Shaan generously directs us, encourages us without negative judgment makes the learning a very positive experience and stimulates to do and give more and more.Being recorded in camera while we work is an important assets for us to evaluate our work .I am very very happy to have join the family , thank you Shaan for your kindness and to share generously your knowledge with us , this makes the experience of acting very pleasant and exciting! read more

The best on camera acting studio ever!!!! If you want up close one on one time, fun, & great training for acting & commercials, this is the place to go! I just finish a 4-week class at Westside on camera acting studio in Santa Monica & it was worth every nite! I literally counted the days & was so so excited for every Tuesday nite to see what Mr Shaan had for us. He is so funny & easy going that it doesn't feel like a class but like big brother giving you life learned experiences that you could learn from & hold on to! But don't get it twisted, he expected your best because he had given you his best! He's accessible & so willing to assist in every way possible! Yes, there are many studios that u can go to, but make the WISE choice and choose this one!. Nothing But Love, Tara read more

I've been taking John Ruby's group class, and my craft has never improved faster or more consistently in my long career. After three years of classes, it's clear he still has a lot to teach me, and he still guides/challenges me to move forward in my career. John is a unique coaching talent. In fact, I've studied with a few of the Storyteller Conservatory coaches, and all of them are excellent actors and teachers. It's true, what other reviews have said about the community they have created, the coaches have created an environment where students collaborate with other students and the coaches. Studying in the Conservatory feels like a holistic deep dive into the career and lifestyle. AND my classmates and I have experienced results! read more

Shaan's Acting Studio is way more than an acting class. Sure, it is a great place to train and hone your acting skills as well as your auditioning technique. But it's way more than that. Shaan believes that everyone can make it as working actors, and truly cares about people. So he helps actors establish realistic goals and a strategy to pursue them, based on his extensive experience and knowledge of the LA market. Joining Shaan's studio also means joining a community of actors that are constantly encouraged to be each other's support system, rehearsal buddies, self-tape colleagues... Definitely a place to be if you want to feel comfortable and prepared for auditions in this crazy town! read more

The rating says it all! Shaan is as good as it gets! He is very professional and has the best advice when it comes to acting. He is very experienced and knowledgeable in this industry and knows exactly what the casting director is looking for. He dedicates time to you personally and makes every effort for you to get what you need out of the class. I have to say that I have taken multiple acting classes with many instructors and out of all of them Shaan is the best hands down. I highly recommend his classes and guarantee you will get a lot out of it! read more

I took Shaan's commercial class a few months ago. Shaan is a wonderful person and an excellent teacher! I feel so much more comfortable in a commercial audition now. He also believes in creating a community for actors and encourages them to stay in touch with each other, which is wonderful. He is very active in SAG-AFTRA community, volunteers his time and shares his expertise, a true actor's advocate. He has written a great book with lots of information for actors which he generously shares with his students. I RECOMMEND HIM HIGHLY!! read more

Shaan has a solid, practical grasp of what it takes to make acting a career and an honest, approachable, intelligent style of teaching that translates to actors of all experience levels. If you are lucky enough to land in one of the studio classes and become a member of this tight-knit community and are willing to put in the work required, you will have saved yourself a lot of time and effort on the path to what it takes to "make it" in LA. read more

Love Shaan and this studio! Been there for a few years now, and I do credit this place for taking my acting to a new level! You get a lot of personal time with him in class as class sizes are small, and you get some awesome quality tapes! Furthermore, he really encourages building a community with other class members, and that's invaluable. I've worked on every genre of TV, and have had the confidence to do so because of this studio. read more

Taking a class with Shaan was one of the best things I've done as an Actor. I always felt like he was able to get the best work out me by his essential training. I always felt challenged and supported in his class. Shaan was able to key in on what each actor needed to do to improve as an Actor. His work ethic was to give 110 percent, always!! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend his teaching to any aspiring or established actor. read more

Shaan really cares about his students and about creating a community of actors actively supporting each other all the time, from rehearsing together for auditions to celebrating every booking. He's actively involved with SAG-AFTRA and most importantly is a well rounded working actor. My acting has improved dramatically since I joined his studio. I feel blessed to have him in my life! read more

This is a great group of people, a fine creative community. I've studied with John Ruby who provides a supportive, insightful acting class experience. He provides critical feedback that is firm, yet palatable. He makes himself available to his students. I've called, texted, emailed him whenever I had a question about acting or the industry. His response is timely and always useful. read more

Working with Shaan has been so incredibly wonderful. He not only helps you with acting technique, but also with the business side. I have learned so much with my many years of working with him. Oh, and he's also an incredibly genuine and loving person. His energy is contagious and anyone would be lucky to have him as a coach. Grab a spot in his class before it fills up again! read more

Sharma's school is remarkable. Their is something going on in these classes, within this group of artists that is hard to define and even harder to capture. Call it a synergy of craft, hard work, relationships, and technical study. I am grateful to be a part of it. Be prepared to have people help you up your acting game from day one of your participation. read more