Howard Fine moved to Los Angeles in 1985 with voice coach David Coury and formalized his studio on Sunset Boulevard by the late 1980s. The school describes itself as an actors gym for serious professionals, and its philosophy leans on authentic use of self over tricks; the required reading pairs Fine's own book with Uta Hagen's A Challenge for the Actor, which tells you the lineage.
The pathway is structured: the six-week Acting Technique course, taught by Fine and Coury twice a week at a published $945, is the gate. Completing it is what earns an invitation to ongoing scene study, which meets four times a month. There are also open-access scene study blocks with no prerequisite, biannual four-day intensives aimed at actors with serious credits, and a $45 script analysis lecture whose fee credits toward the six-week course, a cheap way to sample the teaching.
Fine Online runs Zoom classes worldwide covering script analysis, audition for film and TV, voice, on-camera work, improv, and the business of acting. Kids and teens get their own classes plus summer intensives for ages 8 to 12, 11 to 14, and teens, several of which sold out for summer 2026. The studio also operates a Melbourne branch, and its client list includes Will Smith, Chris Pine, and Gal Gadot by the school's own account.
Techniques taught
- Hagen: Uta Hagen's substitution and object exercises, grounded in truthful behavior.
- Eclectic / multi-technique: Schools that draw on several lineages and fit the tools to the actor, not the reverse.
Class types
- voiceover
Enrollment and schedule
No audition to start; classes open to all levels. Ongoing Scene Study requires completing the 6-week (or 9-week) Acting Technique course and is invitation-based; the 4-day Scene Study Intensive is application/resume-based with guest-star-level credits recommended; Open Access Scene Study has no prerequisite. Schedule: Rolling events calendar (howardfine.com/events/) with dated 2026 sessions; 6-week Technique cohorts starting Jul 28 and Sep 8, 2026 (10am-2pm, 2x/week); ongoing Scene Study 4x/month; many summer 2026 Zoom workshops and youth intensives sold out; office hours Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Duration: 6-week technique course (twice weekly, ~4 hrs); ongoing monthly scene study; 4-day intensives; single-session lectures/workshops.
Audit, trial, or intro class
No audit policy published; low-cost entry points instead, $45 Script Analysis lecture fee is credited toward 6-week Acting Technique tuition if you enroll
Published pricing
| Program | Published price | Source, as of |
|---|---|---|
| Acting Technique: 6-Week course (in-person, LA) | $945 total ($350 deposit to reserve) | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| Script Analysis lecture (online, Zoom, Aug 24 2026) | $45 (creditable toward 6-week Acting Technique tuition) | source 路 2026-07-16 |
Prices are the school's own published rates on the dates shown. We never estimate prices. Always confirm before enrolling.
Instructors
- Howard Fine, Founder / head teacher. Teaches Acting Technique, Scene Study, Script Analysis, Audition for Film & TV; author of Fine on Acting
- David Coury, Voice & speech coach; co-teaches Acting Technique. Fine's longtime colleague since the 1985 move to LA
- Marilyn McIntyre, On-camera acting instructor. Teaches in-studio on-camera classes; also scene study
Practical notes
Scholarships: Military discounts mentioned in FAQ; no formal scholarship program published
Location
Questions actors ask
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How much do classes at Howard Fine Acting Studio cost?
Does Howard Fine Acting Studio offer online classes?
Does Howard Fine Acting Studio teach children or teenagers?
Is admission to Howard Fine Acting Studio by audition?
Who teaches at Howard Fine Acting Studio?
When was this information last verified?
Sources and verification
- Howard Fine Acting Studio homepage, accessed 2026-07-16
- Acting Classes overview, accessed 2026-07-16
- Acting Technique: 6 Week, accessed 2026-07-16
- Scene Study Class, accessed 2026-07-16
- Script Analysis Lecture (Aug 2026), accessed 2026-07-16
- Schedule and Events, accessed 2026-07-16
- FAQ, accessed 2026-07-16
- Acting Studio in Los Angeles (about page), accessed 2026-07-16
- Howard Fine - Wikipedia (founding corroboration), accessed 2026-07-16
Researched 2026-07-16, last verified 2026-07-16. Facts above come only from these sources. Anything we could not confirm is simply not shown. Report incorrect information or claim this listing if you represent the school.
Guides for choosing a school
- Acting for beginners: how to start
- How to choose an acting school in LA
- Types of acting classes, explained
- What acting classes cost in LA
Career resources for LA actors
Practical next-step guides from the LA Actor Guide.
- Actor headshots: the complete LA guide
- How auditions and casting work in LA
- How to find and sign with a talent agent
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