I am a working actress in Los Angeles and I have tried a lot of acting coaches, classes, workshops and studios. I have a lot of fancy, well known acting coaches listed on my resume. But the guy that has made me a better actress and, more importantly, gets me BOOKED is Billy Cowart. He is the coach that I trust because I SEE the results from working with him! So thankful that I have found this gem. Right now I coach with Billy privately for TV and film auditions but I used to go to his class and highly recommend. He is especially good at getting you past "over acting" and prepping for on-camera, close-ups. read more

Stanislavsky, Uta Hagen, and all the go to "technique" style for acting...are OLD. They are great for the 1940's and before, stage acting. But today, the acting, through the camera, is in your face and NOT 20 feet or more, away from a stage. Plus, all those "collage degree in theater arts" acting, makes acting, um...hard. Who wants that? That's not fun. Check out my coach, Billy Cowart. He'll learn ya'. Plus, being so long in the business, he has a marketing class that just explains "what to do" do be an actor and getting parts in TV and Movies. Give it go, it'll change your confidence and the way you deal in a business that is designed to keep you out. read more

Billy is the the angel on your shoulder you've been looking for. His Marketing Intensive gave me answers I had been seeking for YEARS. All those little tidbits of information and wisdom you pick up from on-set experience, but never sure if you're quite right or utterly wrong? Billy serves up ALL of that knowledge and more, and when it comes from his mouth you know it's right. His private coaching is also extremely helpful, he identifies what kind of learner you are and works with that instead of forcing one style on everyone. He basically ties your shoelaces, so you finally stop tripping over yourself and get in the race! Can't recommend him enough. read more

Honestly, I look at WCI as one of the most impactful personal and professional investments I've made in my life. After completing a degree in Theatre I walked into my first WCI class thinking that I had my acting chops all together. After my first scene, which was recorded, Billy had the class go back and review my "skills". He was able to immediately see minute details in my facial expressions and vocal intonation (aka bad acting), helped me to tweak them and I was able to see an immediate difference. My over-acting was hard to watch and observe in front of the class, but it was immediately transformative since I could see my issues and be guided by Billy's professional teaching. Many classes/acting studios promise to make you a better actor...eventually. WCI was the first and only one that I've ever been to that made me a markedly better actor in my first class! Not only did I improve my abilities as an actor on screen, I also was able to make huge strides in the "before cameras start rolling" phase with marketing and auditioning...and let's be honest, bad marketing (headshots, resume, website, etc) means no audition, and bad auditioning means no getting the part. There is an art and science to the entire process. This is where WCI really stands apart from the rest. Billy understands so many aspects of the business side of Show Business that it's no wonder his students have had such success. Even in my sales/marketing/branding day job I use many of the tools, tactics and best practices Billy taught in WCI's highly-applicable marketing intensives. I'm a better actor and business professional thanks to all WCI has to offer. Thanks, Billy, for your impact. The quality of your teaching as well as the practicality of the entire WCI focus is second to none. If Yelp would allow, I'd give it more than 5 stars. WCI Studios is as useful in life as it is in front of the camera! read more

Billy is awesome! Funny and filled with incredible knowledge. His direction and training allowed me to nail my very first audition.

I found Billy's class through the referral of a friend who has been a student of his for years. After taking a couple years hiatus from the acting world I was a little hesitant-wondering what specific flavor of dysfunction to expect from this class/teacher (a little jaded much lol?) Instead, it was family vibes from day one. Billy gives adjustments in a straight-forward way that clicks for me & I instantly know what he means and I am able to apply his directions right away in the next take and witness an instant difference. He has pointed out and helped me notice unique things about myself, my mannerisms & my look that other instructors never told me before. He has been a fresh set of eyes and an encouragement. His approach is down-to-earth, simple and effective. I look forward to continuing to learn w/ him! read more

My son has been working with Billy for many years now and he gets amazing feedback when on sets about his very grounded, real performances - this is down to the work Billy has done with him from his early teens - when we first met Billy he told my son that he would not teach him to act but rather teach him not to act, at the time we did not understand fully but since then we have seen how my son has developed such depth and realism under Billy's guidance & how he delivers such real & intense performances. Working with Billy has and continues to be instrumental to my son's developing acting career. read more

LIFE CHANGING!! I have taken classes in Chicago, San Diego and LA! Billy Cowert is the antithesis of some coaches! No ego! No yelling or anger! No narcissism! No made up whimsical phrases! No name dropping about who he studied under! Just great direction! He gives 1 tweek and gets a great performance out of you. He is funny and so down to earth. He is really brilliant and uses the psychology of the brain! Proven scientific stuff! No traumatic reliving of your hamster's death in 99" ....just great acting! This guy is the SHIZniz!!!! So relatable! I felt safe and unjudged in my first class. I want him in my pocket for all my auditions!! Can you tell I like this guy!! (Such an overuse of exclamation points!) read more

one word. AMAZING. I can't even sum up into words the gratitude I have for Billy helping me grow not only as an actress, but as a person as well. Every question I've ever had with anything acting related has had an answer by the man himself. He knows it all, folks! Your career will only move forward in this industry with the aid of Mr. Cowart! If you're serious about your craft- give WCI Studios a try! read more

WCI Studios - intense frozen readings! - Performing Arts Near Me - Van Nuys, California

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Billy is AMAZING!!! My 10 year old daughter and my 12 year old son take private lessons with him weekly. Billy is bright, funny, talented and really understands how to relate to each child. My children look forward to their class with Billy. They have improved so much in their acting skills. His techniques and style are so unique and fun. He is eloquent and has the ability to clarify how to perfect the skills they need to be great actors. These skills can also be used in their everyday lives! I would highly recommend WCI Studios for any actor!!! read more

Simply the best, hands down. Billy knows how to get you good, fast. He will bring things out of you that you never even thought existed, and in such a simple and no BS way. He's one of the most friendly, funny and smart people I know, and is a working actor himself. His class is intimate and personal enough so that you work a lot. Classes are on-camera so you can review your takes. Billy prepares you for auditions, life, and so much more. I can't say enough great things about him and his class. Just check it out for yourself... he is LA's hidden gem! read more

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Love this place. It's a warm, comfortable environment to focus on the most important elements of acting. This class cuts to the core of the craft and Billy doesn't let anyone leave class without having an experience while working. It's amazing how much Billy can pull out of the actor in as few as three takes. Encouraging, inspiring, informative! read more

Billy cuts through the crap and challenges each student he works with consistently. He is intuitive and not only teaches a student to perfect their craft, but educates an actor on the industry as a whole. Well worth the investment! read more

Billy is not only fun to work with and learn from, but he WILL make you a much better actor. I can't recommend him highly enough.

First off, let me qualify by saying I come from the world of production and screenwriting and have a B.S. in film, and yet It's hard to really encapsulate how great of a coach and friend Billy has been to me for the six years I studied with him. All I can say is that even though I studied or audited other big name acting coaches along the way, it all goes back to his teachings and the personal attention and care he gives to each of his students. It's never about him, the way some other coaches can get wrapped up in putting on a show, closed-minded directing instead of coaching, or prying into your personal business by putting you on the spot. Instead, he just invites you to deal with your emotions at the very least, all in the sake of getting you to be good quickly. His approach is so simple and routed in psychology, that it becomes quite therapeutic, so you know it's right. I can't imagine having studied with anyone else for my first acting class, because a solid foundation on which an Actor's skills are built is so crucial for longevity in film and tv. This class is that foundation, and I would pit Billy next to the best on-set acting coaches in Hollywood, just based off of the strength of his students' work alone. And for me personally, part of that proof and what is rewarding is in the positive responses I get from casting each time. I'm like a breath of fresh air to them; Creative. Also, I love that I get to get up and work every class and that it is on-camera audition style. Not to mention, I can bring in whatever I'm currently working on and put it on tape, since so many more auditions these days are asking for self-tape. Also, did I mention the small class sizes and how supportive his fellow students are!? Did I mention how great he is with kids?! Awesome. Though what I found to be personally beneficial was not only that strong creative foundation, but a feeling of independence from requiring constant coaching and hand-holding that so many actors fall into. Instead, he left me with an effective and supportive way to communicate and coach myself when he can't be there on set or in auditions where it's truly critical. Billy is brilliant, a master in psychology, and a funny and uplifting guy to be around, and anyone would be lucky to have taken his class. Truly magnificent!! - B read more

I've studied with Billy for over 10 years. The fact that I'm still there is a testament to how much of an impact it has had on my acting career. When I first started class he would push me and I would push back because I wasn't sure he knew what he was talking about. That lasted until the end of class and I saw myself on camera. Then I knew he knew what he was talking about. I've heard of other classes where it is a toxic environment and the instructor seems more bent on tearing you down than on improving your acting. Billy's not like that. I regularly recommend him to fellow actors who want a good experience and a way to improve their acting. read more

If u want to know how to become an actor take Billy's marketing class and save yourself time and the headache of sifting thru all the bad info that is out there. He took me from stage actor to film actor. Check out my website to see that I know what I am talking about. www.theresalayne.com read more

This is by far the best acting studio out there. He is practical and gets you to where you need to be quickly. He's extremely knowledgeable about the industry and does one of the few actor focused marketing seminars around. I've been with him for years and have never looked back. He's amazing and a genuinely caring guy. Genuine, not there's a word that you don't her in this industry much. If you are serious about being a working actor he's your guy. read more

My daughter has been working with Billy since she was 11 years old. With his help she booked her first feature film role and has gained confidence and a strong foundation for every role she tackles. He has always had her best interests in heart and has been a wonderful consultant in all things acting. I can't say enough good about him! read more

I was skeptical of acting classes at first but little did i know, it would be almost like a life class...Billy relates acting to the psychology of our right hemisphere, and how our subconscious brain goes to work everyday...that a certain script is bound to bring out certain emotions if you trust it enough. He gives you a bigger perspective in life so you are not freaking out outside the audition room... He gives you simple tools and there is no 'method' to it. I got called in for a network tv series after attending just one workshop because of billy's teaching..also, i apply his teachings to my life outside of acting as well. read more

It's hard to put into words how amazing Billy Cowert is. In just my first class, I learned a massive amount of information that helped me so much I couldn't believe it. He takes his time with you and wants to see you succeed. I went to his class as a beginning actor and I knew barely anything and within a couple classes only I felt like I had improved drastically! If you are looking for an absolutely outstanding acting teacher, I would highly recommend Billy. read more

Billy Cowart is an amazing coach! He has given my kids such a strong acting foundation. He truly understands the craft and what is necessary to become a consistently solid actor. And, importantly, he really cares! read more

Cannot recommend Billy enough. After just one class I told him it made me mad because it was the complete opposite of just about everything I'd learned anywhere else. At the end of the evening I read a really emotional scene and the tears just fell out of my eyes. Billy will change the way you approach acting with his wonderfully simple perspective. read more