Movement Workshop For Actors: The Architecture of Presence

Format: Weekly Workshop, 6 weeks, 2 hrs / week Dates: Nov. 3, 10, 24; Dec.1, 8, 15 at 19:00-21:00

Description:

Integrating the principles of classical Chinese dance Shēnyùn (身韵), contemporary dance, and Asian ethnic dance traditions (e.g., Korean dance), Xueni’s method deconstructs dancer-level movement logic into an accessible physical architecture for actors—using breath initiation, weight and spinal shifts, counterforce, and gaze architecture to build body awareness and refined movement control. It transforms psychological states into somatic presence on camera and on stage, building the physical conditions in which character and emotion can naturally emerge.

The Training Focus

• Body Awareness: Understand body movement through a dancer’s perspective, increasing body awareness and the conscious use of weight, gravity, and the spine.

• Movement Flexibility: Adjust the scale of movement while maintaining momentum and energy for the given context (stage or camera).

• Breath Work: Explore breath-initiated movement as the foundation of presence and movement, including gaze; use deliberate breathing patterns to shift your physical state and command the space.

• Use of Gaze: Dissect how gaze is created from a physical perspective, and explore how to create “thought” for the camera by adjusting physical components. Explore asynchronization between the eyes, head, and torso.

• Active Stillness and Embody conflict: Learn how to carry the “empty moment” and keep a scene active when “nothing happens” through physical work. Move beyond “feeling” an emotion to physically manifesting it through dynamic tension and structural resistance.

• Instructor Bio - Xueni Yang

  Xueni Yang is a director, movement director, and performer working at the intersection of cinema and physical performance. Holds an MFA in Film Directing from FAMU in Prague and a BA from Sarah Lawrence College in New York, she bridges dancer-level movement mechanics into screen acting and visual storytelling. Her practice is rooted in Classical Chinese Dance and Asian ethnic traditions, enriched by Shen Wei Dance Arts (NYC) and European contemporary dance ecosystems.

  As a director, her film ”Fir“ earned a Czech Lion nomination and festival accolades worldwide. As an actor and movement director, her screen credits include major productions such as Blade Runner 2099 and Resident Evil (creature performance), alongside international commercial campaigns. In 2025, she received the NIPAI Assistantship Scholarship for her movement direction.

Workshop Structure (Weekly Breakdown)

• Week 1: Breath & Spine Dynamics

  Shēnyùn breath work, breath-gaze integration, spatial walks, focusing on

  precisions and breath initiation.

• Week 2: Weight, Gravity & Character States

  Weight distribution, spine shape and movement, and exploring character

  states through physical respiratory patterns (The 8 Breaths).

• Week 3: Body Isolation, Counterforce & Active Stillness

  Body isolation, counterforce, and building individual active stillness.

• Week 4: Gaze Architecture & Spatial Connection

  Gaze synchronization/asynchronicity, spatial listening, and interpersonal

  connection.

• Week 5: Character Scoring & The Mask vs. The Leak

  Applying pre-movement (Chén), micro-actions, and navigating the conflict

  between social facade (The Mask) and autonomic truth (The Leak).

• Week 6: Camera Integration & Final Scene Work

  On-camera scene work with dialogue, integrating physical mechanics into audition and screen execution.

  Price

  Standard Price: 4,800 CZK
  Early Bird: 3,450 CZK (Available until Oct.1st)
  Student Rate: 2,400 CZK (Please email your valid Student ID to register)