Online Actors Academy holds ongoing classes covering a variety topics and techniques to guide the student on their journey to becoming a working actor.
Topics include but are not limited to:
Camera presence, relationship communication, improvisation, emotional connection, sub text interpretation, eye work, memorization, active listening, resume development, finding an agent, contracts, audition technique, self taping, camera blocking, performance consistency, taxes, content creation, and more.
Classes are held over zoom allowing the student to attend class from anywhere with a solid internet connection.
Filmmaking for Actors: Creating Your Own Content starts June 2nd.
Current Class Schedule:
| Class | Session Start | Days/Times (eastern) | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginners Class (New or new to on camera) | June 16, 2025 | Monday Evenings 7pm ET 4pm PT | 80.00 Per Month |
| Intermediate I Class (some on-camera or stage experience **Self-Taping knowledge required) | Ongoing | Tuesday Evenings 7pm ET 4pm PT | 80.00 Per Month |
| Intermediate II Class (invitation only) | Ongoing | Monday Evenings 5pm ET 2pm PT | 80.00 Per Month |
| Filmmaking for Actors Class (Online Registration Beta) | June 9, 2025 | Monday Evenings 9pm ET 6pm PT | 250.00 (8 classes/session) |
| Filmmaking for Actors 2 | June 9, 2025 | Monday Evenings 11pm ET 8pm PT | 250.00 (8 classes/session) |
| Professional Track Class (invitation only) | Ongoing | Tuesday Evenings 9pm ET 6pm PT | 80.00 Per Month |
Schedule Subject to Change
**Online registration is currently unavailable. Please fill out the form below and registration information will be sent to you.**
| Jim Dougherty (Chief Instructor) is a current member of SAG-AFTRA and a working actor. He also serves as a VIP Working Actor/Moderator for Wendy Alane Wright’s TMFA. Over the last 45 years, Jim has worked on over 100 films and TV shows in capacities ranging from actor to post production. He has also performed in over 300 theatrical productions. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Chicago SAG-AFTRA Local. Jim studied theatre and film at Indiana University and later went on to pursue the craft in Chicago where he worked for Victory Gardens and Body Politic Theatres. While living in Chicago, Jim trained as a stuntman under John Hicks Pearce and became the assistant coordinator for The Chicago Stunt Team. Some recent credits includes roles in Fantasy Football, Paradise Highway, Bluff City Law, Chicago P. D. (NBC), The Gifted (FOX), Doom Patrol (DC Universe), House of Cards, Ozark (Netflix). Jim served as chief instructor at the Southeast Actors Academy and currently serves as chief instructor of Midwest Actors Academy/Indy Actors Academy where he approaches the craft much like the blended martial arts, incorporating a variety of techniques and philosophies creating his own unique approach to the craft and helping the student discover what works most effectively for them to develop their role and serve the story. Jim’s diversified background, both on camera and in production and post production, has contributed to his teaching and the development of his student’s skill and awareness of both production and post production needs. |
Jim’s students have been seen in an array of films and television shows in multiple markets.
Including: Between Waves, Black Lightning, Brockmire, Columbus, Chicago Fire (NBC), Chicago MED (NBC), Chicago PD (NBC), Doom Patrol, Empire (Fox), Friend of the Family (Peacock) The Gifted (FOX), Halt and Catch Fire (AMC), Homecoming, House of Cards (Netflix), How to Survive the End of the World (NatGeo), The Inspectors (CBS), Love Lies Bleeding, MacGyver (CBS), The Mandelorian, Nashville, Old Dogs Never Die, Proxy, Rapture, Sand Castles, The Things We’ve Seen, The Walking Dead (AMC), Remedy of a Killer, Reparation, The Resident (FOX), The Rowboat, Snapped: Killer Couples (Oxygen), Stargirl, Westworld, Z Nation
Holly Anspaugh co-star ‘Chicago Med’
Victoria Posey supporting ‘The Woman with My Face’
Bret Hopkins supporting in ‘Anything BUT Christmas’.
Jessica Wilson Montgomery lead in ‘Jesse’s Gift’
Xavier Jones co-star ‘Chicago P.D.’
CeCe Boler co-star ‘Chicago P.D.‘
Meggie Foster McCann co-star ‘George & Tammy’
Ava Grace Roberts co-star in ‘Doom Patrol’
Jalen Torres co-star in ‘The Resident’
Katy O’Brian recurring in ‘The Mandalorian’
Makario Glenn co-star on ‘MacGuyver’
Butch Copeland co-star in ‘Stargirl’
Jeff K. Lester co-star ‘Brockmire’
Grady Port as Young Ted Kaczynski in ‘Manhunt: Unibomber’
Registration Fee Options (Acting Classes 80.00/mo) – Filmmaking Class 250.00/session (8 classes))
Venmo (no added fee)
https://venmo.com/JimSide8
CashApp (no added fee)
https://cash.app/$JimSide8
PayPal (Acting Class 80.00: 5.00 additional PayPal fee)
(Filmmaking Class 265: 15.00 additional PayPal fee)
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JimDougherty/85.00 (acting classes)
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JimDougherty/265.00 (Filmmaking classes)
“I love the directions he takes us to look at the craft a different way. I took some elements that I learned the first day to an audition and booked the part. It’s affordable, personable, and a great time.”
R.C. THORNE