Rekindle School
Classes
Nils Osmar, Instructor
I started teaching over thirty years ago. In those days, I was working as an artist and illustrator. As the years passed, I became involved in acting, writing and directing movies, and added classes in those subjects …
Nils Osmar
Art Classes
I was the redhead who drove in every week from Tacoma. It was worth it.… You really have something going if you can take someone like me and turn me into an artist, well, a beginning artist anyway! But that’s way ahead of where I was. Thanks again Nils! Read more “”
I liked the opportunity to learn the basics in a non threatening environment.
Nils, Just wanted to let you know that I completed my application to the Game… Animation Certificate program, and as of a week ago received notice of my acceptance. One of my portfolio pieces was a charcoal figure based upon one of the exercises from class – and of course, I’d never touched charcoal before meeting you. Thanks again for all the tips and encouragement! Your classes really helped polish my skills and boost my confidence a great deal. Read more “”
Your teaching style was a pleasure to learn by and I enjoyed your class very… much. Read more “”
Thanks for taking some time before the class to help me figure out which class… I should take. You weren’t just trying to “sell” me a class, you helped me find the one that would be a good next step for me. Read more “”
I took the “Drawing for Absolute Beginners” course and it was wonderful. I feel like… I got a well-rounded introduction to the basics: shapes, shading, perspective, and negative space. The instructor, Nils, explains things well and gives great exercises. My drawing has improved immensely and I feel like I have the skills to keep learning and improving! Read more “”
Acting
I’d like to thank you. After taking your (Beginning Acting and Let’s Make a… Movie) classes last year, I now have had two acting gigs. One in a movie called Sideways Japan… it was a Fox production… and I was in a commercial in Hollywood, that was a Time Warner production. The reel we made (in the Let’s Make a Movie class) was very useful helping me perform in front of camera and the fact (that I was) comfortable in front of camera got me the gigs. Tell everyone to not give up and give it your all if you want to make it. It was a slow start, but now I’m living in L.A. and loving it. Thanks again, your classes are good. Read more “”
Hello Nils, I played Weasel and The Executioner in your movie Liberation… I also took… the Let’s Make a Movie class with you few years ago. I hope you are doing great and finding time to make movies. I just wanted to thank you for having me in your movies and teaching me! I am now a full time actor in LA. Thank you and have a great 2017 full of creative films! Read more “”
I’ve now taken three classes with Nils Omar (Acting 101, 102, and 103), and –… quite frankly – can’t recommend them enough for those with even a passing interest in acting/stage work. Rather than just repeat what others have said about how his classes are great fun etc, here are just a few things that really stood out to me. 1.) Nils is always (and I mean always) calm and soft-spoken when it comes to his students. He has a very reassuring way of communicating with you. There’s never any judgment in his voice, which is so helpful to newcomers. 2.) He’s extremely reliable when it comes to replying to emails outside of class – questions etc. 3.) It’s not just about the class time, either. I showed up to class about an hour early on one day to get some quiet time with a script, and Nils was happy to chat with me about potential career goals etc. before class started. That kind of above/beyond is a rare thing, and doesn’t go unnoticed. Overall, Nils’s classes are an easy recommendation, and a whole lot of fun to boot. Read more “”
I wanted to try out some acting and get out of my comfort zone. I… have done acting classes 101,102 and 103. I feel that i have improved and benefited from these classes and Nils coaching. Lots to learn and fun! Read more “”
I have taken three acting classes now taught by Nils and I have thoroughly enjoyed… every one of them. I don’t have much experience with other acting classes but I went into these with an open mind and left feeling a little more ’emotional’. I ended up being able to express myself more in my acting and in my daily life. Nils’ classes have opened me up, mentally and emotionally, and I would recommend them to anyone who might be interested in acting or just wanting a change of pace in their daily life. Read more “”
I have taken three acting classes with Nils (Acting 101, 102, and 103) and have… had a great experience with them. Nils is a very effective communicator and provides his students with a supportive environment, but challenges them when necessary. There were many concepts about acting I had only read about (ex. objective, intention, etc.), but truly came to understand when Nils put these concepts to use in our acting exercises, helping us flesh out and create three-dimensional characters. Thanks for giving me a big leg-up as an actor, Nils. I definitely want to keep going with as many courses at Classes and Workshops as I can. Read more “”
I took Acting 101, 102, and 103 with Nils. It was an AMAZING experience. It… was such a supportive environment, and as a result I made lasting friendships with others in the class. It was incredible to see how much we all had learned starting from the first week of 101 to the last of 103. We all grew and improved together, and for that I am forever grateful to classandworkshops for providing such a spectacular set of classes and opportunities for growth! Read more “”
I was first attracted to these courses because of the content, location, price, and the… many positive comments I had read about Nils Omar’s teaching. Being a music instructor both privately and at the college level for over 30 years I can confidently say that Nils teaching is first rate! He is patient, well-organized, and thorough in his coverage of the course material. I had read a lot of books on acting prior to enrolling in this course (Larry Moss, Sandy Meisner, Constantin Stanislavski, Stella Adler, etc.) and was amazed by how Nils managed to cover most of the important concepts and techniques found in these books. More importantly, he gave the students lots of practice and ‘hands-on’ experience. The students in the classes were made up of beginners like myself but also had a few students that had some more advanced training. There were a wide variety of ages ranging from around 21 – 59 years of age. All of the students were serious about the class and were very encouraging to each other during the exercises and scene excerpts. This made the whole experience very enjoyable with little or no stress! In short, this class was the most fun I’ve had in years! So far, I have taken Acting 101, 102, 103, and plan on taken more classes with Nils. I highly recommend these classes to anyone interested in getting into acting, meeting others who have a true passion for acting, and want to have a lot of fun in the process! Read more “”
I can’t say enough AWESOME things about Nils Acting classes!!! I’m a new born entertainer,… have no idea what the hell I’m doing, but Nils comes across as very inviting and informative. If you have never acted or acted for awhile, you ALWAYS learn something new in Nils class. Like most, I get anxiety and my nerves would be shot before I performed in front of others, but as time went on, and Nils is naturally encouraging, I learned the more I let go of my insecurities inside, the more fun I had (which is my priority in the first place). Nils has a way of helping you forget about your own personal delays and to focus on your objectives at hand. If you’re thinking of joining classesandworkshops for career motives or just for fun, DO IT!!! You won’t regret it and remember, the more you participate, the MORE FUN you’re going to get out of it and Nils is an EXCELLENT EXAMPLE of pushing you to do so. THANKS AGAIN NILS and EXCITED TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!! Read more “”
…I wanted to say thank you for your help and guidance in the early stages… of my acting career. It has been a great journey that started in your beginning acting class. I am happy to report that I just met a very awesome goal. I will be a day actor in the TV series Grimm this week. It was your coaching that set and codified the foundation that helped get me where I am today. Thank you so much for your help. Read more “”
After just 2 classes with Nils, I auditioned for an independent film against actors with many… years experience and I got the part. Nils teaches confidence and he freely shares his knowledge of the acting. Read more “”
Hey Nils, thanks for the class – had a really good time this quarter. I… really came at the class from the direction of directing. I had successfully directed two plays back in Britain, but I always felt that I was on shaky ground when I tried to give advice to actors that went beyond “okay, say it louder this time.” There’s nothing that makes you feel a fraud quicker than standing up in front of lots of people who look to you for advice and not having any to give. The class definitely helped… I really enjoyed the improv element of the class. It always felt like just one step away from playing a childish game, which I always enjoy. It was also great to have a chance to work on a monologue with you, especially in front of a small, friendly audience. Your advice on the ‘business’ side of acting was also very useful. Read more “”
Writing
I liked the combination of handouts, presentation, discussion, and reading student writing for feedback. The… combination of all of these separate tools helped reinforce concepts and make each two hour session productive and varied. Nils makes the classroom comfortable for people at all levels. Read more “”
What a wonderful experience your writing class is! I was amazed at what I was… able to produce in this short time, and I feel much more confident about what makes an interesting short story. The tone you set for the class was so constructive and instructive that you brought out the best in all of us. Thank you so much for this enriching class! Read more “”
Hi, Nils: You may not remember me, but a few years ago I took my first-ever creative… writing class with you …. The class had such a profound impact on me that I immediately applied to graduate programs to pursue a Master’s Degree in creative writing. I was fortunate to be accepted to a wonderful school in Los Angeles, and recently graduated with distinction. I have also completed my first novel, and many times throughout the writing/editing process, I would sometimes hear your voice in my head saying, “Show, don’t tell,” and, “Watch for excessive modifiers.” I also teach English now, and I’ve realized how meaningful it can be to hear from students who have valued your instruction. To that end, I want to thank you for giving me my first “push” and encouraging me to continue doing what I love. I plan to move back to Seattle in the coming months, and I hope I’ll run into you sometime so I can thank you in person. I hope you’re continuing to teach and to inspire. Read more “”
Thanks again for the short story writing class this quarter. I found your comments on… my stories, and other students’ stories, helpful and to the point. You said what you thought, but without trashing anybody. I also appreciated being able to hear other students’ comments on what I’d written. Read more “”
I liked the format, and the chance to things aloud…. hearing my own stories was… an eye-opener. Just hearing them, I could tell when they were working or where the cuts needed to be. It was also great having a chance to get so much feedback. Read more “”
I spent two years not writing and getting ragged about it. I have to say… that during your class I started writing and I’ve been writing my balls off ever since. It worked for me totally. Read more “”
I took it because I was “stuck” in journaling, and wanted to shake myself loose… and open up my writing abilities and inclinations in some new directions. Your suggestions and comments were great. I’m unstuck. Thank you!!!! I’ll be back in the fall to take the class again. Read more “”
Film
I loved your Screenwriting class. I learned more than I could believe.
I was delighted with the filmmaking and lighting classes I took. Nils is a generous,… Read more “”
I took the Crash Course in Film-making class. It was great! We went through every… Read more “”
Took the class this spring – had a great experience, the perfect introductory course to… Read more “”
I’ve had positive experiences in the acting classes taught by Nils. He is very knowledgeable… Read more “”
Health and Longevity
I liked the combination of handouts, presentation, discussion, and reading student writing for feedback. The… combination of all of these separate tools helped reinforce concepts and make each two hour session productive and varied. Nils makes the classroom comfortable for people at all levels. Read more “”
What a wonderful experience your writing class is! I was amazed at what I was… able to produce in this short time, and I feel much more confident about what makes an interesting short story. The tone you set for the class was so constructive and instructive that you brought out the best in all of us. Thank you so much for this enriching class! Read more “”
Hi, Nils: You may not remember me, but a few years ago I took my first-ever creative… writing class with you …. The class had such a profound impact on me that I immediately applied to graduate programs to pursue a Master’s Degree in creative writing. I was fortunate to be accepted to a wonderful school in Los Angeles, and recently graduated with distinction. I have also completed my first novel, and many times throughout the writing/editing process, I would sometimes hear your voice in my head saying, “Show, don’t tell,” and, “Watch for excessive modifiers.” I also teach English now, and I’ve realized how meaningful it can be to hear from students who have valued your instruction. To that end, I want to thank you for giving me my first “push” and encouraging me to continue doing what I love. I plan to move back to Seattle in the coming months, and I hope I’ll run into you sometime so I can thank you in person. I hope you’re continuing to teach and to inspire. Read more “”
Thanks again for the short story writing class this quarter. I found your comments on… my stories, and other students’ stories, helpful and to the point. You said what you thought, but without trashing anybody. I also appreciated being able to hear other students’ comments on what I’d written. Read more “”
I liked the format, and the chance to things aloud…. hearing my own stories was… an eye-opener. Just hearing them, I could tell when they were working or where the cuts needed to be. It was also great having a chance to get so much feedback. Read more “”
I spent two years not writing and getting ragged about it. I have to say… that during your class I started writing and I’ve been writing my balls off ever since. It worked for me totally. Read more “”
I took it because I was “stuck” in journaling, and wanted to shake myself loose… and open up my writing abilities and inclinations in some new directions. Your suggestions and comments were great. I’m unstuck. Thank you!!!! I’ll be back in the fall to take the class again. Read more “”
Classes I Recommend
Peter Greyy worked hard to make sure that every student had confidence and successful material… to approach graduation show. He taught us how to perform jokes, addressed our anxiety, and asked us to trust the process. Everyone did terrific on stage and it was lots of fun doing the show with my fellow classmates. Read more “”
For anyone who has ever wanted – or not wanted – to be on stage,… (this) class gives you confidence you never knew you had! The instructor is knowledgable, reliable, and just plain huggable. He finds time to give personal feedback, encouragement and attention, and he’s the best cheerleader anyone can have as you craft an act and hone your comedy writing skills. Honestly I’m going to miss our weekly classes and will sign up for another class as soon as I can. Read more “”
It is quite a process to go from having a funny thought or idea and… transforming it into comedy that can be done as standup. Through Peter’s instruction and direct feedback, I was able to figure out how to get laughs from my funny thoughts or ideas. I am not a professional comedian, but now at least I feel like one! Read more “”
I enrolled in this class because I have thoroughly enjoyed all the Rekindle School classes… I have attended. Peter Greyy is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of Stand Up Comedy. Although students may feel nervous to stand up in front of a crowd, Peter instills confidence in his students and the results are so rewarding. I can’t wait for the next opportunity to do Stand Up. It is such a great class!! Read more “”
I cannot say enough great things about this class. Peter is absolutely fantastic. No matter… how many students he has in a given class, he will give every student their fair share of his time. He gives specific and constructive feedback, that helps his students understand the larger concept. He also has such an empathetic and knowledgeable perspective of the world, which helps him predict how bits will be received. Along that same vein, he will make every single student in his class feel special and capable of creating good material and performing a good set. He makes the class non-intimidating, no matter how frightened a student might be. I would 100% recommend this class to anyone who wants to try stand-up. Read more “”
