30 Taiwanese actors attend Hollywood acting workshop to 'reset' skills

Thirty Taiwanese actors and creators have traveled to Los Angeles for an intensive, week-long acting workshop designed to enhance their skills and foster international collaboration. Organized by the Golden Horse Executive Committee in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the "2026 Golden Horse Overseas Workshop: Hollywood Performance and Creation" offers a deep dive into acting techniques under the guidance of esteemed Hollywood coaches.

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I have time

Actors such as Yang Chin-hua, Liu Kuan-ting, Ke Chia-yen, and Sung Yun-hua are among the participants who have set aside their established careers to return to the role of students. The workshop curriculum covers a comprehensive range of acting disciplines, including breathing exercises, vocal techniques, physical expression, and in-depth character analysis. To simulate a professional environment, cameras are used to recreate filming conditions, with participants practicing on classic scripts from films like "The Hours," "Blue Jasmine," and "Steve Jobs."

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Actors are most prone to falling into the trap of 'overexerting.' You think you're focused, but the camera has already magnified all the stiffness.

Many attendees described the experience as an "acting reboot." Liu Kuan-ting found a simple phrase, "I have time," to be a profound lesson in truly inhabiting a character rather than rushing to perform. Shao Yu-wei noted the common trap actors fall into of "overexerting," where perceived focus appears as stiffness on camera. The workshop emphasized the importance of relaxation, a sentiment echoed by Lee Chun, who felt the techniques helped unlock previously blocked performance states.

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These techniques have reopened performance states that were previously blocked.

Yang Chin-hua, who has navigated career lows, found unexpected benefits beyond acting techniques, valuing the coaches' life experiences that provided new direction and strength. Wen Chen-ling likened the course to entering an unknown world, expressing a desire to revisit it before every future performance. The workshop also featured insights from prominent Hollywood mentors, including vocal coach Cara Mayor, who has worked with Cate Blanchett for over two decades, and "The Morning Show" acting coach Nancy Banks, who shared experiences working with stars like Jennifer Aniston. Ke Chia-yen felt inspired by the coaches' passion for filmmaking, leading to a renewed understanding that struggle and confusion can be positive aspects of the creative process.

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In addition to learning acting techniques, the teachers' shared life experiences were equally precious, allowing me to find new direction and strength.