Testimonials
Some of our studio and coaching clients
I’ve come to realize that Jock’s class is not just a place to practice but a space where I can learn how to be the best storyteller I can be. A place that I know I can come to every week and discover new things about myself, and in the process, discover who I am as a storyteller and what stories I need to share as an actor.
Jenna Scott
Jock’s scene study class is a great place for actors to learn, explore and discover. It is a true studio with a wonderful community of diverse actors and artists dedicated to story telling.
I’d been to at least six or seven different acting schools – some of them hailed as the best in Los Angeles – before coming to Carter Thor. And the reason I left those schools was because none of them were in the business of capitalizing on individuality, of exploring what made their students unique as human beings, as artists, and bringing that to the fore. Those schools were factories, and their business was tearing actors down and building them back up in some predetermined mold that they believed - falsely – guaranteed success in this industry. I can’t define the methodology used at Carter Thor – it seems to be half technique, half intuition – but I can tell you that Carter Thor Studio has no interest in helping you become the next Tom Hanks or Julia Roberts. Their only interest is in helping you become the next YOU, in helping you develop, hone and trust in your ability to walk onto a set and bring something to the table that’s honest, inspired and unforgettable.
Wentworh Miller
Come to the edge, He said.
They said, We are affraid.
Come to the edge, He said.
They came.
He pushed them…and they flew.
-Guillaume Apollinaire
The same can be said for Jock’s coaching.
Dawn M. Cox
Every week Jock kicks my ass. He keeps me from getting lazy.
Emily Hurson
Jock creates a safe environment for the actor to work in, to explore all of what is the human experience, from the most beautiful and touching moments to the ugly and dangerously deadly ones.
Loic David
What’s great about studying at Carter Thor is that I’m working with actors in various stages of their acting career and through watching others work I’m constantly reminded of where I’ve been and inspired to where I would like to go. I love going to class each week and working with people (teachers and peers) who challenge each other and respect the work. I’m lucky to have found this studio, Carter Thor, in my opinion is a hidden gem among the many cubic zirconia type acting studios in the city of Toronto.
Supinder Wraich
Jock MacDonald doesn’t focus on how best to land a gig, how to find your best camera angle, or how to rely on a specific acting system. Rather, Jock focuses on the individual journeys of his students as they seek to become *extraordinary* actors. Using both explicit and implicit methods, Jock works with the inherent uniqueness of each actor to bring that very same uniqueness to the forefront of each and every performance. He encourages us to aim high – to attain an intuitive mastery of the art of acting that makes the actor’s performance absolutely compelling to watch.
After working with Carter Thor Studio on my audition for The Sweetest Thing, the audition became the sweetest thing. They gave me the confidence to go have a good time and not go for the result.
Christina Applegate
I have been studying with Carter Thor Studios for over five years now and I am amazed that each class I am still learning and growing as an artist. Since Ive been studying with Jock my work as an actor has been, simply put, transformed! This work pushes me to be more truthful, more human, more Craig. Its the simplest approach and sometimes the scariest. My auditions, my time on the set, or on the stage is now one big adventure, where I havent planned out every single moment. This studio teaches us to be warriors, compassionate warriors. I thank Jock and Carter Thor Studios for showing me that the most important person in the scene is your partner!
Craig Thomas
There are lots of schools out there that will teach you technique but won’t actually allow you to experience the amazing journey of storytelling. For years I’ve longed for a place where I could practice every week side by side with other challenging artists. I believe I’ve found that place. Jock is an amazing coach, he knows what you need to work on and he’ll make sure you’ll reach far beyond your expectations. He’ll guide you through a relentless pursuit for learning and you’ll be surprised by the things you’ll discover about yourself. I’m glad to have him as my guide on this journey!
Isabel Farias
My favorite thing about the studio is the simplicity of the work. We learn that we already have everything we need and it is simply our courage and imagination (or lack of) that dictates our success. Because the nature of our journey is intensely personal, I continue to learn just as much after 2 years as I did after 2 months. The weekly work is irreplaceable and has helped me grow not only as an actor, but as a person in relationship with all of humanity. It seems heavy but Jock creates an atmosphere in which you can’t help but aspire to greatness.
James Crosby
The most important thing that distinguishes Jock from other instructors is his approach to his working relationship with the students; it based on professionalism, productivity and mutual respect. Despite his extensive experience and immense amount of knowledge, he never treats the class members as “trainees”. Rather, he encourages us to take charge of our own development as worthy artists, and encourages a dialogue that facilitates creative growth and exploration. Jock demands that you show up, work hard, take risks and enjoy the work! In return, he brings his undivided attention, enthusiasm and honesty to the set.
Claire Armstrong
Unlike a lot of coaches, Jock MacDonald does not appropriate a ‘technique’ onto all of his students because not all his students are the same. Jock understands that each artist is unique and has his/her own individual journey that no one else has…or will ever have. Thus, he creates a teaching environment where the artist can TRULY grow. Jock guides you to move forward with your journey and won’t ever quit on you. He will push your horizon beyond what you think you can do as an actor…and then push you even farther. Jock MacDonald is the living embodiment of what he coaches – he has given his life to something bigger than himself.
Adrian Roberto
The Studio is a wonderful place! Jock’s personalized style of coaching is like nothing else. It has given me the faith in myself to continue pushing forward. It is where you need to be if you are serious about being a great artist.
I’ve learned a tremendous amount about myself as a human being over the last 3 years at Carter Thor East. Every time I’m assigned a new scene for something I’m unfamiliar with, such as, a killer. I would always struggle to find the right energy for that scene. One of the things that I’ve learned from Jock over the years, is that all of those archetypes are already inside me and that it’s not about how I’m going to say each line, rather it’s about WHY I’m personally going to do and say the things in that scene. It takes repetition and sometimes getting your butt kicked by Jock, but ultimately you start to do it yourself and YOU begin living and breathing in these scenes. Once it’s really you living and breathing these words written on paper, you can play any character anyone can write for you, because all of those characters are ultimately you.
Brian D. Evans
When I started with Jock four years ago, I was thrilled to hear him describe acting as our personal journey through the story. I’ve been on many journeys and stories with him and I have always felt safe to explore and discover myself in the process.
Roxanne Morse
Carter Thor Studios provides a multi-city international network for actors to craft their storytelling abilities. Jock inspired me to film my own short films, which I was able to cast through fellow members from the studio. Whether on the west coast with Cameron or the east coast with Jock, you are guaranteed an electrifying acting class. Their knowledge and passion for the collaborative process of film making is infectious.
Tyler Webb
I am truly moved and inspired by an artist when they put it ALL out there, their whole self, not a tidier version of who they think they are or what they think their audience wants to see, but their whole authentic self; with all their flaws, all their hurt, all their fear, all their joy. This is the level of exciting and courageous work we strive for each week in Carter Thor, a challenging level of work that encourages us to reveal our heart and discover the story and ourselves in the moment.
Nicole Barber
Through their expertise, advice and insights, the coaches at the Carter Thor Studio have helped me discover gravity and inspiration in the audition process; two of the most important tools for actors to possess.
Chris Klein
The studio is a sanctuary, it is a powerfully becoming place – you become a better actor, a better artist, and a better human.
Tish Hicks
Working with the Carter Thor people is like spending time with old friends who know you too well. They know which buttons to push so that the actor discovers simple and effective choices that allow their creative spirit to flourish within the role.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
I went to Jock’s class looking to fill my yearly workshop fix, but ended up staying several years. There’s a reason why.
Jock’s class is a treasure, a safe place where performers have the opportunity to transform into extra-ordinary story-tellers. He specializes in making it personal – bringing out the uniqueness in each actor, inspiring everyone to take it to the raw simplicity of our being, nurturing our intuitive mastery. He’s right there with you along your journey, relentlessly coaching students to be fearless in exploring discoveries of their own humanity. Hence it’s always fresh, there’s always more to understand. I love Jock’s class and practicing with the incredible performers in the Carter-Thor Community. “The heart of the thing is never the thing itself”.
Carter Thor Studios’ clients include:
Sharon Stone, Chris Klein, Cameron Diaz, Faye Dunaway, Johnny Knoxville, Sylvester Stallone, Drew Carey, Garry Shandling, Johnathon Schaech, Gwen Stefani, Macy Gray, Tom Welling, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Christina Applegate, Jamie King, Madonna, Paul Rubens, Jewel, Kevin Sorbo, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Mariel Hemingway, Adam Beach, Bill Bellamy, Peter Facinelli, Rita Wilson and many more.
The Carter Thor Studio is contracted with most major studios and production companies. The “A” list directors who have sought their coaching for their actors include: Ang Lee, John Woo, Jerry Zucker, and many more.