Testimonials

Billy has been one of the most influential people in my life. From the first moment I met him he sold me with his “work hard” speech. He has also not failed to live down his reputation as a workaholic – I quote in his words having a schedule that consists of “114 hours a week”. This mentality has brushed off onto us Pulse students luckily as there has been times where I’ve felt like giving up, yet somehow I always manage to push through.

Robert Kiyosaki had his “rich dad, poor dad”. I have my acting Dad. Bill’s been like that for me. He has not only shaped my acting but me as a human in life. His teachings have been invaluable and things I will teach to my kids one day.

Billy not only changed my whole approach to acting, but also my perspective on life. the atmosphere at the Pulse created a safe space where I could face my fears front on. I remember for one activity I obsessively collected old TVs from roadsides for two months, I brought them into the Pulse – and during the exercise smashed all the screens into pieces. I’ve heard Billy still uses this as an example of what NOT to do in the working space – but damn it was fun!

The most important lesson I got from my time at The Actors Pulse was to always question. Question myself, question my work; why am I doing what I am doing and is it true to myself? That lesson, and the opportunities Billy gave me set me on a path to fulfil my dream and live my passion.

Billy, it’s Adrian Dunbar here, Ted’s stepdad. Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back. I’m so pleased to hear that Ted is doing well since he moved up. The course has been very important to him and will give him a true sense of achievement when he finishes. I myself went to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and although the process of teaching may be different, certain things regarding our development as people remain the same.

I was very surprised and excited by the quality, commitment and detail of the work I saw in Sydney. It was truly hard to believe that for some of these students it was their first time performing. To come to a small upstairs room in the Redfern district of Sydney and see such quality of performance reminded me once again that there can never be a “so called” center of excellence…….thank you Meisner. Take care Billy. Keep her lit…………as we say in Ireland.

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I studied at The Actors Pulse with Billy for four years, and in that time am proud to have called him a teacher, a mentor and a friend. During my time at The Pulse I considered it almost like a second home, a place where I could explore the craft of acting, develop and hone my skills and grow as a person. To anyone who has studied at The Pulse it is obvious how much the school is a reflection of Billy (little surprise to the few who know how much of himself he has put into it) and its great success is a testament to his passion, his dedication and his years of hard work.

I have so many great memories at The Pulse, most of which were in the studio with Bill, where his honest, open approach to the work and ability to make each and every Actor feel valued has stayed with me to this day. Most importantly I learned from Bill that talent will only take you so far, that success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration and if you truly want something, you have to chase it down and make it yours. Billy truly cares about the Actors he works with and it is so apparent in the pride he takes in their success. He has always given me honest, selfless advice in both my professional and personal life and I am truly grateful for his support and guidance over the years. He is a great teacher and a great friend and I can’t wait to see what the next 15 years holds for The Actors Pulse!

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As a feature film director I’ve worked with several actors from The Actors Pulse. Not only were they very fine performers, they had a work ethic and a sense of professionalism that spoke highly of their training.

Billy Millionis’ success as one of Australia’s leading acting teachers lies in his personal commitment to each of his acting students. If I audition a graduate from The Actors Pulse, I know immediately that they have a keen understanding of their craft, and that they will be good to work with.

Bill, you have inspired, driven and humoured so many faces during these 20 years, always with passion, commitment and friendship. Thank you for the past 20 years, for building the heart of acting Sydney needed. It has been wonderful to watch the Pulse grow, to see you grow from an actor with a vision, to most importantly a wonderful Dad of 3 and an unbeatable team with Paris. What a life! Congratulations Bill. Here’s to many more years of collaboration and friendship.

Studying at the Actor’s Pulse helped me discover that the greatest form of comedy comes from reacting truthfully to the moment. This is the main principle of the Meisner technique and with highly trained teachers and industry professionals giving feedback, it was truly a defining time for me.

I have found a home, a family if I may, a place where I can relax and simply focus my energy on the process of becoming an actor, knowing that I am in the ideal environment to learn, grow and follow my dream.

Being a working actor will take more than just an acting course, a great acting teacher, or a great role in a big production. It’ll take more than you realise when you first decide to give this dream of yours a chance. And while there are great schools and teachers out there, very rarely will you find a place that not only teaches you the craft at a deep and meaningful level, but also prepares you for what will become a life of work, discipline, resilience, and most of all, play.

Billy has built a school that is based on finding the truth; the truth of your characters, the truth of you, the truth of what you can, and are willing to give. But it is also a school that will excite you and inspire you even when the work is hard. And the work will get very, very hard. You want a school like this when you choose a career as an actor, because a school like this will get you working. It will get you moving and keep you moving forward.

I was a working actor when I started at The Actors Pulse. I wanted to expand my range and break into bigger & better work.

Billy has taught me that talent and natural skill will only get you so far. His focus is on developing your craft and your skills through a disciplined process. It’s not about picking up tips & tricks. I had plenty of those.

Billy’s passion for acting and his actors is something I have never experienced before. We all have our champions – our friends, agent and family, who tell us how great we are. With Billy, you just get the truth. He is tough, honest and probably my harshest critic. But at the same time, he is my biggest fan. His commitment, love and guidance has broken me out of my comfort zone. He continues to inspire, demand, encourage and challenge. If you want an easy ride and quick success – don’t come here. If you really want to learn how to act – this is where you should be.

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Hey Brother (Billy),

You’re a beautiful man. You have taught me so much about not only acting but about life, and for that I appreciate you beyond words.

“If you had 86,400 seconds in a day, wouldn’t you spend them all”? “We have 86,400 seconds a day, why wouldn’t you spend them all”? “Find a way to win”. You taught me to open my eyes around me, to make sure I make the most out of every second of a day and to always keep pushing.

You truly are a great mentor as well as a true friend, although sometimes you whip, hammer, belt and absolutely cut the legs off us that we want to go home. It is never for the negative, it’s for the positive. It’s such a honour and pleasure to have you as part of my life. You’re a Mayweather in your profession! Thank you so very much for everything you have done for me. This phrase best sums up about what I am truly trying to say. “I appreciate you”.

What I love about the Meisner Technique is that it is designed to enhance and bring out what I already have as a human and hence a performer maintaining what only I can offer an employer. It brings out what is already in you rather than adding on a ‘method’. Everyday I’m learning a new freedom, power and FUN as an actor.

The Actors Pulse for me became a way of life. A regular day would consist of looking inside myself to find out what was moving me, spending time thinking outside the box with doors and activities, heading down to rep from start to finish, lying at home going through the heaviest to the greatest of thoughts, meeting up with partners to sort out circumstances, taking out relationships, impediments and characters. It was a truly great 5 and a half years. The dedication and thoroughness the school provides in terms of really creating active and moving conflict is inspirational.

Billy is a great acting “coach.” He is motivational and inspiring, honest when you’re not on your game and knows how much or how little to give you in terms of finding the best way yourself. I am so grateful I’ve had the opportunity to study here.

Although he has many great phrases the one that has always stuck with me is “Don’t ask a million questions; work a million hours."