Chief Instructor Jim Dougherty is an American actor, filmmaker, and acting coach whose career spans over 4 decades of film, television, stage, and independent cinema.
A SAG-AFTRA performer, he has appeared in feature films including Paradise Highway opposite Juliette Binoche and Morgan Freeman, Fantasy Football, Columbus, Scalene, and Dead Draw, as well as television series including Chicago P.D., Ozark, House of Cards, Doom Patrol, The Gifted, Bluff City Law, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, The Inspectors, and Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan.

Whether performing on stage or on screen, Dougherty is committed to creating grounded, authentic performances that serve the story.

That same commitment to storytelling extends behind the camera, where Dougherty continues to work across multiple disciplines as a filmmaker. In addition to writing and directing short films and music videos, he has contributed to numerous independent film productions as a producer, cinematographer, editor, assistant director, and stunt coordinator. His feature film work includes projects such as Dead Draw, Reparation, and Between Waves, among others.

This ongoing experience across both creative and production roles gives Dougherty a broad perspective on the collaborative process, shaping the way he approaches performance, visual storytelling, and production.

His work on both sides of the camera has naturally evolved into coaching actors through Indy Actors Academy and Online Actors Academy. He also serves as a coach and moderator with TMFA, supporting actors through training, discussion, and community engagement. His coaching philosophy bridges the gap between acting and filmmaking, helping performers understand not only how to create truthful, emotionally connected performances, but why those choices succeed on camera.

His Filmmaking for Actors curriculum helps actors understand the visual language of film—including shot design, camera movement, coverage, editing, and storytelling—so they can collaborate more effectively with directors and crews, make stronger creative choices, and deliver performances that resonate through the lens.