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University of Alaska Fairbanks |
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA: Sample syllabus from Fall 2006
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Theatre Department
3 Credits
Room: THEA 101/ TV Studio: CAT
Days/Time: TR 2-3:30
CARRIE BAKER
ffccb@uaf.edu
Office Phone: 907-474-7754
Office Hours: MWF 1-5 pm or by appointment
Camera Technicians: Jaime Schwartzwald and Tim Machida
I. Course Objectives:
The goal of this course is to apply skills introduced in Fundamentals of Acting (and Intermediate Acting and Advanced Acting) to acting for the camera. Through exercises and scene study, we will expand each performer's range of emotional, intellectual, physical, and vocal expressiveness for the camera. Students will act in numerous on-camera exercises, television, and film scenes.
II. Course Goals and Student Learning Outcomes:
III. Instructional Methods:
This class is a scene study course. Students will learn camera acting techniques by being in front of the camera as much as possible. Every week, students will be shooting scenes and watching the work played back. The class will include extensive scene memorization, class discussions, performance critique writing, journal self-assessment writing, and creation of a DVD on-camera acting reel.
IV. Required Reading:
You will have weekly reading from the following books. Your midterm and final self-assessments should include analysis of acting techniques discussed in these books. We will have weekly discussions about the texts, so keep up with the reading. (The books will also help you tremendously when you are in front of the camera!) Both texts are available in the bookstore. The required film is on reserve for viewing in the library.
V. Recommended Reading:
VI. Audition:
All Acting for the Camera students are encouraged to audition for the fall shows Saturday September 9th in the Lee H. Salisbury Theatre starting at 10 am. Find more information about the auditions and season at www.uaf.edu/theatre/audition
Attendance to all classes is mandatory. On-camera shoots and discussions cannot be made up for the simple reason that they happen in class. If you miss a class, you are missing the course. Students are permitted one unexcused absence. Excused absences must be supported with written documentation (such as a doctor’s note) presented when you return to the following class. Each unexcused absence will reduce your grade by 3 points. Missing a class in which you are scheduled to shoot a scene is unacceptable and will further reduce your grade. You must arrive to class on time. Being late will reduce your grade. Three lates will equal one unexcused absence and reduce your grade accordingly. Come to class everyday and be on time!!
VIII. Grading Policy:
Class Participation………………………………….…….…………...20 points
Memorization, Preparation & Performance of Material...…………50 points
Film Critique…………………………………………………….…….10 points
Midterm Paper………….....…………………………………..………10 points
Final Paper………… ………………………….……..………….…....10 points
Your level of participation, enthusiasm, energy, and willingness to work in this class is of the utmost importance. Extensive memorization and preparation outside of class is expected. Watching others shoot a scene can be tremendously beneficial to your own acting. Also, you will participate as audience and technical crew support when you are not shooting. I expect a positive and supportive attitude from each of you, especially when your classmates are shooting.
B. Memorization, Preparation & Performance of Material: 50 points
1. Monologues:
You will present one 45-second monologue next week. This should be a contemporary, naturalistic monologue in your type range and age range that you could do in a casting director’s office sitting across the desk from him/her. This can be from a film or a stage play. These monologues will be filmed on the 2nd day of class (Tuesday). Film scripts can be found at www.simplyscripts.com
2. Exercise and Scene Work:
For the first half of the course, we will be focused on developing on-camera acting techniques by using dialogue exercises from Bernard’s Film and Television Acting. Each week you will shoot a new exercise. Each time you shoot a scene in class, you need to come in with the scene FULLY OFF-BOOK. Thorough memorization and preparation of this material is imperative! Your in-class “rehearsals” will consist of me giving you blocking, then we will shoot the scene. This is a typical film/tv process…VERY different from a stage-acting process. All your memorization, character choices, and business choices must be done before class! During the second half of the semester, you will shoot one television scene and one film scene. At the beginning of the filming day, you will meet your partner, be given your blocking for the scene (you will decide on business for your character on your own before class), have a brief rehearsal, and then shoot the scene. You should dress appropriately for your character in the scene.
Some Notes:
C. Midterm Paper: 10 points
You will write a four page double-spaced self-assessment of your on-camera acting work based on the first 8 weeks of camera technique and performance of exercises. In this self-assessment you should: articulate your on-camera strengths and weaknesses; reflect on your process when approaching on-camera scene work; track your acting development and the differences between stage acting and camera acting; respond to your readings in Bernard and Tucker; and set goals for the remainder of the semester. Due: Tuesday, October 31, 2006.
D. Film Critique: 10 points
Three-four double spaced typed pages. You will write one film acting critique this semester on the film Mystic River, which is available on reserve in the library. Your observations and writing will be based on your readings in Bernard and Tucker and the on-camera acting techniques that we will learn in the first half of the semester. Even if you have already seen the film, see it again. I will hand out Critique Guidelines later in the semester. Due: Tuesday, November 14, 2006.
E. Final Paper: 10 points
The final four page double-spaced self-assessment will be based on the second half of the semester and your work in the film and television scenes. In this self-assessment you should also: articulate your on-camera strengths and weaknesses; reflect on your process when approaching on-camera scene work; track your acting development and the differences between stage acting and camera acting; respond to your readings in Bernard and Tucker; and track your own progress throughout the semester.
Public Showing: All of your work from the semester will be edited onto a DVD reel. These reels will be presented publicly sometime January 2007!
*** LATE PAPER POLICY: I will deduct 3 points for each day that a self-assessment or film critique is late. Turn your work in on time!!
VIII. Important selections from the UAF Student Code of Conduct:
“UAF requires students to conduct themselves honestly and responsibly, and to respect the rights of others. Conduct that unreasonably interferes with the learning environment or that violates the rights of others is prohibited…. Honesty is a primary responsibility of you and every other UAF student. The following are common guidelines regarding academic integrity:
IX. Disabilities Services:
The Office of Disability Services implements the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and insures that UAF students have equal access to the campus and course materials. I will work with the Office of Disabilities Services (203 WHIT, 474-7043) to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities.
X. Support Services:
XI. Tentative Semester Overview (always subject to change!):
Week 1:
8/31 Enrollment, Syllabus, Course Objectives, Grading Policy
Week 2:
Reading:
Assignments Due:
9/5 Stage Version Monologues/ Shoot On-Camera Monologues/ Playback On-Camera Version
9/7 Reshoot Monologues / Playback reshoots/ Discussion
Week 3:
Reading:
Assignments Due:
9/12 Shoot “The Phone Call” Exercise w/ secret subtext (8)
9/14 Shoot “The Phone Call” Exercise w/ decided subtext (8)
Week 4:
Reading:
Assignments Due:
9/19 “The Phone Call” Playbacks/ Discussion-subtext (8)
9/21 Rehearse/ Shoot “Blocking” Exercise (4)
Week 5:
Reading:
Assignments Due:
9/26 Rehearse/ Shoot “Blocking” Exercise (4)
9/28 “Blocking” Playbacks/ Discussion-hitting your mark (8)
Week 6:
Reading:
Assignments Due:
10/3 Rehearse/ Shoot “Business” (3)
10/5 Rehearse/ Shoot “Business” (3)
Week 7:
Reading:
Assignments Due:
10/10 Rehearse/ Shoot “Business” (2)
10/12 “Business” Playbacks/ Discussion-continuity (8)
Week 8:
Reading:
Assignments Due:
10/17 Rehearse/ Shoot “Flirtation” (3)
10/19 Rehearse/ Shoot “Flirtation” (3)
Week 9:
Assignments Due:
10/24 Rehearse/ Shoot “Flirtation” (2)
10/26 “Flirtation” Playback/ Discussion- choices/ chemistry (8)
Week 10:
Assignments Due:
10/31 Rehearse/ Block TV scene (4)
11/2 Rehearse/ Shoot TV scene (2)
Week 11:
Assignments Due:
11/7 Rehearse/ Shoot TV scene (2)
11/9 TV Scene Playbacks/ Discussion-character/ putting it all together
Week 12:
Assignments Due:
11/14 Film rehearsals/blocking
11/16 Film rehearsals/blocking
Week 13:
Assignments Due:
11/21 Film rehearsals/blocking
11/23 Thanksgiving Break
Week 14:
Assignments Due:
11/28 Shoot Film Scenes (2)
11/30 Shoot Film Scenes (2)
Week 15:
Assignments Due:
12/5 Shoot Film Scenes (2)
12/7 Shoot Film Scenes (2)
Final Exam: Wednesday, December 13 @ 1-3 pm in Green Room (THEA 101)
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University of Alaska Fairbanks |