COURSE MODULE

Certificate Course on Acting for Film and TV

Course Overview:

The Certificate Course on Acting for Film and TV is meticulously designed to foster and refine the expressive, creative, and technical skills required to thrive as an actor in the film and television industry. The course encourages students to explore their innate talents and empowers them to express their thoughts and emotions in a meaningful, impactful manner. It aims to prepare students not only to excel on screen but also to communicate effectively within society.

Course Method:

The teaching methodology employed in this course combines various learning approaches to ensure a well-rounded education:

• Lectures and Presentations: Core concepts and theories of acting will be introduced through engaging lectures and visual presentations, providing students with foundational knowledge.

• Workshops: Hands-on workshops will allow students to apply the theoretical knowledge gained in class. These workshops will focus on practical exercises, including scene studies, improvisation, and movement.

• Assignments: Regular assignments will be given to reinforce learning, encourage creativity, and develop critical thinking. These may include writing exercises, character analysis, and reflective journals.

• Examinations: Periodic assessments will evaluate students' understanding and application of the course content. These may include both written exams and practical performance tests.

• Student-Led Discussions and Presentations: As the course progresses, students will be encouraged to lead class discussions and make presentations, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

• Video/Multimedia Tools: The use of video recordings and multimedia presentations will be integral, allowing students to review their performances and analyze their progress.

COURSE OUTLINE:

1. Acting: Ready and Responsible, Scene Study

• Objective: To develop a strong foundation in acting, focusing on responsibility, discipline, and scene study.

• Learning Activities:

  • Scene Study: Students will select scenes from plays or films and work on character development, objectives, and tactics.

  • Responsibility in Acting: Emphasizing punctuality, preparation, and dedication as key aspects of a professional actor’s life.

  • Acting Exercises: Activities to build trust, concentration, and ensemble work.

• Examples: Analysis of iconic scenes from film and theater, in-class scene work.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: Respect for Acting by Uta Hagen, Wiley Publishing, 1973.

  • Video: MasterClass: Samuel L. Jackson Teaches Acting.

  • Training Kit: Scene Study Workbook (includes selected scenes, character analysis templates, and acting exercises).

    
    

2. Camera: Objectives and Performance

• Objective: To understand how to act for the camera, focusing on objectives and performance techniques specific to film and TV.

• Learning Activities:

  • Camera Techniques: Practical exercises on hitting marks, adjusting performance for different camera angles, and maintaining continuity.

  • Objectives: Analyzing character goals and how they influence on-screen performance.

  • On-Camera Practice: Students will perform monologues and scenes on camera, followed by playback and critique.

• Examples: Breakdown of camera techniques used in popular TV shows and films.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: Acting for the Camera by Tony Barr, Harper Perennial, 1997.

  • Video: YouTube: Acting for the Camera - A Guide.

  • Training Kit: Camera Acting Kit (includes a basic camera, tripod, and lighting setup for practice).

    
    

3. Movement: Your Body Exploration

• Objective: To explore the actor’s body as a tool for expression, focusing on movement and physicality.

• Learning Activities:

  • Body Awareness: Exercises to increase awareness of body language, posture, and movement.

  • Physical Warm-Ups: Daily routines to prepare the body for performance.

  • Movement Techniques: Introduction to techniques like Laban Movement Analysis and Viewpoints.

• Examples: Study of physicality in performances by mime artists and physical theater practitioners.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: The Moving Body (Le Corps Poetique): Teaching Creative Theatre by Jacques Lecoq, Methuen Drama, 2001.

  • Video: YouTube: Movement for Actors.

  • Training Kit: Movement Exploration Kit (includes yoga mats, balance balls, and resistance bands).

    
    

4. Speech: The Basics, Accent, and Dialectics

• Objective: To improve speech clarity, develop accents, and explore dialectics for character creation.

• Learning Activities:

  • Speech Warm-Ups: Daily vocal exercises to strengthen articulation and projection.

  • Accent Work: Introduction to various accents and dialects, with practice sessions.

  • Dialect Coaching: Students will work on specific dialects required for their scene work or monologues.

• Examples: Analysis of actors known for their accent work, like Meryl Streep.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: How to Do Accents by Edda Sharpe and Jan Haydn Rowles, Oberon Books, 2014.

  • Video: YouTube: Mastering Accents for Actors.

  • Training Kit: Speech and Accent Kit (includes voice recorder, accent guides, and phonetic charts).

    
    

5. Voice: Breath, Body, Voice, Sound into Song

• Objective: To connect breath, body, and voice, using sound and song as expressive tools.

• Learning Activities:

  • Breath Control: Exercises to enhance breathing techniques for voice projection and stamina.

  • Vocal Warm-Ups: Daily routines to warm up the voice before performance.

  • Voice into Song: Integrating vocal techniques into singing and sound work.

• Examples: Study of vocal performances in musical theater and opera.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: The Voice Book: For Actors, Public Speakers, and Everyone Who Wants to Make the Most of Their Voice by Michael McCallion, Focal Press, 1998.

  • Video: YouTube: Vocal Techniques for Actors.

  • Training Kit: Vocal Training Kit (includes pitch pipes, vocal exercise CDs, and breath control tools).

    
    

6. Improvisation: Character and Spontaneity

• Objective: To develop spontaneity and character through improvisational techniques.

• Learning Activities:

  • Improv Games: Group exercises that encourage quick thinking and creativity.

  • Character Improv: Developing characters on the spot, focusing on physicality, voice, and objectives.

  • Scene Improv: Students will improvise scenes based on prompts, exploring the dynamic creation of stories.

• Examples: Analysis of improvisation in films like This Is Spinal Tap and Whose Line Is It Anyway?

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: Improvisation for the Theater by Viola Spolin, Northwestern University Press, 1963.

  • Video: YouTube: Improvisation Techniques for Actors.

  • Training Kit: Improv Kit (includes prompt cards, scenario lists, and improv game guides).

    
    

7. Rehearsal: Lab 01

• Objective: To apply learned techniques in a structured rehearsal environment, focusing on collaboration and refinement.

• Learning Activities:

  • Scene Rehearsals: Students will rehearse selected scenes, receiving feedback from instructors and peers.

  • Peer Critique: Group discussions and critiques to enhance performance through constructive feedback.

  • Final Rehearsal: Preparation for final class presentations and projects.

• Examples: Review of rehearsal processes in professional theater and film productions.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: A Director Prepares by Anne Bogart, Routledge, 2001.

  • Video: YouTube: The Art of Rehearsal.

  • Training Kit: Rehearsal Kit (includes scripts, rehearsal schedules, and feedback forms).

    
    

8. Camera: Television

• Objective: To learn the specific demands of acting for television, including sitcoms, dramas, and live shows.

• Learning Activities:

  • Television Acting Techniques: Focus on timing, delivery, and character continuity in television.

  • On-Camera Practice: Students will perform scenes tailored for TV, with playback and critique.

  • Live Television Acting: Exercises to prepare students for live or taped television performances.

• Examples: Analysis of TV shows like Friends and Breaking Bad for acting techniques.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: Acting in Prime Time by Lee Strasberg, Routledge, 2006.

  • Video: YouTube: Acting for Television - A Guide.

  • Training Kit: Television Acting Kit (includes scripts, cameras, and lighting for TV-specific practice).

    
    

9. Audition: Knowing the Room, Exploring TV and Film

• Objective: To prepare students for the unique challenges of auditions for TV and film.

• Learning Activities:

  • Audition Techniques: Tips and strategies for successful auditions, including cold reading and callback preparation.

  • Room Dynamics: Understanding how to read the room, engage with casting directors, and make a lasting impression.

  • Mock Auditions: Simulated audition experiences with immediate feedback.

• Examples: Review of successful and failed auditions from well-known actors.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: Audition by Michael Shurtleff, Bantam Books, 1978.

  • Video: YouTube: Mastering the Audition Room.

  • Training Kit: Audition Kit (includes scripts, audition sides, and a video recorder for self-taping).

    
    

10. Acting: Writing Your Own Story

• Objective: To explore storytelling through writing, helping actors understand character development from a writer’s perspective.

• Learning Activities:

  • Scriptwriting Basics: Introduction to script structure, character arcs, and dialogue writing.

  • Character Creation: Writing exercises that focus on developing unique characters and backstories.

  • Storytelling: Students will write and perform their own short scenes or monologues.

• Examples: Analysis of actor-written scripts, such as those by Emma Thompson or Sylvester Stallone.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field, Delta, 2005.

  • Video: YouTube: Writing Your Own Story - A Guide.

  • Training Kit: Storytelling Kit (includes script templates, character development worksheets, and writing prompts).

    
    

11. Improvisation: Cinema Game

• Objective: To integrate improvisation with cinematic storytelling, encouraging spontaneous creativity in film.

• Learning Activities:

  • Cinema Improv: Improvisational exercises that mimic the filmmaking process, including scene creation and spontaneous dialogue.

  • Group Exercises: Collaborative storytelling games that simulate real-time film creation.

  • Film Improv Performance: Students will create and perform short improvised films.

• Examples: Study of films with improvisational elements like Clerks and The Blair Witch Project.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: The Improv Handbook for Modern Actors by Tom Salinsky and Deborah Frances-White, Bloomsbury, 2008.

  • Video: YouTube: Improvisation in Cinema.

  • Training Kit: Cinema Improv Kit (includes improv prompts, filming guides, and editing software).

    
    

12. Movement: Mask, No-mask, Animal

• Objective: To explore character physicality through the use of masks, unmasked performance, and animal studies.

• Learning Activities:

  • Mask Work: Exercises using neutral and character masks to develop physical expression.

  • Animal Studies: Movement exercises where students embody different animals to explore character traits.

  • Unmasked Performance: Transitioning from masked to unmasked performance, focusing on subtlety and nuance.

• Examples: Study of mask work in traditional theater forms and physical theater.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: Masks: Faces of Culture by John W. Nunley and Cara McCarty, Abrams, 1999.

  • Video: YouTube: Mask and Movement Techniques.

  • Training Kit: Mask and Movement Kit (includes neutral masks, animal movement guides, and physicality exercises).

    
    

13. Voice: Language

• Objective: To develop a nuanced understanding of how language shapes character and informs performance.

• Learning Activities:

  • Language Exploration: Exercises focusing on the rhythm, tone, and melody of different languages and dialects.

  • Voice and Text: Integrating voice work with text analysis to enhance character portrayal.

  • Language in Performance: Students will perform scenes in various languages or dialects, focusing on authenticity.

• Examples: Analysis of performances in foreign languages or strong regional dialects.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: Voice and the Actor by Cicely Berry, Wiley Publishing, 1973.

  • Video: YouTube: Language and Acting.

  • Training Kit: Language and Voice Kit (includes phonetic charts, foreign language guides, and voice exercises).

    
    

14. Camera: Feature Film and Edit

• Objective: To understand the specific demands of acting in feature films, including post-production editing.

• Learning Activities:

  • Feature Film Acting: Practical exercises in acting for long takes, complex scenes, and character arcs over time.

  • On-Set Dynamics: Understanding the relationship between actor, director, and camera on a feature film set.

  • Editing Awareness: How editing choices can influence performance, with basic editing practice.

• Examples: Analysis of long takes in films like Birdman and Children of Men.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing by Walter Murch, Silman-James Press, 2001.

  • Video: YouTube: Acting for Feature Films.

  • Training Kit: Feature Film Acting Kit (includes scripts, editing software, and scene analysis guides).

    
    

15. Integrated Acting and Singing: Storytelling and Song

• Objective: To combine acting and singing, focusing on storytelling through song.

• Learning Activities:

  • Vocal Performance: Exercises in singing with emotional depth and character intention.

  • Musical Theater: Introduction to the techniques of musical theater performance.

  • Song Interpretation: Students will interpret and perform songs, focusing on integrating acting and singing.

• Examples: Study of performances in musicals like Les Misérables and Chicago.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: The Singing Actor by Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher, Bloomsbury, 2014.

  • Video: YouTube: Acting Through Song.

  • Training Kit: Singing and Acting Kit (includes vocal warm-up CDs, sheet music, and musical theater scripts).

    
    

16. Experimentation and Performance

• Objective: To encourage students to experiment with various acting techniques and present their work in performance.

• Learning Activities:

  • Technique Exploration: Students will try out different acting techniques learned throughout the course in experimental performances.

  • Peer Review: Group discussions and critiques to refine experimental performances.

  • Final Performance: A showcase where students present their experimental work to an audience.

• Examples: Analysis of avant-garde theater and experimental film.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: Experimental Theatre: From Stanislavsky to Peter Brook by James Roose-Evans, Routledge, 1989.

  • Video: YouTube: Experimental Performance Techniques.

  • Training Kit: Experimentation Kit (includes prompts, feedback forms, and performance guides).

    
    

17. Film: Final Project

• Objective: Students will create a final film project, showcasing their acting skills and applying everything learned throughout the course.

• Learning Activities:

  • Project Planning: Students will conceptualize, plan, and script a short film or scene. They will work individually or in groups to bring their vision to life.

  • Filming: Practical on-set experience where students act, direct, or assist in the production of their film project.

  • Editing: Basic editing techniques will be taught to polish the final product.

• Examples: Previous student projects, analysis of professional short films.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: The Filmmaker's Handbook by Steven Ascher and Edward Pincus, Plume, 2019.

  • Video: YouTube: Short Film Production Process.

  • Training Kit: DSLR Filmmaking Kit (includes camera, microphone, and lighting equipment).

    
    

18. Actor's Portfolio

• Objective: Developing a professional actor’s portfolio, including headshots, resumes, and demo reels.

• Learning Activities:

  • Headshots: Guidance on professional photography sessions to capture the right headshot for an actor’s portfolio.

  • Resume Building: Crafting a resume that highlights acting experience, skills, and training.

  • Demo Reel Creation: Compiling scenes from class work and final projects into a professional demo reel.

• Examples: Review of successful actor portfolios, analysis of professional demo reels.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: Acting as a Business: Strategies for Success by Brian O'Neil, Random House, 2014.

  • Video: YouTube: Creating a Professional Acting Demo Reel.

  • Training Kit: Portfolio Building Kit (includes templates for resumes, demo reel editing software).

    
    

19. Modern Method of Acting

• Objective: Studying contemporary acting methods and techniques, including method acting, and their application in modern cinema.

• Learning Activities:

  • Method Acting: Exploration of techniques developed by Stanislavski, Strasberg, and others, with practical exercises.

  • Contemporary Techniques: Study of current acting trends and techniques in film and television.

  • Application: Students will apply these methods in scene work, focusing on emotional authenticity and character depth.

• Examples: Case studies of modern actors and their techniques, analysis of scenes from contemporary films.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: An Actor Prepares by Constantin Stanislavski, Theatre Arts Books, 1936.

  • Book: A Dream of Passion: The Development of the Method by Lee Strasberg, Plume, 1987.

  • Video: MasterClass: Helen Mirren Teaches Acting.

  • Training Kit: Method Acting Workbook (includes exercises, scene scripts, and character development tools).

    
    

20. Experiencing the Audience

• Objective: Understanding the dynamics of audience interaction and how it influences performance.

• Learning Activities:

  • Live Performance: Students will perform scenes in front of a live audience, either in class or during a showcase event.

  • Audience Feedback: Discussion and analysis of audience reactions and their impact on performance.

  • Adjusting Performance: Practical exercises in modifying performances based on audience feedback.

• Examples: Analysis of live theater performances, review of audience engagement techniques in film and television.

• Reference Materials:

  • Book: Theater of the Oppressed by Augusto Boal, Pluto Press, 1979.

  • Video: TED Talk: The Power of Live Theater.

  • Training Kit: Audience Interaction Guide (includes tips on engaging with audiences, feedback forms).

Class Details:

• Duration: 10 weeks

• Total Hours: 60 hours of classroom instruction and practice

• Class Schedule: Flexible scheduling options, including evening and weekend classes, to accommodate students’ busy lives.

• Class Size: Limited to ensure personalized attention and a collaborative learning environment.

  
  

Teaching Training Methodology:

• Interactive Learning: The course emphasizes interactive learning, with students actively participating in discussions, group activities, and peer reviews.

• Mentorship: Students will receive guidance from experienced industry professionals who provide insights, feedback, and career advice.

• Collaborative Projects: Students will work together on projects, fostering teamwork and the exchange of ideas.

• Performance Critique: Regular performance critiques will be conducted, allowing students to receive constructive feedback and refine their skills.

• Reference Study Materials: Course materials will include textbooks on acting techniques, video tutorials, academic articles, and case studies from the film and television industry.

  
  

Reference Study Materials:

Students will have access to a curated list of study materials, including:

• Books: Key texts on acting methodologies, speech, movement, and camera work.

• Articles: Scholarly articles and industry reports on current trends in film and television acting.

• Videos: Instructional videos and recorded performances for analysis.

• Case Studies: Real-world examples of successful acting projects and performances in film and television.