Academic Catalog

THTR 63A: FILM & TELEVISION ACTING WORKSHOP

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2023
Units: 4
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Advisory: THTR 20A; this course is included in the Acting family of activity courses.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • A successful student will recognize and adjust stage movement and voice modulation as they pertain to film and television acting.
  • A successful student will become familiar with the basic types of film and television production formats the actor will encounter and how to function within them.
  • A successful student will understand and develop skills for the casting process as it pertains to all forms of media production.

Description

This course introduces students to the basic fundamentals of on-camera acting in a practical modality. Students work with the variety of styles currently used in film and television, including commercial, dramatic, documentary, and industrial. Students will experiment to develop the actor's relationship and understanding of camera acting techniques.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Recognize the actor's place in the film and television production scheme, from union affiliations and business practices to performance and work
  2. Analyze and demonstrate an understanding of "typing" for the camera, including appropriate wardrobe selections
  3. Demonstrate a familiarity with the processes by which actors are interviewed, auditioned, cast, and utilized for all forms of media production
  4. Recognize and apply body and facial movement, and voice modulation as they pertain to camera acting styles
  5. Demonstrate skills in the practice and performance of script work for the camera, and the subsequent critiquing of the work, including self evaluation
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of playing to camera shot size, camera angle, and continuity of takes
  7. Utilize contemporary acting methodologies to enable a performance-ready shoot
  8. Present strategies for incorporating work into seeking opportunities with casting and talent agents

Course Content

  1. The business: headshots/resumes, agents, unions, auditions, work
  2. Analyzing and promoting your "type"
    1. Identify multiple prominent types and qualities of self and others
  3. Camera acting vs. stage acting
    1. Translate monologues and scene work to appropriate camera performance
  4. Listening and reacting on camera
    1. Utilize script exercises to practice effective listening and reacting on camera
  5. Scene work/active choices, specificity
    1. Rehearse and perform assigned scene work
  6. Shooting, shot size, eye-lines, continuity
    1. Incorporate adjustments for a variety of camera angles and positioning, and the use of properties into prepared scene work
  7. Camera-ready scene work‚ working without rehearsal
    1. Utilize comparable methodologies for effective script analysis and subsequent performance-ready scene work
  8. Camera workshops with guest artists
    1. Perform monologues and/or assigned cold reading in preparation for presenting oneself in the industry

Lab Content

  1. Rehearsal of monologues in groups, and one-on-one with a coach
  2. Rehearsal of scenes with partners
  3. Group and individual work on script analysis exercises
  4. Practical application and participation in working studio environment

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Flexible, open-space classroom with adequate lighting and rehearsal furniture and properties.
2. Adequate video equipment for recording and playback of in-class exercises and scene work, including camera, tripod, monitor, and adequate digital storage.
3. Suggested: qualified Teaching Assistant for tutorial and technical support, including running camera, playback, and editing of student work.
4. When taught online/virtual or hybrid, ongoing access to a computer with email address, software and hardware, and internet access.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Grading of prepared marketing materials suitable for industry standards
Various cooperative learning assignments graded for adequate preparation
Presentations/performance of filmed projects—prepared monologues, scenes, and various sides and commercial copy
Written work/script analysis related assignments
Participation and critique through peer review process

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture presentations and classroom discussion outlining the business side of film and television acting careers
Group analysis, discussion, and presentations, monitored by instructor
Individual presentation of assigned exercises and prepared work, followed by in-class discussion and evaluation
Recorded performance reviewed and critiqued by class and instructor
Practice exercises on-camera intended for self-evaluation comfort and adjustments, guided by instructor

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Barr, Tony. Acting for the Camera. 2012.

Stone, Peter Allen. Acting for the Camera: Back to One. 2021.

Swain, John Howard. The Science and Art of Acting for the Camera. 2018.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Reading of assigned textbooks and scripts
  2. Script analysis of assigned scenes and screenplays
  3. Character analysis review

Discipline(s)

Theater Arts