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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTHR-212 1 Bergen Community College Division of Humanities Department of Visual & Performing Arts Course Syllabus Acting for the Camera THR 212 Basic Information About Course and Instructor: Semester and year: Section Number: Meeting Times: Locations: Instructor: Office Location: Phone: Departmental Secretary: [optional] Office Hours: Email Address: Course Description: This course permits students to apply the skills introduced in Basic Acting Techniques to acting for the camera. Through exercises and scene study, students will expand their range of emotional, intellectual, physical, and vocal expressiveness for the camera. Students will act in on-camera exercises, television scenes, and film scenes. 3 Credit Hours: (2 lect. 2 lab) Prerequisite – THR 110 Basic Acting Techniques Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students will be able to: ● List Student Learning Outcomes and an appropriate assessment for each: Student Learning Outcome: Means of Assessment: 1. Demonstrate an ability to perform in different types of media and genres including: ▪ Film ▪ Episodic Television ▪ Sitcoms Reading assignments, in-class performance, peer evaluations, 2 ▪ Daytime Dramas ▪ Commercials ▪ Industrials 2. Describe the technical needs to use and the uniqueness between acting on stage and acting for the camera. Reading assignments, written assignments, examinations 3. Create a “believable” performance by applying tone and subtleties of acting for the camera. In-class performances, peer evaluations 4. Demonstrate an ability to use creative tools and expressiveness for the camera. In-class performances, written assignments, reading assignments, peer evaluations. 5. Adeptly apply technical language used in the media. Written assignments, examinations Course Content: Acting for the Camera: Students will learn camera acting techniques by being in front of the camera as much as possible. Students will “crew” scenes their classmates are acting. The class will include extensive scene memorizations, class discussions, performance critique writing, and journal self-assessment writing. Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials: Required: • Bernard, Ian. Film and Television Acting: From Stage to Screen. 2nd ed. Focal Press, ISBN: 0240803019 • Tucker, Patrick. Secrets of Screen Acting. 2nd ed. Routledge. ISBN: 0878301771 Recommended Reading: • Shurtleff, Michael. Audition. Walker & Co. ISMN: 9780802772404 • Caine, Michael. Acting in Film. Applause Theatre Book Publishers ISBN: 9781557832771 • Cohen, Robert. Acting Professionally: Raw Facts About Careers in Acting. 7th ed., McGraw- Hill Publishing, ISBN 9780230217249 • Barr, Tony. Acting for the Camera. Harper & Row Publishers, ISBN: 0-6-055009-0 • Callan, K. New York Agent Book. Sweden Press, ISBN: 1-878355-13-9 Research, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s): • This is an introduction to acting for the camera course. • Students will participate in improvisational exercises to increase their spontaneity and improve their acting skills. 3 • Technical film acting exercises will be performed and observed by students. • Students will audition for roles in front of the class and discuss their audition ‘tapes’ with the class and instructor. • Monologues and short scenes from different genres will be performed and filmed by the students. This will require memorization of multiple scripts over the course of the semester. • Students will work from in front and behind the camera to more fully understand the difference in shot selection as well as what is necessary to convey believability in their performance for the camera. • A text covering acting for commercials, sitcoms, daytime dramas, industrials, episodic and film is used. There will be discussions on each chapter throughout the semester. • Examples of each genre will occasionally be viewed during class time. • There will be weekly lectures and discussions. In addition to these assignments, readings will be Grading Policy: The final grade in this course will be determined by a student’s overall mastery of the subject matter as evidenced on exams, projects, presentations, homework assignments, consistent attendance and quality of class participation. Attendance/Participation: 15% Memorization, Preparation & Performance: 50% On-Camera Monologue: 10% TV Scene: 15 % Movie Scene: 15% Audition: 10% Critiques: 15% Mid-term Assessment Paper: 10% Final Self-Assessment Journal: 10% Criteria for Evaluation: This is a skill building course where the grades will be based on the following criteria: a. Attendance/Participation Your level of participation, enthusiasm, energy, and willingness to work in this class is of the utmost importance. Watching others shoot a scene can be tremendously beneficial to your own acting. b. Memorization, Preparation & Performance – Each time you shoot an exercise, monologue, or scene in class, you need to come in with the material fully Off-Book. - All memorization, character choices, and business choices must be done before class. - It is your responsibility to physically and vocally warm-up before each class. (Relaxation is very important for camera acting). - Shut OFF cell phones. - No food is permitted in class or near any of the video equipment. c. Critiques – Your ability to self-critique as well as offer constructive criticism is required. 4 d. Mid-term Paper –You will write a three page paper on your self-assessment for the first half of the semester; collecting and evaluating exercises, scenes and monologues. e. Self-Assessment Papers – You will articulate your on-camera strengths and weaknesses; reflect on your process when approaching on-camera scene work; track our acting development and the differences between stage acting and camera acting. The journal should have a collection of ALL your scene, monologue and critiques. 90-100 = A 86-89 = B+ 80-85 = B 76-79 = C+ 70-75 = C 65-69 = D 0- 64 = F W = Official Withdrawal INC = Incomplete Attendance Policy: • Attendance is mandatory: You cannot learn if you are not here and your fellow students are deprived of your insights and contributions. • The Visual & Performing Arts Department policy regarding attendance will be followed. • The first two (2) unexcused absences will be accepted, after that you will lower your final grade by one letter grade for each additional absence. • Three tardies of more than 10 minutes each will equal one absence. • All handouts and assignments will be given in class; if you miss a class, you are responsible for getting all handouts and assignments. • All course paperwork will also be posted on Moodle. BCC Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes. Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements: • Bergen Community College is committed to academic integrity – the honest, fair and continuing pursuit of knowledge, free from fraud or deception. Please review the college catalogue or student handbook for further information on this topic. • Bergen Community College has adopted an internal grievance procedure to provide for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by federal regulation implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. (ADA). Please review the college catalogue for further information on this topic. • Bergen Community College is committed to providing its students and employees with an academic and work environment free from sexual harassment or discrimination. Please review the policy prohibiting sexual harassment in the college catalog. • Please review the statement on acceptable use of BCC technology in the college catalog. • Faculty hold 3 office hours per week, and as requested by students, by appointment. Students are encouraged to seek out their faculty member for academic needs. • All students are encouraged to visit and use the BCC Library. There are particularly excellent electronic references in the area of music available to our students. 5 • Students are encouraged to use the student support services of the college. These services include: the Writing Center, the music-computer Lab, the Tutorial Center, and the Office of Specialized Services. The Distance Learning Office – for any problems you may have accessing your online courses Room C-334 201-612-5581 psimms@bergen.edu The Tutoring Center Room L-125 201-447-7908 The Writing Center Room L-125 201-447-7908 The Online Writing Lab (OWL) On Line at: www.bergen.edu/owl The Office of Specialized Services (for Students with Disabilities) Room S-131 201-612-5270 The Sidney Silverman Library – Reference Desk Room L-226 201-447-7436 Student and Faculty Support Services: [optional but recommended] Accessibility Statement Bergen Community College is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its programs. If you have a documented disability (or think you may have a disability) and, as a result, need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this class, complete course requirements, or benefit from the College’s programs or services, contact the Office of Special Services (OSS) as soon as possible at 201-612-5270 or www.bergen.edu/oss. To receive any academic accommodation, you must be appropriately registered with OSS. The OSS works with students confidentially and does not disclose any disability-related information without their permission. The OSS serves as a clearinghouse on disability issues and works in partnership with faculty and all other student service offices. Student Support Services Bergen Community College provides exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. A comprehensive array of student support services including advising, tutoring, academic coaching, and more are available online at https://bergen.edu/currentstudents/. 6 • Sidney Silverman Library Online Resources: Guides B Subject - https://bergen.libguides.com/index.php General Search and Databases: https://bergen.edu/library/ Include a Course Outline and Calendar: Week: Topic/Activity: Learning Outcomes: Assignments/Events: 1 INTRODUCTION: Course overview and purpose Personal Histories. Discussion of Film/Television Acting vs. Acting for the stage. Review of Acting Fundamentals Read: Ch. 1 - “Acting for the Camera” Mid-Term Paper & Final Journal 2 SPONTANEITY AND IMPROVISATON – Improv Exercises, relaxation and breathing fundamentals. Discuss Ch. 1 Read: Ch. 2 “Acting for the Camera” 3 AUDITIONS Slating and Cold Readings Discussion of the Film/Television casting process; Agents, Managers & Casting Directors. Discuss Ch. 2 Acting exercises. 1, 2, 5 4 TERMINOLOGY AND STUDIO JARGON Discussion of film/tv terminology. Tour of studio, booth, equipment. Acting exercises 1, 2, 5 Commercial copy 5 COMMERCIALS Introduction/Viewing of Commercials. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Read: Ch. 3 – “Acting for the Camera” 7 Shooting Commercials. Critique/Evaluations Playback 6 COMMERCIALS (CON’T) Continue shooting and discussing Commercials. The Improv Audition. Cold readings. Discuss Ch. 3 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Monologues 7 MIDTERM/MONOLOGUES Rehearse and shoot monologues Watch and critique monologues. 2, 3, 4 Industrial Copy Read: Ch. 4 – “Acting for the Camera” 8 CORPORATE VIDEOS Acting Exercises for Corporate Video. Shoot Corporate Videos Critique/Evaluation Playback Cast Daytime Drama Scripts Discuss Ch. 4 1, 2, 3, 4 Daytime Drama Copy – Scene work 9 DAYTIME DRAMA Shoot Daytime Drama Videos Critique/Evaluate playback Cast Sit Com Scenes Acting exercises. 1, 2, 3, 4 Read: Ch. 5 – “Acting for the Camera” Sit Com Copy 10 SIT COMS Introduction to Sit Coms/Viewing Shoot Sit Com scenes Camera blocking Critique/Evaluate playback. Discuss Ch. 5 1, 2, 4 11 SIT COMS (CON’T) Continue with shooting Sit Com scenes. Critique /Evaluate playback Acting exercises. 1, 2, 4 Read: Ch. 6 – “Acting for Camera. 12 FILM View selected scenes from films. Discuss scenes. Audition technique for Film. Discuss Ch. 6 1, 2, 3, 4 Film Monologue Read Ch. 7 – “Acting for the Camera” 13 FILM (CON’T) Shoot Film Monologues Critique/Evaluate Playback Cast Film Scenes Discuss Ch. 7 1, 2, 3, 4 Film scenes Read: Ch. 8 – “Acting for the Camera” 14 FINAL SCENES 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 8 Camera block scenes Rehearse, run Evaluate/Critique playback Discuss Ch. 8 15 FILM SCENES Final filming. Viewing Films and Evaluates/Critiques Reflections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Possible Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon the progress of the class.