Acting for the Camera

Acting for the Camera
TD 351-T #25850
RTF 344 #08060

Professors

Lucien Douglas, Associate Professor of Acting and Directing, Department of Theatre and Dance
Andrew Shea, Assistant Professor, Department of Radio-Television-Film

Synopsis

Theatre and Dance Professor Lucien Douglas and Radio-Television-Film Professor Andrew Shea work together in spirited collaboration to teach a cross-disciplinary class that is simultaneously listed as TD 351-T Acting for the Camera and RTF 344 Directing Actors.

In addition to introducing students to the fundamentals of acting for the camera, this course provides an opportunity for theatre acting students to collaborate with film directing students. The Departments of Theatre and Dance and RTF are more frequently offering cross-discipline courses and opportunities for their students, despite the geographical separation of the department buildings.

Offered in the fall only, students work in small groups (one director, two actors). This course meets separately examining the process of adjusting as an actor to the demands of the camera and together with the RTF course to learn the process of collaboration between the actor and the director. In the process, all learn something about the actor-director relationship and the practical process of filmmaking.

Over the course of the semester, the class gives attention to 1) defining each student's "actor type," 2) basics of on-camera performance technique, 3) specific techniques for helping the actor to bring a deep level of truth to his/her acting, and 4) on-camera auditioning.

This is an advanced acting class, and it is expected that all acting students in this course have extensive actor training and performance experience. It is anticipated that meeting the challenges of acting for the camera will strengthen the actor's overall skills and technique, particularly in the area of personalization as students are challenged to work truthfully from their personal selves. Students should leave the course prepared to tackle an audition or performance for a professional camera-related acting project. The course will require a substantial amount of outside of class preparation, rehearsal, and video taping.

"This course is an opportunity for advanced acting students to enrich their acting technique as they learn to make the adjustments required to meet the demands of acting for the camera; it also is an opportunity to learn about the practical aspects of the filmmaking process and, through collaboration, to come to an understanding of the actor-director relationship. Students will be challenged to confront their personal truth, as they learn to work from their unique selves and to bring that which is personally meaningful to them to their acting work. Like all actor training, this becomes a very rich experience in self-discovery. Overall, it is anticipated that all students will leave the course with an enhanced understanding of their "actor type," as well as having the preparation to handle a professional audition for the camera."

—Lucien Douglas

"I really feel that this class has been beneficial and I do not think I would have enjoyed it so much under anyone else's instruction."

—Joyclen Phillips, Senior, Public Relations

For other cross-discipline opportunities for theatre and dance students, see:

Burnt Orange Productions

The University Co-op presents the David Mark Cohen New Works Festival