Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Course Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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THTR 1033 - Acting for the Camera

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab None
Course Description: This course is for students who want to learn about acting in video, film, television and other recorded media. Students will perform in front of a camera and review their work to improve on-camera acting skills. Students will also be introduced to methods of auditioning, script and character analysis for recorded auditions, acting as communication, and acting styles in film and video. Students will also analyze films and videos and create a sample storyboard for a short scene. Students who enjoy making their own movies may have a special interest in the content of this course.
MnTC Goals
6 Humanities/Fine Arts

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content
  1. Acting is Collaboration
    1. Trust exercises
    2. Observation exercises
  2. Actor as Creative Artist
    1. Who am I
    2. Use of self in the acting process
    3. Song exercise
  3. Analyzing the Script
    1. Interpreting the who, what, when, where, how of a script
    2. Finding the essence of a character in the film script   
    3. Acting methods to bring a character to life in a scene
    4. Action in the script translated to “blocking” in front of the camera
  4. Analyzing Film and Video
    1. Recognizing and analyzing word choices in the script
    2. Determining and evaluating what is communicated in a given scene
    3. Recognizing and evaluating the actor’s contribution to the communication and aesthetic
  5. Who’s who on a film/television set
    1. Directing
    2. Camera
    3. Wardrobe/makeup
    4. Lighting, sound
  6. Acting on Camera
    1. Running the camera
    2. Setting up your scene
    3. Making sure your artistic choices appear in the performance
    4. Overacting and underacting
    5. Artistic choices for acting in comedy
  7. Location filming
    1. Similarities and Differences with studio acting
    2. Using the location to inspire you as an artist
    3. Challenges to the acting/creating process when on location
  8. Rights and Responsibilities of Video, Film, Television Actors
    1. AFTRA
    2. AEA

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. create practical and artistic ideas related to acting for the camera.
  2. interpret the words of characters to create compelling scenes on screen.
  3. perform basic on-camera acting techniques.
  4. analyze scripts and characters for artistic details important to creating roles on camera.
  5. determine their own strengths and challenges regarding acting on camera.
  6. collaborate successfully to record an acting scene on camera.
  7. evaluate acting performances in film.
  8. describe how camera movement interacts with the actor’s work to produce various artistic effects.
  9. list the positives and negatives of movement and positioning choices an actor can make for a specific scene.
  10. identify acting styles in a variety of aesthetic films.

Competency 1 (1-6)
06. 01. Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
06. 02. Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.
06. 03. Engage in the creative process or interpretive performance.
06. 04. Engage in the creative process or interpretive performance.
06. 05. Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
Competency 2 (7-10)
None


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