EIGHT-WEEK ACTING FOR FILM WORKSHOP

Working on scenes from published plays and screenplays allows actors to learn all of the basic concepts of approaching a scene: defining objectives, breaking the scene down into beats, understanding the arc, pursuing your objective, playing actions, and working to overcome obstacles. This class provides the most basic technique for understanding acting, therefore it starts at a most basic level, usually with silent scenes or short dialogue scenes. Once the foundation is in place, longer dramatic or comedic scenes are explored. In both semesters, this class culminates in a live showcase performance of scene work.

In the first semester students learn the basics of film acting: calibrating performances based upon shot size and angle, hitting marks, emotional and physical continuity, and strength and imagination in acting choices. In the second semester the course intensifies as students are assigned scenes from produced films or, in collaboration with their instructors, develop original short films. These films are then professionally shot with a crew and edited together. In addition, students learn to perform a number of film crew positions, to broaden their knowledge of the duties of everyone on a professional film set.

No matter how well a well-seasoned professional actor can describe what it’s like to act on a film set, there is no comparison to having the actual experience. In the second semester, students are given the unique experience of acting on live film sets in original or scripted productions. Scenes and films will be developed and rehearsed incorporating all of the techniques that have been learned and then filmed in a series of full day production workshops with professional crews. Once all the footage has been shot, the scenes or films will be edited together, screened, and then provided to the students to use on their actor’s reel.

An actor’s body is his or her only instrument, therefore it must be tuned to perform expertly whenever and however needed. Movement classes, in addition to expanding body flexibility and developing the actor's ability to relax and tense when needed, will also focus on breaking down inhibitions, building ensemble spirit, and providing the necessary tools to bring physical dimension to all of their roles. In the second semester, these classes focus more specifically on movement as it is applied to the language of film.

A primary tool for the actor is the expressive and free voice. Therefore, voices must be trained to be heard (through volume adjustments), understood (through articulation) and also felt (through expression). Students gain insight into the power of how to nurture and control their voices by exercising various resonators and muscles, enabling them to release emotional impulses. In addition to breath work, classes focus on singing, relaxation, phrasing, and posture as a way of nurturing the actor's instrument. Using text, students learn to identify key words and learn how to link intention with the voice and speak clearly and powerfully through the end of a line.

The ability to improvise can never be underestimated when it comes to acting, especially on camera where there is usually very little rehearsal. Whether in comedy or drama, actors improvise well when they are fully engaged, listening to their partners, and releasing their inhibitions about failing. Through games and exercises, students learn how to let their imaginations run wild, how to play well with others, and how to live “in the moment”—free from anticipating or planning what to do next.

It’s true that monologues are often used for auditions, but working on monologues is also a technique that is very useful for film acting. Screenplays oftentimes incorporate monologues into their dramatic structures, but more importantly actors must learn the self-discipline to work individually, without relying a scene partner for inspiration. Techniques include: choosing monologues that are truthful, meaningful, and revealing, performing script analysis on monologues, staging and directing oneself, and developing both outer and inner focal points. Monologues will be presented to a live audience.

Acting teachers throughout the ages have developed many different techniques for teaching the craft to aspiring actors. Since actors oftentimes are required to draw from their many facets of their training to meet the demands of a role or a director, this class teaches a range of techniques so that actors can be best prepared for any role they are given to play.

Some people say that if you can play Shakespeare truthfully, you can play anything. Students will learn how to speak, physicalize and bring strong subtextual insights to Shakespeare's classical language, but with a modern approach that assimilates the actor's personal experiences.

This one-of-a-kind opportunity places our acting students into a real-life audition scenario as we combine our Filmmaking and Acting programs. Each actor auditions for scores of up-and-coming filmmakers, hoping for the chance to be cast in one of the short films that will be shot during the eight weeks.

Acting students rarely have the opportunity to immerse themselves in other aspects of filmmaking. However, we feel it is crucial that an actor develops strong collaborative skills by gaining a working knowledge of the film medium and how each member of a film crew contributes to making an actor’s performance shine. Therefore we provide all of our students with master classes taught by the NYFA Filmmaking faculty who give a broad outline of the mechanics, language, and production of film.

Acting is as much of a business as it is a craft. In addition to training, successful actors must develop strong marketing skills in order to build a career. These classes focus on such topics as feeling comfortable at cold readings, preparing a resume, choosing a head-shot photographer, and developing a career strategy. Additionally, actors will have the opportunity to get live auditioning experience both in class and during an open casting call with directors from the NYFA Filmmaking program.

In addition to providing students with the basic tools to edit together their own actor’s reel, we also teach the basics of narrative film editing. Since films are shot entirely out-of-sequence and scenes must flow when they are sometimes shot days or weeks apart, an actor cannot fully understand the critical concept of emotional and physical continuity unless they have a basic understanding of the film editing process.

There are no prerequisites for admission to the program. Please include a contact phone number and a current photo with the application. A New York Film Academy staff member will contact you for a telephone interview.