Hands-on Intensive 4-Week Acting for Film Workshop

OVERVIEW

No matter how beautiful the cinematography or impressive the special effects in a film, audiences are drawn in by the struggles of the characters on screen. On set, dozens of crewmembers whirl about, twelve kilowatt lights bore into the eyes, focus tape is pulled to the actor's cheek, and the actor is still expected to give a believable and moving performance.

The Four-Week Acting for Film Workshop allows students to participate in a short training workshop that demands full immersion into learning the craft of acting. Students who find the training beneficial are encouraged to join the second half of the Eight-Week Acting for Film Workshop, intensifying their studies and gaining more experience in front of the camera. Many of our Four-Week students have gone on to enroll in our popular One-Year Conservatory Acting Program. In select locations a special three-week session is also available.

FORMAT

The Four-Week Acting Workshop provides students with a thorough foundation of acting skills with a specific focus on acting for film. Many students find the one-month length fits conveniently into their yearly schedules. The workshop is a full-time program. Students must be prepared to make a serious commitment to its completion.

Classes emphasize the basic elements of the craft of acting using Stanislavsky's System, scene study, and monologue work as starting points. In conjunction with these classes, students participate in courses aimed specifically at training the actor for the technical requirements of acting on a film set.

No significant prior experience or knowledge is assumed. The program brings everyone to the same level very quickly, beginning with the fundamentals while also filling in the inevitable gaps in the understanding of those with some prior experience.

Course Description

Acting for Film Scene Study Monologues Voice and Movement

Improvisation Audition Technique Film Craft: Directing and Cinematography

Acting for Film

Students learn the basics of film acting: calibrating performances based upon shot size and angle, eye line, hitting marks, emotional and physical continuity, and strength and imagination in acting choices. Students are assigned scenes from produced screenplays, which are then shot and edited together.

Scene Study

These sessions build a foundation of acting through the study of the execution of a written scene. By working on sections of published plays and screenplays, actors will learn the basic concepts of scene study: defining objectives, breaking the scene down into beats, understanding the arc of a scene, pursuing objectives, playing actions, and working to overcome obstacles. Students first begin with silent scenes and/or short dialogue scenes. Once the foundation is in place, longer dramatic or comedic scenes are explored.

Monologues

These sessions develop the student’s understanding of the delivery of the monologue: a technique that can be applied to everything from auditions to stage readings to film work. Screenplays oftentimes incorporate monologues into their dramatic structures—but more importantly actors must learn the self-discipline to work individually, without relying on a scene partner for inspiration. Skills focused on 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.

Voice and Movement

An actor’s body is his or her instrument—it must be tuned to perform expertly whenever and however needed. In addition to expanding body flexibility and developing the actor's ability to relax and tense when needed, movement sessions focus on breaking down inhibitions, building ensemble spirit, and providing the necessary tools to bring physical dimension to all roles. A primary tool for the actor is an expressive and free voice. Therefore, the actor’s voice must train 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, voice sessions 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.

Improvisation

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.

Audition Technique

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 sessions focus on such topics as feeling comfortable at cold readings, preparing a resume, choosing a headshot 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.

Film Craft: Directing and Cinematography

In this series of classes, students will learn directing and cinematograpahy. from the actor’s perspective. Learning the roles of all the players on a film set dramatically increases the actor’s ability to collaborate with the filmmakers in developing dynamic performances.

Dates & Tuition