ACTING FOR FILM
FLMC 1391
HCC-SPRING BRANCH
Instructor: Michelle Robinson
Phone: c 281-910-4047
Email: Michelle.Robinson@hccs.edu
Course Description: This course is designed to develop a proficiency in beginning
film acting techniques, with an emphasis on content, organizational skills, time
management skills, and the delivery of scenes, monologues, projects and
assignments, as instructed.
Class Objectives:
To teach student to become self-sufficient, open and capable of performing
objectives of a beginning film acting class;
Experience the significance of acting as a communication process;
Display the qualities of active listening;
Prepare scenes, monologues and assignments as required;
Evaluate and define contents of scenes, monologues and individual/group projects.
Research topics for class/homework assignments;
Decrease anxiety for performing in public.
Responsibilities of Students:
Read all in-class and out-of-class assignments;
Participate in class activities, including relaxation techniques, individual and group
projects, etc…
Attend class regularly, missing no more that 3 hrs of instruction;
Keep a journal and participate in journal project;
Write a Communication/Event Critique paper;
Participate in Monologue/Scene work individually and in groups.
Grading:
50% Presentations and Filming
50% Classwork, Participation & Attendance, Journal entries, Exam(s), One
Performance Paper (attending a play or approved movie and preparing a paper on
it.)
FLMC 1391 is a performance-based class. Therefore, your attendance and
participation in this class is VERY important! You will be graded, as stated earlier,
for your contributions to the class. Class structure is formed around the
presentations/scenes/monologues you will be assigned or will choose.
Special needs Students:
If you have a disability which qualifies under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities
Act,) please contact the counseling center to determine accommodations.
Interspersed with these specific assignments will be numerous exercises (some
graded and some not) to develop and improve the student’s natural capabilities.
Books to be used for class (you can buy these, if you’d like, from Amazon.com)
The Workshop Monologue by Jack Poggi
Additional books as noted.
If you happen to have a legitimate emergency or problem, please contact the
instructor at the number or email listed ASAP.
ADDENDUM PAGE
I have read and understand the syllabus page for Acting for Film, FLMC 1391 @
Houston Community College-Spring Branch Campus.
Name:_________________________________________________________________
Class: Acting for Film: FLMC 1391
Signed:_________________________________________________________________
Student Goals for “Acting for Film” class @ HCC-Northwest
Michelle Robinson
At the end of the semester, student shall:
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Be able to develop and implement memorization techniques for script/scene work.
Develop and practice the techniques of “cutting” a script for characterization practice.
Learn how to manage a “script analysis” of a scene and how to implement it.
Practice individual and group scenes.
Practice and work on “table reads” and what they mean and why they’re important to
an actor.
Develop physical scoring and blocking of scenes.
Learn the importance and practice of “audition” techniques and how to use them in
practice.
Develop research techniques for “characterization” and how to incorporate into scripts.
How to build a character and incorporate into rehearsal and performance.
Practice art of camera set-ups and incorporate into rehearsals.
Learn how to create a viable “backstory” for each character.
Learn the importance and practice of relaxation techniques for helping to relax before,
during and after auditions and scene work.
Learn the importance and ability to create “beats” for each individual script and
character for rehearsal and performance.
Learn the importance of critiques for scene work and individual work.
Discuss and practice on set “etiquette” and why that is soooo important!
BONUS POINTS: I will give the student 10 bonus points for PERFECT
ATTENDANCE and 5 bonus points for missing only one class. I am
diligent on the records so I will be checking. You may ask me at any
time what your standing is in class.
(Any student missing more than 1/12th of the classes, or roughly 2 weeks
of class are to be withdrawn. For MW, TH, that’s 4 class meetings; What
this Professor employs is 3 absences – o.k. 4th absence grade is lowered
by 1 grade point. 5th is the end of class. And if the 5th is taken after
the official drop date, the student’s grade will revert to an “F.”)
HCC COURSE WITHDRAWAL POLICY
The State of Texas has begun to impose penalties on students who drop
courses excessively. For example, if you repeat the same course more
than twice, you have to pay extra tuition. In 2007, the Texas
Legislature passed a law limiting new students (those starting college
in Fall 2007) to no more than 6 (six) total course withdrawals
throughout their academic career in obtaining a baccalaureate degree.
There may be future penalties imposed.
To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has
instituted an Early Alert process by which your instructor will “alert”
you and HCC Student Services of the chance you might fail a class
because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. You
should visit with you Instructor/Professor, an HCCS counselor, or HCCS
Online Student Services to learn about what, if any HCC interventions
might be offered to assist you – tutoring, child care, financial aid,
job placement, etc., -- to stay in class and improve your academic
performance.
You MUST visit with a faculty advisor, a counselor or on-line student
services at: http://studentservicesonline.hccs.edu/ prior to
withdrawing (dropping) the class and this must be done prior to
November 8, 2007 to receive a “W” on your transcript. After that
deadline, you will receive the grade you are making in the class which
will more than likely be an “F.”
Instructors/Professors will no longer have the discretion allow a “W”
on the final grade sheet. The student must have been dropped with a “W”
prior to November 8, 2007.
TUTORS ARE AVAILABLE (FREE) IN LIBRARIES AT TOWN & COUNTRY AND WESTGATE
– IF YOUR INSTRUCTOR/PROFESSOR NOTES TO YOU ON A PAPER OR VERBALLY THAT
YOU NEED TUTORING – SIGN UP.