REV. 9/15
ACTING FOR FILM
Special Topics
FLMC 13910002
78498
Fall Semester, 2015
Sound Stage-PAC Building, HCC-Spring Branch, Thursday 6-10 pm, 16 weeks
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: FLMC 1391
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.
Prerequisites: No prerequisites exists for this class, however, it is a good idea to
have an interest in the film making process, as this class will cover many different
aspects for film makers, and focuses mainly on the acting process and techniques.
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:
Date:
Class: Acting for Film: FLMC 1391
Signed:_________________________________________________________________
Student Learning 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.
Scans or Core Curriculum Statement and Other Standards:
Credit: 3
This course is designed to help students achieve the goals and ideas set forth for
beginning and/or intermediate film acting students. This course will help the student
learn how to begin the process and/or continue this process to work in the professional
film/TV/theatre field.
16 Week Calendar
Week One:
Introduction to class, including rules, HCC regulations, Goals of students/instructor for
class.
Week Two:
Class discussion of current acting topics, including attending different movies to learn to
develop the process of discerning the different acting styles. Distribute beginning scenes
and monologues to students and film different styles of “film acting.” Playback scenes
on TV monitor and discuss strategies for improvement with students.
Week Three:
Class discussion, hand out preview scenes for actors. Work on scene work with
beginning actors. In class assignment: “Who Am I?” Start filming of scenes. Student
will document in journals under “acting progress.” Explain and start process of
“relaxation techniques.” Also, discuss the inclass assignment of “The Process of
Acting.”
Week Four:
Class discussion, view work from previous week, discuss pros/cons of scene work. In
addition, students will also be documenting their thoughts and ideas for the scene work in
their journals, to be collected and reviewed at mid-term and at the end of semester. In
class assignment, “How to “score” a scene or monologue.”
Week Five:
Class discussion, in class assignment on how to develop characters and process.
Homework assignment: Individual Ideal Role and How to Develop It. Work on
scenes/monologues. Tape scenes/monologues in class. Homework assignment: “The
Comfort Zone.”
Week Six:
Class discussion. Review information for Critique Paper, due at end of Semester. This
paper will be for the student to learn how to recognize the things we have been discussing
and working on throughout the semester, when they are out in the field. Watch movie”
August Osage County.” Student will have out of class assignment due for the next class
on “Compare and Contrast 4 characters in this movie….2 main and 2 minor characters,”
focusing on “Relationships.”
Week Seven:
Class discussion. Discuss topics of: The Role of Imagination, How to practice the
technique of Concentration, Control and Discipline. Teach students the techniques of
Relaxation, different kinds Review different scenes/monologues that have been handed
out.
Week Eight:
Class discussion. Review for Midterm exam and practice monologues for midterm
exams.
Week Nine:
Class discussion. Midterm exam and midterm scenes/monologues.
Week Ten:
Class discussion. Work on “Emotional Memory and Recall” and discuss the how and
why this will help the actor develop the character. Review the student success on
midterm test and midterm scenes/monologues.
Week Eleven:
Class discussion. Work on Improv techniques and discuss how they help the
actor/director/writer perform and develop the character. Also, how this will help polish
the character and make them more believeable.
Week Twelve:
Class discussion. Assignment: “Getting in Touch with your Feelings.” Practice
scenes/monologues that incorporate the above exercise with scene work.
Week Thirteen:
Class discussion. Assignment: “Emotional Preparation.” Help students learn how the
emotional prep work will continue to build and guide the student to create their
characters.
Week Fourteen:
Class discussion. In class assignment: “Feeling your Feelings,” and “The Waterfall of
Sounds.” This includes more advanced relaxation exercises for the student to learn and
develop for this class as well as other classes in the field as well as additional classes the
student may be taking.
Week Fifteen:
Class discussion. In class assignment: “Mapping your Feelings and Emotions and
Where am I going?” Assign and work on scenes/monologues for Finals. Make sure
student has turned in “How to Score a Monologue/Scene” from earlier and they have
concept for final scene/monologue. Rehearse scenes/monologues for finals.
Week Sixteen:
Class discussion. Begin filming finals for students. Watch playback of finals for
students to be able to document in their journals. Pick up journals for “journal grade,”
from students.