Theatre 435 – TFM 590
Spring 2011 Acting and Directing collaboration courses Syllabus
Class Meeting Time: Tuesday & Thursday 2:00 PM – 4:15 PM Rehearsal
outside class.
NOTE: Outside of class time, rehearsals cannot be held in Studio A
Location: COM 108, STUDIO A
Instructor: Tim Powell Office: COM LT 171A Office Phone: (619) 5943520 tpowell@mail.sdsu.edu
Instructor: Peter James Cirino Office: DA207 Phone: (619) 729-5549
pcirino@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 1:00 to 2:00 PM
or Monday by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Acting and Directing for the Camera is
production course geared to the serious emerging artist in media and theatre.
Students work on a variety of texts and on-camera assignments during the
class. Rehearsal outside of class is required. All students read plays and
screenplays and prepare in-depth text and character analyses for on-camera
scene study, and on-camera interviews and monologues. Students also fill
the necessary crew positions required for production.
All students are required to buy season tickets for The 2015 Spring SDSU
Production Season, The SDSU Student Film festivals and one TTF student
group production.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/videos/thr-roundtables-4462
http://www.egusd.net/franklinhs/mediacom/video1/second_term/acting_tips.
pdf
http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/4-practicalcamera-tips-make-directors-want-hire-you/
http://voices.yahoo.com/acting-camera-keeping-natural-507647.html
http://nofilmschool.com/2012/03/michael-caine-teaches-act-film/
Course Objectives:
1. To develop actors' and directors' expertise through in-depth text analysis
combined with production.
2. To heighten the discipline and skills necessary for creative character
development through written scores, by rehearsing and presenting
scenes, and written assignments for the camera.
3. To exercise and develop a discerning critical awareness by responding
truthfully and constructively to performance work viewed in and out
of class.
4. To understand a film set.
5. To become immersed in the business and technical aspects of a film set.
Course Requirements:
1. Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. The student’s grade is lowered
one letter grade for each absence after the first excused absence.
2. Lateness: Lateness is not tolerated in the profession or this class. Artists
on performance days are expected to be warmed up and ready to perform at
the beginning of class at 2:00pm. Students repeatedly late to class (twice)
will be denied admittance and these absences will be logged as unexcused
absences.
3. Assignments On Time: All assignments are to be completed on time.
The grade for written assignments not handed in at class but less than 24
hours late will be reduced by a full letter grade. (Example: from A- to B-,
from B+ to C+.) Late work will lose one letter grade per day late. No written
assignment will be accepted later than five days past its due date.
4. Performance: Performed assignments are due the day they are scheduled.
There is no make up for an under prepared performance. Observation,
presentation, and critical analysis are part of the learning experience in this
class.
5. Mid-Term: Which is multifaceted and will address the following issues
as they relate to preparation and production of the in-class work.
6. Plays and Films: Two SDSU season plays, one SDSU film festival
and one theatre student production. Must show proof of purchase to
1. Alice Curiouser and Curiouser March 6 to March 15 Don Powell Theatre
2. The Great American Trailer Park Musical April 24 to May 3 Don Powell
Theatre
3. Film Festival Emerging Filmmaker Festival February 12 - 13, 2015 or
Best of the Best Student Showcase May 13. Don Powell Theatre
4. One Theatre Student Organization production (ALTO, Vagina
Monologues, Skull and Dagger, DATA, The Archive, African American
Drama Association or Iota Eta Pi- Improv Team)
The following work is in preparation for each round of scenes performed or
directed.
Character description and Character analysis (Actor's responsibility)
A floor plan, including backdrop description, using existing flats or drops
(Director's responsibility)
Prop list (Director's responsibility)
list of expected wardrobe needs (Actor's
responsibility)
Shot list (Director's responsibility)
List of given circumstances (Actor's responsibility)
Character history (Actor's responsibility)
One paragraph description of events that lead up to the scene (Actor's
responsibility)
A one-paragraph description of the moments right before the scene (Actor's
responsibility)
A
short description of the outcomes of the scene (Actor's responsibility)
Scene breakdown (Actor's responsibility)
Written assignments are to be turned in via Email.
7. Class Participation: Everyone is expected to participate in discussion as
well as performance, in periodic out-of-class rehearsal and in the discussion
critiques of the in-class performances.
8. Scene Work: No scene can be shot without a complete production team.
Actors are expected to participate in at least six crew positions. Each crew
assignment will be worth 5% of a performers grade. The student line
producers will monitor all student work and report to Tim and Peter. The
Line Producers should be treated with the same respect as they are accorded
in the industry. Student evaluations should be filed with line producers, and
line producers should file all reports electronically with Tim and Peter.
Scenes will be assigned. Once scenes are assigned they will be shot in the
order assigned.
Student Disability Services:
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need
accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact
Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay
in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student
Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that
accommodations are not retroactive, and that I cannot
provide accommodations based upon disability until I have received
cooperation is appreciated.
GRADES: Total points possible 100
o Performance for scene #1 & text work. 40 points
o Written response to classmates work for scene #1.
10 points
o 5 crew assignments. 15 points
o Daily Participation and Progress. 20 points
o Proof of season theatre shows and film festival. 15 points
100 – 96 points A
95 - 91 points A90 – 88 points B+
87 – 86 points B
85 – 81 points B80 – 78 points C+
77 - 76 points C
75 – 71 points C70 – 68 points D+
67 – 66 points D
65 – 61 points D60 or below points F
Everyone is expected to stay and clean up at the end of each class. Leaving
early will result in a grade deduction.
Extra credit: In this class can be attained through additional crew
assignments or working as a background performer.
Registering to vote or if unable to register to vote volunteer one hour at a
SDSU political student organization.
Spring 2015 Schedule
Jan. 22 Introduction (Actors & Directors)
Jan. 27 Actor, director, crew communication
Assign 1st Round
Scenes – Script Analysis Assignment
Jan. 30 Quiz
Actors & Directors – Peter will “teach the script”
Feb. 3
Equipment tutorial and “A Street Car Named Desire”
break down of scene 11
Feb. 5
Equipment tutorial Assign scenes Tim & Peter
Actors
Break the Script down (Homework)
Directors - Script
Analysis
Feb. 10 Scene Rehearsal / Technical Dry Run–Tim/Peter
Feb. 12 Scene 1 - Taping
Feb. 14 Scene 2 Taping
Feb. 17 Scene 3 Taping
Feb. 19 Scene 4 Taping
Feb. 24
Scene 5 Taping
Feb. 26 Scene 6 Taping
Mar. 3
Scene 7 Taping
Mar. 10 Scene 8 Taping
Mar. 12 Scene 9 Taping
Mar.17 Scene 10 Taping
Mar.18 Scene 11Taping
Mar.24 Scene 12 Taping
Mar.26 Scene 13 Taping
Mar.25 Scene 14 Taping
Apr.7
TBD
Apr.9
TBD
Apr.14 TBD
Apr.16 TBD
Apr.21 TBD
Apr.23 TBD
Apr.28 TBD
Apr.30 TBD
May.5 Final screenings
May.7 Final screenings
Format for scene evaluation
Director:
Camera Operator:
Character one:
Character two: Student line producers:
On-set crew -- list who was on the crew
Assistant Director:
Sound: Lights:
Costumes: Set decoration:
Props:
Dolly: Cable Puller:
Grip: Continuity:
Scenery Assistant:
PA:
Evaluation of crew
On time: Prepared: Understood the scene: Willingness to work
:
Was at station for the entire shooting process:
Notes:
Format for Students evaluating scene work
Running times
Scheduled on set
Began setting up
First shot at
Number of shots
Dolly shot began at
Wrap at
NOTES
Format for scene Evaluations
Used by Students evaluating scene work
Director
Script analysis
Collaborative skills
Preparation
Actor
Script analysis
Collaborative skills
Preparation
1.) Name of Scene
Key personnel Director
SAMPLE SCENE CREW ASSIGNMENTS
For a two person scene
1.) Name of Scene
Key personnel
Director:
Camera Operator:
Character one:
Character two:
Production as needed:
Rehearsal date: Blocking rehearsal
two to three hour (minimum)
Camera Rehearsal
one-hour
Production / crew assignments
Rehearsal with professor
30 minutes
Production meeting
20 minutes
List of attendees for all rehearsals
Sample crew list
On-set crew
Assistant Director:
Sound: lines memorized
Lights: Costumes: Set decoration:
Props: Dolly: Cable Puller:
Grip: Continuity:
Scenery Assistant:
PA:
Name the script and breakdown the scene
Director: Camera Operator:
Character one:
Character two:
Extras:
Production:
Production: A suggested pre-production rehearsal schedule
Shoot date:
Rehearsal date: First meeting / read through
Blocking rehearsal
Camera Rehearsal
Lines down
Rehearsal with professor
Production / crew assignments
Production meeting
List of attendees: First meeting/read through
Director
Assistant Director
Character one & two
Blocking rehearsal
Director
Camera Operator
Character one
Character two
Camera Rehearsal
Extras
TEXTS DIRECTING ACTORS by JUDITH WESTON ISBN #
0941188248
THE CAMERA SMART ACTOR by RICHARD BRESTOFF
ISBN# 1880399768
The above texts are at the bookstore, Library, or Samuel French 1-800-8228669. Various screen plays and theatre scripts (including classics,
contemporary, and unpublished scripts available from instructors)