Theatre 435 – TFM 590 Spring 2014
Acting and Directing collaboration courses
Syllabus and Outline
Class Meeting Time: Tuesday & Thursday 2:00 PM – 4:15 PM
Suggested rehearsal outside class
NOTE: Outside of class time, rehearsals cannot be held
in Studio A
Location: COM 172, STUDIO A
Instructor: Peter James Cirino
pcirino@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Phone: (619) 729-5549
Office Hours: T 11-12:30 or Thursday by Appt.
Office: Theatre 207
Instructor: Tim Powell
Office: COM 124D
tpowell@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: Wed. 2:00 - 4:00 - PM and 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 2014 SPRING SDSU PRODUCTION
SEASON, the SDSU Student Filmmakers showcase and one TTF Student Group
production.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS (NOT REQUIRED)
DIRECTING ACTORS by JUDITH WESTON
ISBN # 0941188248
THE CAMERA SMART ACTOR by RICHARD BRESTOFF
ISBN# 1880399768
Various screen plays and theatre scripts (including classics, contemporary, and unpublished
scripts available from instructors)
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-practical-camera-tips-makedirectors-want-hire-you/
http://voices.yahoo.com/acting-camera-keeping-natural-507647.html
http://nofilmschool.com/2012/03/michael-caine-teaches-act-film/
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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.
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 and how it “operates.”
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 assigned. There is no make up
for an under prepared performance. Observation, presentation, and critical analysis are part of
the learning in this class.
5. There is a mid term, which is multifaceted and will address the following issues as they relate
to preparation and production of the in-class work. The following work is in preparation for the
second round of scenes
 character description (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)
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Written assignments are to be typewritten. Neat and legible handwritten assignments will be
accepted, but the grade will be reduced by a full letter. Sloppy handwritten assignments will not
be accepted.
6. 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.
7. 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 Randy and Tim. 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 Randy and Tim.
Scenes will be assigned. Students wishing to work together should contact Tim and Randy
immediately. Once scenes are assigned they will be shot in the order assigned.
GRADES
Evaluations and Grades:
Total points possible 100
o Text quiz
o Performance grades for scene #1, text work & on-camera performance
o Written response to classmates work for scene #1
Or 3 crew assignments
o Mid Term
o Performance grades for scene #2, text work & on-camera performance
o Written response to classmates work for scene #2
Or 3 crew assignments
o Daily Participation and Progress
10
20
10
10
20
10
20
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
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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.
Format for scene suggestions
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 entire shooting process
Format for scene suggestions
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Used by 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
Director Script analysis
Collaborative skills
Preparation
Actor Script analysis
Collaborative skills
Preparation
Actor Script analysis
Collaborative skills
Preparation
Students not accounted for in class work
SAMPLE SCENE CREW ASSIGNMENTS
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For a two person scene
1.) Name of Scene
Key personnel
Director:
Camera Operator:
Character one:
Character two:
Production as needed:
Shoot date:
Rehearsal date:
First meeting / read through
Blocking rehearsal
Camera Rehearsal
Production / crew assignments
Rehearsal with professor
Production meeting
20 minutes
one hour
one hour
one hour
20 minutes
20 minutes
lines memorized
List of attendees for all rehearsals
Sample crew list
On-set crew
Assistant Director:
Sound:
Lights:
Costumes:
Set decoration:
Props:
Dolly:
Cable Puller:
Grip:
Continuity:
Scenery Assistant:
PA:
1.) Name the script and breakdown the scene
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Director:
Camera Operator:
Character one:
Character two:
Extras:
Production:
Name of person
Name of person
Name of person
Name of person
Name of person
Name of person
Name of person
A suggested pre-production rehearsal schedule
Shoot date:
Tuesday, February 20
Rehearsal date:
First meeting / read through
Blocking rehearsal
Camera Rehearsal
down
Rehearsal with professor
Production / crew assignments
Production meeting
List of attendees:
First meeting / read through
Blocking rehearsal
Camera Rehearsal
Rehearsal w/professor
Production meeting
Shoot Date
Tuesday, February 6
Thursday, February 8
Tuesday, February 13
9:35 – 9:55 AM
9:00 – 10:00 AM
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Tuesday, February 13
Wednesday, February 14
Thursday, February 15
9:30 – 9:55 AM
9:00 – 10:00 AM **
9:00 – 10:00 AM
lines
Director, Character one, Character two
Director, Camera Operator, Character one,
Character two
Director, Camera Operator, Character one,
Character two, Extras, Assistant Director
Director Camera Operator, Character one, Character
two, Extras, key production people
Director, Assistant Director, Camera Operator –
assign crew
ALL
** Additional On-set crew
Assistant Director:
Sound:
Lights:
Costumes:
Set decoration:
Props:
Dolly:
Cable Puller:
Grip:
Continuity:
Scenery Assistant:
PA:
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TFM 590
Spring 2014 Schedule
Jan. 23
Jan. 28
Jan. 30
Feb. 4
Feb. 6
Feb. 11
Feb. 13
Feb. 18
Feb. 20
Feb. 25
Feb. 27
Mar. 4
Mar. 6
Mar. 11
Mar. 13
Mar. 18
Mar. 20
Mar. 25
Mar. 27
Apr. 8
Apr. 10
Apr. 15
Apr. 17
Apr. 22
Apr. 24
April 29
May 1
May 6
May 8
May 13
Introduction (Actors & Directors)
Actor, director, crew communication
Assign 1st Round Scenes – Script Analysis Assignment
Quiz
Actors & Directors – Instructors will “teach the script”
Equipment tutorial
Assign scenes – Tim and Peter
Actors – Breaking down the script (Homework)
Directors - Script Analysis
Scene 1 Rehearsal / Technical Dry Run– Peter and Tim
Presentation of scenes 1-4
Scene 1 - Taping
Scene 1 – Taping Continued
Scene 2 – Taping
Scene 3 – Taping
Scene 4 – Taping
Presentation of Scenes 5-8
Scene 5 – Taping
Scene 6 – Taping
Scene 7 – Taping
Scene 8 - Taping
Presentation of Scenes 9-12
Contingency Day
Spring Break
Spring Break
Scene 9
Scene 10
Scene 11
Scene 12
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
Final Screenings / Final Exam
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