Theatre 435 – TFM 590
Spring 2011 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 108, STUDIO A
Instructor: Tim Powell Office: COM LT 171A Office Phone: (619) 5943520 tpowell@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours:
Instructor: Peter James Cirino Office: Theatre 207 Phone: (619) 729-5549
pcirino@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday & 11:00 - 12:30 PM or
Thursday 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 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-practical-camera-tipsmake-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.
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 plays, one SDSU film festival and one theatre
student production with a perspective on the diversity in
each show.
1. Pal Joey
SDSU Don Powell Theatre
2. Jungle Book
SDSU Don Powell Theatre
3. Film Festival
SDSU Don Powell Theatre (TFM Film Fest. Jan.30/31 or
May 15 or Prod Film Festival May 8.
4. One Theatre Student Organization production (ALTO, Vagina Monologues,
Skull and Dagger or Iota Eta Pi- Improv Team)
The following work is in preparation for each round of scenes performed or
directed.
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)
Written assignments are to be turned in via Email.
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. 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.
GRADES:
Evaluations and Grades:
Total points possible 100
o Text Quiz. 10
o Performance for scene #1 & text work. 20 points
o Written response to classmates work for scene #1.
5 points
o 3 crew assignments. 5 points
o Mid Term. 10 points
o Performance for scene #2 & text work. 20 points
o Written response to classmates work for scene #2. 5 points
o 3 crew assignments. 5 points
o Daily Participation and Progress. 20 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.
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
Spring 2011 Schedule
Jan. 23 Introduction (Actors & Directors)
Jan. 28 Actor, director, crew communication
Assign 1st Round
Scenes – Script Analysis Assignment
Jan. 30 Quiz
Actors & Directors – Peter will “teach the script”
Feb. 4
Equipment tutorial and “A Street Car Named Desire”
break down of scene 11
Feb. 6
Assign scenes – Tim and Peter
Actors –Break the
Script down (Homework)
Directors - Script
Analysis
Feb. 11
Scene Rehearsal / Technical Dry Run–Tim/Peter
Feb. 13
Scene 1 - Taping
Feb. 15
Scene 2 Taping
Feb. 18
Scene 3 Taping
Feb. 20
Scene 4 Taping
Feb. 25
Scene 5 Taping
Feb. 27
Scene 6 Taping
Mar. 4
Scene 7 Taping
Mar. 6
Scene 8 Taping
Mar. 8
Scene 9 Taping
Mar.11
Scene 10 Taping
Mar.13 Scene 11Taping
Mar.18 Scene 12 Taping
Mar.20 Scene 13 Taping
Mar.25 Scene 14 Taping
Mar. 27 TBD
Apr.8
TBD
Apr.10 TBD
Apr.15 TBD
Apr.17 TBD
Apr.22 TBD
Apr.24 TBD
Apr.29 TBD
May.1
TBD
May.6
TBD
May.8
Final screenings/Final exam
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
one hour
Camera Rehearsal
one-hour lines memorized
Production / crew assignments
one hour
Rehearsal with professor
30 minutes
Production meeting
20 minutes
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
20 minutes one hour one hour one hour 20 minutes 20 minutes
lines memorized
Director:
Name of person
Camera Operator:
Name of person
Character one:
Name of person
Character two:
Name of person
Extras:
Name of person
Production:
Name of person
Production:
A suggested pre-production rehearsal schedule
Shoot date: Tuesday, February 20
Rehearsal date:
First meeting / read through
Tuesday, February
Blocking rehearsal
Thursday, February
Camera Rehearsal
Tuesday, February
Lines down
February Thursday,
Rehearsal with professor
Tuesday, February
Production / crew assignments
February Thursday,
Production meeting
Tuesday, February
List of attendees:
First meeting/read through Tuesday, February Director, Character one & two
Blocking rehearsal
Director, Camera Operator, Character one, Character two
Camera Rehearsal
Director, Camera Operator, Character one,
Character two, Extras, Assistant Director
Rehearsal w/professor
Director Camera Operator, Character one, Character two,
Extras, key production people
Production meeting
Director, Assistant Director, Camera Operator assign crew
Shoot Date
ALL
** Additional On-set crew
Assistant Director:
Sound:
Lights:
Costumes:
Set decoration:
Props:
Dolly:
Cable Puller:
Grip:
Continuity:
Scenery Assistant:
PA:
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.
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 1-800-822-8669.
Various
screen plays and theatre scripts (including classics, contemporary,
and unpublished scripts available from instructors)
page 8 of 8