Acting for Camera

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

• This subject has a quota of 80 enrolments. Selection is based on the order in which students enrol in the subject.

• Students will be required to complete pre-reading and/or viewing during the pre-teaching period. Study materials will be made available via the LMS.

146 hours.

Experience in acting or film work. Recommended prior study, (but not prerequisite): THTR10007 The Actor’s Process; THTR20022 Improvisation: Text, Space and Action, BFA Theatre Practice subjects e.g. DRAM10020 Acting and Performance Making 1A.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject is an intensive introduction to art of screen acting that focuses on the processes actors use for creating effective performances for camera. A series of practical exercises are introduced that allow participants to focus on creating effective on-screen performances. Students experiment with concept of ‘intention’ through prescribed and self-selected scenes. Practical insight into dealing with the pressure of the camera’s gaze and learning to work objectively with one’s self image is given. Classes and exercises will also focus on the analysis of classic scenes from theatre, film and television. This subject will be of interest to aspiring actors, directors, cinematographers, writers and artists wishing to gain a practical understanding of the relationship between the living body and its performance for camera.

• demonstrate an application of acting for camera technique including ‘inhabiting the material’, ‘clarity of intention’ and ‘revelation of inner life’;
• select and adapt material appropriate to the context of filmed performance;
• perform in a way that is believable, instinctive and tells a story simply;
• analyse the fundamental constituents that underlie the creation of an effective performance for camera;
• work effectively as a collaborator in scene work;
• solve problems in relation to the production of filmed scene work.

• Reflection Paper (1500 words), due two weeks after the end of the intensive teaching period (35%);
• Performance Screen test simulation (in class), due on the last day of the intensive teaching period (40%);
• Daily preparation of short scenes, individual and/or group acting exercises, and active contribution to all filming and improvisation classes as directed during intensive workshop week, due throughout the intensive teaching period (25%).

Hurdle Requirement: 100% punctual and full attendance is expected during the intensive. Less than 80% attendance will result in a fail.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• Exercise understanding of the complexities underlying verbal communication;
• Exhibit lucid verbal and written communication skills and fluency within the student’s own practice and across other disciplines;
• Develop a sense of individual perspective;
• Articulate basic concepts and ideas within a dramatic;
• Utilise effective library research skills, including the development of search strategies to find information from a variety of quality information resources, including online databases, books, journals, internet, and a variety of multimedia-rich resources;
• Demonstrate effective time-management skills.