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No
matter how beautiful the cinematography or impressive the
special effects in a movie, audiences are drawn in by the
struggles of the characters on screen. On set, dozens of
crew members may be whirling about; twelve-kilowatt lights
bore into the eyes; focus tape is pulled to the actor’s
cheek, and the actor is still expected to give a
believable and moving performance. Tuition for the Acting
Workshop is $2,500 for the four-week workshop.
In
acknowledgment of the importance of the film actor's job,
and in support of the skills required to do the job
brilliantly, the Film Academy is proud to offer its Acting
for Film Workshop.
Format
Unlike
other acting workshops, our program is integrated with our
film school. This has many advantages for the acting
student interested in work in front of the camera.
Classes
emphasize, first, the theory and practice of the basic
elements of the acting craft, using Stanislavsky's Method
and scene and monologue work as starting points. In
conjunction with these classes, students participate in
courses aimed specifically at training the actor for the
arduous requirements of acting on a film set.
The
Acting for Film Workshop meets Monday through Friday,
every day. Students should be prepared to devote 9-5 to
workshops and exercises and additional hours in the
evenings for rehearsal.
Every
student shares the same curriculum. Much time is spent
focusing on scene study, voice, and movement. Classes work
to break down physical and internal inhibitions, and help
the student find the most effective personal sources for
the creation of truthful characters. Students should be
prepared to work in non-traditional acting classes
emphasizing the construction and control of character
given the unique pressures of a film or television shoot.
Film or video cameras may be used during particular
classes.
One
additional advantage to being housed within a film school
is that the acting program takes full advantage of the
numerous films being shot year round. Student films are
being written and produced literally down the hallway.
Though not required, many acting students get invaluable
experience in front of the camera by being cast in student
productions. Students are able to compile reels of filmed
scenes to use for future casting purposes.
Course
Description:
Enrollment
As
in all the workshops, serious students from all
backgrounds are welcome to apply. The program encourages
enrollment of students from all parts of the US and from
all over the world. NO previous acting background is
required. As on the professional film set, actors from
varying backgrounds and skill level work together,
embracing the craft with a beginner’s mind and an
attitude of contribution. Students must be willing to
apply themselves to the rigors of the curriculum. This
will lead to finding within themselves previously
undiscovered stores of energy, inspiration and creativity.
Curriculum
This
intensive program features top-notch instructors committed
to the highest standards. Participants are coached to have
breakthroughs in the execution of their craft and in their
personal creativity. Students are encouraged to challenge
themselves and step outside their usual comfort zones.
This process, when committed to fully, propels actors into
new states of competency and ability, establishing a
heightened level of artistry. However, it must be stated
that no guarantees of work are ever given as no one makes
an actor these days. Actors "make" themselves
through a steadfast commitment to the craft and by
maintaining an unwavering tenacity through each level of
their pursuit.
Technique
and Scene Study
Students
work with published material and learn to create a
template for a solid approach to scene work. Technique is
addressed through various exercises from Stanislavsky;
other methods and techniques may also be introduced to
expand the student’s perspective. Professional standards
are maintained and students are coached to take their work
from ground zero to performance level. Scenes are
extensively rehearsed and effective rehearsal techniques
are practiced. Class progress is recorded culminating in a
final taping. Outside preparation and rehearsal time is
required.
Monologue
Work
Students
work with original and published material, preparing
monologues for use in auditions. Class progress is taped
and the emphasis is on creating an audition reper toire
designed to highlight the student’s individual talents.
Outside preparation and rehearsal time is a requirement of
this course.
Cold
Reading / Auditioning Techniques
Students
are challenged in life-like audition setting. The cold
reading process is drilled and students work with a
casting director to hone and refine their auditioning
skills. This class prepares actors for handling the often
nerve-racking experience of auditioning. Outside
preparation is a requirement of this course.
Improvisation
Students
are introduced to the challenging and delightful realm of
improvisation. Through various exercises and situations,
skills and instincts are developed which prepare the
student to sharpen their instincts and integrate technique
with inspiration.
"People?
I ain't people. I am a shimmering, glowing star in the
cinema firmament."
- Singing in the Rain
Children
do not need 'method' acting classes. Exposing children and
teens to adult acting techniques is not appropriate.
Children need to play, and live their lives. They need to
be protected from the media
and educated. Keep them away from
television! Sending them to a Waldorf
school will nurture their creativitity. Spend time
with them and tell them the truth about your life. Read
the autobiographies of Laurence Olivier, Vanessa Redgrave,
Elizabeth Ashley, Shelley Winters or Elia Kazan. Listen
to Jodi Foster. Are you sure you want your kids to go
into show business? Instead of spending money on drama
classes take your kids to London or New York so that they
can see some live theater. click
here for a real eye-opener SM
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The
Method
This
course teaches acting technique according to
Stanislavsky's “System” as developed by the Actor's
Studio as the “Method”. The technique incorporates
relaxation and sense memory training (access of emotions
through direct sensory stimulation in the moment) to guide
students towards a personal and honest creation of the
foundations of character.
Acting
for Film and Television
Central
to the workshop, this class teaches students how to
overcome the technical and stylistic demands made on
actors working in films and television. What do actors do
when they are thrown into the maelstrom of the set? How
must performances be adjusted when a few feet from the
camera and crew, instead of a theater audience? How do
actors move to precise marks and deliver the same line
take after take and make it real each time?
Relaxation
methods and scene analysis will be taught as they apply to
film and television acting. Scenes from film scripts will
be analyzed for blocking. The class covers how actors must
maintain a consistent emotional through-line from scene to
scene, even while shooting out of sequence. Other topics
addressed include imaginary eyelines, the actor's business
in the film world, and understanding the responsibilities
and challenges of the crew on set.
Exercises
on video help students develop techniques for rehearsing,
reading, auditioning, and creating a meaningful
performance before the camera.
Film
Craft
This
class introduces acting students to the language and
grammar of filmmaking. This includes an understanding of
shot language, eyelines, screen direction, camera
movement, and lighting. Film Craft aims to help the actor
communicate more effectively with directors and increase
their understanding of the film medium.
Scene
and Monologue Work
Students
work with original and published material through an
application of The Method. Scenes are extensively
rehearsed and performed. Students receive critiques and
adjustments from the instructor and fellow students.
Voice
In
Voice and Singing class, students are taught a repertoire
of exercises that increase mental and physical awareness,
improve body alignment, and stimulate natural, reflexive
breathing. Students study how to open channels in the body
that control the vibrations, resonance, and range of the
human voice.
Yoga
for Actors
Yoga
can be used as an invaluable addition to the actor's
craft, helping to develop the actor's health and physical
and spiritual relaxation abilities. Yoga warms the actor
up for the day's work. Through Yoga, the body/mind can be
brought into a state of balance and clarity, allowing the
actor to more effectively find and be his or her
character.
Voice
and Movement
Non-singing
voice exercises explore and tone the voice along with
movement exercises designed to fully integrate the
physical and emotional aspects of the actor’s
instrument.
Audition
Techniques
This
class prepares actors for handling the often
nerve-wracking experience of the audition.
Additional classes may be
offered in the following topics, depending on the workshop
date:
Celebrated actors and
industry professionals discuss their craft with students
in lectures and question and answer sessions.
Shakespeare's
Method
Using
the First Folio of 1623, students learn to uncover
Shakespeare's directing intentions in the text.
Traditional Shakespearean scene study, balanced with
modern analysis and training techniques, enable the actor
to create characters that are exciting and real.
The
Alexander Technique
Hands-on
work in the Alexander Technique will help students free
the body and uncover its innate coordination, grace, and
ease.
Comedy
Students
will explore comedy through improvisation, scenes,
stand-up and musical comedy. Students will come out of the
class with a comic piece useful for auditions and
performance.
"To
be nobody but yourself, in a world which
is doing its best night and day, to make you like
everybody else, means
to fight the hardest battle which any human being can
fight and to never stop fighting." Goethe
i.e.
only your love and passion allow the real you to survive,
no question! -F.H.-
- Sense Memory/Emotional recall
- Improvisation
- Scene Study
- Eastern European and American
'Stanislavsky' technique
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