Version 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: discuss the basics of acting technique and an approach to performing scenes for the camera and live performance; recognize the differences in performance levels between live performance and camera performance; break a scene down into beats, assign an action to each beat, create an emotional arc, establish an objective, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles to achieving the objective; identify and use given circumstances and subtext and their application to the playing of a scene; put into use the basic elements of listening and agreement and act freely through the use of improvisation skills; realize and begin to practice the integration of voice and body into performance through an awareness of the use of breath and body alignment; apply learning to voice-over text; utilize the essential skills of monologues for performing in contrasting pieces; analyze a scene for the purpose of cold reading and define the essential elements for effective delivery of it in the absence of the complete narrative; safely execute staged punches, falls, and rolls; create a resume, compose a cover letter, and recognize what makes a good headshot for actors; fit into a film shoot by knowing how the mechanics of film affect the choices the actor makes in approaching text. Version 2: Students will be able to: discuss a film as a visual medium; break a scene down into beats and assign an action to each beat and create an emotional arc; establish an objective and develop strategies to overcome obstacles to achieving the objective; play an action; modulate a performance to fit the framing of shots, from establishing to close-up; put to use dramatic action, observation, and characterization through scene work; apply text analysis to scripted material; prepare two contrasting monologues; connect the body and voice to scripted material; increase flexibility through body awareness (yoga and pilates exercises); refine listening skills and ensemble playing through improvisation; recognize the essential choices needed for effective execution of cold readings; demonstrate effective use of physical and emotional life; and examine the role of the director with an emphasis on how this role affects the choices an actor makes in performance.

Version 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: discuss film as a visual medium; break a scene down into beats, assign an action to each beat, create an emotional arc, establish an objective, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles to achieving the objective; play an action; modulate a performance to fit the framing of shots, from establishing to close-up; put to use dramatic action, observation, and characterization through scene work; apply text analysis to scripted material; prepare two contrasting monologues; connect the body and voice to scripted materials; increase flexibility through body awareness and yoga exercises; refine listening skills and ensemble playing through improvisation; recognize the essential choices needed for effective execution of cold readings, making effective use of physical and emotional life; create marketing tools essential for the actor, such as headshot, cover letter, postcards, etc. and a strategy for their implementation; examine the roles of the editor, director, and cinematographer with an emphasis on how these roles affect the choices an actor makes in performance; perform a Shakespeare soliloquy and expand on the range of emotional life. Version 2: Students will be able to: discuss film as a visual medium; break a scene down into beats and assign an action to each beat and create an emotional arc; establish an objective and develop strategies to overcome obstacles to achieving the objective; play an action; modulate a performance to fit the framing of shots, from establishing to close-up; put to use dramatic action, observation, and characterization through scene work; apply text analysis to scripted material; prepare two contrasting monologues; connect the body and voice to scripted material; increase flexibility through body awareness (yoga and pilates exercises); refine listening skills and ensemble playing through improvisation; recognize the essential choices needed for effective execution of cold readings; demonstrate effective use of physical and emotional life; examine the role of the director with an emphasis on how this role affects the choices actors make in performance; and create marketing tools essential for the actor (headshot, cover letter, post cards, etc.) and a strategy to implement these tools.