School: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Acting for Screen
  • Unit Code

    ACT3004
  • Year

    2016
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    30
  • Full Year Unit

    Y
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit prepares the actor for the specialised acting techniques for camera and microphone. Actors apply these techniques to screen at broadcast standard. It is applicable to both television and film, and short projects using single and multi camera are created and analysed. Actors will operate in a professional context and work with and understand how film crews operate, how editing is conceived and how to interpret film scripts. Scenes and monologues will be filmed in a television studio as well as on location and the material will vary from contemporary American scripts to comedy and dramatic material. There is also creative collaboration with the Screen Academy. Visiting professional directors and writers will contribute to the unit.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Interpret screen writing visually and structurally for rehearsal and performance.
  2. Maintain focus in a technically demanding process.
  3. Perform confidently and professionally as an actor on film and television.
  4. Prepare for a screen test.
  5. Research and prepare for screen acting roles.
  6. Understand the mechanics of multi camera and single camera production in film and television.
  7. Work effectively within the film crew hierarchy and understand the acto'rs role.

Unit Content

  1. Adapting acting skills for the screen.
  2. Film and TV production: a) personnel; b) working methods; c) schedules; d) time management; e) the shoot; f) what an actor must deliver.
  3. Multi camera and single camera theory and practice.
  4. Performing for the camera on a variety of scripts and styles.
  5. Screen Editing.
  6. Terminology in camera and film.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, masterclasses, workshops, filming in a studio and on location.

Assessment

GS2 GRADING SCHEMA 2 Used for performance and/or practical based units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescription
PerformanceA screen test
Creative WorkScenes on camera
PerformancePerformance in a short film

Text References

  • Churcher, M. (2003). Acting for film. Virgin Books.
  • Barr, T. (1997). Acting for the camera. (1st rev. ed.). New York: Harper Perennial.
  • Benedetti, R. (2001). Action: Acting for film and television. Portland: Allyn and Bacon.
  • Caine, M. (1990). Acting in film. New York: Applause Theatre Book Publishers.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ACT3004|2|1

School: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Acting for Screen
  • Unit Code

    ACT3004
  • Year

    2016
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    30
  • Full Year Unit

    Y
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit prepares the actor for the specialised acting techniques for camera and microphone. Actors apply these techniques to screen at broadcast standard. It is applicable to both television and film, and short projects using single and multi camera are created and analysed. Actors will operate in a professional context and work with and understand how film crews operate, how editing is conceived and how to interpret film scripts. Scenes and monologues will be filmed in a television studio as well as on location and the material will vary from contemporary American scripts to comedy and dramatic material. There is also creative collaboration with the Screen Academy. Visiting professional directors and writers will contribute to the unit.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Interpret screen writing visually and structurally for rehearsal and performance.
  2. Maintain focus in a technically demanding process.
  3. Perform confidently and professionally as an actor on film and television.
  4. Prepare for a screen test.
  5. Research and prepare for screen acting roles.
  6. Understand the mechanics of multi camera and single camera production in film and television.
  7. Work effectively within the film crew hierarchy and understand the acto'rs role.

Unit Content

  1. Adapting acting skills for the screen.
  2. Film and TV production: a) personnel; b) working methods; c) schedules; d) time management; e) the shoot; f) what an actor must deliver.
  3. Multi camera and single camera theory and practice.
  4. Performing for the camera on a variety of scripts and styles.
  5. Screen Editing.
  6. Terminology in camera and film.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, masterclasses, workshops, filming in a studio and on location.

Assessment

GS2 GRADING SCHEMA 2 Used for performance and/or practical based units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescription
PerformanceA screen test
Creative WorkScenes on camera
PerformancePerformance in a short film

Text References

  • Churcher, M. (2003). Acting for film. Virgin Books.
  • Barr, T. (1997). Acting for the camera. (1st rev. ed.). New York: Harper Perennial.
  • Benedetti, R. (2001). Action: Acting for film and television. Portland: Allyn and Bacon.
  • Caine, M. (1990). Acting in film. New York: Applause Theatre Book Publishers.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ACT3004|2|2