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

    Professional Preparation and Audition Technique
  • Unit Code

    ACT3005
  • Year

    2016
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit prepares an actor for professional life after graduation. It guides the actor to develop a competitive edge for both stage and screen industries, providing them with the tools to build a successful acting career. Visiting directors, casting directors, agents and other industry practitioners such as MEAA representatives (Equity) will present seminars and master classes. They will relate to the students what is required to fully function as professional actors. A professional standard screen test will be made and audition monologues used to critically reflect on the acto'rs work. Auditions will be held and feedback will be provided on how each actor performed in an audition environment. Actual screen tests and company auditions will also take place for professional work and engagement upon graduation, providing an excellent bridge between training and the profession.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Adjust a performance in response to direction and critical feedback.
  2. Bring to an accomplished level of performance sight-read material (a cold read).
  3. Communicate effectively with casting directors, agents, directors and film crews.
  4. Engage with the industry with a comprehensive understanding of the various roles and functions of industry personnel in the stage and screen industry.
  5. Prepare and perform a monologue and a scene for a professional screen test.
  6. Prepare and perform a monologue for a professional stage audition.

Unit Content

  1. An overview of the industry, personnel, working methods and processes.
  2. Critical reflection.
  3. Monologue preparation.
  4. Scene rehearsals.
  5. Screen test.
  6. Sight reading and analysis.
  7. What is expected of an actor: a) in an interview; b) a foyer; c) a workshop for a new script; d) an audition; e) casting agents; f) artistic directors and their company; g) television/film studio or offices.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Knowledge and skills developed through lectures, research, tutorial and classwork, Wide range acting skills will be incorporated to realise creative work within a screen and stage audition to a panel of industry professionals, Critical feedback will be provided to the students.

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
PerformanceScreen test
Creative WorkAudition
Reflective PracticeCritical feedback
ExerciseIndustry protocol/professionalism

Text References

  • Carey, D. (1985). The actor's audition manual. Sydney: Currency Press.
  • Macauley, A. (2003). Don't tell me, show me. Sydney: Currency Press.

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.

ACT3005|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

    Professional Preparation and Audition Technique
  • Unit Code

    ACT3005
  • Year

    2016
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit prepares an actor for professional life after graduation. It guides the actor to develop a competitive edge for both stage and screen industries, providing them with the tools to build a successful acting career. Visiting directors, casting directors, agents and other industry practitioners such as MEAA representatives (Equity) will present seminars and master classes. They will relate to the students what is required to fully function as professional actors. A professional standard screen test will be made and audition monologues used to critically reflect on the acto'rs work. Auditions will be held and feedback will be provided on how each actor performed in an audition environment. Actual screen tests and company auditions will also take place for professional work and engagement upon graduation, providing an excellent bridge between training and the profession.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Adjust a performance in response to direction and critical feedback.
  2. Bring to an accomplished level of performance sight-read material (a cold read).
  3. Communicate effectively with casting directors, agents, directors and film crews.
  4. Engage with the industry with a comprehensive understanding of the various roles and functions of industry personnel in the stage and screen industry.
  5. Prepare and perform a monologue and a scene for a professional screen test.
  6. Prepare and perform a monologue for a professional stage audition.

Unit Content

  1. An overview of the industry, personnel, working methods and processes.
  2. Critical reflection.
  3. Monologue preparation.
  4. Scene rehearsals.
  5. Screen test.
  6. Sight reading and analysis.
  7. What is expected of an actor: a) in an interview; b) a foyer; c) a workshop for a new script; d) an audition; e) casting agents; f) artistic directors and their company; g) television/film studio or offices.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Knowledge and skills developed through lectures, research, tutorial and classwork, Wide range acting skills will be incorporated to realise creative work within a screen and stage audition to a panel of industry professionals, Critical feedback will be provided to the students.

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
PerformanceScreen test
Creative WorkAudition
Reflective PracticeCritical feedback
ExerciseIndustry protocol/professionalism

Text References

  • Carey, D. (1985). The actor's audition manual. Sydney: Currency Press.
  • Macauley, A. (2003). Don't tell me, show me. Sydney: Currency Press.

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.

ACT3005|2|2