February 28, 2005

• ACADEMIA

  
  

  Last summer I was invited to teach an Acting course for my Alma Mater’s (SUNY Buffalo) Masters of Humanites program. 

  
  

  The class mostly caters to Grad Students who are studying to be Directors, Writers, Producers, Editor as well as some Actors too.  I guess it was pretty popular last year and I’ve been asked to do it again this summer.

  
  

  So this weekend was spent revising my syllabus to better pack the two weeks chock full of information.

  
  

  One new aspect I was able to implement this year, since the department wanted me to delve more into filmwork, is that I’m having my students do scenes from great plays such as “Proof” and “The Shape of Things”.

  
  

  Then once we get into the subtle aspects of film acting and camera movements, I’ll film their prepared scenes like a movie and then screen their feature film counterparts (that a lot of people, including myself, have probably yet to see) to compare/contrast.

  
  

   

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  I always start my students out with improvisation so they can begin to trust their gut instincts and feel comfortable with just playing.  Then I move onto Script Analysis, then on-camera work/camera angles, screenplays and having them actually go through the audition process.

  
  

  I then culminate it all by giving a first hand account, from the lead actor nevertheless, of a studio feature film’s timeline from Conception to its Premiere. 

  
  

  And on the last day,  no class is complete without the nuts and bolts about the “The Business” of The Business.  Imparting information that schools hardly ever touch upon that can only be gained through grinding it out on a daily basis.  I sure as heck wish I had something like this when I started out! 

  
  

  The only drag was having to come up with exam questions, grading system and administrative things to incorporate some objective structure for such a subjective subject.  But as you can see, my exams only account for a mere 20% of the grading — and they’re open book from the notes they take in class.  Participation is the key with me.  My motto is: “If you’re game to play, you’re gonna get an ‘A’”.  I’m such an easy Prof.   And exactly one year and 174,000 vistors ago, this xanga page was born… Happy Anniversary and thanks for reading!

  • 1:48 pm
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