Sage Parker
I am currently privileged to teach for the Theater and Dance Department at The University of California here in Santa Barbara. This class for BFA seniors, is Acting for the Camera.
Once only a comparative study of skills used in both stage and film ,this class has evolved into also being a preparatory course of acting as a business. Designed to give these students a look at how to shape their lives as Artists outside of the University setting, this ten week course is divided into two parts. Class emphasis in part one is introduction of simple business practices designed to make their lives as artists if not easier, than certainly less problematic. This portion is focused on helping them to "set up their business" in a way to best showcase their talents. In keeping up with all current trends in technology and maximizing the ability to harness it to their advantage. Personal budgets for their "businesses" will be taken into consideration, so that these students will always feel that they can do well with what they have to work with.Their budgets will take into consideration the special promotional tools and the ongoing educational considerations of their profession. These business Practices are as important in their pursuit of employment in the Theater as they are in Film & Television.
The second half of the 10 weeks in dedicated almost exclusively to the Audition process.
A major difference that students will learn is that most preparation for acting in front of the camera must be done on their own. Without the benefits and luxury of rehearsal time or the input of other actors. They will learn to work quickly, without compromising emotionally critical moments in the text. They will learn to prepare without prior knowledge of the environment in which they will be working. They will learn how to prepare without "locking into a "performance."
This emphasis will be on using the same skill and training in character preparation based in classical theater but adjusting certain aspects of that training to make the translation to a more intimate setting. Both the barrier and the obligation for the actor onstage is to communicate everything to the people in the furthermost parts of the theater. In front of the camera the actor works across "real space". The barrier and obligation for the actors in front of the camera are to simplify their actions without losing passion.In both mediums the actor's primary function is to communicate ideas and emotions to the audience. These same preparation techniques can be applied once they have the job. They will learn that once on a set , they must be ready at any moment to change their direction without changing their intentions or "objective". Students will also be given overview in the "mechanics" specific to film making. Professional guest artists will include, Actors, Directors, Writers, Producers , Casting Directors,& Cinematographers.
Space will be provided for both the artists and the students that will closely replicate working in various settings within Film & Television & Commercials. All Individual guest will be those currently working in the industry. As all endeavors, Artistic and otherwise have become more global in scope, it is increasingly necessary to prepare these students for a landscape of theatrical opportunities that are not just exclusive to Los Angeles and New York. In that same model it is just as appropriate to prepare them to work in all available and changing mediums related to their craft. Finally, I encourage each student to trust their classical training so that they can understand and appreciate the advantage that that training gives them. That the combination of their training and this course will enable each student to feel more comfortable and confident in any audition or work situation they have the opportunity to participate, in any medium which they chose to work. Thus greater improve their chance of securing work in their chosen field.
