USC SCHOOL OF THEATRE
THEATRE 570 – ACTING ON CAMERA: THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS
••SYLLABUS • •
UNITS: 2 DAY: Monday
SESSION: Fall 2013 TIME: 6:30 – 10:00 PM
LOCATION: SCE Stage 2
INSTRUCTORS: Eugene Lazarev, John Rubinstein
Eugene Lazarev
TELEPHONE: (323) 650-1747 OFFICE HOURS: Schedule in advance
EMAIL:
John Rubinstein
TELEPHONE: (818) 419-5560 OFFICE HOURS: Schedule in advance
EMAIL: ,
SA: Derek Dow - - (773) 220-5824
FINAL EXAM: Monday, December 16, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Course Description:
This class --- half students of SCA, half of SDA --- is oriented toward a deeper understanding of performance. Two teachers will combine departmental forces to offer hands-on, practical experience for actors working with film directors, and for film directors working with actors. Development of short film scenes from the director's and actor's perspective; the casting and auditioning procedure; the preparations before shooting; and the ultimate coming together on the set to bring the screenplay to filmed life. Along the way, we will offer the directors a historical survey, in-class observation, and even participation in the actor's process and practice. Similarly, the actors will be able to watch the evolution of, and gain insight into, the director's goals and methodology. The ultimate purpose of the instruction is to deepen and broaden the students' knowledge of the actual working relationship between actor and director; to highlight, examine, and discuss various different personal, academic, and creative approaches to the same artistic task on both sides of the camera; to delve into and learn from some favorite scenes from professional movies; and to have pure fun working together to make a series of short films.
Students will make/present:
• A 1-minute free-form observation video (documentary scene from behavior observed on
the street).
• Two 3-5-minute films based on scenes they have presented in class.
• A showing of each student’s choice of an “outstanding performance” scene from a professional film, and a discussion of the actor’s and director’s tools.
We are not concerned with the technical quality of these exercises so much as with the impact of acting. We will work with actors on their scenes in front of the class, developing director’s way of thinking and director’s approach.
Goals and Objectives:
The ultimate purpose of the instruction is to deepen and broaden the students' knowledge of the actual working relationship between actor and director; to highlight, examine, and discuss various different personal, academic, and creative approaches to the same artistic task on both sides of the camera; to delve into and learn from some favorite scenes from professional movies; and to have pure fun working together to make a series of short films.
Textbooks and Materials:
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“An Actor Prepares” – Konstantin Stanislavsky
“The Actor and the Target” – Declan Donnellan
“A Challenge for the Actor” - Uta Hagen
“Stanislavsky in Focus” - Sharon Carnicke
“Directing Actors” - Judith Weston
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“On Directing” - Harold Clurman
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Grading:
The grades will be based on a combination of participation and attendance in the classroom, written assignments, and the production work prepared for class.
• “observation scene” (5%)
• Two 3-5-minute videos (70%)
• Class participation and contribution (15%)
• the consistency of class attendance and punctuality (5%)
• the selection and showing of a favorite “outstanding performance” scene (5%)
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Academic Integrity:
Dishonesty in any form harms the individual, other students, and the School of Theatre. Therefore, USC policies on academic integrity will be enforced in this course. Papers suspected of containing plagiarized material (the unacknowledged or inappropriate use of another’s ideas, wording, or images) will be verified for authenticity by the School of Theatre through Internet services. We expect you to familiarize yourself with the academic integrity guidelines found in the current SCampus (www.usc.edu/dept/publications/scampus)
Disability Services:
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301, and is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.
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