2.1 Acting for Film

• describe how actor’s tools are used in acting for film
• distinguish between acting for stage and acting for film
• demonstrate acting skills in a short film
• appreciate role playing as a means of character development

“How does an actor prepare for an acting role in film?”

“Why are actor’s tools important in acting for film?”

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1. Acting for film
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Describe the actor's job and name the four actor's tools.
2. The body
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Use posture, gesture and movement as an actor tool.
3. Body language and gesture
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Use open and closed bodies, gesture size and stillness to show character.
4. The voice
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Use breathing, articulation, pace and tone as an actor tool.
5. The voice for the microphone
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Adapt the voice to film sound recording.
6. Imagination
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Use imagination and the magic if to build the character world.
7. Emotion
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Play emotion truthfully without forcing or overacting.
8. Using the tools together
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Use body, voice, imagination and emotion together in one truthful moment.
9. The tools on stage
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Describe how the actor's tools are used in live theatre.
10. The tools on film
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Describe how the actor's tools change for the camera.
11. Stage and film compared
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Distinguish acting for stage from acting for film.
12. Why the tools matter
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Explain why the actor's tools are important in acting for film.
13. Character and role
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Build a role from the character in the script.
14. Traits and personality
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Identify and show a character physical and personality traits.
15. Motivation
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Find what a character wants in a scene and what stands in the way.
16. Character relationships
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Play the relationship and the status between characters.
17. Backstory and given circumstances
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Build the character's past and situation.
18. Internalising the role
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Make the role your own so it arrives without effort.
19. Empathy and role playing
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Use empathy to understand a character different from yourself.
20. De-roling and care
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Leave the character after acting and take care of yourself.
21. How an actor prepares
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Put the actor preparation into a repeatable routine.
22. Analysing the script
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Break a scene into beats and find the character objectives.
23. Rehearsal
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Rehearse the role alone and with partners before filming.
24. Awareness of space on set
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Use marks, eye lines and awareness of the camera on set.
25. Acting to the camera
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Use cheating and framing knowledge to act for the lens.
26. Continuity for the actor
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Match position, props and emotion between takes.
27. Working with the director
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Take direction and collaborate with the director.
28. Acting in a short film
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Apply the actor's tools in a short film.
29. Reviewing the performance
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Watch the recording and give constructive peer feedback.
30. Journal and appreciation
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Keep a reflective journal and value role playing.