Spring 2021 - CA 150 E100

Introduction to Acting (3)

Class Number: 8216

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Tue, Thu, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An approach to the elements of acting for non-theatre performance majors. Work will include development of individual powers of expression - vocal, physical, intellectual, imaginative, and emotional. Students with credit for FPA 150 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

An introduction to acting with a focus on developing physical presence and the individual’s creative powers of expression – vocal, physical, intellectual, imaginative, and emotional. The first half of term will focus on games and explorations that encourage creative expression, imagination, presence, relationship, and ensemble building, and on investigating the foundational elements of acting. The second half of term will focus on application of these elements into self-selected individual monologues and assigned scenes. In Spring 2021, this course will be offered remotely. Please note, students must still be available at the given times, as synchronous online learning will form the basis of this offering. The class will be divided into two cohorts, who will each meet for 75 minutes twice weekly during the appointed times. Class discussions on given topics will occur asynchronously on Canvas, which will also house additional assignments expected to be completed outside of class times.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

  • Participate creatively, generously, and supportively as members of an ensemble
  • Take risks and move beyond their habitual comfort zone in their artistic work
  • Embody greater physical presence including greater ease of breath and body
  • Demonstrate increased self-awareness, including of thoughts, feelings, body, breath, and imagination
  • Demonstrate an increased range of physical and vocal creative expression
  • Demonstrate an applied understanding of basic acting principles
  • Demonstrate the ability to analyze a piece of dramatic text towards performance
  • Demonstrate the ability to embody a character and personalize a piece of text
  • Demonstrate increased confidence performing or presenting before an audience

Grading

  • Commitment, participation, attitude 20%
  • Progress and development 20%
  • Assignments and showings 60%

NOTES:

Commitment, Participation, Attitude (20%)


Attendance, punctuality, curiosity, active engaged participation, commitment, willingness to explore, depth of investigation, following creative impulses, respect for peers, cooperation, leadership, willingness to take risks.

Progress & Development (20%)


Individual demonstration of understanding and progress, skill development and application.

Assignments (60%)

Reflection Papers (5% of final grade)
An opportunity for you to reflect on your work of the term and articulate your personal discoveries, questions, observations, patterns, frustrations and joys. This may include thoughts, feelings, sensations, emotions, questions, images, and drawings. Emphasis on curiosity and detail. You may include descriptions of particular assignments or explorations and your response. You may also include relevant experiences from outside of class, or applying the work in presentations, rehearsals, etc. Please identify what you have discovered through our work together, and what is your next step, question or curiosity. It is suggested that you keep a work journal for yourself throughout the term documenting these themes that you can draw from in writing your reflection papers. The instructor respects your confidentiality. Papers will be graded on depth and detail of exploration and articulation. 2 – 3 typed double-spaced pages. Legible hand-written responses, or voice recordings will also be accepted, and should reflect a similar word count.

Voice Body Paper (5% of final grade)
Full details to be provided in class. As with reflection paper, the instructor respects your confidentiality. Hand-written or typed. Minimum writing time is one hour, and maximum four hours.

Reading Response Discussions (10% of final grade)
A coursepack of readings will be provided with readings assigned each week. Students will be placed in small groups and one group will spark a discussion of the concepts from the reading each week (posted in the Discussions section on Canvas). This should include:

  1. A brief summary of 3 key points from the reading.
  2. One thing that surprised you from the reading.
  3. One question you are left with.

Students are expected to respond with their thoughts and questions each week (not only on their assigned week) and will be graded accordingly. The instructor may introduce other topics for discussion as they arise; student participation is expected.

Monologue Text Assignment (10% of final grade)
Students will be required to complete a written text assignment in relationship to their individual, personalized understanding of the given circumstances of their monologue and character. Full details including format and guidelines for the written assignment will be provided in class.

Scene Text Assignment (10% of final grade)
Students will be assigned a scene and scene partner, and will be expected to complete text work on this scene independently. Full details will be provided. This term, we will be working with scenes written specifically for an online format.

Monologue and Scene Work (20% of final grade)
Students must choose a two-minute, age-appropriate, monologue from a modern, published play. A reading package of possible choices will be provided; other submissions will be considered. Students must submit their top two choices by the due date, marked first and second choice. Choices will be finalized in consultation with the instructor. Each student is expected to read the entire play their selection comes from to inform their understanding of character and context. Students must have a hard copy of their monologue for every class. Working off of devices will not be permitted. Students will show their monologue twice throughout the term, and will receive individual coaching in class. All students are also expected to practice and develop their monologues for homework. Students will be graded on preparation, depth of investigation, discovery, risk, creative impulse, clarity, and application of studio work to their performance. For scene work, students will be assigned a scene and scene partner. Students are expected to complete individual preparation and rehearse with their partner outside of class time. Full details will be provided.

REQUIREMENTS:

REQUIRED RESOURCES:

  1. Desktop computer, laptop, or tablet with built-in or compatible video camera, microphone, and speakers
  2. A reliable internet connection
  3. A private space in which you have a bit of space to move, swing your arms, lie down on the floor comfortably, and in which you feel free to vocalize, at times loudly and expressively.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

A coursepack of readings will be provided.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).