New York City Acting Classes - Second Year Curriculum For The NYCDA Two-Year Program

THE Film and Television Year CURRICULUM

Advancement into the Film and Television year is by invitation only and is based on teacher evaluations, academic standing and final performances reviewed by the Academic Committee.

The Film and Television year brings the young actor to the world of the camera. Learning to integrate technique with understanding and accommodating the requirements of the camera are the objectives of this year. It is grounded in Scene Study for the Camera, and Acting Process for the Camera. Actors expand their on-camera craft with Auditioning for Film and Television, Commercials and Daytime Drama. Actor’s Comedy Workshop, Monologues and the Voice-over workshop continue to support actors in their growth.

Actors in the final semester begin to be introduced to the industry. To prepare them, students take a Business of the Business workshop. They are invited to do monologues for a jury of professional casting directors and agents. A six-week workshop run by casting directors gives actors the opportunity to meet and work with these professionals. The film and television year work culminates with a unit devoted to shooting a final project.

In your final semester:

You will perform before a professional jury selected by the Artistic Director. Each member prepares a detailed evaluation of your skills, casting type, strengths and areas for improvement.
You will work with professional casting directors, agents and managers to help prepare you for the realities of auditioning.
If eligible, you will audition for and participate in the final project.

THE241

PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP

Interact with industry leaders, enhance networking possibilities and garner real life
experience as a complement to in studio training. Possible placements include working in the offices of casting directors, agents, producers and advertising agencies, or with theater companies, production companies or event planners. Prepare reports reflecting on how the coursework relates to the internship experience.

1.0-3.0 Credits

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent.

THE245

ACTORS LAB III

Analyze screenplays from the actor’s point of view. Learn how to use analytical skills to build a character in an organic and truthful way. Move forward by putting all preceding Actors Lab work in front of the camera, adding the technical skills necessary for filmmaking.

2.0 Credits

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent, THE141 and THE142.

THE253

ACTORS COMEDY WORKSHOP

Get a solid foundation in the various styles of comedy, from “Broad” to “Realistic.” Learn the practical application of the principles of character development, physical and verbal timing and point of view. Develop a comprehensive vocabulary for use in both situation comedy and sketch comedy. Apply basic acting skills to comic material. Learn key techniques for auditioning in the competitive comedy arena. Gain insight into the creation of comic material by executing a team exercise in creating an idea, pitch and script for an
original situation comedy.

3.0 Credits

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent.

THE255

PROCESS FOR THE CAMERA I

Function effectively and professionally in front of the camera by hitting marks; making entrances or exits; dealing with props; adjusting between master, mid shot and close-up; and shooting out of sequence with both physical and emotional continuity. Practice on-set behavior; shooting sequence; master, midshot, close-up; working with the neutral mask; and character-specific behavior choices in mid-shot.

2.0 Credits

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent, THE126.

THE256

VOICE-OVER

Learn the tools to deal specifically with voice-over microphone work; prepare the moment before; apply subtext to meaning and inflection; identify key words; work with a partner; and explore animated voices. Do a weekly vocal warm-up and exercises in physical alignment. Master the elements of breaking down copy, slating, character, focus, breath awareness and broadcast jargon.

1.0 Credit

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent.

THE259

SCENE STUDY FOR FILM & TELEVISION I

Work on the acting craft, both artistically and technically, in front of the camera. Analyze assigned scenes from feature films and one-hour episodic television. Practice working with master shots, coverage and continuity. Learn how to deal with different on-set working situations and maintain the quality of the work. Deal with the necessity of coming to the set fully prepared without any rehearsal. Full preparation for all class work without rehearsal is required.

5.0 Credits

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent.

THE264

RESEARCH, REHEARSAL, AND PERFORMANCE

Students are taken through the experience of being an actor in a film, monologue, or television project. Eligibility to participate: be in good academic standing; achieve a fall semester GPA of 2.66; have not received a grade of F in any class; and have no outstanding incompletes. As the entire process demands the highest degree of professionalism - excessive absences, disrespectful or inconsiderate behavior, as well as poor academic performance in the spring semester may be cause for dismissal from this course.

3.0 Credits

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent; included in course description.

THE265

PROCESS FOR THE CAMERA II

Continue to consolidate technique and develop artistry. Learn to express an inner emotional live in mid-shots and close-ups in this two-camera class. Process teachers work in tandem with Scene Study faculty to help students solve technical problems of acting on camera while maintaining truthful behavior.

2.0 Credits

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent, THE255.

THE266

ACTING AS A PERSONAL BUSINESS

Learn how to pursue a professional acting career from a business perspective. Cover topics such as developing business tools, including pictures, résumés, cover letters, mailings, postcards and e-mail; dealing with agents and casting directors; and managing finances. Research work prospects, prepare picture and résumé, write a cover letter, utilize the Ross Reports, understand actors’ contracts, and learn the roles of industry professionals such as agents, managers and casting directors. Learn to market yourself as a business for employment in the film and TV industry.

1.0 Credit

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent.

THE267

COMMERCIALS

Apply basic acting skills to the needs and requirements of performing in commercials. Working in lecture/demonstration and labs, learn the MOS, slice-of-life and spokesperson formats in depth. Become familiar with types and styles of ads and develop audition security.

1.0 Credit

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent.

THE270

AUDITION TECHNIQUE I

Explore the different types of audition situations and genres encountered in a professional acting career. Practice these forms, on and off camera, using scenes from plays, screenplays, and television scripts.

2.0 Credits

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent.

THE272

SCENE STUDY FOR FILM & TELEVISION II

Work with the specific artistic and on-set environments that actors deal with professionally. Begin the course with a fast-paced taping of scenes from episodic television, including hitting marks and doing coverage in one session. In the last eight weeks of the course, refine acting and technical skills through tandem teaching by the Process teacher and the Scene Study teacher. With the Process teacher acting as director, experience directorial demands for artistic and technical results. Work with the Scene Study teacher to maintain performance under professional pressure.

4.0 Credits

Prerequisites: THE259

THE273

PHYSICAL AND VOCAL DYNAMICS

Review and strengthen the vocal techniques learned in Voice and Speech I and II, and continue with a deeper investigation of the vocal-physical connection. Improve control over vocal and physical technique through advanced warm-ups and exercises. Apply these skills to rehearsal and performance of text on camera.

2.0 Credits

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent.

THE274

AUDITION TECHNIQUE II

Continue the exploration of the different types of audition situations and genres encountered in a professional acting career. Practice these forms, on and off camera, using scenes from plays, screenplays, commercial copy and television scripts. Apply skills to callback situations, interviews, and evolving media such as Skype and video conferencing. Delve into the emerging skills needed for hosting, such as the use of teleprompters and ear prompters.

2.0 Credits Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent, THE270.

THE276

PROCESS FOR THE CAMERA II

Continue to consolidate technique and develop artistry. Learn to express an inner emotional live in mid-shots and close-ups in this two-camera class. Process teachers work in tandem with Scene Study faculty to help students solve technical problems of acting on camera while maintaining truthful behavior.

2.0 Credits Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent, THE255.

THE411

WEB VIDEO FOR ACTORS

Actors create and distribute original Web video as a way to increase their visibility within the profession. Classes are a combination of practical and theoretical exercises, including the creation and posting of original video content online. Special guests from the world of Web video demonstrate how they have used the medium to accelerate their careers and expand their creative reach.

1.0 Credit

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Platform Year or equivalent.

THE400

SKETCH COMEDY FOR PERFORMANCE

Build on sketch-writing and performing skills introduced in Actors Comedy Workshop by creating and rehearsing sketch material and presenting a public performance at an outside cabaret. Elective.

1.0 Credit