Acting Programs
Acting for Film
Programs
Year Program: September 10, 2010 - May 28, 2011
Semester Program: September 10 - December 18, 2010
PFS PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE FOR THE FILM ACTING PROGRAM.
PFS offers a partial scholarship of 1300 EUR for qualified and talented students of acting. Applied to the one year program only. To apply, applicants must complete the normal admissions procedure, plus an obligatory audition.
Audition requirements:
One monologue, comic or dramatic, 1-2 minutes in length. Material can be from theatre or film scripts.
Options for audition.
1. By appointment. Applicants can audition in person with the head of the film department. Contact: nancy.bishop@filmstudies.cz
2. By video link. Applicants can tape their audition and send it as a link to admissions@filmstudies.cz, for the attention of Nancy Bishop
Semester Program: September 10 - December 18, 2010
PFS PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE FOR THE FILM ACTING PROGRAM.
PFS offers a partial scholarship of 1300 EUR for qualified and talented students of acting. Applied to the one year program only. To apply, applicants must complete the normal admissions procedure, plus an obligatory audition.
Audition requirements:
One monologue, comic or dramatic, 1-2 minutes in length. Material can be from theatre or film scripts.
Options for audition.
1. By appointment. Applicants can audition in person with the head of the film department. Contact: nancy.bishop@filmstudies.cz
2. By video link. Applicants can tape their audition and send it as a link to admissions@filmstudies.cz, for the attention of Nancy Bishop
Acting for Film Program: General Description
While some 90% of actors come from backgrounds with theater training, 90% of work for actors is in filmed media. To be successful in this highly competitive field of acting, knowledge of techniques specific to film work is essential for today’s actor.
Coursework emphasizes training for the naturalistic portrayal of character, the most frequent style used in film. Because there are many valid approaches to character portrayal, the process taught at the school makes use of complementary techniques such as Meisner‘s behavior-based exercises, Robert Cohen’s techniques for integrating the actor’s many technical tasks and physicalization exercises adapted from the Lecoq school.
These tools are applied to the preparation of scenes which are filmed and critiqued for effectiveness. Courses in Voice and Movement will also be essential components of the curriculum.
Coursework emphasizes training for the naturalistic portrayal of character, the most frequent style used in film. Because there are many valid approaches to character portrayal, the process taught at the school makes use of complementary techniques such as Meisner‘s behavior-based exercises, Robert Cohen’s techniques for integrating the actor’s many technical tasks and physicalization exercises adapted from the Lecoq school.
These tools are applied to the preparation of scenes which are filmed and critiqued for effectiveness. Courses in Voice and Movement will also be essential components of the curriculum.
Courses and Workshops for Acting for Film
Acting Technique
This practical course explores acting techniques applicable to both theater and film. Students will start with basic ensemble acting exercises and projects, progressively integrating more complex principles. Students will practice approaches to developing a character and analyzing text. Because film is primarily a naturalistic medium, the main emphasis will be grounded in the teachings of Konstantin Stanislavksi and his disciples. Actors will train in the basics of naturalist acting technique such as pursuing an objective, breaking scenes into beats, playing actions, and overcoming obstacles. The course will include a substantial unit on Meisner Technique, which builds the foundation for listening and responding truthfully in character.
Screen Acting Craft
Acting is both an art and a craft. This course will focus on craft, emphasizing the technical demands of screen acting. Students will learn to calibrate their performances specifically for the camera frame, adjusting for close ups and a wide shots. Since the camera photographs thought, students will develop an active and varying inner monologue, and understand the nuances of acting, thinking and listening with the eyes. A professional script supervisor will guide students through the craft of consistently using props and gestures, essential to on-set acting. A scene study unit will underscore how to break down a scene and play it effectively for camera. The course will culminate in the final project for the program, in which each student will develop a scene that best showcases him/her for a demo reel. Scenes will be professionally shot.
Film Production
It is an imperative part of the training process for actors to work on an actual film set. Therefore each student will be expected to participate in minimally sixteen short films, produced by Prague Film School directors. Other legitimate film work that an actor may obtain while in Prague might also be included towards course credit. Students will be encouraged to combine this material with scene work to produce a marketable show reel. For the final grade, students will be evaluated based on documentation in process oriented journals, as well as the quality of the final performance.
Movement for Stage and Screen
The actor must be physically fit and flexible. Each class day will begin with a strengthening warm-up regime, preparing students for the physical and vocal aspects of the craft. Units in this class will include yoga, and dance as well as combat and stunt work, led by a professional stuntman.
Voice
The vocal chords are a muscle and must be exercised and strengthened. Students will work with a voice coach to expand vocal range, develop vocal control and work with developing select accents.
Audition Technique
Acting skills are of very little use if they can’t be put to practice on a professional set. This course will teach actors how to market and promote themselves in a competitive industry. Actors will learn strategies to tackle cold reading and on-screen castings. Each student will partake in a series of mock castings with a professional casting director who will critique their work.
The Business of Acting
Students will learn specific marketing strategies, and confer about how to navigate their career and attract professional representation. Specifically actors will learn how to organize a professional CV, choose a winning headshot, organize a successful website, and best take advantage of the Internet for actor marketing. They will also continue to practice and improve audition techniques learned in the first semester.
Acting for film students will also be expected to enroll in two electives offered in the general Prague Film School program. These include: Directing Actors, History of Acting Styles, Central and Eastern European Cinema, Czech Film, Lighting for Film, Comedy, Animation, Surrealism, among others.
This practical course explores acting techniques applicable to both theater and film. Students will start with basic ensemble acting exercises and projects, progressively integrating more complex principles. Students will practice approaches to developing a character and analyzing text. Because film is primarily a naturalistic medium, the main emphasis will be grounded in the teachings of Konstantin Stanislavksi and his disciples. Actors will train in the basics of naturalist acting technique such as pursuing an objective, breaking scenes into beats, playing actions, and overcoming obstacles. The course will include a substantial unit on Meisner Technique, which builds the foundation for listening and responding truthfully in character.
Screen Acting Craft
Acting is both an art and a craft. This course will focus on craft, emphasizing the technical demands of screen acting. Students will learn to calibrate their performances specifically for the camera frame, adjusting for close ups and a wide shots. Since the camera photographs thought, students will develop an active and varying inner monologue, and understand the nuances of acting, thinking and listening with the eyes. A professional script supervisor will guide students through the craft of consistently using props and gestures, essential to on-set acting. A scene study unit will underscore how to break down a scene and play it effectively for camera. The course will culminate in the final project for the program, in which each student will develop a scene that best showcases him/her for a demo reel. Scenes will be professionally shot.
Film Production
It is an imperative part of the training process for actors to work on an actual film set. Therefore each student will be expected to participate in minimally sixteen short films, produced by Prague Film School directors. Other legitimate film work that an actor may obtain while in Prague might also be included towards course credit. Students will be encouraged to combine this material with scene work to produce a marketable show reel. For the final grade, students will be evaluated based on documentation in process oriented journals, as well as the quality of the final performance.
Movement for Stage and Screen
The actor must be physically fit and flexible. Each class day will begin with a strengthening warm-up regime, preparing students for the physical and vocal aspects of the craft. Units in this class will include yoga, and dance as well as combat and stunt work, led by a professional stuntman.
Voice
The vocal chords are a muscle and must be exercised and strengthened. Students will work with a voice coach to expand vocal range, develop vocal control and work with developing select accents.
Audition Technique
Acting skills are of very little use if they can’t be put to practice on a professional set. This course will teach actors how to market and promote themselves in a competitive industry. Actors will learn strategies to tackle cold reading and on-screen castings. Each student will partake in a series of mock castings with a professional casting director who will critique their work.
The Business of Acting
Students will learn specific marketing strategies, and confer about how to navigate their career and attract professional representation. Specifically actors will learn how to organize a professional CV, choose a winning headshot, organize a successful website, and best take advantage of the Internet for actor marketing. They will also continue to practice and improve audition techniques learned in the first semester.
Acting for film students will also be expected to enroll in two electives offered in the general Prague Film School program. These include: Directing Actors, History of Acting Styles, Central and Eastern European Cinema, Czech Film, Lighting for Film, Comedy, Animation, Surrealism, among others.
Understanding Film Craft
Acting is both an art and a craft. Film acting students will learn the specific skills that make up the craft of film acting as well as delve into the entire filmmaking process. Students will learn, for example, how the cinematographer’s shot sizes affect performance, how the sound crew's needs affects the actor’s vocal range and volume and how the actor can make interesting choices using the frame as a proscenium device.
Since Prague Film School's filmmaking program involves the production of short films each semester, the Acting for Film students will gain crucial on-camera experience in shorts that will provide valuable material for their show reels. All acting for film students will leave with a marketable, professional quality demo reel.
Since Prague Film School's filmmaking program involves the production of short films each semester, the Acting for Film students will gain crucial on-camera experience in shorts that will provide valuable material for their show reels. All acting for film students will leave with a marketable, professional quality demo reel.
Who are the Faculty?
All instructors for the acting program are working professionals culled from the many skilled crew members who make Prague their home. Expect to work with an international group of professional directors, actors, camera crew, voice/dialect coaches, stunt coordinators, and casting directors. Please visit faculty link for teacher bios.
What does the Acting for Film Program Offer?
- total immersion in film acting craft
- a serious and professional learning environment
- an intensive curriculum that encompasses all aspects of acting
- hands on work in front of camera
- a professional showreel
- crucial participation in the film making process
- acting work in minimally twelve short films per semester
- access to quality professional film making resources
- an opportunity to tailor design a course of study that could incorporate other PFS courses
- a serious and professional learning environment
- an intensive curriculum that encompasses all aspects of acting
- hands on work in front of camera
- a professional showreel
- crucial participation in the film making process
- acting work in minimally twelve short films per semester
- access to quality professional film making resources
- an opportunity to tailor design a course of study that could incorporate other PFS courses
How will the Prague Film School Acting for Film Program Help Actors Enter the Film Industry?
The department will provide:
- valuable contacts to a network of film makers including classmates and faculty at PFS
- career guidance
- effective courses in on-camera casting technique, and actor marketing
- direct links to film productions in Prague
- valuable contacts to a network of film makers including classmates and faculty at PFS
- career guidance
- effective courses in on-camera casting technique, and actor marketing
- direct links to film productions in Prague
Why Study Film Acting in Prague?
The Acting for Film program at Prague Film School prepares actors to become technically skilled, versatile and marketable in the film industry. Not only is Prague a beautiful historic location with an active student life, but hundreds of international productions have been shot in the city including Bourne Identity, Van Helsing, The Illusionist, Casino Royale, and the recently released Wanted and Prince Caspian.
Students will have a direct connection to large scale professional films via Department Head, Nancy Bishop who is the lead casting director in Prague. Because there is a limited pool of Prague-based English speaking actors, students will find themselves in an advantageous position for film castings on English language productions.
Equally importantly, run out of one of Europe's premier film schools, students will be acting in student film productions on a regular basis, building up practical experience and a professional product show reel.
Students will have a direct connection to large scale professional films via Department Head, Nancy Bishop who is the lead casting director in Prague. Because there is a limited pool of Prague-based English speaking actors, students will find themselves in an advantageous position for film castings on English language productions.
Equally importantly, run out of one of Europe's premier film schools, students will be acting in student film productions on a regular basis, building up practical experience and a professional product show reel.
