DRAMA CERTIFICATE II & CERTIFICATE IV

Acting for Stage and Screen is offered over one year (Cert II) or two years (Cert IV) within two 15 week semesters totalling 720 hours per year.

In year one each week offers 20 hours class time over 4 days for practical, theoretical and technical units. All core units are compulsory. Students are also required to conduct research and participate in rehearsals, performances and special projects. An additional 4 hours per week will be required for these activities.

All students participate in at least two public performances, screen based projects or industry related projects in year one.

Year two is project and industry based, offering the students flexibility to work on group major works from concept through researching, writing, performance, budgeting, fundraising, planning, producing and marketing OR the opportunity to work as trainee attachments or paid cast and crew members on professional screen or stage productions. Northern Rivers ScreenWorks will assist in identifying potential productions and employers for such professional placements.

Year two also offers more specialist training through practical units in specific craft areas of performance, camera, sound and production as well as introducing theoretical concepts through a unit dealing with the History and Theory of Australian and International Screen and Performing Arts.

The course will not be delivered part-time and a minimum of 24 hours per week will be required to fulfil course requirements.

AIMS OF THE COURSE

The Certificate II course is designed to

1. Provide the minimum requirements to work within the performing arts and screen industries as an actor, working within the live theatre, film and television sectors of the industry.
2. Provide the skills and knowledge of basic sound and camera equipment and ability to apply these skills as directed, in order to work as an assistant level crew member in the live theatre, film and television sectors of the industry.
3. Provide participants with the skills and experience of working with others in the development and implementation of screen and dramatic works.
4. Provide participants with an understanding of how to work within the performing arts and screen industries safely.
5. Provide a foundation course for the Certificate level IV year or an equivalent course with another institution.

The Certificate IV course is designed to

1. Provide the requirements to work within the performing arts industry as an actor, working within both the live theatre, film and television sectors of the industry.
2. Provide the skills and knowledge of sound and camera equipment and screen production, and the confidence to apply these tasks, in order to be able to work as a crew member in a position of responsibility in the theatre, film and television sectors of the industry.
3. Provide participants with the skills and experience of working with others in the development and implementation of a major work, which demonstrates their ability to work together to identify and provide production and performance solutions to the range of problems and challenges involved in interpreting and producing a script for theatre or screen production.
4. Through providing flexibility for students to choose to specialise in acting, sound, camera, and production management, enable them to develop more specialist skills, experience and knowledge.
5. Provide the experience and also the business and industry knowledge to initiate, develop, produce and market their own skills, businesses or projects.
6. Through the major work provide a tangible example of creative, performing, management or technical ability. The major work will serve as a show reel for students who specialise in acting and an example of technical and creative ability for those who specialise in screen production.
7. Provide the skills to manage and promote themselves, and the knowledge of industry employment, financing and exhibition structures in order to gain employment in the theatre, film and television sectors of the industry.
8. Provide participants with an understanding of how to work within the performing arts and screen industries safely.

FIRST YEAR UNITS Certificate II

INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS STUDIES IBS1 60 hours

Gives students a broad overview of industry and business structures and introduces principals and techniques that will assist them in identifying opportunities, making intelligent business decisions and succeeding in their chosen career; and provides participants with an understanding of how to work within the performing arts and screen industries safely.

ACTING SKILLS AS1 240 hours

Students study the skills used in developing a role and to further refine expressive skills taught elsewhere on the course by exploring the dramatic elements of character, function, objective and obstacle. We work to develop an appreciation of the work of other performers and explore ways in which meaning can be communicated whilst in role. Students will gain an understanding of performing for different media: stage, film and television. Students will be required to attend screen and stage performances, research texts and study character development.

INTRODUCTION TO SCREEN PRODUCTION ISP1 60 hours

This unit provides an overview of the production process and crew roles and responsibilities, video and digital audio tape formats and the skills and knowledge required to operate basic sound and camera equipment to record sound and image for basic screen production. The emphasis of this unit will be on recording and production rather than post production. Students will be encouraged to edit their work “in camera” as they go as much as possible, recording their projects in script sequence. An overview and demonstration of post production processes and facilities will also be provided. Students will work in groups on specific practical exercises to learn key technical competencies in a professional crew environment. They will also work in rotating crew roles on a short video production projects devised in class to understand the different crew roles and responsibilities.

MOVEMENT AND DANCE MD1 60 hours

Students will be introduced to dance in an accessible manner to allow them to recognise the benefits of training the body and the relevance of movement to drama- and to communicate the importance of injury avoidance.

ACTING TO CAMERA/CAMERA SKILLS C8 60 hours

This unit is designed to promote an understanding of the differences between stage and screen acting and give students an appreciation of the skills required to perform convincingly on camera, and of the concerns of the director and camera operator. It will also provide basic camera set up and operation skills and understanding of visual language, shot sizes and camera movement. We will prepare the student for screen-test and record screen tests on camera.

VOICE & SPEECH/SOUND SKILLS VS1 60 hours

Students will gain an understanding of the types of vocal performance relevant to various genre of texts and media, learn practical tools to use with a range of performing arts and other texts- and to prepare for auditions. This unit will help students develop effective voice production: to extend vocal range and power, promote flexibility, and inculcate good practice in preparation of public performance. An understanding of sound recording and amplification requirements for voice in different stage and screen contexts, will allow students the opportunity to hear their performance played back for assessment and skill development purposes.

IMPROVISATION & PHYSICAL THEATRE IPT1 30 hours

To introduce and allow students to explore acting concepts free of the demands of memorised text, to refine awareness of stage space, story, and the needs of audience and other players, to develop imagination in the context of character and situation, and to promote trust, focus and relaxation on stage.

PERFORMANCE & PROJECT PP1 120 hours

The purpose of this unit is to allow students to apply the performance and basic screen production skills they have learned in first term to a specific audio or screen production and a public performance. Students will work in groups to research, develop and rehearse a short theatrical piece which will be performed in public. They will then continue to work in their established groups to apply sound and screen production skills to adapt this performance for the screen, to produce a short 5 – 10 minute screen project which incorporates aspects of the original performance, and utilises both interior and exterior locations. The final video production will be post produced to introduce digital editing and sound mixing skills. Students will be required to introduce additional sound and/or music elements to be mixed into the sound track. This will allow students to understand the differences between performance for stage and screen, and also to consolidate the technical and creative skills they have learned through applying them to a project.

SECOND YEAR UNITS Certificate IV

ACTING SKILLS II C17 80 hours

Further development of the skills learned in Acting Skills I explores the imagination, collaboration, story-telling and acting skills involved in creating a group devised drama from a story idea and the skills and knowledge required to work as an ensemble group. The participants are required to work closely with others to develop and finalise an ensemble project.

MOVEMENT AND DANCE II C13 30 hours

Students learn to effectively employ choreographic elements of form, design, composition, idea development, thematic realisation and adapt movement concepts for physical theatre and performance.

ACTING TO CAMERA/CAMERA SKILLS II C8 70 hours

Students learn to Identify differences in stage and film techniques and explore the disciplines involved in matching the physical activities of the scene to the cinematic frame, using videotaped scenes.

VOICE & SPEECH/SOUND SKILLS II VS1 30 hours

Incorporating the skills learned in Voice & Speech I students explore vocal exercises.for stage and screen vocal performance and research and present exercises for qualities essential for clear relaxation, breathing, clarity of diction, and relaxed speech.flexibility, tone and dynamism.

HISTORY AND THEORY OF SCREEN AND PERFORMING ARTS HTSPA2 60 hours

Designed to broaden students sense of the potential range of performing arts by giving them an understanding of their development, to familiarise them with the development of theatre and screen building and associated staging, acting techniques and production, with the social and political pressure that have shaped the performing arts and screen industries and their various functions and conventions in different societies at different times.

SCREEN PRODUCTION II SP2 120 hours

This unit will provide working knowledge of the production process and crew roles and responsibilities, and offer students the flexibility to specialise in one area – either sound, camera or production - in order to obtain more experience and skills in the particular professional role in which they would like to gain employment or further training. Special guest lecturers will be used to give more in depth training in each of these three areas to students who chose to specialise in each one. This unit will also build on the skills and knowledge developed in Screen Production 1, providing the skills and knowledge to operate sound and camera equipment to record sound and image for screen production and to plan and manage a production. The emphasis of this unit will be or the requirements for different genres of screen production. Students will work in two groups to complete practical set exercises in planning and producing factual reports, experimental narrative or music video and traditional drama. Groups will be encouraged to use the same scripts for each exercise to explore different creative treatments possible for one written work. Where possible students will work with performers from Performance II unit. Students will also learn more about post production processes and facilities. The unit will include a tour of the production and post production facilities available in the region.

INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS STUDIES II IBS2 30 hours

Will provide a more detailed and practical knowledge of business aspects of screen and performing arts, with emphasis on project financing, management and marketing skills. This unit will also provide an introduction to complex legal issues, intellectual property, artists rights, federal and state funding agencies, sources of funding and writing funding applications, and marketing. It will also introduce students to resources and sources of assistance and information.

SPECIAL PROJECT SP2 300 hours

The course will culminate in the students working in groups to produce short videos or theatrical project, which will enable them to apply the knowledge they have learned through theory and practical classes in Year One. The final video will place the students firmly on their career pathway through providing a show reel for those who specialise in performance, and an example of technical and creative attainment for those who wish to pursue further training or employment in screen production, or seek funding to produce further film, video or theatre projects. The purpose of this unit is to allow students to work in groups on a major project of their own choice and devising, to develop professional skills and the ability to work in a professional model of production. The project can be a short video or stage play. Students must develop and manage the project from concept through script, planning, budgeting and financing, production, post-production and marketing. The projects must be realised using available resources or students will be required to raise additional funds or in-kind support for their project. The key purpose of this unit is to provide an independent film production model.

OR

Students can obtain accreditation for this unit through working on a professional production as a trainee or professional placement. Lecturers must approve the professional placement or attachment on the basis that it involves the same or greater levels of competency, skill and responsibility as the learning outcomes for the special project unit.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Each applicant must have a fully prepared one 2-3 minute monologue and must bring 3 spare copies of the script for the audition panel. The panel wants to see thorough, imaginative and intelligent preparation of the audition monologue.

AUDITION GUIDE

The following pointers are designed to assist you with the audition. We hope they will be of some use and help you enjoy your day. All applicants are to be called at 9.30 sharp and must be available for the whole day. Wear comfortable clothing, it will help you to keep relaxed and focused. The morning session will be a group audition. After a warm-up and group improvisations, conducted by the Panel, applicants will, in turn present their monologue in the presence of all other applicants. Ensure that you are familiar with your piece and make sure you are well rehearsed. The afternoon session will be a series of auditions, in pairs. Interviews with applicants will be conducted throughout the afternoon. Applicants may be nervous; allowances will be made by the Panel who will try to ensure that the day will be informal, relaxed and constructive.

AUDITION DATES

Auditions are held in December and late January. For further information please phone NRCAC on (02) 66212266 during business hours Monday to Thursday.

COURSE COORDINATOR George Whaley

George Whaley is an actor, director and writer with over forty years continuous experience in Australian theatre, television, films and radio. His distinguished career in theatre includes performances with the Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company and Belvoir Street Theatre. He was Co-Founder and Associate Director of Melbourne’s famed Emerald Hill Theatre and Artistic Director of Theatre ACT, Canberra. His directing credits include Dad and Dave—On Our Selection, a feature film for which he wrote the screenplay, and starring Leo McKern; The Harp in the South, a highly acclaimed six hour mini-series and Poor Man’s Orange, a four hour mini-series which received five AFI nominations including Best Director. For six years, from 1976 to 1981, George was Head of Acting at NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) and his most recent position is Head of Directing at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Now a resident in the Northern Rivers region, George has helped develop the Acting for Stage and Screen course and will teach some of the units.

SEMESTER DATES 2006

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Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre