drama and acting lecture

Acting

What are the differences between acting for the stage

What are the differences between acting for the stage and acting for the camera?

Film acting requires a different approach than theater acting

Film acting requires a different approach than theater acting

Films are shot out of sequence:

Film acting requires a different approach than theater acting

Films are shot out of sequence:

- scheduled logistically

Film acting requires a different approach than theater acting

Films are shot out of sequence:

- scheduled logistically

- can’t build toward a performance, the way they can on the stage

Film acting requires a different approach than theater acting

Films are shot out of sequence:

- scheduled logistically

- can’t build toward a performance, the way they can on the stage

- get “into character” very quickly

Scenes are constructed out of shots:wide shot, medium shot, close up, etc.

Scenes are constructed out of shots:wide shot, medium shot, close up, etc.

Most films are shot with a single camera

Performances are ASSEMBLED out of the best shots

Performances are ASSEMBLED out of the best shots

Actor’s performance is (somewhat) out of their control - in editor’s hands

Performances are ASSEMBLED out of the best shots

Actor’s performance is (somewhat) out of their control - in editor’s hands

Films that contain a lot of editing may distort an actor’s performance (formalism)

Performances are ASSEMBLED out of the best shots

Actor’s performance is (somewhat) out of their control - in editor’s hands

Films that contain a lot of editing may distort an actor’s performance (formalism)

Film = director’s medium

Performances are ASSEMBLED out of the best shots

Actor’s performance is (somewhat) out of their control - in editor’s hands

Films that contain a lot of editing may distort an actor’s performance (formalism)

Film = director’s medium

Theatre = actor’s medium

Method Acting

Method Acting

- based on concepts originally developed by Constantin Stanislavsky, Russian stage actor and director

Method Acting

- based on concepts originally developed by Constantin Stanislavsky, Russian stage actor and director

- reaction to the more showy acting styles of the time (early 1900s) –reaction against Theatrical Acting

Method Acting

- based on concepts originally developed by Constantin Stanislavsky, Russian stage actor and director

- reaction to the more showy acting styles of the time (early 1900s) –reaction against Theatrical Acting

- developed more realistic style of acting

Method Acting

- based on concepts originally developed by Constantin Stanislavsky, Russian stage actor and director

- reaction to the more showy acting styles of the time (early 1900s) –reaction against Theatrical Acting

- developed more realistic style of acting

- performances are more internal, less external

Method Acting

- based on concepts originally developed by Constantin Stanislavsky, Russian stage actor and director

- reaction to the more showy acting styles of the time (early 1900s) –reaction against Theatrical Acting

- developed more realistic style of acting

- performances are more internal, less external

-actors “live” the part

Method Acting

- based on concepts originally developed by Constantin Stanislavsky, Russian stage actor and director

- reaction to the more showy acting styles of the time (early 1900s) –reaction against Theatrical Acting

- developed more realistic style of acting

- performances are more internal, less external

-actors “live” the part

-lengthy rehearsal periods, actors encouraged to improvise

Subtext

Subtext

Stanislavsky encouraged actors to look for subtext in the script – what the characters are thinking (beyond what they’re saying)

Subtext

Stanislavsky encouraged actors to look for subtext in the script – what the characters are thinking (beyond what they’re saying)

Emotional Recall-By exploring their own subconscious actors could trigger real emotions

Subtext

Stanislavsky encouraged actors to look for subtext in the script – what the characters are thinking (beyond what they’re saying)

Emotional Recall-By exploring their own subconscious actors could trigger real emotions

Subtext is often conveyed non-verbally through body language

1947 - The Actor’s Studio founded in New York

1947 - The Actor’s Studio founded in New York

- based on concepts pioneered by Stanislavsky

1947 - The Actor’s Studio founded in New York

- based on concepts pioneered by Stanislavsky

Members of The Actor’s Studio include:

1947 - The Actor’s Studio founded in New York

- based on concepts pioneered by Stanislavsky

Members of The Actor’s Studio include:

- Robert de Niro

1947 - The Actor’s Studio founded in New York

- based on concepts pioneered by Stanislavsky

Members of The Actor’s Studio include:

- Robert de Niro

- Sidney Poitier

1947 - The Actor’s Studio founded in New York

- based on concepts pioneered by Stanislavsky

Members of The Actor’s Studio include:

- Robert de Niro

- Sidney Poitier

- Marlon Brando

and many others

Sherrybaby (2006)

Dir Laurie Collyer

Maggie Gyllenhaal as Sherry