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• Descriptions and credit recommendations

Descriptions and credit recommendations

ACT101 One-Week Acting for Film Workshop
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 37.5 hours (1 week).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Recognize the importance of acting technique and an actor's technical understanding to performing scenes for the camera; discuss the integration of the voice and body into performance; examine the basic structure of monologues; discuss how the mechanics of film affect the choices the actor makes in approaching text.
Instruction: Acting for film and scene study are the two principal areas of concentration in this introductory program. These areas coincide in the creation of short, filmed scenes in which students act. Supporting this activity, students are also exposed to classes in acting technique, monologues, voice and movement, audition techniques, including cold reading technique and the business of acting, and film craft, which explores the language of film and how films are made.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (8/07). NOTE: This course overlaps in content with ACT103, ACT104, ACT106, and ACT108. The maximum amount of recommended credit for any combination of these courses is 6 semester hours. Further, these courses overlap with the One-Year Acting for Film Program. If a student progresses to the One-Year Program, only the recommended credits in the One-Year Program should apply.

ACT103 Three-Week Acting for Film Workshop
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 107.5 hours (3 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Discuss the basics of acting technique and an approach to performing scenes for the camera and live performance; recognize the differences in performance levels between live performance and camera performance; identify given circumstances and subtext and their application to the playing of a scene; realize and begin to practice the integration of voice and body into performance; apply learning to voice-over text; discuss and practice the essential skills of monologues for performance; discuss the mechanics of filming and editing and how they affect the choices the actor makes in approaching text; analyze a scene for the purpose of cold reading and define the essential elements for effective delivery of it in the absence of the complete narrative; safely execute staged punches, falls, and rolls.
Instruction: Acting for film and scene study are the two principal areas of concentration in this intensive program. These areas coincide in the creation of short, filmed and edited scenes in which students act. In addition, students perform films shot by the filmmaking students and also perform in a final live presentation, performing their choice of either a scene or a monologue. Supporting this activity, students are also exposed to classes in acting technique, monologues, voice and movement, stage combat, audition techniques, including cold reading technique and the business of acting, and film craft, which explores the language of film and how films are made.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (8/07). NOTE: This course overlaps in content with ACT101, ACT104, ACT106, and ACT108. The maximum amount of recommended credit for any combination of these courses is 6 semester hours. Further, these courses overlap with the One-Year Acting for Film Program. If a student progresses to the One-Year Program, only the recommended credits in the One-Year Program should apply.

ACT104 Four-Week Acting for Film Workshop
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 145 hours (4 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Discuss the basics of acting technique and an approach to performing scenes for the camera and live performance; recognize the differences in performance levels between live performance and camera performance; break a scene down into beats, assign an action to each beat, create an emotional arc, establish an objective, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles to achieving the objective; identify and use given circumstances and subtext and their application to the playing of a scene; put into use the basic elements of listening and agreement and act freely through the use of improvisation skills; realize and begin to practice the integration of voice and body into performance through an awareness of the use of breath and body alignment; apply learning to voice-over text; utilize the essential skills of monologues for performing in contrasting pieces; analyze a scene for the purpose of cold reading and define the essential elements for effective delivery of it in the absence of the complete narrative; safely execute staged punches, falls, and rolls; create a resume, compose a cover letter, and recognize what makes a good headshot for actors; fit into a film shoot by knowing how the mechanics of film affect the choices the actor makes in approaching text.
Instruction: Acting for film and scene study are the two principal areas of concentration in this intensive program. These areas coincide in the creation of short, filmed scenes in which students act. In addition, students are cast in original, short films shot by the filmmaking students and also perform in a final live presentation, performing their choice of either a scene or a monologue. Supporting this activity, students are also exposed to classes in acting technique, monologues, voice and movement, stage combat, audition techniques, including cold reading technique and the business of acting, and film craft, which explores the language of film and how films are made.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 4 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (8/07). NOTE: This course overlaps in content with ACT101, ACT103, ACT106, and ACT108. The maximum amount of recommended credit for any combination of these courses is 6 semester hours. Further, these courses overlap with the One-Year Acting for Film Program. If a student progresses to the One-Year Program, only the recommended credits in the One-Year Program should apply.

ACT106 Six-Week Advanced Acting for Film Workshop
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 225 hours (6 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Discuss film as a visual medium; write short scenes incorporating conflict, objectives, relationships, sense of place, etc.; refine dialogue to the essentials of communication; create a three-dimensional character background; break a scene down into beats, assign an action to each beat, create an emotional arc, establish an objective, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles to achieving the objective; play an action; put to use dramatic action, observation, and characterization through scene work; execute the differences in performanc requirements, approach to text and energy levels between soap opera, sitcome, commercial, and talk show formats; apply text analysis to scripted material; prepare two contrasting monologues; recognize regionalisms and apply the International Phonetic Alphabet to dialect work; increase flexibility through body awareness and yoga exercises; refine listening skills and ensemble playing through long-form improvisation; analyze a scene for the purpose of cold reading and define the essential elements for effective delivery of it in the absence of the complete narrative; create marketing tools essential for the actor, such as headshot, cover letter, postcards, etc. and a strategy for their implementation; use an understanding of type to maximize marketability; safely execute staged punches, falls, rolls, headlocks, slaps, punches, etc.; apply the skills learned in editing to executed work in the creation of a finished product that shows continuity, pace, rhythm, and the actor's emotional arc; use make-up to effect subtle changes in character.
Instruction: Acting for film, scene study, and acting for TV are the principal areas of concentration in this advanced workshop designed for student actors who have had prior training. These areas coincide in the creation of a thesis film project and student films shot by the filmmaking students, in which the students act. Script analysis, monologues, voice and movement, comedy, improvisation, cold reading, the business of acting, stage combat, editing for actors, and make-up supplement instruction and inform the final scenes and presentations. In addition, students perform their choice of either a monologue or scene for an invited audience at the completion of the workshop.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (8/07). NOTE: This course overlaps in content with ACT101, ACT103, ACT104, and ACT108. The maximum amount of recommended credit for any combination of these courses is 6 semester hours. Further, these courses overlap with the One-Year Acting for Film Program. If a student progresses to the One-Year Program, only the recommended credits in the One-Year Program should apply.

ACT108 Eight-Week Acting for Film Workshop
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 216 hours (8 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Discuss film as a visual medium; break a scene down into beats, assign an action to each beat, create an emotional arc, establish an objective, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles to achieving the objective; play an action; modulate a performance to fit the framing of shots, from establishing to close-up; put to use dramatic action, observation, and characterization through scene work; apply text analysis to scripted material; prepare two contrasting monologues; connect the body and voice to scripted materials; increase flexibility through body awareness and yoga exercises; refine listening skills and ensemble playing through improvisation; recognize the essential choices needed for effective execution of cold readings, making effective use of physical and emtoional life; create marketing tools essential for the actor, such as headshot, cover letter, postcards, etc. and a strategy for their implementation; examine the roles of the editor, director, and cinematographer with an emphasis on how these roles affect the choices an actor makes in performance; perform a Shakespeare soliloquy and expand on the range of emotional life.
Instruction: Acting for film and scene study are the two principal areas of concentration in this intensive program. These areas coincide in the creation of short, filmed scenes in which students act. In addition, students participate in a production workshop acting in short films involving filmmaking students. Supporting this activity, students are also exposed to classes in monologues, voice and movement, Shakespeare, improvisation, audition techniques, including cold reading techniques and the business of acting, and film craft, which explores students to the language of film, how films are made, and the effects that these roles have on the choices an actor makes..
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (8/07). NOTE: This course overlaps in content with ACT101, ACT103, ACT104, and ACT106. The maximum amount of recommended credit for any combination of these courses is 6 semester hours. Further, these courses overlap with the One-Year Acting for Film Program. If a student progresses to the One-Year Program, only the recommended credits in the One-Year Program should apply.

One-Year Acting for Film Program

ACT110 Acting Technique
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 96 hours (16 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Get in touch with one's sensibility and awareness to external and internal (one's imagination and personal experience) stimuli; breakdown natural inhibitions; prepare to approach scene work with intelligence, integrity, heart and emotional freedom; analyze and perform a text using exercises in dramatic action; apply observation and character studies through improvisation; explore and perform a monologue.
Instruction: This course is an introduction to the exercises of the master acting teachers of the 20th century, including Stanislavski, Chekhov, Grotowski, Strasberg, and Adler, with a practical application of these exercises to build a foundation for future acting skills.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 4 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07).

ACT120 Meisner Technique 1
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 96 hours (16 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Apply advanced acting principles through the use of Sanford Meisner's approach for working organizally and creating truthful and expressive behavior; find appropriate and emotionally stimulating given circumstances in a text and apply them in performance; act with focus, concentration, and flexibility.
Instruction: This course is geared toward honing the actor's listening and responding skills. The first semester begins with improvisational exercises, where the actor's attention is engaged entirely with his or her partner's simple, real behavior, as opposed to character interpretation, script analysis, or direction. Once this foundation has been established, the students begin to apply this technique to scripted text. Emotional preparation through exercises and improvisation in scene work is emphasized. Some exercises include repetition exercises, knocking exercise, 3 moment exercise, coming home alone exercise, and improvisation working on attention shifts.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 4 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07).

1. ACT130 Voice and Movement 1
2. ACT142 Speech
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: Course 1: 48 hours (16 weeks). Course 2: 12 hours (8 weeks).
Dates: Courses 1 or 2: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Course 1: Connect voice, body, and movement as an expressive whole; act with physical and vocal freedom and expression, without tension; apply the International Phonetic Alphabet toward developing Standard American speech. Course 2: Use the International Phonetic Alphabet in the scoring of a piece of text; recognize and reproduce the hallmarks of Standard American speech.
Instruction: Course 1: In this course, students learn to access their natural voice through relaxation exercises designed to improve alignment and alleviate habitual tension. Students study Standard American Speech and the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) in order to remove any regional dialects and attain more resonant speech. They also do vocal characterization through text work. And, they begin to experiment with different ways of becoming physically present in their work. Elements of various approaches are taught, including some or all of the following: modern dance, yoga, Alexander technique, and Laban. Course 2: In this course, students begin to develop a pleasing neutral mastery of the vowels and consonants of spoken English in order to open him/herself to the speech of the character being portrayed. Students are introduced to the basics of the International Phonetic Alphabet and Standard American speech and are taught to apply them to both Shakesperean and contemporary texts.
Credit recommendation: Course 1 and 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 2 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07). NOTE: Courses 1 and 2 must both be completed to receive credit.

1. ACT140 Acting for Film 1
2. ACT144 Film Craft
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: Course 1: 96 hours (16 weeks). Course 2: 6 hours (4 weeks).
Dates: Course 1 or 2: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Course 1: Act comfortably in front of the camera with awareness of the demands and tools of film work; define film set terminology, with an emphasis on getting performances that are geared for a specific shot size; obtain on-camera experience shooting scripted scenes on location in and out of the classroom; define all film crewmembers' responsibilities and duties through the hand's on experience of each; begin to recognize what makes a good on-camera performance; capture strong performances on film; shoot on location with an understanding of acting techniques and procedures; review scenes shot for an understanding of the nature of the rough footage, re-shoots, and post-production procedures; knowledgeably critique an actor's work based on performance, physical and emotional consistency, and choices. Course 2: Define filmmaking terminology and differentiate the necessary information of four filmmaking arenas: directing, cinematography, editing, and producing; discuss necessary film production activities in preparation for incorporating the knowledge of those activities on a set.
Instruction: Course 1: In this course, students begin to get comfortable working in front of the camera. They learn the specific differences between acting for the stage and acting for film - what the camera sees and what the microphone hears - and how these differences dictate a performance on screen. Students learn to read, understand, and execute a short scene from a screenplay on film and to execute a script intelligently. Course 2: In this course, students learn directing, editing, producing, and cinematography from the actor's perspective. The intent is that learning the roles of all the players on a film set dramatically increases the actor's ability to collaborate with the filmmakers in developing dynamic performances.
Credit recommendation: Courses 1 and 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 4 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07). NOTE: Courses 1 and 2 must both be completed to receive credit.

ACT141 Text Analysis and Shakespeare
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 48 hours (16 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Define and identify the elements of a story; identify the given circumstances of a script; break down a script into beats for performance; assign an active verb or action for each line of dialogue and physical action; begin to create a character based on facts given in the script; apply prior course learning to the anlaysis of a Shakespearean text; perform a Shakespearean soliloquy in an audition situtation; examine and perform sonnets, monologues, and soliloquies paying particular attention to tempi, dynamics, and diction.
Instruction: In this course, students begin to break down a script for performance. They learn the structure and elements of story and dramatic action, and how to make acting choices based on dialogue, stage directions, and given circumstances. Over the course of instruction, students move from analysis to the practical application of scripted scene work.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 2 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07).

ACT150 Improvisation 1
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 24 hours (8 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Act spontaneously and adapt quickly to changing circumstances in auditions, scene, and camera work; make use of basic components of improvisation, including agreement, endowment, labeling, environment, and relationships; recognize what makes a good scene work and how to develop emotional choices in the moment.
Instruction: In this course, students learn the basics of improvisation in the form of warm-up games and short form exercises, such as mirroring and two-person scene work. They come to understand that improvisation is an essential tool for any actor in his/her audition, rehearsal, and performance process, and it is especially important on a camera set where last minute changes are the norm.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 1 semester hour in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07).

ACT210 Scene Study
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 96 hours (16 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Analyze and perform scripted material with a scene partner; create a character.
Instruction: In this course, students work on scenes from published plays and screenplays in order to apply the basic concepts of approaching a text. These concepts include defining objectives, breaking the scene into beats, understanding the arc, pursuing an objective, playing actions, and working to oversome obstacles. In addition, students develop a solid foundation in establishing characters based on the text and their own expxeriences and imaginations.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 4 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07).

ACT220 Meisner Technique 2
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 72 hours (16 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Apply moment to moment work outside of one's own experience; harness personal powers of instinct, imagination, emotional truth, sense of reality, and personal experience in order to bring a deeper, more lively and personally unique expressiveness to the work; discover how to play relationships effectively; improvise, using justification, applying various physical and speaking choices when analyzing texts and interpreting characters in scene work.
Instruction: In this course, students work further on the Meisner technique, honing listening and responding skills, and applying the technique to scripted text.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07).

ACT230 Voice and Movement 2
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 48 hours (16 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Act in dramatic material, which demands style, regional speech, specific character elements, and historical accuracy.
Instruction: Building on previous instruction, students explore Standard American Pronunciation and other regionalisms in the context of style and its ramifications in the use of the voice and the body. Students continue with more demanding physical work designed to heighten performances. Elements of movement and dance are explored for work that requires specific character elements and/or historical accuracy. The final sessions explore the application of voice and movement to audition texts and to live performance.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 2 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07).

1. ACT240 Acting for Film 2
2. ACT244 Filmmaking Production Workshops
3. ACT246 Acting for Film Production Workshop
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: Course 1: 90 hours (16 weeks); Course 2: 7 to 21 hours (16 weeks), depending upon projects; Course 3: 10 to 40 hours (16 weeks), depending upon projects.
Dates: Course 1, 2, or 3: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Course 1: Tell a story physically on film applying awareness of camera and understanding of character and plot development; develop characterization for a role by analyzing script and behaving responsibly on location; master self-criticism when watching raw footage. Course 2: Perform scripted material on location with a director and a full film crew. Course 3: Apply acting skills, meet expectations, and exercise proper on-set etiquette on a film shoot.
Instruction: Course 1: In this course, students further develop skills from earlier instruction and apply this to additional in-class exercises. Students begin to formulate ideas, secure locations, acquire props, develop characters, and write dialogue. Course 2: During the second semester of the one-year Acting for Film program, students are cast in daylong shoots of scenes directed by the one-year Filmmaking students. Students participate in at least one film project and may work in as many as three over the course of the workshop. The shoots are set on location, selected by the student director, with a full crew of filmmaking students on hand, and supervised by the Filmmaking program's instructors. Actors receive the script in advance and rehearsal and preparation work are the actor's responsibility and are not included in the course hours. Course 3: This course represents the culmination of the first year of the Acting for Film Program. Students are cast in a role in an original short film at the end of their second semester course work. The film is shot on location over four days with a crew comprised of NYFA film staff under the supervision of the Acting for Film instructors. Through earlier study, students have been paired and via improvisation, they create characters and dialogue for the short film, under supervision. The class as a whole develops a narrative thread to link the individual scene-stories. After edits by the instructor for maximum filmic impact, students receive the script and the preparation process of memorization and rehearsal is then undertaken. For the shoot, students are required to arrive camera-ready on each of the shoot days. This workshop is treated as a professional film shoot with the etiquette and expectations implied therein.
Credit recommendation: Courses 1, 2, and 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 4 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07). NOTE: Courses 1, 2, and 3 must all be completed to receive credit.

ACT241 The Business of Acting and Audition Skills
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 24 hours (8 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Use the skills required to audition successfully in a variety of circumstances; create the actor's tools of the trade, such as headshot, resume, and cover letter; analyze casting breakdowns, self-marketing strategies, branding/positioning, etc.; prepare a business plan for securing work as an actor.
Instruction: This course is an introduction to the business of acting and incorporates cover letter writing, resume writing, headshots, and how to present oneself well to the industry. The business of acting requires one to be responsible for his/her own career and to be proactive in its development. To this end, students also learn etiquette and unique skills needed to audition well. Students work in a mock audition format, including cold reading, working from sides, and general interviews, which are videotaped for critique.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 1 semester hour in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07).

ACT242 Acting for Television
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 24 hours (8 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Adapt performance levels to the specific needs of a variety of television formats (soap operas, sit-coms, commercials, and late night talk show.)
Instruction: In this course, students experience how a multi-camera set operates with a live edit (blocking and shooting simultaneously with three cameras), and they are exposed to the etiquette and disciplines therein. Students also discuss the history of the genres of soap operas, sit-coms, commercials, and late night talk shows and their influence on our lives.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 1 semester hour in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07).

ACT243 Combat for Film
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 24 hours (8 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Safely execute choreographed violence for the screen including the combat skills of grabs and throws, strangling and falls, contact kicks, spacing, rhythm, contact punches and hits, etc.
Instruction: This course helps students create the illusion of violence as a rare instance in which the actor's ability to draw on truthful experience must remain separate from the external mechanics of the performance. Techniques and choreography are introduced to help the student mesh emotional truth with external structured performance, including an awareness of the requirements of camera angles. As the course unfolds, students move away from the conception of a fight as an athletic event into a more actable collaborative approach.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 1 semester hour in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07).

ACT250 Improvisation 2
Location: New York Film Academy, 100 East 17th Street, New York, NY
Length: 48 hours (16 weeks).
Dates: September 2007 - Present.
Objectives: Create a long-form improvisation with a complete story arc and complex, interesting characters and relationships; begin to transition improvisation skills to an on-screen performance.
Instruction: Building on the skills of earlier instruction, students move on to more advanced exercises and long-form improvisation styles. Students learn to connect scenes together to build a complete story arc, as well as to create complex, interesting characters and relationships. Students also begin to explore the transition of live format improvisation to that on the screen.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 2 semester hours in Theatre, Drama, Communications, or Radio and Television (6/07).

Updated 3/4/08

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