Acting for the Camera

Overview

Working with the Filmmaking Intensive, beginning and advanced actors will deeply immerse themselves into the process of acting in the film world. Beyond acting for the camera, students will also have the opportunity to learn about character development, how to market yourself as an actor in the business, the film editing process, and more. They may also have the chance to try their hand at various support roles during filming, such as holding the boom-mic and doing makeup.

Week one starts with fun and relaxing exercises to open up the summer camp vibe. The actors are given monologues tailored to their personality and marketing, through which they can explore their feelings, find their strengths, and get past their fears. Usually these monologues are shown to the filmmakers as they start the writing process to jump start their character development and understand their talent pool. The actors then dive deep into acting on camera with memorized scenes, cold reading, frozen reading, and auditions to build connection and understand the intimate and personal level of performance that is required for film.

Week Two is all about the actual films that are going to be made. The scripts that are chosen from the filmmakers are broken down into auditions and the actors prepare to show their stuff. Actors are allowed to audition for any role and can audition for as many as they want. After the roles are cast, with a healthy desire to make sure every actor gets their screen time, the actors start preparing to bring the roles to life on camera. 

Week Three is filming week, where students get to test their new skills and take the risks that they have gained the confidence to take. When not in the cast, actors have a chance to try their skills at supporting the filmmakers, which can be anything from make-up to holding the boom. Actors’ time on set allows them to get used to the rhythm and processes so that they are no longer intimidated. 

Week Four is when some of the filmmakers go into the editing process while others float into the actor program for more learning and fun. This is the time where students learn how the acting business works and how to market themselves as actors. We dive deep into the parallel process of character development known as “personality mapping” so that actors understand the nature of how characters are created from a psychological perspective. 

Culmination: On camp’s final Saturday we get to see the end result of all the work and fun: the films and the process of making them. The whole family gets to experience what these actors and filmmakers went through, what they were able to create in just 4 weeks, and the long-term friendships that have been forged. 

Make sure to schedule your departure in the afternoon or evening so that you can be there for the Saturday morning culmination.

Additional Information