6-Week Holiday Acting for Film Workshop

No significant prior experience or knowledge is required to join the workshop, as the program brings everyone to the same level very quickly. The program begins with the fundamentals while also building on existing skills for those with prior experience. Many workshop graduates go on to enroll in longer, intensive NYFA acting programs.

NYFA also offers the possibility to learn acting for film from anywhere through a variety of online acting for film workshops.

To learn more, see NYFA’s Course Catalog or request more information.

Acting for Film

Acting for Film provides students with an environment to get comfortable acting in front of the camera. The primary emphasis of the class is the practice of the subtlety and nuance of film acting including learning to adjust the performance for specific shot size, finding the arc of the character, and learning to maintain the integrity of the script while shooting out of sequence. Film set terminology and etiquette are also addressed. Students participate in a Production Workshop with film students. In the Production Workshop, students experience on-set shoots in collaboration with student filmmakers. Students are introduced to a first-hand experience in set etiquette, shooting out of sequence, and understanding the actor’s role in a shoot. 

Scene Study

Students learn to analyze scripts and break them down into units or “beats”. They develop a grounding in establishing a character based on their own experiences and imagination. Students will incorporate all of the disparate disciplines learned in all other Areas of Study in an in-class, filmed scene presentation. Scheduled rehearsals average five hours per week. 

Acting Technique

Students will practice the tools necessary to hone and focus their acting skills when they do not have a scene partner on which to rely. Students will work on monologues from theatre and film sources that will help them learn how to command attention at auditions and professional performances. Exercises will be taped for in-class critique.

Voice & Movement 

Students learn to access their natural voice through relaxation exercises designed to improve alignment and alleviate habitual tension. They will also experiment with different ways of becoming physically “present” in their work. Elements of various approaches will be taught to help the students find expression and freedom within the physical instrument.

Monologues

Students will work on assigned and chosen monologues to practice text analysis, and character creation skills learned thus far. Students will understand the structure and particular elements that make a successful monologue and prepare pieces to be audition ready.

Special Topics

Students will have the opportunity to attend special lectures, which illuminate current topics in the Industry and Craft. These lectures will be announced in advance and rotate on a seasonal basis.