CUF50107 DIPLOMA OF SCREEN AND MEDIA - FILMMAKING

Acting For Directors Subject Outline 2014

Specialist Unit Code: CUFDRT502A: Direct performers
Core Unit Code: BSBCMM401A Make a presentation
BSBOHS509A - Ensure a safe workplace
Subject: FILM160 - Acting for Directors
Trainer/Assessor: Luke Mayze
Nominal Duration: 21 Hours

Purpose

1.

Course Description
This course adheres to the philosophy that in order to direct actors one must understand acting as an
art and methodology. Directing students will learn what it is to deal with actors. Students learn how to
identify a screenplays emotional beats and character objectives in order to improve their actors
performances. Students are prepared to not only communicate and collaborate with their actors, but
to actualize the best emotional outcome of a scene.
Course Objectives
The objective of this course is to prepare the students to act and direct in the Digital Production
Workshops. Students will learn to analyze the material from the actors perspective and to be
comfortable communicating with the actor. Class sessions will be devoted to the actors tools, text
analysis, audition process and dealing with issues that may arise on and off set.

Pre-requisites

2.
None

3.

Units of Competency

Unit: CUFDRT502A Direct Performers

Units
1.1
1.2
1.3

1.4

1.5

2.1

2.2

2.3

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

K.4

K.5

Unit:BSBOHS509A Ensure A Safe Workplace

Units
1.1
1.2
1.3
2.1

2.2

2.3

3.1

3.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

2.5

2.6

2.7

Skills

S.1

S.2

S.3

Knowledge

K.1

K.2

K.3

3.4

3.5

4.1

4.2

Skills

S.1

S.2

S.3

S.4

Knowledge

K.1

K.2

K.3

K.4

2.4

3.3

Unit: BSBCMM401A Make A Presentation

2014 New York Film Academy Australia. (2014 Version 1 31/01/2014)

Units

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

2.5

2.6

3.1

3.2

3.3

Skills

S.1

S.2

S.3

Knowledge

K.1

K.2

K.3

K.4

K.5

4.

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

Subject Content

Student Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course students will have the ability to understand how actors analyze scripts
from the actors point of view. They will be able to find the characters objectives, obstacles, sub-text.
It will also enable directors to more fully understand the work of the actor so that they will be more
equipped to speak the language of the actor and understand the needs of the actor.

5.

Assessment Strategy

5.1.

Assessment Method

The following methods will be used:

Practical Assignments
Written Assignments
Exam on Theoretical Understanding
Weighting Procedures
The final grade is comprised of a Practical Assignments (Weighting 35%), Written Assignments
(Weighting of 35%), Exam on Theoretical Understanding (Weighting 30%).
Assignments are required to be handed in at 9.00am on the due date, before the beginning of class.
Attendance at all classes is necessary. It is the students responsibility to contact the New York Film
Academy Australia if they are unable to attend classes, workshops, field trips or meet with their
student group for assignments and productions. For information on the late submission of
assignments, refer to the NYFA Australia Student Handbook for more information. Below is the
Assessment Plan for this subject.

Assessment Item

Submission /
Extra Notes for
Assessment Date the Assessment

Assessment 1: (W eighting 35%)

Open Casting Session
Students will be given a extract of text, they will be
required to beat it in terms of performance and have a
clear idea of what they want from their prospective
actor.

Class 5

They will then be assessed by their trainer in an open

casting session, where they will be required to
communicate clearly their intent to the actor as well
as follow audition protocols.

2014 New York Film Academy Australia. (2014 Version 1 31/01/2014)

Assessment 1 Elements
1 - BSBCMM401A Make a
presentation (Core)
1. Prepare a presentation
2. Deliver a presentation
3. Review the presentation

5 - BSBOHS509A Ensure a safe

9 - CUFDRT502A Direct
workplace (Core)
performers (Elective)
1. Establish and maintain an OHS
1. Prepare for actual production.
system
2. Facilitate performances.
2. Establish and maintain
3. Wrap production.
participative arrangements for the
management of OHS
3. Establish and maintain procedures
for identifying hazards, and
assessing and controlling risks
4. Establish and maintain a quality
OHS management system

Assessment 2: (Weighting 35%)

Digital Dialogue Casting Breakdown
Students will be required to submit a casting
breakdown consisting of; character breakdowns, a
brief synopsis, payment/incentive package, estimated
shooting dates.

Class 7

Assignment 2: Casting
Breakdown must be
typed and handed in
before class.

Character breakdowns are required to be no less

than one (1) paragraph in length for each character.
Assessment 1 Elements
1 - BSBCMM401A Make a
presentation (Core)
1. Prepare a presentation
2. Deliver a presentation
3. Review the presentation

5 - BSBOHS509A Ensure a safe

9 - CUFDRT502A Direct
workplace (Core)
performers (Elective)
1. Establish and maintain an OHS
1. Prepare for actual production.
system
2. Facilitate performances.
2. Establish and maintain
3. Wrap production.
participative arrangements for the
management of OHS
3. Establish and maintain procedures
for identifying hazards, and
assessing and controlling risks
4. Establish and maintain a quality
OHS management system

Assessment 3: (Weighting 30%)

Exam on Theoretical Understanding
Students will be required to sit an exam on the
concepts and practices of directing actors as covered
in this course.

Class 8

An exam on theoretical
understanding

Assessment 1 Elements
1 - BSBCMM401A Make a
presentation (Core)
1. Prepare a presentation
2. Deliver a presentation
3. Review the presentation

9 - CUFDRT502A Direct
performers (Elective)
1. Prepare for actual production.
2. Facilitate performances.
3. Wrap production.

New York Film Academy Australia students are required to hand their work in on time. If there is a
problem that hinders a student from handing their work in by the prescribed due date, then the
situation must be detailed in writing (email acceptable) and submitted to the Trainer (and copied to the
Academic Manager) before the due date. The Trainer, in consultation with the Academic Manger, will
make a decision based on the merits of the case presented. For fairness, equality and consistency of
marking you need to follow these steps.
2014 New York Film Academy Australia. (2014 Version 1 31/01/2014)

If your Trainer gives you feedback that assessment items should be reworked, in part or in whole,
then you will only be permitted one (1) reassessment of each item at no cost. As many of the Practical
Assignments are completed in groups, it may be necessary to ask a classmate(s) to help in a
reassessment. If more than one reassessment of an item is required then the negotiated fee (based
on the time needed for the Trainer to reassess and administration costs) will be charged. Should you
need to re-sit an exam due to an unsatisfactory result, then a negotiated date, within one (1) week of
the first attempt, must be worked out with the Academic Manger of the school.

5.2.

Conditions of Assessment

All written assignments must conform to the Assignment Policy in the NYFA Australia Student
Handbook, including the submission on a NYFA Australia Assignment Cover Sheet. Assignments
must be typed unless otherwise specified. Students are required to demonstrate safe work practices.
Written examination conditions apply. Students are given 10 minutes perusal prior to commencing an
examination on theoretical understanding. A supervisor is present during the conducting of exams.

Resubmission

Assessment
requirements

When a student is not yet successful in an assessment piece they may be

eligible to resubmit the assignment at a time organised by the trainer. There
must be at least an 85% class attendance or evidence of extenuating
circumstances (financial or medical) for this to be considered.

Keeping a copy of
every assignment
Assessment
Schedules

Assignments need to be well presented with the NYFA Australia

Assignment Cover Sheet and include: student name, subject,
assignment name, assignment number, date and index.
It is recommended that assignments be typed using a word processor.
Hand written assessment will not be accepted unless hand written work
is prescribed on the Assignment Sheet.
Assignments are to be handed in the NYFA Australia Administration
Office at 9am on the Due Date, before the beginning of class.

Students need to ensure they keep a copy of any assignments they submit.
You may find that many assignments will be due in the last week because
they often represent the finalisation and submission of ongoing work. These
should be worked on during the semester and not left till the last minute. The
date listed will often be the last date for submission but if you manage to
complete some of these assignments earlier you can submit them by
arrangement with your trainer and they will then be out of the way. If you
have any concerns in relation to the nature or conduct of your assessment or
the feedback on your assessment please discuss the issue with your trainer.
You can also lodge a Client Service Feedback form to NYFA Australia if you
wish.

6.

Delivery

6.1.

Delivery Strategy

This subject has both a theory and practical component since it aims to teach the principles then use
them in practice. The following delivery strategies will be used:
- Lectures
- Practical sessions

6.2.

Resource requirements

- NA
2014 New York Film Academy Australia. (2014 Version 1 31/01/2014)

6.3.

Occupational Health & Safety Requirements

A safe work environment will be provided for students in use of the equipment and at New York Film
Academy Australia. All students must adhere to Occupational Health and Safety Requirements at all
times. This includes assignment work that is performed away from campus without supervision by a
Trainer.

7.

Schedule

CLASS

PROGRAM

#1

Communicating

COURSEWORK

ASSESSMENT

What does it take to be a good communicator?

Listening vs. hearing e.g. Chinese whispers.
Having a clear point.
Checking that information lands.
Understanding perspective and egocentrism
does an actor care about the shoots?
Remember its all about what is the audience
seeing?
Everything comes back to story.
#2

Introduction to Acting What is it?

How do we define good acting?
Who do we consider good actors and why?
th

20 century acting techniques: Meisner,

Stanislavski, Strassberg, Adler, etc.
An Actors perspective of Script Analysis

#3

Death of a Salesman Handout

Discuss Character Bios &

Objectives

Continuation of Script Analysis

Continuation of script analysis - further
exploration of Death of a Salesman; Actioning,
beat changes and transitive verbs.
How to communicate with an actor to tweak a
performance.
Stillness, relaxation and intent what youre
looking for in an audition.
How to write a character breakdown.

2014 New York Film Academy Australia. (2014 Version 1 31/01/2014)

#4

The Audition Room

Proper protocol for audition actors.
Whats going on in the actors mind?
How to find actors for your film? Starnow,
Showcast, AT2, Ecaster, Agents.
ID Sheets & Info sheets.
Group auditions vs. individual auditions.
What are you looking for in the audition/not
expecting a final performance.
Preparation for Open Casting Session

#5

Getting Actors to the set and then what?

Dealing with agents.
MEAA award minimum deals.
What to give actors/what do they expect?
Being professional in dealing with performers on
set.
What to expect on set with actors?
Worst case scenarios/Problem actors.

#6

Open Casting Call

#7

Difficult Situations
Working with actors in green-screen/VFX
situations.
Working with actors to maintain performance
after high number of takes.

Assignment 1: In
class exercise

Assignment 2
Due before class

Dealing with actors in sensitive situations:

emotional breakdown scenes, nudity, sex
scenes, etc.
#8

Revision and Exam

Revision of materials.
Discuss Assignment 2 work

Assignment 3:
Exam
Assignment 2:
Breakdown

Final exam.

8.

Exam Information

An exam on the theoretical understanding gained during the course including professional conduct, acting
techniques and means by which to hold auditions.

9.

Expenses to Students

Costumes and props may be required by students for the Open Casting Call Workshop.

10.

Textbook

NA
2014 New York Film Academy Australia. (2014 Version 1 31/01/2014)

11.

Suggested References

Directing Actors, Judith Weston (ISBN 0-941188-24-8)

The Power of the Actor, Ivana Chubbeck (ISBN 1-592401-53-8)

Acting is Believing, Charles J. McGaw (ISBN 0-495898-07-4)

On Directing, Harold Clurman 1997, Simon & Schuster Ltd. (ISBN 0-684826-22-4)

12.

Important Course Information

New York Film Academy Australia Important Course Information - 2013

Attendance and
participation for
all students

Attendance is to be modelled on adult education and the standard of attendance

required by industry. It is expected that students will attend all class sessions
and contribute to class discussions. If you are unable to attend class please notify
the subject teacher.
If a student hasn't attended for more than three consecutive weeks, the student
needs to contact their trainer either by phone or email. Failure to do so may result
in the student being withdrawn from the subject.
Unless a medical certificate is presented to the teacher within 72 hours, to
support absence from assessments, presentations or role-plays, a Not Yet
Successful result will be recorded. Please note that public transport strikes will
only be accepted as a legitimate reason for absence if all forms of public transport
are not operating.

Attendance and
participation
for Domestic
Students

Attendance is analysed on a weekly basis by actual and projected attendance

over the term. Domestic students must attend 85% of the scheduled course
contact hours to achieve satisfactory attendance for the term. Students will be
sent a minimum of two warning letters when their projected attendance for the
term starts to fall at 80% and below.
Please refer to your NYFA Australia Student Handbook for additional information.

Attendance and
participation
for International
Students

It is a requirement of your international student visa granted under the Australian

Governments Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 that
International Students must attend at least 80% of classes.
NYFA Australia Management and staff will monitor international student
attendance in all of its courses ensuring that student attendance percentages are
maintained in an accurate manner and appropriate support and counseling is
provided.
Where an International Students attendance is identified as 90% or below and at
risk of falling below 80% in any study period, the Overseas Student Contact
Officer (OSCO) will seek to make an appointment with the International Student to
determine the reasons for the reported non-attendance and verify if any
compassionate or compelling reasons exist for the non-attendance. Following the
meeting a warning letter may be issued.
If continued non-attendance falls below 80% the student may be reported to
DIAC, which may result in the cancellation of their Visa. Student records of
attendance will be maintained on the students file and the NYFA Australias
student management system.

2014 New York Film Academy Australia. (2014 Version 1 31/01/2014)

Submission of
assignments

Late
assignments

The New York Film Academy Australia aims to ensure that its assessments are
valid, fair and reliable. In particular we aim to:

Spread the assessment workload over the semester, although there will
generally need to be an end of semester cluster of assessments.

Return marked assessments to students within two weeks of submission.

Provide constructive written feedback that students can use to improve their
performance in the unit.

As with industry standards it is the responsibility of the student to submit or attend

scheduled assessments on set times and dates. If the student is unable to attend
or submit an assessment item by its due date, the student must notify the teacher
accordingly to apply for an extension.
If a student submits their assessment activity after the assessment date, but
before the end of their current enrolment period for that particular
module/competency, the activity will be marked. There will be no re-submission
option for late assessments after the unit/ competency has reached its allocated
completion date unless the student has pre-approved with their trainer.
If a student submits the assessment after the unit/ module has finished, or
receives a not yet competent for a late submission, the student will need to reenrol into the required unit/module before the assessment can be marked. Reenrolment in the unit/ module may not be able to occur until the following term.
Previous assessment activities already marked as competent can be carried
forward and only those elements deemed not yet competent need to be resubmitted for assessment.

Resubmission
of assignments

When a student is not yet competent in an assessment piece they may be eligible
to resubmit an assignment or at a time organised by the trainer. There must be at
least an 85% class attendance or evidence of extenuating circumstances
(financial or medical) for this to be considered.

Course
progress
for International
Students

Course progress
NYFA Australia is committed to monitoring the course progress of all overseas
students. Where a student is falling behind in their studies and their recorded
assessment results are below competency (not yet competent), NYFA Australia
training staff will provide the required support to assist the student through to the
required competency.
In the case where a student may fall below 50% of the required competency score
in a study period (no shorter than 10 weeks) training staff will contact the
Overseas Contact Officer who will initiate the Course Progress Intervention
Strategy, which will include but not be limited to providing the overseas student
with the following:
-

Counseling concerning the appropriateness and suitability of courses

undertaken by the student.
Guidance and reference to the units of competency where Not Yet
Competents (NYCs) have been recorded.
Reduction in course load (refer to course load monitoring policy)
Additional English language support.
Knowledge and practical skills support from units of competency
(UOC) trainer/assessor.
Invitation for inclusion in supporting study groups or tutoring.

2014 New York Film Academy Australia. (2014 Version 1 31/01/2014)

Assigning a trainer mentor for ongoing monitoring.

Information concerning the rescheduling of re-assessment events.
Information concerning the potential need to report the student to
DIAC if they maintain unsatisfactory course progress for two
consecutive study periods.
Written DIAC notice advice.
Complaints and appeals procedures.

Students requiring the Course Progress Intervention Strategy may wish to appeal
their assessment result.
All due care is taken by NYFA Australia Training staff to support the student to the
place of competent completion of course units. However where a student records
competency scores below 50% in two consecutive study periods, NYFA Australia
management may commence enrolment cancellation procedures. Where a
student records competency scores below 50% in two consecutive study periods
NYFA Australia Management will notify the student in writing of their intention to
report their unsatisfactory course progress to DEEWR/DIAC. Students may
appeal the decision. (Refer to the NYFA Australia complaints and Appeals
Procedure)

2014 New York Film Academy Australia. (2014 Version 1 31/01/2014)