COURSE SYLLABUS SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION & THE ARTS THEATRE DEPARTMENT

Transcription

1 Mission Statement: Our mission is to serve as a leading center of Christian thought and action providing an excellent education from a biblical perspective and global context in pivotal professions to equip Christian leaders to change the world. COURSE SYLLABUS SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION & THE ARTS THEATRE DEPARTMENT THE 750 AUDITIONING AND THE BUSINESS OF ACTING SPRING 12 COM 152 MONDAY/WEDNESDAY 1:00 P.M.-2:50 P.M. COM FRIDAY 1:00 P.M.-2:50 P.M. All students are required to read and have a thorough understanding of the syllabus. Any questions or concerns need to be addressed to the instructor. Please initial here to indicate that you have read and understood the requirements outlined in this syllabus Student initials Page 1 of 10

2 INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION Instructor: Mark Paladini Phone: (757) Fax (757) Office Hours:T/TH 9:30A.M. 12:30 PM Office Location: Com 222 COURSE DESCRIPTION I. COURSE DESCRIPTION Auditioning and the Business of Acting is designed to prepare students for job interviews/auditions in the professional world. Students will discuss advanced business concepts as well as apply acting technique to the audition. Through the process of trial and error, students will search for potential scenes and monologues that will showcase their talent. Additionally, students will refine their interview skills. Finally, students will create a five-year business plan along with the tools to revise and enhance their business plan once they graduate. RATIONALE/COURSE OVERVIEW Actors must approach acting as both an art and a business. The audition is their job interview. An MFA in Acting should include practical auditioning skills, to ensure that actors are not merely pushed out of their acting school with a sink-or-swim attitude. We want our students do be equipped to face the professional world and potentially teach others to enter the acting profession as well. The course combines inner reflection as to the mission of each student, practical experience auditioning, evaluation of the work performed in class and the construction of a five year business plan. This course also provides the opportunity for students to apply the tools they ve received in all of their classes toward becoming more competitive in the professional world. CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE I utilize the Rules for Christian households (Colossians 3:18-25) as a model for my teaching. Being a father is very much like being a teacher. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. My aim is not to discourage my students. My aim is to empower them. I expect students to work as if with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for men As Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15, my goal is to, Warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. PREREQUISITES Enrollment only open to third year students in the MFA Acting Program. Page 2 of 10

3 DEPARTMENTAL (THEATRE) PROGRAM OUTCOMES All MFA in Acting students will demonstrate mastery of objective-driven acting technique at a professionally competitive level. All MFA in Acting students will demonstrate objective driven acting as the cornerstone of performance in diverse literary genres. All MFA in Acting students will articulate and defend artistic choices in the language of acting craft, ensuring their relevance as informed collaborators in the creative process. All MFA in Acting students will demonstrate healthy, effective, character-driven work in the applied disciplines of voice and movement. All MFA in Acting students will effectively integrate and apply biblical principles of the Christian faith to their academic and creative work. COURSE (THE 750 AUDITIONING AND THE BUSINESS OF ACTING) OUTCOMES Students will be able to compose a mission statement. In-class presentation, Written business plan Students will be able to perform market research and analyze the outcome. In-class presentation, Written logline, Discussion Board Students will be able to justify scenes and monologues chosen based on market research analysis. In-class discussion, Discussion Board Students will be able to bring an organically informed truth to a scene and monologue work. In-class audition, Lab, NY Showcase Benefit Students will be able to brainstorm marketing strategies for targeted goals. In-class discussion, Discussion Board Students will be able to create a five-year business plan based upon their mission statement with goals supporting that mission. In-class Presentation, Written business plan Students will be able to audition competitively displaying objective driven acting in material from diverse literary genres Page 3 of 10

4 COURSE MATERIALS REQUIRED TEXBOOKS: Gillespie, Bonnie. Self Management for Actors, Revised 3rd Edition. Los Angeles: Cricket Feet Publishing, 2009 ISBN -13: Shurtleff, Michael. Audition: Everything An Actor Needs to Know to Get the Part. New York: Walker & Company, 2003 ISBN -13: Students are required to access a computer for written assignments including (but not limited to) the Blackboard Discussion Board, Blackboard Course Materials, Blackboard syllabus updates, et al. Recommended Resources: See frequently updated Course Materials on course Blackboard Site COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS A. Students must read all reading assignments and be prepared for a quiz or class discussion when reading is due. B. Text Analyses Students will analyze the text of each audition scene or potential showcase scene prior to presenting work to the class. C. Class Participation - Students must participate in thoughtful class discussions on a daily basis. D. Students must perform audition scenes as assigned. E. Final Students must perform in the New York Showcase Benefit. ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students are expected to come to class on time and prepared for that day s activities. Students are allowed two absences for illnesses or other personal emergencies. Every absence after the second absence will result in a 10% reduction of the final grade. It is the student s responsibility to inquire about any missed information or assignments prior to the next class meeting. Three late arrivals constitute an absence. After ten minutes, a tardy is considered an absence. If class has begun, please enter as quietly as possible. Please be aware of what it is you are interrupting by your late arrival. Page 4 of 10

5 DISCLAIMER: Assigned texts will reflect the diversity of world views actors will face in the professional theatre, both in America and abroad. Since most working actors are asked to engage in this diverse spectrum of literature, my goal is to provide a safe environment in which to discuss diverse texts, literature which may not reflect the same world view as the actor, engage in discussions about uncomfortable subject matter, debate the ethical implications of the author s dictation of the display of private behavior in public and discuss faith-based criteria for guiding future professional decisions related to both personal artistic choices and choices that honor the intention of authors with diverse world views. I m interesting in discussing matters of faith inside and outside of class, especially when it comes to weighing reasons to play roles or explore actions that reflect either private behavior for public consumption or a world view contrary to one s own. UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC HONOR CODE Students are on their honor to complete assignments with honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty involves intentionally or unintentionally stealing the intellectual property of others. Students are expected to be familiar with the university s policy on academic integrity found in both the University Student Handbook and School of Undergraduate Studies Catalog ( and to follow it. As an academic and Christian community, Regent University takes seriously the call for integrity and penalizes breaches of of academic integrity. Students should be aware that submitted papers may be checked using Safeassign (Blackboard s plagiarism detection feature. This feature will determine the percentage of the submitted paper that matches other sources and will generate a report. Scores below 15% include quotes and few common phrases or blocks of text that match other documents, these papers indicate no evidence of the possibility of plagiarism. Scores between 15% and 40% include extensive quoted or paraphrased material or may include plagiarism and will require further review. Scores over 40% indicate a high probability the text in the paper was copied from other sources and should be reviewed for plagiarism. The professor or instructor will contact the student if plagiarism is a concern. EVALUATION AND GRADING A. Weight In-Class Auditions Audition Rubric 60% Class Discussion Participation Rubric 10% Market Research Presentation Presentation Rubric 10% Business Plan Presentation Rubric 10% Benefit Performance (Rehearsal) Performance Rubric 10% Page 5 of 10

6 B. Scale Grade Percentage A A B B B C C C- D+ D D- F DISABILITY STATEMENT: THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTACTING DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LIFE AT TO REQUEST ACCOMMODATIONS, PROVIDE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION, AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH EACH INSTRUCTOR. THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE IS DESIGNED TO HELP OUR DISABLED STUDENTS LEARN OF THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES WITH REGARDS TO DISABILITY SERVICES. THE SITE ALSO HAS RESOURCES FOR FACULTY TO BECOME BETTER INFORMED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS THE DISABLED STUDENTS IN THEIR CLASSES. STUDENT COURSE EVALUATION Becoming Christian leaders includes learning how to evaluate others by providing honest evaluations that include positive affirmation and constructive feedback, as appropriate. Consequently, university policy requires that all students submit a formal student evaluation of teaching form at the end of the academic term. This mandatory requirement must be completed before students will be able to access their final course grade. This form is only available in an online format. Prior to the end of the course, students will receive an indicating that the form is available. Instructions on accessing the evaluation will be included. Since these evaluations are only available for a limited time, students should complete the evaluation as soon as they receive the notification that the evaluation form is available. Instructors will not have access to course evaluations until after grades have been submitted and will only have access to anonymous summary data. Students are also encouraged at any point during the term to offer comments that may be helpful to the improvement or refinement of the course. Students can access the online evaluation system at: If you have questions about the online evaluation please contact evaluation@regent.edu. Page 6 of 10

7 COURSE SCHEDULE (WEEK-BY-WEEK) Date Subject Assignments Due 1/4 Introduction KWL, Mission Statement Cold Reading 1/7 Lab - Monologue Presentations 1/9 Mission Statement Presentations What s My Type/Essence? Tell me a little about yourself? Begin General Interviews 1/11 Continue General Interviews Cold Reading 1/13 Market Research Field Day 1 st Draft of Mission Statement Read Gillespie Read Shurtleff Chapter 1 (Prologue) 1/16 MLK Holiday No School 1/18 Market Research Presentations Market Research presentations 1/20 Lab Monologue and Scene Table Readings Bring in at least one piece 1/23 How bad do you want it? Commitment/Cost Read Gillespie pp /25 Twelve Guideposts and your current script Read Shurtleff Chapter 2 (12 Guidposts) 1/27 Lab-Scene Table Readings/Auditions 1/30 Unions Read Gillespie pp /1 Unions 2/3 Lab-Monologue Table Readings/Auditions Bring in at least one piece 2/6 Headshots and Resumes Read Gillespie pp /8 Cover Letters 2/10 Lab-Scene Table Readings/Auditions Bring in at least one piece 2/13 Demo Reels Read Gillespie pp /15 Demo Reels 2/17 Lab Monologue Table Readings/Auditions 2/20 In-Class Auditions Read Shurtleff Remaining Chapters 2/22 In-Class Auditions 2/25 No Lab Library Research Day 2/27 Modular Week No regular classes 2/29 Modular Week No regular classes 3/2 Modular Week No regular lab 3/5 Websites Read Gillespie pp /7 Shakespeare Read Gillespie pp /9 Lab - Scenes 3/12 Agents & Managers Read Gillespie pp /14 Casting Offices Read Gillespie pp Page 7 of 10

8 On-Campus Photos 3/16 Photos Off-Campus (if needed) If no photo, Bring in scenes 3/19 Relationships Read Gillespie pp /21 Submissions/Drop-offs Read Gillespie pp /23 Lab Scene Table Reading/Auditions Bring in at least one piece 3/26 Musical Theatre Read Gillespie pp /28 Self Promotion/Gratitude Musical Theatre Read Gillespie pp ; /30 Lab Prepared Scenework 4/2 Musical Theatre 4/4 Your Photos/Roles I d Like to Play 4/6 Good Friday 4/9 Photo for NY Showcase (if needed), Auditioning 4/11 Monologues for Showcase, Showcases, etc Read Gillespie pp ; /13 Lab-Showcase/Benefit scenes 4/16 Business Plan Presentations 4/18 Business Plan Presentations 4/20 Lab Work Sessions By Request 4/23 Showcase Rehearsal 1pm-3pm 4/25 Showcase Rehearsal 1pm-3pm 4/27 Final Grading Showcase Benefit Run-through 1pm-3pm 4/30 Showcase Rehearsal 5pm-7pm 5/1 Showcase Rehearsal 5pm-7pm 5-2 Showcase Rehearsal 5pm-7pm 5-3 MFA Showcase Benefit 5pm Call Final Dress 7pm Curtain Schedule subject to change. Changes posted on Week-to-week schedule on Blackboard. DEPARTMENT RESOURCES Theatre Department Student Forms Page (including prop check-out form) UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND RESOURCES Please review the following links for important information on University policies: Academic Calendar/Registrar Information Bookstore ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: The instructor along with the Regent University community of teachers and scholars upholds the standard of academic integrity. Any instances of academic dishonesty (e.g., lying, cheating, defrauding) or plagiarism (e.g., failure to Page 8 of 10

9 acknowledge indebtedness to another for the source of salient points, presenting the concepts or writings of another as one s own) will not be tolerated. In addition to receiving an F on the assignment, additional discipline as noted in the Regent University Catalog and student handbook may also be in order. Honor/Plagiarism Policy Regent Library Student Services (includes links to student handbook, disability services, University calendar, University Writing Center, etc.) Technical Support University Helpdesk Grading Policies: INCOMPLETE GRADES POLICY: Students desiring an incomplete must submit their request to the course instructor and academic dean prior to the end of the term. An incomplete grade will be given in a regular course only for legitimate deficiencies due to illness, emergencies or extraordinary reasons acceptable to the professor, including equipment breakdown or shortages, and not because of neglect on the student s part. Incompletes require the final approval of the school dean or his/her authorized representative. A regular grade will be given by the instructor if all requirements for the course are submitted by the end of the following academic term. The instructor will submit the new grade to the Registrar s Office no later than two weeks after the beginning of the subsequent term. If all work is not submitted by the end of the term following the granting of the incomplete, a grade of FX (NP for pass/fail courses) will be posted automatically unless a Request for Extension of Incomplete has been approved and submitted to the Registrar s Office. The FX shall be counted as an F in the computation of the GPA. Any student desiring reinstatement to the course after an FX or NP has been posted must register for the course in a subsequent term and pay the full current tuition for the course. IN PROGRESS GRADES: In Progress grades shall be given when work is not completed by the end of the term for the following academic work: independent studies, internships, practica, portfolios, theses and dissertations. An IP is also an appropriate grade for courses in which the completion of course requirements for ALL students extends beyond the academic term in which the course is offered. An IP may be continued to a maximum of two terms when the student requests and extension and the approved form is submitted t the Registrar s Office prior to the end of the first term. If the requirements for removal of the IP grade are not completed by the end of these two terms. A grade of FX (NP for pass/fail courses) will be posted automatically. Exceptions may be made for dissertations, which may continue without penalty. Any student desiring reinstatement to the course after an FX or NP has been posted must register for the course in a subsequent term and pay the full current tuition for the course. Disability Statement the student is responsible for contacting the assistant director of Student Services at to request accommodations, provide Page 9 of 10

10 necessary documentation, and make arrangement with each instructor. The following website is designed to help our disabled students learn of their rights and responsib8ilties with regard to disability servies. The site also has resources for faculty to become better informed of their responsibilities toward the disable students in their classes. Last Updated: 10/27/2011 At times, due to unforeseen circumstances, course content may be subject to change. Please check Blackboard or with your professor to insure you have the most recently updated Syllabus for this course. Regent University 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, Phone (888) Regent University, All Rights Reserved. Cut here and return to instructor signed Auditioning and the Business of Acting Syllabus Spring 2012 All students are required to read and have a thorough understanding of the syllabus. Any questions or concerns need to be addressed to the instructor. Please initial here to indicate that you have read and understood the requirements outlined in this syllabus Student signature Please print name Page 10 of 10