Script Analysis Online
NOTE: we are reorganizing the script analysis class and will be offering it online in the near future. Details will be posted by the end of April.
THE DETECTIVE WORK OF ACTING
In an audition, the ability to be specific and clear trumps even emotional talent and spontaneity - the smarter actor gets the job!
"The actor has to develop his body. The actor has to work on his voice. But the most important thing the actor has to work on is his mind." - Stella Adler
Do you know where to find the deepest truths about your character and his behavior? Do you know where to find the biggest clues to your character’s spine, from which all your acting choices stem? Most importantly, like a great detective at a crime scene, do you know the questions to ask when you pick up a script?
"From ink, to behavior, that’s our job." – Robert Duvall
SUMMARY
This is an “on your feet, on camera, and working”, totally comprehensive, sides/script/screenplay analysis class. Students will learn script study techniques, then learn to apply those techniques, by practicing on-camera auditioning, and on-camera scene work. The instructor will use audition sides, A/V clips of professional actor auditions, a one act play, by a Pulitzer prize winning author, the film and screenplay of "The Wrestler”, and guest industry talent, to illuminate exactly what to do with a script, when you get the opportunity.
RATIONALE
If acting is “living truthfully under imaginary circumstances”, this class will teach you how to extract intimate knowledge of those imaginary circumstances, from your script, and how to use that knowledge, toward an excellent acting performance, in an audition or role.
OBJECTIVES
Students will learn to accurately read out from a script, in order to understand and recognize:
- Theme & Genre
- Style & Tone
- Three Act Structure & The Hero’s Journey
- Character Spines & Arcs
- Objectives & Super-Objectives
- Back-story
- Relationship Fulcrums
- Activization & Behavior Indicators
- Dialectical Materialism
- Dramatic Irony
By the end of the twelve weeks, you will understand how all of the above inform your acting choices in a command performance.
SCHEDULE (subject to change)
Week 1
Intro to the job at hand. Students practice on camera auditions and study professional audition clips. Assign Lou Gehrig workbook set-up, and Script Analysis Worksheet.
Materials: Canon XL-2, Monitor, DVD Player, Aud. Clips DVD, Aud. Sides, Script Analysis Worksheet.
Week 2
Break down the Script! Students will read and perform scenes from “Lou Gehrig Did Not Die of Cancer” by Jason Miller. Students will learn Genre, Theme, Character Spines, Definition of Drama, from script and A/V examples. Materials: Lou Gehrig workbook, Script Analysis Worksheet. “Lou” sides. DVD player Monitor and DVD’s.
Week 3
Break down the Script! Students will read and perform scenes from “Lou Gehrig Did Not Die of Cancer” First half. Students will review or be taught “Fast Emotional Preparation”, creating detailed environment, (sensory work). Materials: “Lou” workbook, Analysis Worksheet, “Lou” sides.
Week 4
Break down the Script! Students will read and perform scenes from “Lou Gehrig Did Not Die of Cancer” First half. Students taught back-story creation, personalization technique II. Materials: “Lou” workbook, Analysis Worksheet, “Lou” sides.
Week 5
On-Camera Practice. Applying what we’ve learned so far. Materials: Canon XL-2, Monitor, DVD Player, Aud. Clips DVD, Aud. Sides, Script Analysis Worksheet.
Week 6
Break down the Script! Students will read and perform scenes from “Lou Gehrig Did Not Die of Cancer” 2nd Half. Students will learn activization, dialectical materialism. Materials: “Lou” workbook, Analysis Worksheet, “Lou” sides.
Week 7
Break down the Script! Students will read and perform scenes from “Lou Gehrig Did Not Die of Cancer” 2nd Half. Students will learn objectives, activities, super-objectives. Arcs. Materials: “Lou” workbook, Analysis Worksheet, “Lou” sides.
Week 8
Break down the Script! Students will finish reading and performing scenes from “Lou Gehrig Did Not Die of Cancer” 2nd Half. Students will learn relationship fulcrums, behavioral indicators. Materials: “Lou” workbook, Analysis Worksheet, “Lou” sides.
Week 9
Students will study and breakdown the film “The Wrestler” with instructor. Students will perform scenes from the screenplay, on camera. Students will learn 3 Act Structure,The Hero’s Journey, and how they inform acting choices. Materials: Wrestler Screenplay, Scructure handouts, Canon XL-2, Monitor, DVD player and DVD’s
Week 10
Students will read and perform scenes from screenplays. Guest Writer/Producer David Garrett (Created/Wrote/Produced TV Show “Living With Fran” Starring Fran Drescher for WB, Wrote Deuce Bigalow E.G., Corky Romano, The Jeff Foxworthy Show, etc.) will discuss the business of acting in reference to screenplay analysis, and field questions, advise acting choices. Materials: DVD Player, DVD’s, Film and TV Sides. Business reference handouts.
Week 11
On Camera Workshop: Applying analysis to acting. Scene assignments. Materials: Analysis Worksheet, Canon XL-2, Monitor, DVD player, DVD’s, Film, TV, and Theater and Scenes.
Week 12
Final On-Camera workshop, Comprehensive review of analysis. Materials: “Lou” workbook, Canon XL-2, Monitor, DVD player, DVD’s Film, TV, and Theater and Scenes.