Acting for Camera (DRAM30020)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Online
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
Overview
| Availability | July - Online |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is an intensive introduction to the art of screen acting. In this subject, you will be introduced to a series of practical exercises that allow participants to focus on creating effective on-screen performances, with a focus on the screen test or audition process.
Students will experiment with ‘intention’ through prescribed and self-selected scenes and develop skills in embodying character and working with physical and emotional fluency. Practical insight into dealing with the pressure of the camera’s gaze and learning to work objectively with one’s self image is given. Exercises will focus on the analysis of classic scenes from theatre, film and television.
The subject will provide aspiring actors, directors, cinematographers, writers and artists a practical understanding of the relationship between the body and its performance for camera.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- apply 'acting for camera' techniques;
- identify and analyse material appropriate to the context of filmed performance;
- use skills to work effectively as a collaborator in scene work;
- apply the principles of script analysis to dramatic text;
- articulate the fundamental constituents for the creation of an effective performance for camera;
- critically evaluate an on camera performance.
Generic skills
- Exercise understanding of the complexities underlying verbal communication;
- exhibit lucid verbal and written communication skills and fluency within the student’s own practice and across other disciplines;
- develop a sense of individual perspective;
- articulate basic concepts and ideas within a dramatic;
- utilise effective library research skills, including the development of search strategies to find information from a variety of quality information resources, including online databases, books, journals, internet, and a variety of multimedia-rich resources;
- demonstrate effective time-management skills.
Last updated: 20 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Experience in acting or film work.
Recommended prior study, (but not prerequisite): THTR10007 The Actor’s Process; THTR20022 Improvisation: Text, Space and Action,
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 20 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Performance Screen Test Simulation
| During the teaching period | 30% |
Speaking to Camera Task
| During the teaching period | 20% |
Reflective Essay
| During the assessment period | 40% |
Participation | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students must attend 75% of all scheduled classes and submit all assessment items to be eligible for a pass in this subject. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Self-practice is expected of students on a daily basis throughout the intensive teaching period. Outside of tutorials, there will also be recorded lectures, practical classes and self-practice.
Last updated: 20 March 2025
Dates & times
- July - Online
Coordinator Sarah Austin Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 15 hours, comprising five daily 3-hour online tutorials. Total time commitment 146 hours Pre teaching start date 12 July 2021 Pre teaching requirements Students will be required to complete pre-reading and/or viewing during the pre-teaching period. Study materials will be made available via the LMS. Teaching period 19 July 2021 to 23 July 2021 Last self-enrol date 13 July 2021 Census date 19 July 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 30 July 2021 Assessment period ends 6 August 2021
Last updated: 20 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 20 March 2025