Introduction to Acting for Camera
Short Courses – 10 Week- Adults
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Overview
This weekly class introduces the specialist skills and techniques required when acting for camera. The course also aims to increase your confidence and understanding of how to perform text for the camera.
The course involves practical exercises designed to challenge and stretch you in a creative and supportive environment. You will explore the art of character development and look at ways in which you can keep the inner life of characters fresh whilst dealing with the technical demands of acting to camera.
You will receive technical tips on performing for camera, as well as practical advice on the audition process for film and television, rehearsals and film shoots. Film and TV jargon will be introduced through practical exercises.
You will work on a selection of scenes and monologues from contrasting film and television scripts, both individually and in groups. With the support of the course leader, you will use your new skills to bring the material alive for the camera. Students will be invited to select a piece of text to focus on over the ten weeks, which will be recorded and can be used for the students portfolios.
By the end of the course, students should understand:
- The technical demands for an actor when working on camera
- How to keep a performance realistic and engaging after multiple takes
- How to analyse film and TV scripts and use information gathered to create characters
- The key vocal and physical skills required when acting on screen
- Basic Film and TV jargon
Students will finish the course with a recorded monologue, which has been developed over the 10 weeks of the course. Students may also, time permitting, record a duologue scene with a scene partner from the class. Students will receive feedback from the course lecturer throughout the duration of the course.
This ten week course may be useful for those who wish to enhance their existing skills, pursue a pathway to further training or explore a career in the field of acting for the screen.
The course will involve an element of self-directed study and preparation each week aimed at deepening and consolidating the practical work during class. Students may be asked to assist the film shoots, taking on roles such as clapper and boom operator.
Courses you may be interested in
- Acting for Camera: Professional Practice
We run a variety of different courses throughout the year, and update our programme regularly – you can find all courses by clicking here.
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Contact us
If you have any questions about this course before you book it, please get in touch with us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk.
FAQs
Please see our FAQs for more information about all aspects of choosing, booking and attending your course.
The important details
Age:
16+
Cost:
£345
Date:
21 January - 25 March 2025
Time:
Tuesdays, 6pm - 9pm
Venue:
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB
Course Information
There are no entry requirements for this open access course, designed so that motivated students will benefit from the training and our tutors are experienced in teaching across all levels of skill and experience. Students should be open, honest, generous, respectful, hard-working and willing to work as part of a team.
If you have any questions about this class or the support we can offer, please get in touch with us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk
Students are encouraged to bring water with them. We request that no valuable belongings are brought to the classes and mobile phones are switched off except during breaks.
As the course focuses on rehearsing and filming a monologue and duologue, students should begin to think about what pieces of text they would be keen to work with. While these do not have to be brought for the first week of the course, students are very welcome to bring text in from session one onwards.
Students should dress in comfortable clothing and be willing to work barefoot if required.
This course will run in-person on Tuesday evenings for 10-weeks from 21 January – 25 March 2025, 6pm – 9pm.
The course fee is £345 which is the equivalent to £34.50 per session, and can be paid in full or in instalments before the course end date
Further Information
We want to ensure as many children, young people and adult learners as possible can access the performing and production arts education that is offered through Short Courses at RCS. Financial support options available for Short Courses include:
Agnes Allan Bursary
Agnes Allan was a teacher, passionate about inclusion, and this bursary scheme exists to offer support to students to participate in the performing or production arts.
The Agnes Allan Bursary provides some support to students who may require financial assistance to take part in a short course in dance, drama, music, production or screen.
Anyone who wishes to take part in our Short Courses and faces a financial barrier can apply for bursary support to help meet the cost of tuition fees.
James McAvoy Drama Scholarships
BAFTA-winning and Golden Globe nominated actor James McAvoy is committed to nurturing the creative potential of young Scots who experience barriers to access and participate in drama at RCS Short Courses.
James is a graduate of the BA Acting programme at RCS and Patron of the Junior Conservatoire of Drama. The Glasgow-born actor has funded the new James McAvoy Drama Scholarships to enable young people to experience the world-class drama training at RCS as he did.
The scholarship aims to support applicants who would otherwise find meeting the cost of tuition fees at RCS a barrier to accessing pre-Higher Education drama training at the Royal Conservatoire.
You can find more information about these funds on our Financial Support page.
We run various promotional offers for our Short Courses and Summer Schools. You can view our current offers on our Promotional Offers page.
You should contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk to request your discount code before booking a course.
Please note, only one promotional offer can be applied per course and should be used at the time of booking as we are unable to apply a discounts retrospectively.
Please see our Short Course FAQs for more information about all aspects of choosing, booking and attending your course.
Please see our Short Courses – Terms and Conditions for more information about your contract with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Cancellation and Refund policies.
Sign up to our mailing list to receive the latest updates of courses, offers and news from Short Courses. You can do this by completing this short online form found here.
Short Courses
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summerschools@rcs.ac.uk
Credit-Rated
credit-rated@rcs.ac.uk
Bursary and Scholarship
bursaryscholarship@rcs.ac.uk
