On-Camera Acting & Drama Fundamentals (For Teens 13-18): Professional Film & TV Training
What's included
8 live meetings
6 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Students are encouraged to prepare the short acting assignments that are given for the next class. The skills learned in each class can be rehearsed with an adult at home (or friends).Assessment
Students may receive written feedback from the instructor upon request at any point. Helpful and constructive verbal feedback will be given after each exercise.Class Experience
Through the instruction of experienced actor, students will learn the sought after on-camera acting techniques through fun, engaging, and classical activities and exercises in a fun, nurturing, and safe environment! At this level, classes will focus around on-camera acting as it pertains to the learner’s ability to inhabit a compelling scene on camera and learning the film acting technique applicable to teens that can be applied to the professional Film & TV industry. Acting is truth and learners will learn how to authentically express themselves calibrated in the medium of film. Each activity will target a different on-camera acting skill while also developing other life skills such as reading comprehension, being comfortable being yourself, strengthening focus, listening, verbal, social, creative, emotional skills, and develop a stronger sense of empathy & comradery. In this sequential course, learners will delve into being themselves, developing comfort on-camera, scaling a performance for the camera, telling stories authentically, expanding the imagination and depth of the actor, relaxing on-camera, using the body, the voice, and classical on-camera techniques to effectively act in a professional Film & TV scene with a partner for the camera, and portray a nuanced human-being on-camera. Through these activities, learners will come out with a greater understanding of themselves, the world of on-camera acting, creativity, and if they choose to, can apply these skills on professional film sets and in on-camera auditions! Each week will address a different "Topic" of on-camera acting. Topics for each week are as follows: Weekly Lesson Plan Week 1: On-Camera Acting: The Camera, The Actor’s relationship to the Camera, Allowing yourself to be Seen, and The Personalized Text Exercise Week 2: Truthful Embodiment: Stillness, Simplicity, Volume, and Rudolf Laban’s Flow Week 3: The Four Eyelines and Masking: The Scene Partner, Inside the Room, Outside the Room, Internal, and Masking Exercise Week 4: Relaxation, Focus, and The Five Senses: Sense Memory Exercises: Morning Beverage, Sunshine, Overall Sensations: Rain, Snow, Wind, Fever, Sunshine, Three Pieces of Different Fabric, A Lemon, and Substitution Week 5: Michael Shurtleff’s Twelve Guideposts: Relationships, Conflict, The Moment Before, Humor, Opposites, Discoveries, Communication and Competition, Importance, Find the Events, Place, Game Playing and Role Playing, Mystery and Secret Week 6: Teen Film & TV Scene Study Day 1: Rehearse putting it all together in a scripted Film & TV Scene for Teens with guidance Week 7: Teen Film & TV Scene Study Day 2: Get an assigned Coaching and train flexibility by receiving notes on the previously introduced acting principals Week 8: Teen Film & TV Scene Study Day 3: Practise running the full scene again in a professional audition format with personalized feedback. SUBSITUTE POLICY: Ferrell Studios is an organization on Outschool with about 15 teachers with professional training and experience in the arts. Occasionally, the teacher for this class may not be able to teach and a substitute teacher from the organization will take her place. Only teachers trained to teach this class will serve as a possible substitute for the class. A message will be posted in the Outschool classroom before the class takes place in the event a substitute will be teaching. Thank you for your understanding!
Learning Goals
Students will develop an awareness of the camera's presence and learn how to interact with it effectively, understanding the nuances of how to "be seen" on camera authentically.
Students will master the art of stillness and simplicity in their performances, utilizing Rudolf Laban’s Flow and other techniques to embody truthful, subtle emotions on camera.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
On-Camera Acting
The Camera, The Actor’s relationship to the Camera, Allowing yourself to be Seen, and The Personalized Text Exercise
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Truthful Embodiment
Stillness, Simplicity, Volume, and Rudolf Laban’s Flow
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
The Four Eyelines and Masking
The Scene Partner, Inside the Room, Outside the Room, Internal, and Masking Exercise
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Relaxation, Focus, and The Five Senses
Sense Memory Exercises: Morning Beverage, Sunshine, Overall Sensations: Rain, Snow, Wind, Fever, Sunshine, Three Pieces of Different Fabric, A Lemon, and Substitution
45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
4 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Arts from Rutgers University
Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Arts from Hunter College
Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Arts from Temple University
Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Temple University
MICHAEL KELBERG:
Michael is a professional working actor (SAG-AFTRA) who has had roles in: FOR LIFE (ABC), THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL (AMAZON), FBI (CBS) and THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA (HBO) to name a few. Upcoming projects include the films: EVERYTHING AND THE UNIVERSE, SHOPPING TOWARDS BETHLEHEM and THREE BLIND MICE. He has been in 100+ Commercials/Industrials/Print and has over a decade of experience working with kids of all ages at Camps, Youth Groups and Non-Profits. Michael has a B.A. In Journalism from Temple University and has studied at HB Studio, the Simon Studio and Upright Citizen's Brigade. He lives with his wife Becky, a Social Worker and two kids Lila & Lucy and they're beloved rescue Stella, a boxer-mix.
LYSIA MOGFORD:
Lysia Mogford is an actor, comedian, and teaching artist based in Philadelphia PA. She is a recent graduate from Temple University with an acting degree. Since then, she has been acting locally, teaching in afterschool programs, directing local productions and films, and doing stand up and improv. Some of her most exciting recent projects are Love is Afoot, a world premier of an all new musical, performing at a character show at Philadelphia Improv theater, and now directing a production of King Lear coming up in February 2024. Her biggest passion is comedy! She is proficient in sketch comedy, improv, standup, and comedy writing. She looks to create theater that promotes equality, changes to the traditional theater mold, and most of all makes people laugh.
DANIEL BRISTOL:
Daniel Bristol is a multi-award winning actor and 2019 graduate of the prestigious internationally recognized conservatory Studio 58, under the direction of Kathryn Shaw. Most recently, Daniel was awarded nationally with an Official Top Young Emerging Actor Selection in 2022 by UBCP/ACTRA and acted in Leo Award-winner Joyce Kline's film 'Cancelled Stamp', which won the coveted Audience Favorite Best Short Award at the Victoria Film Festival. He made his film debut in Paramount Pictures 'The Uninvited' as Samuel Wright with Academy Award nominee David Strathairn, Elizabeth Banks, and Emily Browning. Soon after, he acted in the Warner Bros film 'Sucker Punch' directed by Zach Snyder. In 2016, he was nominated for Best Young Actor in a Leading Role as Lucas in 'His First Time' and won for Best Monologue at the Joey Awards: Canada's & UK's/Europe's most prestigious awards for young performers. After appearing in 6 award winning Studio 58 Mainstage Productions, including the Carol Bolt Award and 3 Ovation Awards, he graduated at the top of his class and starred as the titular role of CBC's Digital Shorts' Pilot 'Captain Coquitlam' directed by Arno Hazebroek, who executive produced the film Hope Gape which was directed by two time Academy Award Nominee William Nicholson. In only a few months, after auditioning nationally, he was cast in the starring role of Ben as his professional theatre debut for which he found great critical and popular acclaim in the hit Canadian Actors' Equity Association production of 'The Birds and the Bees' (2020). The show's run was extended twice and raised over $106,265 for Children's Charity. Also in 2020, Daniel won the worldwide Silver Medal in the World Monologue Games out of 3000 actors from 85 countries for Best Monologue and represented his country within the competition as the only Canadian to reach the Global Finals. Revered actress Sohaila Kapur, youngest sister to Cate Blanchett's Oscar Winning Elizabeth director Shekhar Kapur, earned Bronze. In 2021, Daniel worked with Lee Strasberg's son David Lee Strasberg in Los Angeles as well as with HBO's Game of Thrones dialect coach Sally Hague in Staffordshire, England. He also made a Guest Appearance at The Second City Chicago.
LUKE HARDT:
Luke, a lifelong theater artist, has decades of experience directing, designing and writing plays for all age levels. As an actor, he has numerous film and stage credits. Luke loves to teach and learn through all things theater and is delighted to engage on almost any creative topic. He holds an M.F.A in Acting from Temple University and has served as Director of Theatre for the University of Montevallo and Bethany College. During his time at the Performing Arts Magnet High School (CCPAC), in Montgomery, his students earned statewide recognition, succeeded in earning significant scholarships, got offers from numerous training programs and for many, went on to successful professional careers. His own career includes directing over 85 plays representing a broad range of genres, age groups, audiences and venues. Luke’s approach to teaching is collaborative, eclectic, physical, and informed by years of study and practice. He is looking forward to sharing his expertise in Acting, Audition Prep, Playwriting, History and Appreciation, and more with the next generation of theatre people through Ferrell Studios/Outschool.
DAPHNE SARDIS:
Daphne Sardis is a New Jersey-based filmmaker, writer, and actor. Her most recent short film credits include Ioanna (Writer/Director) and Diary of a Simpy Kid: The Documentary (Director). She is currently studying Digital Filmmaking and English at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, where she is also a Writing Center tutor and the videographer for the Livingston Theatre Company. Her most recent theatre credits include Into the Woods (The Witch), Hair (Claude), Cinderella (Queen), and tick, Tick, BOOM! (Jon). She is very excited to bring beginner filmmaking courses to Ferrell Studios and inspire the next generation of artists.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$19
weekly or $150 for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
45 min
Completed by 29 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-5 learners per class