PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MASTER SYLLABUS

ACTING FOR THE CAMERA
THEA 2998

Class Hours:  see below

 

Credit Hours:  3.0

 

Lab Hours:  see below

 

Date Revised:  Fall 08

 

Catalog Course Description:

 

 

 

This course provides acting students with an every class opportunity for evaluated on-camera performance within a working studio.  Performance includes both as an actor (utilizing written screenplays and playing other characters) and as a performer or talent (news anchor, program host, interviewer, etc.).

Entry Level Standards:

 

 

 

 Departmental/program approval and completion of all course work through second semester of degree. A minimum grade point average of 2.00

Prerequisite:

 

 

 

 Consent of instructor

Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:

 

 

 No textbook required

I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:

 

 

 As this course is an internship/practicum, specific topics will not be taught using a   standard semester format.  The course will coincide with the pre-production and production period for the Smoky Mountain Shakespeare Festival. The time frame will generally be mid-May through mid-July for approximately eight weeks.

II. Course Objectives*:

 

 

 

A.

Give students practical working experience in their specific discipline in a  professional environment.  II.1, II.2

 

B.

Demonstrate a working knowledge of the various aspects of a professional  theatre  company.  I.5

 

C.

Provide students with contacts to secure work in their field.  II.1, II.2

*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the university parallel program.

III. Instructional Processes*: 

 

 

Students will:

 

 

 

 

1.

Students will work with and under the direct supervision of theatre professionals.  Actors will work with actors and a director.  Technicians will work with a technical director and/or costume shop supervisor.  Publicity, marketing, hospitality interns will work with Public Relations professionals with the college and the theatre company. Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Active Learning Strategies, Transitional Strategies

 

2.

Students will perform tasks and duties specific to their disciplines.  Actors will perform roles on stage.  Technicians will build set and costume pieces for the production. Publicity, Marketing, and Computer Graphics students will design or aid in the design  of marketing material (including graphics) and in the implementation of a marketing campaign. Hospitality Students will design and aid in the sale of a group tour package. Cultural Diversity and Social  Adaptation Outcome, Personal Development Outcome,  Active Learning Strategy, Transitional Strategies

*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State's goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.

IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: 

 

 

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

 

1.

Identify the necessary steps to stage a professional production. A, B

 

2.

Execute various tasks necessary to run a professional production. A, B

 

3.

Break down a text for performance (actors) A, B

 

4.

Devise a timetable and interpret blueprints or costume renderings for set or  costume construction. (technicians) A, B

 

5.

Design a complete promotional plan for a theatre season. (Publicity and Marketing interns) A, B

 

6.

Devise (with a marketing team) an integrated design concept involving posters, programs, and newspaper ads (CGT intern).  A, B

 

7.

Formulate (with the Producing Director) a comprehensive plan to bring tourist groups to the Festival (hospitality/tourism intern). A, B

 

8.

Act in a professional production. (actors) A, B

 

9.

Construct a set or costume design and run a professional production as either lighting, shift, sound, or costume crew. (technicians) A, B

 

10.

Execute a complete promotional plan  for a  theatre season including being     in contact with the media outlets (newspaper, television, radio) who promote  the season. (Publicity and Marketing interns) A, B

 

11.

Execute (with a marketing team) an integrated design concept including being in contact with the media outlets (newspaper, television, radio) who  promote the season. (CGT intern)  A, B

 

12.

Implement  the promotion and sale of tour packages for the Festival. (Hospitality intern) A, B

 

13.

Demonstrate the knowledge, professional experience, and self-confidence necessary to secure work in their field. A, B, C

 

14.

Secure professional contacts which will aid them in securing work in their  field.  C

*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.

V. Evaluation:

 

 

 

A. Testing Procedures:  25% of grade

 

 A student will work a total of seventy (70) hours during the  internship/practicum.  During the course of the internship/practicum, the Internship Director will  periodically observe all aspects of the interns'  work and do an evaluation. 

 

B. Laboratory Expectations:  50% of grade

 

 In addition to the evaluation of the Internship Director, the immediate  supervisor from work will fill out an evaluation form rating his/her work  during the internship/practicum. 

 

C. Field Work:  25% of grade

 

 A time sheet recording all hours worked during the internship/practicum  will be filled out by the student and signed by the supervisor. This will be turned in to the internship/practicum director. Attendance during the internship/practicum will count for twenty-five percent (25%) of the student's grade.

VI. Policies:

 

 

 

Attendance Policy:

 

Pellissippi State expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities. As a minimum, students in all courses (excluding distance learning courses) must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course. Individual departments/programs/disciplines, with the approval of the vice president of Learning, may have requirements that are more stringent. In very specific circumstances, an appeal of the policy may be addressed to the head of the department in which the course was taken. If further action is warranted, the appeal may be addressed to the vice president of Learning.

 

B. Academic Dishonesty:

 

Students are expected to abide by the sanctions listed in the current college catalog under the Academic and Classroom Misconduct guidelines.

 

C. Accommodations for disabilities:

 

If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform the instructor immediately. Please see the instructor privately after class or in his/her office. Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 127 or 131 or by phone: 694-6751(Voice/TTY) or 539-7153.