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Download a pdf course Study Guide. (Also provided as handout.)

Spring 2014, School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) | Lectures: CHF202, Tuesday and Thursday, 3:00 – 4:50 p.m.

Instructor: Lorene Shyba MFA PhD | Office hours: Tue/Thur, 2:00 - 3:00 pm in SCPA reception lounge, or by appointment

Email: lori.shyba@gmail.com 

COURSE DESCRIPTION (Revisions will be in Pink)

This course explores performance in movies and videogames from an artistic, historical, and cultural perspective.  Performances in film are examined in relation to techniques and aesthetics of famed acting coaches and dramaturgs. Other topics include best practices in acting, casting and character as ideological representation, and the relationship of acting and screenwriting. Videogame characters are studied in terms of persona development, myth and hero’s journey, interactive narrative including audience/author distance, and semiotic representations and ideologies. Lectures, screenings, and gameplay sessions illustrate these practices and principles through a variety of film and videogame styles and genres.

Links to Readings

Assignments 

Assignment 1: Group Presentation

Assignment 2: Projects

Homework Assignments

Slideshows, links, and this and that

May 2014

June 2014

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Questions and topics we can explore:

• How does cinema history, style and genre affect performance?
• How do various acting styles differ? Which are good for stage? Which for screen?
• What are ways that filmmaking and screenwriting affect performance in film and videogames? How does the Hero’s Journey tie in with well-made story?
• How is performance and characterization captured and recorded for videogames?
• How might we experiment with practice-based studio skills to create short films with a focus on performance approaches and do some videogame character modeling.

REQUIRED Resources:

• Readings Coursepack. See pages 4 - 5 of this study guide for a list of the readings. Links to readings are provided on the course web site at lorishyba.pbworks.com and on D2L. You must print these readings and bring them to class, or have them downloaded and available on your laptop or tablet.
• An account with a movie download service such as iTunes or Amazon Prime. Some homework screenings may also be available on Netflix. 

Assignments: Detailed instructions are available on the class web site.

1.  15-20 minute Group Presentation - Groups will be assigned to present from and lead class discussion on the course readings. You will be evaluated on the clarity of your presentation (do you bring out the main points of the article in an understandable way?), appropriateness of examples given, demonstration of the principles (if applicable), the quality of your discussion questions, and your efforts to involve the class. Creative presentations will be judged especially favourably. The group’s typed outline, written summary (abstract), and discussion questions are due before the presentation.

2.  Team Project – You will work with a small team to produce either, a) A short film exemplifying a topic listed on the class wiki. These films can be shot with smartphone or camcorders and computers and software are available for editing. However, only limited instruction will be provided for video editing skills. b) Computer game character sketches/modeling, along with character analysis and videogame level design.

2.  Midterm and Final Exam.

Grading: Your final grade will be based on the following criteria:

20% — Group Presentation

20% — Team Projects

20 % — Midterm Exam

20% — Final Exam

20% — Attendance and participation

The 20% participation mark will be based on classroom discussion, occasional homework assignments, and other factors as indicated below in class policies. There will be four pass/fail homework assignments and you must complete a minimum of three for full participation marks. A "P" is an A grade, "CP" (Conditional Pass) is a C. You will have opportunity to resubmit your CP assignments for upgrade. 

The Fine Print