Unit VU21839 Develop acting techniques

Unit Descriptor This unit covers the knowledge and skills to develop a range of
acting techniques to work imaginatively and creatively for the
effective resolution of an acting role for screen.

Employability skills This unit contains Employability Skills.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification

requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication

Application of the The skills and knowledge addressed in this unit will be applied
Unit by actors working in film, television and other screen-based
contexts.

ELEMENT PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential
outcomes of a unit of
competency.
Performance criteria describe the required performance needed demonstrate
achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further
information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge and/or the range
statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence
guide.

Acquire acting 1.1 Investigate the different acting techniques for screen
techniques
1.2 Explore the technical versus the emotional actor
1.3 Determine the methods of focus within the range of on-
screen performance environments
1.4 Reproduce a range of acting techniques with control,
flexibility and balance
1.5 Practise exercises to facilitate the development of screen
acting techniques
1.6 Review acquisition of techniques to facilitate
improvement in screen performance

Improve character 2.1 Analyse the methods of internalisation and visualization

development
2.2 Investigate the use of backstory for character
development

2.3 Explore the use of question and answer for character

development
 2.4 Use background information to develop an understanding
of the character and the evolution of the character
2.5 Practise exercises to facilitate the development of a range
of characters creating the right environment and
information for the believability of the character
2.6 Reproduce a range of characters creating the right
environment and information for the believability of the
character
2.7 Review acquisition of techniques to facilitate character
development for screen performance

Form camera 3.1 Investigate the range of techniques for working in front
techniques of camera
3.2 Explore acting techniques for different filming styles
3.3 Reproduce a range of acting techniques for working in
front of camera
3.4 Practise exercises to facilitate the development of acting
techniques for working in front of camera
3.5 Review acquisition of techniques to facilitate
improvement in screen performance

Acquire action acting4.1 Observe basic screen action acting work and identify
and physical acting basic skill requirements
techniques
4.2 Investigate the use of tactile work in acting
4.3 Practise exercises to facilitate the development of basic
action acting work for screen
4.4 Review acquisition of techniques to facilitate
improvement in screen performance

Develop 5.1 Examine the structure of an improvisation

improvisation
techniques 5.2 Examine ingredients used to stimulate an improvisation

5.3 Investigate the use of observation as a stimulus for

improvisation
 5.4 Examine the use of the imagination and how it can help
with the creation of characters and story lines
5.5 Practise exercises to facilitate the development of
improvisation techniques
5.6 Devise an improvisation

5.7 Review own filmed work to facilitate improvement in

screen performance

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
 Ability to work in an uninhibited way with the imaginative self
 Techniques for rehearsing and filming in front of camera
 Ability to work with a director
 Skills in analysis of text
 Research skills to investigate the work of drama/film practitioners
 Improvisational skills to work in the style of practitioners such as Stanislavski,
Meisner, Brooks, Caine, Strasburg.
 Ability to use the expressive skills of: facial expressions, gesture, movement and voice
 Ability to use movements, gestures and actions for the continuity of a scene from take
to take
 Ability to receive and act upon criticism productively
 Knowledge in the assessment of verbal, written, dramatic achievement, filmed
performances and attitude
 Knowledge of how to work to one camera

RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and
situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed
below.

Different acting techniques  Relevant resources of film practitioners including

may include: Stanislavski, Strasberg, Meisner, Caine
 A television series
Range of performance
environments may include:  A film
 A corporate documentary/in house training film
 A television commercial
 A webisode
Range of characters may  Characters from a range of environments and
include: emotional contexts

Techniques for working in  Physicality of holding position

  Giving it all from take to take
front of camera may
include:  Camera angles
 How to take your mark
 Concentration and becoming totally focused
 Action and reaction
 Continuity
Different filming styles may  On location
include:  Studio
 Live to tape
 Live to air
 Single and multi camera operation
 Being tactile
Basic screen action acting
work may include:  Action and reaction in action acting
 Knowing how to cheat the shot

Structure of an improvisation  A theme

may include:  An emotion
 A beginning, a middle, an end

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria,
Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment section in Section B of the accreditation
submission.

Critical aspects for assessment The demonstrated ability to:

and evidence required to
demonstrate competency in
this unit
 use basic acting techniques
 perform technically and emotionally
 physically and mentally prepare for a screen
performance
 proficiently develop characters
 reliably perform in front of camera
 perform proficiently in tactile work (involving very
basic on screen action acting)
 perform proficiently in improvisation, planned and
impromptu
 perform proficiently in researching, planning an
filming piece
 seek feedback on technique development
 integrate constructive criticism/advice
 identify own techniques, skills and potential to
plan skills development.
 Context of and specific resources
for assessment
Method of assessment
. application of knowledge and demonstration of skills in a
Guidance information for assessment
 Assessment of Performance requirements in this unit
should be undertaken in an actual workplace or
simulated environment
 Assessment should reinforce the integration of the
employability skills for the particular AQF level
Assessment methods must involve the practical
real or simulated screen performance environment.
Participants will be expected to achieve the outcomes of
this unit of competency through a range of assessment
methods that may include:
 Practical demonstrations
 Evidence portfolio
 Structured written/oral questions
 Reflective journal/self assessment
 Presentations in relation to the work undertaken.
Evidence should be collected over a set
period of time in a range of actual or
simulated environments that is sufficient to
demonstrate the ability to develop screen
acting techniques.