Professional Diploma in Performing

Arts (Acting) – Module Synopsis

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Module Synopsis 2014 Copyright © SSTC INSTITUTE
1. Voice of Actor

MODULE SYNOPSIS
One of the main tools that an actor can use to enhance his/her performance is his or her
ability to express the emotions and drama through the use of the “actor’s voice”. To be able
to use this tool, he or she not only needs to have a basic understanding of the human voice,
but how to make use of this “instrument” as well as the proper principles for honing it so that
it can enhance his or her performance. The aim of this module is therefore to provide
students with an appreciation of what constitutes the human voice, the use of the human
voice in professional acting as well as the principles for enhancing its use for dramatic
purposes.

2. Speech of Actors

MODULE SYNOPSIS
Building on skills and knowledge covered in the voice of the actor module, this module aims
to strengthen the link students have made between the use of their voice and the voice as a
tool for artistic expression. An actor must understand the dramatic power of speech in a
performance and be able to give expression to words of a text.

3. Voice Acting

MODULE SYNOPSIS
Concluding the series on the use of voice as an artistic tool is voice acting. This constitutes
one form of performance as an actor. Actors are employed as voice-overs for radio
commercials and television advertisements as well as narrators for documentary films, T.V
and video productions. Additionally with the increasing number of vernacular films being
dubbed into English and vice-versa, there appears to be a continuing demand for dubbing
artistes who are trained as actors. This module addresses the specific skills and knowledge
of voice acting.

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4. Imagery of Alignment

MODULE SYNOPSIS
This module is the first of two “movement” modules in the programme. It introduces
students to the idea and concept that apart from the human voice, the human body, through
controlled and deliberate movements can be an instrument of artistic expression. Using
current studies and methodologies, using imagery to achieve body balance and alignment,
students will learn the principles of shifting body weight, posture and poise to achieve
artistic or dramatic effect.

5. Body Movement, Language & Performance Skills

MODULE SYNOPSIS

This second module in the series on the body as a tool for artistic and dramatic expression
builds upon the concepts espoused in the module on Body Imagery. Nuance and the
creation of characters in drama is often carried to artistic perfection in the application of
specific and “targeted” movements and gestures. This module therefore provides students
with theoretical and practical knowledge to assist them in fleshing out characters, convey
meaning as well as expression through the use of body’s gestures and body language.

6. Realism & Method Acting

MODULE SYNOPSIS

One of the emerging philosophies of the 19th and early 20th centuries was Realism. This
philosophy posited that reality was an objective fact that was independent of Man’s
intervention or interpretation. The Realist movement in the performing arts further
developed on this theme and realist theatre was born. Arising from this, classical styles of
acting were incongruous with this new direction. The training of actors had to evolve to meet
the specific demands of realist drama and actors had to be trained to find the objective truth
of their characters circumstance and portray them on stage (and later on screen). To get to
these objective facts, actors had to be trained through a “system or method” to bring to their
performances their own reactions, emotions and interpretations. This methodology of actor
training is called: Method acting. This module aims to provide students with the concepts
and principles of the 20th century’s foremost form of actor training. Skills and knowledge
gained from this module will form the basis of their training as professional actors and it is
the foundation to lifelong learning in the field.

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7. Stanislavsky’s System Acting

MODULE SYNOPSIS

A contemporary methodology of actor training that emerged at the same time as Method
Acting was Stanislavsky’s System. Although Method Acting drew much of its theoretical
underpinning from Stanislavsky’s ideas, his “System” further developed the concept that the
actor role as a character in a play is a constant through-put. This means that the actor must
be trained to constantly look for the truth as it is understood by the character he portrays.
This constant search requires the actor to delve deeper into how he/she would handle the
circumstances that are faced by the character in a script. This means that as the actor
grows and experiences more of life, his portrayal of a character will change. This module
will equip students with the necessary skills to make use of their own emotions, memories,
thoughts and feelings to apply them in preparing for and during a performance.

8. Script Writing

MODULE SYNOPSIS
Meaningful film and stage performances can be distinguished from poor or mediocre ones
in most cases because of their scripts. Professional actors need to be familiar with the
aspects and skills of script-writing, these skills will not only enhance their skills of
interpreting scripts for acting but will also provide them with an additional skill which will
improve their continued growth as a contributor to a meaningful arts scene.

9. Introduction to Film and Television Appreciation

MODULE SYNOPSIS
The film and television industry (taken as a whole) employs the most number of professional actors.
This trend is likely to continue as technological advances in film and T.V production make these
media easier to produce and more accessible to mass audiences. It is therefore important for
budding actors to understand the workings of this industry. This module provides an appreciation of
the technical demands of each of these areas. It will also strive to provide them with a practical idea
of the tension between artistic impulses of professional acting and the commercial imperatives of this
industry.

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10. Acting for camera

MODULE SYNOPSIS
Acting before a camera might seem less daunting to new actors then acting before a live
audience. However, performing before a camera has its own demands, technical constraints
and limitations. These challenge actors in new and different ways. This module aims to
teach students to bring out the best of their performance as an actor in front of the camera.
It builds on what they have learnt in the modules on acting methods and adds to these skill
sets, a greater technical appreciation of film-making in general and cinematography in
general.

11. Directing for Single Camera Production

MODULE SYNOPSIS

The aim of this module is to provide students with rudimentary concepts and skills of
directing performances captured by a single video camera. This complements and builds
upon the previous module which covers acting in front of a camera. Through hands-on
practical lessons and lectures from industry professionals, students will understand the
specific and technical demands of directing actor performances, production schedules,
elements of light and sound as well working around the limitations of shooting from one
camera. This would help them improve their performances and reinforces the training they
have received thus far as professional actors.

12. Improvisational Acting

MODULE SYNOPSIS

In this module on improvisational acting students learn how to develop performances and
deliver unscripted lines, action and drama while adapting to changing situations on stage or
at a location. Improvisation, as its name suggests, means adapting a response to changes
in external conditions and circumstances. While there is an element of the unplanned,
improvisation has its own principles and these can be practiced and honed by a drama
professional. This module therefore strives to provide students with these principles and
opportunities to practice them.

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13. Principles of Forum Acting

MODULE SYNOPSIS

Forum theatre is a form of acting that emerged out of the socio-political experience of the
late 1960s and 1970s. It was conceived as a form of interactive performance where the
audience and actors collaborate and “work through” the themes and subjects expressed on
stage. In this form of theatre, the purpose of performance is to give expression to the plight
of the oppressed, the voiceless and the marginalized in society against the ubiquitous
“powers that be”. This module concludes the section on acting styles and aims to provide
students with the skills and knowledge to cope with the specific demands of this interactive,
artistic but seemingly accessible form of art and theatre.

14. Devising Performances

MODULE SYNOPSIS

The creation of a story is a challenging but immensely enriching journey. For actors,
learning the skills and theories behind the creative process of developing a performance will
help him or her produce work that is entirely their own. Apart from the practical aspect of
enhancing their “method” or improvisational acting skills as well as supplementing their
acting portfolio, seeing the development of your own performance from concept to final
stage or screen performance is a rewarding and meaningful experience. This module aims
to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to transform a simple story idea
into an artistic expression of their own.

15. Singing for Actors

MODULE SYNOPSIS
Singing is an integral part of the performing arts and is an art form which every professional actor
should strive to learn and practice. This module is not aimed at training the next pop star or to
develop professional singers. Its primary focus of this module is to provide actors with the additional
skills, to present music on stage or screen as part of an acting role. Knowledge of singing will also
stand the actor in good stead to handle a larger range of characters and roles in his/her subsequent
acting career.

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 §

16. Directing for Stage

MODULE SYNOPSIS
Directing contemporary theatre productions has become an increasingly challenging.
Directors of stage productions are not only charged to ensure that the very best of the
creative talents of their crews and actors are brought to the fore on stage, they are also
given the responsibility of staying true to the playwrights original themes whilst allowing for
some artistic license in interpreting them for target audiences. Directors are also called upon
to make use of new technologies to make their productions more relevant to modern
audiences. Whilst it is not the aim of this module to groom stage directors, knowledge of the
specific and technical requirements of the stage will stand any professional actor in good
stage, and this is what this module strives to provide the students in this course.

17. Individual Practice

MODULE SYNOPSIS
Globalization has affected and influenced many facets of human life. Acting is no exception.
The rapid growth of technology has changed our view of the world. The world has become
smaller and this has presented challenges to the performing arts industry. Performances
that are circumscribed by national boundaries or themes are losing relevance. Actors too
who are too used to their “comfort zones” (i.e. their favourite acting styles and approaches)
may quickly find themselves unable to adapt to rapidly changing producers, directors and
audience’s tastes and expectations. This module strives to provide skills to improve
students’ practice of their craft so as to remain adaptable and continually relevant in this
new context.

18. Introduction to Contemporary Theatre Masterpieces

MODULE SYNOPSIS

This module on Contemporary Theatre Masterpieces provides students with an overview of

the range of genres and styles in contemporary theatre; their technical and artistic demands
as well as their driving forces. It also has a section on Contemporary Asian theatre, an
acting context which is familiar to the students and which is fast gaining in popularity in the
region.

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19. Theatre and Drama Education

MODULE SYNOPSIS
Increasingly performing arts and drama in particular has been given a role in the community
beyond just the stage and screen. Educationists have long associated theatre, drama and
role-play as an effective instructional tool of education. This has resulted in theatre
companies and actors being increasingly being engaged by schools and the community to
enhance the learning of subjects as diverse as English language to character-building and
ethics. Actors are now seen not just as entertainers, but as co-educators who have the skills
to bring lessons to life in novel and thought-provoking ways. This module is aimed at
providing students with the necessary background and tools to help them perform their roles
as co-educators to enhance classroom lessons.

20. Audition Techniques

MODULE SYNOPSIS
After learning the finer points of the art of acting and practicing the skills of a professional
actor, budding actors must face the challenge of the “casting call” or audition. In this
somewhat artificial setting, an actor has only his knowledge, skills and his/her wits to fall
back on to impress producers and directors (who will be his/her employers). In a relatively
short time frame, actors must have the necessary tools to showcase their talents in the best
light possible. This module is aimed at providing students with further skills of creating a
positive impression at an audition. It complements and builds upon the skills learnt in
Module 005 of Year One.

21. Developing an Acting Research Portfolio

MODULE SYNOPSIS
This is the final module of this two year programme. As such, its main aim is to give
students an opportunity to pull together and consolidate their learning over the past two-
years into a formal practice-based research project. This project will serve as means for
students to reflect as deeply as they can on an aspect of acting and performance that
interests them. It will also be a vehicle that will showcase the depth of their knowledge and
skills acquisition in the programme. It should also serve as a good indication to prospective
employers of the strength of their analytical skills.

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Module Synopsis 2014 Copyright © SSTC INSTITUTE