Discover Acting

University of London via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/discover-acting

Introduction

### Course Review: Discover Acting on Coursera If you've ever felt a spark of curiosity about the world of acting, the **Discover Acting** course offered on Coursera is an excellent gateway into this dynamic field. Regardless of whether you are an aspiring actor, a creative individual looking to enhance your performance skills, or just someone eager to understand the craft better, this course has something for you. #### Course Overview **Discover Acting** immerses you in the essentials of actor training, carefully designed to reveal the talent and potential that resides within you. The course places an emphasis on active participation, promoting engagement through a series of practical exercises, interactive activities, and informative video content. It encourages a hands-on approach, ensuring that as you learn about acting, you also get to practice it. #### Syllabus Breakdown The course is structured over several weeks, each focused on a different aspect of acting. 1. **Who am I, what is an actor and what is acting?** - The journey begins with introspection; you’ll explore your uniqueness as an actor. Fundamental concepts such as the definition of acting and the subjective nature of performance are examined. The interrelationship between body, voice, and imagination sets a solid foundation for what's to come, emphasizing the importance of understanding acting before engaging in it. 2. **Using your instrument as a tool for performance; integrating your mind, body, voice, and imagination** - This section dives deeper into the intricacies of the actor’s "instrument"—their body, voice, and mind. Here, you'll become aware of your physical and vocal habits, learning how internal and external factors influence your performance. You'll also gain insight into the significance of physical release and breath alignment, essential components for anyone looking to present themselves authentically on stage. 3. **Exploring the text** - Understanding the material you're working with can significantly heighten your performance. This week focuses on text analysis, breaking down various components such as objectives and tactics within a script. You’ll learn how to dissect lines and understand the circumstances that inform character choices, allowing you to inhabit your roles more fully. 4. **Adding detail to your performance** - Finally, the course wraps up with practical preparation for performance. This segment emphasizes the importance of reflection—both on your performances and your learning journey. It encourages ongoing development, giving you tools for continuous improvement in your acting journey. #### Why You Should Take This Course **Discover Acting** stands out for several reasons: - **Accessibility**: The course is designed for individuals at all levels, making it an excellent choice for beginners who may not have any acting experience. - **Practical Focus**: With a hands-on approach, the course allows you to immediately apply what you’ve learned, reinforcing skills through practice. - **Diverse Learning Methods**: The inclusion of various activities, from video content to workbook exercises, caters to different learning styles. - **Reflection and Growth**: Throughout the course, a strong emphasis is placed on self-reflection, which is crucial for long-term development in the arts. Moreover, the skills acquired in the **Discover Acting** course transcend the boundaries of theater and are applicable in numerous fields, including public speaking, interpersonal communication, and creative expression. #### Conclusion In conclusion, I highly recommend the **Discover Acting** course on Coursera to anyone looking to embark on a journey into the world of acting or enhance their existing skills. It offers a comprehensive, engaging, and practical exploration of acting fundamentals, guided by experienced instructors who are passionate about the craft. Whether you aim to perform on stage or simply want to explore a new form of expression, this course is a perfect place to start. Sign up today, and let your acting journey unfold!

Syllabus

Who am I, what is an actor and what is acting?

In week one we’ll focus on the key concepts of the course: What is an actor? What is acting? What do you offer that’s unique as an actor? We will also explore the notion of subjectivity and what makes certain acting choices effective. We'll look at the relationship between body, voice and imagination. In these early stages of the course you'll be invited to watch, listen and read about acting; before we act, we need to think about acting. As the course progresses you'll develop a technique that enables you to experiment with these ideas in practice.

Using your instrument as a tool for performance; integrating your mind, body, voice and imagination

Key concepts: The interconnected role of the actor’s instrument: body, voice and mind. Building awareness of your own body, physical & vocal habits, and how this is affected by internal and external factors. Start to develop an awareness of the relationship between physical release, alignment, breath and why that is important for the actor. Questions to ask in order to establish the given circumstance and how changing the answer changes the playing.

Exploring the text

Key concepts: Text analysis/diagnostic, given circumstances, objectives, caps, tactics, physical externals.

Adding detail to your performance

Key concepts: Practical preparation for a performance. Performing and reflecting effectively on your performance. Reflect on the learning so far and next steps.