This course is designed to teach students acting concepts and skills and how to apply those skills in their work as animators, so they can create dynamic characters and emotionally-resonant performances. The class examines live-action and animated film clips and introduces a variety of simple, effective and immediately usable acting tools and techniques. Students will rehearse and perform in scenes directed by the instructor, as well as participate in acting and improv exercises. No prior acting experience is necessary.

Students will learn how to:

• Analyze scripts & scenes
• Craft performances that are emotionally rich
• Find the “funny” in scenes and in performances
• Develop dynamic characters
• Shoot reference efficiently and decide which “Takes” to use
• Make choices that support the character and story
• Use a common performance-language
• Effectively collaborate with fellow artists