Curriculum

(Listed here is an overview of the curriculum for this program. To download a detailed curriculum guide click here.)

Term 1

Term 1 is devoted to healthy foundation skills. During these 12 weeks you will learn to use your mind, body, and imagination as expressive tools. You will have weekly classes in improvisation, acting technique, camera technique, physical training, voice and speech, and text analysis. You are encouraged to approach your work proactively, making choices based on your developing skills.

• Voice and Speech
• Physical Training
• Improvisation
• Acting Technique – Methods – Naturalism
• Acting Technique – On-Camera
• Text Analysis

Term 2

In Term 2, your work shifts its focus into intermediate assignments where you will gain work experience on longer projects. You will apply your skills from first term, and explore higher stakes emotionally and technically in all your work. You begin with a short film project with a professional director working in an “indie” film environment. You then tackle specific intermediate skills in on-camera and acting technique classes.

Your work is showcased for the first time, allowing you to test your creations with an audience. The rehearsal project teaches you the skills to prepare a full length script in an ensemble environment. In the Shakespeare class, you learn to work with difficult dialogue and epic stories. You learn to prepare audition monologues and explore voice-over work with the Animation departments in Voice and Speech. Physical skills /like stage combat and bouffon are introduced in Physical Training. You will be introduced to the business of acting, working with the Digital Photography department on your headshots.

• Short Film 1
• Voice and Speech
• Physical Training
• Acting Technique – Methods
• Acting Technique – On Camera
• Rehearsal Project
• Acting Technique – Shakespeare
• The Actors’ Toolkit – Headshots

Term 3

Your third and final term at William Davis is devoted to advanced projects. These are designed to challenge you fully while they enhance your skill and confidence. Final Voice and Speech, Physical Training and Acting Technique projects will give you an opportunity to apply everything you have learned, and take steps towards personal bests in all areas.

The second short-film project is shot on a sound stage. You will learn to work with all crew members in a hectic and rewarding simulation of “the real world”. The Performance Project teaches you to take your /live performance into a professional theatre. Your project is chosen for your class, and is performed at a local independent theatre. This is your opportunity to show Vancouver audiences, your friends, family and invited industry professionals what you can do.

You then move into an intense exploration of audition technique, guided by specia/lists who have worked across North America. You finish the program with your essential business tools: a headshot, resume and demo reel. VanArts then introduces your professional package to Vancouver agencies and you are launched into your acting career.

• Short Film 2
• Voice and Speech
• Physical Training
• Acting Technique – Methods
• Acting Technique – On Camera
• Performance Project
• Acting Technique – Shakespeare
• The Actors’ Toolkit – Resumes, demo reels and business plans
• Acting Technique – Audition Technique