Versatile and eclectic Actor, Stylist and Costume designer. Nathanjohn studied Dramatic Art in England throughout his adolescence. At the age of 20 he moved to Spain where he taught English as a foreign language. He later returned to the world of interpretation and went on to study Acting for Film in New York at the NYFA and in Hollywood at the Ivana Chubbuck Studio. He also began training with the Sanford Meisner Technique. His first lead role in front of the camera has already been shown at the Los Angeles and Budapest Short Film Festivals 2007, while other pieces have been selected at various Spanish and Portuguese Film Festivals. Nathanjohn speaks fluent English, Spanish, Portuguese and Galician. He now holds intensive courses on Acting for the camera in English, Spanish and Galician.
NEXT COURSE JAN 30-31 and FEB 6-7 2010
BCN
VEDRA LAV010 FEB 20 and FEB 27 2010
COURSE STRUCTURE
COURSE OBJECTIVE: To learn and explore the necessary adjustments of one’s acting styles to be a successful actor on camera.
COURSE ENVIRONMENT: Acting is an experiential art form, no matter what the context. It requires both a practitioner- a “doer”- and an audience. The studio environment for this course will be considered to be a “laboratory” for the creative process. Every effort will be made on the part of the instructor to make this environment as conducive to that process as possible. The class is an ensemble in search of creativity in the form of Acting for the Camera.
Introduction, Philosophy and Improvisation (3hrs)
The introdución sets out the philosophical differences between acting for the camera – medium = actor + camera, and being on stage - actor = director + medium. It also covers classical warm-up exercises based on the “Classical Maestros” such as Stanislasky, Artuad and Chekov. Presentation of monologues.
Sanford Meisner Repetition and Imaging (3hrs)
“Learn the lines, not the emotions!” These exercises are to create immediate and intense sensations based on the unconcious, intimate feelings and DOINGS! Using “sense memory”.
Stella Adler (Actions) and Marlon Brando / Strasberg (Method) and Al Pacino (3hrs)
Presentation of the different techniques of Method acting using various ideologies and practices such as “what if” and “substitution”,drawing upon personal experiences and emotions. These include exercises of expression and contention as well as building a fourth wall before the camera.
Cold readings and Auditions (3hrs)
Reading the monologue and approaching the text: on-site analysis and The “sides”. PREVIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, OBSTACLES AND OBJECTIVES. Defining Character Elements, Physical, Social, Psychological, Moral, Abstractions.
The 5 C’s!! The 5 “Arts” and Ivana’s 12 steps (3hrs)
Circumstance, Conflict, Crisis, Climax, Conclusion. The Art of Concentration, the Art of Not Knowing, the Art of Acceptance, the Art of Giving and Receiving and the Art of Relating. Finding the “POWER”. The Ivana Chubbuck technique.
Characterization and costume (3hrs)
Creating the character’s physical traits and internal rhythm. This includes costume design, props, external movements, colours, soundtrack and objects.
The Internal Monologue and the Moment before (3hrs)
Making a decision. Building an internal monologue and creating the earlier moments before!
Final presentation of the monologue (4hrs)
Each participant will present their chosen work before the ensemble.
