Acting for the Camera Workshop

5-Week Course
Saturday's Oct. 15h - Nov. 12th from 9am-12noon
This intensive seminar will allow students to explore and understand the differences between stage acting and acting for the movie screen. Taught by filmmaker Harry Hillard, the workshop teaches acting students the mechanics and methods of acting on a “Hollywood” movie set. A veteran of feature film production and an independent filmmaker, Mr. Hillard will simulate a movie set environment as the students work through the long process of completing a short scene- filmstyle.

Students will face the demands of shooting multiple takes and shooting out of sequence, while learning how to co-exist with the camera. Students will also gain an understanding of the film industry, including auditioning for parts, the role of the Screen Actors Guild and the business of film acting.  

During the final weeks of the workshop, students will act in pairs to create a full scene.  

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Harry Hillard earned an M.F.A. in film production from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. After graduation he was one of seven individuals chosen (from 1500 applicants) for the Assistant Directors’ Training Program. As a member of the program over the following three years, Hillard worked as a second assistant director on feature films, and network TV commercials. His responsibilities included preparing lead performers such as Robin Williams, Meryl Streep, Robert DiNero and Bill Murray for each day’s shooting.

As an educator Hillard has taught film and video production since 1996 at Raritan Valley Community College where he designed the curriculum for the school’s associate degree in Film and Digital Media Studies.