Diploma in Acting and Drama - MassCoMedia Program

Diploma by MassCoMedia New Delhi View Contact

Starting from: INR 1,10,000 Per Course (Taxes As Applicable) Request Info

Semester I

Semester One Classes : The first semester concentrates on building a foundation in the craft of acting, using training techniques rooted in the theatre but applicable to screen acting. Students participate in a broad array of core classes that introduce them to discovering the actor within, while simultaneously training their instrument to do the kind of technical, emotional and physical work necessary for film acting. Since we believe that film actors also benefit immensely from working in front of a live audience, in addition to work in front of the camera, training in the first semester builds towards a live performance.
Semester One Classes
In the first part of the semester, students begin to build the foundation of their craft through a broad array of classes that incorporate both traditional stage performance as well as film performance techniques and concepts.
Acting Technique
This class is an introduction to various well-known acting techniques of the Master Acting Teachers.
The classes begin with basic ensemble acting games and warm-ups. Students first explore the work of noted filmmakers. Then they will move to the Method, discussing the fundamentals acting styles emphasizing the importance of sense and emotional memory, absolute confidence in given circumstances, the psychological gesture, impact of voice variations and physical postures.
The classes also include a brief historical background of the Master filmmakers, as well as a discussion of the development of their filming techniques. Students are introduced to specific exercises attributed to each Master and asked to work on them outside of class and to perform them in class. Students progress to 'Open Scenes' and monologue work to begin to utilize the different concepts learned. A final 'Presentation' of monologue (or open scene work) is performed at the end of the semester.
Acting for Film
The basic tenets of acting translate from stage to screen, but there are skills and knowledge that are specific to the craft of acting in front of the camera. The Programme explores with students the necessary acting techniques and elements that must be practiced and understood to give a good performance in general. Each student is introduced to acting for the camera in the very first week of the programme. Students learn the basics of film acting: calibrating performances based upon shot size, angle, hitting marks, emotional and physical continuity, and strength and imagination in acting choices. Over the course of the year, classes devote a majority of time applying skills taught in other classes to acting on a film set specifically.
Film Craft
In this series of classes, students learn directing, producing, screenwriting etc from the actor's perspective. Learning the roles of all the players on a film set dramatically increases the actor's ability to collaborate with the filmmakers in developing dynamic performances.
Voice and Movement
In both film and theatre, a character's objective in often illumined by the playing of strong physical actions. In other words, what a character does more than what he or she says is what defines his or her true desire. Movement, in addition to strengthening body posture and contributing to an actor's ability to relax and prepare to play a role, also focuses on breaking down inhibitions, building ensemble spirit, and giving the necessary tools to bring depth to the physical dimension of assigned roles from dramatic texts. Additionally, in the Voice portion of this class, students gain insight into using their voices safely and effectively by freeing themselves of tension, maximizing vocal resonance and discovering the extent of their playable pitch range. This vocal freedom leads to emotional freedom, complete character development, effective storytelling and powerful presence.

Meisner Technique
Sanford Meisner's teachings have been developed by American actor and acting teacher Sanford Meisner based on the system of Constantin Stanislavski. These have a seminal impact on the acting craft. Students deeply immerse themselves in the Meisner Technique, which enables them to discover their voice of intuition and to enact a role spontaneously, form moment to moment as well as to build a character arc that is both specific and inspired by the actor's own reflexes.
Speech
An extension of the Voice work, Speech focuses on the elimination of foreign accents and regional dialects by developing Standard Hindi Speech. Using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), the actor learns to correct habitual speech problems and prepares for future dialect study. The results include greater ease, clarity and expression with text, and the ability to understand a wide variety of roles.
Text Analysis
Actors learn the history and development of seminal dramatic texts from the 20th Century to the present. Both stage and screenplays are studied.
Improvisation
The ability to improvise can never be underestimated when it comes to acting, especially on camera where there is usually very little rehearsal. Whether in comedy or drama, actors improvise well when they are fully engaged, listening to their partners, and releasing their inhibitions about failing. Through games and exercises, students learn how to let their imaginations run wild, how to play well with others, and how to live 'in the moment' - free from anticipating or planning what to do next.
Introductory Audition Technique
Right from the start of the programme, our acting students will have opportunities to audition and work on student film projects. This class is designed to help students make the most of these early opportunities through quick and rudimentary approaches to text technique with a focus on the actor's instinct; ultimately leading to strong, personality-informed choices. In addition, students will take 'inventory' of monologues they have used in the past auditions and/or they will learn a new short monologue and workshop it for future use.
Performance Analysis: Indian Cinema
It is essential that the smart, contemporary film actor uses key film performances of the past as a tool to improve his/her craft and develops a working vocabulary of historically important films. As the student works on honing the craft of acting performance classes, this course offers a supplement: a film screening series, each component of which will become common reference point and teaching example of significant and quality work. Each screening will be followed by a class devoted to discussion and analysis. Performances that are looked at include Raj Kapoor in Jagte Raho, Sohrab Modi in Pukar, Nargis in Mother India, Amitabh Bachchan in Sholey, Ben Kingsley in Gandhi, Madhuri Dikshit in Hum Apke Hain Kaun and Aamir Khan in Lagaan.
First Semester Performance
Students will do a live performance of monologues that are developed and rehearsed in their Acting Teaching classes of the first semester. The performances are staged for a live audience comprising classmates, faculty, staff and invited guests. The live performances during the year allow students to gain valuable experience and opportunities to compare and contrast their stage acting work with their work in front of the camera.

Semester II

Semester Two Overview : In the second semester, the core classes continue as the students' focus intensifies on applying the techniques they have learned to more elaborate scene work, on camera exercises and film shoots - all designed to develop and hone their screen-acting ability. All students perform in film or video shoots. In addition, a variety of classes are given to broaden students' knowledge of acting techniques, the film business, and the many different aspects of filmmaking that impact the actor's ability to perform on set.
The second semester culminates in four public presentation of student work and one honors presentation. These include a live improvisation performance, open demonstration, a Scene Study showcase performance and a screening of student film productions. In addition, our top students have the opportunity to audition for our honors theatre troupe: MassCoMedia plays, which perform a series of short plays.
Learning Goals

• Learn to work for directors with varying styles on live film sets.

• Gain knowledge of the differences between demands upon the actor on film productions versus television productions.

• Learn how to prepare for and present yourself for auditions.

• Understand the business of the acting craft.

Performance Goals

• Perform scenes and workshop exercises developed and rehearsed through instruction in the first semester.

• Develop, rehearse and perform in a fully realized film scene shot in the studio or on location. This project is presented to an invited audience at the end of the semester.

• Break down, analyse and rehearse stage scenes and perform in these scenes for an invited audience.

Semester Two Classes
Acting For Film
In semester two, students assimilate a range of highly demanding physical, vocal and psychological acting techniques for the analysis, rehearsal and blocking of scenes to be film in the studio or location. These scenes are digitally shot and edited. They are screened for an invited audience of classmates, crew, family and friends.
All acting students are also required to serve in other crew capacities. Critiques focus on the techniques of calibrating energy for various shot sizes as well as on the strength and imagination of acting choices.
Voice & Movement
Actors continue with more demanding physical work designed to heighten performances. Elements of movement are addressed for specific works that require specific character and/or historical accuracy.
Combat for Film
Students learn how to safely portray choreographed violence for the screen. Elements of various martial arts are employed to create convincing fight sequences that keep the actor safe from injury.

Business of Acting and Audition Skills
Acting is as much of a business as it is a craft. In addition to training, successful actors must develop strong marketing skills to build a career. These classes focus on such topics as feeling comfortable at cold readings, preparing a resume, choosing a head-shot photographers, and developing a career strategy. Additionally, actors have the opportunity to get live auditioning experience in class.
Acting for Television
There are many ways to record a performance. The object of this course is to explore the differences between shooting "film style" (one camera) and the world of a multi-camera set. Students are assigned scenes from either sitcoms or soap operas, which are rehearsed and staged over the course of several weeks culminating in a multi-camera taping that is analyzed by the instructor and class.
Scene Study
Students use the techniques they learned in the first semester Acting Technique class to break down scenes into 'beats' (that is, moments of emotional transition) and then assign specific psychological actions, physical actions and obstacles to each beat. They incorporate various acting techniques learned during first semester. Additionally, students learn how to build a comprehensive scored script that includes: a lengthy character biography, description of the dramatic arc, as well as how environment impacts the character's overall objective. Scene Study class culminates with a showcase presentation for classmates, faculty and an invited audience at the end of the semester.
Imporvisation
Building on the skills of improvisation I, students move on to more advanced exercises and long-form improvisation styles. Students learn to connect scenes together to build a complete story erc, as well as to develop more complex characters and relationships within the improvisational structure. At mid-term, students perform a live improvisation show for family and friends. Lastly, students work to bring the skills gained from live format improvisation to faster spontaneity and organic behavior in their film work.
One-Year Final Performance
In addition to a screening of students' work in front of the camera, students perform live scenes that have been analyzed and rehearsed throughout the semester in Scene Study class. Students are also required to commit additional time outside of class to rehearse. The chosen material can range from classic stage plays to contemporary films. The scenes are fully-realized with costumes, props, lighting and sound effects and are performed for classmates, faculty, staff and invited guests. This performance is an exciting event that allows students to showcase their abilities and celebrate the completion of their year's study.

What Makes Our Acting Programme Unique? Practical Hands-On Experience
The best way to learn how to act in films is to actually act in films. Our students begin acting in front of the camera from the first week of the programme. Every week, students get the opportunity to practice the techniques and skills they have gained in class with exercises that are shot and reviewed.
Professional Faculty
Our instructors are veterans of Bollywood and independent film-making units.
Film-Making Resources
Our Acting for Film and Filmmaking programmes work hand-in-hand, providing all of our students with resources such as film equipment, live film shoots, and a network of filmmakers, screenwriters, producers and editors that is developed before entering the real world.
Real Materials
Students complete the programme with shot and edited materials from class exercises and projects.
MassCoMedia acting programmes are unlike any other actor training programme anywhere. These provide cutting-edge explorations into the art and practice of acting for the screen.
The one-year programme runs on a 12-month calendar, divided into two semesters. Each semester requires intensive time demands and a complete commitment on the part of the student.
A standard week of study involves additional time in the evenings and on weekends for classes, rehearsals and shoots.
Learning Goals

• Explore and learn the principles of acting techniques.

• Learn the vocabulary of filmmaking for actors.

• Become familiarized with the logistics of performance on a film set.

• Recognise the differences between film acting and stage performances.

• Understand how to break down a scene and analyse a character.

Performance Goals

• Rehearse and tape film sequences to be analysed and reviewed in class.

• Break down, analyse and rehearse a selected monologue and perform it in front of a live audience.

MassCoMedia

Speed and reach of media and communication has made rapid strides in the recent years. TV channels, FM radio stations, websites, newspapers, colourful magazines and journals are being launched by the week. Today if you are in research, knowledge process outsourcing, or fact spinning, you can contribute to the society.

Intelligent information also means having access to people in important positions in the market and scope for exciting placement opportunities. Media is the pivot that helps disseminate important information. The ever burgeoning media - be it print, radio, TV, films and the Internet - is today constantly on the lookout for trained professionals to fill in the market slots. How students perform in their jobs depends on the kind of training they receive during their professional studies. Market is also facing a crunch of trainers.

It was to meet the growing needs of the industry that top-notch professionals from various sections of the media got together to establish MassCoMedia, a new age-mass communication education concept. The group comprises leading publishing practitioners of the country, which includes the Editor and Publishing Director of Delhi Press Group that publishes a well-known chain of illustrated magazines, one of the most accomplished newspaper management gurus, a former special correspondent of a first-rate English daily, and a professor of mass communication from a NAAC-accredited UGC University, and other celebrated public figures and committed professionals.