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Improvisation on Screen for actors, directors and camera operators - Masterclass with Don Boyd (3 Days)

In this masterclass, students will be introduced to various techniques for developing a theme or set of dramatic circumstances into a concrete scene on screen through improvisation. Director and producer Don Boyd and Acting for Screen convenor Bryan Brown will work with a handful of actors, directors and camera operators to explore the ways in which a scene comes alive on screen from an improvisational theme.

Small groups will be assigned beforehand in order to begin to develop a theme or set of dramatic circumstances you want to pursue. The first day of the masterclass will be a talk by Don Boyd about improvisation for screen and ways to approach your work. Each group will then present their theme and ideas for how to concretise their scene and Don will offer guidance about how to go about filming the scene. The following day, each group will film on their own, with assistance from Brown when needed.

Additionally, camera operators will be trained by the CDF tech team where necessary and each group will edit their own scene (with guidance from the CDF tech team) for a final showing on Wednesday where there will be a guided feedback session and discussion of the work. There will also be a final Q&A at this time with Don Boyd.

This workshop will have limited places. To register as an actor, director or camera operator, please send a 250-word maximum personal statement to Bryan Brown B.Brown@exeter.ac.uk explaining why participating in the workshop is important for you at this time. Please include which degree and year you are in your email, and if you have a particular theme or type of scene you want to improvise (you don’t need to, but it will help us group you if you do). Our intention is to choose a range of experience and needs for this workshop. Previous experience is not required; passion and commitment are.

Applications due by 3 May.