Summer Course  2021

The Demidov School and Film Acting

Online Summer Course by Andrei Malaev-Babel

July 5 – 9; 12 – 16, 2021

Demidov’s “culture of truth” is indispensable when it comes to film acting. No falseness can escape the magnifying glass of camera lens. But how does one marry film’s demand for continuity or strict restrictions of framing with Demidov’s “culture of freedom”?

If actors are to green-light their spontaneous creative urges, might they step out of the frame all together, or disregard whether they are filmed in a close up or a wide shot? How could an actor be free in front of the camera, while having to be conscious of the numerous concerns and restrictions connected with film?      

Respected textbooks on film acting consider it impossible to truly live and transform in front of the camera, precisely because of the abundance of “cheating” required by film work. According to some experts, it is not as important whether one’s acting is truthful or justified (film has its own conventions and its own truth), as long as the viewer receives the right impression.           

Demidov Summer Course 2021 is designed to dispel these myths and demonstrate how an actor can remain spontaneous and unpredictable, creative and free, while adhering to the many restrictions connected with film work. Following is an incomplete list of practices that await participants during this ten-day course:

• Freedom and Framing  

• Technique of “Assigning” and Continuity

• Culture of Truth and “Cheating” for the Camera

• Surrender and Green-lighting or “Doing Less”?

• Channeling Energy in Accordance with Frame Size

• Acting against Readers, Imaginary Partners and Green Screen

• Auditioning for Film

The Demidov School and Film Acting is the fifth annual summer course, and the second to be held online. It will be taught by the Head of the Demidov Association Professor Andrei Malaev-Babel.

DATES

July 5 – 9

July 12 – 16

TIME

1pm to 4pm (New York)

10am to 1pm (Los Angeles)

6pm to 9pm (London)

COST

£670

US$950

• space is limited to 8 participants
• training conducted in English
• for actors, directors and acting teachers