
Study Guide for THA 3754-G
American Theatre on Film
This study guide contains the following sections:
How to Read a Play—Effectively….page 1
Writing a Paper for this Class…..page 2
Film:
o Selected Film Techniques/Terminology….page 4
o Summary of Camera Techniques/Shots….page 6
o Selected Film Jobs and Personnel…..page 8
Theatre:
o Common Theatrical Terms…..page 10
o Common Kinds of Theatrical Settings…..page 11
Analysis Questions…..page 12
Shotlist Project
o (Example of how to write a shotlist)…..13
o Sample of print narrative—for comparison with film and theatre
narrative. May also form the basis for the shotlist project. …..17
HOW TO READ A PLAY--EFFECTIVELY
Playscripts aren’t novels or magazine stories. They aren’t written to be read
silently. They’re written to be SEEN in the theatre with live audiences responding
to scenery, costuming, lights, and LIVING actors/characters caught up in some
struggle. Since you aren’t seeing the stage version of some of the plays we’re
reading, it’s very important that, while reading, you ENVISION the characters
moving and speaking within a specific environment. If you’re not used to doing
that, it’s not difficult! Here are some tips to smooth the path:
• Read the introduction to the play. It will help you.
• Note the cast of characters that appears at the beginning of the play. If a
relationship is indicated (sister, friend, etc.), keep this in mind.
• If you get lost over who’s who, go back to the cast list and clarify the
relationship, then continue reading. (Some students keep a bookmark—or
paper clip—at the cast list; others copy the cast list on a separate piece of
paper and refer to it while reading. It helps!)
• Read the description of the set. Visualize the environment as clearly as
possible. But don’t get bogged down with details—use your imagination.
• As you read, visualize specific people in the parts. Or dream up someone
from your imagination or envision a particular star playing the role. (Or you!)
Envision what they’d be wearing, what their hair looks like, and so on.
• Stage the play in your head. That is, make it MOVE in your imagination!