Performing for the Camera

This semester at Ambrose, there's a new class: Performing for the Camera. One of the cool things about this class is that it can be taken for Theatre or Communications credit. The reason is that students are learning both sides of the camera.

According to the class syllabus, the purpose of this class is to "explore the practical and artistic elements involved in acting and performing for the camera through activities such as: performance of commercial, film and television scripts; developing knowledge of the technical side of camera work; and pre- and post-production."

The course instructors are Johnna Kerres, SAUtv production specialist, and Kimberly Kurtenbach Furness '96. Assistance is provided by Donald "Duke" Schneider, SAUtv Operations Manager. Furness, who has previously taught at Ambrose, also is an actor, director and producer for stage and film. The experience she brings to the class is truly a gift for the students.

Furness also brings excitement for what she teaches, noting that nothing like this has ever really been taught before.

"I love theatre, but I really love film," beamed Furness. "I love giving the foundation of nuggets to these students into how to act on film."

When she says the "foundation of nuggets" that's really what she means. She wants to give students a little bit of everything. Then she hopes they will find something in the class - whether it be in front of the camera, behind the scenes, directing, or producing - that the students will want to continue learning and pursuing. "I want to give students a foundation" she said.

She's also very thankful that she gets to co-teach with Kerres.

"Johnna does the editing and I get to learn that." This course is a learning experience for her as well because she doesn't know a lot about the tech elements. So as Kerres teaches the students, she gets to teach Furness as well. Furness also said that "the students are teaching me. They can decide what they want to learn more of once they've received the foundation." She said it is also incredibly inspiring to see "actors who previously only did stage work now see themselves acting on film. They always love it or hate it."

"When I was at Ambrose, it was Radio/TV or Theatre," Furness said. "This class brings those two departments together! There are Communications kids and Theatre kids in the same class and they get to work together."

There are challenges that come with this class, but those challenges are going to just make it better. It's always hard having a new class.

"It's hands on," Furness says. "There isn't a lot of lecture. We just have to grab the camera and play! There are so many more elements beyond just reading a chapter or doing a scene."

Furness will also be directing the children's show this year, Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells Batman Smells, so we will be seeing more of her all semester!

Final words from Furness are: "There is nothing cooler in the world that being able to walk these halls again and seeing my Ambrose family."