University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised November 2002 )

Code: UAMPC6-20-1 Title: Principles and practice of performance Lighting Version: 3

Level: 1 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10

Module type: Professional Practice

Owning Faculty: Faculty of Creative Arts/ Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Field: Stage Management

Faculty Committee Approval: Q & S Committee Date: 7th October 2009

Valid from: Sept 2009 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: FdA Professional Stage Management , DPS - Professional Stage Management (W47017) and BA Hons - Professional Stage Management (W470).

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: Any Professional Acting modules.

Learning Outcomes:

On satisfactory completion of this module the student will be able to:

    Knowledge and Understanding

    • Understand the role of the lighting and electrics department in the overall process of mounting a theatre production.

    • Understand the technology and processes commonly used in theatre lighting.

    • Understand the particular aspects of Health and Safety relating to lighting and electrics.

    Intellectual Skills

    • Research the appropriate period and style identified from the play text to inform the requirements for lighting.

    • Research suppliers of lighting equipment and related technologies.

    • Analyse and solve a given lighting problem by selecting the appropriate luminaire and control equipment from the range of equipment available;

    Subject / Practical Skills

    • Rig, focus and plot using appropriate techniques and equipment competently, safely and efficiently.

    • Communicate to a lighting team a simple lighting design and ensure that it is executed safely and effectively to a deadline.

    • Test the safety of equipment to be used.

    Transferable Skills

    • Present and communicate information clearly and effectively.

    • Problem solve – understand fault finding and rectification.

    • Prioritise own workload and meet deadlines.

    • Work safely.

Syllabus outline:

The syllabus will cover; practical electrical theory in relation to lighting control, dimming, range of lanterns (maintenance, uses), rigging, focussing, plotting. It will explore the role of lighting department within production process and lighting design.

Teaching and learning methods:

Learning takes place in a variety of contexts: taught classes on theory of electricity and lighting;

practical demonstration of luminaires and control systems in a studio; team work to a deadline on lighting design exercises in a studio; use of manual and computer lighting control in local theatres.

Reading Strategy

Students are encouraged to become familiar with the subject area, and texts specific to the module, through reading lists and reference material provided. Lists are updated annually to maintain currency and relevance. Each department holds texts and reference material, as well as the general access provided to the School’s library and access to the Internet. The specifically vocational nature of training and study, combined with the project based nature of learning on the course, may require that students are guided to reading and research material in the first instance by the module leader.

NB: BOVTS students do not have access to UWE Libraries and UWE OnLine

Indicative sources:

Cunningham, Glen Stage Lighting Revealed: a Design and Execution Handbook, Betterway Books, 1993
Fraser, Neil Stage Lighting Explained, Crowood, 2002
Keller, Max Light Fantastic: The Art and Design of Stage Lighting, Prestel, 1999

Parker, W. Oren Stage Lighting: Practice and Design, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1987
Palmer, Richard H The Lighting Art: the Aesthetics of Stage Lighting Design, Prentice-Hall, 1985

Pilbrow, Richard Stage Lighting Design: the Art, the Craft, the Life, Hern, 1997
Rees, Terence Theatre Lighting in the Age of Gas, Society for Theatre Research, 1978

Reid, Francis Stage Lighting Handbook, 6th Edition Black, 2001

Shelley, Steven Louis A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, Focal Press, 1999

Staines, Jackie Lighting Techniques for Theatre-in-the-round,Entertainment Technology Press, 2000

Students are encouraged to use a wide range of visual reference through film, still images etc to investigate the effect of light on subjects.

Assessment

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Description of each element

1. Lighting / Lighting Project/ Electrics Skills.

Assessment of basic competencies in lighting and electrics based on the skills taught in first year classes.

Assessment of the student's ability to work to a given brief, select the appropriate equipment, produce rig plan with appropriate information marked up, complete project as specified.

Element weighting

100%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is required)

Description of each element

1. Lighting / Lighting Project/Electrics Skills.

Assessment of basic competencies in lighting and electrics based on the skills taught in first year classes.

Assessment of the student's ability to work to a given brief, select the appropriate equipment, produce rig plan with appropriate information marked up, complete project as specified.

Element weighting

100%

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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