University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised November 2002 )

Code: UAMPC7-20-1 Title: Principles and Practice of Sound production 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 sound department in the overall process of mounting a theatre production.

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

    • Understand particular aspects of Health and Safety relating to theatre sound.

    • Intellectual Skills

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

    • Research suppliers of sound equipment and related technologies.

    • Demonstrate a creative ability to provide the desired quality and balance of recorded materials.

    • Subject / Practical Skills

    • Research, select, record and edit material to a specified brief on a wide range of equipment to a given budget and deadline.

    • Select and connect equipment for a temporary sound installation for the use of recorded and live sound using equipment and wiring schedules.

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

    • Communicate to a sound team a simple design and schematic 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.

    • Prioritise own workload and meet deadlines.

    • Problem solve – understand fault finding and rectification.

    • Work safely.

Syllabus outline:

The syllabus will cover: basic sound theory, range of equipment, (basic fault finding, uses) for live and recorded sound, rigging, plotting; recording techniques; the studio environment; reproduction in performance; sound reinforcement in performance; role of sound department within production process; sound design.

Teaching and learning methods:

Students will have the opportunity to learn through: taught classes on the theory of sound production; demonstration and the practical use of equipment and techniques both in a temporary and permanent installation in BOVTS sound studios and commercial studios in Bristol.

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:

Bracewell. J L Sound Design in the Theatre (Prentice Hall, 1992)

Kaye. D & Lebrecht.  Sound and Music for the Theatre (Backstage Books, USA, 1992)

Leonard. J A   Theatre Sound  (A&C Black, 2001)

Assessment

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Description

1. Students’ sound skills / Sound Recording Project.

There will be an assessment of basic competencies in sound. Assessment of the student's ability to work to a given brief, select the appropriate equipment, record and produce work to an appropriate technical standard. Complete project as specified.

Element weighting

100%

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

Component A

Description

2. Students’ sound skills / Sound Recording Project.

There will be an assessment of basic competencies in sound. Assessment of the student's ability to work to a given brief, select the appropriate equipment, record and produce work to an appropriate technical standard. Complete project as specified.

Element weighting

100%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes is required.

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

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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