University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised November 2002)

Code: UATPB4-20-3 Title: Radio and Television Production 2 Version: 2

Level: 3 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10

Module type: Professional Practice

Owning Faculty: Faculty of Creative Arts/Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Field: Professional Acting

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

Valid from: Sept 2009 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: Awards up to BA Hons in Professional Acting

Pre-requisites: All level 1 & 2 modules relevant to the above award

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: Any Stage Management Modules.

    Learning outcomes:

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

    Knowledge and Understanding

    • Demonstrate professional subject specific-skills relevant to television and radio drama.

    • Understand the process of performing in professional television and radio drama productions.

    Intellectual Skills

    • Understand and apply to performance the concepts involved in audio or video based media.

    • Understand the creative dynamics of working on professional radio or television production and how that differs from stage acting.

    Subject / Practical Skills

    • Demonstrate professional standards in key performance skills and their application in front of microphone and camera.

    • Demonstrate command of Microphone Techniques, Radio Studio Practices, Camera Techniques and Television Studio and location practices;

    • Demonstrate an advanced appreciation of the creative and imaginative processes, approaches and potential of the recorded media.

    Transferable Skills

    • Adapt performance to a variety of performance television and radio situations and locations.

    • Communicate effectively with other members of the radio and television production team.

Syllabus outline:

During their final year BA Hons students will be involved in an broadcast standard radio drama recording and TV shoot. The production standard, values, and rehearsal and performance process of these recordings reproduce professional practice in a work-based learning environment.

The syllabus will cover:

Professional microphone technique, script handling, basic spot-effects techniques, working in different acoustics, vocal characterisation for radio, approaches to the microphone, the function and responsibilities of all those engaged in radio drama production.

Television camera technique, terminology, script development, characterisation, performance strategies and industry based learning practices.

Additional areas such as green-screen, voice-over, audition for radio and tv, vocal work for commercials are included.

Students are assessed on their demonstration of a professional standard of work in radio or television drama production, in particular the application of microphone and camera techniques and skills.

The focus of the learning will be the practical performance application of professional acting techniques that were acquired at Level 1 and 2. This final module reflects the growing emphasis on skills in recorded media that are required from the modern actor, and provides recorded material that the actor may use for obtaining employment.

Teaching and learning methods:

Students learn through practical recording work performing a complete radio or TV script using Christchurch studios and other locations. In this they are directed by a professional director and supported by a production team. Students master production conventions and studio/location etiquette and disciplines.

During this process they are under constant supervision and are expected to play their part in creating a positive dynamic and offering a considered and committed contribution to the process to produce professional standard recordings.

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 Schools 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:

The primary source for this module will be the text or script for the recorded production concerned.

Students are expected to be avid listeners and viewers of film, television and radio drama.

Background research material will depend entirely on the period, style and character involved in the script.

Suggested reading includes:

Benedetti. R Action!: Professional Acting for Film & Television Longman (2006)

Evans. E Radio – A Guide to Broadcasting Techniques Barrie & Jenkins (1977)

Mamet. D A Whore’s Profession Faber & Faber (1994)

Tucker. P Secrets of Screen Acting Theatre Arts (2003)

Assessment

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Description Element weighting

1. Radio and Television Production 2 100%

Assessment of advanced understanding of, competence in and application of professional-standard microphone and camera acting techniques and skills.

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

Description Element weighting

1. Radio and Television Production 2 100%

Assessment of advanced understanding of, competence in and application of professional-standard microphone and camera acting techniques and skills.

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

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

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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