University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Revised November 2002)
Code: UAMPG6-40-M Title: Production Management: people, procedures, control Version: 2
Level: M UWE credit rating: 40 ECTS credit rating: 20
Module type: Project
Owning Faculty: FCA/ BOVTS Field: Stage Management
Valid from: February 2008 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: Postgraduate Diploma in Theatre Production Management
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
On satisfactory completion of this module students will be able to:
• Plan a temporary theatre installation within health and safety and licensing laws, including schedules, drawings, budgets, staffing, fire risk assessment, and a senior management report.
• Plan for a given restaged production and short tour, including venue plans, schedules, design and fit-up risk assessments, budgets, staffing plans, and a middle management report.
• Show evidence of the production management process throughout each project, demonstrating their ability to source, select and analyse material and apply it effectively.
• Formulate and deliver an oral and visual presentation, expressing their project ideas coherently and succinctly, answering questions in detail.
Syllabus outline:
The course of this module begins with tutor-led led classes introducing the students to the wide range of skills and knowledge necessary to theatre production management. These include production processes, scheduling and planning, staffing and development, management and leadership, employment law, contracts and unions, budgets and financial systems, health and safety, buildings and performance spaces, materials and equipment, technical drawing and AutoCAD.
Students then undertake two large and detailed theoretical production management projects, developing from tutor-led to self-directed learning through research, action, reflection and evaluation.
1. The first project requires the students to plan the theoretical installation of a temporary theatre space. Following a project briefing the students will plan their installation based on health and safety regulations, licensing laws and technical dynamics using appropriate materials and equipment. The students should be able to communicate the design by producing sufficient plan and elevation drawings, and material/equipment specifications. Clear installation schedules, budgets and staffing plans should be produced as well as a fire risk assessment for the proposed space. A management report for the proposed installation aimed at senior management/board level is required.
2. The second project requires the students to plan for a theoretical restaged production and short tour. Following a project briefing the students will gather the relevant theatre information before producing venue plans, elevations, and technical requirement information. Clear schedules, budgets and staffing plans should be produced as well as a design risk assessment. A management report aimed at middle management is required.
At the end of each project the students are required to display, present and answer questions on their work to a select panel of professionals.
In addition to the above projects students work as production assistants on professional standard public productions. Assisting the Head of Theatre Production, they carry out a number of practical tasks designed to strengthen their accumulated knowledge and skills.
Teaching and learning methods:
The syllabus for this module is delivered through a variety of teaching methods, including individual tutorials, practical workshops and classes, and self-driven research, action, reflection and evaluation.
Tutor-led subject classes are given during the earliest weeks of term to allow time for full exploration of projects and tasks. The classes are led by the Head of Production and relevant in-house and visiting professionals. All work, (class, project or practical) is based in and around the theatre production office, with full time access to I.T. and drawing equipment. The students have full-time access to the Head of Theatre Production and other in-house professionals. At key points individual tutorials take place, which are reflective, developmental, and pastoral, promoting self-evaluation and action planning.
Indicative sources:
Model National Standard Conditions For Places of Entertainment and associated guidance
The Association of British Theatre Technicians
The District Surveyors Association
The Local Government Licensing Forum
(ABTT, London 2002)
Technical Standard For Places Of Entertainment
The District Surveyors Association
The Association of British Theatre Technicians
(ABTT, London 2002)
J. Blurton Scenery: Draughting and Construction (A&C Black, London 2001_
R. Mulryne and M. Shewring Making Space for Theatre (Mulryne and Shewring, London 1995)
A. Todd and J-G. Lecat The Open Circle (Faber and Faber, London 2003)
C. Higgs Introduction to Rigging in the Entertainment Industry (Entertainment
Technology Press, London 2002)
M. van Beek Practical Guide to Health and Safety in the Entertainment Industry (Entertainment Technology Press, London 2002)
J. Aveline Production Management (Entertainment Technology Press, London
2002)
P. Dean Production Management - making shows happen (Crowood, London
2002)
T. Ogawa Theatre Engineering and Stage Machinery (Entertainment Technology
Press, London 2002)
Assessment
This is a project module with one component of assessment. This component has two elements.
In assessing Component A there will be meetings between the student and the Head of Theatre Production at formal assessment points over the course of the module to discuss and record the student’s progress judged against the learning outcomes for this module. The result of these assessment points (of which there are normally not more than three) are cumulative in nature and give rise to a final mark/grade at the end of the module.
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 100% B: N/A
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Assessment of Process of project 50%
• Evidence of research, critical analysis and application on projects.
• Feedback from tutors and visiting specialists.
2. Assessment of Final project 50%
• Standard achieved by final projects with reference to the requirements of the relevant briefs.
• Standard achieved in the final project presentations with particular reference to: clarity of ideas, conviction of work, ability to inspire confidence and motivate, and quality of response.
Assessment Strategy
Both formative (ongoing throughout project) and summative (student presentation). This will include:
• Feedback Head of Theatre Production from in-house and visiting tutors and presentation panel.
• The individual self-assessment task
Finally a written assessment from Head of Theatre Production is discussed in conjunction with the student’s written self-assessment and a student action plan is formulated.
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is required)
AS FOR FIRST ASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITY
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is required.
AS FOR FIRST ASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITY
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)