Bristol UWE - Module specification: RECORDED MEDIA PRODUCTION

University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised October 2005)

Code: UATA8X-40-2 Title: Recorded Media Production Version: 2

Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 40 ECTS credit rating: 20

Module type: Project

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

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

Valid from: September 2009 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: FDa Professional Acting

Pre-requisites: All Level 1 modules relevant to the above award.

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

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

Knowledge and Understanding

• Demonstrate core subject specific skills relevant to the television and radio drama productions in which they are performing.

• Understand the basic process of mounting recorded media productions, and the role of departments therein.

Intellectual Skills

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

• Problem solve – interpret the creative requirements of the production and translate these to a practical realisation.

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

Subject / Practical Skills

• Perform in studio-based radio drama production, managing own spot-effects when necessary;

• Relate skillfully to microphone and camera with ease to other performers, director and technical staff.

• Perform in single-camera location or studio based television drama production:

• Adapt performance and characterisation to a variety of performance contexts.

• Interpret the artistic vision of the director and writer into performance

• Demonstrate professional competence in key performance skills.

Transferable Skills

• Adapt to a variety of performance situations and locations.

• Communicate effectively with other members of the production.

• Work to deadlines and under time pressure.

Syllabus outline:

Over the year students will be involved in at least one radio drama recording and one 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:

Microphone technique, script handling, 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.

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

Students are assessed on their demonstration of a professional standard of work within the context of radio or television drama. Students are assigned roles in a recording, to be directed by a professional director.

The focus of the learning will be the practical performance application of basic acting techniques that were acquired at level 1. These will include vocal, movement and text interpretation.

Students learn through rehearsal, learning the text, researching and understanding the context in which the script is set, and through the recording, playback and discussion of the recordings.

Teaching and learning methods:

Students learn through practical recording work using Christchurch Studios and other locations.

Working with other acting students on a radio or television script, the student is directed and in their performance by a member of staff (or visiting professional director), and supported by a production team. Students will learn to work in rehearsal, become familiar with production conventions, studio/location etiquette and disciplines, and learn to ‘perform as rehearsed’.

Students are under constant supervision during this period and are expected to play their part in creating a positive dynamic and offering a considered and engaged contribution to the process.

In assessing their work, tutors will focus on individual creative development, application of acting technique and performance skills and understanding of the different media, and their influence on an actor’s performance. Judgements on performance will include comments from the director of the production and others involved.

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.