Bristol UWE - Module specification: RADIO AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION

University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised October 2005)

Code: UATA94-30-2 Title: Radio and Television Production Version: 2

Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15

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: BA Hons 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 basic, subject specific-skills relevant to television and radio drama.

• Understand the basic process of mounting recorded media productions.

• Intellectual Skills

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

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

Subject / Practical Skills

• Perform confidently using microphone, camera and other recording equipment.

• Interact and relate well to other performers, director and technical staff.

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

• Transferable Skills

• Adapt to a variety of performance situations and locations.

• Communicate effectively with other members of the production.

Syllabus outline:

During their middle year BA students will be involved in an introductory 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:

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.

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

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

The focus of the learning will be the practical performance application of basic acting techniques that were acquired at Level 1: this interim module reflects the growing emphasis on skills in recorded media that are required from the modern actor, skills which will be fully developed at Level 3 of the BA Hons.

Teaching and learning methods:

Building on their initial Acting to Camera and Radio Drama classes, students learn through practical recording work in initial preparatory workshops, group classes and rehearsals then move on to performing a complete radio or TV script using Christchurch studios and other locations. In this they are directed by a member of staff and supported by a production team. Students become familiar with 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.

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.

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