University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised November 2002)

Code: UATPA4-40-1 Title: Specialised Physical Development Version: 4

Level: 1 UWE credit rating: 40 ECTS credit rating: 20

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: None

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 basic, subject specific-skills relevant to the use of movement for performance

    • Understand the importance of movement as it applies to acting

    Intellectual Skills

    • Understand a range of approaches to physicality in acting

    • Understand the creative use of movement in performance

    Subject / Practical Skills

    • communicate character, emotion and narrative through movement, communicating physically in performance with confidence and assurance;

    • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the technical vocabulary of a range of dance styles;

    • perform the above with energy, accuracy and physical stamina as choreographed and directed;

    • maintain safety for self, other performers, stage management and audience in all staged combat encounters while creating a realistic sense of tension and potential danger in the fight and fluently combining dialogue and action with balance, fluidity of movement and appropriate stance in relation to the specified weapons.

    Transferable Skills

    • Adapt to a variety of performance situations and locations.

    • Communicate effectively using the body.

Syllabus outline:

The syllabus will cover aerobic exercises (eg. basic fitness, heart rate), dance (eg. ballet, modern, character, jazz, tap), movement, mime, combat (armed and unarmed) and tumbling.

Teaching and learning methods:

Students will have the opportunity to learn through group classes, individual tutorials, individual and group project work.

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

The primary source for this module will be music provided by the tutor.

Students are expected to be aware of other approaches to dance & movement training.

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Suggested reading includes:

Robinson Lynne

The Official Body Control Pilates Manual, (Macmillan, 2000)

Sellers-Young Barbara

Breathing Movement Exploration, (Applause, 2001).

Appropriate Texts include the musicals of Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers, Singing in the Rain, An American in Paris, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Showboat, Oklahoma, West Side Story, Cabaret, The Cotton Club, Matthew Bourne’s production of Swan Lake and related DVDs.

Assessment

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Description

Element weighting

1. Physical Skills/ Applied Physical Skills 100%

Demonstration of basic competencies in movement and dance skills, and technique at three phased assessment points. Assessment of application and creative use of physical skills and technique in text, dance and stage combat projects.

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

Description Element weighting

100%

2. Physical Skills/ Applied Physical Skills

Demonstration of basic competencies in movement and dance skills, and technique at three phased assessment points. Assessment of application and creative use of physical skills and technique in text, dance and stage combat projects.

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

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

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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