University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised Nov.2002 )

Code: UATPA5-40-1 Title: Specialised Acting / Performance Techniques Version: 3

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 familiarity with an understanding of dramatic texts ranging from medieval plays, through Shakespeare and his contemporaries, Restoration, Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth Century to contemporary writing in verse and prose for theatre, radio, television or film;

    • Understand a range of approaches to acting

    Intellectual Skills

    • Conduct research, and discuss and apply a knowledge and understanding of theatre history, social history and an ongoing interest in cultural, artistic, political and social trends and developments.

    • Understand how a range of acting techniques can be applied performance

    Subject / Practical Skills

    • Exercise creative imagination, emotion, concentration and spontaneity;

    • Demonstrate the synthesis of technique and individuality, and to communicate confidently and expressively to an audience.

    • Demonstrate a facility for reading and interpreting texts and musical scores with accuracy and confidence;

    Transferable Skills

    • Adapt to a variety of performance situations and locations.

    • Apply acting skills and techniques to a range of media.

Syllabus outline:

The syllabus will cover: acting/text project work; rehearsal methods and techniques; character development; textual analysis; basic performance technique and stagecraft; improvisation; emotional release and expression; synthesis of all vocal physical techniques in characterisation and communication through performance - live or recorded; introduction to on-camera skills.

Teaching and learning methods:

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

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 texts or scripts specific to each exercise.

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

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

Suggested reading includes:

Alexander. P (ed)

The complete works of William Shakespeare, (London: Collins, 1951. 1981 [printing]).

Kermode Frank

Shakespeare’s Language (Penguin, 2000)

Wood Michael

In Search of Shakespeare (BBC 2003)

Hartnoll. P.

The Theatre. a Concise History, (London: Thames & Hudson, 1998)

Morrell. J. M.

Four English comedies. of the 17th and 18th centuries, (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1950, 1980 [printing])

Picard Liza

Elizabeth’s London (Orion, 2003)

Picard Liza

Restoration London (Orion, 1997)

Greene Graham

Lord Rochester’s Monkey (Omega, 1974)

Nash Mary

The Provoked Wife (Hutchinson, 1977)

Bingham Madeleine

Sheridan (Geo. Allen & Unwin, 1972)

Anton Chekhov

(Hingley tr.)

Five Plays (OUP, 1998)

Stanislavski C

An Actor Prepares (Methuen, 1986)

Mamet David

On Acting (Penguin Putman, 1999)

Appropriate texts/music.

Assessment

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Description Element weighting

1. Acting Technique/ Applied Acting Technique 100%

Assessment of basic understanding and competency in acting technique, methods and approaches at three phased assessment points. Assessment of application and creative use of acting technique in text, dance and stage combat projects, and auditions.

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

Description Element weighting

2. Acting Technique/ Applied Acting Technique 100%

Assessment of basic understanding and competency in acting technique, methods and approaches at three phased assessment points. Assessment of application and creative use of acting technique in text, dance and stage combat projects, and auditions.

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

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

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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