University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Template revised October 2005)
Code: UATPH7-40-M Title: Director/Designer Projects Version: 2
Level: M UWE credit rating: 40 ECTS credit rating:
Module type: Project
Owning Faculty: FCA/BOVTS Field: Acting
Valid from: February 2008 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: MA in Drama Directing
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
• Enjoy a truly creative partnership with designers and thoroughly understand the design process.
• Understand the budgetary constraints that may limit the overall vision of the designer and director and the ways in which these can be positively explored without losing the initial concept.
• Demonstrate an understanding of theatrical staging and appreciate the advantages and drawbacks of choosing a particular performing space in relation to a particular play.
• Understand the use and impact of lighting, sound, and other technical effects in theatre production.
• Present ideas relating to their approach to a production to a panel of theatre specialists.
Syllabus outline:
This module is intended to ensure that students have an understanding of the necessary procedures to have a creative yet practical partnership with designers of sets, costumes, sound and lighting etc.
By learning from classes given by established and respected practitioners (eg. theatre directors, designers with experience of theatre, opera etc), students will develop an understanding of the relationship between the creative areas of theatre.
Additionally, classes in lighting, sound, construction and other technical areas can be attended – depending on the prior knowledge and experience of the individual student.
The design process and methods of research will be studied. The practicalities of text requirement, interpretation and function will be examined.
A collaborative approach and team working ethic will be crucial to the success of this project. The directing student will work closely with the student designer to agree an interpretation of the text, leading to the production of visual reference of this.
The approaches and influences on directing and design in the 21stc) will be discussed: students will be expected to be able to work independently, research using a range of sources, and articulate the reasons for reaching particular design decisions.
A practical project will be undertaken and a presentation given.
Teaching and learning methods:
A range of learning and teaching methods is used in this module; attendance at taught classes, individual research into types and styles of production, play text study and interpretation, and establishing a collaborative partnership with a designer.
The practical application of the teaching and demonstrations will culminate in a joint director/designer theatre project for presentation, which will work through all stages of a theatre production, from initial study of the text, through visual references and selection of staging and style, costing and budgeting, to agreeing a visual and physical representation of the design.
This presentation given by the directing student will use a basic set model and other visual reference (created by the designer) of the hypothetical production to illustrate, and discuss the approach the directing student has taken in using design to bring the chosen text to a practical realisation.
This initial designer / director module prepares design and directing students for their further collaboration on their final joint project of a pub theatre show which is presented in the final term of the course.
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 in the course handbook. 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 School’s 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 Reading List:
The following list is offered to provide validation panels/accrediting bodies with an indication of the type and level of information students may be expected to consult. As such, its currency may wane during the life span of the module specification. However, as indicated above, CURRENT advice on readings will be available via other more frequently updated mechanisms
From Page to Stage – Rosemary Ingham
The Crafty Art of Playmaking – Alan Ayckbourn
Brecht As They Knew Him – Lawrence Wishart
The Empty Space – Peter Brook
So You Want To Be A Theatre Director – Stephen Unwin
Research through various websites and Google images
Corbys Photographic Library
Reference Sections in Libraries on Theatre Design
Assessment
This is a Project module with only one component of assessment. This component has one element.
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting 100%
1. The student director will produce a brief report and give a presentation on the theatre project to a small panel of visiting practitioners and staff. This will explain their interpretation of the play, working method with the set designer, and considerations of budget, space and available resources needed to realise the production. An appropriate range of theatrical elements resulting from the collaboration will be discussed, including approaches to staging, costume and technical effects. The student director will be prepared to answer questions from the panel.
Judgements relating to the success of the project will focus on the practicality of the proposed approach to the production in relation to professional standards of theatre work.
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.
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)