University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Template revised October 2005)
Code: UATPH8-20-M Title: Introduction to Employment for Directors Version: 2
Level: M UWE credit rating: 20 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:
• Produce a professionally relevant portfolio of their work in theatre, film, television or radio work that offers examples of their creative approach to the genre.
• Critically reflect on their practice and approach to working with actors (and others in the production team), and communicate this lucidly to potential employers.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which they might seek work, and use a CV to provide a focused, self-evaluative and professional document to support this.
• Demonstrate and articulate their research into the employment market in the UK Theatre, Television and Radio industry and an understanding of the networking required to secure work in their chosen area.
• To pitch creative ideas and projects coherently and succinctly to employers, funding bodies or sponsors.
Syllabus outline:
This module is intended to ensure that students have an understanding of the necessary procedures to obtain employment in their chosen field.
Although most students will seek to obtain work in theatre, it is important, because of the diminishing amount available, that they are equipped to work in other areas of the media. Consequently this module ensures a realistic approach by directors to understanding the nature and scope of theatre, radio and television and how they might obtain opportunities to work across the spectrum.
Presenting themselves for interviews and researching the background to advertised positions will be emphasised. A basic and wide knowledge of the type of work undertaken by potential employers will be encouraged and researched.
The key approaches to self-evaluation will be taught and feed-back given on their productions and directing process. Pre-production and post-production methods of approach will be examined.
This part of the course will emphasise the need to have a thorough knowledge of both classical and modern plays in order to engage in meaningful discussion with potential employers.
Students will be encouraged to apply for any relevant bursaries and competitions.
Familiarity with publications, which advertise work, will be encouraged.
Teaching and learning methods:
Staff and visiting professionals will give a realistic appraisal of how to seek work and make contacts. Students will be encouraged to make a variety of contacts and short placements in a wide range of areas of the business thereby forming useful associations.
Business procedure and self-management, and understanding of contracts will be stressed alongside familiarity with professional institutions, organisations and funding bodies.
Marketing and publicity will be covered.
The school will assist them in both inviting likely employers to see or listen to their productions and advise on mounting any opportunities to show their work.
Familiarity with using web-sites for research will be standard procedure.
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.
It is hoped that many useful books and publications will already have been read by this stage in the course but in particular, students will be advised to obtain:
Contacts ( The Spotlight – latest edition)
British Theatre Directory (London: Richmond House)
Directors Guild Publications
The Stage & Television Today (Thursday)
The Guardian Newspaper (Mondays)
www.womenintheatre.co.uk
Assessment
This is a Project module with only one component of assessment. This component has only one element of assessment.
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
Preparing for Employment project 100%
1. Produce a portfolio of the productions they have both directed or assisted
on in theatre and/or television and radio. Depending on their interest, this
may include a short film, a CD of broadcast quality of a short radio play or a
showreel of a theatre production. The Pre and Post production process will be
evidenced. The student will be expected to produce a professional CV and demonstrate
to the Panel, a knowledge of the industry and projection of their plans for entry into the profession.
A small panel will be drawn from visiting professionals and staff tutors to provide an assessment of the Portfolio and the student’s aptitude and initiative to find work. Account will be taken of the confidence with which students present themselves at all stages of the working process through the training. The module leader will take opinions from visiting directors on the ability of the student to mix creativity with practical demands, to show leadership skills and to be articulate in expressing themselves.
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)