University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Revised October 2005)
Code: UAMA95-30-2 Title: Departmental Management B 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: Stage Management
Faculty Committee Approval: Q & S Committee Date: 7th October 2009
Valid from: September 2009 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: FDa Professional Stage Management
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 the core subject specific skills relevant to the production department in which they are working.
• Understand the overall process of mounting a theatre production, and the role of each department therein.
Intellectual Skills
• Problem solve – interpreting the creative requirements of the production and translating these to a practical realisation.
• Research different approaches to realizing aspects of a production for which they take responsibility.
Subject / Practical Skills
• Demonstrate professional competence in the chosen department
• Assist in the management of a production team under the supervision of a specialist tutor;
• Demonstrate an understanding of budgetary control, costing, ordering and purchase for the department;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the use of current technologies, materials and processes as they relate to the chosen department;
Transferable Skills
• Communicate effectively with other members of the production team.
• Prioritise work loads.
• Document working methods and relevant aspects of a production.
• Work safely and to deadlines.
Syllabus outline:
Students are assessed on their demonstration of a professional standard of work. Particular emphasis on teamwork, ability to interpret information from director and designer, demonstration of knowledge and understanding of duties and responsibilities required in the chosen department, application in a public production context of skills learnt at level 1. An account of the production will be recorded in a log book. Students will be required to reflect and draw conclusions about their own performance.
The student is given responsibility for a specialised area of a public theatre production at Departmental Management level under the supervision of a subject specialist tutor. This module complements the first Departmental Management module, building on that previous production department experience. The decision to opt for a given production department relates to the area of specialism they may wish to pursue at level 3 and / or the area of employment they may wish to enter on gaining their award.
Teaching and learning methods:
Students will have the opportunity to learn through practical production work on a show that leads to public performance. Students draw on the stage management and technical skills acquired at level 1: exploring an area of specialism provides an opportunity to experience and confirm that they may wish to continue this professional specialism. Supervised by their allocated tutor, students learn by practical experience in a professional context. A job description for the production role they are undertaking is provided – based on that found in a professional theatre production department.
The level 1 subject specific learning in the five key areas (Stage Management, Propmaking, Scenic Construction, Lighting and Sound), are developed at level 2 through undertaking production responsibility for an area of a theatre production. The entire approach at level 2 is for students to work in a realistic ‘work-based’ environment. The theatre productions are presented in professional theatre venues to the paying public – consequently the production values of each department are based on professional practice. The typical preparation and rehearsal time for any department would be four to six weeks, followed by the run of the show. Students would be working in their production department with the supervising teacher to a typical professional working schedule.
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 production concerned.
Depending on the production department (eg. stage management, lighting, sound, propmaking, scenic construction etc.) the reading and research required will vary. Students will already be familiar with the main subject specific texts from their level 1 training.
Indicative sources:
Primarily - the text / script for the productions concerned.
Assessment
This is a project module there is no Component B and Component A is weighted at 100%.
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Departmental Management on public production. 100%
Evidence: Final production and preparatory work. Student’s self-evaluation report.
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is required)
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Departmental Management on public production. 100%
Evidence: Final production and preparatory work. Student’s self-evaluation report.
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes is required.
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)