SELF-GENERATION / DEVISED SEASON. - 2020/1

Module code: ACT3017

Module Overview

Students will be expected to arrive on time and appropriately prepared for physical and vocal work. Research and preparation will be necessary in pursuit of some of the modules aims. Students are required to warm up and dress appropriately for classes.

 

Building on the Large-Scale production this module allows the student to focus on the research, devising and making of a piece theatre, film or recorded media – to be presented with-in a self-generation / Scratch season.  

 

The module offers an opportunity for integration of principles and skills from across the programme in relation to a fully supported Industry facing – season of self-generated work.

 

This Module continues to interrogate the landscape of collaboration, artistic autonomy and self-made work for the actor. Building on Collaborative Principles at level 4 and The Actor in Rehearsal 4 at Level 5 it offers the actor an opportunity to become part of a season of self-generated, devised work – from inspiration through pitching/funding and into performance – this module offers the experience of self-generation in relation to Industry.

 

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

BYRNE Grainne (GSA)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 120

Practical/Performance Hours: 180

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

 


  • Creation and rehearsal of a self-generated work.

  • Performance of a self-generated work.

  • Research project.

  • Funding applications / Pitching process.

  • Rehearsal and creation of a piece in collaboration with peers, light, sound, media and design. (Indicatiative)

  • The focus of the module is on the process of the actor creator.


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Practical based assessment Continual Assessment - Preparation / Rehearsal / Devised Process and Performance. 100

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

 

Readiness to take on responsibility for managing a career in the performing arts.


Understanding of procedures, skills and abilities required for involvement in industry-level work.


Capacity to work effectively within a professional company.

 

 Assimilation of skills and judgment to deliver a high quality, professional performance for industry professionals.
 

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

 

Continuous assessment of preparation, process, full-time devising / rehearsal and performance of a self- generated work – ending in performance to the public and Industry professionals

 

Formative assessment and feedback will be given through a session in the middle of teaching block 3. Formative feedback will also occur during practical sessions on a verbal basis. The feedback will usually be in a group context, but may sometimes happen one to one with the tutor.

Module aims

  • • Deepen understanding of the key principles of:
    - The Actor Creator.
    - Game.
    - Play.
    - Trust.
    - Risk.
    - Ensemble.
    - Group Impulse.
    - Form.
    - Clarity.
    - Precision.
    through a range of experiential approaches.
  • • Inspire an open, generous and playful approach to the practical and analytical tools of the actor creator.
  • • Engender trust in the ensemble and non-script-based texts as stimulus for the actor to create performance.
  • • To embed an understanding of artistic autonomy and resilience.
  • • Thoroughly prepare the actor creator for engagement in the Collaborative and Devised Theatre Making world.
  • • To provide a working environment which adheres to professional values and codes of conduct.
  • • Develop responsible and consistent attitude towards self-management.
  • • Thoroughly prepare the trainee actor for engagement in the professional performance industry.
  • • Develop and deploy appropriate research methods and strategies.
  • • Develop a sophisticated awareness of professional discipline and presentation.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 • Take ownership of the responsibilities of the artist in the creative environment and the need for sensitivity in relation to others CPT
002 • Through the use of the working journal demonstrate a deepening ability to engage in research, curation and documentation – with an emphasis on the actors’ journey towards embodiment and the living expression of knowledge. CK
003 • Evidence a deepening of independence and self-reliance within the creative process. PT
004 • Practise successful collaborative and autonomous working processes in the pursuit of a self generated, devised work. KPT
005 • Display a readiness and ability to take responsibility for managing a career in the performing arts. CKPT
006 • Exercise initiative and personal responsibility. CKPT
007 • Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the ability to operate autonomously and effectively within and across a variety of professional environments. CKPT
008 • Work in an appropriate and professionally focused manner in pursuit of creating and sustaining a self-generated devised piece. CKPT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

 

Give a practical and theoretical understanding of the key concepts that underpin the acting training across the programme.


Place an emphasis on the practical development of embodied skills that are required for extended and best practice in the profession.
 

Enable students to acquire an open, generous, versatile actor creator process and integrate their knowledge across acting disciplines and into the professional context.

 

Develop the skills learnt at Levels 4 and 5 in full rehearsal and performance situations.
 

Engage the student with the research and preparation required to engage in self-generated, devised context.


 

 

The learning and teaching methods include:


Rehearsals led by Senior Tutor or Visiting professional.

Self-led rehearsal and devising.
Group and independent research.
Tutorials.
Performances in a self-generated season.

Practical, skills based and tutor led group sessions following traditional formats.
Visual, Audio and Kinaesthetic methods of learning – including use of VLE.

30 hours a week for 6 Weeks in teaching Block 1 (180hrs)

120 hours for self-reflection, research, documentation and rehearsal preparation time.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ACT3017

Other information

Under the three term structure that commences from academic year 2019/0 – this module’s delivery is year-long due to the teaching occurring in Teaching Blocks 1, 2 and 3.

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Acting BA (Hons)(YEAR LONG) Year-long Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.