PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - 2020/1
Module code: MUT3016
Module Overview
The module engages students with a range of areas relating to industry practices, protocols and resources in pursuit of developing the necessary skills to undertake and sustain a career within the performing arts.
The practical part of the process is a distinct component of the training at GSA, where a panel of practicing industry professionals visit the institution and to advise students alongside staff members on their choice of audition material, presentation and associated materials
Alongside this students are required to submit a professional development file which outlines their plans for their first five years of work in the industry.
For the Professional Development Portfolio students will undertake activities to promote themselves in the industry. This may include an Industry Showcase, Auditions and Self-tape exercises designed to demonstrate that the student understands the processes for gaining work in the professional theatre industry. For the Industry Showcase rehearsals will be under the guidance of a professional director in preparation for the production which is designed to introduce the students to the industry at large. Students will be advised and guided in developing a realistic awareness of casting potential and perceived type in order to ensure that employability and suitability of the material chosen demonstrates a confident and assured performance of the chosen scene.
Module provider
Guildford School of Acting
Module Leader
WOOLFORD Julian (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: 27
Seminar Hours: 273
Module Availability
Year long
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
N/A
Module content
Indicative content includes:
CV generation
Understanding of industry standard formats for CV and
Reflective practice
Self-assessment stratagems
Personal presentation
Selection of material
Vocal, dance and performance techniques
Audition Technique
Selection, Preparation and Presentation of appropriate audition material
Rehearsal process
The Professional Development Portfolio may include a Industry Showcase, Self-tape portfolio, CV, Headshot, websites etc. The content of this portfolio will be determined by current standard industry practices.
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Written Professional Development File (2,000 words) | 20 |
| Practical based assessment | Performance to Agent Panel | 30 |
| Coursework | Professional Development Portfolio | 50 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate rigorous research practice for auditions, and the integration of techniques to achieve a high level of performance in audition and showcase scenarios.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
Professional Development File: 20%. Teaching Block 2
- Contextual Understanding
- Personal planning and understanding
- Academic presentation
- Research Depth
Performance at Agent Panel: 30%. Teaching Block 1
- Audition technique
- Integration of disciplines
- Selection, Preparation and Presentation of appropriate audition material
Professional Development Portfolio: 50% Teaching Block 2 or 3
- Contextual Understanding
- Audition technique
- Integration of disciplines
- Selection, Preparation and Presentation of appropriate audition material
Formative assessment and Feedback
Formative assessment is crucial to this module. In mirroring industry practice, students are given detailed constant verbal feedback and during classes and rehearsal, which enables students to develop and act upon notes given. Students are encouraged to create a reflective journal which encourages and develops their own reflective practice.
Student Activity Link to Learning Outcome(s)
- Contextual Understanding
- Understanding and Application of theory
- Integration of disciplines
- Ensemble work
- Selection, Preparation and Presentation of appropriate audition material
Module aims
- To prepare the student for professional performance and casting process
- To encourage a high level of self-presentation
- To develop a sophisticated awareness of professional discipline and presentation
- To prepare the trainee actor for a life-long commitment to the process of seeking and acquiring creative, artistic and commercial opportunities
- To integrate and effectively deploy Acting, Dance, Voice and Singing techniques acquired and developed at Levels Four and Five
- To provide an opportunity for successful entry into the industry in a professional showcase context
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Demonstrate integrated skills in acting, singing and dancing in a sustained performance | K |
| 002 | Reflect, analyse and evaluate your and other’s work | C |
| 003 | Demonstrate discipline and consistency in a professional context. | T |
| 004 | Develop a professional profile through selection, preparation and performance material | T |
| 005 | Communicate effectively in a written form. | T |
| 006 | Develop and demonstrate the effective application of learned practices. | P |
| 007 | Demonstrate understanding of the profession and the individuals’ role within it. | P |
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:
Encourage students to reflect critically on their progress and their future plans, develop a professional portfolio of performance and auditions that can launch them into the industry and to equip them to be a disciplined auditionee and performer.
The learning and teaching methods include:
• Group Seminars
• Group and Individual research sessions
• Rehearsals
• Audition skills classes
The module is delivered over 300 hours study across the term including, class, seminar and self-study.
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: MUT3016
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musical Theatre 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.