ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE - 2022/3

Module code: ACTM048

Module Overview

The module brings together the technical performance skills acquired in the previous compulsory modules. The module is designed in two parts: Advanced Contemporary Practice incorporates a Sustained Independent Project with a creative, critical or pedagogic focus; Advanced Professional Development incorporates advanced acting assessments, rehearsal and performance of an industry showcase. Performances may or may not include a live audience, and may or may not be streamed online.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

BYRNE Grainne (GSA)

Number of Credits: 60

ECTS Credits: 30

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 380

Tutorial Hours: 20

Practical/Performance Hours: 120

Guided Learning: 80

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

The module will cater to the specific professional and creative interests of the student. The student will choose which of the Sustained Independent Project (SIP) assessment options most suits their needs and creative/professional goals, after which they will receive guidance and supervision and guidance from staff according to expertise.  Some supervision sessions may or may not be delivered online.  Students will also research and select appropriate performance material for an industry showcase. The module includes rehearsals and performances of the industry showcase, which may be performed in front of a live audience and/or streamed online.

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Practical based assessment Continuous Assessment Industry Showcase 25
Project (Group/Individual/Dissertation) Critical evaluation (6-7000 words) OR Performance project (30-40 min) OR Teaching portfolio equivalent (6-7000 words) 75

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

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

1. Reflect critically on process and outcome (C)

2. Develop creative and imaginative approaches to work in rehearsal and performance (K)

3. Communicate effectively in physical/verbal/written form (T)

4. Develop a professional profile through selection and preparation of appropriate performance material (P)

5. Develop a range of strategies for managing a career in the performing arts (P)

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Advanced Contemporary Practice

- Sustained Independent Project (SIP): - Critical evaluation of 6,000-7,000 words – this addresses 1 and 3 above.

- OR

- Solo performance project of 30-40 minutes, plus short framing statement (500 words) – this addresses 1 and 4 above

- OR

- Teaching portfolio (equivalent to 6,000 words) – this addresses 1 and 5 above

Advanced Professional Development

- Contribution to Process (showcase and understudy duties) – this addresses 2, 3, 5 above

- Performance in Industry Showcase – this addresses 2, 4, above

Formative assessment

Formative assessment will be provided at tutorials for the critical evaluation or teaching portfolio, and at supervised rehearsals for the solo performance project.

Feedback

Verbal feedback will provided by the director at each rehearsal for the industry showcase.

Module aims

  • Facilitate creativity, original practice and research
  • Ensure industry level performance skills
  • Help students negotiate the transition from training to the profession

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Reflect critically on process and outcome C
002 Develop creative and imaginative approaches to work in rehearsal and performance K
003 Communicate effectively in physical/verbal/written form T
004 Develop a professional profile through selection and preparation of appropriate performance material P
005 Develop a range of strategies for managing a career in the performing arts 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:

• Help ensure students acquire and demonstrate industry level performance skills

• Facilitate the students’ creativity

• Guide students as they undertake original practice and/or research

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Supervised research, development and rehearsals for the Sustained Independent Project (SIP) (up to 128 hours)

• Research and selection of showcase material (30 hours)

• Rehearsals and performance of industry showcase (100 hours)

• Independent research and 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: ACTM048

Other information

GSA delivers its provision across three teaching blocks, within the University of Surrey’s existing semester structure.

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Acting MFA 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 50% 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 2022/3 academic year.