THE WORKING ACTOR - 2023/4

Module Overview

The module helps students develop an individual, systematic rehearsal practice for theatre and film media. Students will begin by developing awareness of their expressive instrument, noting their own physicality and vocal patterns and considering the messages they may give to an audience or to the camera. Initial work based on personal experience and observation will lead to structured work on preparation, action and motivation of character and circumstance.  Students will explore the resonance of particular objects and particular relationships and will devise a number of exercises that will explore truthful, organic, moment-to-moment behaviour in response to a set of given circumstances, in the pursuit of an objective. Preparatory exercises will encourage emotional and physical availability, responses to objectives and obstacles, the importance of reading and responding to behaviour and the reality of the concentrated thought process. Developing exercises may investigate improvised scenes, strategies for text, the spatial and emotional dynamism of relationships, the development of character, strategies for devised and original work, and the specific and differing demands that genre and style make on technique. Some sessions may or may not be delivered online.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

TUNSTALL Darren (GSA)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:
Acting classes deliver a series of structured psycho-physical exercises exploring preparation, motivation, action, activities and objectives within devised scenarios and text-based work.
Screen acting classes explore shots and continuity, and use exercises such as the inner monologue in preparing and delivering truthful and believable behaviour on screen.
Industry practice seminars and masterclasses provide information and strategies which help in building a bridge between training and the profession.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

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

1. Define the theories and concepts of leading practitioners underpinning acting methodologies. (K) (C)

2. Develop and apply a sophisticated toolkit of performance techniques – (K)(P)

3. Evaluate the relationship between performer, narrative, and performance context (C)

4. Demonstrate engagement and consistency in the approach to skills acquisition – (T)

5. Demonstrate the ability to work with disciplined self-awareness consistent to a professional context – (P)(T)

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of: Screen Acting (continuous assessment of classroom exercises): this addresses 2,3,4,5 above Acting (continuous assessment of classroom exercises): this addresses 1,2,3,4,5 above

Formative assessment

Students will receive formative assessment in Acting and Screen Acting at the end of term 1. Students will receive formative assessment at Professional Jury in term 2.

Feedback

Students will receive verbal feedback as part of each class session. Written and/or recorded audio feedback will accompany summative assessments

Module aims

• • To utilise and develop the individual as a versatile and expressive creative instrument
• • To advance an experiential and theoretical understanding of preparation, action and objective
• • To access, utilise and expand emotional and physical capacity and range.
• • To facilitate the development of a structured and specific rehearsal process adaptable for theatre or film

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Achieve the learning outcomes as detailed above. The ethos and style of teaching seeks to:

• Instil and apply professional discipline within a performance context.

• Acquire contextual knowledge of the main practitioners.

• Develop the performer through acquiring knowledge of and the practical application of performance principles, concepts and techniques.

• Support self-reliance through self-reflection and the practice of journaling.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Practical workshops and classes in acting for the stage (64 hours) and screen (64 hours)

• Masterclasses in Acting Studies (32 hours) and Audition technique (16 hours)

• Daily journal entry, independent research and study (54 hours)

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: ACTM041

Other information

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

Programmes this module appears in

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 2023/4 academic year.