FOUNDATION SHOW ROLES - 2023/4

Module code: PRO2032

Module Overview

Each student will undertake PRO2032 as a combination of pathway or non-pathway roles to create a portfolio of work to progress their confidence and autonomy in dealing with the realisation of complex technical and artistic challenges.  

In taking an intermediate level support role where there are clear responsibilities and tasks required to successfully contribute to the delivery of a public production, students will work within their peer group, freelance staff and in-house production teams, students will be able to apply and evidence skills acquisition in the core activities of pre-production, production and post-production. 

During this module, students will be asked to work responsibly and as far as reasonably practicable towards being more sustainable. Using principles as outlined in the industry developed Theatre Green book, with guidance and support from SIPA ( Sustainability in production alliance), all productions will incorporate elements of sustainable practice from the design concept forward.  Our aim is responsible consumption, including recycling and re-purposing, considering existing resources and promoting a circular economy within our production process and everyday life at GSA.   

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

SMALLEY Michael (GSA)

Number of Credits: 60

ECTS Credits: 30

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

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

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 589

Seminar Hours: 3

Tutorial Hours: 8

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Students will work within a production team under the supervision of a senior member of that department, and contribute to the preparation, research and realisation of all or any components making up the managerial and technical elements required for the performance which may or may not be streamed and may or may not be performed to a live audience

Students may work variously with freelance professionals, other students and in-house technicians on a range of GSA presentations.

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Practical based assessment Practice 50
Coursework Production Notebook 50

Alternative Assessment

(resit only) Reflective Essay; 1500 Words (resit Only) Re-submission of Production Notebook

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to allow the student an opportunity to evidence collaborative engagement and attainment with core practical and theory (research and preparatory) stages of their activity.

In creating and maintaining a Production Notebook the student will evidence process, reflection and conclusion on complex production activity

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Process /Practice: Tutor observation and appraisal of an allocated production role at senior level.

Production Notebook; An E-portfolio detailing the students personal aims, evidence of research and planning, evidence of workload delivery and reflection upon their development.

Formative assessment

Verbal feedback provided at regular individual or group tutorials.

Module aims

  • Develop organisation and preparation in the application of skills learnt in previous modules in the student's chosen pathway and develop their skills and knowledge in non-pathway subjects.
  • Advance students' familiarity and confidence in recognising technical and managerial components in their preparation, planning and execution.
  • Provide students with an opportunity to confidently recognise and explore core technical, managerial and creative components of their pathway choice in the selection and application of tools and working practice.
  • Develop an appreciation of the collaboration and teamwork required to realise theatre production across all departments.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Engage in a range of production disciplines demonstrating an understanding of the key procedures and methods at every stage of the process KP
002 Effectively apply skills and practices relevant to a chosen specialist pathway and implement knowledge and skills in a secondary pathway(s) to an intermediate level P
003 Apply effective problem-solving skills in a creative team environ CT
004 Apply teamwork skills in a range of projects and productions T
005 Plan and execute personal workloads applying effective prioritisation. P
006 Analyse their performance identifying strengths and weaknesses and setting targets for their personal development C

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:

Enable the student to demonstrate practical application of skills at an intermediate level and promote contribution and collaboration (both creative, managerial and technical) as a member of a production team.

Allow students to assume a position of responsibility requiring management of personal and physical resources, communication and adherence to deadlines.

Prompt further independent study and research within their chosen subject pathway and develop knowledge and skills in non-pathway subjects.

Enable students to contribute to the work of industry practitioners and peers and record new learning and exploration for future reference.

This module facilitates key areas of the Programme learning and teaching strategy specifically those defining Tutor-led (including the participation of professional practitioners) and self-directed methods of learning encouraging and reflecting increasing independence while encouraging positive attitudes towards lifelong learning. The hours spent on this module will be dependent upon the student’s show role(s) and the nature of the productions.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Attendance and contribution to production meetings and ad hoc briefings.

Workshops and ad hoc sessions with visiting creative/ production professionals.

Compilation of Production Notebook as learning and reference tool.

Regular Tutorials (group and/or individual).

Adherence to published production schedules and attendance at all required sessions.

Specialist demonstration and instruction (rigging at height, electrical Health and Safety, etc.

Competency exercises in basic theory and practice of production.

Hours of activity in each area will be subject to the prevailing demands of the production across each core domain (preproduction, production, post-production).

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: PRO2032

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
Theatre Production 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 2023/4 academic year.