MOVEMENT DIRECTION AND INTIMACY - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module asks students to synthesise and apply knowledge gained in the previous module "Movement Practices and Pedagogies" in response to specific creative stimuli and briefs. Students will engage with a range of movement direction approaches, and learn to analyse, research, and respond to creative briefs in order to develop and deliver strategies for movement direction. Students will receive training in Intimacy practice, gaining knowledge of consent-based practice and experience in facilitating Intimacy work.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

BIRCH-LAWSON Rachel (GSA)

Number of Credits: 45

ECTS Credits: 22.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Incorporating two components: Intimacy and Movement Direction, this module will include theoretical and practical training in Intimacy practice, introducing principles of consent-based practices. Through tutorials and seminars students will develop skills in analysis and response to creative stimuli such as text and/or creative briefs and be introduced to a range of strategies and approaches to movement direction. The importance of contextual research and a holistic and inclusive approach to movement direction will support students to develop and deliver independent movement direction responses for a range of theatrical settings, movement directing scenes and staging work. Throughout students will be guided to critically reflect and contextualise their process and understanding, engaging with the sociopolitical context and ethical implications of the work.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

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

• Thoughtful and informed understanding of consent-based practices and the staging of intimate content.


• An ability to critically reflect on process and outcome, in dialogue with wider context and implications.


• Detailed and considered analysis and research and the synthesizing of knowledge to develop personal responses and approaches.


• Skills in movement directing and the practical application of learning to date.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

A Working Journal of the Intimacy practice component, incorporating informed understanding and self-reflective evaluation of own learning; Observation of rehearsal room practice (Movement direction of selected scenes), with accompanying research & preparation portfolio; critically-reflective essay exploring aspects of context and/or ethics related to the module content.

Formative assessment and feedback is embedded within the learning and teaching for this module, and may include: in-class verbal feedback presentation of draft work (practical and written) with questioning and dialogue, opportunities for students to identify areas for development and engage in self-reflection through facilitated peer-to-peer feedback and group discussion, tutorials, and engagement with the online learning environment.

Module aims

• Introduce a range of movement direction approaches and strategies
  
• Facilitate analysis of creative stimuli and stimulate critical reflection and research.
  
• Provide training in consent-based practices and Intimacy practice.
  
• Foster discussion and debate and encourage criticality.
  
• Support students to integrate learning from previous modules in response to specific creative stimuli and briefs
  

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to

Provide students with a thorough theoretical and practical understanding of Intimacy and consent-based practices, and the skills and experience to deliver some intimacy work. Students will gain an understanding of the importance and process of research and preparation in movement direction, and the ability to respond to creative stimuli and synthesise knowledge to create bespoke and specific movement direction strategies. Through delivery of movement directing and staging work, students will gain practical experience and build confidence, and the module as a whole will stimulate discussion and debate, encouraging students to contextualise their work and practice and interrogate the values and ethics of movement direction and intimacy practice.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Seminars, and practical classes to introduce students to tools and approaches, and considerations relevant to movement direction and intimacy practice; peer- and tutor-observation to gain understanding of knowledge in applied contexts and facilitate discussion and reflection; independent research and study to deepen understanding and develop practical skills and understanding; and tutorials to support reflection and evaluation.

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: MOVM007

Other information

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

Guildford School of Acting is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital Capabilities

This module incorporates online research for the preparation of assessment work and encourages students to engage with the virtual learning environment for research and discussion, developing digital literacy and skills.

Employability:

Students will develop specific highly employable skills in the growth area of Intimacy and develop professional skills and experience in the practice of Movement Direction, in preparation for careers in movement direction, teaching, and intimacy coordination.

Sustainability and Global and Cultural Capabilities

Interrogating the ethics and context of movement direction practice from a range of perspectives, (such as post colonialist perspectives, inclusive practice, and social and environmental impact), students will go beyond their own experience and consider the implications and impact of their creative choices and working methods. Students are also encouraged to make and reflect on sustainable choices in their independent creative work.

Resourcefulness and Resilience:

Through responding to creative stimuli and creative briefs, students must integrate and synthesise knowledge and work collaboratively to respond creatively, adaptively, and resourcefully to evolving situations.

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 2025/6 academic year.