Creative Arts for Theatre & Film – (B.A.)

Contents

Syllabus (11/12*)

Year 1

In year one teaching and learning is primarily staff-led and emphasis is placed on developing core skills and a sound awareness and understanding of the different spheres of creative craft practice for theatre and film. Areas of study include costume realisation, scenic art construction, props making, puppetry and performance, studies in perception and meaning and historical contextual studies.

* Properties and transformation - you are introduced to a variety of workshop facilities and their specialist application in the production of properties for stage and screen.
* Costume and interpretation - introduction to the costume workshop facilities and builds a practical skill base for the techniques of costume realisation.
* Painting and illusion (scenic art) - you learn to interpret designs through texture and paint, and accurately transcribe designs. Seminars and specialist workshops introduce you to different methods of marking out, such as gridding, tracing, stenciling, pouncing, mousetrap and projection.
* Perception - introduction to studies that explores how we perceive and structure information (perception),and the meanings we attribute to forms of communication (semiotics), the social and cultural contexts within which human communication takes place (anthropology).
* The time machine - introduces you to representation and in particular, how contemporary culture investigates and communicates to its audiences about the past. The unit encourages you to 'travel back in time' to investigate aspects of culture and history.
* The performing object (puppets) - introduced to performance through engagement with narrative and meaning, manipulation, movement and improvisation.
* Visual narrative: the creation of metaphoric space (set design) - promoting collaboration and group work you engage in research, concept development, design interpretation, project management and construction of sets.

Year 2

This development stage of the course is designed to progressively move you away from course-led teaching and learning towards a more student-directed approach, in which you are encouraged to be increasingly self-motivated and develop the skills of an independent learner. You are encouraged to develop a specialist area of practice in costume design, prop making or scenic art.

* Narrative and genre - working to a professional brief, you are required to identify your strengths and areas of specialism to produce costume, objects or scenic interventions for a particular performance.
* Postmodernism - you explore key ideas that have contributed to the development of Postmodernism and impact on creative practice.
* Blood, sweat and tears - learn a range of techniques required for dyeing, painting, distressing and decorating materials for performance.
* Commission, collaboration & community (optional) - encourages you to become involved in festivals and performances that represent regional and local legends, pageants, festivals, rituals and spectacular events.
* Independent work placement - you undertake a self-initiated work placement that places your work within a professional context.
* European or International exchange (optional) - opportunity to study abroad.
* Research (framing practice) - place your work within complex frameworks of theory and practice.

Year 3

The final year of the course consolidates the varied elements of study and is characterised by independent learning and the ability to fully bring together the range of experiences, knowledge and skills that have been developed whilst studying on the course.You are required to realise your work through the use of accomplished making skills and evidence advanced levels of self- management, and critical reflection.

* Adaptation - you engage in a complex project that calls for refined making, intellectual and critical skills aligned to thorough research methods and strategies.
* Independent professional practice - you undertake a self-initiated work placement that is relevant to your potential career direction.
* Dissertation - substantial period of self-directed research on a subject that is related to the historical, theoretical or critical concerns of your discipline or professional area.
* Creative arts for theatre and film portfolio - you produce a body of innovative, creative and sophisticated work.

* Please note the syllabus content is for the academic year indicated and is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.