FT3APT-Advanced Practical Project: Theatre

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: FT2P2T Practical Project: Theatre
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: FT3DISS Dissertation: Film and Theatre and FT3JDFA Dissertation (Art and Film and Theatre) EN3JDX Joint Dissertation English and Film, Theatre and Television (20 credits in each Department) FT3APF Advanced Practical Project: Film/TV
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Matt McFrederick
Email: m.mcfrederick@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module represents students’ major piece of creative work, the culmination of the 'critical practice' dimension of the course.

Aims:

The module aims to test students’ ability to apply accumulated skills and knowledge to a major research-based practical project with accompanying documentation, which is initiated and developed under supervision.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• demonstrate the ability to plan on paper a coherent practical project in theatre which draws convincingly on critical and theoretical debates and practices encountered elsewhere on the course;


• articulate a clear set of aims, expressed both in terms of creative and critical objectives;


• demonstrate levels of technical skill and achievement appropriate to their project;


• realise a practical project that is internally coherent, systematic and imaginative in its decision making and that is informed by an appropriate critical and conceptual agenda;


• evaluate their project self-critically, analysing both local and systemic levels of decision making, in the light both of independent reading and research and selected examples of theatre and performance practice.

Additional outcomes:

Assessment is based on the outcomes of creative work and documentation. The processes of production/creative work and documentation will encourage a range of other outcomes.

Documentation:

appropriate deployment of research using printed and electronic resources critical analysis and coherent argument; presentation of written work using IT; identifying and addressing problems in theatre and performance practice; self-evaluation and self-critical analysis.

Production/creative work:

practical planning and time management;

successful management of the resources involved in production/creative work, including the management of a production team, within the constraints and policies of the Department;

the development of IT and technical skills (e.g. video projection design, lighting design using computerised control boards; computer aided design for theatre).

Outline content:

Students offer one of the following drawn from a guiding brief: a) an ensemble-based performance project with accompanying documentation b) a research project involving both creative practice and critical writing.

Each student must combine a creative and critical decision-making role with research. Written documentation will always be completed individually.

During the Autumn Term students will meet regularly with their supervisors, identify the nature of their intended project and under supervision will develop detailed plans for a project which is appropriate in scale, can be achieved within available resources and is informed by a clear and explicit critical agenda. Satisfactory completion of this phase of work will lead to approval of a production schedule. Students will give a short presentation on their research-in-progress during Autumn term. Auditions will be held during the Autumn Term for performers and production crews and personnel will be allocated through co-operative discussion under the supervision of the production co-ordinator for each area. During the Spring Term students will develop their productions on a schedule agreed by the co-ordinator and completed productions will be presented/submitted by specified dates towards the end of term. Supervisors will attend rehearsals/view creative project plans during this period. Part 2 of the documentation (Evaluation) will be submitted at the beginning of the Summer Term.< /p>

Global context:

Working on this module can involve researching theatre and performance from across the globe, in order to inform the development of students’ own creative work.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching is by tutorial with group meetings held to co-ordinate schedules and allocate practical resources.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		8
Tutorials	3	3
Project Supervision	4	8	1
Practicals classes and workshops	2	3
Supervised time in studio/workshop		70
Fieldwork	5
Guided independent study:	166	88	39
Total hours by term	180	180	40
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	40
Project output other than dissertation	60

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1 x theatre-based practical work: 10 mins (submitted at the end of Spring term)

1 x Written documentation in the form of a Developmental Blog submitted at different points (final submission at the beginning of Spring Term)

Formative assessment methods:

Selected entries of the Developmental Blog will receive formative feedback from your project supervisor.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Submission of additional coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 25 November 2021