FT1ES-Exploring the Studio

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Only available for FTT joint honours programmes.
Co-requisites: FT1ATP Analysing Theatre and Performance or FT1ATF Approaches to Film
Modules excluded: FT1ITF Introduction to Filmmaking and FT1TSP TV Studio Production and FT1STP Staging Texts: Playwriting, Design and Performance and FT1DP Devising Performance: Politics and Citizenship
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Teresa Murjas
Email: t.s.murjas@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module offers you the experience of developing creative practical work, working in small teams. It introduces you to relevant facilities and equipment, processes of practical group work, and exploring how meaning is created in cultural media. This module is focused on the creative possibilities in the Film/TV Studio, a space which calls for projects that draw both on elements of staging a live performance and filming for the screen, involving decision-making processes concerning scripting, set design, costume, make up, lighting and/or sound. So, this module is suitable for you whether you have a particular interest in film, television and/or theatre.

Aims:

This module aims to give students experience of developing and devising creative practical work, introducing processes of group work and exploring in practice some of the ways in which meaning is created in cultural media. Drawing on the concepts, critical issues and discussions developed in the other modules of the degree, this module will give students a common vocabulary for the discussion of and critical reflection on practical work, which will prepare them for more advanced creative practice opportunities in Parts 2 and 3.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• work effectively in small teams in order to plan and then to produce creative practical projects;


• demonstrate through practical projects and critical reflection that they have drawn on their studies in the other modules to inform the planning, realisation and documentation of creative practical research;


• demonstrate a critical awareness of the effects of different kinds of decision-making in creative practice and the interaction of various areas of decision-making in the construction of meaning; and thereby:


• articulate their understanding of practice as a means of exploring critical issues and articulating critical understanding;


• document, analyse and critically reflect on processes and products of creative practical projects, drawing on appropriate critical frames of reference and research;


• operate the Film/TV Studio and all relevant equipment safely and efficiently.

Additional outcomes:

The module plays a significant role in the development of other skills and competencies which are central to the course. It is expected that the level of skills and competencies achieved in the following will be appropriate to the level of study: collaboration and leadership; appropriate deployment of research using printed and electronic resources; critical analysis and coherent argument, both individually and collectively; undertaking self-directed, independent work; presentation of written work using IT; identifying and addressing problems in the analysis of film, television and/or theatre; creative deployment of technology in the development and presentation of analysis.

Outline content:

The module consists of structured and developing group projects. At each stage practical work is informed by critical reading and engaged with via critical analysis (oral and/or written). This requires students to reflect on their creative decision-making and to relate their own work to wider practices and critical concepts.



The module begins with a foundational project designed to establish a common vocabulary for the discussion of and critical reflection on practical work, as well as relevant Health and Safety practices. The module then extends students’ experience of creative practical work through more developed projects that allow students to follow their interests and focus on the creative decision-making for either elements of staging a live performance or for filming for the screen. Students will be introduced to creative processes concerning scripting, set design, costume, make up, lighting and/or sound, and may further develop their particular interests in more advanced creative practice opportunities in Parts 2 and 3.

Global context:

Students may explore creative practical decision-making across a range of local/regional/national/global contexts.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will involve group tutorial and workshops, with practical work in small teams leading to class discussion and analysis. The creative projects are developed and realised by each group, during formal and informal rehearsal time. There may be a visit to a local archive or collection.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		4
Practicals classes and workshops		16
Supervised time in studio/workshop		20
External visits		4
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		10
Wider reading (directed)		10
Preparation for seminars		8
Preparation for performance		90
Completion of formative assessment tasks		24
Reflection		14
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	40
Project output other than dissertation	60

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Practical Project - 60%

Development Blog - 40%

Formative assessment methods:

There will be formative feedback for the development blog.

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:

40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Submission of additional coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books: None


2. Specialist equipment or materials: None


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None


4. Printing and binding: None


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification: None


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None

Last updated: 30 March 2023