FT1STA: Staging Texts: Production Skills, Design and Performance?

Module code: FT1STA

Module provider: Film, Theatre and TV; School of Arts and Comm Design

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Matt McFrederick, email: m.mcfrederick@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 27 June 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module offers a practical introduction to how texts are realised in production and the critical relationship between making meaning and creative decision-making in these forms. Students will have the experience of analysing texts through audio and scenographic design projects which innovatively respond to the selected case study. Through diligent research and critically engaged theatre practice, students will cultivate an understanding of the practices and critical processes that come together in the planning, production and documentation of such pieces. Students will study the work of leading practitioners and will have the opportunity to develop their practical skills through a series of workshops, which will in turn support their final projects. Furthermore, it aims to introduce students to specialist equipment and some of the basic technical skills necessary for production and performance work. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Apply the key production and design skills to a scene or performance environments;
2. Analyse of the how the technical and design practices create meaning in performance and signification of creative choices;
3. Evaluate the key production and design skills within critical contexts;
4. investigate theatre practice collaboratively and communicate effectively and critically with fellow group members in the delivery of a final practical project;
5. Gain enhanced skills in collaboration across theatre performance that prepare you for future practice in the department and after you graduate. You will gain enhanced practical skills across the theatre systems of design, sound, lighting.

Module content

The module provides an introduction to methods of staging theatre texts for performance. Working closely on production skills and design, the module focuses on practical approaches in these areas and offers a broader introduction to some of the key technical elements that will be pivotal throughout the course. The module introduces a critical vocabulary for theatre practice, as well as more specific terms and approaches to the medium. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

• Lectures, workshops, seminars 
• Review a specific production, analysing the creative choices made in: space, scenography, costume, performance, text, audio drama, etc. 
• May include guest speakers and visiting practitioners 
• Fieldtrips to see specific production form a part of this module. There is a charge for theatre trips. These are compulsory and will take place throughout the module as a necessary part of the teaching. The majority of these trips will take place in London, but trips in the past have involved visits to Oxford and Bristol. 

Study hours

At least 50 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

There will be formative practical assessments on the module in which you will have the opportunity to trial your emerging production and design skills.

Reassessment

Additional costs