EA402-7-SP-LO:
Advanced Research Living History Project, Devising Project and Acting for Camera
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
East 15 Acting School
East15 (Loughton) Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Inactive
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
24 September 2019
Requisites for this module
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Students undertake intensive in-depth research which may involve both primary and secondary sources. Such research is absorbed at intellectual, psychological, emotional and sensory levels leading to a performance project in which research, technical skills and acting skills are fully integrated and engaged.
The module provides an opportunity for intense research of context towards performance. Practical and theoretical research will be bought to bear to enrich the ensemble performance and the tools learnt in the course so far in all streams of learning (eg movement, voice, contextual studies etc) will integrate into performance.
The Researched Performance Project integrates research and improvisation tools, into performance in a studio or site-specific setting. The project may be a performance of a play text, a devised project based on other fictional texts with a strong historical element, or a devised project based on texts, documentation and research of a given period/place in history.
Parallel technical classes demand a deeper understanding of the subject as well as more effective application in rehearsal and performance process. The focus is on using the tools of research and improvisation to deliver credible, plausible effective performance as an ensemble, which communicates to an audience.
Students contribute to design, stage-management, costume, stage-lighting, sound marketing, press and publicity. This enables them to have a understanding of the production process. Group responsibilities for the set-up and strike of each production, together with clearly defined areas of responsibility in stage-management further enable the students to work as an ensemble. It is the greater force of the ensemble that can increase the sense of ownership and raise performance level. The aim is to give students the opportunity to experience something of this in their own performance projects as well as begin to equip them for the realities of small scale working practice in the industry at present.
Living History Project
In accord with the unique East 15 learning methodology students undertake a Living History project. This is a non-performative project which challenges the actor to explore characteristics widely differing from those within their typical range or those which will challenge them in their development as an actor.
The project begins with extensive research of the selected time and world the actors are to inhabit. This project relies heavily on research and the ability to synthesise facts into important insights for the actor.
The exercise itself typically occurs over a few days which include a weekend and take place residentially away from the school.
The Devised Performance Project
The Devised Performance Project is a studio or site-specific performance which is led and/or directed by tutors and which introduces students to several different tools for creating work.
Students contribute to design, stage-management, costume, stage-lighting, sound, marketing, press and publicity. This enables them to have a understanding of the production process. Group responsibilities for the set-up and strike of each production, together with clearly defined areas of responsibility in stage-management further enable the students to work as an ensemble. It is the greater force of the ensemble that can increase the sense of ownership and raise performance level. Students are given the opportunity to experience something of this in their own performance projects as well as to begin to equip them for the realities of small scale working practice in the industry at present.
Acting for Media
Radio
In Radio classes, students will be introduced to the vital techniques of working on audio microphone. The principle techniques and skills for radio drama will be addressed. Students will be tutored and work under conditions similar to those of the industry. You will be expected to show that:
1. You can put into practice your acting skills and apply them in a radio studio with special focus on sight reading
2. You can produce a professional standard of work under pressure of time.
Acting for Camera
In this unit, students will be introduced to:
1. audition, casting, and interview situations for TV/Film
2. sight reading for audition purposes
3. basic problems of listening and reacting, hitting the mark, eye lines, continuity
4. the different types of “shots” (close-up, long shot, etc, etc)
5. integration of acting skills applied with the confines and disciplines of the medium
6. the pressures and problems of location shooting
7. the pressures of non-linear approach to film acting
8. the perception of the actor’s persona on camera
9. the need to apply “units and objectives” to screen acting
Students will be taught to
- create and sustain believable characters on screen
- work creatively under pressure
- adapt their previous experience to the technology surrounding them on location under professional conditions
Students are continuously assessed on key acting exercises set throughout both components. Using playback facilities staff are able to give instant formative assessment. Students are also encouraged to assess formatively each others’ work during class sessions. Aims:
- To give understanding of the thoroughness and full engagement required for valid research towards performance
- To enhance the students’ understanding of the inter-relatedness of all disciplines learned so far and – where applicable - their effect on audiences
- Equip students with skills to self tape
- To engage fully with an act of communication to an audience (research, performance, production etc)
1. Practical application of theoretical and intellectual research informing character and performance choices
2. Practical application of improvisation as a tool in the creation of spontaneity & consistency in performance
3. Practical application of movement and physical techniques in the creation of performance
4. Experience of creating thorough and multi-layered performance for audiences
5. Development of production skills for smaller scale low-budget theatre
6. Ability to integrate research into performance
7. Ability to work as part of an ensemble to develop a production.
No additional information available.
Research
Independent Study
Supervised and Unsupervised Rehearsals
Workshops
Personal Development Portfolio
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Additional coursework information
Students will be assessed on their ability to integrate research into performance at a number of levels and to work as part of an ensemble in the course of developing a production.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Ms Andrea Brooks, email: brooksa@essex.ac.uk.
Andrea Brooks, Visiting Tutors
For further information please email brooksa
No
No
No
Travel costs for UK - based unpaid, approved work placements and live projects which are an integral part of a module may be covered by your department. (NB this will usually exclude field trips and site visits). Please check with your module supervisor to ensure that the activity is eligible.
Prof Anthony Dean
University of Winchester
Emeritus Professor
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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