EA447-7-AU-LO:
MFA Dissertation By Director's Production Workbook
2020/21
East 15 Acting School
East15 (Loughton) Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 08 October 2020
Friday 18 December 2020
60
02 October 2020
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module is designed to allow student opportunities to demonstrate an in-depth practical knowledge of and skill in theatre directing.
The Dissertation by Director's Production Workbook consists of a complete workbook for a play that has been agreed in advance with the supervising tutor. The word length will vary according to the text in question. The book will consist of an explanation of the thinking process, planning processes and decision-making processes of a director working on a real or imaginary production. The following elements will normally be included:
1. Introduction – explaining reasons for choice of play, concepts and stylistic considerations
2. Identification of appropriate performance venues and discussion of the impact on the envisaged production and on the rehearsal process
3. Design choices including appropriate explanation and visual supporting material
4. Research methods and results
5. Casting choices with examples
6. Music choices with examples
7. Artistic collaboration (choreographer, lighting, design, sound design etc.) – considerations and issues
8. Detailed director's commentary opposite each page of the play text.
The Director's Production Workbook must be presented as two Sections. Section 1 deals with points 1-6 above. Section 2 deals with points 7 and 8 as a commentary alongside each individual page of printed text. In effect, the dissertation by director's production logbook is a complete, imagined, detailed production on paper.
There must be a Bibliography at the end of the Dissertation and Appendices containing relevant additional material which do not contribute to the word count.
This Dissertation by Director's Production Workbook may be undertaken at any time provided that the student has successfully completed 120 credits of taught postgraduate modules. As this is a modular degree the submission date will be individually negotiated with the student. Two copies, double-spaced and typed, must be submitted by the due date which will be set by the Head of Programme.
NB In general, a Dissertation by Director's Production Workbook is only likely to reach Distinction level if, in addition to the usual standards expected, it demonstrates originality and attention to full, visual realisation of the play. The quality of the presentation of the material is important in this consideration. The students may create their own costume and set designs or work with a theatre designer. In this second instance, the student must give a full explanation of the brief given to the designer and fully credit every aspect of the designer's contribution.
Aims:
This module is designed to allow student opportunities to demonstrate an in-depth practical knowledge of and skill in theatre directing.
The Dissertation by Director’s Production Workbook consists of a complete workbook for a play that has been agreed in advance with the supervising tutor. The word length will vary according to the text in question. The book will consist of an explanation of the thinking process, planning processes and decision-making processes of a director working on a real or imaginary production.
The Director’s Production Workbook must be presented as two Sections. Section 1 deals with points 1-6 above. Section 2 deals with points 7 and 8 as a commentary alongside each individual page of printed text. In effect, the dissertation by director’s production logbook is a complete, imagined, detailed production on paper.
There must be a Bibliography at the end of the Dissertation and Appendices containing relevant additional material which do not contribute to the word count.
This Dissertation by Director’s Production Workbook may be undertaken at any time provided that the student has successfully completed 120 credits of taught postgraduate modules. As this is a modular degree the submission date will be individually negotiated with the student. Two copies, double-spaced and typed, must be submitted by the due date which will be set by the Head of Programme.
NB In general, a Dissertation by Director’s Production Workbook is only likely to reach Distinction level if, in addition to the usual standards expected, it demonstrates originality and attention to full, visual realisation of the play. The quality of the presentation of the material is important in this consideration. The students may create their own costume and set designs or work with a theatre designer. In this second instance, the student must give a full explanation of the brief given to the designer and fully credit every aspect of the designer’s contribution.
1. Introduction – explaining reasons for choice of play, concepts and stylistic considerations
2. Identification of appropriate performance venues and discussion of the impact on the envisaged production and on the rehearsal process
3. Design choices including appropriate explanation and visual supporting material
4. Research methods and results
5. Casting choices with examples
6. Music choices with examples
7. Artistic collaboration (choreographer, lighting, design, sound design etc.) – considerations and issues
8. Detailed director's commentary opposite each page of the play text.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Additional coursework information
12,000 word Written Dissertation 100%
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
100 per cent Coursework Mark
Reassessment
100 per cent Coursework Mark
Module supervisor and teaching staff
No
No
No
Ms Jennifer Stephens
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Prof Robert Swain
Birkbeck
Professor
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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