Module Information
Module Identifier
TP25920
Module Title
Acting for Camera
Academic Year
2024/2025
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
Successful completion of Part 1
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Video Portfolio Delivered as a series of vlog postings (Monologue + commentary; Monologue + commentary; Short film 3-6 minutes) | 50% |
| Semester Exam | Group Studio Examination (comprising 2 presentation tasks: 1 pre-prepared, 1 unseen) 90 Minutes | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Video Portfolio Delivered as a series of vlog postings (Monologue + commentary; Dialogue + commentary; critical reflection on performance by an actor in a film or TV production) | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | Individual Examination 20 Minutes | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Provide evidence of their ability to work effectively to realize a series of specific scenes/tasks.
Employ a range of performative techniques and methodologies appropriate to the screen.
Discuss, interpret and critically reflect on a range of processes and performative procedures.
Brief description
The module, which is available only to students registered for Drama schemes within the Department (W400, W402 and WW64) offers students the opportunity to explore the potential of the relationship between performer and camera. As part of a wider portfolio of modules relevant to different aspects of performance it deepens students' capacity to perform in different contexts relevant to the professional environment.
The module is taught through Practical Workshops and Tutorials, including input from guest practitioners (including Departmental Teaching and Honorary Fellows).
The module is taught through Practical Workshops and Tutorials, including input from guest practitioners (including Departmental Teaching and Honorary Fellows).
Aims
To introduce basic skills and techniques required in acting for camera
To introduce elements of practical work on camera as practised in the film and television industry
To allow students to develop a critical perspective on acting for camera
To introduce and/or apply basic skills in camera work and video editing, as required for the modular assignments
To introduce elements of practical work on camera as practised in the film and television industry
To allow students to develop a critical perspective on acting for camera
To introduce and/or apply basic skills in camera work and video editing, as required for the modular assignments
Content
Workshop: Introduction
Workshop: Characterisation
Tutorial: Editing your Video Footage
Workshop: Blocking with Actors
Workshop: Staging a Scene
Guest Practitioner Workshop: Dialogues
Workshop: Tempo-Rhythm
Tutorial: Reviewing scenes
Tutorial: Reviewing scenes
Tutorial: Exam preparation
The module will be assessed through submission of a Video Portfolio which involve creative and critical tasks. Students will be expected to demonstrate and reflect on the skills and exercises introduced to them and tested by them during the practitioner-led Workshops.
The Practical Examination for the module will be presented in the Department’s R. Gerallt Jones television studio, and will require the students to work in small groups to present two dramatic scenes on camera. The first will be a set scene in a realistic style. The text of the scene will be allotted at the end of the teaching term and the script posted on Blackboard in order to allow them to prepare their performances according to a sequence of given shots. The second scene will be somewhat simpler in its demands, but will be given to the students at very short notice: the shooting script (laying out the sequence of shots required for the scene) will be given only in the Examination itself. This will test the students’ ability to adapt and apply the skills which they will have acquired during the course of the module.
Workshop: Characterisation
Tutorial: Editing your Video Footage
Workshop: Blocking with Actors
Workshop: Staging a Scene
Guest Practitioner Workshop: Dialogues
Workshop: Tempo-Rhythm
Tutorial: Reviewing scenes
Tutorial: Reviewing scenes
Tutorial: Exam preparation
The module will be assessed through submission of a Video Portfolio which involve creative and critical tasks. Students will be expected to demonstrate and reflect on the skills and exercises introduced to them and tested by them during the practitioner-led Workshops.
The Practical Examination for the module will be presented in the Department’s R. Gerallt Jones television studio, and will require the students to work in small groups to present two dramatic scenes on camera. The first will be a set scene in a realistic style. The text of the scene will be allotted at the end of the teaching term and the script posted on Blackboard in order to allow them to prepare their performances according to a sequence of given shots. The second scene will be somewhat simpler in its demands, but will be given to the students at very short notice: the shooting script (laying out the sequence of shots required for the scene) will be given only in the Examination itself. This will test the students’ ability to adapt and apply the skills which they will have acquired during the course of the module.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Communication | Communication is key to the learning experience. Students will be expected to input into discussions in workshop situations and will compile a portfolio of reflective material in response to their learning on the module. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will review their performance at intervals as the module progresses and will offer an account of this accumulative learning in the summative portfolio. |
| Information Technology | Students will be expected to engage with online sources and electronic sources in the usual way. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will acquire skills that will enhance their future employability and will form part of their career planning. |
| Problem solving | Students will develop an awareness of particular performative challenges and problems whilst working on scenes and performance extracts. The resolution of such challenges is key to student success. |
| Research skills | Students are expected to refer to a wide and disparate range of sources whilst exploring performative techniques, methodologies and models. |
| Subject Specific Skills | The module will help the students to develop subject specific skills, as laid out in sections 5.2 (Making, creating and performing) and 5.3 (Critical response/analysis) of the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Drama, Dance and Performing Arts. . Specifically, the module will help the students: to develop a repertoire of interpretative skills, practices and making techniques (physical/aural/spatial) and applying them effectively to engage with an audience/performance; to make records of performance, using skills and technologies in notation and/or documentation; to take responsibility as individual artists whether working independently or within a group for creative decision making; and to develop a repertoire of interpretative skills, practices and techniques (physical/aural/spatial) and applying them effectively to engage with an audience. |
| Team work | Developing an understanding of the key principles of team work is key to the module. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5