Module Identifier PFM0520  
Module Title PRACTICE INTO PRODUCTION  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Professor Richard Gough  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Ms Jill Greenhalgh, Professor Mike Pearson  
Pre-Requisite PFM0130 , PFM0230 , PFM0410  
Course delivery Practical   Production sessions (devising and rehearsal): 30 x 3 hours = 90 contact hours. Production sessions (final rehearsals and presentation): 10 x 3 hours = 30 hours  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Report 2,000 words. A reflection upon processes and procedures employed in creating and staging the production and upon personal functioning. Submission: late May  40%
Semester Assessment Presentation Contribution to process. Participation in devised and staging of production monitored by production director and external observation. Submission: late April. This presentation will be videoed for scrutiny by the external examiner and departmental records. Assessment of this assignment will include procedures of disaggregation 60%
Supplementary Assessment Resit Resit through 3,000 word written essay in the form of critical analysis of process. (Supplementary written assessment requires appreciation of the issues embedded in the module in a manner that conforms closely to stated learning outcomes).60%
Supplementary Assessment Resit Resit through 2,000 word written essay Resits of assignments when necessary and in accordance with the conditions and timetable set by the university. 40%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able:
1. to demonstrate a mature ability to participate effectively in structured production environment
2. to display responsibility for self and peer group management and functioning within a professional, creative situation
3. to reflect in an analytical manner upon a range of creative processes implicated in performance making
4. to reflect effectively upon their contribution, using developed skills, in advanced technical and professional activity
5. to observe and notate in a sophisticated, structured and informed manner the effectiveness of complex production methodologies
6. to engage in mature self-reflection in response to peer group evaluation

Aims

The aim of this module is:
a) to provide an opportunity for students to encounter and experience professional practice in the creation of a devised performance under the direction of staff and/or guest directors.
b) to develop students' ability to participate in - and contribute to - professional working situations
c) to encourage students to take responsibility for their own practical work with a directed context
d) to develop students' ability to observe, reflect upon and to critique their own practical work and to respond to peer evaluation and critique

Brief description

This is a practical production module that involves the creation of a devised performance of at least 60 minutes duration under the direction of members of staff and/or guest directors conceived, produced and performed in relation to a given theme or body of material at a specific site or location. This module serves as a preparatory module for work undertaken in PFM0660.

After an initial trajectory favouring self-produced work particularly in module PFM0230, this module introduces students to distinctive- and dogmatic - professional practices and procedures of production: approaches to concept, devising and exposition in the public domain. This is viewed as an important teaching and learning experience to inform and inspire work on the assignments of PFM0660.

Content

Each production will include 10 working sessions of 3 hours per session for 3 working weeks within which a performance is devised and rehearsed under the direction and supervision of a member of staff.

In 10 working session of 3 hours in Week 4 the performance will be prepared for presentation and staged.

Individual contribution to the process will be continuously monitored by the production director and in 10 sessions of observation of 1 hour by an independent member of staff.

Module Skills

Problem_solving Creation of devised performance in group context.  
Research skills Participation in production procedures appropriate for successful completion of PFM0660  
Communication Development and assessment of effective participation in group context  
Improving own Learning and Performance Involvement in and assessment of participation in professional context.  
Team work Involvement in and assessment of participation in group context.  
Personal Development and Career planning Involvement and assessment of participation in professional context.  
Subject Specific Skills The module may result in the acquisition of specific theatrical technique such as the basics of a particular Indian dance form leading to high level embodied knowledge.  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Brecht, S (1978) The Theatre of Visions: Robert Wilson Frankfurt: Suhrkamp
Foreman, R (1992) Unbalancing Acts: Foundations for a Theater New York: Pantheon
Foster, S, L. (1996) Corporealities Routledge
George, A (2003) art, lies and videotape: exposing performance London: Tate
Giannachi, G and Luckhurst, M (1999) On Directing: interviews with directors London: Faber & Faber
Goulish, M et al (1997 & 2000) Goat Island: School Books 1 and 2 Self-published
Jones, A (1998) Body Art Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press
Jones, A and Stephenson, A (1999) Performing the body; performing the text Routledge
Kastner, J and Wallis B (1998) Land and Environment Art London: Phaidon
Kaye, Nick (1996) Art into Theatre, performance Interviews and Documents Amsterdam: Harwood Academic
Kemp, M and Wallace, M (2000) Spectacular Bodies London: Hayward Gallery
Mitter, S (1992) Systems of Rehearsal Routledge
Rosenthal, R (2001) Rachel's brain and other stories London and New York: Continuum
Stitt, A (2001) Small time life London: Black Dog Publishing
Warr, T (2000) The Artist's Body London: Phaidon
Bogart, A (2001) A Director Prepares Routledge

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7