Module Information

Module Identifier
TP11620
Module Title
Making Scenography (Studio)
Academic Year
2014/2015
Co-ordinator
Mr Richard Dalby Downing
Semester
Semester 1
Co-Requisite
TP11020
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Practical 20 x 2hr workshops
Other 7 x 1hr performance viewings / video screenings
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 1. Research Folio: Present a collation of research documents  pertaining to five independent research investigations set by the course tutors.  50%
Semester Assessment 2. Studio Presentation:  50%
Supplementary Assessment Assessment 1 may be re-submitted within the relevant re-sit period.   50%
Supplementary Assessment Assessment 2: An essay (2,500 words) plus supporting visual  material, as appropriate, presenting a hypothetical resolution of the set task.  50%

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the practices and practitioners studied on the module;

2. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and place the work in an appropriate context;

3. Demonstrate the ability to apply theoretical and historical knowledge whilst discussing practice-based work;

4. Demonstrate appropriate understanding of the nature of theatre-making as an intellectual and aesthetic practice.

Brief description

In TP11620 students are invited, through practical explorations and workshops, to look broadly at the ways in which space, time, light, sound, object, colour and form may be woven together to impact upon, and communicate with, the spectator. The module is studio-based and will pay particular attention to the construction, de-construction and reconstruction of sound and image material in studio conditions. The two sets of weekly workshops will therefore explore both a breadth of context (workshop 1) and the development of specific skills in the making and handling of light, sound, costume, projection, etc (workshop 2). These explorations are further informed by independent research into the work of significant practitioners within the field, and supported by the presentation (through live performance or documentary film) of influential, contemporary, scenographic practice. The experiments, research and creative achievements of TP11620 aim to open up the possibilities of scenography (literally, 'space drawing') for students interested in design as a vital element in the making of theatre, performance, or related, free-standing artworks.

Aims

Specifically, the aims of this proposed module are:

  • To introduce a range of key scenographic concepts, practices and approaches.
  • To engage students within a range of methods and modes of enquiry, including practical explorations and an individual process of research.
  • To foster skills of personal organisation and management necessary for the effective conduct of individual and group tasks of enquiry.
  • To introduce key practical skills employed in the generation and communication of basic scenographic ideas.
  • To introduce notions of critical analysis of practice.

Content

10 x 2 hour workshops (context), looking broadly at the function and possibility of space, time, light, sound, object and body.

7 X 1 hour seminar/screenings examining examples of significant, contemporary scenographic practice.

10 x 2 hour practical workshops (skills) focused upon the handling of scenographic elements including light, sound, costume and image material.


Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Application of number may be necessary for the development of proposed ideas, but this element is not overtly addressed or assessed.
Communication The individual student's ability to articulate and communicate their ideas and opinions is developed across the duration of the module. This area of development is encouraged and assessed within all aspects of the processes and presentations involved, and the assessment forms recognize effective communication across written, verbal and visual material.
Improving own Learning and Performance Self-regulation, motivation and time-management are demanded to maintain engagement with the development of the course and the completion of its concomitant assessed assignments. Assessment procedure recognizes effective self-management and self-motivation.
Information Technology Skills of information handling are not formally assessed, but are exercised through the conduct of research, presentation processes, and the collation of materials within research folios.
Personal Development and Career planning The module encourages the initial development of skills directly applicable to careers within cultural (particularly theatre/performance) industries. Further transferable skills (project planning and execution, the development of personal creative initiatives) are also developed through the completion of assessment tasks, though careers need awareness does not of itself constitute an assessed element.
Problem solving Creative problem solving, outcome recognition, and the identification of appropriate strategies and procedures, are encouraged and assessed across the duration of the module.
Research skills Appropriate personal research, and the development of effective personal research practices, are directly assessed through the development and presentation of the research folio.
Subject Specific Skills The development and articulation of scenographic ideas through two, three and four dimensional representation are subject specific skills which are both exercised and assessed.
Team work Group working is addressed and exercised throughout the module. Practical classes demand the application of skills necessary to conduct successful collaborative activity. Elements of the assessment relate directly to the development and employment of such skills.

Reading List

Essential Reading
Baugh, Christopher (2005) Theatre, Performance and Technology: The Development of Technology in the Twentieth Century Palgrave Macmillan Primo search Berger, John (1998) Ways of Seeing Penguin Primo search Collins, Jane and Nisbet, Andrew (2010) Theatre and Performance in Design: a Reader in Sceonography Routledge Primo search Goldberg, RoseLee (2001) Performance Art Thames and Hudson Primo search Holmberg, Arthur (2000) The Theatre of Robert Wilson Cambridge University Press Primo search McKinney, Joslin and Butterworth, Phillip (2009) The Cambridge Introduction to Scenography Cambridge University Press Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4