• Home
• Study
• Study Information
• Modules
• Module Information

Practice II: Technical Specialisation

Module description

This module will provide you with an opportunity to increase your knowledge of lighting, sound or stage management. You will develop skills and knowledge through practice, discussion, and interviews with practitioners. You can expect a wide range of learning formats, such as lectures, seminars, demonstrations, and field trips. There is a strong emphasis on independent research and learning. You will work in a production capacity with students who are taking another practice-based module. You will be assessed on a presentation you will give as well as the submission of a portfolio that documents your work in the module.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module, which builds on DRA2061B Digital Theatrecrafts, aims to consolidate knowledge in a chosen technical area and to extend practical, intellectual and creative ability through self-led investigation and practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate expertise in a particular technical area involved in live event production, such as lighting, sound, or stage management
• 2. Present and negotiate creative designs and ideas, and to translate them into practice, through an organised working process, within given time and budget constraints
• 3. Assess technical components of production work by developing a unique critical apparatus

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Relate to others in theatrical processes and performances; to work effectively with others in small task-orientated groups and to initiate and sustain creative, analytic practical work within strict time limits and to solve a number of specific technical problems and apply that understanding to performance work
• 5. Demonstrate the ability to apply a wide range of library and IT skills in detailed independent research
• 6. Demonstrate the ability to contribute research to small groups in effective presentations, to evaluate visual evidence and to develop advanced confidence in the ability to analyse, critique and manipulate complex material

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Develop advanced personal research skills using personal initiative; to set personal objectives that are linked to a sense of challenge and extending boundaries and to identify and evaluate personal learning strategies that are self critical as much as self reflective
• 8. Proactively follow through the solo provision of technical support to a live event or demonstration, specialising in a chosen area. Required skills include time management, awareness of available resources, negotiation with those with less experience and the ability to manage expectations to ensure a positive outcome
• 9. Develop advanced confidence in technical skills and practical production support, in a variety of contexts and/or with a variety of equipment

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Mixed-mode learning activities (e.g. demonstrations, seminars, lectures, field trips) in line with the students’ particular learning objectives)
• Liaising with students on another studio-based module
• Working in a practical capacity with students on another studio-based module
• Presentations and portfolio-work

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

In conjunction with the convenor each student devises a personal reading and research programme.

A wide range of technical and practical texts are available in the Library covering Lighting, Sound, Stage Management and all areas of entertainment technology.

• Light (Readings in Theatre Practice), Scott Palmer (2013)
• Sound: A Reader in Theatre Practice, Ross Brown (2009)
• Stage Management: The Essential Handbook, Gail Pallin (2010)

In addition, the following journals and magazines are available:

• Lighting & Sound International magazine
• Live Design magazine
• The Stage

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• Website to accompany module: http://www.theatrecrafts.com
• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11171
  

Key words search

Theatre technology, lighting, sound, stage, performance