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Study information

Practice II: Technical Specialisation

Module titlePractice II: Technical Specialisation
Module codeDRA3011
Academic year2025/6
Credits30
Module staff

Mr Jon Primrose (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

18

Module description

This practical independent research module will provide you with an opportunity to increase your knowledge of lighting, sound or stage management. There is no formal taught component to this module. Rather, you will develop skills and knowledge through practice, discussion, and interviews with practitioners. Your primary mode of learning will be by practical assignments, agreed in consultation with the module tutor. Assignments might include practical experiments, demonstrations, exhibitions, and/or reports. Where appropriate (and agreed with the tutor) you may also arrange a relevant work placement during this module. You are, therefore, expected to be self-motivated in learning from available specialists with the Department, the Northcott Theatre and elsewhere. Alongside developing your own practice and research skills, your learning will be supported by  a wide range of  formats, such as lectures, seminars, and demonstrations.  You will be assessed on a presentation you will give as well as the submission of a portfolio that documents your practical work in the module.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module, which builds on DRA2061B Digital Theatrecrafts, aims to help you consolidate knowledge in a chosen technical area and to extend practical, intellectual and creative ability through self-led investigation and practice. Your own practical research will be developed through the creation of a clear research question or objective aim. Your ability to problem solve and problem find will be developed through your independent practice. Your presentation skills will be developed through the various learning formats as well as the final assessment.

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. Solve a number of specific technical problems and apply that understanding to performance work
  • 5. Contribute research to small groups in effective presentations, evaluate visual evidence and 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...

  • 6. Demonstrate advanced personal research skills using personal initiative
  • 7. Demonstrate 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) 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)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
142860

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching8Lectures, seminars, research project sessions
Scheduled Learning and teaching6Individual Tutorials
Guided independent study286Preparation, practice, interviews

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Practical WorkContingent on the form of practice agreed with convenor - 20 minutes1-4, 7Oral
Rehearsal presentation20 minutes1-6Oral

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Presentation3020 minutes1-6Written
Portfolio containing write-up of the results of practical assignments, technical plans, layout diagrams, photographs etc. as appropriate to the chosen focus703000 words plus relevant technical plans etc.1-7Written

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Presentation (20 minutes)Presentation (30%)1-6Referral/Deferral period
Portfolio (3000 words plus relevant technical plans etc.)Portfolio (70%)1-7Referral/Deferral period

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.
 
• Palmer, S. (2013) Light, NY: Palgrave Macmillan
• Brown, R, (2009) Sound, NY: Palgrave Macmillan
• Pallin, G. (2010) Stage Management: The Essential Handbook, London: Nick Hern
 
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

Key words search

Theatre technology, lighting, sound, stage, performance

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

Module pre-requisites

DRA2061B or equivalent experience as determined by Drama DoE

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

2016

Last revision date

05/02/2025