The Actor's Technique I: Acting I

In this module, you examine the techniques of different practitioners and how to apply their approaches to character and scene. Practitioners studied include Constantin Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov and Sanford Meisner. Through individual and group work, you develop the necessary skills required of a naturalistic Stanislavski-based approach such as improvisation, textual analysis, practical realisation of contemporary text and reflection. Towards the end of the module, you harness the core principles of these techniques to perform a psychologically-driven contemporary text. Movement and voice sessions support your understanding of technique and its application.

This module content is indicative.

The Actor's Technique I: Acting II

This module builds on your learning from the other modules in The Actor’s Technique. You bring together the psychological, physical and vocal techniques you’ve learned so far in varied and challenging naturalistic texts.

You hone your technical application to dramatic texts, in order to understand its application, practicing naturalistic acting preparations, techniques and rehearsal approaches in preparation for the recreation of performance. You present your work in-house, prior to transferring these skills to the screen in Acting for Camera I.

This module content is indicative.

The Actor’s Technique I: Movement & Voice

This module combines and integrates the core acting disciplines of movement and voice, allowing you to develop a working knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and the recognition of your voice as an expressive instrument. You explore the fundamental components of movement and space including weight, tension, effort and rhythm. You improve spinal alignment, flexibility and strength, and begin to work with breath awareness. By focusing on these technical principles, you work towards neutrality and centring, eliminating any tensions to utilise psycho-physical awareness in relation to building character and worlds, and the analysis of voice and sound in differing and challenging spaces.

This module content is indicative.

The Actor’s Technique I: Acting for Camera I

In this module you will work with other creatives on a screen acting scene and familiarise yourself with basic technical screen acting skills. You adopt both on and off-screen technical skills when introduced to the main principles of acting for camera to record dramatic material, recognising key concepts in visual storytelling. You will work with a director, as well as studio producer and technical crew to understand the process of filmmaking, inter-personal working relationships, problem solving and teamwork. You will consistently self-assess, by viewing rushes of your own work and others, working peer-to-peer as well as realising your director’s vision.

This module content is indicative.

Artistic Practice I

This module supports your understanding of the scriptwriter’s intentions and practice, while providing you with the skills to develop your own script and story writing, as well as understanding the construction and theories of narrative and authorship. You practice this craft, working to narrative conventions, script layout and utilsing the vocabulary of visual and audio story telling. You also look at the roles technology and social media play in telling stories in the digital age. To help put your writing work into context, you discover the history of recorded media and explore the relationship between audience, performance space and the act of performance.

This module content is indicative.

Cultural Perspectives I

Through this module, you learn to analyse practitioner approaches and historical acting works. You develop a solid foundation of theoretical, historical, contextual and critical studies which inform your work throughout the course. You investigate acting traditions and examine the evolution of genre, style and practitioner approach. Practical classes link your learning of theorists and philosophies to your technical training in The Actor’s Technique. Finally, you produce a written assignment which enhances your analytical skills and understanding of performance works.

This module content is indicative.

The Professional I

This module is designed to help you achieve sustained work in your chosen profession. You learn about the different elements involved in putting on an event, including planning, budgeting, rights and clearances and digital marketing. By working as part of a small team with students from other subjects to create a one-off event, you learn first-hand about the importance of collaborating and develop essential interpersonal skills including negotiation and persuasion. Through this module, you also learn to reflect on your own personal and professional attributes and skills. This self-development technique stands you in good stead throughout your professional career.

This module content is indicative.

The Actor's Technique II: Advanced Acting

Through this module, you explore advanced acting approaches, investigating style and genre to understand the requirements and demands of specific screen acting styles. You look at developments in dramatic form from contemporary and classical techniques including 20th and 21st century styles, genres, practitioners and methodologies and consider their translation to the screen. You work on rehearsal techniques and focus on the creation of a scene or edited work, applicable to studio-based screen work, such as acting for comedy, sitcom, continuing drama and other screen styles.

This module content is indicative.

The Actor's Technique II: Advanced Movement & Voice

In this module you advance your understanding of movement via classes and workshops, examining the body and physical life of a character in preparation for its application to motion capture and acting for CGI or gaming. You also investigate vocal resonance, range, speech and text. You hone your sight-reading skills as well as musicality, tone, dynamics and textual annotation appropriate to microphone techniques to make studio adjustments and technical adaptations. You analyse and apply your vocal technique in differing contexts, such as audiobook recordings, commercial, ADR for animation, gaming and voiceover working with professional voice coaches.

This module content is indicative.

The Actor’s Process: Acting for Camera II

This module builds on the technical screen acting and camera skills acquired in Acting for Camera I, putting this into practice in a TV studio. You also look at the nature and significance of different roles and communication processes in a studio environment. You explore communication, mass media and audience reception theory and incorporate these into your work. During the module, you participate in the creation of a short programme or film, which is produced in the studio to a small invited audience. You also examine a contemporary industry issue related to your practice to enhance your knowledge and articulacy.

This module content is indicative.

The Actor’s Process: Acting for Camera III

This module is a project-based exploration of VR and motion capture, in which you apply learning from core acting modules, as well as movement and voice, to execute a recorded scene. You adapt and adjust your learned techniques, exploring the nature of audience engagement and reception of VR and motion capture. You collaborate with students from other disciplines, working on group projects to produce a separate VR and motion capture experience, analysing the technical principles of digital performance.

This module content is indicative.

Artistic Practice II

This module offers you the option to continue to develop your writing skills for specific mediums, such as camera and audio or to opt for a pathway in directing, applicable to different media platforms and mediums. You analyse narrative forms, devices and technicalities used in dramatic writing and/or directing with specific considerations for camera and audio. You will consider how to assess and address a target audience, employing performance conventions and how to apply this to script production. Your work in this module includes adapting an existing text and creating short original pieces for camera, audio or a different medium according to a given brief. You may be working as part of a team of writers, as well as in negotiation with students from our making performance possible courses and the module tutor.

This module content is indicative.

Cultural Perspectives II

This module builds on your knowledge of theatre and acting practice within the major artistic, intellectual and critical movements of the modern era. You examine critical theorists, theories and philosophical perspectives on texts, theatrical forms, media, styles and genres. Bringing together research, theory and practice, you then explore these concepts through your practical work in The Actor’s Process. Your learning in this module furthers your understanding of the contextual significance and interpretation of works, writers and artistic creators to enhance your approach to developing characters and worlds.

This module content is indicative.

The Professional II

In this module, you gain the knowledge and skills to plan a project, which will stand you in good stead for creating independent work. You learn how to consider industry demands, promotional tools and initiatives, and analyse audience targets and demographics. You undertake research to produce a career plan and funding options. There is the opportunity to connect your work in this module with your work in Artistic Practice II and project-based work in your third year.

This module content is indicative.

The Actor’s Performance: Media Production I

In this module, you experience the creation and delivery of a screen acting production for a live event or film/TV broadcast, applying advanced techniques and knowledge of studio and location practice whilst working with a recognised, professional director. You adapt the skills you have developed in studio and location filming to the broadcast of a live event or performance, learning about different models of broadcast and their commercial considerations. You work with a team of creatives to employ professional etiquette and working practices, demonstrating a high level of professional discipline and execution.

This module content is indicative.

The Actor’s Performance: Media Production II

Through this module, you consolidate your experience with recorded media, taking part in both the production and performance of a short media project in film, voiceover, radio, ADR or gaming. You collaborate with creatives and are required to engage with digital concepts of artistic value and marketing.

You research and fulfil the pre/post-production requirements and expectations of an assigned role, and work within high-pressured and challenging environments which match the real world. As well as your final, edited media project, you are assessed on your professional engagement and reflective analysis of your work.

This module content is indicative.

The Actor’s Performance: Media Production III

In this module, you assume full responsibility for your own process and production work to meet professional standards. You will work with a director as mentor to produce a digital production of your own creation, providing contrasting material for your developing creative profile and portfolio. Your independent methodology is further tested through self-governed responsibility and engagement with external professionals. You reflect on your process, professionalism and production through a verbal evaluation.

This module content is indicative.

Artistic Practice III

Following on from previous Artistic Practice modules, you advance your development of a complementary discipline or concentrate on an additional skill which supports the creation of original new work as part of our festival, staged outside the building. Again, you receive mentored supervision in your chosen area leading to a live performance event of a multi-disciplinary mixed-media production which showcases your work. Following the event, you reflect on how your additional skills impact on your professional profile, the artistic impact of your work and areas for development and progression.

This module content is indicative.

Cultural Perspectives III: Critical Project (Option)

In this module, you embark on an independent research study to explore an issue which links to your personal interests and ambitions. You are required to submit an initial proposal of your research, which then forms the basis of a 5,000-word research paper. Your paper should examine cultural and historical contexts and perspectives that define textual and theoretical readings in live or recorded media. It should also analyse practitioner approaches and evaluate the creation of performance. This allows you to demonstrate advanced analytical research skills and written communication skills.

This module content is indicative.

Cultural Perspectives III: Practical Project (Option)

This module brings together your practical and research skills to develop a solo practice-as-research project. Your project allows you to demonstrate your ability to work independently and take on responsibility for a project over a period of time. Possible projects include a staged performance, play reading, script submission or a short film. Your work should reflect an awareness of the relevant cultural and historical contexts and respond, through practice, to an appropriate research question.

This module content is indicative.

The Professional III

In this module, you prepare for your next steps after graduation. With links to your performance-based work, you focus on presenting yourself to the industry. You cover essential elements including audition and interview technique, creating a digital showreel, building a website for self-promotion and developing other marketing tools. You are encouraged to improve your entrepreneurial and project/event management skills by taking on a production role in the management of your work in Artistic Practice III.

This module content is indicative.