FT1ES-Exploring the Studio

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: only available for FTT joint honours programmes
Co-requisites: FT1ATP Analysing Theatre and Performance or FT1ATF Approaches to Film
Modules excluded: FT1ITF Introduction to Filmmaking and FT1TSP TV Studio Production and FT1STP Staging Texts: Playwriting, Design and Performance and FT1DP Devising Performance: Politics and Citizenship
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Teresa Murjas
Email: t.s.murjas@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module offers you the experience of developing creative practical work, working in small teams. It introduces you to relevant facilities and equipment, processes of practical group work, and exploring howÌýmeaning is created in cultural media. This module isÌýfocused on the creative possibilities in the Film/TV Studio, a space which calls for projects that draw both on elements of staging a live performance and filming for the screen, involving decision-making processes concerning scripting, set design, costume, make up, lighting and/or sound. So, this module is suitable for you whether you have a particular interest in film, television and/or theatre.

Aims:

This module aims to give students experience of developing and devising creative practical work, introducing processes of group work and exploring in practice some of the ways in which meaning is created in cultural media. Drawing on the concepts, critical issues and discussions developed in the other modules of the degree, this module will give students a common vocabulary for the discussion of and critical reflection on practical work, which will prepare them for more advanced creative practice opportunities in Parts 2 and 3.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• work effectively in small teams in order to plan and then to produce creative practical projects;


• demonstrate through practical projects and critical reflection that they have drawn on their studies in the other modules to inform the planning, realisation and documentation of creative practical research;


• demonstrate a critical awareness of the effects of diff erent kinds of decision-making in creative practice and the interaction of various areas of decision-making in the construction of meaning; and thereby:


• articulate their understanding of practice as a means of exploring critical issues and articulating critical understanding;


• document, analyse and critically reflect on processes and products of creative practical projects, drawing on appropriate critical frames of reference and research;


• operate th e Film/TV Studio and all relevant equipment safely and efficiently.

Additional outcomes:

The module plays a significant role in the development of other skills and competencies which are central to the course. It is expected that the level of skills and competencies achieved in the following will be appropriate to the level of study: collaboration and leadership; appropriate deployment of research using printed and electronic resources; critical analysis and coherent argument, both individually and collectively; undertaking self-directed, independent work; presentation of written work using IT; identifying and addressing problems in the analysis of film, television and/or theatre; creative deployment of technology in the development and presentation of analysis.

Outline content:

The module consists of structured and developing group projects. At each stage practical work is informed by critical reading and engaged with via critical analysis (oral and/or written). This requires students to reflect on their creative decision-making and to relate their own work to wider practices and critical concepts.



The module begins with a foundational project designed to establish a common vocabulary for the discussion of and critical reflection on practica l work, as well as relevant Health and Safety practices. The module then extends students’ experience of creative practical work through more developed projects that allow students to follow their interests and focus on the creative decision-making for either elements of staging a live performance or for filming for the