brief - unit 68 theatre directing

MISKIN THEATRE BTEC LEVEL 4 HNC IN PERFORMING ARTS (QCF)

2015 – 2016

MISKIN THEATRE BTEC LEVEL 4 HNC IN PERFORMING ARTS 2015 – 2016 BRIEF IV’D:

Qualification Unit Number And Title

Pearson BTEC HNC In Performing Arts Unit 68: Theatre Directing

Actor Name Assessor Name

Date Issued Completion Date Submitted On

LO Learning Outcomes (LO) AC Assessment Criteria For A Pass Task Evidence

LO1 Understand how theatre directing has developed into its contemporary form and range.

1.1 Critically evaluate significant practitioners and movements in the development of theatre directing.

1 Logbook, Observation

1.2 Explain the way in which theatre directing can respond to a cultural and social context.

1 Observation, Scrapbook, Video

1.3 Critically assess the work of contemporary theatre directors, defining their work in detail.

1 Observation, Blog,

LO2 Understand the role, skills and methods of a theatre director.

2.1 Explain the role of a theatre director. 2 Observation, Blog

2.2 Evaluate the skills that a theatre director needs.

2 Observation, Blog, Video

2.3 Justify methods used in theatre directing.

2 Observation, Blog, Video

LO3 Be able to work with an ensemble in the rehearsal and realisation of a performance.

3.1 Create and sustain a productive working relationship with performers.

3 Observation, Video, Logbook

3.2 Select and justify rehearsal methods that prepare performers for a particular performance style or text.

3 Observation, Video, Logbook

LO4 Be able to realise and evaluate a performance.

4.1 Direct a production within given constraints.

4 Video, Observation

4.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of the process and performance and produce strategies for development.

4 Logbook, Observation, Video

Assignment Title Director’s Showcase

Actor Declaration

I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully acknowledged.

Actor’s Signature: Date:


2015 – 2016


In Addition To The Above PASS Criteria, This Assignment Gives You The Opportunity To Submit Evidence In Order To Achieve The Following MERIT and DISTINCTION Grades

Grade Descriptor Indicative Characteristic/s Contextualisation

M1 Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions.

An effective approach to study and research has been applied.

Detailed and elaborate research from a mixture of primary and secondary sources has been conducted and reflected within the work.

M2 Select/design and apply appropriate methods and techniques.

Relevant theories and techniques have been applied.

A range of techniques, styles, practices, have been applied to workshops and have contributed to the generation and evolution of material.

M3 Present and communicate appropriate findings.

The communication is appropriate for familiar and unfamiliar audiences and appropriate media have been used.

Communication is altered to suit the needs of all actors and information is delivered effectively so that all intended outcomes are met.

D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions.

Realistic improvements have been proposed against defined characteristics for success.

Developments and changes to the work have been made by the ‘director’ and all improvements have been fully justified.

D2 Take responsibility for managing and organising activities.

Substantial activities, projects or investigations have been planned, managed and organised.

Workshops and rehearsals have been fully planned, managed and organised without aid.

D3 Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking.

Effective thinking has taken place in unfamiliar contexts.

Rehearsal practices and techniques have been effectively altered to suit the changing needs of the actor.


2015 – 2016


Assignment Brief

Unit Number And Title Unit 68: Theatre Directing

Qualification Pearson BTEC HNC In Performing Arts

Start Date

Performance Date

Logbook/Scrapbook Deadline

Tutorial Dates

Assessor

Assignment Title Director’s Showcase

Purpose Of This Assignment The aim of this project is to enable actors to understand the role of the theatre director in the realisation of performance and to explore the history of directing as well as contemporary methods and approaches.

Scenario The Tristian Bates Theatre is holding a showcase event for actors on Friday 1st April. This will be the perfect opportunity for actors to showcase their talents to potential agents and drama schools. Unfortunately the director of the showcase has been taken ill and Harry Kinsley (Operations Manager at the Tristian Bates Theatre) has contacted you to stand in for the role of director and make sure the material is ready on time. After meeting your actors you will need to direct their performance material in preparation for the show. A preview night will be held at the Miskin Theatre on the 23rd March so that any issues can be resolved before performance night.

Task 1: (LO1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3) (M1) You are required to understand how theatre directing has developed into its contemporary form and range. You will be assessed on the evidence you provide for the following tasks.

Research Jerzy Grotowski, Vsevolod Meyerhold and Peter Brook. Use your research to write an 800 word document comparing and contrasting the impact they have had on the industry. (1.1)

Choose a theatre director currently working within the industry. Research their theories, methods and recent work. Explain in detail how their work is having an impact on society today. (1.3)

Read and research an article in the news that you’re particularly passionate about. Decide how you, as a theatre director, would respond to the issues raised in the article. Present your idea to your fellow company members in a creative way indicating how your response will:


2015 – 2016


1. Address, challenge and affect the issues raised in the article.

2. Impact target groups and provoke a social response. (1.2)

To achieve M1, detailed and elaborate research from a mixture of primary and secondary sources will have been conducted and discoveries will be reflected within the work.

Task 2: (LO2: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) You will need to understand the role, skills and methods of a theatre director. You will be assessed on the evidence you provide for the following tasks.

Engage in a company discussion/debate about the role, requirements and responsibilities of a theatre director. (2.1)

Adopt the characteristics of an influential theatre director/practitioner and be interviewed about the skills needed to be a theatre director. Your character must be able to justify the methods used in theatre directing. (2.2, 2.3)

Engage in weekly discussions on the blog site that evaluate your progression as a theatre director and the skills you need. (2.2)

Task 3: (LO3: 3.1, 3.2) (M2, M3, D2, D3) You must be able to work with an ensemble in the rehearsal and realisation of a performance. You will be assessed on the evidence you provide for the following tasks.

Select appropriate exercises for rehearsals and lead your group of actors in workshops that prepare them for the final presentation. (3.2)

Select and justify appropriate material and cast actors in appropriate roles that suit their ability. (3.2)

Create and sustain a productive working relationship with performers ensuring that all actors understand your role within the process. (3.1)

To achieve M2, a range of techniques, styles, practices, will be applied to workshops and will contribute to the generation and evolution of material. To achieve M3, the ‘director’s’ communication is altered to suit the needs of all actors and information is delivered effectively so that all intended outcomes are met. To achieve D2, workshops and rehearsals will be fully planned, managed and organised without aid. To achieve D3, rehearsal practices and techniques will have been effectively altered to suit the changing needs of the actor.

Task 4: (LO4: 4.1, 4.2) (D1)


2015 – 2016


You are expected to realise and evaluate your performance. You will be assessed on the evidence you provide for the following tasks.

Direct a group of actors on a selection of chosen monologues. (4.1)

Write an overall evaluation of the process and performance highlighting its effectiveness. (4.2)

Write a personal action plan highlighting your weaknesses and construct strategies for development as a director. (4.2)

To achieve D1, developments and changes to the work will be made by the ‘director’ and all improvements will be fully justified.


2015 – 2016


The Outcome And Result Of Performance In Practical

Summary Of Evidence Required By Actor

Evidence Presented

Task 1 Actors Logbook. Director Observation. Scrapbook. Video Footage. Company Blog Site.

Task 2 Director Observation. Company Blog Site. Video Footage.

Task 3 Director Observation. Video Footage. Actors Logbook.

Task 4 Director Observation. Video Footage. Actors Logbook.

Sources Of Information

Origins: foundations of directing; previous artistic context; rise of realism; practitioner’s eg. Duke of Saxe-

Meiningen, Antoine, Reinhard; twentieth century developments in directing eg. Meyerhold, Brecht, Grotowski, Brook Context: the social, political, cultural and historical context; responses to events and constraints eg Russian

Revolution, wars, disasters, political events, censorship; influence of artistic style and design eg cubism, Craig; technical innovations eg lighting, stage machinery Contemporary directing: accounts of current context eg post-modernism, choreographic theatre; defining new

audiences; practitioners; working directors eg Tim Etchells, RobertLepage, Simon McBurney, Katie Mitchell, Mark Rylance, Deborah Warner Role: place in creative team; design and technical briefs; liaison with producers, funders and venues; overall

‘vision’ Skills: personal organisation; preparation and research; rehearsal management and production scheduling;

management of resources; use of director’s working log Methods: Integration of influences into work; articulation of vision; approaches to text and meaning; development

of production and timing Working with performers: understanding how people and groups work; sustaining a supportive working

environment; preparing performers for physical and cognitive work on the text; having knowledge of the techniques and work of other artists Rehearsals: linking working methods to overall vision and needs of production; working safely with regard to

needs and limitations of cast; giving over of ownership to creative team and cast Coherence and communication: clarity, integrity, consistency and meaning of performed piece of theatre;

artistic synthesis eg commitment of performers, tempo-rhythm, use of technical resources Working within constraints: use of venue and space; technical resources; budget; playing time; appropriate

use of performers eg casting Reflection and evaluation: critical vocabulary; analysis of self and ensemble in both process and performance;

audience response; collecting data and measuring engagement; awareness of feedback; strategies for growth; identification of skills and techniques for development


2015 – 2016


Achievement Summary

Qualification Pearson BTEC HNC In Performing Arts

Assessor Name

Unit Number And Title

Unit 68: Theatre Directing Actor Name

Higher Grade Achievements (Where Applicable)

Grade Descriptor (Merit)

Achieved? (Tick)

Grade Descriptor (Distinction)

Achieved? (Tick)

M1: Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions.

D1: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions.

M2: Select/design and apply appropriate methods and techniques.

D2: Take responsibility for managing and organising activities.

M3: Present and communicate appropriate findings.

D3: Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking.

Criteria Reference

To Achieve The Criteria The Evidence Must Show That The Actor Is Able To:

Achieved? (Tick)

LO1

1.1 Critically evaluate significant practitioners and movements in the development of theatre directing.

1.2 Explain the way in which theatre directing can respond to a cultural and social context.

1.3 Critically assess the work of contemporary theatre directors, defining their work in detail.

LO2

2.1 Explain the role of a theatre director.

2.2 Evaluate the skills that a theatre director needs.

2.3 Justify methods used in theatre directing.

LO3

3.1 Create and sustain a productive working relationship with performers.

3.2 Select and justify rehearsal methods that prepare performers for a particular performance style or text.

LO4

4.1 Direct a production within given constraints.

4.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of the process and performance and produce strategies for development.


2015 – 2016


Assignment Feedback

Formative Feedback & Observations (Assessor To Actor)

Action Plan (Actor To Assessor)

Summative Feedback

Feedback (Actor To Assessor)

Tasks

Assessor Signature Date

Actor Signature Date

brief - unit 68 theatre directing

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