Production Arts National Diploma

Vocational qualification

In Cirencester

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Vocational qualification

  • Location

    Cirencester

This is a two year course involving approximately 15 taught hours per week. The course is largely practical and production-driven however there are written assignments and essays or reports and you will be expected to keep production portfolios. There is an emphasis on enabling you to develop all-round vocational skills and there is likely to also be the opportunity to specialise in a specific.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Cirencester (Gloucestershire)
See map
Fosse Way Campus Stroud Road, GL7 1XA

Start date

On request

About this course

You will have at least 4 GCSEs at grade C. At least THREE must be from : English Language or Literature/Humanities (History,Geography,RS,Sociology,Psychology)/Business/Science (Core and Additional OR triple)/Maths. Alternatively you will have a DISTINCTION in a Level 2 Diploma OR an NVQ2 OR a CACHE Cert.

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Course programme


Production Arts National Diploma
A practical theatre production course (sometimes known as a Btec in Production Arts) that gives you hands-on experience of working in the Sundial Theatre and out on tour, allowing you to gain backstage and technical experience in lighting, sound, set design and stage management.

What does the course involve?
This is a two year course involving approximately 15 taught hours per week. The course is largely practical and production-driven however there are written assignments and essays or reports and you will be expected to keep production portfolios. There is an emphasis on enabling you to develop all-round vocational skills and there is likely to also be the opportunity to specialise in a specific area of production that interests you. You will work closely with the technical director of the theatre working to support our student productions and possibly some professional shows in a variety of capacities. You will be expected to work evenings and weekends on occasions. The Sundial Theatre has excellent facilities and is used by a broad cross-section of professional touring companies and artistes.

What will I study?
The courses are modular and assessed through five core units, one of which is double-weighted, and twelve specialist units focused on different production skills:.

Core Units (compulsory): Performing Arts Production Workshop, Performing Arts Production Planning (double), Production for Theatre Performance, Performing Arts Business, The Historical Context of Performance.

Specialist Units (twelve of these): Arts in the Community, Performing Arts Event Management, Assistant Stage Management, Deputy Stage Management, Stage Management, Stage Technical Maintenance, Technical Stage Operations, Stage Lighting Operations, Stage Lighting Design, Automated Stage Lighting, Stage Sound Operations, Stage Sound Design, Scenic Construction for the Stage, Working Freelance in Performing and Production Arts, Stage Design for Performance, Stage Model Making, Developing Costume Design, Mask Making, Puppet Design, Prop Making, Basic Make-up Design and Application, Special Effects Make-up.

How is the course assessed? Assessment is on-going throughout the course. There are no final exams. You need to pass eighteen units in order to achieve the Diploma qualification. Each unit has a different set of assessment criteria however in general, assessment is carried out through a practical test or demonstration and written assignments.

What else do I need to know?
What will it lead to?
The course is recognised as being equivalent to 3 A levels although it may be possible to take one additional AS subject as well. Many students go on to study for an HND or BA degree in a related subject whilst others go straight into employment in theatre, live event companies, education, community arts events, the music industry and the tourist industry. Some of our students have progressed to prestigious drama schools for further training specialising in a backstage discipline.

What other costs are there?
Supplementary Costs
Band B (£50 - £150)

Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours a week will I be taught?
There are fifteen formal taught hours per week however you will be required to spend time outside lessons and outside normal college hours working on productions.

Will I need to be available for out-of-College hours?
Yes, this is essential if you are to get a training using the Sundial Theatre, which is a professional venue. As you will be working in a professional environment on a vocational course as part of a technical team you will need to make yourself available.

What sort of productions will I be involved in?
The Production students form a technical team who assist all the shows produced by the college, as well as some visiting productions by professional companies and artistes. We produce roughly six major productions each year and up to twenty-five small-scale student productions: a large Christmas show, a full scale summer musical, touring shows, large dance shows, student productions and a variety of dance and musical events.

What equipment will I need?
Essential: Hardback A4 notebook, Maglite torch. Desirable: digital camera, a basic toolkit: adjustable spanner, 17mm spanner, screwdriver set, pliers.

What facilities do you have?
The Sundial Theatre, our main house, offers a flexible performance space with a retractable raked seating rack for 220 and a full scale lighting rig; a studio space that can seat 50 with a basic rig for small-scale productions and training; a recording booth for sound; radio mics; an multi-way intercom stage management post; two zero 88 Frog series lighting desks; a large stock of generic lanterns; six moving head automated lanterns.

Can I be assessed when I am carrying out a role on a production?
Yes! The course is vocational and much of your learning will be informed by practical experience. The majority of the assessment for the course is carried out in relation to productions.
Exam Board = EDEXCEL

This information is believed to be correct. Cirencester College continually updates and reviews its provision to ensure that it meets the needs of the community. Therefore the right to amend, change or delete learning programmes, accreditation routes or terms and conditions relating to entitlement to study is reserved at all times. We aim to provide open access to a comprehensive range of high quality education and training for the whole community over the age of 16 regardless of race, class, belief, language, gender, sexual orientation, disability, previous educational attainment or particular circumstances.

Production Arts National Diploma

Price on request