Design for Theatre, Film & Performance

Course content - 2017 entry

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3

In the first year, teaching and learning is primarily staff-led and emphasis is placed on developing core skills and a sound awareness and understanding of the different spheres of creative craft practice for theatre and film. Areas of study include costume realisation, scenic art construction, props making, puppetry and historical and contextual studies.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry
• View the summary specification for 2017 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules

• Visual Narrative

  An introduction to textual interpretation, the exploration of character, design processes and the practical skills needed to develop designs for live performances. This unit introduces working in scale on design models.

• Creating Spaces for Performance

  Further development of design processes with an emphasis on the skills needed in developing designs to be seen ‘through the lens’. This unit introduces art direction for film and working collaboratively in the full-scale realisation of ideas.

• Toolbox

  You’ll develop an imaginative and exploratory approach to the practical skills needed to make props, costumes and digital interventions for a range of performance contexts. This unit encourages experimentation with varied materials and techniques in a series of workshops to create props and provide a foundation of practical skills in the physical realisation of costumes.

• Cultural Contexts 1

  This unit encourages you to investigate culture and history, providing a philosophical and historical insight into past and present cultures and their ideas, and theoretical frameworks through which to consider art, design and scenography.

This development stage of the course is designed to progressively move you away from course-led teaching and learning towards a more student-directed approach, in which you'll become increasingly self-motivated and develop the skills of an independent learner. You'll be encouraged to develop a specialist area of practice in the design and production of costume, props or sets.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry
• View the summary specification for 2017 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules

• Scenography & Society

  Building on design skills learnt in Year 1, you’ll develop a speculative project in which you’ll draw together ideas about space, narrative, the body and performance. Within this project you’ll begin to develop and express ideas that reflect upon contemporary social and political themes.

• Specialist Practice

  You’ll create a practical project that engages with your chosen specialism at a developed level. Drawing upon the experiences of the course, you’ll be in a position to start to develop your career ambitions and exploit the conceptual and physical skills you’ve acquired.

• Cultural Contexts 2

  A range of critical frameworks deriving from philosophy, art theory, cultural studies and the social sciences are drawn upon in considering the aesthetics, production and consumption of art, design and scenography.

• Professional and Collaborative Practice

  This unit will challenge you to extend your practice through live projects with partners and collaborators, and encourage you to seek work-based project placements that may be practical, design or research led and that align with your specialist interests and career ambitions.

• Study Abroad (optional)

  This optional unit will allow you to spend a period of time in an overseas educational institution.

The final year of the course consolidates the various elements of study and is characterised by independent learning and the ability to fully bring together the range of experiences, knowledge and skills you've developed on the course. You'll be required to realise your work through the use of accomplished making skills and evidence of advanced levels of both self-management and critical reflection.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry
• View the summary specification for 2017 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules

• Minor Project

  Focuses on independent learning, self-determination and specialism. You’ll be challenged to successfully design for relevant performance contexts with an emphasis on your chosen specialism.

• Major Project

  You’ll create a body of innovative, creative and sophisticated work, using a developed understanding of the production process and the ability to translate ideas into realisations.

• Practice in Context

  Substantial, individually negotiated research on a subject that’s related to the contextual concerns of your chosen area of practice. You’ll also develop a portfolio and other promotional material in preparation for professional work that’s relevant to your potential career direction.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry
• View the summary specification for 2017 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules