Performance Design and Film Costume

COURSE CONTENT

Level 4 (first year)

In the first year, the course curriculum is partly shared between the BA Performance Design and Film Costume and BA Costume courses from week 1 – 24, when both performance design and costume production are explored equally. For the final six weeks of Level 4, students will either remain in the course on which they originally enrolled or they may change to another through the usual transfer process. From this point onwards students are taught separately, although all are collaborating on projects in a way that reflects industry standards and methods. The focus for both courses is to introduce students to the fundamental skills and behaviours required for the professional costume and performance design practitioner and for conceptual thinking and experimentation to develop as core skills are mastered and refined.

Contextual study relating to performance study theory is taught together to both courses in the Practice in Context unit. Practice in Context introduces students to the politics of representation by looking at how costume and performance design reflect critical notions of ideology, gender, race, the performing body, performance space, ritual, carnival, pageant and play. Live theatre visits underpin students’ research and performance analysis work as they develop their ability in academic writing.

Level 5 (second year)

The focus of Level 5 is to develop advanced knowledge and skills. Ideas and concepts relating to historical context are introduced in the first unit of study Historical Design. It is intended that this knowledge, taught through the study of material culture (study of material things) will underpin teaching in Level 5 and 6.

The focus on this year is to develop creative problem solving and experimentation in relation to design for film and theatre. All units connect film and theatre learning, first within a historical context (Historical Design), then within a more design-led context (including processional, site-specific design). The focus in Design-led Practice is to allow the student designer to develop their own understanding of how to create and curate material for performance possibly without the constraints of a text. The Creative Projects unit will introduce film analysis skills and puppetry. The concluding weeks of this unit will allow students to design for the productions that will be staged in the Autumn term. Working with a director will be a key aspect of this unit and though competition it is possible that the outcome designed in this unit will be realised in Level 6. Throughout Level 5, designers (film and performance design students) will be learning how to articulate their ideas through their preferred professional contexts.

The Critical Contexts unit deepens students’ critical investigation of costume and performance design by asking them to broaden their theoretical focus and apply their critical understanding to written research analysis of costume and performance design in a genre of their choice

Level 6 (third year)

The intention in this final year of study, is to work in a live context on Film or live performance projects. Students may focus on one specialism but are encouraged to collaborate on a combination of both areas of study.

The final year requires students to define the direction of their practice for the remainder of their studies. They are encouraged to refine their interpersonal skills and professional behaviours in a way the reflects industry expectations. This is because graduates from the course go on to work in every area of the performance industries as film costume designers, as well as performance designers in theatre, circus and festivals. Beyond the media and performance industries, graduates have been able to use their transferable skills to work in a wide range of fields including all levels of education, visual merchandising, marketing, arts administration and event production.

Research Dissertation completes students’ critical study as they explore a further aspect of theory by conducting independent research on a topic relevant to their costume and performance design practice. Students develop a research question and draft a dissertation of 5000 words that combines analysis of costume and performance design with historical research, cultural studies and critical theory approaches.

COURSE STRUCTURE

All students are registered for the award of BA (Hons); however, exit awards are available if you leave the course early, having successfully completed one or two levels. If you successfully complete a level of the course, you will automatically be entitled to progress to the next level.

For the award of a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), you must have achieved a minimum of 120 credits at Level 4. This qualification may be awarded if you leave the University following successful completion of the first year of your course.

For the award of a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), you must have achieved a minimum of 240 credits of which a minimum of 120 must be at Level 5. This qualification may be awarded if you leave the University following successful completion of the second year of your course.

For the award of a BA (Hons) you must have achieved a minimum of 360 credits of which a minimum of 240 must be at Level 5 or above, of which a minimum of 120 credits must be at Level 6. This qualification will be awarded upon successful completion of your course.

A BA without Honours may be awarded if you have achieved 300 credits, at least 180 of which are at Level 5 or above, and at least 60 of which are at Level 6.