University of Essex

EA188-7-FY-SO:
Screen Project

The details

Year: 2024/25

Department: East 15 Acting School

Campus: Southend Campus

Term: Full Year

Level: Postgraduate: Level 7

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 03 October 2024

End date: Friday 27 June 2025

Credits: 30

Last updated: 08 August 2024

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

MFA W4P312 Acting for Digital Media

Module description

This module will extend and enhance your understanding of the filmmaking process and the language of film and filmmaking and will further develop your practical skills and techniques for performing on camera. You will work on two projects in this module.

Project 1 – You will be cast in a short film to be directed by an external director under similar conditions as those you will find in industry. You will also serve as crew in specific roles in another short film(s). You will apply your developing skills as an actor to the preparation, creation and performance of a believable and relatable character in a short film and will apply your understanding of the filmmaking process and set/location practices and protocols to exhibit a professional approach to your work throughout. Assessment will be continuous throughout this project.

Project 2 – You will work individually or in small groups to write, direct, produce, edit and perform in a short film of between 6-10 minutes using available technology. Your work will be assessed in part on an individual production journal which will document the various stages of the development of this project and will provide rationales for the choices made and your own analysis of your contribution to and the effectiveness of your work in each stage. Additional assessment will concern your performance in the final product and the preparation, creation and performance of a believable and relatable character on screen.

Assessment in this module will be both continuous and summative and will focus on your understanding of process, procedure and protocols, professional approach to tasks and performance and your ability to apply your performance skills and techniques to the preparation and delivery of believable and relatable characters on camera.

You will be supported in these projects with individual and group tutorials. In addition to tutorial support, your technical skills in this area will be developed in the industry preparation sessions. Upon completion of this module you will have additional material to include in a professional showreel for use in post-training employment

Module aims

The aims of this module are:

To extend and enhance students’ understanding of the filmmaking process and the language of film and filmmaking

To encourage students’ to develop project management skills

To further develop students’ practical skills and techniques for performing on camera.

To further develop students’ awareness of their presence on camera and how to utilize this to create believable and intriguing characters

To enhance students’ technical skills for performing on camera (hitting marks, entering/exiting shots, performance size, continuity, eyelines, etc.)

To extend and embed understanding and use of related vocabulary

To expand on students’ understanding of working with and analysing screenplays

To encourage further development of an informed working relationship with cast and crew on a film set

To introduce students to basic filmmaking concepts and techniques

To develop and consolidate students’ understanding of the operation of a digital video camera, sound recording equipment and video editing software

To extend students’ understanding of acting as storytelling through script development

To develop additional individual showreel material for use in post-training employment

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expecyed to be able to:

Be able to prepare in a professional manner for performance roles in film creating and performing effective characters on camera.

Be able to exhibit advanced understanding of skills and techniques for performing on camera.

Be able to exhibit a professional approach to your work using appropriate technology, performance skills, protocols, practices and vocabulary.

Be able to take direction and apply this effectively to your performances on camera.

Be able to exhibit and articulate an understanding of the filmmaking process and the challenges and opportunities which it presents.

Be able to manage a production process from pre-production through to post-production.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

Individual and Group Research, Rehearsal and Performance
Individual and/or Group Tutorials
Directorial Feedback
Occasional Lectures
Occasional Seminars

Bibliography

Alburger, J.R. (2019) Art of Voice Acting. 6th edition. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.4324/9780429422638.
Dower, J. and Langdale, P. (2022) Performing for Motion Capture. London: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC. Available at: https://www-bloomsburycollections-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/monograph?docid=b-9781350211292.
Chekhov, M. (2002) To the actor. London: Routledge. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.4324/9780203378724.
Merlin, B. (2014) The complete Stanislavsky toolkit. Rev. ed. London: Nick Hern Books. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1725505.
Tucker, P. (2023) Secrets of screen acting. Fourth edition. London: Routledge.
Lecoq, J. et al. (2002) The moving body: teaching creative theatre. London: Methuen. Available at: https://www-bloomsburycollections-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/book/the-moving-body-le-corps-poetique-teaching-creative-theatre/.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Deadline	Coursework weighting

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor:

Teaching staff:

Contact details:

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: No

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Dr Gabriela Curpan

Institution: The University for the Creative Arts

Academic role: Senior Lecturer in Screen Acting - The MA Screen Acting Course Leader

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: No lecture recording information available for this module.

Further information

Department website: East 15 Acting School

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Module Directory

EA188-7-FY-SO:Screen Project