Production and Technical Arts

Explore the ever-changing landscape of health, safety and legislation within production and technical arts. Develop an understanding of the health and safety requirements such as risk assessments, working at a height, the use of licensed chaperones when working with young performers as well as important legislation such as copyright laws and having the correct licenses to play music. You take part in and write up a case study focusing on a real vocational performance activity, allowing you to put theory into practice.

You apply appropriate crewing and lighting operation skills to a live production and develop skills in communication, organisation, plotting lights, rigging and focusing, reading cue sheets and operating a lighting desk. This module runs alongside the Sound Operation module and you take on both roles for the production and performing, through negotiation. Roles include the rehearsal process, lighting operation during dress and tech rehearsals and in the final performance. You work on a live brief liaising with performers and backstage crew, and keep a reflective learning journal focusing on lessons learned in practice and improvements in performance supported by appropriate theory and feedback from a range of sources.

You apply the knowledge and skills gained across all modules to a live brief. You work in a production team and take on the responsibilities of one the roles studied to support the creation of a live piece of theatre. This can be a community project, a touring piece of theatre, a music event, a cabaret, a talent show or any other performance-related product. You consider the timeframe, take on roles such as lighting operator, sound operator and stage manager. You are responsible for the organising and implementing of the performance project and take responsibility for the health and safety implications . You present a project proposal and keep a management portfolio throughout documenting the process.

You investigate and question the historical, social, political, cultural and economic development of production and technical arts. You develop an understanding of the historical developments of the technical and production arts and share your understanding with peers through discussion, debate and presentation, and you gain an understanding of self-reflection.

You apply appropriate crewing and sound operation skills to a live production and develop skills in team work and communication, setting up and testing levels of microphones, sound checks, reading cue sheets and operating a sound desk. This module runs alongside the Lighting Operation module and you take on both roles for the production and performing through negotiation. Roles include the rehearsal process, sound operation during dress and tech rehearsals and in the final performance. You work on a live brief liaising performers and backstage crew, and keep a reflective learning focusing on lessons learned in practice and improvements in performance supported by appropriate theory and feedback from a range of sources.

You apply appropriate stage management skills to a live production and reflect on your development throughout. You develop skills including communication, organisation and practical skills in writing risk assessments and having the responsibility of the prompt book. You work on a live brief liaising with a performers and backstage crew, and keep a reflective learning journal .

This module is your opportunity to specialise in one area of production design (lighting, sSound, makeup for the stage, props and set design, or costume design) and create a portfolio of design ideas for your chosen area of production arts.

Build on your previous work and investigate the historical, social, political, cultural and economic development of production arts. You develop an understanding of the historical developments of production arts and share your understanding with peers through discussion, debate and presentation.

You apply the knowledge and skills gained across all modules to two live briefs. You work in a production team taking on the responsibilities of one the roles to support the creation of a live piece of theatre which is directed by the tutor, as part of the SRCEnsemble. There are two to four performances across the academic year including a main house musical and/or play.

Consolidate and enhance the skills you have developed on the course previously. You develop a realistic match between career aspirations and personal aptitudes. You further develop the essential skills of the accomplished arts practitioner/administrator/technician and employ them in a number of practical working contexts of varying complexity leading to the delivery of professional standard products.

This is your opportunity to to specialise in an area of production design (from lighting, sound, makeup for the stage, props and set design, or costume design) and assesses the practical function of your chosen area as you implement the designs from your design portfolio against a live brief.