UDTHEFLM - BA Theatre and Film

This course is designed to provide an interdisciplinary path across programmes in Theatre and Performance Practice and in Film and Television Studies. Students are able to benefit from subjects in both programmes, exploring the languages of theatre and film through both practical and theoretical approaches. These approaches include studio-based workshops in theatre making, performance and film production, as well as classroom-based lectures and seminars in theatre and film criticism, cultural theories and script writing.

The learning methods encouraged are experiential as well as analytical and conceptual and are aimed at producing autonomous learners who are confident in the knowledge and understanding they have developed. Additionally, learning approaches include experiences with partnering companies in the professional industry. All modules are delivered with a blended learning focus, integrating the use of theatre and filming facilities (e.g. fully equipped theatre and filming spaces, editing suites), lecture and seminar spaces; they will also have access to School IT suites and a wide range of software that will support their personal and educational development.

In development of this course, consideration has been given to the following: the Subject Benchmark Statements, (Dance, Drama and Performance and Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies) the Higher Education Qualification Framework, the University’s Strategic Plan and Student Charter, the University’s Academic Regulations, the views and feedback of students, external examiners and employers/clients, developments within the subject area, and the changing needs of the cultural/commercial sectors and professions. Due consideration has also been given to inclusivity in course and assessment design.
Embedded in the Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design, the course draws on the strengths of teaching staff from across the School and the wide circle of academic and cultural contacts and collaborators attached to the School and University.
The course seeks to provide and foster:
• learning through direct experience, connecting academic and creative studies;
• student choice in subject and style of learning;
• a culture of independent and critical thought, encouraging the challenging of received ideas and practice;
• employability attributes, through live projects engaging with professional artists, external partners, art institutions and art organisations that create a realistic environment of professional expectations for art students, preparing them for graduate-level employment;
• engagement across the School and University, providing opportunities for collaborative
project work during study;
• individualised learning and study support opportunities, that cater for different learning styles;
• awareness of the duty of all to understand the impact of their decisions and actions as artists and to strive to act responsibly.
Lectures provide and encourage a critically informed view of a topic, contextualising the subject and illustrating applied approaches. Lectures provide students with a managed introduction to a theme, enabling them to continue with suggested or directed self-study.
Seminars enable students to debate and explore subjects, questions and assignments with peers and tutors, encouraging an open and collaborative approach to shared learning.
Tutorials support individual learning, allowing for individual approaches to study, and catering for individual interests. Tutorials can be diagnostic or can support specific assignment or project-related questions and support differing student paths to achievement of learning outcomes.
Study trips offer opportunities for vital direct experience with theatre and film in-situ, and to communicate with and learn from experts and specialists at theatre and film institutions and organisations.
Live briefings and feedback are an important aspect of work-related learning, exposing theatre and film students to experience of professional ways of working, of professional expectations of standards, and of the most current professional practice.
Group critiques allow students to benefit from feedback on their own and others’ work, to contribute to that feedback, and are a valuable part of the peer-to-peer learning that is a core expectation and reason for University study.
Workshops offer students opportunities to engage in creative practice via making. Opportunities will be available to students to undertake workshop and studio practice relevant to their assignments or collaborative projects. The objective is to apply knowledge and acquire technical competence, to think critically and creatively, to master technique and develop the capacity to work independently and within teams.
Blended learning uses the University’s virtual learning environment to support and reinforce reflective learning, to monitor progress through assignments, to foster peer-to-peer communication and collaborative research activity and to facilitate tutorial support for students and flexible approaches to learning.
Digital literacy is embedded in the curriculum via the use of the University's virtual learning environment and in curriculum delivery and expectations of digital capabilities as appropriate to task set and the level of study. Students make use of digital platforms alongside traditional approaches to research, develop and communicate their projects.
The teaching team includes professional practitioners, performance makers, film makers, writers and curators. Theatre and film sector links provide students with a clear understanding of future employment opportunities.
Students will have open access to dedicated spaces and under supervision will have access to theatre, film and lighting technologies. They will also have access to School IT suites and a wide range of software that will support their personal and educational development. Festival Showcase takes place off site in a London venue.
Connectivity within the University is essential to the degree. The course requires strong and consistent use of the Library and Learning Centre, which has a subject-specific librarian offering workshops and one-to-one assistance with printed and online academic material. The Learning Centre offers private study space as well as academic material. Other study and conversation spaces are available (location lectures, seminars and tutors’ offices), and students are expected to collaborate with each other regarding seminar topics, group or joint presentations, preparation of peer feedback, and networking (supported by subject staff) across undergraduate study years and disciplines.

The BA Theatre and Film course aims are all aligned with the qualification descriptors in the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

The course aims to:

1. promote interdisciplinary explorations in the areas of theatre and film, drawing on an extensive range of subjects;

2. explore such areas both as distinctive fields and as complementary languages, envisioning innovative approaches in combining the two;

3. explore key skills in the practice of theatre and film making, including performing, directing, writing, editing and producing;

4. Develop artistic competences and awarenesses, through practice in interdisciplinary work;

5. reflect on historical and contemporary practices in theatre and film, their cultural relevance and ideological implications;

6. develop transferable skills and knowledge, applicable to the broader cultural industries;

7. Develop communication and presentation skills, useful for employment in broader professional sectors

The following learning outcomes incorporate and depend on systematic understanding of the key aspects of the knowledge base of theatre and film, including a coherent and detailed knowledge of some specialist areas in depth.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

1. devise and sustain arguments, and/ or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of theatre and film studies and practice (CA 2, 4);

2. engage in and comment upon current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in theatre and film, recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge (CA 2, 4);

3. create artistic work with awareness and technical competence (2, 3, 4)

Cognitive Intellectual abilities

4. communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences (CA 4, 5, 6);

Transferable Skills

5. apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to initiate and carry out projects (1, 2, 3, 5);

6. manage their own learning through independent projects, practical theoretical (CA 1,2, 4, 7);

7. understand how the communication and presentation skills developed over the course can be applicable to other employment sectors too. (CA 1, 2, 4, 7)

Subject-Specific Practical Skills

8. deploy appropriate and established techniques of creative and professional practice within theatre and film (CA1,2).

Subject Benchmark Statements:
Dance, Drama and Performance 2015
Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies 2017

Work-related learning is embedded in the course both formally in SM6P10 Festival Showcase and throughout the course through live projects, industry visits, visiting speakers and events such as ‘Making a Living’ and ‘Celebration’ weeks.

With support from the Careers and Employability Office, students progress through study culminating in level 6, learning to present themselves and their work online and externally, developing and refining CVs, undertaking employment research, becoming aware of employment or external project opportunities, making approaches and applications, undertaking relevant practical work, obtaining feedback or appraisal and critically reflecting on the experience and learning. Work-related learning is a core element in the course with at least 70 hours working on live projects for real organisations. Students will experience a competitive recruitment process / pitch for opportunities and they will be required to reflect on their experience of the project and undertake forward career action planning.

A large majority of the tutors and lecturers on the course are practitioners and share their knowledge and experience with students throughout their course of study. The studio delivery of the course means that opportunities for work related learning through collaboration with external companies, agencies, institutions, competitions and professionals can be taken up as they arise, if appropriate to the programme of study.

Studios function as simulations of professional workplaces, with expectations of professional standards, conduct and delivery building as the students progress from level to level. During their final year, students are expected to work independently towards completion of professional portfolio of theatre and film projects, culminating in performance or exhibition of these in the annual summer show and associated events.

Additionally, students receive professional orientation training, including sessions with the Accelerator, to undertake career action planning.

Module Title Module Code Course Learning Outcome
LEVEL 4
Devising SM4010 2, 3, 4, 6
Performance, Art and Film Ideas 1 SM4019 1, 5, 7
Comparing Theatre and Film SM4021 1, 2, 6
Moving Image and Sound Practice SJ4046 2, 4, 6, 7

LEVEL 5
Performance, Art and Film Ideas 2 SM5020 1, 5, 7
Film and Television Practice SJ5042 2, 4, 6, 7
Combining Theatre and Film SM5023 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Dramaturgy SM5076 6, 8, 11
Choreographing Performance SM5075 6, 8, 11
Directing 1 SM5074 6, 8 , 11
Workshop Leadership SM5073 6, 8, 11

LEVEL 6
Independent Project SM6P12 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Performance Research & Development SM6015 2, 4, 6
Festival Showcase SM6P10 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Collaborative Film Project SM6P11 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Directing 2 SM6056 1,7,11
Installation and Site SM6068 1,7, 11
Writing for Theatre & Performance SM6061 1, 7, 11
Producing SM6066 1, 7, 11

ACADEMIC PROGRESSION: As a condition of progressing from level 4 to level 5 and from level 5 to level 6, students are required to have gained 120 credits per level, that is, by achieving pass marks (40% or above) in all four modules in the preceding level of study.

COURSE COMPLETION
Level 6: to achieve an honours degree award on this course, students must have completed and passed each level 6 module at 40% or above.

PART-TIME MODE OF STUDY
Part-time study is defined as 60 credits per year. Consequently, in part-time mode, the duration of study for a 360-credit degree will be 6 years. The pattern of study in this instance shall be as follows:

Year 1: SJ4046 Moving Image and Sound Practice, SM4021 Comparing Theatre and Film
Year 2: SM4010 Devising, SM419 Performance, Art and Film Ideas 1
Year 3: SM5023 Combining Theatre and Film, SJ5042 Film and Television Practice.
Year 4: SM5075 Choreographing Performance or SM5076 Dramaturgy (Autumn), SM5074 Directing 1 or SM5073 Workshop Leadership (Spring), SM5020 Performance, Art and Film Ideas 2
Year 5: SM6P11 Collaborative Film Project or SMP12 Independent Project, SM6056 Directing 2 or SM6068 Installation and Site (Autumn), SM6061 Writing for Theatre and Performance or SM6066 Producing (Spring)
Year 6: SM6015 Performance Research & Development, SM6P10 Festival Showcase

LEVEL 6 OPTIONS: Alternative Cores
Students at Level 6 will have the option to select between two thirty credit modules: Independent Project (30 weeks), and Collaborative Film Project (15 weeks). Students will be offered tutorial guidance on these options to highlight and ensure management of the modules’ differing timetabling and delivery structures.

All modules are core and compulsory for students to qualify for an award of BA (Hons) Theatre and Film. There is no flexibility in choice or in the order in which modules may be taken. The part time route is prescribed (section 25).

Year 1/Level 4
SM4010 Devising
SJ4046 Moving Image and Sound Practice
SM4021 Comparing Theatre and Film
SM4019 Performance, Art and Film Ideas 1

Year 2/Level 5
SM5023 Combining Theatre and Film
SM5020 Performance, Art and Film Ideas 2
SJ5042 Film and Television Practice (30 credit)
SM5076 Dramaturgy
SM5075 Choreographing Performance
SM5074 Directing 1
SM5073 Workshop Leadership

Year 3/Level 6
SM6015 Performance Research & Development
SM6P10 Festival Showcase
SM6P11 Collaborative Film Project (Alternative Core)
SM6P12 Independent Project (Alternative Core)
SM6056 Directing 2 (Autumn Option 1)
SM6068 Installation and Site (Autumn Option 2)
SM6061 Writing for Theatre and Performance (Spring Option 1)
SM6066 Producing (Spring Option 2)

Reflective learning and personal development planning is a key strategy in this course.

Throughout their study, students will be expected to engage with practice and theory based material and activities and explore the relationship between them. Much of the work is project based in which they will actively construct their learning processes by establishing conceptual frameworks to then develop and continue into theatre performance and production with guidance and support from tutors. In many modules, project logs and reports form part of the assessment together with self- and peer-assessment. Students will be encouraged and required through assessment to reflect critically on their own work and that of others through presentation and group critique.

Being regularly engaged with industry professionals throughout their study, students will be expected to work to industry standards.

The School’s studio system of curriculum delivery embeds reflective learning and personal development planning throughout the course.

Most summative assessment is at the end of year-long modules, with several formative assessment points formally instituted over the course of the year. At these interim formative assessment and feedback points, students reflect on their progress to date with their peers and course staff (with the benefit of feedback from professional partners), seek help where they identify the opportunity for improvement in learning strategies and outcomes, and make recommendations to themselves for future development. The feedback and student reflection are recorded and forms an action plan for the next period of study.

This system is highly individualised, but also benefits from peer engagement in studio critiques. The School’s programme of employability events and embedded work-related learning within the curriculum supports students’ personal development planning. Through these initiatives, students are increasingly able, as they progress from year to year, to understand the professional environment of their disciplines, the various opportunities available to them, and how to shape their learning according to their ambitions.

Throughout the modules and the course therefore, in this way, students build bodies of work, including reflections on progress and achievement, and planning for their future achievement of targets.

The creative arts industry employs around 700,000 people UK wide and contributes £24.8 billion to the UK economy each year’ with a lot of work within micro businesses or on a self-employed basis’.

A degree in theatre and film enables students to develop a wide range of transferable skills, including:

• confidence;
• self-presentation;
• teamwork and collaboration;
• time management and organisational skills;
• self-awareness;
• self-discipline;
• an open mind and the ability to move beyond boundaries and experiment with different ideas;
• communication skills;
• analytical, critical and research skills;
• the ability to cope with criticism and learn from it;
• stamina.

Graduates go on to a wide range of careers. As well as jobs within theatre, film, television and related creative industries (such as acting, directing, stage and event management, script writing and technical theatre, film-making and production) graduates may also take up careers in the following sectors:

• education;
• commercial and public sector management;
• community-based;
• marketing/ sales/ advertising;
• business/ financial.

Progression routes for postgraduate study:
• community performance/ theatre in education;
• performance/ theatre making;
• film-making;
• film and theatre journalism;
• workshop facilitation;
• arts policy making;
• arts administration/ marketing;
• cultural industries

This course focuses on producing versatile theatre and film professionals. Our graduates have been successful in the following areas: performing, writing, directing, producing, forming production companies, broadcasting, working on education and outreach programmes, and working in the broader cultural industries. Graduates have also continued with postgraduate study in the arts and culture.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• a minimum grade C in three A levels or minimum grades BC in at least two A levels (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma)
• English Language GCSE at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent)
• a portfolio review

You will be required to attend an interview workshop as part of your application process. Skype interviews can be arranged if you live outside of the UK.

If you are a mature students with previous relevant experience you are also encouraged to apply.

If you don't have traditional qualifications or can't meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing our Film and Television Production (including foundation year) BA (Hons).

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Tier 4 student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.