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English Language Foundation

This unit focuses on your ability to understand and use the English language accurately when you read, speak, listen and write. We will concentrate on the English you need for undergraduate level study in your chosen subject area, covering grammar, subject area vocabulary and the four language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

A key element of the unit is the grammar of the language, and particularly the verb tense system in English, because your ability to use the verb tense system accurately will be extremely important when you come to write essays and reports. This unit will focus in particular on the grammar of the language.

We will also focus on reading, listening and speaking skills in the context of your chosen subject area. Beginning with short texts, we will practise each skill and practise it again, so that gradually you will see, hear and feel that your command of the language is improving. 

A recurring focus of the unit will be your acquisition of 'learner autonomy'. This means your ability to acquire the language yourself, without needing a teacher's help. This is important because from next year you will not have an English teacher to help you. So we will consider and practise strategies to help you gain confidence in your own ability to increase your knowledge of and ability to use the language, including for instance guessing meaning of difficult words, deciding which words are important in a text, recognising differences between formal and informal language, and other strategies, so that as the first semester continues, you begin to feel more confident in your use and experience with the English Language.

Academic Skills Foundation

When you begin your undergraduate level studies, you will be expected to have knowledge of and ability to use a large range of 'study skills'. You will also be expected to have some knowledge of the subject area you will  be studying. This unit deals with both of these aspects of your preparation for undergraduate level study. 

All of the academic skills are practised in English, so you will use your developing acquisition of the language from the partner unit 'English Language Foundation' to practise and gain mastery of these skills. You will also use your language and study skills as you learn the foundation of your subject area, putting the skills into practice as you learn.

Developing English Language Skills

This unit builds on the progress you made during its partner semester 1 unit 'English Language Foundation' and increasing your level from that which you had achieved by the end of semester 1. 

We will recycle the tense system in English and other elements of the grammar system, but you will  now learn how to use other aspects of the grammar, including the passive voice, as well as linking words and phrases and devices which enable you to write longer sentences but retain grammatical accuracy. 

You will notice that we gradually introduce more specialist language that you need in preparation for your degree and we will expect you to use and develop the skills that you gained in the previous units so that you are able to work more independently.

Academic Skills Development

This unit builds on the skills learnt and practised in its partner semester 1 unit 'Foundation Academic Skills'. We will add more skills to the list, including summarizing and synthesising, argumentation, critical thinking and referencing and citation skills, as well as several others and practise and test them in the same way as with the semester 1 unit.

We will also investigate the research skill and you will learn how to prepare a research proposal and conduct a literature review, and how to plan a research project, learning about the research tools available and how they can be used to conduct research in your chosen field. 

You will continue to broaden your knowledge of key current issues and theory in your chosen subject area, and apply the critical thinking and argumentation skills you acquire in this unit to argue for and against propositions you have studied in the form of in both essays and presentations and in seminar situations, ensuring that you are ready to step up to your chosen undergraduate course with a base level of subject area knowledge from which to continue your academic development as you progress to level 4 study.

Exploring Screen Practices

This unit will provide you with knowledge for a variety of screen practices through writing a screen script, voice work, creating and presenting a TV show.

You will examine the creative writing possibilities working within the techniques and constraints dictated by the camera. Scriptwriters currently working in the industry will be introduced and examined as you develop your own script for screen. 

Develop fundamental skills in acting and voice, to create a character. You will build your character using Stanislavski’s techniques and deliver for screen and use vocal techniques for voicing for screen. This will also provide an opportunity to examine the auditioning and casting process. 

You will combine the skills to develop a TV show learning how to organise shots for the camera, through creating a camera script, in order to gain detailed knowledge of the workings of a professional TV studio and implement presenting skills. 

Performance Journeys From Theory To Practice

This unit introduces you to different performance styles linked to particular film genres as well it is firmly rooted in theatre performance movements of the 20th century leading up to more contemporary practice. You will also study how theories of performance have been applied to everyday life.

This unit combines theory and practice by covering the most dominant performance styles from key practitioners (e.g. Stanislavski, Brecht, Boal and Artaud) and theorists from the performance domain (e.g. Schechner) allowing you to research and apply these to your performance practice. It also covers an introduction to semiotics with an aim to examine particular film genres (e.g. realist drama, romantic comedy, film noir and western) enabling you to explore and practice their performance styles.

Performance Techniques For Stage And Screen

In this unit you will work towards a performance in a theatre production, before a live audience in collaboration with Level 3 Directing students and Level 3 Performance Management students. Also, you will work in the TV studio with a director and experience working in a continuation drama.

Prior to casting and rehearsals you will take part in workshops, which will address fundamental performance skills using Stanislavski’s methods in building a character and exploring emotional memory.

Performance In Context

This unit offers an introduction to cultural studies to enable your critical analysis in fiction media contexts touching on semiotics, structuralism, post structuralism, modernism, postmodernism, feminism and intertextuality.

Following on from this the unit covers the creation of TV Commercials.

Working as part of a production team you will participate in the making of television/screen-based commercials. You will be expected to document your working process by providing scripts and storyboards, as well as to contextualise your creative ideas within contemporary media practice.

 It is expected from you to cover a wide range of bibliography and then apply it to your practice.

Although it is a core theoretical unit it involves substantial and extensive creative input from your end, making a very strong link between theory and practice.

Drama For The Camera

You will further the fundamental performance techniques acquired at level 1 and develop your skills in dramatic acting for the camera to a professional standard. To achieve this, you will study and explore texts ranging from the modern-classical to relevant contemporary works, who exercise a recognised influence on drama in the theatre, on television, in film, and in other media. You will construct a personal show reel and CV from your work in class, which will help you to develop the necessary skills, and to demonstrate them to industry professionals to gain employment in the media industry.

Performance Management

In this unit, working as part of a production team you will make a video and a theatre production practising necessary skills towards a Production Manager’s career.
This unit will give you hands on experience in managing video and theatre productions. You will take an overall responsibility by managing necessary production administration, such as breakdown scripts, call sheets, budget sheets, production schedules, storyboards, lighting, sound and floor plans, as well as supporting the technical side of these video, or theatre productions.
The experience will involve substantial and extensive creative input from your end, helping you develop organizational, problem solving, communication and time-management skills. In addition based on a rotational role-playing scheme you will be introduced to all the necessary roles that any production includes (e.g. Production Manager, Scriptwriter, Director, D.O.P, Editor, Cast, Stage Manager, Lighting and Sound Designer) and you will gain experience by performing all of these roles in different productions.

Presenting

In this unit you will analyse and practice presenting for the camera and online, developing an understanding of industry expectations in this fast growing area of performance. This unit is a comprehensive and thorough training in TV presenting, in a multi camera broadcast TV environment.

You will perform TV presenting to camera, create scripted material in different genres of TV for compulsory exercises and assignments and explore which genre suits your personality and skills. 

This unit provides you with the marketing essentials you need to create career opportunities in TV/Online Presenting. Through active workshops and realistic practical exercises the main emphasis of the unit will be how to present for a variety of TV or Online productions. During the unit you will record compulsory exercises that will form an assessed showreel to increase your employment prospects.

Your practical work will be supported by research, critique, reflection and analysis. 

To this end the theory of this unit focuses on non-fictional performances for the screen (e.g. news, documentaries, Reality TV, chat shows).

The unit culminates with the application of the above theories and practice to the production of a live TV interview enabling you to identify and practice skills as an interviewer, presenter and researcher. 

Completion of this unit enables you to enter your details to agents and to create an online showreel.

Radio, Audio And Podcasting

This unit enables you to expand your radio, audio production, podcasting and presentation skills base. You will develop various types of programme content through the use of studio and location recording techniques alongside building your abilities in relation to digital audio editing.

Directing

You will gain practical and theoretical understanding of the role of the director as a contemporary theatre practitioner and for a director for continuation drama for screen. To achieve this, you will familiarize yourself with the most relevant historical and contemporary directors. You will study their practice and theory, and reflect on and develop your own practice. This will enable you to situate the role of the director in the collaborative process of performance creator. You will communicate your ideas through the development of your aesthetic vision.  while working in a theatrical space and multi-cam TV studio. You may explore the possibilities for installation, film and multi-media in the theatre. In the TV studio you will learn to communicate your story through your camera script and from the delivery by your cast. You will develop your personal artistic voice in the context of media performance to build your sense of entrepreneurship and to increase your employability. 

Advanced Performance Management

In this unit you will exercise the workings of the backstage management team for a theatrical performance. You will experience the practical aspects for the roles of production manager, assistant stage manager, lighting and sound designer. Working as a team you will produce a show in accordance with taught industry standards. This unit enhances your employability with transferrable craft skills within the media industries.

Radio 24/7

This unit enables you to produce a variety of radio programming to a professional industry standard. You will develop your ability to formulate, develop and deliver your ideas whilst working within professional production constraints. You will learn to critically reflect on your own work in comparison to professional radio and audio practice.

Varieties Of Performance

This unit enables you to evaluate performance in a variety of contemporary theatre contexts and hone your skills of criticism and analysis. Furthermore the unit aims to develop your ability to push the boundaries within performance conventions.
Working individually and/or as part of a production team you will research contemporary developments in performance. This unit is firmly rooted in various forms of contemporary theatre (i.e. experimental theatre, fringe theatre, physical theatre, theatre-dance, theatre of the absurd).
You will be expected to undertake extensive reading from the unit bibliography, as well as conduct some first hand research and then apply it to your practice. Although it is a core theoretical unit it involves substantial and extensive creative input from your end, making a very strong link between theory and practice. You will be expected to attend performances of non-mainstream theatre from the current offering in London and the surrounding area.

Script: Writing, Editing And Pitch

In this unit you will develop your creative idea into a script that is fit for production. This unit will examine the contemporary filmmaking marketplace and investigate methods of marketing and producing your creative work. The unit will build on the techniques learnt at Level 5, and apply them to longer production-focussed script works.

Performance Management - Work Based Learning

In this unit you will build upon the skills learnt at level 5 and see how these relate to a working theatre, production role for film, TV or arts venue. You will experience the many working roles which may include front of house, booking’s office, technical management of sound, lighting and stage, events management, calendar bookings and planning, preparations for touring companies to come into establishments and arrangements for their get outs. Or if in a production assistant or runner role you may be researching for a TV show/film, logging shots, going on shoots and assisting where necessary. You will work on a production, or an event and oversee the preparations or for development towards an outcome, or if an event the preparation and opening of the event. This experience involves substantial and extensive creative input helping you develop organizational, problem solving, communication and time-management skills. The establishment’s Health and Safety policies must be adhered to at all times.

Special Project In Media Performance For Film Tv & Theatre

This unit allows you to demonstrate the skills, creative ideas and learning acquired during your degree in an extended piece of work that is self-initiated and managed, and supported by your assigned supervisor. The project needs to be either an individual or group performance or presentation, a dissertation, or another media artefact (such as a film, TV/radio show , installation or character design) that you have knowledge of through your studies of Media Performance for Film, TV & Theatre, or Make-up for Fashion and Media. 

The project content should be taken from your main area of interest within your course, and will require the prior approval of the unit coordinator. 

The project is a showcase of your studies to present to the world of work, and you should approach it in a professional manner, demonstrate independent thinking, responsibility, perseverance and high standards, all necessary to enter your professional life or postgraduate study. This may  form part of your showreel to send on to casting agents or a portfolio to send to a potential employer.