Postgraduate Diploma in Production (Design, Sound, Production Management, Lighting Streams)
Overview
The Postgraduate Diploma in Production can be taken in four separate streams of study - Design,Lighting,Sound and Production Management. Each course consists of six subjects including a major component of practical work (Performance Projects A and B) which involve field placements on Faculty productions in Dance, Theatre, Music and events and with external companies.
Description
| Semester 1 | Credit Points |
| Performance Approaches A | 12.5 |
| Performance Techniques A (Design, Sound, Production Management, Lighting) | 25 |
| Performance Projects A | 12.5 |
| Semester 2 | |
| Performance Approaches B |
12.5 |
|
Performance Techniques B (Design, Sound, Production Management, Lighting) |
12.5 |
|
Performance Projects B |
25 |
Objectives
The aim of this course is to develop skills required of a professional practitioner for the performance arts. At the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
• collaborate on the production of performance, hybrid and non-performance arts as a team member and with leadership responsibilities
• demonstrate a well researched critical analysis of a commission, understanding and solving the creative and technical problems therein.
Prerequisites
An undergraduate degree, or equivalent, in a discipline relevant to the chosen stream within the Postgraduate Diploma in Production; or
• at least five years of relevant documented work experience in an area relevant to the chosen stream
Generic Skills
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
· Understand the nature of contemporary theatre practice and situate their own work and concerns within it;
· Relate these understandings to cross-cultural and interdisciplinary artistic practices, as well as to the political, historical and economic contexts in which they develop;
· Develop skills in the preparation and presentation of seminar research papers;
· Evaluate various types of dramatic performance and the contribution of the collaborators in its realisation.
Student Commitment
Contact times listed represent minimum direct class contact hours that together with planning, research and working time represent a commitment of approximately 40 hours per week.
Assessment
Students are required to complete all course requirements before a recommendation can be made to award the Diploma. Students are expected to attend all course subjects. Attendance at less than 80% of scheduled student contact hours will normally render the student ineligible for a result in that particular subject.
Progressive assessment applies in most subjects and students will be notified if their work is below an acceptable standard.
Course Progression Guidelines
The maximum time permitted for completion of the course is two years.
The progress of a student shall be deemed to be unsatisfactory if the student obtains two successive fails in any one subject.
Qualification for Award
The award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Production requires the successful completion of the prescribed subjects and the gaining of a total score of 100 credit points.
Subjects by Year
Year 1
- 757-865 - Performance Approaches A
- 757-866 - Performance Approaches B
- 757-867 - Performance Projects A
- 757-868 - Performance Projects B
- 757-871 - Performance Techniques A (Design)
- 757-872 - Performance Techniques B (Design)
- 757-873 - Performance Techniques A (Sound)
- 757-874 - Performance Techniques B (Sound)
- 757-875 - Performance Techniques A (Prod Man)
- 757-876 - Performance Techniques B (Prod Man)
- 757-877 - Performance Techniques A (Lighting)
- 757-878 - Performance Techniques B (Lighting)
Subjects
Year 1
| Credit Points: | 12.5 |
|---|---|
| Contact hours: | 4 hours per week (or equivalent) plus 6 hours per week time commitment - 12 weeks |
| Semester: | Semester 1 |
Subject description:
This subject consists of a critical perspective on historic and contemporary theatre practice including cross-cultural, interdisciplinary and contextual perspectives. Seminars will be based upon student class papers dealing with specific issues, together with guest speakers.
It also includes the planning of a production through all of its phases of development, taking into account the following aspects:
• Organisation: pre-production planning, rehearsal organisation, production management and liaison from conception to implementation;
• The relationship with the Producer: the nature of the relationship with the producing body, the financial management of a production, the demands that various styles of performance make on production and technical resources;
• The relationship with the public: theatre as a public act, the demands and possibilities of different kinds of audiences, publicity and public relations.
Assessment:
Progressive assessment of class participation (20%); Presentation of assignments equivalent to 2 x 2,000 word essays – the first one due mid semester, the second due at the end of semester (80%).
Generic Skills:
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
• Understand the nature of contemporary theatre practice and situate their own work and concerns within it;
• Relate these understandings to cross-cultural and interdisciplinary artistic practices, as well as to the political, historical and economic contexts in which they develop;
• Develop skills in the preparation and presentation of seminar research papers;
• Evaluate various types of dramatic performance and the contribution of the collaborators in its realisation.
| Credit Points: | 12.5 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites: | Performance Approaches A |
| Contact hours: | 4 hours per week (or equivalent) plus 6 hours per week time commitment, 12 weeks |
| Semester: | Semester 2 |
Subject description:
A continuation of themes introduced in Performance Approaches A.
A critical perspective on contemporary and historic theatre practice including cross-cultural, interdisciplinary and contextual perspectives. The weekly seminars will be based upon student class papers dealing with specific issues, together with guest speakers.
Assessment:
Progressive assessment of class participation (20%); Presentation of assignments equivalent to 2 X 2,000 word essays – the first one due mid semester, the second due at the end of semester (80%).
Generic Skills:
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
· understand the nature of contemporary theatre practice and situate their own work and concerns within it;
· relate these understandings to cross-cultural and interdisciplinary artistic practices, as well as to the political, historical and economic contexts in which they develop;
· develop skills in the preparation and presentation of seminar research papers;
· evaluate various types of dramatic performance and the contribution of the collaborators in its realisation.
| Credit Points: | 12.5 |
|---|---|
| Contact hours: | 120 hours (including 12 hrs Production Placement seminar) |
| Semester: | Semester 1 |
Subject description:
Students begin to put into practice technical and creative knowledge that has been learnt formally in Performance Approaches A and Performance Techniques A classes. Students are usually assigned to at least 1 placement on a production mounted either within and/or beyond the College. These placements give the student the opportunity to develop organisational, leadership and creative skills within the context of the production process.
Assessment:
Production Placement supervisor reports (80%); Presentation of peer and self-assessment reports (10%); Participation in Production Placement seminar (10%).It is a requirement of this subject that students attend a weekly production placement seminar with their supervisor and with other students working in the same area. Successful completion of peer and self-assessment reports is a hurdle requirement.
Generic Skills:
On completion of this subject students should be able to demonstrate:
· Extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of their discipline including relevant professional knowledge, skills, discipline and ethics as they relate to practising visual/performing artist;
· Demonstrate capacities for artistic imagination, creativity, transformation and interpretation;
· Demonstrate practical skills in respect of critical analysis, problem solving, report writing, team work and oral and written communication;
· Work at various levels both as an individual and as a team member, in a wide variety of visual/performing artistic environments.
| Credit Points: | 25 |
|---|---|
| Coordinator: | Kym Williams |
| Prerequisites: | Performance Projects A |
| Contact hours: | 240 hours (including 12 hrs Production Placement seminar) |
| Semester: | Semester 2 |
Subject description:
In this subject students are able to further extend technical and creative knowledge learnt formally in the classroom. Students are assigned to placements on productions mounted either within or beyond the College (this can include attendance at Festivals). The placements introduce the student to the complexity of the production process in areas that they may not be familiar with and to the collaborative nature of the work within the different fields of performance.
Assessment:
Production Placement Supervisor reports (80%), presentation of peer and self-assessment reports (10%), participation in Production Placement seminar (10%).It is a requirement of this subject that students attend a weekly production placement seminar with their supervisor and with other students working in the same area. Successful completion of peer and self-assessment reports is a hurdle requirement.
Generic Skills:
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
· Demonstrate capacities for artistic imagination, creativity, transformation and interpretation
· Demonstrate a flexible and innovative approach to the challenges for the professional visual/performing artist in the 21st century
· Demonstrate practical skills in respect of critical analysis, problem solving, report writing, team work and oral and written communication.
· Work at various levels both as an individual and as a team member, in a wide variety of visual/performing artistic environments
| Credit Points: | 25 |
|---|---|
| Coordinator: | Associate Professor Richard Roberts |
| Contact hours: | 6 hours per week (or equivalent) plus 14 hours per week time commitment, 12 weeks |
| Semester: | Semester 1 |
Subject description:
Performance Techniques A (Design) addresses knowledge and techniques specific to the discipline.
Through lectures, tutorials and skills classes, this subject explores the role of the designer as part of the creative team, defining the skills, qualities and processes that are essential to the practicing professional.
Students will be introduced to and should be able to participate in the procedures, workings and techniques used in the Scenic Workshop and the Costume Department.
Students should also develop an ability to identify, evaluate and participate in the working processes relevant to effective collaboration between directors, choreographers, animateurs and set, costume and lighting designers.
Assessment:
Written/practical assignments equivalent to 8,000 word essay (80%); participation (20%) Assignments will be due at regular intervals during the semester
Generic Skills:
On completion of this subject the student should have acquired the following skills:
• The ability to collaborate
• The ability to think critically
• The ability to communicate in both oral and written form
• The ability to problem solve
• The ability to create and organise aesthetic material
| Credit Points: | 12.5 |
|---|---|
| Coordinator: | Associate Professor Richard Roberts |
| Prerequisites: | Performance Techniques A (Design) |
| Contact hours: | 3 hours per week (or equivalent) plus 7 hours per week time commitment, 12 weeks |
| Semester: | Semester 2 |
Subject description:
This subject is a further development of the material introduced in Performance Techniques A (Design) with an emphasis on the techniques required to properly document a design such as models, technical drawings and storyboards. Students will use as their project material, designs that they are simultaneously developing collaboratively in the subject Performance Projects B.
Assessment:
Written/practical assignments equivalent to 4,000 word essay (80%); participation (20%) Assignments will be due at regular intervals during the semester
Generic Skills:
On completion of this subject the student should have acquired the following skills:
• The ability to collaborate
• The ability to think critically
• The ability to communicate in both oral and written form
• The ability to problem solve
| Credit Points: | 25 |
|---|---|
| Coordinator: | Roger Alsop |
| Contact hours: | 6 hours per week (or equivalent) plus 14 hours per week time commitment, 12 weeks |
| Semester: | Semester 1 |
Subject description:
Performance Techniques A (Sound) addresses knowledge and techniques specific to the discipline. On completion of this subject students should understand the processes of sound design for the performance, hybrid and non-performance arts, its relationship to set and lighting design and the roles of director and choreographer. Students should have developed abilities in appropriate communication with collaborators and a historical and social understanding of sound in the arts.
Students will also attend classes discussing the role of text in sound design, developing a relationship to text as a motivator in the performance arts. This will be developed through study of the microscopic and macroscopic aspects of text. Text will also be considered more widely to include the languages of motion, film and non-textual narrative.
Students will attend seminars with sound designers, filmmakers, animators, directors and choreographers, discussing their various approaches to sound design in their specific art forms. Students will also attend classes in the use of technology in developing and implementing sound designs.
Assessment:
Written/practical assignments equivalent to 8,000 word essay (80%); participation (20%) Assignments will be due at regular intervals during the semester
Generic Skills:
On completion of this subject the student should have acquired the following skills:
• The ability to collaborate
• The ability to think critically
• The ability to communicate in both oral and written form
• The ability to problem solve
• The ability to create and organise aesthetic material
| Credit Points: | 12.5 |
|---|---|
| Coordinator: | Roger Alsop |
| Prerequisites: | Performance Techniques A (Sound) |
| Contact hours: | 3 hours per week (or equivalent) plus 7 hours per week time commitment, 12 weeks |
| Semester: | Semester 2 |
Subject description:
On completion of this subject students should have demonstrated skills in generating and designing a multi-media performance using computer based hardware and purpose designed software. This will be shown through an effective performance, an insightful and relevant sound design representing the inspiration of the performance, and clear documentation of the creative process and its implementation of the sound design.Students will work with Postgraduate Diploma (Production and Events Management) students and Postgraduate Diploma (Lighting) students to present an interactive sound, light and video performance.
Assessment:
Written/practical assignments equivalent to 4,000 word essay (80%); participation (20%) Assignments will be due at regular intervals during the semester
Generic Skills:
On completion of this subject the student should have acquired the following skills:
• The ability to collaborate
• The ability to think critically
• The ability to communicate in both oral and written form
• The ability to problem solve
| Credit Points: | 25 |
|---|---|
| Coordinator: | Emma Anderson |
| Contact hours: | 6 hours per week (or equivalent) plus 14 hours per week time commitment, 12 weeks |
| Semester: | Semester 1 |
Subject description:
Performance Techniques A (Production and Events Management) addresses knowledge and techniques specific to the discipline.Following completion of this subject, students should comprehend the terminology required in performance/event production and the principles and roles involved in Pre Production, Rehearsal and Performance.Students should develop observational and organisational skills to identify and relate the management process to the creative process. At the same time, students will be introduced to key accounting concepts such as assets, liabilities, debit and credit, proprietorship, the accounting cycle, budgeting and forecast, profit and loss and the application of these concepts to the creative process.Students should develop communication skills (written and oral) necessary to participate in a wide range of management roles within the performance making process. This involves developing an understanding of a wide range of performance styles – Dance, Opera, and Drama
Assessment:
Written/practical assignments equivalent to 8,000 word essay (80%); participation (20%) Assignments will be due at regular intervals during the semester
Generic Skills:
On completion of this subject the student should have acquired the following skills:
• The ability to collaborate
• The ability to think critically
• The ability to communicate in both oral and written form
• The ability to problem solve
• The ability to create and organise aesthetic material
| Credit Points: | 12.5 |
|---|---|
| Coordinator: | Emma Anderson |
| Prerequisites: | Performance Techniques A (Prod Man) |
| Contact hours: | 3 hours per week (or equivalent) plus 7 hours per week time commitment, 12 weeks |
| Semester: | Semester 2 |
Subject description:
This subject is a further development of the material introduced in Performance Techniques A (Production and Events Management).This subject will assist students comprehend the terminology of technical components involved in performance production (Lighting, Sound, Costume, Design, Workshop). Students will also be introduced to the basic principles and logistics of planning and implementing a regional and interstate Australian tour.On completion of this subject, students should have the ability to comprehend concepts and basic principles of set, costume and props construction as well as interpret and analyse varied theatre/venue data and comprehend the implications this information has on the performance/event.
Assessment:
Written/practical assignments equivalent to 4,000 word essay (80%); participation (20%) Assignments will be due at regular intervals during the semester
Generic Skills:
On completion of this subject the student should have acquired the following skills:
• The ability to collaborate
• The ability to think critically
• The ability to communicate in both oral and written form
• The ability to problem solve
| Credit Points: | 25 |
|---|---|
| Coordinator: | John Comeadow |
| Contact hours: | 6 hours per week (or equivalent) plus 14 hours per week time commitment, 12 weeks |
| Semester: | Semester 1 |
Subject description:
Performance Techniques A (Lighting Design) addresses knowledge and techniques specific to the discipline. In this subject students will be exposed to a variety of performing art forms through videotape, live performance and photographic images. By the end of this subject students should have further developed their aesthetic sensibility through the interpretation and creation of images developed through an examination of a variety of performance art forms. They should be able to analyse the lighting needs of a particular performance and have an understanding of the specific demands and aesthetic of a variety of performing art forms. Within a series of classes with postgraduate students from other performance disciplines, students should also develop an ability to identify, evaluate and participate in the working processes relevant to effective collaboration between directors, choreographers, animateurs and set and lighting designers.
The subject is also designed to allow the student to explore, develop and extend the use and understanding of computer lighting design tools available and their application in various event styles and formats. It explores the use of 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional design tools and the use of computers in documentation and lighting control.
Assessment:
Written/practical assignments equivalent to 8,000 word essay (80%); participation (20%) Assignments will be due at regular intervals during the semester
Generic Skills:
On completion of this subject the student should have acquired the following skills:
• The ability to collaborate
• The ability to think critically
• The ability to communicate in both oral and written form
• The ability to problem solve
• The ability to create and organise aesthetic material
| Credit Points: | 12.5 |
|---|---|
| Coordinator: | John Comeadow |
| Prerequisites: | Performance Techniques A (Lighting) |
| Mode of Delivery: | 3 hours per week (or equivalent) plus 7 hours per week time commitment, 12 weeks |
| Semester: | Semester 2 |
Subject description:
This subject is a further development of the material introduced in Performance Techniques A (Lighting Design). At the completion of the course students should have developed an understanding of the scope and special needs of events for example Rock and Roll, Corporate Theatre and Outdoor Theatre and Events. They should be able to plan, source and prepare the appropriate equipment for such an event and understand the operational and safety requirements for any specialised equipment that may be required.
Assessment:
Written/practical assignments equivalent to 4,000 word essay (80%); participation (20%) Assignments will be due at regular intervals during the semester
Generic Skills:
On completion of this subject the student should have acquired the following skills:
• The ability to collaborate
• The ability to think critically
• The ability to communicate in both oral and written form
• The ability to problem solve