KSB310 Character and Location

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit aims to develop the actor’s ability to make highly individual creative choices in relation to text, scene partner and real or imagined settings (whether domestic, public, natural or fantasy environments) while being aware of and playing to a range of viewer responses and agendas. The unit focuses on applying dramaturgical understanding and advanced acting skills to the creation of screen characters that draw on their physical and cultural locations.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Perform believable and imaginative character choices in film or television scenes in a range of settings.
2. Demonstrate initiative, professionalism and a capacity to respond effectively and positively to informed critique, in an interdisciplinary work environment.
3. Apply your skills, understanding and awareness of self, to create work with memorable impact in terms of viewer response or agenda.

Content

Learning Approaches

In this unit you will engage in a series of location and studio-based practical exercises, workshops, rehearsals and performances for camera. Your learning will be enriched by instruction, coaching, by working with a small film crew, and by completing a schedule of independent practical film-based assignments.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Throughout the progress of workshops and rehearsals, teaching staff will provide feedback to you which will inform all assessments items. It is recommended that you keep a Journal as a record of your discoveries and feedback through the course of your study and as a resource for future performance endeavour.

Feedback in this unit is also provided to you in the following ways:

• comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets, both for group work and individual endeavour
• generic comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment items in this unit are designed to enable you to maximise your opportunities to apply and develop your skills in acting. In this unit, both formative and summative items will test your ability to apply and reflect upon your advanced skills in studio and performance contexts.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Research assignment

You will research contemporary Australian screen productions to gain an understanding of current practice and players.

Assessment: Demonstration

You will demonstrate your understanding of industry standards and requirements by applying your screen acting and technical skills to autonomously producing self-promotional artefacts that can be used to promote your creative practice to potential employers in Australia and internationally.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Performance

You will demonstrate your developing skills and understanding of acting for the camera by preparing for, performing in and recording a scene or scenes written for film/television.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students and staff who access campus buildings and facilities are required to complete the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.

This unit also requires a Tier 2 Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio.

Resources

Resource Materials

Safety and protective equipment

Proper clothing appropriate for active studio work is required, including closed-in shoes.

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or facilities, refer to the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction.

As all performance-makers understand, creating a performance potentially carries with it certain physical and/or emotional risks, both in the rehearsal room and in the theatre. Indeed taking risks is an integral component of the art form’s processes. Some rehearsal warm ups and exercises, and some performance events may include physically or emotionally strenuous activities. Managing this risk to ensure working conditions are safe, is always a high priority in the production process. It is therefore extremely important that if you are aware of personal physical or emotional vulnerabilities that make you feel unsafe or at risk in any way, you should immediately inform teaching staff or other supervisors, so that your situation can be evaluated and appropriate rectifying action can be taken.

Course Learning Outcomes

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

1. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
   Relates to: ULO1
2. Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO1
3. Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO3
4. Represent and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
   Relates to: ULO3
5. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3
6. Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
7. Formulate and apply an independent perspective through reflection and by acting on the informed critique of others.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
8. Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism in creative practice, both alone and in groups.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3