KSB310 Character, Identity and Story: Screen Acting for the 21st Century

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This advanced unit aims to develop your ability to synthesise highly individual creative choices in relation to scripted source material, 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 expectations and agendas associated with the genre of the material and its explicit or implied social commentary. The unit challenges you to apply broad and coherent dramaturgical understanding and advanced acting skills to the creative representation of character and identity, drawing on their physical and cultural locations.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an advanced application of iterative experimentation, collaboration, and giving and receiving informed critique, in the creative processes informing screen-based contemporary acting.
2. Demonstrate initiative, professionalism, leadership and an awareness of others, in an interdisciplinary work environment.
3. Apply knowledge of digital technologies, and an understanding of contemporary attitudes towards the representation of character and identity, to inform the actor's creative practice and their contribution to the screen production process.
4. Apply critical analysis and an understanding of social and cultural contexts, to trends and issues in contemporary screen acting that are shaping future professional opportunities.

Content

Learning Approaches

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

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will have access to timely feedback and critique, based upon the students' requests. Written and oral feedback will be provided to individuals and groups upon request. 

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

• comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets, both for group work and individual endeavour 
• criteria sheet grading. 

Assessment

Overview

There are three assessment items for this unit. The first is a case study, requiring you to investigate contemporary trends in acting, focusing on the interplay of identity and character in contemporary screen acting, and the storytelling skills needed by actors in central roles to 'carry the movie'. This investigation will be contextualised within broader issues affecting the acting profession including the current crisis of representation. Two summative practical items involving screen acting, and a number of formative items will challenge your ability to apply and reflect upon your advanced skills in studio and performance contexts, as you investigate how to shape your ongoing professional development towards professional and non-professional opportunities. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Case Study

This case study requires you to critically analyse a leading screen acting performance in either a film or a series, drawing on related scripts, historical and contextual materials and referenced to scholarly acting and film theory. It is expected that you will display a thorough knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of practice, with your findings informing a vision for your professional and creative development over the next three years.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Professional self-test

A screen-based performance in the form of a self-test appropriate for professional auditioning that demonstrates an awareness of alignment of personal capabilities, knowledge of screen genres, and professional opportunities.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Performance

A performance in a screen scene shot on location.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

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.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement) 

This unit also requires a Tier 2 CIESJ 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 QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information. For CIESJ Tiers 2 and 3 Health and Safety requirements, you will be instructed on safe procedures and the required safety gear for all studio and workshop processes that are demonstrated.

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.

Theatres and other performance spaces are also potentially dangerous places, particularly backstage during performances when low light conditions prevail. You will be warned by the stage manager, the production manager or the director of any specific risks that you will need to be aware of, when your project team first moves into the theatre. Whenever moving into a new performance space, you should always conduct your own risk assessment, and notify your team or director of any hazards you have personally identified.

Every effort is made by QUT staff to ensure that you work in a safe environment. Conversely you are absolutely expected to follow all safety rules, procedures and directions, and to ensure that you do not put at risk the safety of others, or yourself, or of the highest artistic fulfilment of the project in any way. 

Course Learning Outcomes

CA02 Bachelor of Creative Arts (Acting)

1. Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
   Relates to: ULO4, Case Study, Professional self-test
2. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, Case Study, Professional self-test, Performance
3. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
   Relates to: ULO1, Professional self-test, Performance
4. Demonstrate technical proficiency and a knowledge of contemporary digital practices and technologies in one or more disciplines and apply these in creative and critical settings.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Professional self-test, Performance
5. Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO4, Case Study, Professional self-test
6. Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
   Relates to: ULO4, Case Study, Professional self-test
7. Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
   Relates to: ULO1, Professional self-test, Performance
8. Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary practices.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Professional self-test, Performance
9. Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
   Relates to: ULO4, Case Study, Professional self-test
10. Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, sustainability, and work with integrity across all practice and professional settings.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO4, Case Study, Professional self-test, Performance
11. Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Professional self-test, Performance

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