KRB121 Scenography 2: Creating Worlds for Theatre


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:KRB121
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:KRB120
Equivalent:KSB215
Coordinator:Tessa Rixon | tessa.rixon@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit introduces you to the practical concepts and processes associated with the creation of scenography – the world of the theatrical performance. It explores the practical application of the core elements of scenography including set, costume, light, sound and vision, while considering other key performance elements including space, time, narrative, character, performers and audience. The unit facilitates practical application and experience in solving the challenges faced by the scenographer. This includes the demands of crafting and communicating a theatre design, using relevant industry software to model set designs, and the ongoing challenge of documenting the creative process and product. It combines practical investigations with in-depth lectures on the application of design, including the role of the contemporary production designers, the design process and techniques.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of scenographic concepts and approaches through creative practice.
  2. Critically analyse theatrical text as stimulus to create a design for theatre performance.
  3. Communicate design concepts through oral, visual and written discourses.
  4. Demonstrate complex problem solving through the creation of a theatre design.

Content

This unit addresses content such as:

  • the design process from conceptualisation to realisation
  • the role of the contemporary theatre and performance designer
  • core design techniques and skills including sketches, concept drawings, costume renders, white card models and computer-aided design models
    design presentation techniques that demonstrate a professional approach relevant to the field.

This unit introduces sufficient knowledge and practical skills at a foundation level for students to be able to continue their development through the Scenography Minor and contribute to productions and individual projects.

Learning Approaches

Lectures and workshops in order to maximise exposure to developments in design practice.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will be provided with ongoing and continual assessment and feedback during the course of this unit. Formative assessment will take the form of progressive feedback on the development of design concepts and approaches throughout the semester. The assessment schema provides further detailed and specific criteria for summative assessment items.

Assessment

Overview

To access the Faculty Assessment Information see the Canvas site for this unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Design Presentation

Students will create a performance design in response to a given theatrical text and present it in the form of a design presentation.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Mid-Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Design Portfolio

Students will document the process of creating a theatrical design through a design portfolio. The portfolio will include the final documented design product.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Late Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

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. Not all students are required to complete the Tier 2 induction.

Costs

All students will be expected to supply at their own cost the following:

Scale Ruler, steel ruler, A4 art diary

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Boucher, F (1996), A History of Costume in the West, Thames & Hudson, UK.

Brown, J.R., (2001), The Oxford Illustrated History of the Theatre, Oxford University Press, UK.

Curtis, S (2014), Staging Ideas, Currency Press, AU.

Howard, P (2009), What is Scenography?, Cambridge University Press, UK.

Thomas, J (2009), Script Analysis for Actors, Directors & Designers, Focal Press, USA.

Risk Assessment Statement

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

Risks may be associated with:

  • model constructions tasks
  • hazardous materials and tools associated with model making
  • field trips to theatres and cultural venues.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

  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: ULO1
  2. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO1
  3. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
    Relates to: ULO2
  4. Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO4
  5. Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO3
  6. Represent and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
    Relates to: ULO3
  7. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
    Relates to: ULO4
  8. Formulate and apply an independent perspective through reflection and by acting on the informed critique of others.
    Relates to: ULO4