KSB120 The Actor's Instrument: Communication and Composition
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 code: | KSB120 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | KSB110 or KSB103 |
| Equivalent(s): | KSB104 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $996 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,356 |
| International unit fee | $4,668 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | KSB120 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | KSB110 or KSB103 |
| Equivalent: | KSB104 |
| Coordinator: | Caroline Heim | caroline.heim@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This introductory unit focuses on the continuing acquisition of instrumental skills associated with developing impact and presence in physical and vocal expressiveness, and now applies them to the communication and shaping of dramatic meaning. Highly developed technical proficiency in vocal and physical expressiveness is a fundamental requirement for professional actors. This unit builds on core techniques and concepts introduced in KSB110 associated with theoretical notions of vocal and physical transformation for actors working in screen and stage contexts.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically analyse and synthesise different theoretical perspectives on the actor's instrumental development.
- Apply analytical and technical skills and theoretical knowledge to instrument-centred communication.
- Apply experimental processes, techniques and concepts to the development of textual and physical composition.
Content
This unit provides a range of learning experiences to teach specific skills in movement and voice production necessary to an actor working across stage and screen.
Learning Approaches
In this unit you will engage, both individually and in groups, in regular, mandatory workshops and rehearsals. You will focus on broadening and developing your practice of vocal and physical techniques and on extending your understanding of their applications. The expectation is that you will learn autonomously by systematically developing all skills introduced to you, and by confidently applying them to practical exercises. The learning is underpinned by an engagement with a selection of source texts that introduce students to concepts, ideas and vocabularies associated with composing and shaping dramatic meaning through physical and vocal adaptations, and through creative problem-solving using improvisatory play-based techniques to develop skills in vocal and physical composition.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Throughout the progress of workshops and rehearsals, tutors will provide feedback to you which will inform your preparation for all assessment items. Mid-semester, you will complete a formative assessment which will assist you in understanding your developing practice. You are required to keep a journal or workbook as a record of your discoveries and feedback through the course of your study and as a resource for the development of your practice. Feedback in this unit is also provided to you through comments on formative and summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets, both for group work and individual endeavour. You will also be introduced to methods of self and peer assessment, applied with self-awareness and empathy, to help you develop autonomy in your learning and practice.
Assessment
Overview
There are three assessment items in this unit. The first two are practical, and require you to not only continue developing your instrumental capabilities and understanding, but also to apply them to the embodiment and shaping of performance outcomes to communicate stories and social commentary to your audience. The third item is an annotated bibliography, and requires you to develop your abilities to analyse theoretical sources, identifying elements that help you deepen your understanding of acting practice, and guide your continuing learning.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Practical examination
A demonstration of performance-related skills exploring communication and composition, informed by engagement with a selection of theoretical perspectives relating to instrumental practice.
Assessment: Demonstration
A creative performance that demonstrates the application of experimental processes, techniques and concepts to the development of a piece exploring the relationship between compositional and communication values.
Assessment: Annotated Bibliography
Critically analyse, compare and contrast a range of theoretical perspectives associated with a selection of source texts from scholarly works relevant to understanding and developing instrumental skills across physical and vocal expressivity.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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
Required reading will be available online through the unit's Canvas site.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Other unit readings and reference material will be available online.
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 warmups 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
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CA01 Bachelor of Creative Arts
- Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2 - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO3 - Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2 - Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
Relates to: ULO1 - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
CA02 Bachelor of Creative Arts (Acting)
- Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Practical examination, Demonstration, Annotated Bibliography - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO3, Demonstration - Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Practical examination, Demonstration, Annotated Bibliography - Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
Relates to: ULO1, Practical examination, Annotated Bibliography - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Practical examination, Demonstration, Annotated Bibliography