KTB111 Acting in Realism: The Authentic Actor


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:KTB111
Credit points:12
Equivalent:KTB103, KSB116
Coordinator:Caroline Heim | caroline.heim@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 surveys the theoretical and practical components of Stanislavski-based realism which strives towards authenticity. It focuses on the critical and creative theories and techniques needed to cultivate authenticity, imagination and emotion-awareness. Authenticity is the foundation for building and portraying characters for the performing artist. A combination of exercises and scene study will deepen the understanding and playing of action in the realistic mode. Stanislavski-based realism is arguably the most dominant style of acting in twentieth and twenty-first century practice. As such, it needs to be understood in its own terms. Therefore, in this unit you will be encouraged to learn to appreciate the basic construct of the actor craft, your relationship with your emotional interior, and the key concepts and language used to create an authentic performance as the basic skills needed to develop a personal methodology for acting.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in applying reflexive techniques to develop a personal methodology for preparation and delivery of a performance.
  2. Recognise forms and practices of performance.
  3. Demonstrate an awareness of professional rehearsal process and protocols.

Content

This unit provides an experiential introduction to the study of acting for the stage based in psychological and physical realism. The theoretical study introduces you to key concepts as they apply to the authentic actor. You will be introduced to the fundamentals of Stanislavski-based realism which include authenticity, emotion recall, listening, obstacles/objectives and the given circumstances. At a practical level you will engage in a number of workshops and group created exercises that will help develop your performance authenticity. These workshops are designed to provide you with acting ensemble and analytical tools that will assist your understanding of the principles of performance and enhance your ability to participate in higher-level performance activity.

Learning Approaches

The unit features a series of lectures and workshops involving teaching staff who are working practitioners and experts in their fields. Lectures and a reading program will introduce you to concepts and approaches that will be discussed, explored and applied in workshops and rehearsals of short scenes or performance work. This performance work is presented and evaluated in in-class showings. Performance-making is a cooperative activity, and you must be available to work in small teams outside normal class time, with sufficient flexibility to coordinate your rehearsal availability with that of others in your group. Attendance at all classes, directed and autonomous rehearsals, and performances is strongly recommended. 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 the assessment tasks

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

Assessment items offer opportunities to bridge the gap between academic approaches and industry. Particular emphasis is given to your ‘professional’ responsibility for personal engagement and the efficient use of rehearsal time, both autonomous and staff-directed, and for the development of a reliable and creative performance creative process. There are three assessment items in this unit. The first is a performance based on a text, focussing on authenticity. The second is a performance of a text that focusses on the re-creation of the imagined world. The final piece asks you to analyse, evaluate and apply acting methods attained from the lectures.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Performance

You will prepare and perform a short text that demonstrates your knowledge of performance fundamentals.

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Early Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 3

Assessment: Performance

You will interpret a text with others and realise a short performance that demonstrates a facility with acquired skills and a coherent understanding of fundamental skills of performance.

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

Assessment: Essay

You will answer a series of three questions in essay form related to knowledge attained from the lectures.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Late Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2

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. If you are completing your group performance online and do not require room bookings, the Tier 2 Health and Safety Induction is not necessary.

Resources

Required equipment is listed in the Resource materials section.

Script excerpts, texts and unit readings will be available online. Additional recommended readings will be indicated and available online.

Resource Materials

Safety and protective equipment

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

Other

To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required. 

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or facilities, refer to the Tier 1 General Health and Safety InductionTier 2 Health and Safety Induction is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio. If you are completing your group performance online and do not require room bookings, the Tier 2 Health and Safety Induction is not necessary.

Where substantial computer-based work is required, particularly in the case of fully online students, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

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, your director or stage manager, 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 in to 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 Drama staff at QUT 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.

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

  1. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3
  2. Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO1
  3. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
    Relates to: ULO3
  4. Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO3

KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries

  1. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3
  2. Demonstrate technical expertise to support skills and knowledge within the Creative Industries.
    Relates to: ULO1
  3. Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3