Partner Details

Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts

Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Bachelor of Arts with Honours - BAH

Alternative Exit

Alternative Exit

Alternative Exit

Programme Offerings

Full-Time

F2F-LPA-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

The programme intends to contribute to the education of actors, with a concentration on screen acting and emergent practice in recorded, digital and media technologies. This is an innovative training that equips graduates as artistic creatives who, in addition to traditional practical skills, develop an ability to utilise practitioner techniques and theoretical insights to critically analyse performance material whilst developing a unique independent methodology and business acumen in order to maximise the utilities of their skillset in practice, content creation and emergent digital arenas. Our programme aims to:

i. Facilitate graduates to obtain employment as versatile actors across screen and digital performance platforms and contexts

ii. Develop in students an independent and unique autonomy in technical and practical processes

iii. Utilise student engagement through employment initiatives within the creative industries, including self-employment and entrepreneurial frameworks

iv. Advance in students an appreciation and understanding of cultural, social, political and economic perspectives in performance

Learning Outcomes

1.
Synthesise and evaluate the evolution of historical performance forms and genres, aesthetic traditions and techniques applied to current arts practice and potential future developments
2.
Critically examine forms of discourse and their impact on spectators in performance
3.
Critique and select appropriate and creative psychological, physical and vocal performance processes
4.
Synthesise the process of linking pre-production, production, post-production techniques and evaluate its reception
5.
Integrate imaginative collaborative practices within group production work, evaluating the effectiveness of these techniques
6.
Evaluate the practical application of theoretical concepts in performance, and the effect of this integration in practice
7.
Produce advanced creative interdisciplinary collaborations within conceptual frameworks
8.
Synthesise a range of approaches to achieve successful professional relationships, and evaluate techniques to solve creative collaborative issues
9.
Measure and rise to challenging, professional working contexts; setting complex goals and targets; collaborating when appropriate to negotiate positive outcomes
10.
Assess creative responsibilities in a working environment, synthesising ethical, regulatory and legal considerations
11.
Develop research skills, synthesising and organising results, and evaluate established and emergent technologies
12.
Critically assess aesthetic, cultural and theoretical perspectives in film and media technologies, recognising current developments in communication and technological change
13.
Create, advance and evaluate an informed application of technology and digital media skills to enhance industry profile
14.
Evaluate interconnected textual and contextual interpretations, practitioner readings and its adaptation across differing performance mediums
15.
Deconstruct practitioner approaches, synthesising cultural and historical influences
16.
Critically examine complex interrelationships between live/recorded media and evaluate its significance in practice
17.
Evaluate the creation of performance, isolating working methods, technical approaches and concepts
18.
Formulate original ideas, negotiating an argument and appropriate means of dissemination
19.
Implement an independent critical research investigation in order to create an original new work
20.
Synthesise cultural ideologies and contextual frameworks in media, film and performance with reference to social, cultural and technological change

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Acquisition of learning outcomes is through a combination of lectures, small group teaching and practical classes, workshops. Directed production projects, and additional contributions from visiting professionals, specialists and external professionals, enhance the delivery.

Cross-modular links connect theory and practice, as well as inter-disciplinary collaboration across the curriculum, supplemented also by opportunities for students to work independently outside the curriculum on self-directed production projects facilitated by the Independent Study Board, (ISB). The learner is encouraged to undertake independent research to supplement and consolidate what is taught, to broaden knowledge and understanding of the subject area.

All modules are supported by additional resources on Moodle (our Virtual Learning Environment).

Assessment (both formative and summative) is through a combination of continuous class assessment, formal and informal presentations, in-house and public performances, formal and informal studio presentations, written analyses and/or logbooks, portfolios and formal essays.

Within the practical elements of the programme at Level 4, emphasis of assessment is predominately weighted towards the technique and presentation elements of classes and rehearsals. At Level 5, the emphasis begins a shift, amalgamating technique and process, with focus on performance toward the end of the teaching year. At Level 6, the emphasis develops to focus primarily on performance or product, supported by follow-up written or oral presentations and evaluations as appropriate.

Intellectual skills are developed through the combination of lectures, small group teaching, practical classes, workshops, and directed production projects at Levels 4-6. Theory and practice are integrated to inform a cogent and coherent understanding of the intellectual properties of performance works, practitioners, philosophies and critical theories. Each module involves discussion of key issues concerning the practical engagement with concepts of acting and performance in practical rehearsal/performance, analysis and interpretation of source material, written work or oral presentation and individual feedback. Small group teaching, practical classes, workshops, and directed production projects predominate in Level 5. At Level 6 all learners will engage in a formalised extended independent research project as part of Cultural Perspectives III as a vehicle for the demonstration of acquired skills. The acquisition of these skills will be demonstrated by students severally if not collectively.

Given the vocational nature of the programme, the emphasis in achievement of these skills is that of kinaesthetic, experiential engagement and activity, inter-disciplinary and independent research, demanding the application of practice in applying theoretical approaches, concepts and methods either in writing or in practical rehearsal/performance/product.

Continuous analysis and interpretation of source material, including individual feedback, runs throughout the programme, as well as self-directed, group and individual study. Skills are assessed through a combination of continuous coursework, in-house presentations and public performances. Skills in powers of expression, inter-personal and professional working relationships, organisational skills and time-management (including management of conflicting pressures and deadlines) are integrated across enterprise and practical modules. IT skills are largely developed through individual learning, project-realisation and self-promotional requirements in The Professional modules. Effective communication of ideas is an integral criterion in assessment of a learner’s written and practical work, or in performance.

Opportunities for work related learning

The learning environment of the programme mirrors, where practicable, the environment an actor may expect to find in a real world employment context. Students will present and perform at all levels of the programme. Links between The Professional modules and Artistic Practice at all levels of study example a concerted focus on the integration of business and employment practices with creative, artistic products and ventures. This development of entrepreneurial skills, with the potential to include partnerships with external agencies and small-scale touring, in the creation of original new work enhances the skills, knowledge and abilities necessary for effective professional profiling, promotion and practice in such contexts. The Actor’s Process (Level 5) and The Actor’s Performance (Level 6) presents students with the opportunity to collaborate with visiting professional directors and filmmakers, enhancing network contacts, with some performances scheduled at external venues. Furthermore, the Graduate Portfolio and its digital showcase is an enrichment of industry engagement, reaching to UK and international agents, casting directors, employers and industry professionals.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

Students who started in 2021 will pick up the new revalidated rules/modules at level 6 only.

Approved variance from Academic Framework Regulations

This programme has a variance to run year-long modules at level 4, 5 and 6.

Entry Requirements

A levels

Alternative qualifications considered

BTECs

International Baccalaureate

Other international requirements

HECoS Code(s)

(CAH25-02) performing arts