Modules

Module title: Applied Playwriting 1
SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 60.00
ECTS credit value: 30
Module code: CLP11125
Module leader: Donna Soto-Morettini
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Humanities and Culture
Prerequisites

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2020/1, Trimester 2, Face-to-Face,
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: Face-to-Face
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Donna Soto-Morettini
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
Learning will take place in intensive classes that will address very specific issues related to writing technique and, as the term progresses, increasingly in practical rehearsal environments. Along with rehearsals and intensive classes, students will also have 8 hours of individual tutorial (some of which may be in rehearsal, or may be face-to-face in person or online), in which to discuss early ‘etude’ assignments, and later script development in detail. (LOs 1 -5). Final project/s will rehearse in both independent and observed sessions, and will be monitored through direct contact throughout with the module leader. The module will culminate in a staged reading (LO 6).

Embedding of employability/PDP/Scholarship Skills
The design of this programme is such that all practical modules simulate professional conditions and all theoretical modules inculcate skills that are valued by employers across a range of industries. Specifically, both practical and theoretical modules promote advanced skills in: communication, creative-problem solving, working collaboratively, working with a high-level of autonomy, and excellent time-management.

Research / teaching linkages
The module will be supported by tutors who are active in the industry and whose professional work and networks will ensure that student practice is up to date and industry-relevant.

Supporting equality and diversity
In the design of this programme, and in its delivery, we are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all, and to ensuring that no individual is discriminated against. The nature of creating and producing new performance work is such that we feel staff and students will have the opportunity actively to promote multicultural points of view. Small intake across this course ensures that we will be able to respond to students individually, and to employ a variety of teaching and assessment methods to support a student’s learning experience. We will value the diverse experience that students from a wide variety of backgrounds bring to the work and the structure of this programme is such that it gives voice to that variety of experience.

Internationalisation
Given the context of our delivery in Edinburgh, and the student residency for at least one if not two of the summer festivals, we are certain that students will be made aware of the international potential for their work, as well as the presence of international practice that can inspire the same in students’ work. Additionally, we hope to target a number of universities internationally in the hope of building a globally diverse cohort each year.



Formative Assessment:
Formative assessment will occur through peer response in rehearsals, and through continuous close observation and dialogue with mentors on the set ‘etudes’, and as ‘staged reading’ scene drafts develop toward the second half of the term. Summative assessment will be based on the script or scripts produced for a final staged reading of the draft scene/s.

Summative Assessment:
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Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Tutorial 38
Independent Learning Practical classes and workshops 100
Independent Learning Guided independent study 462
Total Study Hours600
Expected Total Study Hours for Module600


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Practical Skills Assessment 50 1-4 3 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 0
Practical Skills Assessment 50 1-6 15 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 0
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Description of module content:

Throughout the trimester there will be 5 separate day-long intensive master classes in specific areas of playwriting techniques, which will underpin the practical work of the term. You will have 8 hours of individual mentoring and tutorial time in script development. Beginning with a series of short scene ‘etudes’, you will spend the first half of the trimester working with mentors, who will be supporting you during set challenges which will be looking very specifically at character and dialogue.

You will also have a series of meetings with students on the BA Acting courses throughout the term, to explore themes and ideas for Edinburgh Festival productions. You may choose to work with one or more teams, and you may also elect to produce more than one draft of work.

The aim of the module is to allow both studio and desk-based development time toward a staged reading of sample scene script/s at the end of term.

Learning Outcomes for module:

At the end of this module you should be able to:

LO1: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the developmental process for generating creative work
LO2: Demonstrate a practical understanding of the elements of powerful dramatic storytelling technique
LO3: Work creatively and collaboratively within a team, meet deadlines and respond positively to feedback
LO4: Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the relationship between character, dialogue, genre, and setting
LO5: Employ a variety of advanced techniques for successfully shaping and revising dramatic ideas within a rehearsal process.
LO6: Produce a technically sound, creative draft of the first scenes of a play in a timely manner, and accompany that draft with a semi-professional full treatment.
Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
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