.

Beginning with an intensive week of instruction (20 hours), you will focus on developing a critical understanding of the elements of dramatic story-telling (character, dialogue, plot, visuals, theme, etc.), language and tropes and on the varieties of dramatic structure – from simple chronological narrative to more sophisticated techniques of time-manipulation and exploitation of suspense. You will face a set of project-based challenges in order to consolidate your learning. You will have regular tutorials throughout the trimester to monitor progress and discuss ideas, and each project will have observation/mentoring time as agreed (6 hours) through weekly tutorials and rehearsals. Each of these project-based challenges will be set with increasing time requirements. Examples might include:

A two-minute opening ‘montage’ with minimal dialogue, adapted from a painting, sculpture or piece of music.
A three-minute scene adapted from a poem or short story.
A three to four-minute minute scene adapted from a current event news story
A final project scene adaptation from any source.

Projects will be produced in collaboration with directors and playwrights, Napier graduate actors, and with students on the Acting & English and the Acting for Stage & Screen courses.
During your ‘mini-placement’ you will be expected to work with and support a full scale in house production for the Acting programmes at Edinburgh Napier as a production assistant. You will have opportunity to observe how texts are realised by experienced directors, while learning some of the practicalities of realizing a stage production.

The module culminates in a workshop presentation, where directors and playwrights will be teamed with actors to create a piece of original drama adapted from an extant source. You will accompany this final project with an analytical essay (1000 words).

At the end of this module, the student should be able
LO1: Demonstrate a critical understanding of a range of dramatic story structuring techniques.
LO2: Describe and understand the process of planning and executing a performance project to a semi-professional standard, from first read-through to final performance
LO3: Communicate clearly and effectively within a collaborative group process
LO4: Demonstrate leadership and vision and to identify, conceptualise and solve artistic issues and problems in practice.
LO5: Demonstrate, through practice, deep knowledge of applied techniques and some original thinking in the areas of delineating character, plot and theme, in the service of creating a strong dramatic narrative.
LO6: Articulate practically the relationship between critical analysis and creative practice