Learning Agreement.

COURSE:                 BA (Hons) Costume with Performance Design

UNIT TITLE:             Specialist Practice

Proposal:

For Specialist Practice I will be continuing the work that I started in Self Directed Project. I am going to consolidate my specialist costume with performance design knowledge by transferring my final designs into the set and costumes for a School of Performance production; The Canterbury Tales. I will also have the role of Set Assistant for On The Razzle, helping with the construction and realisation of the set. I will work with the director, production manager, technical supervisors, makers, buyer and a costume supervisor to help realise the designs I created in SDP and therefore create the set and costumes for a School of Performance show in the studio theatre. I intend to work closely with the makers during the construction and possible alterations of the costumes to ensure I understand their needs in the realisation of my designs. I will liaise with a supervisor and buyer to source fabric and costumes where appropriate. I plan to attend rehearsals as much as possible and make relevant notes to help ensure I have the correct props, costume accessories and the opportunity to solve any problems that may arise. I will also realise my set design and will source furniture and props as appropriate. Any issues with the sourcing and budget of the production will be overcome by doing in depth and thorough research into materials, their characteristics and how they will be used for the set and costumes. My role will include independent problem solving and risk taking by deciding on the overall aesthetics of the play. This project will allow me to further develop my intellectual reasoning in terms of sourcing materials for the set and costumes and helping the makers to understand, interpret and realise my designs whilst still allowing them to think creatively about how this might be achieved. I will think critically about the choices I make and how this will affect the overall running of the play and the experience for the audience. I will set up and attend weekly production meetings to ensure that all team members are informed and that any possible agendas can be raised. This will help me to understand my professional practice and role within a production team and ultimately help me to communicate the aesthetics not only through my designs but also through design ideas and construction necessities. Overall I will realise my designs whilst producing an in depth sketchbook, production journal in the form of a blog detailing how I arrived at the final show.

Aims

A1     To negotiate a body of work within the context of the brief through a learning agreement which demonstrates effective work planning, time and resource management.

A2     To further develop intellectual reasoning and practical research to an increasingly advanced level of attainment.

A3     To encourage in-depth learning through a high degree of independent judgement and increased critical thinking.

A4     To develop a professional level of communication through the visual creative and technical realisation of your project.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

LO1  Demonstrate the ability to negotiate an appropriate body of work, formulise a work plan and manage time and resources effectively.

LO2 Demonstrate the initiation and creative application of intellectual reasoning and practical research to a high level of attainment.

LO3 Inform project solutions with appropriate understanding, a high degree of independent judgement and demonstrate critical self-awareness.

LO4 Demonstrate a professional level of project realisation, communication and presentation.

LO4     Demonstrate a professional level of project realisation, communication and presentation

Assessment Components

A negotiated body of work that will include evidence of advanced technical and artistic experimentation and risk taking. Hand-in will be a sketchbook of developmental work and a record of your realised designs, together with a production journal in the form of a blog (laurenholmansdp.blogspot.co.uk) and practical work as designer. This will include a model box, any additional designs, the final show and an appropriate written evaluation (500 words).   100%

Complementarity

Should an opportunity become available to work with students from another course, the body of work will be negotiated with your unit tutor.

Each assessment requirement must be passed at a minimum grade of 40% to successfully complete the unit.

Assessment Criteria (specific criteria related to the learning outcomes)

The level to which your work demonstrates the ability to negotiate an appropriate body of work, formulise a work plan and manage time and resources effectively. (LO1)

The level to which your work demonstrates the initiation and creative application of intellectual reasoning and practical research to a high level of attainment. (LO2)

The level to which your work informs project solutions with appropriate understanding, a high degree of independent judgement and demonstrate critical self-awareness. (LO3)

The level to which your work demonstrates a professional level of project realisation, communication and presentation. (LO4)

Reference Material

Cunnington, P and Willet, C (n.d) Handbook of English Medieval Costume. London: Faber and Faber Ltd.

Hartley, D (1931) Medieval Costume and Life. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd.

Houston, M (1965) Medieval Costume in England and France. London: A&C Black Ltd.

Monks, A (2010) The Actor in Costume. UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

Poulton, M (2005) The Canterbury Tales. London: Nick Hern Books.

Wilson, E (1983) British Museum Pattern Books. Early Medieval Designs. UK: The Bath Press, Avon.