Module: PM7033-30 - Directing Circus 2: Director as Author

Level: 7

Credit Value: 30

Module Tutor: Bim Mason

Module Tutor Contact Details: b.mason@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module

This module develops your directing skills (learned in Circus Directing 1: Performer as Source) with a longer, more in-depth project, with more emphasis on director-as-author, shifting the emphasis from taught learning to more independent learning. You direct circus-based acts or pieces to demonstrate your advanced level skills through practice, at a semi-professional level. You will also reflect critically upon your overall skills development for directing circus and place them in the context of the contemporary industry. The module aims to:

• Develop strategies for authoring a circus-based performance and to deepen self-reflective critical skills
• Provide students with a practical opportunity to author and realise a circus performance
• Develop understanding of the wider contemporary circus industry

2. Outline syllabus

The module builds upon the core practical skills learned in the first trimester such as authoring, performer-as-source, use of equipment, dramaturgy and aesthetics. You apply these skills to practice by creative direction of circus performance at a semi-professional level, you learn about current industry practice and trends, and critically reflect upon the overall development of your own and other’s directing practice. Focus is on placing your work in context with industry standards. Teaching includes workshops, seminars, and off-site visits to companies in rehearsal.

You work from a subject of your choice with submission of sketches and written ideas for design and aesthetic components, working with small groups of the 2nd year Foundation degree students at Circomedia or equivalent. Formative assessment is through rehearsals of the pieces. These enable you to gather feedback on assessment objects before summative submissions/presentation of work. You also submit a draft of your Industry Performance-Evaluation Essay prior to your final submission to your tutor. Your tutor then provides formative feedback on the essay for you to make improvements before summative assessment.

3. Teaching and learning activities

Self-generated directing activities, one-to-one tutorials, peer feedback within seminars and autonomous reflection.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work
• Description: Project performance
• % Weighting: 40%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work
• Description: Critical reflection
• % Weighting: 20%

Assessment Item 3:

• Assessment Type: Course Work
• Description: Industry Performance-Evaluation (3000 words)
• % Weighting: 40%