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Project requirements: Director's folio
According to the NESA website this project comprises a folio of work based on one of the plays listed on the current Design/Critical Analysis (Director’s Folio) in the text list for individual projects (2025-2027).
The submitted folio should be 3500 words in length. Annotated scripts are not a requirement of this project.
The project must include:
a 300-word rationale in the form of a director’s concept/vision
a comprehensive discussion of the director’s concept/vision integrating the dramatic and theatrical elements
descriptions and explanations of key theatrical elements, features, effects or images which contribute to dramatic meaning
an analysis of the text and discussion of the research that has influenced the ideas for the production
an outline of the design concepts for set, costumes and lighting
a discussion of the approach to working with actors in rehearsal
a statement about the intended experience for the audience.
Assessment and Reporting in Drama Stage 6, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, date accessed 20/09/2021.
Learning from other students
There are several reasons why learning from your peers is effective. You share a similar language and perspective. Seeing what other students have done to achieve success can support your understanding.
In this lesson students will respond to the ideas and experiences of a successful HSC drama director's folio student.
'Gain inspiration from your surroundings ... take inspiration from your outside world and bring it into the drama room, and use those ideas within your pieces, and choose things that you feel emotionally connected to.'
'Gain inspiration from your surroundings ... take inspiration from your outside world and bring it into the drama room, and use those ideas within your pieces, and choose things that you feel emotionally connected to.'
Angela Wang discusses her IP titled 'When the rain stops falling', Student Interviews about Stage 6 Drama.
Student activity 1 - Example of a successful approach
The interview above is part of a series in which Year 12 students discuss the development of their individual projects - including their use of the drama logbook. Each student reflects on their journey towards the successful completion of their individual project.
The interview above is part of a series in which Year 12 students discuss the development of their individual projects - including their use of the drama logbook. Each student reflects on their journey towards the successful completion of their individual project.
On a new page in your individual project logbook or in a new digital document create a concept map to summarise the successful student's approach to their chosen individual project, using the example below as a guide. You might use one of the concept mapping tools in the digital learning selector on the NSW Department of Education website to record your responses.
View the interview with Angela Wang above.
Summarise the experience of the student in concept map format. Make notes on your concept map as you watch the video. Stop the video so that you can jot down ideas. Add more branches to your concept map where appropriate.
Share and discuss your summary in pairs or in a small group. Consider: What were some of the strongest messages that came out of the interview? What new information did you learn about the process of developing this individual project? What was already familiar and reinforced through the interview?
Criteria for examining the Individual project: Director's folio
The NESA website lists the following criteria for examining the director's folio project.
For the Individual Project: Critical Analysis (Director’s Folio), a mark out of 10 is awarded for each of the 3 criteria, giving a total mark out of 30.
Criteria 1: Directorial concept/vision (10 marks)
originality, clarity and practicality of the director’s concept/vision
effective communication of the director’s concept/vision
effective use of key theatrical elements, features, effects or images which contribute to dramatic meaning
integration and unity of dramatic and theatrical elements.
Criteria 2: Analysis and synthesis of research (10 marks)
effective understanding and interpretation of the text
selection of the textual and support material and analysis of research contributing to the idea of the production
clarity in presenting the material.
Criteria 3: Production experience (10 marks)
skill in conceiving a dramatic and theatrical experience for the audience
appropriateness and effectiveness of rehearsal techniques
use of design elements to create dramatic meaning.
Assessment and Reporting in Drama Stage 6, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, date accessed 20/09/2021.
Student activity 2 - Strategies for success
Student activity 2 - Strategies for success
Look closely at the at project requirements for director's folio. While the 3500 folio can be structured in any way, it should include all of the elements below.
A clear concept/vision drawn from the central action of the play.
A concept justified by the play itself rather than imposed on it.
An understanding of appropriation and modernisation. The original text cannot be rewritten by the director.
Appropriate rehearsal techniques embedded in staged moments from the production to clearly achieve this directorial vision in performance.
Textual analysis, staged scenes and production experience throughout the pitch.
Look back at the marking criteria and for the director's folio. Looking carefully at the dot points under each criterion, highlight all the words relating to concept/vision in yellow. Then highlight all the words relating to analysis of the play or research in pink. Finally, highlight in blue all the words relating to the production experience.
Director's folio concept map.pptxStudent activity 3 - Apply new understanding
Student activity 3 - Apply new understanding
Select one of the plays from the text list for individual projects (2025-2027) to explore in more detail.
As you read, record key information in a concept map like the one above. You might extend this map by adding new branches and could do this using one of the concept mapping tools in the digital learning selector on the NSW Department of Education website.
Share and discuss your concept map with your teacher. You can use this concept map to guide the development of your director's folio project.
Student activity 4 - What's in it for me?
Student activity 4 - What's in it for me?
Considering everything you now know about the project requirements, peer approaches, and marking criteria, how do you feel about this individual project option? Keep a record of your response in your logbook or in digital form and then let your teacher know what you are thinking by completing the individual project questionnaire at the end of this module.
References and images
References and images
Assessment and Reporting in Drama Stage 6, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, date accessed 20/09/2021.
Course Prescriptions for Drama Stage 6 (2025-2027), NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2019 - 2024, date accessed 23/07/2024.
Drama HSC practical marking guidelines, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2002, date accessed 20/09/2021.
Digital learning selector, date accessed 28/09/2021
"Yes or no image" by Cottonbro is in the Public Domain
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