SayPro Online Course SAQA 11516648455

Description

The following teaching and learning strategies are used in each exit level outcome to allow learners to achieve the specified outcomes:

Acting for Camera
Practical classes in acting technique, using energy, creating relationships and accessing and manifesting emotions honestly and dynamically are given. All exercises are recorded on video and played back so that the learners may view them on a monitor. Part of the learning strategy is for learners to watch and offer constructive criticism on each other`s work, which the lecturers also do. Learners also act in short films which are used for evaluating progress.

Live Performance
Learners work on poetry, prose, dramatic monologues and scenes which they perform live for the academic staff and learners. Notes and criticism of these pieces is offered by the staff and other learners. Improvisational skills and acting technique are also taught which enable learners to become confident and dynamic live performers. All learners are encouraged to perform pieces which they work on themselves in the weekly Open Class where work is presented to the whole department for comment and criticism.

Voice Development and Speech Training
Through a combination of the study of how voice is created physiologically and the practical development of breathing, relaxation resonance, placement, flexibility and articulation, each learner discovers the potential of their own voice. Each learner is encouraged to explore their individual physiological make-up in order to free and unlock the expressiveness of the voice. This is done through specially developed vocal exercises which are adapted to the needs of each learner and the application of what has been discovered vocally to material such as poetry and prose.

Body Movement
Similarly, the individual expressiveness of each learner`s body as an instrument of communication and developmental tool for acting is unlocked through a series of exercises which are performed individually or in groups. As with voice training the body is warmed and stretched at the beginning of every class in order to prevent injury. As is the case with all practical performance, the learners are encouraged to dissect and comment on the work of their peers. Exercises for the strengthening of the body and the building of stamina and fitness also form part of the movement section.

TV Presenting
Working on material such as news items, interviews and continuity inserts, learners are recorded on video which is then played back for evaluation and criticism. Presentation Techniques, Television Communication and Visual Dynamics are covered through practical application.

Film Acting Theory
Constant cross-reference to the practical aspects of acting are made in this section. The learners are introduced to theatre and film etiquette and the theory of creating productions for the stage and screen. These theories find practical application in the experiential learning offered in the programme. Learners are introduced to the theories of Stanislavski, Strasberg, Barr, Mamet and Sher with the emphasis on questioning and exploration. Learners are encouraged to develop their own theories through the exploration of existing ones and the application of these to their practical experience of acting.

History of Film Acting
The learning experience in this section is based on group discussion and analysis following the viewing of a film. Each film is placed into its historical, political and sociological context and the style of film-making and performance are analyzed within those parameters. Learners are encouraged to keep journals in which they make comparative notes on the films they have seen.

Learner Support and Personal Growth
This section of the programme is run by a trained counsellor and takes the form of a group therapy session. Learners are encouraged to express and analyze emotional difficulties which they experience on a daily basis as trainee actors who operate under emotionally vulnerable situations.

The learners are assessed in the following ways to evaluate whether they have achieved the specific outcomes in each section:

Acting for Camera
Continuous assessment of class work.
Learners appear in several short films throughout the year in which their performances are evaluated at mid-year and the end of the year.

Live Performance
Continuous assessment of class work.
Learners perform live dramatic pieces as exams for evaluation at mid-year and the end of the year.
Second Year learners are evaluated on all performances in live productions such as the Grahamstown Festival production.

Voice Development and Speech Training
Continuous assessment of class work.
Learners perform poetry, prose and dramatic pieces as exams for evaluation at mid-year and the end of the year.

Body Movement
Continuous assessment of class work.
Learners perform movement studies as exams for evaluation at mid-year and the end of the year.
Second Year learners are evaluated on performance in a live production at the Dance Indaba.

TV Presenting
Second Year learners record various types and styles of presentation and interviews on video which are evaluated at the end of the year.

Film Acting Theory
Continuous assessment of class work.
Three essays during the course of the year.
One written examination at the end of the year.

History of Film Acting
Continuous assessment of class work.
One written examination at the end of the year.

Learner Support and Personal Growth
Continuous assessment of class work.

Integrated assessment

As actor training is a developmental process continuous assessment is vitally important and makes up part of the year mark in every section of the programme. The learners are assessed on the following basic fundamentals in each section: Professionalism, Discipline, Focus and Concentration, Commitment, Class Participation and Attendance. The year marks of each section of the programme are calculated in the following ways:

Acting for Camera
Continuous assessment: 10%
Mid year performance evaluation (practical): 35%
End of year performance evaluation (practical): 55%

Live Performance
Continuous assessment: 10%
Mid year performance examination (practical): 35%
End of year performance examination (practical): 55%

Voice Development and Speech Training
Continuous assessment: 10%
Mid year performance examination (practical): 35%
End of year performance examination (practical): 55%

Body Movement
Continuous assessment: 10%
Mid year performance examination (practical): 35%
End of year performance examination (practical): 55%

TV Presenting
Continuous assessment: 10%
End of year performance evaluation: 90%

Film Acting Theory
Continuous assessment: 10%
3 essays: 40%
End of year written examination (theoretical): 50%

History of Film Acting
Continuous assessment: 50%
End of year written examination (theoretical): 50%

Learner Support and Personal Growth
Continuous assessment: 100%

The sections are weighted in the following way which forms the year mark for each year group.

First Year
Acting for Camera: 20%
Live Performance: 20%
Voice Development and Speech Training: 20%
Body Movement: 15%
Film Acting Theory: 10%
History of Film Acting: 10%
Learner Support and Personal Growth: 5%

Second Year
Acting for Camera: 20%
Live Performance: 15%
Voice Development and Speech Training: 15%
Body Movement: 15%
TV Presenting: 10%
Film Acting Theory: 10%
History of Film Acting: 10%
Learner Support and Personal Growth: 5%