Faculty of Education and Arts

School: WA Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Introduction to Acting
  • Unit Code

    ACT1001
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This introduction to Acting Skills is founded on the traditional training values of Stanislavsky and of his philosophical descendants. Students examine the basis of drama: high stakes; conflict; character objectives; and identification with the protagonist, both theoretically and practically. This unit puts emphasis on improvisation, impulse work, connecting with the dramatic imagination, personification, sensory awareness, story telling, focus, stage awareness and working in an ensemble.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse and interpret texts to better enable story-telling and understand the function of the character.
  2. Appraise modern Australian theatre history including the significance of Indigenous writers and practitioners.
  3. Demonstrate an emotional and physical range of expression.
  4. Identify artistic truth in studio work.

Unit Content

  1. Academic writing skills.
  2. Basic acting skills into rehearsal and studio performance.
  3. Creative improvisation.
  4. Exploration of impulse.
  5. Literary critical analysis.
  6. Observation and critique of performances.
  7. Spontaneous, free-form studio work.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Peer observations, guest speakers, Masterclasses with visiting artists, Attachment to professional productions, Intensive week-long workshops for specific outcomes.

Assessment

GS2 GRADING SCHEMA 2 Used for performance and/or practical based units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescription
PerformanceScene Work (duologue)
WorkshopProject Week Workshop
EssayTheatre History

Text References

  • Hagen, U. (1973). Respect for acting. Wiley Publishing.
  • Harris, T. (1967). Transactional analysis. New York: USA. Bantam Doubleday.
  • Stanislavsky, K. (1980). An actor prepares. London: United Kingdom. Eyre Methuen.
  • Stanislavsky, K. (1989). Building a character. London: United Kingdom. Routledge.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ACT1001|2|1

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: WA Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Introduction to Acting
  • Unit Code

    ACT1001
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This introduction to Acting Skills is founded on the traditional training values of Stanislavsky and of his philosophical descendants. Students examine the basis of drama: high stakes; conflict; character objectives; and identification with the protagonist, both theoretically and practically. This unit puts emphasis on improvisation, impulse work, connecting with the dramatic imagination, personification, sensory awareness, story telling, focus, stage awareness and working in an ensemble.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse and interpret texts to better enable story-telling and understand the function of the character.
  2. Appraise modern Australian theatre history including the significance of Indigenous writers and practitioners.
  3. Demonstrate an emotional and physical range of expression.
  4. Identify artistic truth in studio work.

Unit Content

  1. Academic writing skills.
  2. Basic acting skills into rehearsal and studio performance.
  3. Creative improvisation.
  4. Exploration of impulse.
  5. Literary critical analysis.
  6. Observation and critique of performances.
  7. Spontaneous, free-form studio work.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Peer observations, guest speakers, Masterclasses with visiting artists, Attachment to professional productions, Intensive week-long workshops for specific outcomes.

Assessment

GS2 GRADING SCHEMA 2 Used for performance and/or practical based units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescription
PerformanceScene Work (duologue)
WorkshopProject Week Workshop
EssayTheatre History

Text References

  • Hagen, U. (1973). Respect for acting. Wiley Publishing.
  • Harris, T. (1967). Transactional analysis. New York: USA. Bantam Doubleday.
  • Stanislavsky, K. (1980). An actor prepares. London: United Kingdom. Eyre Methuen.
  • Stanislavsky, K. (1989). Building a character. London: United Kingdom. Routledge.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ACT1001|2|2