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  2. Foundations of Movement for an Actor [ACT1003]

School: Western Australian 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.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2020 Units. Students will be notified of all approved modifications by Unit Coordinators via email and Unit Blackboard sites. Where changes have been made, these are designed to ensure that you still meet the unit learning outcomes in the context of our adjusted teaching and learning arrangements.

  • Unit Title

    Foundations of Movement for an Actor

  • Unit Code

    ACT1003

  • Year

    2020

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    3

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

  • Unit Coordinator

    Ms Samantha CHESTER

Description

This unit examines the fundamental qualities of movement for the actor. Using a variety of contemporary somatic practices and movement techniques the actor will attain the foundations of alignment, co-ordination, balance, breath and expressive movement. All practices undertaken in the unit will support movement knowledge for the actor to build physical potential and imaginative capacity. This unit will bring awareness of the students perception of movement for the actor and will lay the groundwork for deeper body work in following movement units. Classes are designed to be explorative, playful, inventive and challenging.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Execute rehearsed movement sequences.
  2. Have a fundamental understanding of why movement for the actor in theory and application is necessary.
  3. Have the ability to respond imaginatively to exercises and tasks.
  4. Start to work with self-awareness processing body mind breath connection.
  5. Understand the pre-expressive state as it applies to the actor.
  6. Understand the qualities of time, weight, space and stillness as it relates to movement and the actor.
  7. Use a range of physical dynamics and body awareness in individual and group exercises.
  8. Work safely individually, in a group or with a partner.

Unit Content

  1. Exploration of physical characterisation and transformation.
  2. Exploration of the fundamental qualities of movement for the actor.
  3. Expressive exploration of movement imagery.
  4. Safety in movement.
  5. Undertake a body and mind practice, for example Yoga.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Movement studio, intensive workshops, small group solo and duo exercises, video recording for analysis, in studio performance to students and staff. Self-reflection, observation and class feedback and discussion.

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
Essay1000 Word essay on a specific movement training for the actor
Creative Work ^Students will be assessed on in-class commitment, professional attitude, self-management and creative progress in weekly classes and workshops. This will include their willingness.
Presentation ^In Class Presentation of Technical Skills, Movement Practices or Tasks.
Journal ^Completion of a movement journal

^ Mandatory to Pass

Core Reading(s)

  • Ewan, V., & Green, D. (2015). Actor movement : expression of the physical being : a movement handbook for actors. London ; New York: Bloomsbury. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/883206951
  • Bain, Keith., & Campbell, Michael. (2010). Keith Bain on movement. Strawberry Hills, N.S.W: Currency House. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/666374240
  • Marshall, L. (2008). The body speaks (2nd ed.). London: Methuen. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/275165714?databaseList=638

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.

ACT1003|3|1

School: Western Australian 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.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for this unit. All assessment changes will be published by 27 July 2020. All students are reminded to check handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

  • Unit Title

    Foundations of Movement for an Actor

  • Unit Code

    ACT1003

  • Year

    2020

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    5

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

  • Unit Coordinator

    Ms Samantha CHESTER

Description

This unit examines the fundamental qualities of movement for the actor. Using a variety of somatic practices and movement techniques the actor will attain the foundations of alignment, co-ordination, balance, breath and expressive movement. All practices undertaken in the unit will support movement knowledge for the actor to build physical and imaginative capacity. This unit will lay the groundwork for body work in following movement units. Classes are designed to be explorative, playful, inventive and challenging.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Discuss why movement for the actor in theory and practice is necessary.
  2. Use a range of physical skills in individual and group exercises.
  3. Demonstrate the physical ability to respond imaginatively to exercises and tasks.
  4. Work with self-awareness processing body, mind and breath connection.
  5. Work safely individually, in a group or with a partner.
  6. Understand the qualities of time, weight, space, effort, stillness as it relates to movement and the actor.

Unit Content

  1. Fundamental Movement for the Actor.
  2. Iyengar Yoga.
  3. Alexander Technique.
  4. Laban Movement Analysis.
  5. Neutral Mask and Clowning.
  6. Acrobatics.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Movement studio, intensive workshops, small group solo and duo exercises, video recording for analysis, in studio performance to students and staff. Self-reflection, observation and class feedback and discussion.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework 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
TypeDescriptionValue
Essay1000 Word essay on a specific movement training for the actor 20%
Creative Work ^Students will be assessed on in-class commitment, professional attitude, self-management and creative progress in weekly classes and workshops. 10%
Presentation ^In Class Presentation of Technical Skills, Movement Practices or Tasks. 50%
Journal ^Completion of a movement journal 20%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Core Reading(s)

  • Ewan, V., & Green, D. (2015). Actor movement : expression of the physical being : a movement handbook for actors. London ; New York: Bloomsbury. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/883206951
  • Bain, Keith., & Campbell, Michael. (2010). Keith Bain on movement. Strawberry Hills, N.S.W: Currency House. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/666374240
  • Marshall, L. (2008). The body speaks (2nd ed.). London: Methuen. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/275165714?databaseList=638

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.

ACT1003|5|2