Undergraduate Course: Directing Drama Essentials (DESI08130)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course provides a series of seminars and workshops designed to introduce students to different aspects of film directing, such as analyzing a script, assembling a cast and crew, developing a vision and staging a scene. Through workshop like settings students work on how they can direct actors within a scene. Students can expect to participate as actors in scenes directed by their peers. |
| Course description |
The course provides a broad overview of the essential elements of directing film, such as script analysis, communication with a crew, developing a cinematic vision and directing actors. Through film screenings and seminars, the course encourages students to analyse and discuss the relation between film form and content. Students furthermore analyze different scenes from existing scripts and explore the tools a film director employs to translate a script to film. Throughout the course students research the different skills and tasks of a film director, such as gathering a cast and crew, developing a vision and preparing for film rehearsals. Through staging different scenes and participating as both actors and directors in these exercises, students understand the rehearsal process and the aspects of performance. Important questions throughout the course seminars are: What is the function of a scene? What is the character¿s development throughout the scene? How can the mise-en-scene add certain meaning to a scene? How can a desired performance be obtained? What are the challenges of staging a specific scene? What are the director¿s tools? Students also explore how to decide on where to position a camera within a specific scene, considering the relation of the camera to the characters and performance.
Directing a film largely depends on the ability to communicate ideas effectively throughout the filmmaking process. Directors need to express their ideas convincingly to producers, funders, cast members and key collaborators. Throughout the course students practice communicating about their ideas and visual approach in different forms, such as presentations, writing a synopsis and directorial vision.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | This course is highly recommended for Film & TV students wanting to direct a drama short film in the 3rd or 4th Year of their degree studies.
This course is open to ALL STUDENTS and enrolments are managed on a first come first served basis until the course is full. The course will be open to enrolments from Wednesday 11th September at 11.00 am. Please sign up for the course through your own School (they will advise if this is done via your PT, SSO or Teaching Office). We do not currently keep a waiting list. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate adequate knowledge with regard to directing drama and the role of the film director.
- Critically evaluate the skills, techniques and practices needed to direct a film.
- Convey complex information and ideas with regard to the form and style of a film to a range of audiences.
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Reading List
Weston, J. (1999). Directing Actors: Creating Memorable Performances for Film and Television. Michael Wiese Productions.
Dancyger, K. (2006). The Director¿s Idea. The Path to Great Directing. Focal Press.
Travis, M. (2002). Directing Feature Films. Michael Wiese Productions.
D.K. Irving (2010). Fundamentals of Film Directing. Mc Farland Publishers.
D. Mamet (1991). On Directing Film. Penguin.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Understand the complex aspects of Directing Drama for Screen;
Analyze the relation between form and content;
Develop ideas and creative skills;
Communicate different ideas to a variety of audiences in a clear and convincing manner;
Work in a team.
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| Keywords | Cinema,Film Production,Performance |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Itandehui Jansen
Tel: (0131 6)51 5852
Email: I.Jansen@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Georgia Dodsworth
Tel: (0131 6)51 5712
Email: georgia.dodsworth@ed.ac.uk |
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