Theatre of Animated Form - Preparation of Diploma Project

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Name of lecturer(s)

Department

The subject provides Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre

Contents

At the beginning of the semester, several workshops with different artists will be held to give students an insight into practical dramaturgy and set design.

These are followed by independent work on a concept and realization of performance, visual dramaturgy and data based theatrical text.

The majority of the semester is dedicated to preparation of final artistic project in small groups, based on work with chosen puppets, objects and material consulted with the tutor and any other pedagogues involved in the programme. Expected and supported is effective co-operation, organization and division of tasks among members of the group.

At the same time, consultations will take place to assess the level of preparation of the final project, map the needs of the students, arrangement of the groups, and provide the appropriate support needed.

Objectives of the course:

The course of production work is the space for a practical examination and test of students’ constellation of the group approaches, with an emphasis on the individual creativity of students. The study content of the third semester is built on the knowledge and skills acquired in the previous study of the course - Theatre of animated form 1 and 2. The whole studying process is focused on searching for individual, specific theatre language that students should create through reflection of the creation process. The main objective is the development of the final artistic project. This includes dramaturgical research on chosen topic, devising or adapting the text, creating directing concept as well as development of practical skills as organization of creation process: constituting and leading the creative team, organizing rehearsal period, implementing particular artistic inputs as set, music, acting etc. into the production as a whole. The semester will end up with a public presentation of work in progress performance and feedback. According to the presentations, the projects and students will be distributed to a particular university for the final semester of studies, where the Master’s projects are to be finished. Students can invite teachers involved in PuppArts to the rehearsals for consultations by previous agreement.

Mode of study:

Conversational lecture with multimedia presentation.

Individual and group work.

Individual and group consultation.

Learning outcomes

In the field of knowledge students:

analyse and investigate mutual relations between theoretical and practical aspects of studies as well as make use of that knowledge for their own artistic development while creating project of “small theatrical from“

are familiar with and know how to control the process of creating puppet art projects

are familiar with a wide variety of puppet techniques and know how to use their potential in their creative work, including the properties of materials and technologies, including their dramatic potential

have knowledge of the application of technology in theatre projects and know how to use it in their own creative work

In the field of skills students:

develop their own artistic personality; create, realize and express own artistic concepts;

improve skills needed for the realization during rehearsals;

create construction of a script and understand its purpose and essence;

co-operate and co-act with other people within group work;

use and develop wide range of skills enabling realization of own artistic concept;

are able to use own organizational skills, technological knowledge, and knowledge of puppet theatre techniques to realize own artistic vision, develop these skills, and decide how to use them creatively in relation to the chosen theme and source study materials;

are able to use imagination, intuition, emotions, creative thinking and work in an effective way in order to solve problems, possess the skill of flexible thinking, adaptation to new and changing circumstances as well as the skill of controlling own behaviours and managing all situations being part of public presentations of the prepared “small form“;

prove creativity by making individual, independent works, by collecting, analysing and interpreting indispensable information, formulate their own ideas with the use of critical argumentation; are determined by internal motivation and organization of own work;

are able to formulate their artistic intentions and implement them in a group;

are used to reflect on the process of their work and adapt to the everchanging conditions of project preparation;

are open to experimentation and searching for new creative paths;

are able to conduct dramaturgical research on a chosen topic, devise or adapt a text;

are able to assemble and lead a creative team, organize rehearsals, implement specific artistic elements such as scenography, music, acting, etc. into the overall production, and present it to an audience;

In the field of social competencies students:

improve the skill of effective communication and living in society, which especially concerns group work, negotiating, organizing, integrating with others while working on a joint project, evaluation, self-evaluation and giving constructive critical comments, listening and integrating comments from the coworkers;

are able to present, advertise own project in an approachable way by using known elements of information technologies;

are able to control their behaviour and face problems due to creative work in group and its public presentation;

co-operate and co-act with other people within group work;

are capable of effective communication and coexistence in society, as well as cooperation in a group;

are capable of reflecting on the sociocultural, scientific, historical, and ethical aspects related to their own creative work.

Prerequisites and other requirements

Creative initiative, creativity, ability to manoeuvre in an indirect environment, production-managerial abilities. Ability to analyse and synthesise. Ability to reflect. Ability to communicate and a sense for team work.

Literature

Zupanc Lotker, Sodja. Devised Theatre Dramaturgy. A practical handbook, Nakladatelství Akademie múzických umění v Praze, 2024.

Bogart, Anne. Landau, Tina. The Viewpoints Book, Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers, 2005

Brook, Peter. The Empty Space, Penguin UK, 2008.

Zich, Otakar. Aesthetics of the Dramatic Art, Karolinum, 2024.

Additional reading:

Stanislavskij, K. S. My Life in Art, Bloomsbury Academic, 2016.

Diderot, Denis. The Paradox Of Acting, Kessinger Publishing, 2007.

Craig, Edward Gordon. The Actor and the Über-marionette, The Mask, 1907.

Efros, Anatolij. The Joy of Rehearsal: Reflections on Interpretation and Practice, Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers, 2006

Evaluation methods and criteria

The exam is based on a public presentation of the work in progress phase of the final project and its reflection. Participation in the collective creative process and the resulting artistic form and its evaluation, the ability to reflect on the creative process, and activity within the framework of independent work in a creative collective are assessed.

Completion of the course requires attendance with a maximum of three absences per semester.

Further information

No schedule has been prepared for this course

The subject is a part of the following study plans