Production Techniques

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
STGE 2480
Descriptive
Production Techniques
Department
Stagecraft & Event Technology
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
5.00
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
Yes
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
25
Contact Hours
Laboratory: 90 hours per semester Practicum: 100 hours per semester
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lab
Practicum
Learning Activities

Practical labs in which students will learn and demonstrate skills relevant to their assigned areas.

Course Description
This is a practical course in live stage production. A minimum of 150 hours of active involvement as a technician in an assigned college production is required. Students will be assigned to specific departments as production crew or as department crew heads. Second-year students will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the collaborative process, and contribute significantly to their respective production teams. Evening and weekend participation will be required. Students should be physically able and not afraid of heights. Safety footwear is mandatory. Students may also be assigned to off-campus work sites when co-productions are undertaken.
Course Content

Participation in a live stage production, in an assigned role, which may include pre-production, technical rehearsals, running a show, and post-production.

Students will be assigned and participate in one or more of the following departments: set and costume construction, properties, lighting, sound, technical direction, stage management, production management, stage carpenter, electrics, stage running crew, set painting, front of house, and design assistant.

Students may be required to participate in off-campus productions as part of their off-campus experience.  This may include assigned hours at facilities such as Langara College’s Studio 58, The Massey Theatre, The Playhouse Theatre, etc.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, successful students should be able to:

  1. Describe the multiple aspects of staging a play and gain an appreciation for the team work, cooperation and discipline that is involved;
  2. Demonstrate a degree of technical proficiency for their particular area of production;
  3. Describe the responsibilities of their production assignment and evaluate their contribution to the production;
  4. Describe the organizational and managerial skills necessary when dealing with production schedules and personnel.
Means of Assessment

Regular attendance, participation and punctuality are crucial to learning production skills and the achievement of high performance standards. A minimum of 150 hours of active involvement as a technician is required in order to receive a passing grade. 150 hours of involvement does not guarantee a passing grade.

Unexcused absence from a production call will reduce final grade by 10%. Lateness for a production call or leaving without permission will reduce final grade by 5%. Grade reductions are cumulative. Any combination of unexcused absence, lateness or leaving without permission totaling 30% will result in a failing grade. Unexcused absence from performance calls will result in a failing grade. The Production Profile, Timesheets and Crew Assessment must be handed in by the due date in order to receive a passing grade.

Demonstration of a responsible, cooperative, and professional attitude during the production process as indicated by :

Work Habits: safety awareness, care of equipment, quality of work, completion of tasks, housekeeping, attendance, punctuality, participation. 40%

Attitude: cooperation, willingness to learn, initiative, respect for others, teamwork, adaptability, appropriate dress. 30%

Production Profile: must be complete, type written, and handed in on time. 10%

Time Sheets: must be complete with total hours, and handed in on time. 10%

Crew Assessment:  must be complete, type written, and handed in on time. 10%

Safe work practices must be adhered to during all production calls. Horseplay, running or skirmishing will not be tolerated. Students not complying with safe work practices will be asked to leave and will be assigned a zero percent grade for the course.

Textbook Materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

Grade 1, green triangle CSA approved safety footwear, work gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, tool belt, 3/4" wide imperial/metric 16' tape measure, 6" or 8" crescent wrench, small glue gun, side cutters/needle nose pliers or “multitool”, AA flashlight or “maglight”, utility or “olfa” knife, multi screwdriver, black shirt, black pants, black socks, and black shoes for backstage running crew.

Prerequisites