FdA Live Events Production
Our unique 15 month Foundation Degree (FdA) in Live Events Production is now underway, and we are welcoming applications for the next intake, which will be November 2012.
The programme has 12 modules, each delivered over a 4 week period . In addition there is a 12 week period where (via our Institute of Backstage Arts™) you will be supported in finding work and developing an individual career plan. The intensive course not only includes industry standard accreditation (such as the Event Safety Passport, IPAF Static Vertical Lift 3a, Pro Tools, Final Cut and WYSIWYG to name a few), but also a range of specialist courses in lasers, 3D technologies and many other emerging events technologies.
The course fees are £8,400 per academic year (making a total of £16,800 for UK and EU students). Every day is an open day at the Backstage Academy, so for an informal chat, a tour of facilities or to talk with this years students please do not hesitate to contact us on 01977 659880 or email robin.watkinson@backstage-academy.co.uk
Further information about how to apply can be found on the University of Bolton's website.
Module 1 Introduction to Working in Live Events Production
This module is designed to give you an introduction to the industry and the knowledge, understanding and skills to be safe in the workplace, and to manage your own safety, the safety of others, and behave in a professional manner. It integrates existing industry accredited certification as well as Backstage Academy short courses in a range of practical skills to help you become employable in the industry. The module also explores how you can develop and manage your chosen career path. You will be introduced to live events production and helped to understand how the industry operates, careers and roles, and the personal and technical skills, qualities, attributes and behaviours needed to be successful. Many people work in the industry as freelance workers, and you will be introduced to the nature and requirements of freelance working. You will be helped to register and set up a company or as a freelance sole trader.
You will also learn about the academic requirements of study and assessment at HE4. You will be taught the study skills required for successful completion of this module and be provided with online material to support you in developing your study skills. You will be shown how to use ICT to help with your academic work as well as to capture evidence for assessment. You will learn how to present the evidence in an effective manner.
Module 2 Concept design and presentation
Those involved in the installation and operation of technical systems must understand the artistic concept and resultant design in order to engage with the creative process. In many areas the role of designer and technician converge, and neither should be viewed in isolation of each other. It is of the utmost importance that those involved in the creative process are capable of communicating their concepts and ideas to others in the team, and to the client.
This module will give you the knowledge and skills required for you to provide design responses for a range of technical systems such as staging, lighting, sound and live visuals. You will be provided with a brief that involves 3D design to which you will develop a design proposal and response. You will undertake research to gain inspiration and develop and design a mood and/or storyboard and a log to show your development. You will present your final design solution and an evaluation of your work to your group and will receive tutor and peer feedback on the content of your response and on your presentation skills.
Module 3 Staging, Trussing, Rigging and Motors
Staging and equipment suspension are an integral part of modern productions. Complex solutions to ever increasing artistic demands require those working on live events to have an in-depth knowledge of systems and components and their usage. From creating a life-sized steam train to suspending 70 tonnes of equipment over a stage, requirements are both diverse and challenging.
The work you do for this module will introduce you to staging. Embedded in the module are two short courses which you are expected to fully attend to enable you to gain maximum benefit from them. The first is a two-day rigging course that builds upon the basics learnt in Module 1
Module 4 Live Sound
Live performances rely upon high quality sound to engage the audience. In a world where access to a range of digital audio is commonplace, it is essential that technicians and operators can contribute both from technical and artistic perspectives, evaluating sound quality and working in a collaborative way with a range of performers and environments. In this module you will:
•analyse and assess the components, environment, procedures, equipment and techniques involved in the design, production and recording of live sound sessions or productions;
•evaluate the quality and aesthetics of the sound output for consistency and quality of sound at a live event;
•investigate a range of techniques in engineering live sessions to a professional standard, while analysing and evaluating the components and operation of a PA system.
This module introduces you to sound engineering but does not qualify you as a sound engineer. Embedded in this module is industry accreditation in Pro Tools 101, and a range of manufacturers' product based short courses.
Module 5 Lighting
The module introduces you to lighting for live events. Modern production and event lighting techniques commence with a thorough understanding of the design concept - in this way the technician can engage fully in the creative process. It is vital that artistic and technical aspects of lighting work closely together - especially with the increasing convergence between design and technical roles, lighting, visuals and scenic design.
In this module you will be introduced to the science of light and colour to give you an understanding of how they work together. You will learn about the principles of live event lighting and lighting design systems as well as how to use equipment and technical aspects of lighting. Through this, you will be able to practice some of the technical skills involved in lighting for live events and apply relevant knowledge. You will also have the chance to design a lighting plan for an agreed stage setting and visualise it using industry standard software.
Module 6 Live Visuals
This module introduces you to the use of visual effects in live performances. With the increasing convergence of staging, live visuals and lighting, it is imperative that those working in live events production appreciate both the creative and technical opportunities available to them through current technology. From image capture to manipulation and replay, the boundaries between performance and technology are often pushed to new frontiers in live music performance. You will learn about the principles of live event visuals, how to use equipment, and technical aspects of live visuals. You will also learn to critically evaluate the effects from an aesthetic perspective. You will have the chance to design live visuals for a performance, produce a plot and visualise it using industry standard software.
Module 7 Industry Practice
This module will be a starting point for those students wishing to commence their freelance (or small business) activity. Encouraging innovation and business incubation at this stage will equip the student with a head start when seeking work or employment.
Students may work alone, or as a group / company. The framework of this module should be quite relaxed to allow new opportunities to be explored – such as work placements with professional mentoring where learners are placed within established professional companies through to individual practitioner intervention where activity is based “in-house”, but with significant and appropriate contribution from visiting professional practitioners and the establishment of a small production company.
Module 8 Entertainment Networks & Show Control
Expectations of audiences, designers and performers regarding artistic and technical systems grow each year. Increasingly complex control networks are employed to synchronise and control numerous core systems and devices. Events technicians need to appreciate the creative possibilities these networks offer, and be able to plan, program and maintain show control networks in such diverse environments as cruise ships and theme parks. This module will introduce you to this area of work and give you some knowledge and skills to be able to begin working in this area of Live Events Production.
Module 9 3D Technology for live Events
The future will rely upon the pushing of boundaries - the real, and the virtual. Work is being done by a few, pushing the boundaries of true 3D imagery, but the pathways into the technology and processes involved are limited and restricted. In order that aspirations of designers and technicians reflect the very latest in technology and practice, it is vital that they are exposed to a range of immersive 3D technologies and processes. This module introduces you to a range of immersive 3D technologies and processes and gives you the opportunity to experiment with 3D technologies. You will choose a 3D hardware platform to develop a visualisation that can be used in the context of a live event scenario. Through doing this module you will gain an insight into the possibilities that advances in technology can bring to the production of live events.
Module 10 Contemporary Issues in Live Events Production
This module will give you the opportunity to investigate a contemporary issue in Live Events Production relevant to your practice through negotiating and undertaking a challenging project. By doing this you will gain a deeper understanding of an area of professional interest to you as well as developing your skills in research and presenting. You will also further develop your transferable skills, enhance your continual personal and professional development, and help you to prepare for the job market.
Module 11 Event Planning
The planning of events begins many months before a lantern can be hung or a fader raised on an audio console. Those involved with the technical aspects of events should have a full and proper understanding of the planning, licensing and permissions process that must be followed to help ensure a safe and successful event. They must also be capable of preparing site and venue surveys, budgets and creative proposals. In this module you will explore these so that you have a broad understanding of what is involved in the safe planning of events and can contribute to the process. It also addresses contextual issues around the nature of events, audiences and the marketing of events.
Module 12 Industry Practice 2
The module builds on Industry Practice 1, the work-based practice module previously undertaken. It will help you to prepare for, and undertake, a work-experience placement in the Live Events Industry. You will learn how to seek and secure employment, and further develop the skills required to work effectively in your chosen area. You will gain experience in the workplace where you can apply theoretical and practical knowledge gained in other modules on your Foundation Degree programme (e.g., audio, lighting, staging, video) and learn about the policies and practices of the work-based environment.
The module is based on a professional work-based scenario - you will pitch for work opportunities and communicate and collaborate with a range of industry partners, backstage staff, performers and audience /student members. You will be able to demonstrate your skills in a range of areas and will be expected to communicate with clients and stakeholders as well as deal with members of the public, other students and work colleagues.