Production Arts (Design Realisation for Events, Stage and Screen)

Launch your backstage career with our Production Arts Foundation Degree specialising in Design Realisation for Events, Stage and Screen. This practical course will develop your skills in costume, scenic arts and prop making. The course will be delivered in partnership with EPH Creative, one of the UK’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of themed installations. You will apply your skills and knowledge on large scale projects across the sector to gain professional experience whilst developing an exciting portfolio of work.

The course is designed for enthusiastic, hands-on, creative people who are looking to start a successful career in design for theatre and events.

You will have full access to our state-of-the-art facilities in Leeds’ cultural quarter and spend significant time on industry placements. You will apply your skills and knowledge on collaborative projects gaining professional experience whilst also developing a varied portfolio of work and in-depth knowledge of the production arts industry. The course is designed for enthusiastic, hands-on, creative people who are looking to start a successful career in theatre and events production.

Students will attend lessons in the Quarry Hill Campus. Additional sessions will also be delivered at Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Conservatoire’s The Venue, Red Ladder’s Albion Works, Prime Studios and EPH Creative’s base at Thorpe Arch.

Course Modules

Year 1 (Level 4)
You will work toward 120 credits from a mix of mandatory and optional modules that will allow you to choose your pathway through the course. The modules may include:

Mandatory modules:

The Production Professional - 20 credits
This module will introduce you to what it is to be a production professional by introducing you to the breadth of roles and career opportunities within the production arts, and then ask you to consider your own professional trajectory.

Professional Development Industry Certificates - 20 credits
This module is achieved by completing and reflecting upon a range of professional training activities to show competence in the workplace. You will identify courses that will enhance your CV, such as First Aid at Work, a H&S qualification, Mobile Elevated Work Platform training, Pyrotechnic Safety etc.

Production Arts (Design Realisation for Events, Stage and Screen):

Optional Pathway modules from which you would choose a total of 80 credits:

Costume for Performance - 40 credits (DRESS pathway)
This module requires you to undertake costume production duties on at least two major projects working collaboratively in costume construction or wardrobe management.

Construction for Performance - 40 credits (DRESS pathway)
This module requires you to undertake workshop production duties on at least two major projects working collaboratively in scenic construction, prop making or scenic painting.

Materials & Processes - 20 credits (DRESS pathway)
This module will allow you to explore the materials and construction methods used across the industry. You will apply new skills and knowledge creating a scenic/costume element whilst considering the regulatory frameworks that impact on your work.

Portfolio Development - 20 credits (DRESS pathway)
This module challenges you to broaden your skills set by encouraging you to explore and apply different creative processes to your work.

Year 2 (Level 5)
You will work toward 120 credits of mandatory modules that allow you to focus on an electected production specialism.
Mandatory modules:

Sustainability Investigation - 20 credits
This module will ask you to carry out research into sustainable production practices and present a new model of working for the industry.

Extended Placement - 30 credits
To ensure you are exposed to contemporary production practices and professional working relations you will undertake an extended placement with a professional company.

Freelance Employability Skills -10 credits
This module will introduce the legal, financial and contractual nuances of employment in the industry ensuring you have the knowledge needed to thrive as a freelance practitioner.

Production Realisation - 60 credits
This module requires you to undertake significant production duties on at least three major projects. You will apply the skills, knowledge and personal attributes needed to ensure the success of a collaborative project.

Our assessments draw on a range of skills to reflect the activities of a typical industry employee.

Ideas and research are assessed through a presentation as well as written and practical outcomes.

Creative practice and practical outcomes are the chief component of assessment on the course. The Production Realisations require practical bodies of work that demand creative stamina and technical accomplishment. Reflection and evaluation are important in self-directed learning and development, reflective journals feature in all the collaborative production modules and allow you to document your progress.

Assessment methods may include:

● Portfolio
● Reflective journal
● Project observations
● Interview
● Research presentation
● Live events
● Live production