Help for Task 3 - Writing about your ideas for a Showcase

Unit 1 Task 3 –  Writing about your ideas for a Showcase

You have been asked to produce a Showcase for a public audience, on the theme “Everybody Has a Story.” 

Over the term, we have been exploring lots of different ideas for performances on this theme.  In this document, you need to explain your range of ideas – as a producer – for a showcase.  These do not have to be the ideas you will actually use in the final exam showcase – this is your chance to explain your own imaginative ideas and really show your understanding of what makes a great performance!   This is “blue sky thinking” – what would you do if given the chance? Where would you perform? Who to? What would you show them?

 The majority of this document should be presenting your ideas and suggestions, but you also need to present information about two venues which could be suitable for the performance.

Your document can include pictures and diagrams, but the actual written content must be AT LEAST 1500 words.

SETTING IT OUT…

PARAGRAPH 1 ( 400 words)

·         What is the theme of the Showcase?

·         What do you need to consider as a producer?  (this should be a general comment – explain how a producer needs to think about the style of the production, target audience, possible venues, health and safety etc.)

Think about the sort of performances you have created this term, as well as ideas you’ve talked about and productions you may have seen.

·         What sort of showcase would you like to create (eg.  a dark piece which tells several linked stories; a promenade performance inspired by your venue (site specific); a collection of historical stories using a mixture of music and acting ; one single performance which allows everyone to have their “moment” to tell their own story etc)

·         Who will your showcase be aimed at (your target audience) and what sort of experience do you want them to have?

·         Which skill do you particularly want to demonstrate (acting / music / dj-ing) ?  What other skills will you include (singing / movement / lighting design etc)

IMPORTANT NOTE! You need to explain how you will show your MAIN skill (for most people, this is acting) and one other skill in your ideas.  This second skill doesn’t necessarily need to be something you actually have – for example, you may say you’d like to include contemporary dance to tell one of your stories; or use clowning skills such as juggling and uni-cycling to move the audience along during a promenade performance, but it doesn’t actually matter whether you can really dance, juggle, or uni-cycle!!

PARAGRAPH 3 (450 words)

·         What is your first idea for a showcase on the theme? 

Describe what your general idea is and then move into detail – where will it be, what sort of staging will you use, what will happen within the performance, what skills will you show?

PARAGRAPH 4 (450 words)

·         Explain another idea or ideas for your showcase (try to aim for 2)

PARAGRAPH 5 (500 words)

What idea is your favourite idea?  Why?  What will YOU actually do in this performance?  i.e.

·         What roles will you play and why have you chosen them?

·         What skills will your group show?

·         What sort of effect do you think this will have on an audience?

·         What technical or staging effects would you use to enhance your showcase?

PARAGRAPH 6

What venues have you considered for your showcase? Why did you chose to explore these?

VENUE 1 (250 words)

·         What is your first venue ?

·         What sort of space is it?

·         How large is it (you need real dimensions/sizes)

·         How much will it cost to hire?

·         What facilities does it offer – lighting rig, sound equipment, seating, adaptability etc. Or would you need to hire equipment in and if so, what sort of budget will you need?

·         Why would this venue suit your showcase idea?

VENUE 2 (250 words):  Answer all the above questions for Venue 2!

PARAGRAPH 7 (150 words)

What are the health and safety implications for your venues? 

Think about:  

·         The size of the audience – if it’s a promenade performance, will they fit into each space, is the whole venue accessible or are their stairs/steep climbs, will chairs need to be set out, are their sufficient fire exits, etc.

·         Risk Assessments -  will you have cables trailing across the floor – what will you do about these?  Is your electrical equipment safe, are their risks of fire or glass being broken, do costumes and scenery need to be fire resistant?

·         Working at heights – will any of your performance take place at a height (or will the audience be higher up?) – you need to put a handrail around anything which is higher than 4ft.