Basics of Directing 1

Display Schedule

Code Completion Credits Range Language Instruction Semester
201EZR1 Z 2 4T English winter and summer

Subject guarantor

Jakub KORČÁK

Name of lecturer(s)

Jakub KORČÁK

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The student must demonstrate the ability to choose a subject with respect to a personal topic, evaluate its feasibility with respect to the staging intent - casting, space, public interest, production and financial possibilities, possibility of repeat performances, long-term and short-term goals. The decisive thing for evaluation is whether the student is able to prepare his/her artistic conception for realization under concrete conditions with concrete colleagues, without yielding on his/her own demands and ideas about the future content and form of the production.

Mode of study

Classes, development of the directing journal and dramaturgic-directing concept of the prepared staging.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

Intense cooperation with students in the departments of stage design, alternative and puppet theatre, arts management and other external colleagues in connection with a specific task.

Course contents

Curriculum:

  1. Introduction to comprehensive preparation of a production.
  2. Selection of subject matter.
  3. Staging intent.
  4. Dramaturgic-directing conception.
  5. Choosing coworkers and conception of the production.
  6. Preparation of the production.
  7. Preparation of the rehearsal process.

Syllabus:

In the 1st year of Master's level study, under expert supervision the student realizes his/her first larger-scale artistic work, first encountering the need for thorough preparation of the production. The student is directed to imagine in the most detailed way possible the details and whole of the work under the real conditions prevailing at a school theatre. The realization of the production in the latter part of the year forces the student to synthesize practical and theoretical knowledge with experience. The student overcomes considerable difficulties thanks to the requirement for realizing his/her ideas with limited material and is led within this framework to strengthen his/her theatrical imagination on the basis of being specific. A major part of instruction is the need to create with others and to be able to inspire and be inspired by them. The important thing here is independent decision making arising from the ability to listen, argue and convince. Here, the students take important steps towards finding their own creative methods, not limiting themselves to their own abilities, but making use of the talents and abilities of their fellow artists.

Recommended or required reading

Pavis, Patrice - Dictionary of the Theatre

Gordon, Robert - The purpose of playing: modern acting theories in perspective

Schechner, Richard - Performance theory [2005]

Bogart, Anne - A director prepares: seven essays on art and theatre

Čechov, Michail Alexandrovič - The path of the actor

Čechov, Michail Alexandrovič - To the actor: on the technique of acting

Donnellan, Declan - The actor and the target

Hauser, Frank; Reich, Russell - Notes on Directing: 130 Lessons in Leadership from the Director`s Chair

Gaskill, William - A Sense of direction

Krasner, David (ed.) - Method acting reconsidered: theory, practice, future

Lecoq, Jacques - The moving body: teaching creative theatre

Luere, Jeane - Playwright Versus Director: Authorial Intentions and Performance Interpretations

Hodge, Alison - Twentieth century actor training [2007]

Johnstone, Keith - IMPRO: improvisation and the Theatre

Merlin, Bella - Beyond Stanislavsky: the psycho-physical approach to actor training

Mitter, Shomit - Systems of Rehearsal. Stanislavsky, Brecht, Grotowski and Brook

Rudlin, John - Commedia dell´arte: an actor´s handbook

Rudlin, John; Crick, Olly - Commedia dell´arte: a handbook for troupes

Stanislavski, Constantin - An actor´s handbook: an alphabetical arrangement of concise statements on aspects of acting

Stanislavski, Constantin - An actor´s work: a student´s diary

Thomas, James Michael - Script analysis for actors, director and designers

Zarrilli, Phillip B. - Psychophysical acting: an intercultural approach after Stanislavski

Assessment methods and criteria

The completed director's journal and dramaturgical-directorial production concept are assessed. Active participation in class is required.

Further information

Course may be repeated

Schedule for winter semester 2019/2020:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2019/2020:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans