Production Arts covers all the backstage processes required to put on a production for a live or recorded event. This can include aspects of design, stage management and technical elements of lighting and sound.

The course provides a holistic learning experience of Production Arts, which balances the development of skills with personal growth and intentions. You will develop into an independent, vocationally aware production arts student. Throughout the course you will revisit your approaches to making and understanding production arts. You will have access to teaching and learning approaches that challenge you to deepen and refine your skills, adding complexity and exploring new contexts. You will work on a range of productions in different job roles to enable you to put your learning into practice. The structure of the qualifications is in keeping with current industry practice and university teaching and assessment methodology. The completion of an extensive portfolio showcasing your skills and knowledge will prepare you for progression.

A strong interest in production arts is highly desirable (stage management/lighting/costume/design). You need to commit yourself fully to the demands of academic and practical study both in and out of College. There are also production weekends organised immediately prior to each show, so that you learn about contributing to the work undertaken backstage as we rehearse and prepare costumes, set and props. You will be expected to have secured 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above to start the course.

You will study a broad range of production skills and techniques that explore a range of genres and practitioners, gaining valuable skills such as:

• creative development: development of production arts skills
• management: planning and overseeing projects
• analytical skills: self-analysis and reflection
• teamwork: appreciation of the production arts industry and your future role in it .
• communication: as part of the stage management team you learn to verbally communicate with others in a professional manner.
• presentation: the ability to present yourself and your achievements effectively.

The Foundation Diploma, equivalent in size to 1.5 A Levels, the Extended Diploma is equivalent to 3 A Levels.

The overall qualification grading for the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Production Arts Practice is P to D* and for the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Production Arts Practice is PPP to D*D*D*. This is in line with the rest of the BTEC National suite. There are opportunities during the teaching and learning phase to give learners practice in developing

Employability skills:

• cognitive and problem-solving skills: using critical thinking, approaching non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, using systems and technology
• interpersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation
• intrapersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.

Transferable skills that universities value include:

• the ability to learn independently
• the ability to research actively and methodically
• being able to give presentations and being active group members.

Over the period of the course, you will be given assignments to do by your teachers. These assignments are one way in which you can provide evidence that you have studied and understood a topic.

• Assignments can vary: some may involve writing an essay/report and some may require taking on a production role for a performance supported by an evaluation that may be written/ word processed or recorded on video/ audiotape. Other assignments might ask you to give a presentation or talk, prepare a recording, make a stage property or attend a performance venue. While it may be possible to finish an assignment using material you have received from your teacher, more often than not you will be expected to do further research – in libraries, by visiting theatres/ concert halls or companies. There are many different ways in which you can prove that you understand a topic.
• Completed assignments are assessed and graded against the performance criteria relevant to the course you are studying. You always know what the assessor is looking for in your assignment so you should be able to grade your own performance in production arts- you know if you have covered everything and you know how well you have covered it.
• At the end of the course you will be given a grade for your work. For BTEC courses, the highest grade is Distinction*, the next highest is Distinction, followed by a Merit, then a Pass or Not Yet Achieved. Your lowest grade for a unit will be your final grade for that particular unit. If for example you were awarded a Pass and three Distinctions for a unit, your final grade will be Pass.
• Whilst you will get a chance to practice the skills and knowledge needed to successfully complete a unit, you will only be able to be formally assessed on the Assessment Criteria in a unit ONCE. When you have started a formal assignment for a unit, your teacher will not be able to give you any specific Assessment Criteria guidance: they will only be able to provide general guidance.

Learners taking this qualification will study four mandatory learning and teaching modules,

• Production Arts Skills Development
• The Production Arts Industry
• Personal Production Arts Profile
• Collaborative Production Arts Project.

Learners will be able to put their skills and knowledge into practice when they work on live productions, such as classical, contemporary and musical theatre in addition to music concerts and dance works.

1. The arts create independent learners and develop students emotional intelligence. They require the students to set their own agenda from within themselves, rather than follow set topics as in other subjects. They have to make independent decisions all the way, and be self-critical. They also need to be brave in exposing their creations, and accept criticism. Working in teams makes students into effective communicators.

2. The arts are stretching drama, music, and art require long hours of hard work and dedication. Students have to pay great attention to detail, to perfect and re-do. Putting on a play, exhibition or concert takes strong organisational skills.

3. Arts students are highly sought-after by employers. Many employers now actively seek those who have studied the arts. Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, was fond of saying his success was due to his hiring artists and musicians fascinated by technology rather than computer geeks. Top talent management agency, The Curve Group, specialising in financial and business services, concurs: “Employees with an arts degree have developed more quickly in their roles from the start. They have discipline, confidence and can accept criticism.”

4. Arts ‘reach the parts other subjects can’t reach.’ The arts develop the broader dimensions of the human being – mind, body and soul. The arts can express the inexpressible and make sense of things that otherwise do not seem to. This can be very fulfilling and helps us function as human beings – which can only be good for society as a whole.

5. Arts ‘reach the students other subjects can’t reach.’ Teachers find arts subjects particularly beneficial for two groups: those who struggle with traditional subjects and those who are high achieving. Less academic students can become defeatist if they feel they can’t achieve: drama, music or art can be the place they blossom. With studious students, the arts can bring them out of themselves and be a release.

Learn, Explore, imagine and create your ideas in Lighting Design, then produce stunning effects for gigs, concerts and Theatre show performances.

From initial Design meetings, to LX plots and Rigging, you will learn and develop new skills and how to program lighting Cues lists using Digital technology and 3D Visualisation software.Be part of the stage management team creating visual imagery, making props, set dressing and learning new skills in set building. You will be challenged to develop professionally and socially by learning team skills to set you on a career path behind, above and beyond the stage.

You will learn how to ASM, DSM and Stage Manage live theatre performances.

The stage management team are the unsung heroes making shows run smoothly and look fantastic.
Be a part of it.