Subject:   BTEC Level 3 DIPLOMA IN PERFORMING ARTS (ACTING)

Number of lessons per fortnight:    10

What is a BTEC National Diploma?

A BTEC Level 3 Diploma is a practical, work-related course.  You learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands. It introduces you to the employment area you have chosen and provides a good basis to go on to a more advanced work-related qualification.

A BTEC Level 3 Diploma is equivalent to two A2 grades A*-C and is normally taken as a full time course over two years.

The BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts (Acting) will develop your knowledge of a diverse range of performance skills, with a focus on acting. The qualification will give you more insight into the different career paths that are available to you in the performing arts world and can help you start a successful career, progress in your current line of work, or move on to further study.

The course is designed to be adaptable to your interests, abilities and aspirations: it consists of five compulsory core units plus a choice from a range of specialist units which will be decided on by your teacher.

Employment opportunities

With the international recognition of BTEC courses such as this, you can progress straight into employment. If successful there are a wide variety of prospective careers that you can explore, for example: actor/actress, TV presenter, entertainer or radio performer.

Further vocational and academic qualifications

The BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts (Acting) has the equivalence of two GCE A Levels, and it is possible for you to progress further into higher education, as successful BTEC National qualifications give UCAS points for university applications.

What units will I study?

You will study the 5 core units for the course:

Performance Workshop 10 3

Performing Arts Business 10 3

Performing to an Audience 10 3

Principles of Acting

Rehearsing for Performance

You will then be expected to complete a further 6 units over the two years.

Rehearsing for Performance and Performing to an Audience are completed as an integrated unit.  You will work as a professional theatre company, with direct input from industry professionals, to produce a public performance.  You have the opportunity to attempt these units twice during the course.

How is the course assessed?

You will be assessed through your ability to complete a number of different assignments.  Reaching specific grading criteria will determine what grade you will get.

What are assignments?

Assignments are projects that are written by your teachers. During each assignment you will be given an assignment brief which explains everything for that project. You will find that the course is set up so that within each unit you will be given approximately three to four assignments to achieve the criteria needed to pass the unit.  For some units you may have the opportunity, in the second year of the course, to achieve higher grades and catch missed criteria.

An assignment brief will layout exactly what tasks you will need to complete to reach the criteria.  An assignment can last from one day to a period of weeks. It is really important to know exactly what you are looking for when reading an assignment brief. Your teacher will always go over the assignment, and there will always be an opportunity to ask any questions.

At the end of an assignment you will be given feedback by your teacher who will discuss all assessment decisions with you and explain how you met the grading criteria.  You will be told whether the assignment is a pass, merit or distinction.

 What happens if I have not met all of the work at least at a ‘pass’ level?

On our BTEC Performing Arts course the teachers will make sure that an assignment explains exactly what you need to do to hit the ‘pass’ criteria. If you do not manage to meet all of the tasks with at least pass level you will be given the opportunity to meet the criteria again during the course.

Equipment:

Writing equipment as listed in school prospectus.

Uniform:

You should wear appropriate clothing for the work you are doing.  Short skirts or tight trousers that restrict movement should not be worn.

Contact: Mr. R. Pinch