Department of TV-Radio-Film-Theatre

Fundamentals of Directing
DR 116
(3 units #05179/#05181)

SYLLABUS - Fall 2001
[schedule]

FACULTY

Dr. David Kahn
TV-Radio-Film-Theatre
HGH 110;
924-4540
dkahn@email.sjsu.edu
FAX 924-4543
Office Hours:
T 11:00-3:00

RESOURCES

Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers

Directors Guild

Directors World

Backstage West

Government statistics

.....more to follow

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CLASS TIME AND LOCATION: MW 1:30-3:20 - HGH 103

PREREQUISITES

DR 11 and DR 17 should prepare you with different approaches to script analysis and dramaturgy. You are also expected to be familiar with the action vocabulary (intention, obstacles, tactics, etc.) used in our performance curriculum. The prerequisite of DR 105 is no longer enforced, though any design, technical, or video production training will be of great benefit to you in this class.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Elton, Ben, Popcorn: a Play, Samuel French Inc; ISBN 0573018693
Pinter, Celebration & The Room
Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Shapiro, The Director's Companion
Class handouts and in-class videos
Attendance at University Theatre productions

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Fundamentals of Directing provides an overview of the director's job and major responsibilities. The course emphasizes elements of preproduction as a foundation for rehearsal and performance. You will develop informed directorial approaches to the scripts we read and see together, and you will apply specific directorial techniques in your final project. Much of the class time will focus on developing practical exercises or explanations of the director's role in theatre with strong applications to film, video and other media platforms.

Fundamentals of Directing is not a class in formal scene work. Students who demonstrate enthusiasm, discipline and talent for directing in this course will be invited to stage your work in the spring semester with departmental supervision and support.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

This course has a learning curve, if you stay on the curve you will do well. If you fall behind the curve you will do poorly. You can do well by:

• be in class ready to learn;

• pay attention and follow directions;

• do all assignments thoroughly, correctly and ON TIME;

• demonstrate that you are learning something, and that you can do something imaginative with your new knowledge.

EVALUATION ITEMS

Class participation	25%
Assignments	50%
Final Project	25%

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION

• Class Participation: You must be present in class to participate. Roll will be taken at each class session and a participation grade assigned. More than two unexcused absences will lower your grade. (Students are required to document excused absences.)

• Assignments: A series of fourteen homework exercises designed to integrate the course elements.
  
  
• Final Project: A culminating class project selected from one of the following options: 1) Direct a 10-minute scene, 2) Written analysis of a production, 3) Written conceptual approach to a production.
  

No late assignments permitted.
Assignments may not be made up.

All students are responsible for knowing and observing University policies regarding academic dishonesty. See "Academic Dishonesty and Its Consequences" for further information.

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SCHEDULE (8/27/01, subject to revision)