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DRAMA

SCQF LEVEL 4 - NATIONAL 4

Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to create your own drama as well as perform it and play texts to a range of audiences, as well experiencing live performances. With a wide range of roles to choose from and an emphasis on collaborative teamwork, National 4 Drama will not only benefit those interested in a career in the performing and creative industries but develop both intra and interpersonal skills in all young people, allowing them to become well rounded individuals and prepare them for the world of work.

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QUALIFICATION

National 4 Drama

DURATION

1 Year full time/

5 periods per week

COURSEWORK

Drama Skills Production Skills

Added Value Performance

EXAM

This course is interally assessed.

COST

None

TEACHERS

Mr Paterson

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

This course makes a valuable contribution to your general education and personal development by providing you with a broad range of skills which incorporates practical experience of understanding, creating and performing drama. It also allows you to develop and extend your interest in theatre and acquire more specialist skills in areas of interest to you such as acting, lighting, sound, costume or make up and to choose which role you will be assessed in.

 

Skill Development Scotland state: 

Around 100,000 people are employed in the creative and digital industry in Scotland. 

 

Drama prepares you for this world by combining creative learning with the practical demands of theatre production, giving you the responsibility of creative decision making as part of a team. You can set your own goals and measure your own achievement against clear standards. Whether your strengths lie towards acting, technical design or artistic design, if you enjoy taking on a role as part of a team this is the course for you.

 

 

What are the benefits of taking drama in and beyond the classroom, including academic progress? 

 

 

 

What opportunities and benefits are there in the creative industries?

 

 

What is happening now and in the near future in the areas such as film, tv and performance in Scotland.

 

wHAT WILL YOU EXPERIENCE?

Drama courses incorporate active learning to engage pupils through activities such as creating, presenting, and understanding drama. Core teamwork tasks in addition to independent work suit all styles of learning and prepare students for the world of work. 

 

This style of active learning is also very popular with students and most enjoy, and look forward to, going to their classes. 

 

Taking drama will give pupils the opportunity to explore all areas of theatre production including acting, technical and design roles as well as theatre visits to expand their experience of live performance.

 

The course assessment consists of: 

Drama Skills:

·         create and present original drama in from stimulus in collaborative groups

·         reflect on and evaluate the effectiveness of your creative choices, decisions and contribution to the process

·         understand the forms, purpose, structure and genres of drama with their historical and cultural influences.

Production Skills:

 

·         develop your technical and creative skills in a range of roles including acting, lighting, sound, costume, props and make-up.

·         work with others in a team to perform these roles

·         reflect on and evaluate your creative, technical and teamwork skills.

Added Value – Performance :

·         based on your exploration of production roles, you will choose one of the following to perform in a small scale production  - acting, lighting, sound, costume, props or make-up.

·         this is assessed internally.

KEY FACTS

Everything you need to know before selecting this course

entry requirements

Studying Drama in S3 would be beneficial however  some  candidates would be capable of achieving National 4 Drama without studying Drama in S3 - please speak to the Principal Teacher of Performing Arts if this is the case. 

what will you get?

National 4 in Drama

The course is graded  

Pass/Fail

progress

Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course

EMPLOYMENT

my world of work

Some typical careers that you might immediately think of include actor, dancer, presenter, director or a theatre technician in sound or lighting as well as stage manager and in film and television production, an area that is expanding in Scotland. Make -up artists, costume and production designers in theatre, film and T.V. but there are a whole range of jobs in the creative industries at entry level such assistants in wardrobe, production, direction, camera and sound as well as sound engineer, rigger, playworkers and stagehand.

 

There are a whole range of careers in related fields such as drama therapist, psychotherapist, drama teacher, events management, journalist, advertising copyrighter, writer, HR manger and especially lawyer.

 

However, most careers that involve working with others even if not directly linked to performing arts benefit from a grounding in drama allowing young people to become more rounded individuals, strong assets to a team with strengths in dealing with people and being creative problem solvers.

 

Primary teacher, doctor, nurse, dentist, orthodontist, beautician, sales, vet, nursery nurse, receptionist, restaurant manager, IT Analyst, librarian, local government project officer, project manager, trainer, finance, management positions and college/university lecturer are only some examples. 

 

Skills developed through Drama: 

 

Problem Solving:  working independently, resilience, time management, positive work ethic, creative ideas in response to stimuli, structure and staging solutions, conducting focused research and using technology creatively.

Leadership: continual opportunities for taking leadership in teams and projects, building confidence in presentation, directing others, organisational skills. All drama courses require you to complete coursework which demands you take responsibility for your own learning and have a proactive, motivated attitude towards your studies. 

Teamwork: creating and performing in a group, planning with others, understanding roles and relationships, goal setting and negotiation.

Communication: performing in a group, presenting to an audience, creating mood and atmosphere, interaction with others, using clear and concise and technical language to effectively express your thoughts and ideas when analysing theatre and in planning and reviewing your drama.

 

Other: design and graphic skills, spatial awareness, vocal, movement and memory skills.

This link will take you to an excellent resource on MyWOW which looks at potential career routes when you select a combination of subjects. 

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STUDENT STORIES

Information from pupils who have studied this course as to how they feel it was.

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