DRAM 263-1
Production
Laboratory: Sound (1)
Meeting Times: TBA, Culbreth
Instructed by Michael Rasbury
Office
Michael Rasbury, Room 208B, Culbreth Theatre. Schedule appointments by phone at (434)
982-4542 or by email at mr2xk (at) virginia (dot) edu. I check email daily.
Course Goal
Students learn the application of sound technology to actual
theatrical production projects. May be repeated up to four credits.
Course Description
DRAM 263 is a practicum course in which students apply sound design principles, methods, and information in correlation with the current Culbreth Theatre production schedule. The student may choose one of two options to receive the practicum credit. Based on each semester’s requirements, option one may not be available.
The
first option requires participation with the Sound crew during afternoon work
calls.
- Students will be responsible for assisting with installation of sound equipment, shop maintenance and organization, minor repair, and assistance with the sound design process for the current semester’s productions.
- A minimum of 36 hours of service in one hour or more increments are required per semester for full credit.
- All hours must be scheduled at the beginning of the semester and may include an evening strike call (11pm-2am.) Sound shop work generally occurs during the afternoon from 2:00-5:00.
The
second option requires participation as Sound Operator for a main stage
production.
- The participant will attend all designated rehearsals and performances, including crew run-through, tech rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances. The participant will oversee the process of striking equipment at the end of the performance.
- The participant will be required to operate sound equipment during performance in order to execute the sound design for the production.
- The hourly commitment will be somewhat greater than that of option 1; however, the position of Sound Operator is more interactive and potentially rewarding.
One Sound Board Operator is needed for Some Girls. You will be required to attend the following dates:
| Crew Run-Through | September 16 | 7-11
PM
|
| Tech Rehearsal | September 18-19 | 6-11
PM
|
| September 20 | 1-5 PM & 6-10 PM | |
| Dress Rehearsals | September 22-24 | 6-11 PM |
| Performances | September 25-27 | 7-10 PM |
| October 1-4 | 7-10 PM | |
| Strike | October 4 | Post Show 10 till |
Additional dates may be
required during the production period.
One Sound Board Operator and one Assistant are needed for Day of Absence. You will be required to attend the following dates:
| Crew Run-Through | October 9 | 6-11
PM
|
| Tech Rehearsal | October 16-17 | 6-11
PM
|
| October 20 | 1-5
PM & 6-10 PM
|
|
| Dress Rehearsals | October 20-22 | 7-10 PM |
| Performances | October 23-25 | 7-10 PM |
| October 28-31 | 7-10 PM | |
| November 1 | 7-10 PM | |
| Strike | November 1 | Post Show 10 till |
Additional dates may be required during the production
period.
Two Assistants are needed for Oklahoma. You will be required to attend the following dates:
| Crew Run-Through | November 11 | 6-11
PM
|
| Tech Rehearsal | November 13-14 | 6-11
PM
|
| November 15 | 1-5
PM & 6-10 PM
|
|
| Dress Rehearsals | November 17-19 | 6-11
PM
|
| Performances | November 20-22 | 7-10
PM
|
| December 2-5 | 7-10
PM
|
|
| Strike | December 5 | Post Show 10 till |
Additional dates may be required during the production
period.
Attendance
You should make every effort to be present at each scheduled
time slot.
Option 1 Attendance Policy
You will be required to reschedule any missed work time due
to excused absences. Please notify
me before the absence or provide an official notification after the absence. If for some reason you need to miss lab please notify the instructor at least
24 hours in advance via phone or email. Serious illness or death within the
student's immediate family, religious holidays and participation in field trips
and athletic contests are all understandable reasons for missing class. Students who contact the instructor
prior to these types of absences will not be penalized. These students have the obligation
ahead of time to make the necessary arrangements for make-ups. You must
coordinate make up times with the instructor. Make-up work will not be provided
for students who do not meet with the instructor prior to their absences, or
for absences that do not meet the above criteria. Students not attending class so irregularly as to be making
no progress in the course may be excluded. Up to the Withdrawal deadline, the
resultant grade is a W; thereafter, an F.
Option 2 Attendance Policy
Option two requires supreme
dedication, as the Sound Operator and Assistants control all the functions of
the sound for a production during the dress rehearsals and performances. Except for the case of emergency, he or
she must be present. If the Sound
Operator is late or misses a scheduled rehearsal or performance, work hours
will be reduced by one letter grade and the “attitude and growth” grade will be
impacted. Not attending a
rehearsal with no advance warning is a failure.
GRADING POLICY
100-90= A, 89-80=
B, 79-70= C, 69-60= D, and below 60= F
The Final Grade is based on
three areas:
Attitude & Growth in Shop
or on Crew 20%
The student’s attitude and growth
portion of their grade is determined by the quality of their participation in
the sound shop or as Sound Operator. The attitude and growth portion of the
grade is a subjective evaluation of the student’s performance during
lab/production periods based on the following criteria; 1) Attitude- the
student displays an eagerness to learn and be involved, 2) Inquisitiveness- the
student displays an interest to know more about the subject, 3) Congeniality-
the student works well with others during the course of the project, 4) Concern
for the quality of work and overall quality of the productions, 5) Preparedness- the student is always prepared to work
during each session, 6) Promptness – the student is always on time for
each session.
Shop Hours 60%
Shop
Hours: approximately 3
hours per week or 36-33 total hours = A Range, 32-29 total hours = B Range,
28-25 total hours = C Range, 24-22 total hours = D, Less than 22 = F
Working as a Sound Operator is
equivalent to 50 shop hours and is done over a two to three week period.
Strike 20%
If you cannot attend at least one
of the production strike dates the students should contact the instructor in
advance of the last strike to make other arrangements. Strike hours can count
toward the student’s shop time. If arranged with the instructor, double shop
hours can replace the 4 hours of strike.
Total 100%
IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE
September 5, Last Day to Drop a Class.
September 12, Last Day for Adding New Courses, Last Day to Elect the AU (Audit) Option, and Last Day to Change to or from “Credit/No Credit” Option.
October 21, Last Day to Withdraw from a Course.
DRAMA DEPARTMENT SAFETY STATEMENT
In order for the department to operate in a safe and
efficient manner, we are asking all students, faculty and staff who work,
rehearse, and attend classes in the Drama Department to assist in maintaining a
safe atmosphere. Recently there have been a number of forced entries and
acts of vandalism in our building that have caused us to reconsider our
procedures that ensure the safety of the staff and students. We are
asking everyone to report any acts of vandalism, breaking and entering, or
suspicious people in the building to the University Police or faculty/staff.
Hence forth, any person found committing forced entry or vandalism, will
be reported to the police. This action is a unanimous commitment by the
faculty and staff of the Drama Department. By working together, we can
make this a safe working environment for everyone.
Learning Disabilities, Title 504 and
Americans with Disabilities Act
If a student has a disability, which may require assistance
or accommodations, or has any questions related to any accommodations for
testing, note takers, readers, etc., please feel free to make an appointment
with the instructor during office hours or please speak with the instructor as
soon as possible. If a student has questions they may find more information by
contacting the Learning Needs and Evaluation Center or by visiting the
following website: http://www.virginia.edu/vpsa/services.html
This syllabus is subject to change at any time, without
prior notice, and it is the responsibility of the student to keep informed of
changes, new material, or missed content.