Play
... is for play
The play option as an additional format is an exciting opportunity for any student either wanting to further explore a performing arts career-related studies or a student just wanting to explore something very much out of their comfort zone. Here we have a choice of 7 minutes or 700 word script which accompanying a written report would make for a really interesting project.
One of the additional formats listed is a play script which means a 1500-2000 word report with additional 7 minute play or 700 word script.
A daunting prospect ... for who?
Undoubtedly, less students do Option 2 than Option 1; but arguably those who do choose Option 2 have a real passion for the medium that they are using and their reflective project experience is arguably more fulfilling. Nothing wrong with doing Option 1 but let's make sure it's for the right reasons and not playing it safe. This can be a daunting prospect for the reflective project coordinator and supervisor as they can feel like they must be an expert in film-making themselves - nevermind this not being the nature of supervision, this is also not true. Certainly resources can play a part here and what the school can support the student with.
It reminds us that we are not expecting a straight trajectory of success and full of highs and lows, problem-solving and frustrations but remember that the only way to score in the higher markband of reflection is through reflecting on successes and setbacks. Whatever the students' reflective project experience, we want them to be conscious of the process and explicit in their development; sometimes venturing into unknown territory and flexing a bit of risk-taking is just what is needed.
What can you do with a play?
Exploring multiple perspectives of ethical dilemmas and social justice issues has been the inspiration of theatre for 100s of years - perhaps more explicitly in the 20th century with the evolution of Epic theatre, and later, The Theatre of the Absurd. So this is not an unusual request for a format really as it is the stuff of theatrical tradition.
It is interesting to consider what can be explored through drama and stagecraft effectively? What aspects of the reflective project might be really enhanced by seeing it explored dramatically?
So why explore this as an option?
Be creative - this is a great medium to do that in, just like the film option. You may already have skills in or find you have new skills you didn't know about in writing, directing, producing or acting.
Build your portfolio: If you're looking to study performing arts further, this can be a great addition to a portfolio.
Improve and experiment with new techniques: you may already be writing scripts and making films and a 7 minute play is a perfect opportunity to experiment with new ideas in a he medium of the stage. Consider what can be communicated with lighting, sound as well as the spoken word and body language.
You might have a clear story to tell. Drama and performance is an incredibly powerful way of delivering a message - perhaps you can explore the impact of an ethical dilemma on multiple stakeholders and making your audience consider the ethical ramifications of a dilemma? Or maybe you want to show creative thinking and your solution to the ethical dilemma that you have explored in the written report?
Thinking about the task of the reflective project and how it can help educate and inform people. Your short play, like a short film, can be a really useful tool in raising awareness and educating people in the facts, perspectives and impact of an ethical dilemma with a critical eye.
A key point here is to consider what would be the most effective use of the 7 minute play or 700 word script in terms of the criteria and how will you use the written report to support. You won't be able to fulfil all the criteria in just one element so consider what each part would be best used for.
The next step is to see just how many different ways this powerful medium can be used.
The following film is interesting as it explores what makes effective radio drama. There are lots of good tips on characteristics of drama and what makes effective drama.
'As long as you find the truth you can go anywhere' Gabriel Garcia Marquez
From BBC writing room: Scriptwriting advice from the BBC Drama North team
Making connections and using the additional formats as preparation
The significance of the local context
Irrespective of format, exploring how one's local environment can be documented is an important part of students' personal development as it allows them to make an individual connection to their community. They may approach this through a particular lens - say their service learning projects, a pastime, family life etc... or it may be documenting the most influential places to them in their local community.
Criterion B
... asks for students to explore the impact and significance of their ethical dilemma in a local or global context. Notice the 'or'. However, students often choose to look at both which can be hugely impactful as they are considering the implications of an ethical dilemma on a local and global platform and making connections between them.
Using the short film format is a great way of preparing for the reflective project even if students do not use this as their final piece. The following is an extension of the short film challenge, explored on the short film page.
Short film and play challenge.
Students consider the context in which they live whether this be the city centre, suburbia, rural, mountainous, seaside ...using just their camera phones, students take ten photos that capture their context to them. Within these photos, what is captured? How might an outsider view these photos? Did their assignment help them recognise more about their community?
Once you have established an ethical dilemma for a focus, consider how this is depicted in the world directly around you. Think about experimenting with interview, voiceover and simple editing tools on your phone.
Short play challenge
Now look at the ten photos and consider the following thinking routines to begin a creative exploration into drama.
True for Who? A routine for exploring truth claims from different perspectives[1].
This thinking routine was developed as part of the Visible Thinking project at Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education.
1. Discuss. What kind of situation was the claim made in? Who made it? What were people’s interests
and goals? What was at stake?
2. Brainstorm. Make a list of all the different points of view you could look at this claim from.
3. Dramatize. Choose a viewpoint to embody and imagine the stance a person from this viewpoint
would be likely to take. Would he or she think the claim is true? False? Uncertain? Why? Go around
in a circle and dramatically speak from the viewpoint. Say:
• My viewpoint is...
• I think this claim is true/false/uncertain because...
• What would convince me to change my mind is...
4. Stand back. Step outside of the circle of viewpoints and take everything into account: What is your
conclusion or stance? What new ideas or questions do you have?
Unveiling Stories[2]
A routine for revealing multiple layers of meaning. What kind of thinking does this routine encourage?
This routine helps students investigate the layers of meaning in images and texts and explore the human
condition, systemic issues, and the power and limitations of representations in the news.
What’s the story?
What is the human story?
What is the world story?
What is the new story?
What is the untold story?
Reflective Project ethics
The following guidelines are actually relevant for all options both in terms of research as well as when interacting with external stakeholders in the community - this could be in film, interview, and collection of research data.
Whatever option you choose for the reflective project, it is important to consider how you carry out your work ethically as will as with academic integrity. In this case, consider how you are going to attempt to explore your ethical dilemma in a balanced way in drama and the written report and how you are explicit in your academic integrity.
1. Consider who you are considering involving in your play. Will it be just yourself or will you need a cast? You must seek permission of anyone involved and they must be informed about the purpose and intended use.
2. If you are not sure whether an aspect of your play content is appropriate or not, then it probably is not and you need to err on the side of caution. Always communicate with your supervisor about what you are planning and they can give you the best advice. Respecting people's boundaries is always important and plays an essential part in performing arts.
3. Set the intention of objectivity and balance in your whole reflective project - that across the written report, additional format and the RPPF you will try to capture a situation as accurately as possible without creating an artificial representation at all. Whilst you may choose to explore multiple perspectives and elements of subjectivity come into play in your drama, be sure to reflect on why you did this and the impact of it in your RPPF. It may be that you decide to explore the perception of bias and validity within your film itself but be clear about your research methodology throughout - both in this and the written report.
4. Keep the big picture in mind. How does the picture fit in to the overall purpose of your reflective project? Are you telling a narrative and what are you trying to communicate? Does your mindmapping and planning in preparation for the play support your creative process and help shape your narrative? Half way through this process, is it still communicating what you intend? And reflect at the end - were you successful in how you chose to explore the ethical dilemma?
5. It goes without saying that, and this is an extension of point 2, if you are not sure if something is right/sensitive/dangerous, then do not do it.
6. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: So important it is in capitals. Your subjects and all your sources must be given credit in your credits and/or bibliography.
A play (recorded on audio or video; 7 minutes or a written script (700 words)
Choose a play to support a shorter essay if you are particularly interested in expressing your ideas creatively and directing others as this is a fascinating way to do it. Taking the ideas and viewpoints that have emerged from your research on an ethical dilemma and taking advantage of drama, dialogue and stagecraft to explore them has been done by many successful and eminent playwrights.
Mind map your initial ideas for:
... can you successfully create a team to support you in this process? Think of the logistics.
... how you might capture an ethical dilemma in just 7 minutes. Are there examples you might look at for inspiration?
... at what stage of research the play could be fully planned
... what dramatic devices you could/want to utilise in your final piece
... if your ideas would be better expressed in performance or a written script
... the logistics of recording a final piece.