This module examines the notion of entertainment from a performance and drama perspective, with a consideration of how acting/performance are negotiated to audiences, and the range of viewing pleasures associated with this interaction on film, television, and radio. It also explores the definition(s) of entertainment and how it is packaged across different media and textual formats. This focus enables you to explore and critically examine modes of performance within these media and how different types of acting and presentation have evolved within these media. This will include looking at how certain genres of films and programming have influenced certain styles of acting, performance and presenting, and how these have impacted on viewers and listeners. We also consider issues from a production perspective by considering how particular creative individuals have collaborated with actors and performers to achieve certain results in their work. With the financial and commercial pressures of the sector, producers are constantly seeking to create output that has a strong entertainment value in order to maintain audiences’ interest in films and programmes. This module attempts to unravel some of the challenges of performance for different media and how different production techniques are adopted to enhance these qualities.

ASSESSMENT ONE: CRITICAL ANALYSIS
A 3000-word Critical Analysis on a mode of performance in film, television or radio.

LOs (Learning Outcomes): 2, 1-5 100%.

Mixed mode delivery is promoted across the module to offer an interactive approach bringing ideas around your own viewing and listening experiences and to select and assess sources to come to your own learning conclusions. Workshops will be based around different case studies. Independent Study should be used to complete research tasks, viewing of extracts and complete programmes, preparation activities and wider reading.

1. PRODUCE A CRITICAL ANALYSIS USING APPROPRIATE TERMINOLOGY, DEMONSTRATING FAMILIARITY WITH MAJOR DEBATES ON PERFORMANCE ENTERTAINMENT. Analysis

2. DEMONSTRATE A DETAILED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE NOTION OF ENTERTAINMENT ACROSS FILM, TELEVISION OR RADIO AND HOW AUDIENCES INTERACT WITH THESE TEXTS. Knowledge and Understanding

3. COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY USING APPROPRIATE TO ARTICULATING RESEARCH FINDINGS, ANALYSIS AND ARGUMENTS CLEARLY AND APPROPRIATELY. Communication

4. SYNTHESISE THE KNOWLEDGE/ANALYSIS OF HOW DRAMATIC MEANING IS CONSTRUCTED AND AN IDENTIFICATION OF INTERPRETATION IN RELATION TO FORM, GENRE, NARRATIVE, WRITING AND PRODUCTION CONTEXTS. Learning

5. A DETAILED THEORETICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE INSTITUTIONAL/HISTORICAL CONTEXTS IN WHICH ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA AND BROADCASTING TEXTS ARE PRODUCED AND RECEIVED. Application

Blackboard, Library, and online resources (including Box of Broadcasts), Blu-Ray/DVD/Audio/IT playback facilities.

The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Andrews, H. (2021) Biographical Television Drama, London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Cantrell, T. & Hogg, C. (2017) Acting in British Television, London: Palgrave.

Cantrell, T. & Hogg, C. eds. (2018) Exploring Television Acting, London: Methuen Drama.

Donaldson, L. F. and Walters, J. eds. (2019) Television Performance, London: Red Globe Press.

Lovell, A. and Sergi, G. (2009) Cinema Entertainment, Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Pomerance, M. (2019) Virtuoso: Film Performance and the Actor's Magic, London: Bloomsbury.

See module handbook for a full listing of reading texts.

What is entertainment? How important is performance and drama within film, television and radio? This module looks at how acting and presentation performances are negotiated by audiences and the viewing pleasures associated with this interaction. This focus enables you to explore and critically examine modes of entertainment performance within film, television and radio and how the different styles of performance have evolved within these media. This will include how different genres of films and programming have influenced certain styles of performances and how, importantly, audiences have interacted with these. The module also looks at the concepts of entertainment through such areas as drama (plays, soaps, serials and series) and light entertainment (variety, comedy) and the range of different target audiences.