Light in Performance (FINA20043)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Southbank)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Light is an essential ingredient in any performance – without light there is nothing to see.
This subject examines how through the use of colour, texture, rhythm and intensity, light can be used as a dramaturgical tool in the development of a performance, and explores the close relationship lighting has with the other design elements in performance.
Through a series of lectures and studios, students will be introduced to light in performance across a range of forms such as; opera, music theatre, dance and drama, and how light interacts with the other design elements and the performer.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- demonstrate a capacity to analyse, evaluate and critique the effective use of light in a performance;
- undertake the process of developing a design concept and produce documentation and materials sufficient to communicate that concept;
- select from a range of theories (performative, artistic, environmental, historical, philosophical, scientific, etc.) and make them relevant to the task at hand;
- convey the conceptual development, research and realisation of a designed item, and reflect on the outcome.
Generic skills
On completing this subject, students will demonstrate:
- an ability to undertake critical analysis;
- an ability to work with design precedents;
- an ability to work with different design methodologies;
- an understanding of challenges for the performance designer in the 21st century;
- an understanding of their relationship with and responsibility to their cultural environment and society.
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Practical exploration of lighting design concepts demonstrating understanding of core ideas, plus written analysis of ideas explored.
| Mid teaching period | 25% |
Short presentation and written submission responding to the content of the lecture series, involving the analysis of the lighting of a performance.
| Second half of the teaching period | 25% |
Presentation of a lighting design concept as a response to a stimulus (text, music, visual image etc) including research, written design rationale. Can include analogue and/or digital models and drawings.
| During the assessment period | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of all lectures. There is an expectation that students attend all scheduled classes. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: Students must submit all elements of assessment to be eligible for a pass in this subject. For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, each submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. Submitting only part of an assessment (e.g. only the title page) or an assessment on an irrelevant topic will not meet this hurdle requirement. | N/A |
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator John Ford Mode of delivery On Campus (Southbank) Contact hours 24 hours comprising, one 1-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial for six weeks, and one 2-hour studio for six weeks Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
John Ford: john.ford@unimelb.edu.au
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 9 April 2025