Clarification details
Updated December 2017. The ‘devising process’ section has been updated to address issues that have arisen from moderation.
The intention
Students should firstly collaborate to write a broad intention from which to devise the drama from. It is recommended that students track the development and possible audience response rather than write an ‘outline’ which suggests plot. Students are then guided at interim points during the process to revise their stated dramatic intention as it can change focus or evolve during the improvisation and structuring process.
The final performance product needs to be an ‘original drama’. Consequently, the dramatisation of a given text is not acceptable. Students need to use any stimulus as a catalyst for the exploration of a theme or idea drawn from that stimulus.
The devising process
The devising process must have improvisation as the key tool to develop the drama. It is not appropriate for students to ‘script-write’ scenes collaboratively. The need for vitality comes through action and fades with dialogue. Devising should include building in movement opportunities or working with a prop/symbol which can reveal a lot.
Devised dramas are generally more effective when the drama is crafted to reflect the key ideas in the intention, and do so within a 6-8 minute timeframe. Physicalising ideas to advance plot and developing dialogue with ‘selected talk’ not ‘real talk’ can refine the drama.
When students are devising abstract and physical theatre, they need to consider the audience’s perspective and use conventions to aid coherency. For example, text, narration and projected image can help establish the drama elements and support dramatic unity.
There is no increment beyond the Achieved grade for the student’s contribution to the devising process.
The final devised drama
Blackouts between scenes of any duration generally diminish coherence and impact of the final performed dramas. Other strategies should be used to mark scene changes, such as sound, narration; turning to back and withdrawing as next actor arrives, freeze on split stage while new action starts etc.
The 'effective' descriptor for Excellence means that the final devised drama has impact, is convincing, ‘fresh’ and has originality in terms of being crafted to realise its stated intention. This can mean elements; conventions and technologies have been used and structured innovatively to create impact.