Syllabus for THEA M235 Props : Stage and Screen

COLLEGE OF MUSIC & FINE ARTS LOYOLA UNIVERSITY NEW ORLEANS THEA M235 Props Design: Stage and Screen (3 credit hours) TERM: Fall 2019

I. Instructor Destany Gorham Bowersmith

II. Office Information 610 Monroe Hall Office Phone: (504) 865-2868

III. Class Meeting Time & Location MWF 9:30-10:30 Monroe 606 (some classes will be held in alternate locations, either announced in class or via email. Some classes may be held in the due to the nature of materials and tools used.)

IV. Brief Course Overview/ Bulletin Course Description Property design includes hand props, set props and set dressing; all of which are essential to create the “world” of a theatrical or screen production. Artistic and technical principles of prop design will be addressed through lectures, studio work and critiques. By analyzing theatrical plays and film scripts from the point of view of a property , the function of all aspects of properties will be explored thru extensive research and creative interpretation.

V. Prerequisites – THEA M103 or instructor permission.

VII. Textbooks and other materials to be purchased by student: No textbooks are required for this course, however if you would like to add these titles to your library, you may find them useful: Theatrical Design and Production, J. Michael Gillette (latest edition) The Prop Maker’s Workshop Manual, David H. Rigden The Prop Building Guidebook, Eric Hart The Handbook of Ornament, Franz Sales Meyer

Tools: If you are a design student it behooves you to develop a collection of supplies: Sketchbooks, Bristol Board, Tracing paper Colored Pencils (really, buy the best ones you possibly can. It makes life so much better) Assorted cutting tools (Fabric and paper scissors, Ulfa knives, Xacto knives) Watercolor paints Acrylic paints Paint Brushes Assorted tools

Weird plastic doo-dads, wire, cardboard, other materials that make you say, “I’ll totally use this for something” VIII. Other Course Materials Reading and other materials for this course are posted on Blackboard. A working knowledge of these materials is required of all students. All class handouts and background information are also posted on Blackboard.

IX. Other Information Some of your work in this course will be used in productions, and so deadlines will be strictly enforced. Proper attire is required in the classroom and in the shops. For the scene shop and during crafts lessons closed-toed shoes, long pants, no loose clothing, etc. An apron is always a great idea, as we will often be using paint and other materials that will permanently alter or damage your clothing.

X. Course Goals/Objectives The Goal of this course is to improve a theatre artist’s skills in the crafting and sourcing of properties, as well as improve their ability to work collaboratively in a creative environment. By the end of this course students will learn : • How to read and examine a script to analyze production needs • How to create a detailed props list • Research methods • How to work collaboratively • How to create properties using a variety of skills and materials • How to source properties • Adherence to deadlines and time management

XI. Course Requirements/Types of Assignments Props Construction Projects: 30% These projects are fully-realized products , for your portfolio or for use in departmental productions. Research and Paperwork Projects: 30% These projects will be sourcing projects, and creation of paperwork associated with being a successful props master. Journal 20% This journal will include your time management log, and your mini wonder-why research project. This can be digital or analog, but must be updated consistently. Attendance and Participation: 20% You can’t participate if you’re not in class. Participation includes hands-on activities, presentations and class discussions.

XIII. Sequence of Topics/Calendar of Assignments Date Subject Monday, August 19 Syllabus, introduction, assignment of paperwork project 1 (props list) and wonderwhy projects (also, what’s a wonderwhy?) Wednesday, August 21 Turn in and Discuss Props list for You Can’t Take it With You due (Research and Paperwork Project 1 Due) discuss color wheel project (Construction Project 1) Friday, August 23 Discuss object painting and sign painting project, research assigned for flat object and sign painting (Construction Project 2) Color wheel work in class. Wonderwhy1 due Monday, August 26 Color Wheel due (Construction Project 1 Due) Research for Flat Object/ Sign Painting due (Research /Paperwork 2 Due) Wednesday, August 28 Work on Flat Object/ Sign Painting project (Construction Project 2) Friday August 30 Flat Object/ Sign Painting project due end of class. Wonderwhy2 due Research/Paperwork project 3 assigned Monday, September 2 No Class, Labor Day Wednesday, September 4 Research paperwork project 3 due. Class discussion. Friday, September 6 Begin work on Construction Project 3 for You Can’t Take it With you. Wonderwhy3 due. Monday, September 9 Finish Construction on Project 3. Wednesday, September 11 Construction Project 3 Due. Mask Lecture, Mask Research Assigned (Research/Paperwork4) Friday, September 13 Research/Paperwork 4 Due. Begin Construction Project 4. Monday, September 16 Continue Construction Project 4 Wednesday, September 18 Continue Construction Project 4 Friday, September 20 Continue Construction Project 4, Wonderwhy4 due Monday, September 23 Send Professor progress photos of construction project 4, feedback will be provided. Professor in Provincetown Wednesday, September 25 Finish Construction Project 4, clean work

area. Begin Research/ Paperwork project Project 5 (will be discussed on Blackboard) Professor in Provincetown

Friday, September 27 Professor in Provincetown. Wonderwhy5 due (online) Guest Professor Monday, September 30 Professor in Provincetown, Guest Professor Wednesday, October 2 No Class, Take a nap. Friday, October 4 I’m back!!! Mask photographs and debrief, Wonderwhy6 due, Construction Project 5 assigned Monday, October 7 Begin Work Construction Project 5 Wednesday, October 9 Continue Construction Project 5 Friday, October 11 Construction Project 5 Due, wonderwhy Monday, October 14 No Classes, Fall Break Wednesday, October 16 TBA, cushion Friday, October 18 TBA, Cushion Wonderwhy7 due Monday, October 21 Edible Food Props Discussion and Read Play Wednesday, October 23 Play Discussion and Research Friday, October 25 Paperwork/Research Project due 6, Construction project 6 assigned Monday, October 28 Research and prep Construction Project 6 Wednesday, October 30 Construction Project 6 in class Friday, November 1 Construction Project 6 Due, Wonderwhy8 Monday, November 4 Fake Food tips, tricks and techniques, Research/Paperwork project 7 assigned. Wednesday, November 6 Construction project 7 Begin Friday, November 8 Construction project 7 continue wonderwhy9 due Monday, November 11 Construction Project 7 due Wednesday, November 13 Casting and moldmaking research/paperwork project 8 assigned Friday, November 15 Casting and moldmaking in-class work Construction project 8 begin wonderwhy10 due Monday, November 18 Casting and moldmaking project due. Wednesday, November 20 Research/Paperwork project 9 Assigned Friday, November 25 Research/paperwork project 9 due, discuss final project (Construction Project 9)Wonderwhy11 Due November 27-29 No Classes , Thanksgiving Break Monday December 2 Work on Construction Project 9 Wednesday December 4 Work on Construction Project 9 Friday December 6 Work on Construction Project 9, Wonderwhy12 Due. Wednesday December 11 Final 9:00a-11:00a, Presentations of final

project, Construction Project 9. *** Be Advised. The Instructor can alter this syllabus at any time to better suit the needs of the class and the department*** XIV. Evaluation 99-90% A 79-70% C 89-80% B 69-60% D Anything under 60% will be considered a failing grade.

XV. Policy on attendances/absences, late work, participation/class behavior No more than 4 absences are allowed in this class. Due to the hands-on nature of coursework and collaborative expectations, we need the whole team around. The short nature of class periods also makes lateness a problem. More than 10 minutes tardy will count as an absence. Any absence beyond the 4 will result in a 5% reduction of your grade, for each absence. Please refer to university policy for adds, drops and incomplete grades. You will be expected to work on projects outside of class hours, and learning to budget your time is an important part of that. Late work will only be allowed in circumstances of documented illness. Unfortunately I cannot permit late projects to be emailed in on the same day, largely because most of the projects are actual objects and I haven’t figured out the whole holographic messaging thing yet. Professional behavior is expected at all times. Be courteous to your classmates; show up prepared to work, and be engaged.

XVI. Academic Integrity It is expected that a great amount of work in a properties crafts class will include reproduction of existing objects, artworks, and documents, so research packets must include proper citation and documentation including original artists, sources, and creators whenever possible. And now for the boilerplate…. All work you do for this class is expected to be your own, and academic dishonesty (including, but not limited to, plagiarism on papers or cheating on exams) will be punished. A summary of the University’s definitions and procedures concerning academic integrity can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin (pp. 46-47 of the 2003-5 Bulletin). If you are uncertain how to use and cite the work of others within your own work, consult reference works such as Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 6th ed., revised and by John Grossman and Alice Bennett, Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996), or see the instructor.

XVII. Special Accommodations If you have a disability and wish to receive accommodations, please contact Disability Services at 504-865-2990. If you wish to receive test accommodations (e.g., extended test time), you will need to give the course instructor an official Accommodation Form from Disability Services. The Office of Disability Services is located in Marquette Hall 112.

XVIII. Evacuation Statement At times, ordinary university operations are interrupted as a result of tropical storms, hurricanes, or other emergencies that require evacuation or suspension of on-campus activities. To prepare for such emergencies, all students will do the following during the first week of classes:

1. Practice signing on for each course through Blackboard.

2. Provide regular and alternative e-mail address and phone contact information to each instructor.

In the event of an interruption to our course due to the result of an emergency requiring an evacuation or suspension of campus activities, students will:

3. Pack textbooks, assignments, syllabi and any other needed materials for each course ad bring during an evacuation/suspension

4. Keep up with course work during the evacuation/suspension as specified on course syllabi and on-line Blackboard courses.

5. Complete any reading and/or writing assignments given by professors before emergency began.

Assuming a power source is available....

6. Log on to university Web site within 48 hours of an evacuation/suspension.

7. Monitor the main university site (www.loyno.edu) for general information.

8. Log on to each course through Blackboard or e-mail within 48 hours of an evacuation/suspension to receive further information regarding contacting course instructors for assignments, etc.

9. Complete Blackboard and/or other online assignments posted by professors (students are required to turn in assignments on time during the evacuation/suspension period and once the university campus has reopened.)

10. Contact professors during an evacuation/suspension (or as soon as classes resume on campus) to explain any emergency circumstances that may have prevented them from completing expected work.

Further information about student responsibilities in emergencies is available on the Academic Affairs web site: http://academicaffairs.loyno.edu/students-emergency-responsibilities