Grade 8 Drama

**Please note that the order of these units of work and/or the type of work may be changed due to various factors - such as the school moving to online learning**

Students focus on their use of voice much more for this unit as they will select a song of their choice and adapt it to give it an original interpretation for camera. The camera is static so they will not be required to move much. The Beyoncelogues on YouTube give a good introduction to how this work might look and how lyrics can be given new meaning through vocal articulation, pauses, facial expressions, gestures, etc.

After focusing more on vocal skills, students will move the focus away from voice (no voice work will be required for the performance) to explore physicality. Using Frantic Assembly's chair duet technique, students will work in groups to create original movement sequences and arrange material to create a polished performance. Repetition, levels, focus, speed and music will be explored and how these impact meaning and communication. Students will choose whether to perform their final work in pairs, groups, whole class or a mix of these.

This unit is based on the scripted coursework on the IGCSE and gives students an introduction to this type of work so they feel fully prepared to begin the IGCSE in September f they so wish. In groups, students choose extracts from published plays (about 10 minutes in length) and go through the process of bringing the extract to life for a live audience. Particular focus is given to annotating scripts, blocking, use of space/set, creating character and technical aspects. The unit ends with a performance that students then evaluate in formal written evaluation.

This unit again aims to prepare students for the type of coursework they would complete if they choose to continue their studies at IGCSE. Students are presented with a range of stimuli (images, text, music, proverbs, etc.) from which they choose one each to present to their group. Groups then select one or more stimuli to work with and brainstorm initial ideas. They use explorative strategies to develop and shape their work towards a final performance of approximately 10 minutes. The unit gives particular focus to action planning, story-boarding, manipulating dramatic tension and using space/set effectively. The unit ends with a final performance that students then reflect on through a written evaluation.