SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 6:30:20 PMTHAR 127.2 Course Outline as of Spring 2016

New Course (First Version)
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  THAR 127.2Title:  PROPS WKSHP MOLDS/CASTS  
Full Title:  Properties Workshop: Mold Making and Casting
Last Reviewed:4/26/2021

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum2.00Lecture Scheduled1.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled17.50
Minimum2.00Lab Scheduled3.008 min.Lab Scheduled52.50
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total4.00 Contact Total70.00
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  35.00Total Student Learning Hours: 105.00 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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This course continues an introduction to the basic materials, techniques and creative process involved in the design and construction of stage properties, with a focus on theatrical mold making and casting skills.  Students will work on focus-related projects, as well as properties for SRJC productions.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of THAR 27


Recommended Preparation:
Course Completion or Concurrent Enrollment in THAR 2

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
This course continues an introduction to the basic materials, techniques and creative process involved in the design and construction of stage properties, with a focus on theatrical mold making and casting skills.  Students will work on focus-related projects, as well as properties for SRJC productions.
(Grade Only)

Prerequisites:Course Completion of THAR 27
Recommended:Course Completion or Concurrent Enrollment in THAR 2
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Certificate Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to conceptualize and safely
apply a variety of mold making and casting techniques in the construction of
properties used for stage and film productions.

Objectives: Untitled document
In order to achieve these learning outcomes, during the course the student will:
1.    Read and analyze a script with respect to historical period and style, focusing on the mold making and casting requirements for a production.
2.    Conduct and apply historical and stylistic research in the conceptualization of a prop design, noting factors relating to objects replicated through mold making or casting.
3.    Identify the characteristics of different types of mold making and casting materials, and their applications.
3.    Demonstrate creative problem solving in prop designing, including finding resources, adaption, and working within a budget.
4.    Develop strategies for replicating objects using mold making or casting for a production.
5.    Work collaboratively and communicate with a design and directorial team.   
 6.    Formulate a plan for the protection and maintenance of properties created using molds and/or casting for the run of a show.
7.    Utlize a variety of finishing materials and techniques to objects made from molds and/or casting.
8.   Apply safety procedures for the handling and storage of tools and materials used in mold making and casting for a theatrical production.
9.    Mentor beginning students in mold making and casting techniques.

Topics and Scope
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Properties Overview Topics:
I.   Introduction
    A.  Define stage properties, props master, props manager and props organization
    B.  Introduction to historical styles
II.  Safety
    A.  Shop safety
    B.  Safe use of materials and equipment
    C.  Explanation of  MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets)
    D.  The importance of protective clothing and masks
III. Script analysis and strategizing for an assigned play
    A.  Evaluation of props requirements of an assigned play
    B.  Strategizing which props can be bought, pulled from stock, or built
    C.  Consideration of the play's period and socioeconomic situation in relation to props
    D.  Consideration of the play's style, such as realism vs. fantasy
IV.  Research
    A.  Investigate sources of historical information
    B.  Discuss and investigate creative nontraditional research approaches
V.   Purchasing
     A.  Budgeting
     B.  Buying props
     C.  Researching sources
VI.  Managing props in production
     A.  Organization and placement
     B.  Tracking
     C.  Inventory and maintenance
     D.  Working with actors
 
 
Workshop Focus Topics:
I.  Painting concepts and techniques
     A.  Color theory
           1.  How color works
           2.  Paints and pigments
           3.  Mixing color
           4.  Color wheel
     B. Techniques
           1.  Highlight and shadow
           2.  Glazing and surface qualities of props
     C.  Painting different surfaces
 
II. Mold Making
     A. Historic techniques of mold making
     B. Types of molds
      C.  Mold making tools, materials and resources
     D.  Safety concerns
       
III.  Casting
     A. Overview of  casting techniques
     B. Casting tools, materials and resources
     C. Safety concerns
     
VI.  Related Skills for Mold Making and Casting Projects
     A.  Sculpting
          1. Materials and tools
      B.  Foam carving
          1.  Safe use of tools and materials
          2.  Carving techniques
          3.  Finishing techniques
 
VII.  Assist peers in mold making and casting techniques

Assignments:
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THAR 127.2 students will attend class with THAR 27 students and participate in class activities
relating to the properties requirements for the semester's productions.  However, the following
assignments will focus primarily on developing skills relating to mold making and casting.
 
 
Homework and class assignments:
 
1.  Read 5-10 pages of the required material per week.
 
2.  Quizzes:  One or more quizzes on assigned reading and/or safety issues.
 
3.  Read, analyze, and research 2-3 assigned plays from a property designer's
    viewpoint. Scripts will include the 2 SRJC productions for the current semester;
     Iinstructor may select 1-2 additional scripts for class discussion and exercises.
     With each script, the student will:
         A.  Identify required and potential props, focusing on mold making and casting.
         B.  Develop a props list, scene by scene.
         C.  Identify the period and style of each play.
         D.  Research and collect visual images representing the period of the play.
         E.  Research the identified props within the play's period, providing
                images/sketches.
 
4.  Design Team Assignment
     Students will work in groups of 2-3 to simulate the collaborative process of a
     design team.
          Assignment example:
         A.  The team is assigned one or more specific props for an upcoming production.
         B.  The team strategizes how the prop(s) will be constructed, selects
                appropriate materials, and applies techniques in the construction of the
                assigned prop(s).
 
5.  Production Attendance Essays:
         A.  Attend 2-3 SRJC productions  (Note:  Students receive one free
               ticket per production.)
         B.  Write a 500 word essay on each play, focusing on the props used.
 
6.  Props Purchasing Assignment:
         A.  Research 2-4 purchasing sources for an assigned object or material.
         B.  Present findings to class, including price, availability and delivery information.
 
7.  Final Project:  
          Problem-solve, strategize, and construct (or refinish) an instructor-assigned
          furniture piece or soft good prop for theatrical use.
          (Instructor may assign a prop for a specific production or independent of
          any specific script or show.)
 
Additional assignments may include:
 
8.  Props Management Assignment:
         A.  Develop a problem-solving strategy for organizing and managing furniture
              and soft goods  for a production, in theory or practical application.
         B.  Document the management strategy in a 500 word paper (Strategy Paper).
 
9.  Specialized Prop Construction Assignment(s):
         Mold making or casting project.
 
10.  Peer assisting in mold making and casting techniques.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
10 - 20%
2-3 production essays; Strategy paper.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
20 - 40%
Script analysis, research, strategizing and purchasing assignments
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
40 - 60%
Props design and construction assignments; Design Team assignment.
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
5 - 15%
Quizzes on reading/safety
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
5 - 10%
Participation and attendance


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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The Theatre Props Handbook: Second Edition. James, Thurston. Players Press: 2000 (Classic)     
The Prop Builders Molding and Casting Handbook. James, Thurston. Betterway Books: 1989 (Classic)
 
Intructor prepared materials.

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