Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - CA 285 D100

Interdisciplinary Studio - Composition/Collaboration (3)

Class Number: 6452

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

  • Prerequisites:

    One of CA (or FPA) 122, 130, 145, 150, 160, 170.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the techniques of artistic composition as experienced in a collaborative interdisciplinary studio environment. The emphasis is on the creation, analysis and critique of new compositions created in collaborative groups by students in dance, music, theatre, film/video and visual art. Students with credit for FPA 285 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

CA 285 INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIO - COMPOSITION/COLLABORATION (3 credits)  An introduction to the techniques of artistic composition as experienced in a collaborative interdisciplinary studio environment. The emphasis is on the creation, analysis and critique of new compositions created in collaborative groups by students in dance, music and sound, theatre and performance, film/video, production and design, and visual art. Students with credit for FPA 285 may not take this course for further credit. 

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIO - provides opportunities to collaborate and compose devised live performances and immersive installations within an ensemble. Students will be given limited time frames, restrictions and parameters to experiment and create short works using the themes of Portals, Dimensions and Labyrinths as a departure point. Taking inspiration from the Library of Babel by Jorge Louis Borges including the class themes, students will research, develop, rework, and present micro works-in-progress throughout the semester. 

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIO encourages a landscape of risk taking, lateral thinking, shared vocabulary, trial and error, where ideas and concepts can be discussed and challenged in a constructive collaborative environment. As a collective, we will question and discover through rigorous exploration, the relationship between installation, movement, text, context, architecture, sound, light, and design. We will investigate how an audience is navigated through a given work, and how we can translate each project’s concept from a rehearsal room into a live performance or immersive installation. 

Through this course, students will develop skills in collaboration, communication, and the creative process. By the end of the semester, students will have a portfolio of short works-in-progress that they can continue to develop with their ensemble at SCA or potentially create seeds for future works. INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIO - COMPOSITION / COLLABORATION provides a unique opportunity for students to explore new creative territories, learn from their peers, and develop practical skills for creating collaborative works in a range of contexts.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • understand the basic collaboration skills to create live performance and work effectively within a group.
  • discuss, analyze, and apply the composition tools: their use and application as both a performer training tool and to create composition for live performance. 
  • utilize a greater performance presence through listening skills and heightened body awareness.
  • attain kinesthetic awareness, group listening, strength, flexibility and freeing the physical instrument
  • attain a greater level of corporeal confidence and physical openness.
  • ability to perform, self-direct and create a physical performance in space and time.
  • perform various warm-up exercises, stretches, and ensemble training and be able to lead rehearsals and ensembles.
  • experience in working in live performers, building a persona and physical performance through the use of the training, improvisations, and research.
  • attain a greater understanding of ensemble work by creating, constructing and writing original material.
  • attain a greater understanding of source material and translating themes to create time-based work.
  • the ability to conduct rehearsals, delegate and communicate with co-collaborators.
  • experience gained in writing original material, creating devised work through light, sound, text, music, new technology and movement.
  • a greater knowledge of creating, navigating and encouraging a positive working environment made of discipline, rigor and a shared vocabulary of performance and research.
  • understand the value, discipline and focus it takes to create new innovative work.
  • the ability to research, gather multiple inspiration from different disciplines and synthesize the research into performance, design, writing and construction of new work from scratch.

Grading

  • Participation / positive work ethic / collaboration, attendance, knowledge of class composition 30%
  • In-class micro assignments (4), ability to experiment, adjust and apply constructive criticism and execution 40%
  • Articulation of research for each assignment / project documentation / website 20%
  • Visiting Artists attendance and or participation 10 % * 3 Push Festival shows or attend invited Push Artist Workshops or Industry Series. Including the Visiting Artist Talks: Desire Line Sessions: 10%

NOTES:

*Please be prepared to rehearse, schedule and book rehearsal times outside of our class time with your ensembles. 

*Please be prepared to be physical, engage with other students in ensemble practices and in movement compositions as we explore the class theme and the vocabulary of time and space; Architecture, Topography, Duration, Tempo, Repetition, Shape, Gesture, Kinesthetic Response and Spatial Relations. 

Special note: 
*Please note we will be seeing 3 require shows at the Push International Festival as part of your Visting Artist persenctage of your grade, along the attendance of the Desire Line Session Talks:
*Please get a Youth Pass prior to the start of the semester. 

Visiting Artist Series 

Desire Line Sessions: Philip Bither,  Performance Curator from the Walker Art Center (Date and Time, TBA) *required attendance 

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

*Class Fee / Materials: Please purchase the PUSH YOUTH FESTIVAL PASS: $20 cad for 4 shows. 3 are required for the class.   I will give you a list of suggested shows but you are free to choose which shows you would like to attend. PLEASE PURCHASE YOUR YOUTH PASS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SEMESTER AS SOON AS THE TICKETS GO ON SALE. https://pushfestival.ca

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.