 Direct / Uniongyrchol
029 2026 5176
Circular No. 18
Our reference / Ein cyfeirnod
CW/Circ. No. 18
Contact / Cysylltwch â
Catrin Budd/Sara Evans
Date / Dyddiad
October 2014
Dear Sir/Madam
AS/A Drama and Theatre Studies
DA3 - Practical Performance
Teachers preparing candidates for the above examination are requested to read carefully
the introductory notes and to complete the appropriate forms. The relevant forms should be
returned to WJEC, 245 Western Avenue, Cardiff CF5 2YX addressed to Catrin Budd/Sara
Evans by the following dates:
DA3 Preferred Date(s) form
5 December, 2014
DA3 Group form(s)
23 January, 2015
The DA3 Practical Performance will be externally assessed between 4th March and 8th
April, 2015.
Yours faithfully
JO RICHARDS
Director of Assessment Delivery
GCE DRAMA & THEATRE STUDIES
DA3
DA3 PERFORMANCE ON A SET THEME, acting, or technical production skills
EXAMINATION TO TAKE PLACE BETWEEN MARCH AND APRIL.
Introductory notes
Candidates will be expected to work in response to a theme set by WJEC. They will prepare two
performances and make an evaluation of the performance. In each performance, candidates will either
act or demonstrate a technical production skill with a group of performers. The performance will include
scenes/extracts from a published text and a piece devised by the group. All pieces must be linked to the
chosen theme. The theme will be distributed to centres via a circular during the summer term, a year prior
to assessment. The themes will also be available on the A level Drama web page.
This unit is assessed by an external examiner. Please note that an outline of the devised piece
must be sent to the visiting examiner before the assessment visit.
Candidates must choose plays not studied in other units.
All performances must take place on the same day, or if the centre has a particularly large number of
candidates, within a sequence of consecutive days. We strongly recommend that centres video all
performances.
Acting
The acting group should be between 2 and 4 candidates. The total performance time for the set text and
devised piece together should follow the time formula of up to 10 minutes per candidate, 5 minutes per
piece.
Technical production skills
No more than two candidates may offer technical production skills in any group. Each technical
production skill must be different. Candidates may choose from one of the following:
 stage design;
 lighting design;
 sound design;
 costume / make-up design.
Each candidate will have a viva with the external examiner.
Please note that performances that go over the maximum time of 5 minutes per candidate per
piece will incur a penalty.
Please use the first part of the form to inform WJEC of:
 the date, duration, time and venue for the performance;
 the total number of candidates entered;
 the number of candidates opting for acting and the number taking the technical option;
 the texts studied for DA2 and DA4.
Please use the second part of the form to list candidates in each group. You should complete two boxes
per group: one for the text piece and one for the devised piece. It is possible for candidates to work in
different groups for both pieces, but the same theme must be selected for both pieces. Please indicate on
the form which text(s) the groups performed in DA1.
These forms should be submitted to WJEC by the following dates:
DA3 Preferred Date(s) form
5 December, 2014
DA3 Group form(s)
23 January, 2015
Forms DA3 and DA3 (A, B, C, D or E) should be completed by the centre, providing candidate and
centre details. These forms should then be passed to the external examiner on the day of the
examination along with the form confirming suitability of content signed by the Head/Principal of
Centre including the centre stamp. It is helpful if the examiner is given a programme with the running
order of the examination, and if possible, photographs of the candidates.
Form DA3
Please list the candidates in candidate number order.
Forms DA3 (A, B, C, D or E)
Please provide the centre name, number and candidate name and number on the form. Please
ensure that the correct form for the skill offered by the candidate is completed.
24 hours after the examination, the candidates must complete an evaluation of their performance.
The visiting examiner will deliver copies of the question paper on the day of the practical examination.
Candidates should complete their answers in the usual examination answer booklet. The evaluations
should then be sent on to the visiting examiner. If the practical examination takes place over more
than one day in a centre, then it is expected that all candidates will complete their evaluations on the
day following the final day of examinations.
Recording of GCE Drama DA3 (1123) Performance on a Set Theme
Centres should note that it is now a requirement to record the practical work performed by candidates
for GCE Drama DA3 (1123). To ensure a consistent approach to this process, the following points
should be noted:
1.
The camera should have the same view as the visiting examiner. You are advised to place the
camera just behind the visiting examiner’s head. There should only be a single camera in place
to record the work. There is no requirement to zoom or pan.
2.
Before each group commences their performance, each candidate should clearly identify
themselves to the camera, stating centre number, candidate number, candidate name and
character played.
3.
You are advised to set up and test the camera and ensure that whoever is operating the
camera during the assessment is aware of the work being recorded before the day of the
examination. Some may wish to record the dress rehearsal, which could be a useful opportunity
to test the video recording equipment, best view, etc.
4.
The viva voce between the examiner and any technical candidates should also be recorded on
camera. As with the performers, the candidates should identify themselves clearly to the
camera.
5.
Each piece should be recorded as an individual item. The recording should be stopped or
paused in between groups. There is no requirement to record the setting up process of each
group. The video footage should not be edited before submission.
6.
The recording should be submitted in DVD format and should be playable in a standard DVD
player. The DVD should be carefully checked to ensure that the footage is present before
submitting to the examiner. The disc should be clearly labelled, including centre name and
number and the Unit number and level (DA3/1123 GCE Drama).
7. The DVD should be submitted along with the written evaluations which are completed by the
candidates 24 hours after the practical examination. To allow for some time to download the
recorded footage, the package containing the evaluations and the DVD should arrive with the
examiner within three working days of the examination. An envelope will be provided for
this purpose. In the event of an unforeseen problem with the recorded footage, it is acceptable
for centres to send the evaluations on to the examiner before the DVD. An extra envelope will
be provided to centres to cover this eventuality, but the DVD should be sent no later than five
days after the examination.
Enquiries About Results (EARs)
I would like to draw to your attention that applications for Enquires About Results (EARs) cannot be
submitted by centres for the above units unless video evidence of the practical work, as viewed by
the visiting examiner on the day of the assessment, is provided. Centres are therefore advised to
video record their practical examinations. This is in keeping with instructions provided in the current
JCQ Post-Results Services document:
“This service cannot be undertaken on ephemeral material unless suitable evidence (such as the
video taping of theatrical performances) can be provided.”
Thank you for your co-operation in these matters.
ADVANCED SUBSIDIARY/ADVANCED LEVEL
DRAMA 2015 – DA3
**Please fill in every section; entering n/a in parts that do not apply to you**
1.
CONTACT DETAILS
Centre Number:
____________________________________
Centre Name:
____________________________________
Final performance dates will be sent via email therefore it is important that you supply us
with the correct contact details for both the Exams officer and Head of Drama.
Exams Officer contact details
Head of Drama contact details
Name
Telephone no
Email address
2.
SCHOOL TIMES
It would be helpful if you let us know the start and finish times of your school/college day.
The starting and finishing times of our school day are from ________a.m. to _________p.m.
with lunchtime falling between _________ p.m. and __________ p.m.
3.
NUMBER OF CANDIDATES ENTERED
Please indicate the number of candidates that will be entering for GCE Drama in 2015.
Total number of candidates for DA3
Number of candidates taking the
acting option
Number of candidates taking the
technical production skill option
Total estimated duration of all group
performances, including scene
changes
Titles of DA2 texts studied
Titles of DA4 texts studied
Time of performance(s)
We require a visiting examiner at: (please tick)
Our own
centre
An
alternative
venue/centre
Where?
4.
CONSORTIUM CENTRES
If your candidates are taught at a different centre, or candidates from a different centre are
taught at your centre as part of a consortium arrangement, please indicate the centres
involved.
Centres involved
Number of candidates from each
All DA3 candidates will sit their practical exam at centre/venue:
5.
INCONVENIENT DATES
Examiners’ visits will take place between 4th of March and 8th of April 2015.
In considering such dates, centres are asked to bear in mind the difficulties of constructing
examiners’ routes within a limited time scale and to indicate only those dates that would
create serious or insurmountable problems.
It is very important that information given in the section is complete as it is not always
possible to change the dates of the Practical Examination after the examiners’ itineraries
have been prepared. Therefore, you are advised to consider your school diary carefully
before completing this form.
Please state your preferred exam date and one alternative:
Preferred Dates
Although we will try our best to accommodate centres, we cannot guarantee your preferred
date, therefore please provide inconvenient dates below:
Easter Break
INSET Days
School Trips
Other Inconvenient Dates
Should you become aware of any further inconvenient dates please notify us
immediately.
Signed: _____________________________________________ Date: _______________
Please return the form to Catrin/Sara, Creative Arts Department by Friday 5th of December
2014.
GCE Drama and Theatre Studies: DA3 External Examination
(Please complete two boxes for each group: one for the text performance and one for the devised)
Centre Name
________________________________________________________________
Centre Number
________________ Telephone No.
skill
Character played or technical production
skill selected
1
2
3
4
5
6
DA1 text performed :
TOTAL PERFORMANCE TIME :
Character played or technical production
skill selected
skill
appropriate)
BLOCK CAPITALS
Technical
Skill ( as
Candidate’s Full Name
Acting
No. in
group
Theme selected:
Text or devised?
(
as
appropriate)
Group number:
Title of piece:
Performance style:
No more than four candidates acting
per group. Two additional technical
and design candidates if required.
appropriate)
BLOCK CAPITALS
Technical
Skill ( as
Candidate’s Full Name
(
as
appropriate)
No. in
group
Theme selected:
Text or devised?
Acting
No more than four candidates acting
per group. Two additional technical
and design candidates if required.
Group number:
Title of piece:
Performance style:
______________________________
1
2
3
4
5
6
DA1 text performed :
TOTAL PERFORMANCE TIME :
Group number:
Title of piece:
Theme selected:
Text or devised?
Character played or technical
production skill selected
skill
appropriate)
BLOCK CAPITALS
Technical
Skill ( as
Candidate’s Full Name
(
as appropriate)
No. in
group
Acting
No more than four candidates acting per
group. Two additional technical and
design candidates if required.
Performance style:
1
2
3
4
5
6
DA1 text performed :
TOTAL PERFORMANCE TIME :
Centre Name
__________________________________________
BLOCK CAPITALS
2
3
4
5
6
DA1 text performed :
TOTAL PERFORMANCE TIME :
Character played or technical
production skill selected
skill
appropriate)
BLOCK CAPITALS
Technical
Skill ( as
Candidate’s Full Name
( as
appropriate)
No. in
group
Theme selected:
Text or devised?
Acting
1
2
3
4
5
6
DA1 text performed :
TOTAL PERFORMANCE TIME :
Character played or technical
production skill selected
skill
BLOCK CAPITALS
appropriate)
Candidate’s Full Name
Acting
No. in
group
Theme selected:
Text or devised?
( as
appropriate)
Group number:
Title of piece:
Performance style:
Technical
Skill ( as
No more than four candidates acting per
group. Two additional technical and
design candidates if required.
Character played or technical
production skill selected
1
Group number:
Title of piece:
Performance style:
No more than four candidates acting per
group. Two additional technical and
design candidates if required.
_________
skill
Candidate’s Full Name
Acting
No. in
group
appropriate)
Text or devised?
Technical
Skill ( as
Title of piece:
Performance style:
( as
appropriate)
Theme selected:
No more than four candidates acting per
group. Two additional technical and
design candidates if required.
Group number:
Centre No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
DA1 text performed :
TOTAL PERFORMANCE TIME :
Head of Drama & Theatre Studies_______________________________________ Date________________
If you wish to do so, please photo-copy this pro-forma for additional groups. Please make sure that each group is given a different
consecutive number for identification purposes.