General Information About the Season of Excellence
General Information
What is the VCE Season of Excellence?
The annual VCE Season of Excellence comprises twelve concerts (Top Class and Top Acts), two exhibitions (Top Designs and Top Arts) and multiple screenings of short films (Top Screen) presented in Melbourne’s prestigious cultural venues from February–June each year.
Works are presented by a representative sample of the most outstanding VCE students from the previous year, for the benefit of current VCE students.
The Season is a cross-sectoral project, involving students from Government, Catholic and independent schools. Staff from the three sectors are on audition and selection panels. The aim of the Season is to benchmark for VCE assessment and curriculum through showcasing exemplary student work and associated education programs.
Season and audition panels comprise the State Reviewers and Assistant State Reviewers for visual arts studies; the Chief Assessors and Assistant Chief Assessors for performing arts studies, Subject Association representatives where appropriate, and regional teacher representatives who are appointed every two years through ‘Expression of Interest ‘ forms. Memorandums to Schools and the VCAA Bulletin advise when vacancies are available on panels.
The Season directly supports the VCAA’s goal to support high quality education, recognise student achievement and best practice teaching, and encourage students to move into allied work areas and further study.
Top Screen presents films including short fictions, animation and documentaries created by VCE Media students, plus associated education sessions with the filmmakers and state reviewers. Selection for Top Screen is by application. VCE Media students confident of achieving a very high score are invited to submit the Top Screen application form by 15 October.
Short listing of applications occurs in October/November. Short listed applicants are advised by 1 December with the final outcome announced in mid-January. Top Screen will open on 2 March 2010. The films are also presented as part of Top Designs.
- Top Screen 2009 program notes (PDF - 422KB)
- Top Designs/Top Screen application form (PDF - 471KB)
Top Class presents twelve concerts by outstanding VCE performing arts students who have completed VCE Dance and VCE VET Dance, Drama, Theatre Studies, Music Solo Performance and Music Group Performance. Performances are compered by the Chief Assessors and some are followed by Q and A sessions. A performer speaks at the Drama and Theatre Studies concert advising about the preparation of their solo work from the student perspective.
Top Class Sound was introduced in 2008. It features performances (acoustic, digital and/or screen based) of original musical works by students undertaking VCE Art, Media, Music Group Performance, Music Solo Performance, Music Styles, Studio Arts and/or Visual Communication and Design who have created original music as part of Unit 3 and 4 Assessment tasks.
Selection for all Top Class concerts (except for Sound) is by audition, held in January and February. Students who receive a very high score in the October performance examinations are invited by mail to audition after VCE results are made public in mid-December. The deadline to accept the invitation is 5 January 2010.
Who is invited to apply?
The audition offers to Top Class are sent out to those students who receive a final score in the upper level of the A+ range in the performance examinations.
Student results are confidential and cannot be disclosed or discussed over the phone. Examination Grade scaling ranges are published on the VCAA website after results are released in December.
Each year up to 35 performers are selected from the Top Class concert series to appear in Top Acts. Top Acts performers will be announced by mid-May 2010. Top Acts 2010 is on Friday 28 May 2010.
Top Class Dates 2010
- Friday 26 February : Top Class Sound.
- Saturday 13 March: Top Class Music Performance Solo and Group
- Friday 19 March: Top Class Dance. (TBC)
- Friday 16 April: Top Class Drama
- Saturday 17 April: Top Class Drama and Top Class Theatre Studies
Only Top Class Sound requires an application and application forms are due on 15 October. The other Top Class performers do not require applications, invitation only.
Application form for Top Class Sound 2010
- Top Class Sound (PDF - 492KB)
Top Designs 26 March - 27 June 2010
Top Designs is an annual exhibition presenting work created by students who completed VCE Media, Design and Technology, Food and Technology, Systems Engineering, Visual Communication and Design and VCE VET Multimedia. The exhibition is held at Melbourne Museum and is part of the Museum designed to inspire initiative.
Works include furniture and objects made using wood, metal or plastic, garments and articles using fibre, yarn and fabric, graphic and product design, short films (also shown in Top Screen), interactive media, print layout, photography, food, mechanical and electronic projects. Works are accompanied by folios, work briefs, production plans, client feedback and evaluation, storyboards, scripts and design plans.
Top Designs includes associated education forums for each study for students coordinated by Melbourne Museum. The forums include an introductory talk by the State Reviewers and an industry professional. Bookings open 1 December.
Selection for Top Designs is by application. VCE students who are confident they will receive a very high score are encouraged to submit an application. Top Designs application forms are due on 15 October.
VCE VET Multimedia applications are due 15 November exhibition.
Short listing takes place in November and December by panels convened for each study. Panels include the State Reviewer and Assistant State Reviewer, a regional teacher and subject association representative. Short listed students are advised by 1 December and invited to bring in selected work and developmental folio/record in early December for the final selection. Unsuccessful applicants are not advised of outcome.
Information on education programs will be available in November.
Bookings: essential for viewing and programs
Limited numbers admitted hourly.
Free Museum entry for students and teachers, booking fee $11
Please specify study when booking
Top Designs 2009, 2008, 2007 catalogues and CD-ROM are available. Pre-payment is necessary with the Order Form/Tax Invoice (PDF - 102KB). The Top Design 2010 catalogue will be available by mail order on 26 March 2010. It can also be purchased in the Museum Shop after 26 March.
Application forms for Top Designs 2010
- Food and Technology (PDF - 470KB)
- Design and Technology, Systems Engineering (PDF - 471KB)
- VCE VET Multimedia (PDF - 470KB)
- Visual Communication and Design Unit 3 Only (PDF - 471KB)
- Visual Communication and Design Unit 4 Only (PDF - 496KB)
Top Arts 31 March - 20 June 2010
Top Arts is an exhibition of painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, ceramics, film, drawing and printmaking produced by VCE Art and VCE Studio Arts students, held at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Education programs include introductory lectures, folio viewings floor talks, sessions with exhibitors, education officers and the curator.
Selection for Top Arts is by application. VCE Art and Studio Arts students confident they will receive a very high score are encouraged to submit an application. Applications are due on Thursday 15 October.
Short listing takes place in October by a six-member panel comprising the State Reviewers for each study, a regional teacher representative, two NGV staff from the Education and Programs unit and the coordinating curator. Short listed students will be advised by 1 December and invited to bring in the selected artworks and developmental work in early December 2009 for final selection. Unsuccessful applicants will not be informed of outcome of short listing process.
Top Arts:VCE 2009
Location: The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Federation Square
Program, bookings and pricing information will be available in October.
Information about Top Arts: http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/toparts/
Application form for Top Arts
- VCE Art, VCE Studio Arts (PDF -516KB)
Top Acts is an evening concert which presents up to 40 performers from the Top Class concert series in one stunning event. Dance, Drama, Theatre Studies, Music Solo and Group Performances and original musical works are blended together into a dynamic presentation at the Arts Centre’s Hamer Hall.
TOP ACTS 2010
Date: 7.30 pm Friday 28 May 2010
Location: The Arts Centre, Hamer Hall
St Kilda Road , Melbourne
Bookings (open in February 2010)
theartscentre.com.au*, 1300 182 183* or the Arts Centre Box Office
*Transaction fee applies
Costs
A Reserve: $22 all tickets
B Reserve $20 all tickets
$15 for groups of 10 or more
Education programs
Two-hour skills workshops in Drama and Theatre Studies for VCE students during the afternoon prior to Top Acts performance
Contact the Education Hotline at the Arts Centre on (03) 9281 8582 after 1 February
Workshop and one ticket to Top Acts $20
Top Acts program available at perfromance, Top Acts DVD
For further information and bookings for workshop program only contact the Education Hotline at the Arts Centre
Tel: (03) 9281 8582
DVD’s of Top Acts 2009, 2008 and 2007 are available for purchase. Prepayment is required with the Catalogue and DVD Sale – VCE Season of Excellence form (PDF - 104KB).
Copyright Clearance for applications
Applicants submitting works for Top Screen, Top Designs and Top Arts should seek copyright clearance on all non-original material used, as works cannot be shown that do not have evidence of clearances.
- Copyright clearance
-
Music: use in student films and home videos (www.copyright.org.au)
Note: This link will take you to the Australian Copyright Council website. Scroll down the list of Information Sheets to Music: use in student films and home videos.
Tips for taking photographs for applications to Top Design and Top Arts
A successful application relies on you presenting the best possible image of your work. Initial selection is made from your photograph. A poor quality photograph limits your chance of selection. Please note the following recommendations for taking photographs.
- If one work is comprised of multiple pieces it is recommended that you photograph works individually as well as showing the work as a whole. Only one application form is required for this work.
- Place the work of art against a clean, one colour background, preferably a light coloured wall.
- Use the best camera available to you. Use a good quality 100 ISO colour print film. Black and white film is acceptable for black and white images only.
- Make sure the image is sharply focused and fills as much of the frame as possible.
- Don't take the photograph on an angle that distorts the image. Stand squarely in front of it.
- If a flash is used, beware of strong reflections caused by glass and other reflective surfaces. Photograph before framing if you can.
- If the work is generally very dark or very light, it is difficult for a camera to automatically calculate the required exposure. If you can, take a number of photographs using different exposures. Try to bracket the exposure by trying one stop more and one stop less as well as the exposure setting indicated by the camera.
Tips for Food Photography
A successful application relies on you presenting the best possible image of your work. Initial selection is made from your photograph. A poor quality photograph limits your chance of selection. Please note the following recommendations for taking photographs.
- Shoot on white plates if possible
- Get as close as possible, fill the screen with the subject
- Make sure there is enough light on the food, natural light is best
- Try for a good balance of colours in the food
- Take lots of pictures from ever angle to see what looks best
- Shoot it quickly, before it wilts
- Hold still – use a tripod to help you achieve a sharp image – just a slight movement will cause blurring
- Make the food the hero – not the props
- Set digital cameras to an indoor setting to achieve natural colour in the food
- Use a camera with a macro lens
- Frame the photo in the view finder for a successful composition.
There is also some useful information in the text book – Food Solutions.
The following website is also useful. It is commercial, but has some good tips. http://www.foodportfolio.com/blog/food_photography/food_photgraphy.html
