5th October 2010
We started working with our directors today. And they shared their ideas with us. We worked on a series of their ideas.
- Spatial Awareness/Invasion
- Repetition- Movements, Asking the same thing, Squeezing past the audience.
- Audience Engagement/Involvement- Filming situations before show and showing after.
- Tension - Description
- Inferior
- Intimidation
- Lollypop Monologue
- Sexualisation
- Ages
- Culture/Religion- Eastern/ Western- Film/Age Difference- Lips sucking a lolly, Opens out to being a little girl.
- Stereotypes
- Identity
- Bus Improvisation
- Breaking then fourth wall.....
- Social Class, Gender, Age.... How these react differently.
- Unacceptable public displays
- PDSA (Animal Awareness charity)
- Men changing little girl toddler nappies
- Getting chatted up
- Seeing someone get verbally/physically abused
- Babies crying
- Coughing, Sneezing, Farting, Smelling
- Anti-social teenagers
- Foreign languages- Conversations about passengers
- Tramps- Drunks
- Disabled
- Elderly, Pregnant women
Afternoon Improvisation
1. Audience Disruption
- Breaking the 4th wall
- Ticket- Arguing
- Provoking audience
- Live feed... Show to audience after.
- Important to process
- Fidgets
- Fake smiles- Naturalising the wrong
2. Audience Invasion- Uncomfortable
- Realistic But not naturalistic
- Invasion of sensual body parts- This impact despite our affections
can affect us and the audience.
3. Audience Interrogation (Police Scene)
- Reverse stereotypes- 85 year old lady- (Burned the bitches face)
- Elderly woman acting like a teen with an ASBO
- Hoodies
- Head Bang- Effective- Strong Language- Violence- Impulses
- Split Frames- Where emotion is acted
- Darkness
- Separate Audience
Plan for Next Session
- Observe a journey- Make an interesting comment
- Consider Form and Style!
Wednesday 1 December 2010
Wednesday 13 October 2010
Bad day....................................
Ok so I didn't get the chance to direct. I am really gutted. It turns out I wrote more of an essay than a proposal. But Siobhan said that it was ok, and I made some good points that will be great in my Critical Theory essay. I feel like I was defeated to a point where I just had to stop and say"Why did this have to happen to me? I am sick of being an actor. Why me?" Through the week I remained Bitter. I didn't like the idea of Amy and Lloyd directing us.
In Critical theory, I spent time just reflecting and listening to Siobhan telling us about so many different practitioners from Pina Bausch to Forced Entertainment. I learnt a lot.
But before my personal feelings get out of control, I'll explain what this project is about.
In Critical theory, I spent time just reflecting and listening to Siobhan telling us about so many different practitioners from Pina Bausch to Forced Entertainment. I learnt a lot.
But before my personal feelings get out of control, I'll explain what this project is about.
Hello all!!!!!!
Sorry I haven't been blogging for a while. I decided to take a break from everything and take some well deserved time off. This year I am doing my 2nd and final year of my Foundation Degree, which is one of my toughest challenges yet. I have to become more focussed, more prepared, and most of all I must enjoy doing my work and not try to impress everyone or suffocate them. I have learned a lot from my tutors, so thank-you to them.
This term we are looking at Creating, Devising and Developing Drama (CDDD for short). We have looked at a list of practitioners in depth, and those who want to direct our January show have to have their proposals in very soon. I am writing one at the minuet and I hope I get the chance to direct. I might get but if I don't I am going to be gutted.................
This term we are looking at Creating, Devising and Developing Drama (CDDD for short). We have looked at a list of practitioners in depth, and those who want to direct our January show have to have their proposals in very soon. I am writing one at the minuet and I hope I get the chance to direct. I might get but if I don't I am going to be gutted.................
Friday 28 May 2010
Tens project pt 2
The next couple of sessions were left for people to workshop their ideas. This was good, but I felt that the workshops took too much of our potential writing time up. I had to work with Ayla, but she had been ill for the last few sessions. Which had me worried. I wondered whether I could trust her or not. Whether she was committed or not. I knew I didn't need additional stress, so I kept on praying that she would turn up. And she did. And she accepted the script, and made a few changes. So I'm no longer at square 1, I'm at square 2.
Tens project
The first couple of sessions we looked at scripts, how they were written and they type of writers who wrote them. This helped us develop our skills to help us get ideas. We looked at a variety of plays such as 4:48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane etc.. We looked at a variety of Genres too. This gave me a few clear ideas on what I wanted to do for this project. Then I found out I had to work in a pair with someone else. I wanted to work on my own, as I find it more peaceful I guess. I was wondering what could I do? Who could I work with?????
Tuesday 30 March 2010
My Recent Work
I was recently acting in a music video for Peter Corrigan's Final Major Project for his Film/Media degree. The song is "In The Ghetto" by Elvis Presley. I starred in this Music Video with Scott Donovan, Yusuf Ghanem, Yusuf Ahmed,Savas Ulusu among others. If you would like to look at it please do, and if you have any comments please post them. :)
Hi
Hello everyone and welcome to my delightful blog! This post is just to tell you a little bit about me and what my next project is.......
Full Name: Lily Ellen Corrigan
Date of Birth: 1st July 1989
Age: 20 years old.
Ok I don't know a lot about me then. Or mabye I find it hard to describe myself? I have wanted to act since I was about 8. I have learnt a lot about myself, my life and things along the way on this journey into Acting. Although Acting didn't come alive for me until I was 13. You see I have a very treasured secret. I am Autistic. No I don't have A.D.H.D or Asperger's syndrome if your asking yourself that question. I have a very mild type of Autism. For instance if it was on a scale of 0-10 I would be 0-1. This doesn't affect my life, my goals, being like any normal female.
Acting has been a big part of my life, and has been apart of the change in me today to where I was when I was completing my G.C.S.E's. I am thankful for so many parts of my life, Acting/Directing being the highest in the list. It has enabled me to have freedom to write, to act so many character's such as Desdemona in "Othello", Dominitus Enobabus in "Anthony and Cleopatra", Susanna Walcott in "The Crucible" and much more. I am proud of my acchievements, because not everyone I know supported me as much as they should of.
I am now on a Foundation Degree at Middlesex University in partnership with Barnet College. This has been a wonderful experience so far. I have amazing lecturer's and friends who understand my disability and who support me in every way they can.
Anyway let's get on to my likes and dislikes.
My favourite food: Pasta Carbonara or my dad's homemade Shepherds Pie!
My least favourite food: Chilli, Brocolli, Brussel sprouts, Parsnips.
My favourite drink: Powerade, Squash, Ribena light, but it's mostly water I drink.
My least favourite drink: Lemon squash, and Alcohol.
My favourite hobby: Singing, Writing lyrics, scripts, books, Taking walks around London, Running and lots more.
My favourite artists: There are so many but the genre's I listen to are:
R'N'B
Classical
Christian music
Musical soundtracks
Movie soundtracks
Soul
Jazz
My favourite directors: Robert Young, Stephen Speilberg, all British directors.
My favourite movies:
Casablanca
Save the last dance
South pacific
Mary poppins
Somers town
Steel magnolias
Mona lisa smile
and so much more.
My favourite Actors/Actresses
Top 5:
1. Robert De Niro
2. Dustin Hoffman
3. Alex Pettyfer
4. Julia Roberts
5. Resse Witherspoon.
That's all I can think of saying, if anyone out there wants to ask me a question (that is professionally related and not personal) then be my guest and comment.
Love in Christ Jesus
Lily
Full Name: Lily Ellen Corrigan
Date of Birth: 1st July 1989
Age: 20 years old.
Ok I don't know a lot about me then. Or mabye I find it hard to describe myself? I have wanted to act since I was about 8. I have learnt a lot about myself, my life and things along the way on this journey into Acting. Although Acting didn't come alive for me until I was 13. You see I have a very treasured secret. I am Autistic. No I don't have A.D.H.D or Asperger's syndrome if your asking yourself that question. I have a very mild type of Autism. For instance if it was on a scale of 0-10 I would be 0-1. This doesn't affect my life, my goals, being like any normal female.
Acting has been a big part of my life, and has been apart of the change in me today to where I was when I was completing my G.C.S.E's. I am thankful for so many parts of my life, Acting/Directing being the highest in the list. It has enabled me to have freedom to write, to act so many character's such as Desdemona in "Othello", Dominitus Enobabus in "Anthony and Cleopatra", Susanna Walcott in "The Crucible" and much more. I am proud of my acchievements, because not everyone I know supported me as much as they should of.
I am now on a Foundation Degree at Middlesex University in partnership with Barnet College. This has been a wonderful experience so far. I have amazing lecturer's and friends who understand my disability and who support me in every way they can.
Anyway let's get on to my likes and dislikes.
My favourite food: Pasta Carbonara or my dad's homemade Shepherds Pie!
My least favourite food: Chilli, Brocolli, Brussel sprouts, Parsnips.
My favourite drink: Powerade, Squash, Ribena light, but it's mostly water I drink.
My least favourite drink: Lemon squash, and Alcohol.
My favourite hobby: Singing, Writing lyrics, scripts, books, Taking walks around London, Running and lots more.
My favourite artists: There are so many but the genre's I listen to are:
R'N'B
Classical
Christian music
Musical soundtracks
Movie soundtracks
Soul
Jazz
My favourite directors: Robert Young, Stephen Speilberg, all British directors.
My favourite movies:
Casablanca
Save the last dance
South pacific
Mary poppins
Somers town
Steel magnolias
Mona lisa smile
and so much more.
My favourite Actors/Actresses
Top 5:
1. Robert De Niro
2. Dustin Hoffman
3. Alex Pettyfer
4. Julia Roberts
5. Resse Witherspoon.
That's all I can think of saying, if anyone out there wants to ask me a question (that is professionally related and not personal) then be my guest and comment.
Love in Christ Jesus
Lily
TENS PROJECT
As of the 15th of March we have begun our "Ten's Project". I wanted to work on my own and it just wasn't possible, as we were told we had to work in pairs. I wrote several scripts that were good for ten's, but lacked real meaning. Then I had the idea to do a piece that challenged Group Politics and Discrimination against someone's disability. At first it was hard to write, as I didn't want to base it on my own journey with my disability, and on the Channel 4 Show "Glee"s character Artie. I wanted to have a piece that was powerful enough to show the audience that we have to except people as equals. I begun writing the script, but then suffered a writer's block so I was feeling down. But I remembered my personal experiences of being prejudiced because of my disability and started to develop the characters.
Saturday 27 March 2010
Community Focus Log Book
1st session
Morning- In our seminar, we looked at Identity, and brainstormed what we thought Identity was. We then worked in pairs to discuss 1 part of our Identity. I was with Bafor. Bafor said he had childlike tendencies.
Afternoon- Met Community Focus and had a meet and greet session. Then we did a warm-up and some exercises.
1.Sung “Fly Away”
“If I had the wings of a dove,
If I had the wings of a do-ve
I would fly, fly away
Fl-y awa-y
And b-e at peace.”
2.We then split into groups and looked at Heritage and Identity. I was with Joanne A, Joanne, Lynn, Amy L as well as a few others. After we showed our work, we split into different groups. I was with Amy B, Andy, Kevan, Zee, and Lynn. We looked at working in a quarry and after sometime exclaiming “I need a holiday!” We showed our ideas to the group, and thought of what ideas were good enough to progress on.
2nd session
Today we explored more about Heritage and Identity, what they are and such. Then we warmed up. After some time warming- up, we split into groups (I was with Sammy and Dan) and played a game where we came up with small ideas for our show. When we came back as a group. We shared our ideas. We had plenty! Just before we came back Sammy and I had an idea. This was:
• A science convention run by a female scientist, and eventually all the budding scientists but one end up dead.
We developed this idea by saying other things that could connect to this idea such as:
• Murder Mystery, Superhero’s.
Then after we had a break, we came back and explored the ideas, which we discussed earlier. We came to the conclusion that our theme would be superhero’s. Siobhan then asked us what we’d like to be. This is what we came up with.
French Ekaterina- Lily Corrigan
Caretaker- Dan Webb
Chef- Katrice Brooker
Twins- Amy Lane & Nicole Thomas
Cleaner/Reporter- Amy Bathie
Butler- Jonnie Gatt
Dreneya Dry- Natalie Samuels
Fiona- Joanne A
Wonder Girl- Lloyd Lewis- Hayter
Catwoman- Rozana Ghaffor
Private- Zee S
Sgt- Sammy Kilsby
Persuaders- Aaron Cook and Jay Williams
Queen of Fairies: Ayla Sera-Can
After this we asked Sammy if he would present our characters to CF on Monday. He gladly accepted. A discussion on Barcelona followed.
3rd session
Today we presented our idea of being superhero’s to CF. It was funny, how we all presented our characters. After this we warmed up and started to develop more of the superhero’s idea to ensure CF were involved. We explored characters that our CF clients wanted to play. We had a Captain, Batman & Robin, some Fairies, Invisible girl, and a Vampire. I felt selfish if I played French Ekaterina so I said to Siobhan I will work with Carolyn on being a fairy.
The arrival scene was the first scene we could think of doing to show where we were and what we thought was going to happen. This wasn’t a hard task to master, so we decided we would all show 2 poses of our characters (this eventually became a single pose). Aaron and I decided we could be some sort of trainers (who run the place). So in the end we all ended up doing one pose looking up at the house (where we were going to stay).
After this was completed CF had to go as their time with us finishes at 4 o clock. After they left we spoke about the day’s events, and what we felt went well and what didn’t work so well.
4th session
First of all today we did a warm-up, reminded ourselves what we did the previous lesson, and rehearsed that scene. We then developed Siobhan’s idea of having a woodland scene to begin. We had trees, animals, a river, a gate, wood nymphs etc. This was very exciting as I got to be a bunny rabbit with Aaron.
Cast for the 1st scene:
Bunny Rabbits: Lily Corrigan and Aaron Cook
Trees: Amy Lane, Bev, Katrice Brooker, Andy, Carolyn
Gate: Sammy Kilsby, Dan Webb, Kevan
River: Natalie Samuels, Nicole Thomas, Ayla Sera-Can, Rozanna Ghaffor
Birds: Joanne A and Amy Bathie
Wood Nymphs: Peter and Lloyd Lewis Hayter
Things to work on: Our characters. We need to establish them.
5th session
Today we worked on devising a few more scenes. These were:
1. Kitchen
2. Room Share (Vampires)
3. Office with Fairies
4. Spiral Staircase
These scenes were to show what goes on in the house and showing all the superhero’s their rooms.
The kitchen scene involves Chef Julie, The Twins, the Butler, and Mrs Mop (the cleaner/reporter). This scene explores what Chef Julie puts in her food, what her Twins behave like, and what the superheros require of Chef Julie when it comes to food. The list is given to Chef Julie by the Butler. Mrs Mop arrives in a little huff, and Chef Julie kindly asks her to clean her cupboards, Mrs Mop being the reporter accepts so she can take notes in case there is juicy evidence in them.
The room share scene involves Fiona the Fortune Teller, Wonder Girl, Drenya Dry, and Vivian. This scene explores Fiona’s powers, as well as the vampire’s powers. Fiona tries to persuade Wonder Girl to have a reading. The when the vampires arrive, Wonder Girl and Fiona are shocked to see them (as there is only 2 beds in the room). Drenya Dry exclaims “We don’t need beds we have our coffins”.
The office with the fairies scene involves the Fairies, Captain Godiva, Corporal Custard, Private, The Persuader, and Sgt. This scene explores me and Carolyn as fairies spying on the meeting about the death of another superhero. Captain Godiva, Corporal Custard and Private see us, but The Persuader and the Sgt don’t believe them and laugh at them. We then fly away quickly to show to the audience that Captain Godiva, Corporal Custard and Private are funny in the head.
The spiral staircase scene involves Batman & Robin, The Persuader and his best mate, The Language and Fitness instructors, Invisible Bev and The Twins. This scene explores the strengths and weaknesses of each superhero. This is because we have customized rooms. For example Batman and Robin are in the Joker’s suite (the Joker is an enemy), The Persuader and his best mate in the Water Suite (The Persuader has a fear of water) etc. It also explores the initial reactions to our lives for the next 2 weeks in this big place.
6th session
We worked on some scenes to show the training the superhero’s were receiving. The training scenes are as follows.
Training scene 1: The Vampires, Wonder Girl and Batman & Robin are learning how to wait at a bus stop and how to get on a bus without scaring the people around us.
Training scene 2: Invisible Bev, The Twins, and Fiona get a fashion lesson from the Chibibib Sisters.
Training scene 3: The Persuader gets a lesson in how to unpack a suitcase and how to iron things. However The Persuader plays a little game. He persuades the Sgt to do it instead. The other Persuader (Aaron) persuades the Sgt to stop and asks the best mate to do it. In the end both Persuaders persuade the Sgt and the best mate to act like a variety of animals.
7th session
We continued to work on the training scenes and showed them to the group, so that we could make developments if necessary. The first 2 training scenes need work so we continued to try and make things better. It was tough though, as I had to be in 2 places at once. I am a fairy as well as Robin. What can I do? I tried to see if it would work with me being both characters. It did go well at first but then I realised that if I had costume how would I fit all the costume changes in? So I asked Ayla if she could do the scene with the trainers and fairies with Carolyn. She accepted and I felt that I had a weight off my shoulders. Therefore I could focus on Andy and I as Batman & Robin.
Andy is a great person to work with. Although sometimes I think am I walking too fast? Too slow? Am I being patronising? Siobhan reassured me of my worries, and said “Andy will follow you, and he can understand his instructions when given”. I felt a little relieved to know that Andy and I were getting on well as a team. He liked the idea of fighting with me in the room scene. He also enjoyed the Bus Stop training scene as we got to be a little comical, and to me I was acting like a right wally!
8th session
Today we organised what we were going to do to in regards to throwing a party. In this scene we find out what has been going on all along with the deaths of the superheroes. But the shocking truth is that the Sgt and The other Persuader (Aaron) have tried to poison us but have miserably failed. The Queen of the Fairies saves the day by turning the poison to juice. The Sgt and The other Persuader are punished to be retrained as good fairies. We also had Aaron’s laptop, so he searched for some music for this scene. But we couldn’t decide what song we should do. We originally said we wanted Voulez –Vous by Abba. Then the idea of Atomic by Blondie came. But then Siobhan insisted we do Waterloo by Abba.
9th session
We had Nik in this session as he wanted to see what we had done (and also Siobhan was on some sort of training course). We showed him what we had so far and he said there needs to be some developments in some parts of this piece. We took those scenes that needed to develop and blocked them properly. We also pieced everything together into a running order which looks like this:
HEROES!
1. WOODLANDS
2. ARRIVAL
3. TRAINERS & CLEANER- SLIDESHOW
4. KITCHEN, CLEANER, TWINS AND BUTLER
5. ROOMS- A. BATMAN AND ROBIN, B. THE CHIBIBIB SISTERS, C. THE PERSUADER AND HIS BEST MATE, D. INVINSIBLE BEV AND THE TWINS.
6. VAMPIRES ROOM SCENE
7. TRAINING SCENE- BUS STOP- DEATH WITH POISON
8. TRAINERS SCENE- FASHION- DEATH WITH POISON
9. TRAINERS SCENE- HOUSEHOLD CHORES
10. PHONE CALL TO QUEEN OF FAIRIES
11. TRAINERS SCENE / FAIRIES (DEATHS DISCUSSED)
12. FINAL PARTY- BATTLE OF OLD MAGIC- THE SGT AND THE PERSUADER’S PUNISHMENT- RE-TRAINED AS GOOD FAIRIES
13. OLD MAGIC SAVES THE DAY/ WOODLAND SCENE REPRISE
10th session
Morning- we worked on scenes 7-8. It took quite a bit of time to block scene 7 properly, as we didn’t have any more sessions with CF; so we had to try and get it done within our time limit. The scene eventually got to make its mark, and we decided to leave it at that and move on to scene 8. Scene 8 wasn’t tough to complete, but we brought in Chef Julie and The Twins to somehow become a little suspicious of Mrs Mop’s actions, but then flag it off as if she was singing instead.
Afternoon- We worked on scenes 9, 10, & 11. This went quite quick apart from the party scene as we were still deciding on the music. After Nik spoke to Siobhan, it was decided we had to do Waterloo by Abba. I was ok with this but the band called “The Fairies” wasn’t happy as the lead singer didn’t know the lyrics very well. But we took a shot at it and completed it with pride. After this we did a final run-through of the day (which went very smoothly), and made sure we had all costume, props etc. sorted for the tech runs on Monday.
SHOW DAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Today I am a little nervous, as I haven’t worked on a project like this before. But I knew I had to gather my strength and focus on the day ahead. Before any show we have to do tech runs for light and sound. This took ages as Rob had to set up initial lights and additional lights as they weren’t up (when they should have been) which took 2 hours. Meanwhile we started prepping for the dress rehearsal, and going over any lines or stage direction. 2 hours later and Rob is ready for us to do a light, sound and dress rehearsal. By this time CF have arrived and we start work. The rehearsals took a while and I felt really drained, tired and in need of caffeine. I knew I had to hold on as we were going to have a break soon after all the tech runs were done. After a break we came back and got into our costumes and prepped for the show. Lloyd helped me to put a green mask on my face using green face paint. I looked like a right wally!!!! But it was worth it, I was doing something I had enjoyed the past weeks. Today was Bev’s birthday so we decided at the end of the curtain call we would sing happy birthday to her and present the card I brought and everyone signed to her. The audience was very impressed and joined in the singing.
Morning- In our seminar, we looked at Identity, and brainstormed what we thought Identity was. We then worked in pairs to discuss 1 part of our Identity. I was with Bafor. Bafor said he had childlike tendencies.
Afternoon- Met Community Focus and had a meet and greet session. Then we did a warm-up and some exercises.
1.Sung “Fly Away”
“If I had the wings of a dove,
If I had the wings of a do-ve
I would fly, fly away
Fl-y awa-y
And b-e at peace.”
2.We then split into groups and looked at Heritage and Identity. I was with Joanne A, Joanne, Lynn, Amy L as well as a few others. After we showed our work, we split into different groups. I was with Amy B, Andy, Kevan, Zee, and Lynn. We looked at working in a quarry and after sometime exclaiming “I need a holiday!” We showed our ideas to the group, and thought of what ideas were good enough to progress on.
2nd session
Today we explored more about Heritage and Identity, what they are and such. Then we warmed up. After some time warming- up, we split into groups (I was with Sammy and Dan) and played a game where we came up with small ideas for our show. When we came back as a group. We shared our ideas. We had plenty! Just before we came back Sammy and I had an idea. This was:
• A science convention run by a female scientist, and eventually all the budding scientists but one end up dead.
We developed this idea by saying other things that could connect to this idea such as:
• Murder Mystery, Superhero’s.
Then after we had a break, we came back and explored the ideas, which we discussed earlier. We came to the conclusion that our theme would be superhero’s. Siobhan then asked us what we’d like to be. This is what we came up with.
French Ekaterina- Lily Corrigan
Caretaker- Dan Webb
Chef- Katrice Brooker
Twins- Amy Lane & Nicole Thomas
Cleaner/Reporter- Amy Bathie
Butler- Jonnie Gatt
Dreneya Dry- Natalie Samuels
Fiona- Joanne A
Wonder Girl- Lloyd Lewis- Hayter
Catwoman- Rozana Ghaffor
Private- Zee S
Sgt- Sammy Kilsby
Persuaders- Aaron Cook and Jay Williams
Queen of Fairies: Ayla Sera-Can
After this we asked Sammy if he would present our characters to CF on Monday. He gladly accepted. A discussion on Barcelona followed.
3rd session
Today we presented our idea of being superhero’s to CF. It was funny, how we all presented our characters. After this we warmed up and started to develop more of the superhero’s idea to ensure CF were involved. We explored characters that our CF clients wanted to play. We had a Captain, Batman & Robin, some Fairies, Invisible girl, and a Vampire. I felt selfish if I played French Ekaterina so I said to Siobhan I will work with Carolyn on being a fairy.
The arrival scene was the first scene we could think of doing to show where we were and what we thought was going to happen. This wasn’t a hard task to master, so we decided we would all show 2 poses of our characters (this eventually became a single pose). Aaron and I decided we could be some sort of trainers (who run the place). So in the end we all ended up doing one pose looking up at the house (where we were going to stay).
After this was completed CF had to go as their time with us finishes at 4 o clock. After they left we spoke about the day’s events, and what we felt went well and what didn’t work so well.
4th session
First of all today we did a warm-up, reminded ourselves what we did the previous lesson, and rehearsed that scene. We then developed Siobhan’s idea of having a woodland scene to begin. We had trees, animals, a river, a gate, wood nymphs etc. This was very exciting as I got to be a bunny rabbit with Aaron.
Cast for the 1st scene:
Bunny Rabbits: Lily Corrigan and Aaron Cook
Trees: Amy Lane, Bev, Katrice Brooker, Andy, Carolyn
Gate: Sammy Kilsby, Dan Webb, Kevan
River: Natalie Samuels, Nicole Thomas, Ayla Sera-Can, Rozanna Ghaffor
Birds: Joanne A and Amy Bathie
Wood Nymphs: Peter and Lloyd Lewis Hayter
Things to work on: Our characters. We need to establish them.
5th session
Today we worked on devising a few more scenes. These were:
1. Kitchen
2. Room Share (Vampires)
3. Office with Fairies
4. Spiral Staircase
These scenes were to show what goes on in the house and showing all the superhero’s their rooms.
The kitchen scene involves Chef Julie, The Twins, the Butler, and Mrs Mop (the cleaner/reporter). This scene explores what Chef Julie puts in her food, what her Twins behave like, and what the superheros require of Chef Julie when it comes to food. The list is given to Chef Julie by the Butler. Mrs Mop arrives in a little huff, and Chef Julie kindly asks her to clean her cupboards, Mrs Mop being the reporter accepts so she can take notes in case there is juicy evidence in them.
The room share scene involves Fiona the Fortune Teller, Wonder Girl, Drenya Dry, and Vivian. This scene explores Fiona’s powers, as well as the vampire’s powers. Fiona tries to persuade Wonder Girl to have a reading. The when the vampires arrive, Wonder Girl and Fiona are shocked to see them (as there is only 2 beds in the room). Drenya Dry exclaims “We don’t need beds we have our coffins”.
The office with the fairies scene involves the Fairies, Captain Godiva, Corporal Custard, Private, The Persuader, and Sgt. This scene explores me and Carolyn as fairies spying on the meeting about the death of another superhero. Captain Godiva, Corporal Custard and Private see us, but The Persuader and the Sgt don’t believe them and laugh at them. We then fly away quickly to show to the audience that Captain Godiva, Corporal Custard and Private are funny in the head.
The spiral staircase scene involves Batman & Robin, The Persuader and his best mate, The Language and Fitness instructors, Invisible Bev and The Twins. This scene explores the strengths and weaknesses of each superhero. This is because we have customized rooms. For example Batman and Robin are in the Joker’s suite (the Joker is an enemy), The Persuader and his best mate in the Water Suite (The Persuader has a fear of water) etc. It also explores the initial reactions to our lives for the next 2 weeks in this big place.
6th session
We worked on some scenes to show the training the superhero’s were receiving. The training scenes are as follows.
Training scene 1: The Vampires, Wonder Girl and Batman & Robin are learning how to wait at a bus stop and how to get on a bus without scaring the people around us.
Training scene 2: Invisible Bev, The Twins, and Fiona get a fashion lesson from the Chibibib Sisters.
Training scene 3: The Persuader gets a lesson in how to unpack a suitcase and how to iron things. However The Persuader plays a little game. He persuades the Sgt to do it instead. The other Persuader (Aaron) persuades the Sgt to stop and asks the best mate to do it. In the end both Persuaders persuade the Sgt and the best mate to act like a variety of animals.
7th session
We continued to work on the training scenes and showed them to the group, so that we could make developments if necessary. The first 2 training scenes need work so we continued to try and make things better. It was tough though, as I had to be in 2 places at once. I am a fairy as well as Robin. What can I do? I tried to see if it would work with me being both characters. It did go well at first but then I realised that if I had costume how would I fit all the costume changes in? So I asked Ayla if she could do the scene with the trainers and fairies with Carolyn. She accepted and I felt that I had a weight off my shoulders. Therefore I could focus on Andy and I as Batman & Robin.
Andy is a great person to work with. Although sometimes I think am I walking too fast? Too slow? Am I being patronising? Siobhan reassured me of my worries, and said “Andy will follow you, and he can understand his instructions when given”. I felt a little relieved to know that Andy and I were getting on well as a team. He liked the idea of fighting with me in the room scene. He also enjoyed the Bus Stop training scene as we got to be a little comical, and to me I was acting like a right wally!
8th session
Today we organised what we were going to do to in regards to throwing a party. In this scene we find out what has been going on all along with the deaths of the superheroes. But the shocking truth is that the Sgt and The other Persuader (Aaron) have tried to poison us but have miserably failed. The Queen of the Fairies saves the day by turning the poison to juice. The Sgt and The other Persuader are punished to be retrained as good fairies. We also had Aaron’s laptop, so he searched for some music for this scene. But we couldn’t decide what song we should do. We originally said we wanted Voulez –Vous by Abba. Then the idea of Atomic by Blondie came. But then Siobhan insisted we do Waterloo by Abba.
9th session
We had Nik in this session as he wanted to see what we had done (and also Siobhan was on some sort of training course). We showed him what we had so far and he said there needs to be some developments in some parts of this piece. We took those scenes that needed to develop and blocked them properly. We also pieced everything together into a running order which looks like this:
HEROES!
1. WOODLANDS
2. ARRIVAL
3. TRAINERS & CLEANER- SLIDESHOW
4. KITCHEN, CLEANER, TWINS AND BUTLER
5. ROOMS- A. BATMAN AND ROBIN, B. THE CHIBIBIB SISTERS, C. THE PERSUADER AND HIS BEST MATE, D. INVINSIBLE BEV AND THE TWINS.
6. VAMPIRES ROOM SCENE
7. TRAINING SCENE- BUS STOP- DEATH WITH POISON
8. TRAINERS SCENE- FASHION- DEATH WITH POISON
9. TRAINERS SCENE- HOUSEHOLD CHORES
10. PHONE CALL TO QUEEN OF FAIRIES
11. TRAINERS SCENE / FAIRIES (DEATHS DISCUSSED)
12. FINAL PARTY- BATTLE OF OLD MAGIC- THE SGT AND THE PERSUADER’S PUNISHMENT- RE-TRAINED AS GOOD FAIRIES
13. OLD MAGIC SAVES THE DAY/ WOODLAND SCENE REPRISE
10th session
Morning- we worked on scenes 7-8. It took quite a bit of time to block scene 7 properly, as we didn’t have any more sessions with CF; so we had to try and get it done within our time limit. The scene eventually got to make its mark, and we decided to leave it at that and move on to scene 8. Scene 8 wasn’t tough to complete, but we brought in Chef Julie and The Twins to somehow become a little suspicious of Mrs Mop’s actions, but then flag it off as if she was singing instead.
Afternoon- We worked on scenes 9, 10, & 11. This went quite quick apart from the party scene as we were still deciding on the music. After Nik spoke to Siobhan, it was decided we had to do Waterloo by Abba. I was ok with this but the band called “The Fairies” wasn’t happy as the lead singer didn’t know the lyrics very well. But we took a shot at it and completed it with pride. After this we did a final run-through of the day (which went very smoothly), and made sure we had all costume, props etc. sorted for the tech runs on Monday.
SHOW DAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Today I am a little nervous, as I haven’t worked on a project like this before. But I knew I had to gather my strength and focus on the day ahead. Before any show we have to do tech runs for light and sound. This took ages as Rob had to set up initial lights and additional lights as they weren’t up (when they should have been) which took 2 hours. Meanwhile we started prepping for the dress rehearsal, and going over any lines or stage direction. 2 hours later and Rob is ready for us to do a light, sound and dress rehearsal. By this time CF have arrived and we start work. The rehearsals took a while and I felt really drained, tired and in need of caffeine. I knew I had to hold on as we were going to have a break soon after all the tech runs were done. After a break we came back and got into our costumes and prepped for the show. Lloyd helped me to put a green mask on my face using green face paint. I looked like a right wally!!!! But it was worth it, I was doing something I had enjoyed the past weeks. Today was Bev’s birthday so we decided at the end of the curtain call we would sing happy birthday to her and present the card I brought and everyone signed to her. The audience was very impressed and joined in the singing.
Monday 15 February 2010
Log book 23
YIPPEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHOW DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOO WOO!!!!!
Today is show day! Majorly exciting! Yet we still have a dress run to do and I was majorly late. Note for future references: don't book appointments for the same day as your performance!!!! It was important though. When I arrived things were changing aside from the fact Siobhan was sick. Poor Siobhan! We changed the way we were walking in for the 1st part of "The Crucible" and suprisingly it worked. The 2nd year ND's watched our dress rehearsal, and had a Q&A (question and answer) with us. This was a great feeling, as I felt like a real professional actress. We then had a hour and a half break. I need a walk to pray and prepare myself for the performance.
It's exciting!! We all went for it. We pulled it off sucessfully! Siobhan and Nik said they were very impressed with our performance. After we cleared the stage of our set, we all headed to the Tally Ho for a few drinks. Nik joined us for two beers. We celebrated in style!
WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YIPEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHOW DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOO WOO!!!!!
Today is show day! Majorly exciting! Yet we still have a dress run to do and I was majorly late. Note for future references: don't book appointments for the same day as your performance!!!! It was important though. When I arrived things were changing aside from the fact Siobhan was sick. Poor Siobhan! We changed the way we were walking in for the 1st part of "The Crucible" and suprisingly it worked. The 2nd year ND's watched our dress rehearsal, and had a Q&A (question and answer) with us. This was a great feeling, as I felt like a real professional actress. We then had a hour and a half break. I need a walk to pray and prepare myself for the performance.
It's exciting!! We all went for it. We pulled it off sucessfully! Siobhan and Nik said they were very impressed with our performance. After we cleared the stage of our set, we all headed to the Tally Ho for a few drinks. Nik joined us for two beers. We celebrated in style!
WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YIPEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Log book 22
Nik 17th November 2009
Will the week get any better? Will things continually go wrong for us as a cast? I was annoyed today (which rarely happens). I don't know what was bugging me, but I knew that if I didn't keep my mouth shut; I would end up in trouble. I did get into a pickle, and I ended up having a talk with Nik about my behaviour. I didn't mean it, I just lost it knowing that I was stressed out, upset and fed up with the fact that there was only a few of us who did some work yesterday. On top of that the power went in the Arts Depot, so we all carted ourselves up to Graesby House to rehearse. By the end of the session (with everyone loved up from my fruit cake) we pulled it off. We sharpened up and stepped up our game, and Nik was well chuffed. Act three had finally come alive!!! Praise God!!! I was majorly impressed!! Did we as actors just come alive? Yes!!! YIPPEE!!!!!!!
Will the week get any better? Will things continually go wrong for us as a cast? I was annoyed today (which rarely happens). I don't know what was bugging me, but I knew that if I didn't keep my mouth shut; I would end up in trouble. I did get into a pickle, and I ended up having a talk with Nik about my behaviour. I didn't mean it, I just lost it knowing that I was stressed out, upset and fed up with the fact that there was only a few of us who did some work yesterday. On top of that the power went in the Arts Depot, so we all carted ourselves up to Graesby House to rehearse. By the end of the session (with everyone loved up from my fruit cake) we pulled it off. We sharpened up and stepped up our game, and Nik was well chuffed. Act three had finally come alive!!! Praise God!!! I was majorly impressed!! Did we as actors just come alive? Yes!!! YIPPEE!!!!!!!
Log book 21
Siobhan 16th November 2009
Today we did the lighting blocking for Act one, Act two and Act three. We also looked at the interchange between each scene. When we got to Act three it was terrible!!! It was like we were in year three again mucking up our lines for the nativity play. Only certain people knew what they were doing. Siobhan went mad. I'd never seen her mad before. It dawned on me that we had a lot of work to do and fast! After we did Act three and Siobhan was slightly impressed, we worked on the Brecht poem. This proved a lot better than "The Crucible". I wonder if all of this will ever be good. We went through all the stanza's and put the slideshow (that Sammy and Nicole created) to determine how things were going to work with the singing, music, projection, acting etc.
Today we did the lighting blocking for Act one, Act two and Act three. We also looked at the interchange between each scene. When we got to Act three it was terrible!!! It was like we were in year three again mucking up our lines for the nativity play. Only certain people knew what they were doing. Siobhan went mad. I'd never seen her mad before. It dawned on me that we had a lot of work to do and fast! After we did Act three and Siobhan was slightly impressed, we worked on the Brecht poem. This proved a lot better than "The Crucible". I wonder if all of this will ever be good. We went through all the stanza's and put the slideshow (that Sammy and Nicole created) to determine how things were going to work with the singing, music, projection, acting etc.
Log book 20
Siobhan 12th November 2009.
Today I thought we were going to work on our Brecht work, but we worked on Act three of "The Crucible" instead. Siobhan spoke to us about costume. She said that she wanted us to wear black for the Brecht poem and this for "The Crucible".
Girls:
Bonnett
Apron
Black Jumper/Blouse
Black Ankle Length Skirt
Black Shoes
Boys:
For court men:
Black Trousers
Black Shoes
White Shirt
Black/Brown Waistcoat
Black Coat/Cloak
For farmers:
Hat
Checkered Trousers (tuck in socks)
Brown/Black Boots
Waistcoat
Shirt
For reverends:
Same as court men.
We managed to get to the end of Act three (which is a relief!!!!!) However things aren't so happy. We all need to watch our cues. We all need to put passion into it too.
Today I thought we were going to work on our Brecht work, but we worked on Act three of "The Crucible" instead. Siobhan spoke to us about costume. She said that she wanted us to wear black for the Brecht poem and this for "The Crucible".
Girls:
Bonnett
Apron
Black Jumper/Blouse
Black Ankle Length Skirt
Black Shoes
Boys:
For court men:
Black Trousers
Black Shoes
White Shirt
Black/Brown Waistcoat
Black Coat/Cloak
For farmers:
Hat
Checkered Trousers (tuck in socks)
Brown/Black Boots
Waistcoat
Shirt
For reverends:
Same as court men.
We managed to get to the end of Act three (which is a relief!!!!!) However things aren't so happy. We all need to watch our cues. We all need to put passion into it too.
Log book 19
@ Nicole's house 10th November 2009
Today me, Sammy, Amy B, Amy L, Jonnie, Jay, Katrice, Dan and Nicole worked Act three. We went through the scene going over mini bits of it. We got up to page 91. We didn't have everyone today but we pulled through. Before we started rehearsing the scene, we watched Nicholas Hytner's "The Crucible" with Winnoa Ryder and Daniel Day-Lewis. This gave me a clearer idea of how to portray Susanna Walcott when the girls get paranoid (Act three), as well as what happens before and after Act three.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N358aoK_V0E&feature=related
Today me, Sammy, Amy B, Amy L, Jonnie, Jay, Katrice, Dan and Nicole worked Act three. We went through the scene going over mini bits of it. We got up to page 91. We didn't have everyone today but we pulled through. Before we started rehearsing the scene, we watched Nicholas Hytner's "The Crucible" with Winnoa Ryder and Daniel Day-Lewis. This gave me a clearer idea of how to portray Susanna Walcott when the girls get paranoid (Act three), as well as what happens before and after Act three.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N358aoK_V0E&feature=related
Log book 18
Siobhan 5th Novemeber 2009
Today we ran over all the work we did so far on the poem to review. Then we established how I was going to fit into the poem. It turns out that I will pay Aaron for an apple whilst walking with a crutch for stanza one. Then after the tableaux's in stanza two, I run in to join in with the gossip. Then in stanza three Marie (Lloyd) and her mum (Joanne) were over her freedom to be with her jew lover. To have an effect on this we blow her into her arms to show that she has drifted away from her mum. This brings us to stanza four where we all crowd around Marie, put a tag around her saying "Jew's Whore". Then we all spread out into a semi circle and silently taunt Marie. Then we do a sort of army salute' to finish.
Today has been great, better than Tuesday. We did a lot more work today than ever! I was so pleased.
A crutch
Gossip
Today we ran over all the work we did so far on the poem to review. Then we established how I was going to fit into the poem. It turns out that I will pay Aaron for an apple whilst walking with a crutch for stanza one. Then after the tableaux's in stanza two, I run in to join in with the gossip. Then in stanza three Marie (Lloyd) and her mum (Joanne) were over her freedom to be with her jew lover. To have an effect on this we blow her into her arms to show that she has drifted away from her mum. This brings us to stanza four where we all crowd around Marie, put a tag around her saying "Jew's Whore". Then we all spread out into a semi circle and silently taunt Marie. Then we do a sort of army salute' to finish.
Today has been great, better than Tuesday. We did a lot more work today than ever! I was so pleased.
A crutch
Gossip
Log book 17
Nik 3rd November 2009
Today we worked on our individual acts. Me, Aaron and Natalie worked on Act one in the morning, with Nik and Sammy directing us. We have progressed a lot from the 1st time we did it. Nik pushed us to the limit a bit, but it made our characters more realistic and ourselves more strong willed.
After lunch we worked on Act three, and it has come a long way. Nik gave great direction, to benefit us and the act. Or was I dreaming? Yes. Not only does the act lack feeling, but we are all acting like ourselves, and most of us still use our script. Nik had sympathy for Dan (who plays Danforth) as he has lines back and forth through the whole act. Only me and Katrice knew our lines perfectly. If we want to succeed we have to step up our game. After a bit moaning, I said "Nik has a point, and you know what I don't need this (I threw my script across the room). If nessecary Amy B or Nik will prompt me." And with that everyone shut up and got on with the task at hand. I felt that most of the session was wasted. We have two weeks until the show, are we commited enough? I'm not sure.
Governor Danforth
Today we worked on our individual acts. Me, Aaron and Natalie worked on Act one in the morning, with Nik and Sammy directing us. We have progressed a lot from the 1st time we did it. Nik pushed us to the limit a bit, but it made our characters more realistic and ourselves more strong willed.
After lunch we worked on Act three, and it has come a long way. Nik gave great direction, to benefit us and the act. Or was I dreaming? Yes. Not only does the act lack feeling, but we are all acting like ourselves, and most of us still use our script. Nik had sympathy for Dan (who plays Danforth) as he has lines back and forth through the whole act. Only me and Katrice knew our lines perfectly. If we want to succeed we have to step up our game. After a bit moaning, I said "Nik has a point, and you know what I don't need this (I threw my script across the room). If nessecary Amy B or Nik will prompt me." And with that everyone shut up and got on with the task at hand. I felt that most of the session was wasted. We have two weeks until the show, are we commited enough? I'm not sure.
Governor Danforth
Log book 16
Siobhan 2nd November 2009
We did some more theory in the 1st session to do with Brecht. Then we played a ball game for focus and concerntration. We started very simply with just our names facing those who's name we were saying by passing the ball to them. We then made it harder by looking at someone else rather than the person who's name we were saying. This didn't work so well so we went back to basics and did this several times.
Then our lunch break came and went so fast. When we came back Joanne and Zee was used for the next exercise. They played the ball game again only this time they recited their lines, and portrayed their emotions to signify how they were passing the ball to each other.
We then split up into our act groups. Zee, Joanne and Rozana (Act two), Me, Amy L, Dan, Sammy and Lloyd and Siobhan (Act three). We worked on our acts using the ball game to help us multi-task, and to help us get our lines straight.
Targets:
1. Learn cues for Act three.
2. Learn Lines for Act three.
3. Learn Staging for Act three.
We did some more theory in the 1st session to do with Brecht. Then we played a ball game for focus and concerntration. We started very simply with just our names facing those who's name we were saying by passing the ball to them. We then made it harder by looking at someone else rather than the person who's name we were saying. This didn't work so well so we went back to basics and did this several times.
Then our lunch break came and went so fast. When we came back Joanne and Zee was used for the next exercise. They played the ball game again only this time they recited their lines, and portrayed their emotions to signify how they were passing the ball to each other.
We then split up into our act groups. Zee, Joanne and Rozana (Act two), Me, Amy L, Dan, Sammy and Lloyd and Siobhan (Act three). We worked on our acts using the ball game to help us multi-task, and to help us get our lines straight.
Targets:
1. Learn cues for Act three.
2. Learn Lines for Act three.
3. Learn Staging for Act three.
Log book 15
Siobhan 22nd October 2009
Today we started to block the basic staging of "Ballard of Marie Saunders: The Jew's Whore". Sammy and Natalie worked on the music for the poem. I was assisting but came up with an idea for the chorus of the poem.
"The price is rising for butcher's meat,
The drumming's now at it's height.
God alive if their coming down your street,
It will be tonight."
I directed this using singing.
Whilst me, Sammy and Natalie were working on the music, Jay, Zee, Nuria, Amy B, and the rest worked on the verses physically using Tableaux. We then collaborated the music and the Tableaux, whilst teaching the singing part of poem.
Today we started to block the basic staging of "Ballard of Marie Saunders: The Jew's Whore". Sammy and Natalie worked on the music for the poem. I was assisting but came up with an idea for the chorus of the poem.
"The price is rising for butcher's meat,
The drumming's now at it's height.
God alive if their coming down your street,
It will be tonight."
I directed this using singing.
Whilst me, Sammy and Natalie were working on the music, Jay, Zee, Nuria, Amy B, and the rest worked on the verses physically using Tableaux. We then collaborated the music and the Tableaux, whilst teaching the singing part of poem.
Log book 14
Nik 20th October 2009
We did a funny warm-up today. We had the normal "Nik Evans" warm up, but to warm our voices; he made us sing-speak a song. It was hilarious and unbelievable. He happens to be the craziest tutor I've ever met! Mabye "The Crucible" will go out with a bang thanks to his crazy warm-ups. Who knows?
Today we worked on Act three (as it is the longest act in the book!) And we managed to block it all from 11:15am till 2:44pm. It took a long time to block because Nik said that he needed to see more of our characters especially the girls who react to everything (as they are pretending to be bewitched.) Then Act four was worked on.
We did a funny warm-up today. We had the normal "Nik Evans" warm up, but to warm our voices; he made us sing-speak a song. It was hilarious and unbelievable. He happens to be the craziest tutor I've ever met! Mabye "The Crucible" will go out with a bang thanks to his crazy warm-ups. Who knows?
Today we worked on Act three (as it is the longest act in the book!) And we managed to block it all from 11:15am till 2:44pm. It took a long time to block because Nik said that he needed to see more of our characters especially the girls who react to everything (as they are pretending to be bewitched.) Then Act four was worked on.
Log book 13
Siobhan 19th October 2009
Today we showed the blocking's of Act one and Act two. Siobhan was impressed with both made a few changes.
Act one: We now (apart from Tituba) walk on USL (Up Stage Left) to show some distance between Parris, Abigail and Susanna. I felt it worked well because it showd differences in status between the 3 characters. It now has more of a depth and build to it, just like Miller would have wanted.
Act two: There is more need of a relationship between John and Elizabeth, although Mary Warren needs to be more child-like.
After lunch we finished blocking Act two and moved onto Act three. As Jonnie wasn't here, I stepped in as Hathorne. It was fun actually. Trying to be a man. It challenged me in regards to my posture. I know now how to keep a good posture as Susanna, but not as much as I did when filling in for Jonnie as Hathorne. We are almost done blocking Act three.
Targets for this week:
1. Do research for essay- Meet at 12 midday at High Barnet with Amy B, then go to Nicole's to watch "Goodnight, Good luck" with George Clooney and "The Crucible" of course!!!!
2. Learn Lines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And expressions for Act three!!!!!!!!!!! - of high importance
3. Finish making my costume.
Today we showed the blocking's of Act one and Act two. Siobhan was impressed with both made a few changes.
Act one: We now (apart from Tituba) walk on USL (Up Stage Left) to show some distance between Parris, Abigail and Susanna. I felt it worked well because it showd differences in status between the 3 characters. It now has more of a depth and build to it, just like Miller would have wanted.
Act two: There is more need of a relationship between John and Elizabeth, although Mary Warren needs to be more child-like.
After lunch we finished blocking Act two and moved onto Act three. As Jonnie wasn't here, I stepped in as Hathorne. It was fun actually. Trying to be a man. It challenged me in regards to my posture. I know now how to keep a good posture as Susanna, but not as much as I did when filling in for Jonnie as Hathorne. We are almost done blocking Act three.
Targets for this week:
1. Do research for essay- Meet at 12 midday at High Barnet with Amy B, then go to Nicole's to watch "Goodnight, Good luck" with George Clooney and "The Crucible" of course!!!!
2. Learn Lines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And expressions for Act three!!!!!!!!!!! - of high importance
3. Finish making my costume.
Log book 12
Siobhan 15th November 2009
We looked at the 2nd stanza of "Ballard Of Marie Saunders: The Jew's Whore". We are still working in ideas and we need to deal with stanza's 3 and 4.
"Marie Saunders your lover's hair is too black,
take our advice, don't you be to him
what you were yesterday,
The price is rising for butchers meat,
The drumming's now at it's height,
God alive if they are coming down your street,
It will be tonight."
An example of what a Jew's whore might look like.
Bertolt Brecht
We looked at the 2nd stanza of "Ballard Of Marie Saunders: The Jew's Whore". We are still working in ideas and we need to deal with stanza's 3 and 4.
"Marie Saunders your lover's hair is too black,
take our advice, don't you be to him
what you were yesterday,
The price is rising for butchers meat,
The drumming's now at it's height,
God alive if they are coming down your street,
It will be tonight."
An example of what a Jew's whore might look like.
Bertolt Brecht
Log book 11
Nik 13th October 2009.
Today was a bit of a weird day. Things didn't happen as they usually would. We spent 2 hours warming up!!!!!!! Nik couldn't believe it! Half the day had gone. We did some vocal and physical exercises first eg. Bubababa bubaba bubabbbbaaaaba, T, L, Sh, D (working on these sounds in the same way). Then we tested our physical ability by holding each other's hands and stretching as wide as we can (I am the one who is in a lot of pain. My legs are a bit bendy.) We also tested our physical ability by holding out our arms to either side.
After that we played 20 numbers (where we have to concerntrate as a group standing or lying down with our eyes closed. We then try to count to 20 without anyone saying any one number at the same time). This focusses on our focus as a group, our concerntration skills, our listening skills as well as trust.
We played what's commonly known as "Zip". We make a clap travel around the circle of us, but we have to remain focussed at all times otherwise we are out (well if we miss the clap when it is passed to us then we are out). After this we played "Wink Murder". This game was challenge to us all. Nik said we wern't dramatic enough (something we can all work on).
Later in the day I began thinking. how does Susanna Walcott feel when she's seen all these people hung? Does she wish that she didn't listen to Abigail? We then broke for lunch. Afterwards (when we came back) Nik Hot-Seated:
1. John Proctor (Sammy and Zee)
2. Parris (Aaron and Jay)
3. Tituba (Nuria)
4. Mary Warren (Lloyd and Rozanna)
5. Abigail (Nicole and Natalie)
It took a long process, but I got stuck into sewing my skirt (whilst paying attention in case any new information came up). I am known for multi-tasking well. We then had a discussion about how we are connected to each other and what we did together I.E dancing in the woods naked.
Today was a bit of a weird day. Things didn't happen as they usually would. We spent 2 hours warming up!!!!!!! Nik couldn't believe it! Half the day had gone. We did some vocal and physical exercises first eg. Bubababa bubaba bubabbbbaaaaba, T, L, Sh, D (working on these sounds in the same way). Then we tested our physical ability by holding each other's hands and stretching as wide as we can (I am the one who is in a lot of pain. My legs are a bit bendy.) We also tested our physical ability by holding out our arms to either side.
After that we played 20 numbers (where we have to concerntrate as a group standing or lying down with our eyes closed. We then try to count to 20 without anyone saying any one number at the same time). This focusses on our focus as a group, our concerntration skills, our listening skills as well as trust.
We played what's commonly known as "Zip". We make a clap travel around the circle of us, but we have to remain focussed at all times otherwise we are out (well if we miss the clap when it is passed to us then we are out). After this we played "Wink Murder". This game was challenge to us all. Nik said we wern't dramatic enough (something we can all work on).
Later in the day I began thinking. how does Susanna Walcott feel when she's seen all these people hung? Does she wish that she didn't listen to Abigail? We then broke for lunch. Afterwards (when we came back) Nik Hot-Seated:
1. John Proctor (Sammy and Zee)
2. Parris (Aaron and Jay)
3. Tituba (Nuria)
4. Mary Warren (Lloyd and Rozanna)
5. Abigail (Nicole and Natalie)
It took a long process, but I got stuck into sewing my skirt (whilst paying attention in case any new information came up). I am known for multi-tasking well. We then had a discussion about how we are connected to each other and what we did together I.E dancing in the woods naked.
Log book 10
Siobhan 12th October 2009
Today we looked at completing the blocking for Act three. We only have 2-4 pages left to block. Meanwhile those in Act two worked together backstage. It was interesting to block despite most of us being tired. We blocked most of it, some of it being challenging, some of it being easy. As we looked at Aristotle and non- Aristotlean theatre this morning I began to realise how much Naturalism Arthur Miller used in this script and how I need to be more Naturalistic and not act the character. For homework, I have to hae my costume prepared, be off script (for after half term), and to know all my blocking off by heart (for after half term).
Naturalism
Today we looked at completing the blocking for Act three. We only have 2-4 pages left to block. Meanwhile those in Act two worked together backstage. It was interesting to block despite most of us being tired. We blocked most of it, some of it being challenging, some of it being easy. As we looked at Aristotle and non- Aristotlean theatre this morning I began to realise how much Naturalism Arthur Miller used in this script and how I need to be more Naturalistic and not act the character. For homework, I have to hae my costume prepared, be off script (for after half term), and to know all my blocking off by heart (for after half term).
Naturalism
Log book 9
Siobhan 8th October 2009.
We looked at the 1st stanza of "Ballard Of Marie Saunders: The Jew's Whore", using some Brectian techniques.
Ensemble: Working Together
Mass Movement
Vocal and Physical repetition
Levels: Physical and Sound
Montage
Alienation
Juxtaposition
Erwin Piscator- Worked with Brecht
Kurt Weil- Composer for Brecht
Both Kurt and Erwin were part of "Epic Theatre" and co-wrote "The Three Penny Opera" originally known as "The Beggars Opera" with Brecht.
Character's in "Ballard Of Marie Saunders: The Jew's Whore"
1. Marie
2. Mob
3. Mother
4. Lover
5. Hitler?
6. Brecht?
Within the 1st stanza we had to look at the last 4 lines:
"The Price is rising for butcher's meat.
The drumming's now at it's height
God alive if they are coming down your street,
It'll be tonight."
I was in a group with:
> Jay
> Dan
> Sammy
> Nicole
> Zee
> Lloyd
We started off with us girls DSC (Down Stage Centre) and the boys USC (Up Stage Centre). Us girls were using repetition with the first line and the guys walking/marching towards saying the second line. Then Lloyd was taken from me and Nicole. Then Zee and Jay held me and Nicole (whilst the 3rd line was being said). Then when Jay and Zee said the last line, they pushed me and Nicole to the ground, and whilst we tried to escape they grabbed a hold of our legs. The rehearsal was great and around 3:30pm we showed Ryan (A music student from Barnet College) (Soooooooooooo Hottttttttttt!!!!!!). I couldn't focus until Siobhan said that we were performing (for future reference I need to think about Brecht's poems instead of how cute Ryan's hair is.) We want some music involved so according to Siobhan, Ryan was the best person for the job. However after the rehearsal I felt like a bear had squashed my knee caps. I have a major bruise on my right knee cap (for future reference, bring my knee supports).
We looked at the 1st stanza of "Ballard Of Marie Saunders: The Jew's Whore", using some Brectian techniques.
Ensemble: Working Together
Mass Movement
Vocal and Physical repetition
Levels: Physical and Sound
Montage
Alienation
Juxtaposition
Erwin Piscator- Worked with Brecht
Kurt Weil- Composer for Brecht
Both Kurt and Erwin were part of "Epic Theatre" and co-wrote "The Three Penny Opera" originally known as "The Beggars Opera" with Brecht.
Character's in "Ballard Of Marie Saunders: The Jew's Whore"
1. Marie
2. Mob
3. Mother
4. Lover
5. Hitler?
6. Brecht?
Within the 1st stanza we had to look at the last 4 lines:
"The Price is rising for butcher's meat.
The drumming's now at it's height
God alive if they are coming down your street,
It'll be tonight."
I was in a group with:
> Jay
> Dan
> Sammy
> Nicole
> Zee
> Lloyd
We started off with us girls DSC (Down Stage Centre) and the boys USC (Up Stage Centre). Us girls were using repetition with the first line and the guys walking/marching towards saying the second line. Then Lloyd was taken from me and Nicole. Then Zee and Jay held me and Nicole (whilst the 3rd line was being said). Then when Jay and Zee said the last line, they pushed me and Nicole to the ground, and whilst we tried to escape they grabbed a hold of our legs. The rehearsal was great and around 3:30pm we showed Ryan (A music student from Barnet College) (Soooooooooooo Hottttttttttt!!!!!!). I couldn't focus until Siobhan said that we were performing (for future reference I need to think about Brecht's poems instead of how cute Ryan's hair is.) We want some music involved so according to Siobhan, Ryan was the best person for the job. However after the rehearsal I felt like a bear had squashed my knee caps. I have a major bruise on my right knee cap (for future reference, bring my knee supports).
Log book 8
Nik 6th October 2009.
In the first session we looked at our character profile and did some exercises to help us create our character more. We did a lot of exercises to ensure we were changing us from being ourselves to being the character.
After lunch we looked at Act one, and Act 2. In Act one we did a lot of blocking to make the scene come alive. Dan, Amy B, Sammy and Nik gave direction for this act.
After this we blocked Act two. I am not in Act two, but I gave a little direction. When Zee says "Oh is it! In Johnathon's trap?", I suggested that he says it with a bit of passion, as if he is happy to cover his guilt.
Fainting
Guilt
In the first session we looked at our character profile and did some exercises to help us create our character more. We did a lot of exercises to ensure we were changing us from being ourselves to being the character.
After lunch we looked at Act one, and Act 2. In Act one we did a lot of blocking to make the scene come alive. Dan, Amy B, Sammy and Nik gave direction for this act.
After this we blocked Act two. I am not in Act two, but I gave a little direction. When Zee says "Oh is it! In Johnathon's trap?", I suggested that he says it with a bit of passion, as if he is happy to cover his guilt.
Fainting
Guilt
Log book 7
Nik 6th October 2009.
Act one.
Stage direction for Susanna Walcott.
* Parris on knees next to bed. Stage right
* Bed in centre, for Betty, Betty is not waking.
* Wooden chair left of bed, another chair right side up stage.
* Closed chest up stage left.
* Entrance up stage right for all actors.
* Susanna turn body towards audience next to chair which is up stage.
* When leaving turn downstage, walk to leave, stop turn twist left, turn back, and exit.
Act one.
Stage direction for Susanna Walcott.
* Parris on knees next to bed. Stage right
* Bed in centre, for Betty, Betty is not waking.
* Wooden chair left of bed, another chair right side up stage.
* Closed chest up stage left.
* Entrance up stage right for all actors.
* Susanna turn body towards audience next to chair which is up stage.
* When leaving turn downstage, walk to leave, stop turn twist left, turn back, and exit.
Log book 6
Siobhan 5th October 2009
The Magic If.
1. Actor describing the character from the feet up - Using motion. We dud this several times to get a clearer idea on the character.
2. Describe the character in character.
Desicions I made:
1. Slow, Soft tone of voice
2.Has a good posture (not uptight)
We start from the feet up to get the full description of the character.
What if we were in the woods?
I suggested this and we kind of based it on the info on Abigail and Betty being naked in the forest previously with Tituba.
We then looked at and blocked Act three. I filled in for Amy Lane as Giles Corey, and I also worked with Natalie and Nuria on Act one. Then we discussed what we did today.
Tips to learn lines:
1. The Ball Game- in groups or as individuals.
2. Multi-Task- Do a physical exercise.
The Magic If.
1. Actor describing the character from the feet up - Using motion. We dud this several times to get a clearer idea on the character.
2. Describe the character in character.
Desicions I made:
1. Slow, Soft tone of voice
2.Has a good posture (not uptight)
We start from the feet up to get the full description of the character.
What if we were in the woods?
I suggested this and we kind of based it on the info on Abigail and Betty being naked in the forest previously with Tituba.
We then looked at and blocked Act three. I filled in for Amy Lane as Giles Corey, and I also worked with Natalie and Nuria on Act one. Then we discussed what we did today.
Tips to learn lines:
1. The Ball Game- in groups or as individuals.
2. Multi-Task- Do a physical exercise.
Log book 5
Siobhan 1st October 2009
Today we looked at Bertolt Brecht, his biography, his poems etc. We looked at one of his techniques called Juxtaposition. Jonnie died (by killing himself) whilst me, Natalie and Katrice were singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas". We then read "Ballard of Marie Saunders, The Jew's Whore.".
Today we looked at Bertolt Brecht, his biography, his poems etc. We looked at one of his techniques called Juxtaposition. Jonnie died (by killing himself) whilst me, Natalie and Katrice were singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas". We then read "Ballard of Marie Saunders, The Jew's Whore.".
Log book 4
Nik 29th September 2009
We did a few focus exercises focusing on one theme "Religion". It offended me a bit as much as our theory session did. I can do "The Crucible". I have no problem with it, but an offense is something I take very seriously. I know it's all to help with my character profile and all, but making me do an exercise that requires to say something that I don't believe in or that offends my religion I can't do it. I fear it, and me worrying about it doesn't exactly help. I can play Susanna Walcott, but I have to create her in my own way that won't affect me. My culture and religion has been tested enough so far. I spoke to Nik and Joanne and I felt better.
After lunch we had another session and Nik played some Puritain inspired music. After 3 minutes into the song, I suffered a panic attack (a big one) which lasted around 15 minutes. After I had calmed down, I went back into the session and we played wink murder. It was a good game. After the session finished, I felt really exhausted.
We did a few focus exercises focusing on one theme "Religion". It offended me a bit as much as our theory session did. I can do "The Crucible". I have no problem with it, but an offense is something I take very seriously. I know it's all to help with my character profile and all, but making me do an exercise that requires to say something that I don't believe in or that offends my religion I can't do it. I fear it, and me worrying about it doesn't exactly help. I can play Susanna Walcott, but I have to create her in my own way that won't affect me. My culture and religion has been tested enough so far. I spoke to Nik and Joanne and I felt better.
After lunch we had another session and Nik played some Puritain inspired music. After 3 minutes into the song, I suffered a panic attack (a big one) which lasted around 15 minutes. After I had calmed down, I went back into the session and we played wink murder. It was a good game. After the session finished, I felt really exhausted.
Log book 3
Siobhan 24th September 2009.
AM: We did a warm up exercise. Then we sang an African song to warm our voices. We then broke into pairs to work on Emotive Memory. I was with Ryan. The Emotive Memory exercise was:
1. Share Stories
2. Direct each other in a short scene which 'explores' the emotions from that 'real life' event but not the actual event itself.
TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!
PM: Today I have a challenge to test out Mary Warren. Siobhan said she doesn't want to make me feel uncomfortable. I am playing Susanna Walcott.
Susanna Walcott: Good woman, but is very inspired by most people including Abigail.
Act one:
Amy Lane- Betty
Nuria- Tituba
Aaron- Parris
Lily- Susanna
Natalie- Abigail
Act two:
Joanne- Elizabeth Proctor
Zee- John Proctor
Rozana- Mary Warren
Ayla- Director
Act three:
Sammy- John Proctor
Amy Bathie- Elizabeth Proctor
Jonnie- Hathorne
Katrice- Martha Corey/Cheever
Amy Lane- Giles Corey
Dan- Danforth
Aaron- Hale
Jay- Parris
Nicole- Abigail
Lloyd- Mary Warren
Lily- Susanna Walcott
Nuria- Mercy Lewis
Ayla- Mr Putnam
Act four:
Ayla- Elizabeth Proctor
Zee- John Proctor
Rozana & Joanne- Directors.
Characterization:
1. Gender
2. Age
3. Social Class
4. Ethnic Origin
5. Character's Web-Connections.
6. Locality- Location (an insider or outsider)
7. Historical Context
My costume:
Black shoes
Plain blouse
Plain skirt
Apron
Bonnett
No Make-up
No Jewellery
AM: We did a warm up exercise. Then we sang an African song to warm our voices. We then broke into pairs to work on Emotive Memory. I was with Ryan. The Emotive Memory exercise was:
1. Share Stories
2. Direct each other in a short scene which 'explores' the emotions from that 'real life' event but not the actual event itself.
TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!
PM: Today I have a challenge to test out Mary Warren. Siobhan said she doesn't want to make me feel uncomfortable. I am playing Susanna Walcott.
Susanna Walcott: Good woman, but is very inspired by most people including Abigail.
Act one:
Amy Lane- Betty
Nuria- Tituba
Aaron- Parris
Lily- Susanna
Natalie- Abigail
Act two:
Joanne- Elizabeth Proctor
Zee- John Proctor
Rozana- Mary Warren
Ayla- Director
Act three:
Sammy- John Proctor
Amy Bathie- Elizabeth Proctor
Jonnie- Hathorne
Katrice- Martha Corey/Cheever
Amy Lane- Giles Corey
Dan- Danforth
Aaron- Hale
Jay- Parris
Nicole- Abigail
Lloyd- Mary Warren
Lily- Susanna Walcott
Nuria- Mercy Lewis
Ayla- Mr Putnam
Act four:
Ayla- Elizabeth Proctor
Zee- John Proctor
Rozana & Joanne- Directors.
Characterization:
1. Gender
2. Age
3. Social Class
4. Ethnic Origin
5. Character's Web-Connections.
6. Locality- Location (an insider or outsider)
7. Historical Context
My costume:
Black shoes
Plain blouse
Plain skirt
Apron
Bonnett
No Make-up
No Jewellery
Log book 2
Siobhan 24th September 2009.
Today we recieved our proper assignement briefs (which was a big bonus for the organised me) and read it through. We then looked at and read "The Crucible" act three, and ended up having a discussion on what we wanted to do. The Crucible? A Dolls House? The Seagull? Brecht's Poems? In the end we decided that we would do act three of The Crucible and a few of Brecht's Poem. I then confided in Siobhan about my fears of witches since I was eight and how I felt about doing the crucible. She said this was ok, if I was terrified of doing it I could do more of the Brecht poems (which was a great relief!)
Today we recieved our proper assignement briefs (which was a big bonus for the organised me) and read it through. We then looked at and read "The Crucible" act three, and ended up having a discussion on what we wanted to do. The Crucible? A Dolls House? The Seagull? Brecht's Poems? In the end we decided that we would do act three of The Crucible and a few of Brecht's Poem. I then confided in Siobhan about my fears of witches since I was eight and how I felt about doing the crucible. She said this was ok, if I was terrified of doing it I could do more of the Brecht poems (which was a great relief!)
Log book 1
Nik 22nd September 2009.
The process of an Actor:
1. Individual- Being your individual, unique self.
2. Building amd Creating- Ideas.
3. Different steps/stages- Taking risks or not taking risks on a certain stage of rehearsals or preperation.
4.Thoughts- Having a thought process for rehearsals, independent studying, and preperation.
5.Changes- Making changes when nessecary.
6. Understanding- Having an understanding in regards to Practioners, Writers, Scripts, Characters etc.
7. Development- Developing work to take it to a high standard.
8. Challenge- Challenge yourself out your comfort zone, and challenge yourself to become any character.
9. Reflection- Reflect on your thoughts, progress, performance etc.
10. Knowledge- Know what you have to improve, and what you have done best as well.
During the process always make sure you do the following:
1. MAKE A FOUNDATION
2. PLANNING
3. PREPERATION
What is the job of an actor?
1. Warm-up
2. Strip your self of crap
3. Lie professionally
4. Prepare
5. Act
"The art of an actor"
Practically:
1. Read the play
2. Read the play again
3. Think about your character description (answer the questions)- Physical description
"STAY TRUTHFUL TO THE SCRIPT"
4. Look at other character's lines who has a connection with you. Write your thoughts on the other character's lines.
5. Think visually:
- Costume Design
- Wedding Ring
6. Find anything to aid the creation of your character
: Before and during the first rehearsal make sure you do the character requirements and additional work.
PREPERATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
During our practical session we did a warm-up consisting of concerntration exercises, testing our limits etc. Then we tested how we are naturally and not acting anything. We also did a few trust games such as running into Dan, Jonnie, Sammy, Zee and Jay but with our eyes closed. We learnt how to trust other's around us. We did another exercise where we had to close our eyes (we were in partners, I was with Jay) and feel each other's hands to try and remember what they feel like. Then Nik chose some of us at random to test if we remembered the tough of our partner's hand. It was a whole new experience for me, as it takes me a while to trust others when acting.
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