My first port of call for characterisations was emotional recall (as described by Stanislavski). When approaching Dinarzad, I found my way in through imagining how I would feel if someone was taking away one of my brothers and thinking about how I would act. It helped me to be a lot freer in movement as well because I had to put aside my fear of a lack of structure (free movement without points of reference) which usually make me feel vulnerable because if an executioner had one of my brothers then I wouldn't worry in the moment about harming myself, I would take risks and worry about myself afterwards; I would be forced to do something rash and unlike me.
Similarly, my holiday in Egypt helped me a lot and there was a wealth of sensory experience I could draw from about the world of the play (as taught by Stanislavski also). There were times in the play, for example the market place scene, where I knew exactly what it was like to be in an Arabian market place. When I acted in this scene, I thought about the sandy ground, sound of haggling and pushy market stall traders ("Looky looky, good price! Good price!") The sellers would give me earrings and stroke my hair whilst telling me how beautiful I was--they were expert flatterers and flirts. The sleazy atmosphere did make me feel a bit sick but left an indelible impression in my mind.
Having these experiences to draw from gave me a world in my imagination that I could bring to the stage and believe that I was there. The music used in the market scene was so similar to that I heard in Egypt that it kick started my imagination and transported me back there.
I can say with confidence that I understand and find Stanislavski's theories helpful. As a performer I take my characters very seriously and this is why Stanislavski appeals to me because I can see how his theories promote thinking in depth. I find Lecoq's theories less useful because it is less about thinking and imagination--working from relaxation helps me less because some characters are very intense and passionate, so it would be less believable if you were relaxed.
Monday, 16 April 2012
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
24 March, 2012
Portsmouth
Like the strike, I wasn't really looking forward going to Portsmouth to perform outside to a small audience, but I loved every minute of it!
It was a very relaxed atmosphere at first, when we were looking around our performance space and talking about the day, which made it difficult to rehearse formally for our performance that afternoon. There was hardly any focus and I knew Jamie and Gavin were disappointed, which made me sad as I was really trying and I didn't want my grades to be affected by others. Eventually though, we had rehearsed everything and unloaded the props, ready to perform.
As I had predicted, there wasn't much of an audience, and we did mess up a lot in the show, but I didn't feel disheartened or negative at all by anything. I had performed outside before so I knew it would hard, and how much voice projection was needed, so I looked at it as just an experience to learn from.
I really enjoyed this whole project and I feel I've learnt a lot of valuable skills (on and off stage) from this, such as:
The importance of focus, how much time is wasted when focus isn't there, using time productively, negativity gets you no where and just makes it harder to work, it doesn't matter if the show goes wrong as long as you still enjoy it because then the audience will just laugh with you and think nothing of it, the audience pick up on your mood a lot so if you are disengaged so will they be and, most importantly, I gained confidence.
I hope the next project we do will be directed the same way as this one, as it worked really well!
Like the strike, I wasn't really looking forward going to Portsmouth to perform outside to a small audience, but I loved every minute of it!
It was a very relaxed atmosphere at first, when we were looking around our performance space and talking about the day, which made it difficult to rehearse formally for our performance that afternoon. There was hardly any focus and I knew Jamie and Gavin were disappointed, which made me sad as I was really trying and I didn't want my grades to be affected by others. Eventually though, we had rehearsed everything and unloaded the props, ready to perform.
As I had predicted, there wasn't much of an audience, and we did mess up a lot in the show, but I didn't feel disheartened or negative at all by anything. I had performed outside before so I knew it would hard, and how much voice projection was needed, so I looked at it as just an experience to learn from.
I really enjoyed this whole project and I feel I've learnt a lot of valuable skills (on and off stage) from this, such as:
The importance of focus, how much time is wasted when focus isn't there, using time productively, negativity gets you no where and just makes it harder to work, it doesn't matter if the show goes wrong as long as you still enjoy it because then the audience will just laugh with you and think nothing of it, the audience pick up on your mood a lot so if you are disengaged so will they be and, most importantly, I gained confidence.
I hope the next project we do will be directed the same way as this one, as it worked really well!
March 22, 2012
Strike
Today was the strike. This meant a few hours dedicated to tidying the set, dismantling the props and putting everything back where it belonged.
I didn't feel very enthusiastic about doing this, because I'd never done one before and I couldn't see how there would be enough for everyone to do and I didn't want to be sitting doing nothing. However, we had used a lot more things that I had thought. I didn't realise how much materials we'd used to make props. When they were dismanteled, I sat and folded sheet after sheet of material and putting them in neat piles ready to put back with our collection of materials. Every little piece I touched was folded perfectly and put in one my many piles.
Then, I helped tidy the costume cupboard, which took me ages. I folded every item of clothing on the floor, which had just been chucked in there messily. I just about managed to find a place for everything to fit.
I felt very proud of what I'd done when I'd finished, so that was my strength. Not sure what my weakness/target was.
Today was the strike. This meant a few hours dedicated to tidying the set, dismantling the props and putting everything back where it belonged.
I didn't feel very enthusiastic about doing this, because I'd never done one before and I couldn't see how there would be enough for everyone to do and I didn't want to be sitting doing nothing. However, we had used a lot more things that I had thought. I didn't realise how much materials we'd used to make props. When they were dismanteled, I sat and folded sheet after sheet of material and putting them in neat piles ready to put back with our collection of materials. Every little piece I touched was folded perfectly and put in one my many piles.
Then, I helped tidy the costume cupboard, which took me ages. I folded every item of clothing on the floor, which had just been chucked in there messily. I just about managed to find a place for everything to fit.
I felt very proud of what I'd done when I'd finished, so that was my strength. Not sure what my weakness/target was.
March 21, 2012
Evening Show
Our last show of the day was the best yet, nothing major went wrong and we only got distracted once. Also, because we was so confident with it by now, we could add in the odd line that wasn't in the script which made me feel uplifted and excited on stage. I think the knowledge that it was our last show (not counting Portsmouth) was driving us all on to make it the best it could be.
My strength was remembering all my cues and lines and voice projection.
My weakness was that because we were so confident, we were a bit too relaxed at time, chatting on the sides and acting more informal.
Our last show of the day was the best yet, nothing major went wrong and we only got distracted once. Also, because we was so confident with it by now, we could add in the odd line that wasn't in the script which made me feel uplifted and excited on stage. I think the knowledge that it was our last show (not counting Portsmouth) was driving us all on to make it the best it could be.
My strength was remembering all my cues and lines and voice projection.
My weakness was that because we were so confident, we were a bit too relaxed at time, chatting on the sides and acting more informal.
March 21, 2012
Matinee
Our first show of the day was perfect. Less lines was forgotten, the focus was excellent and we were better with the flats now, which helped the show run smoothly.
This was the show my parents went to, so I could ask them, as audience members what they thought of the show. They both said it was brilliant, and they knew what emotion I was trying to portray all the time I was on stage, which made me feel happy and proud of myself.
My strength in this show was my voice projection, which I'd been working on, and my weakness was playing with my hands too much on stage, which made me look nervous when I wasn't.
Our first show of the day was perfect. Less lines was forgotten, the focus was excellent and we were better with the flats now, which helped the show run smoothly.
This was the show my parents went to, so I could ask them, as audience members what they thought of the show. They both said it was brilliant, and they knew what emotion I was trying to portray all the time I was on stage, which made me feel happy and proud of myself.
My strength in this show was my voice projection, which I'd been working on, and my weakness was playing with my hands too much on stage, which made me look nervous when I wasn't.
March 20, 2012
Evening show
We performed our show again this evening, to a larger audience. It went so well, we completely nailed it! There was no negative feedback at all, which made me feel proud and happy.
My strength when I performed this time was my facial expressions and how I showed my character's emotions without words.
My target is still voice projection.
We performed our show again this evening, to a larger audience. It went so well, we completely nailed it! There was no negative feedback at all, which made me feel proud and happy.
My strength when I performed this time was my facial expressions and how I showed my character's emotions without words.
My target is still voice projection.
March 20, 2012
Dress Rehearsal
The dress rehearsal went really well, until the end of the envious sisters, then, something small went wrong and some of the cast started laughing. All the focus we had was lost after that and it was harder to stay in character. As a result, lines was forgotten and the audience lost interest.
I felt a little negative and frustrated aftwards, but happy, because we all learnt a lot from the experiences.
My strength was not forgetting any lines and staying disciplined on stage.
My weakness was I was easily distracted back stage.
The dress rehearsal went really well, until the end of the envious sisters, then, something small went wrong and some of the cast started laughing. All the focus we had was lost after that and it was harder to stay in character. As a result, lines was forgotten and the audience lost interest.
I felt a little negative and frustrated aftwards, but happy, because we all learnt a lot from the experiences.
My strength was not forgetting any lines and staying disciplined on stage.
My weakness was I was easily distracted back stage.
March 20, 2012
Lecturer: Gavin Maxwell
Lesson: One
In this session, we ran up to Alibaba part 2. It went well, but there were a lot of people lines forgotten, which let it down a bit. We have a dress rehearsal today, so I'm just hoping it'll be alright then.
Lesson: One
In this session, we ran up to Alibaba part 2. It went well, but there were a lot of people lines forgotten, which let it down a bit. We have a dress rehearsal today, so I'm just hoping it'll be alright then.
March 19, 2012
Lecturer: Gavin Maxwell
Lesson: One
Today, we did a complete run through! I felt very negative because there were several moments where I was forgotten, (the jar scene in Alibaba and at the end of the Little Beggar, Es-sindibad) and although I tried to take on the feedback I was given in previous sessions, I still felt like I didn't do my best, because I was distracted by the interruptions.
Lesson: One
Today, we did a complete run through! I felt very negative because there were several moments where I was forgotten, (the jar scene in Alibaba and at the end of the Little Beggar, Es-sindibad) and although I tried to take on the feedback I was given in previous sessions, I still felt like I didn't do my best, because I was distracted by the interruptions.
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