Unit 3

30/10/18

Acting

In acting we looked at one of Romeos monologues from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. We read through the piece as a group and analysed it so we could understand the text better. We then read a line each and took into account where Shakespeare had placed the punctuation so that we could hear how it was supposed to be read. We than picked out our favourite line/ word and shouted it out to help with projection.

20/11/18
Acting
In acting this week we started by warming up and going around the circle, presenting our own warmup. My warmup was a lip trill going up and down a scale. This warmed up our face and lips, as well as our vocal chords so that we could deliver an acting piece clearly.

We then read through an extract from Anne Frank and annotated the text so we could understand it better. We discussed how we would use emotional memory when performing the monologue. Emotional memory was created by Stanislavski. The technique is when you draw on a past experience or emotion and use it when acting to make it more real and believable. We discussed our own experiences and how we need to control this technique and not let it go too far.

We then used emotional memory to perform a line form the text. I told a story about being scared of a spider, which was then resolved. So I chose to say the line: 'when I think of these good things I'm not afraid any more'. The feedback I got was good and people told me they felt what I  was saying.


27/11/18
Acting
This lesson we warmed up and then carried on working on emotional memory and reading the Anne Frank script.

Me, Tilly and Rina went through the Anne Frank extract line by line together and tried to memorise it and apply emotional memory to different lines. This wasn't effective for applying emotional memory,   so we decided to pick out random lines from the piece and attempt to relate to the lines we found it harder to directly relate. We started out by beginning a conversation that would later work into that line or asking a question that relates from the line. For example, if I was to start by saying, "are you saying I have to be orthodox" then Rina or Tilly would be able to easily work into that line. I found  the really useful as it made the acting flow really well and made me think more about using my own experiences to improve my acting skills.

04/12/18
Acting
In acting today we rehearsed the Anne Frank monologue by walking around the room and saying the lines freely, so we could express ourselves openly and memorise the script. We then brainstormed ideas about the piece and how we would perform it. We then got ready to watch each person get up and perform the script, each person then chose a topic to mark everyone on.

I performed the monologue and got brilliant feedback, I was told my performance was real and powerful and I really enjoyed performing it.

 


















National theatre tour

What year did the national theatre open?

The NT opened in 1976 and its company had its first performance in 1963.

How many theatres are there in total?

There is 3 theatres including: The Olivier, Lyttleton and Dorfman theatre.

How many seats does the Olivier theatre have? 

1160 seats 

The Olivier:

The Olivier theatre has 118 degree angled seats which is the angle of peripheral vision. This makes the production view able from every seat. This is also beneficial for the actors on stage as they can perform to everyone without having to turn their head too much.

The theatres: 

Each theatre shows a different kind of production. The Lyttleton showing musicals in it’s proscenium arch style of theatre and the Olivier showing Shakespeare and plays in it’s open air type of layout.

What was your favourite prop and why?

On the tour we were shown some of the props used for performances in the past and just walking through the backstage area there was a lot of props scattered around ready to use. Some of my favourite props were the chandeliers that hung from the ceiling back stage and could be used in any performance depending on the style and era. I also loved the war horse puppet that we got to see hung up on the wall.

What different departments did you visit backstage? What does each part do and what are the job roles?

The National theatre makes all their own props and sets so there was a lot of backstage departments. We got to see the construction area where they design, fit and build the sets and we also got to see the creative area where the props are made for up and coming productions. 

Backstage jobs in theatre 

Job title:

Makeup artist

Where would you be employed? 

In a theatre or to a theatre company looking for a makeup artist.

The jobs salary: 

Depending on the company you work for you can up to £49000 per year. 

What does the job includes: 

Makeup artistry in theatre is very different to being a free lance makeup artist for events and special occasions. Theatrical makeup artists have to not only enhance performers features but make them visible under the bright stage lights to the audience, some who are far away from the performers. The artists do this by using striking colours to create a bold effect. The products used for stage makeup are long wearing and often water proof, as well as this they are also more expensive due to the high quality of the products. Makeup artists in theatre have to have had practise working with these types of products as they can be tricky to apply whilst still looking. natural (if required).

What the jobs requires:

A theatrical makeup artist needs good knowledge of makeup styles past and present. This will help when it comes to working on shows of difference styles and eras. They also need a strong understanding of how to apply theatrical makeup and make it visible and striking to an audience. Most makeup artists also have diplomas or levels of qualifications in makeup. To be a passionate makeup artist you should also be 100% interested and in love with the art you can create.

Would you be interested in this job? 

I would love to do this job, as I have always been interested in not only natural/ glam makeup but also theatrical more dramatic makeup. I think I would need more training to perfect my skills and to understand how to use expensive products better but I think it would be an interesting field in theatre to work in.

Job title: 

Costumer designer 

Where would you be employed? 

In a theatre who designs their own costumes or working from home

Jobs salary: 

What the job includes:

Being a theatre costume designer is completely different to being a mainstream fashion designer for a brand or clothing line. A costume designer sketches, draws and creates silhouettes of costumes for productions. These drawings are first rough outlines of how the designer imagines the costume, it then is drawn into more detail. Once the basic outline is established the designer will draw a scaled down drawing of the costume on the desired performing. This will then be passed on to a costume maker who will fit the costume to the performer and eventually make it. 

What the job requires:

To be a costume designer in theatre you need to have a strong understanding of fashion and clothes through history, so you can designer for productions and it’s different time frames. They also need to have a passion for art and creating their own material. You also need to be confident and be able to say why your design is good for the production and how it would be effective on stage. Most costume designers also have qualifications in costume design, this makes you more professional and better trained. 

Would you be interest in this job? 

I don’t think I would be interested in this job, as I am not good a drawing and when it comes to creating clothes I think I would find it hard to imagine so many different designs. I am interested in fashion and the art that does into designing but I don’t think i would be appropriate for the job.

Musical Theatre

Cinema Italiano Performance

One thing I did well:

Throughout the performance my projection when signing my solo lines and the group parts was loud and clear to the audience, despite not having a microphone. One thing my teacher told me I did well was my stage presence. She said I had bright facial expressions that contributed well to this.

One thing I think I need to improve:

Next time I need to focus on all 3 aspects of singing, dancing and acting whilst performing, as I only stressed about the dance aspect, which showed in some areas. Sometimes I looked slightly apprehensive, when I didn’t need to be.

How well did we work as a team?

I think as a group we worked well throughout not only the performance but also the rehearsal process, we helped and supported each other when we needed a reminder of  the dance or vocals. We also worked well in the  performance together, as the space  was smaller than we expected, so we moved around accordingly and used our spacial awareness.

How did performing the piece make me feel?

The song was a girl power, sexy song which made me feel confident and powerful. Before performing I felt nervous, as I knew I was going to have to perform in front of people I know. Although, before I went on stage I had a rush of adrenaline and suddenly felt excited to perform the number and show the other students what we could do. Whilst performing I felt free and expressive, and happy on stage. I really enjoyed performing the number.

What surprised me about the performance?

I surprised myself in the performance, as I put everything  into it and even added my own little moves to make it my own. The space  also surprised me as it was a lot smaller than we all expected and we still managed to pull off the dance in the confined space.

British Museum risk assessment