Week 3 of 13 by Mike Bartlett Sophie's blog

Week 3

We started this week by picturing our character by closing our eyes. We were starting to think of questions in our head such as do they have something with them throughout the play? what do they look like.  I picked Shannon to imagine the character. I thought of her wearing a black trousers  and a black blouse to address that she is respectful and professional for work. Shannon's hair scarped back in a bun. The reason why is because that we know that she is working for a formal person. I thought that her shoes need to be practical because she is cleaning around a large area. I think a name badge to show that she is working for a big environment. I thought black pumps so she can feel comfortable whilst cleaning.

We then moved on looking at obstacles and objective. An objective is something to aim towards such as exiting from another side of the room. An obstacle is something that is stopping the objective. We tried this in an exercise. In this exercise there were good examples being shown. For an example two people acted a scene when one person was invited to this party. Although it was funny I could see a scene starting to progress whereas the other people that did the exercise tried to stop them physically. In Act one Scene 5 I think Shannon’s main objective is to get enough money so then she can quit her job but her daily objective is finish her work for the day so then she can go and see John speak in the park and meet her boyfriend Zia. However her obstacle is Ruth because she is stopping Shannon from doing her job. For an example with Ruth says “just switch it off alright”. At this point Shannon finds it irritating that she has stopped her from doing her work therefore she says “I didn’t vote for you” indicating that she doesn’t like Ruth. The verb that summarizes Shannon’s objective is I hear you. This means that Shannon is hearing her and responding to what she is saying. On the other hand Ruth’s interpretation to Shannon is I block you because she is just a ‘civil servant’ therefore she only comes to clean and not to say anything else.  The definition for ‘civil servant’ is a ‘person in the public sector employed for government department or agency’ therefore she is helping the government by cleaning.

In Act three scene four Shannon meets a geek called Zia. This week we blocked this scene. In this scene we blocked it as if it was we were in love with each other. We begin the scene silence. We used the Stanislavski method of solitude in public which made it effect and believable because it began to feel awkward and that made the scene more naturalistic. Whilst the silence was going on Zia and I made eye contact to make as if we were in love. The scene is set on a bench. I was on one side and Zia was on the other. We found that the distance away from each other gave a realistic approach to normal life. Also this is the first time they meet therefore the distance worked. It communicates to the audience to that the silence built the awkwardness.  I think that Shannon’s objective is to encourage Zia to come up with a conversation because she is shy to speak to someone that she loves.  Zia is responding to this objective and thinking that he must involve her in this conversation before she goes. He then start taking about thirteen and Shannon interested because she is watching Johns speech. Then Shannon’s obstacle is Zia because she then asks Shannon out which she stops. Then Shannon’s objective is to assure Zia that she will come out tonight. I thought that this was a beautiful scene to block because there is lots of shyness that builds to love. This also looks like they are in there own bubble because they are constantly having eye contact and looking away. Nothing else matters around them apart from each other. From the blocking and feedback I can play this scene successful because of the chemistry that Zia and Shannon have. For an example when Zia and Shannon both look at each other when the odd "stars" were mentioned. 

In Act one scene 7 we meet Alice who is Mark assistant. I thought that Mark’s objective for this scene was to block Alice because he has a ‘headache’ and wants to get the case finished.This was given in the blocking of the scene. The scene was to be more of a fast pace. This links well because of Mark's objective. Also he is saying a list of things to Alice such as ‘a toothbrush, a new shirt and a double espresso’. I think that Mark walks in all messy and unorganised because he had a late night the night before working. This is why he has a headache. Also his breath is messy to breathe in because he asked for a ‘toothbrush’ therefore he has no time to brush his teeth before work because he woke up late. However Alice’s objective is to remind Mark of the case that he is supporting for. Alice is described in this scene wearing ‘yellow jumpers trainers and leggings’. I thought that was a good outfit to wear for Alice because it says in the text and also Mark comments on her fashion. The words "I block you" work with tho scene because Mark's body language is communicating that he doesn't want to do this case. Also he hasn't put any effort into looking professional to win this case. Also he blocks Alice by giving Alice simple answers to respond to. For an example 'my brother is ill' is a simple answer that he could think at the time. The blocking of this scene helped the situation because we are walking to that specific objective and then is stopped with his obstacle.  

My aims for next week are to learn my lines for Act 2 and read through Act 1 and reminding myself of stage directions. Also next week I should think about my objectives more during the scene.