Week 2 13 by Mike Bartlett edited

Week 2

We began this week with a introduction to Greek tragedy. To start the task was to come up with 6 emotions such as good news and bad news. Whilst we were doing this of the drum was our signal to change the emotion. Every time it was hit everyone's body language changes. A lot of people with shying away or curled in a ball. Some people were standing up. On the other hand in the good news the atmosphere changed again by the change of facial expressions.

There were some other emotions such as empowerment. With these emotions they were developed to a scene. This was interesting to watch because of the reaction that people were having. Having the emotion empowerment implied who was being supported and who was being unsupported. When I was in this scene I felt that good voice projection and standing on the chair gave the crowd something to the support. This way it gave the crowd something to listen to. It gives more impact to the crowd rather than being unsure to who side you will be on.

Following the workshop exercise we came up with developing the workshop exercise to Ruth's speech with the crowd.  For an example the first of Ruth's speech is "It's tough". I associated this as receiving bad news so I put my head on my hand to communicate to the audience that I was sad. However it could be seen as fearful because the hand could be defending the head to show fear but the doesn't link to the original words of "its tough".  When the scene started all of the people were on different levels to make it as though it is a park for a speech to happen. Ruth was on a platform to show that she is the person delivering the speech. Ruth was directed to out pauses every time she speaks. This was effective as it gave time for the crowd to react. This was the 1 to 10 technique. This is when the drum is tapped ten times and then the crowd would have changed emotion. I think that Ruth's speech is effective because the chorus react all together but come up differently to different words. I think this is a strength because it makes the audience interested about why do the people react differently. It also reveals some personality of the chorus. For example sitting forward on a chair  means that the person is interested about what Ruth is saying. 

Ruth's speech refers to Margret Thatcher. Margret Thatcher was one of the longest raining Prime Minister which indicates that she is strong willed. She was the leader of the conservative party. Her economical policies emphasized in deregulation. Deregulation is a process of removing and reducing state regulations. People have an reaction to this statement therefore the crowd have a choice to empower the thought or show fear or disagree with Thatcher's views. From my research of thatcher she said 

 ' I always cheer up immensely if an attack particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left' Thatcher 

Relating this to 13, Thatcher mentions a 'attack' which could relate to 13 and what Ruth is facing in reality with the London riots. The London riots is creating conflict is trying to explain about. I think that Thatcher is trying to say that violence such as verbally or physically is not the answer to everything because that wouldn't  be politics. There wouldn't be anything to talk about because there is arguments or 'attacks' happening. From Ruth's speech I think Ruth is supporting Thatcher's views because of the situation that is happening is similar to Thatcher's history. 

We then started to run though Act 1 to see which scenes need blocking or needing work etc. This was good for me to see because I didn't see some of the scenes being rehearsed. The blocking in Act One scene helped me see my character more. It gave some background who I was. For example giving Mark has files meant made me understand that I was his assistant. The part that I thought was effective was the guitar strum and we see John. It gives an impact and something for the audience to react to. To improve this I think the pace of the scene should be faster than we rehearsed and then when the turn to face John happens it becomes slow to change the dynamics of the scene. It makes it more exciting to watch therefore it will make the audience engaged.  This gave me an idea of what the first half of the play will look like. I think the first scene was so powerful to be part of because everyone was bringing something to the intense atmosphere. It made me nervous and felt like I was in a nightmare. Phoebe came up with an idea that the 12 were paper people. This was a great idea because the 12 are all dreaming about the same thing therefore they are connected such as the paper people are connected by holding hands. The circle in the middle of the floor could be the clock with the projector shining on the circle. The clock should be red to symbolize fear and tense feelings that are going on in the characters mind. The lights are dark to create a scary atmosphere but calm.

Another workshop we did was relating to our previous physical theatre project Frantic Assembly. They came up with the idea of chair duets. We then took that idea and put it in a scene where it is set in London and the chair duets are benches. It looked really effective but abstract and created chaos. Along with the chair duets we took the four corners exercise and transferred that into 13. This created even more chaos but in a structured way. It was clever the way it was structured because even knew where they are going. They had a purpose to get to the next destination. I imagined that I was in London and I was looking where to go next. Many others were doing this to which made it set like London. The main scene that was happening was Mark and Holly. When Mark shouted everyone went quiet for a couple of seconds which was a lovely effect to include because it breaks the atmosphere and then starts again.

Next week will be finishing and polishing Act 1.


Bibliography

Thatcher- www.brainyquote.co.uk  Published: 2011  Date found: 2/11/14 

Week 1 of 13 by Mike Bartlett

13 by Mike Bartlett

 

Week 1

 

This week was the starting the process of our play for contemporary theatre. At first the title of the play '13' felt unusual because most titles are words.The words reveal a story behind it but when the title is just a number the storyline is a bold and broad title because the number '13' can have loads of stories and meanings. For an example '13' could relate to Friday 13th.This day is considered to be unlucky in western superstition.  However it may link to the amount of people that they are for an example '13' people or objects etc.

Reading a little of the play I gradually was beginning to have an idea of the themes and the plot of the play. This made me change the perspective of the plot. I started to think that Bartlett was linking the play to real life. For an example the character "Ruth" is the Prime Minster which a sense of naturalism in the play. Bartlett also describes the setting of each scene such as in Act 1 scene 7 the scene is in the drawing room at number 10. The words "number 10" gives us a idea where the setting of the scene is and atmosphere it will be like.  The first couple of scene are broken up into different dialogues with different people such as Act 1 scene 2 when Sarah, Ruby and Dennis have landed in England and see John followed by the next scene which is a riot with Amir and Racheal which were mat in the first scene.

Reading the play gave me more answers to my questions such as the actual plot to the play. The first act starts very mysterious for an example in Act 1 scene 1 was created when the 12 had an nightmare.

I started off with trying the character Ruth. Ruth is a superior character that takes charge of the political world. Ruth is a person with high status and I found that Ruth should be played as a high status which means that she will be either standing up or sitting upright. Ruth's character needs to be well spoken and persuasive to the crowd. I found that Ruth's character was a difficult part to play because of the status being implied in the play therefore tried for her assistant Carol. She is a slightly lower than Ruth therefore she is not as posh as Ruth. However Carol is a important character to play because she is the person that keeps the Prime Minster in mind. For example in Act 2 Scene 2 she describes to Ruth about the "final document of 2000". However Carols character is interesting to play because Carol can make up a purpose of the "final document". What could the "final document" be? Even though Carol was not right for me, I really enjoyed bringing ideas to the table of the state of mind that Carol is in.

Playing Carol felt comfortable and was a good character for me. However another called Shannon suited me better therefore I went with the Shannon character. Shannon's style is comedic was I was more comfortable to play rather than Carol because she is too robotic to Ruth. Carol is always sorting out documents Whereas Shannon is from a lower class is a cleaner hoover. I was more confident playing the character Shannon because I like playing comedic character. For an example Shannon is hoovering and taking no notice that the Prime Minster is talking. Shannon is just a normal person who doesn't really care who she is cleaning for but she does feel for the Prime Minster. For an example "oh hi! you alright?" means that she has a concern or worry on how the Prime Minster is looking because she is constantly fidgeting with her skirt. The phrase "oh hi!" makes Shannon's character feel innocent and friendly. However when the words "you alright" are said if sounds as if she is not sure about her outfit that she is wearing. This is why Shannon pulls a face to communicate her opinion on the character.

 I also tried a character called Alice who is Marks assistant. Mark is a lawyer so this means that Alice will have to sort of files and be responsible for them.  Alice needs to be organised and show this through her character. I thought that I played this well because of the involved with Mark in Act 1 scene 7 where banter is being said through Mark and Alice. The banter is friendly just through work colleagues. Alice is making fun of Mark by her reaction of his clothes and punctuality.

Act 1 Scene 7 started off with Mark listing "a toothbrush a new shirt and a double espresso". At first I thought that he was describing someone that her is representing by a s I read the script more I began to realize that he was listing what he needed. After a couple of times rehearsing I knew that this was the right character because of the banter and the truth being told.

My aims for next week is to picture in detail my character and keep that detail and show it to the audience.










 

Sophie Nickerson:Third Course option

University of Chichester

Course:  Musical theatre and Acting for film BA (Hons) 

What skills do I already have?
BTECH Extended Diploma (Acting)

Qualification
Subject                                Grade                           Qualification
Religious Education          B                                  GCSE
Drama                                B                                  GCSE
Maths                                C                                   GCSE
English Language             C                                   GCSE
English Literature             C                                   GCSE
Core Science                     C                                   GCSE
Music                                C                                   GCSE

What modules will I study? 

Individual tuition for voice
Practical acting experience in film work
Extensive practical coaching in dance and acting skills
Students study in a thriving department of 500 plus performance specialists
Production experience in a range of genuine theatre and film environments    
Students are supported by a team of more than 40 visiting professionals and practitioners 

What skills will they help me develop?

Practical Acting experience on film  

Coaching Acting and dance skills 

Finance options 

Offers grants and loans £500-£1000 per person
Offers Student Finance England
Location
The location is positive for me because it is not too far away from family.

Entry Requirements 
GCSEs (A*-C) five subjects including Maths, English and Science

Is there a audition? 

Business: First Course Option

RADA

Chosen course: BA Hons Drama 

What Courses does RADA offer?

BA Hons Drama

Foundation course in Acting

MA in text and performance

MA theatre Lab

What modules do RADA offer? 

 Stanislavsky-based rehearsal exercises and project work

 Improvisation

 Contemporary and classical text

 Performance projects on Greek Tragedy, Shakespeare and the Jacobeans, Restoration Comedy and contemporary writing

 Acting for camera and microphone technique

 Voice training, including dialect training, individual and choral singing

  Movement training, including mask, dance and stage combat                                                                

  Comedy

   Mask work and stage combat

   Voice training

   Choral singing

Entry requirements

Candidates must have a complete fluency in English Language

The minimum age for admission is 18

You need to demonstrate an intellectual creative and practical ability to undertake degree level training

Finance 

Self-financing

£9,000 per student

Students can apply for Student Finance England (SFE)

Opinons on location

Positive- In the environment where actors are well known to build a career there. It is popular to get a performing arts job. 

Negative- A long  journey away from home

Business: Second Course Option

Guildford School of Drama

What courses are there?

BA (Hons) Acting

Ba (Hons) Musical Theatre

BA (Hons) Professional and Production Skills

BA (Hons) Theatre conversion
What course do I want to do?
BA (Hons) Musical Theatre 

What are the modules?

Storytelling
Naturalism (in the musical)
Ensemble (Acting and performance)

What skills will they help me to develop – do these support my career choice(s)?
This course will help me to work within in a group such as the ensemble pieces. It will help me develop acting, singing and dancing. 

Finance options – DADAs, Grants, Student Finance England (SFE), and Halls of residence.

Self funded

Student Loan – Students will live with others who are on the same course

GSA do offer DADAs

They also offer student loans

Location – positive or negative?

Positive- Offer students loans and finance support.

Close to home

WHAT SKILLS/REQUIREMENTS DO I NEED TO GET IN?

GCSE English Language and Mathematics at Grade C or above (or equivalent)

Other suitable qualifications:
International Baccalaureate-35-34 points
BTEC (QCF Level 3) Extended Diploma- DDD

Grades – what are you predicted? What are the entry requirements?

Audition preparation – what is the audition process? Is there a cost?

Personal statement/application – is there a cost?

Applications for BA(Hons) Musical Theatre should be made through UCAS

International Baccalaureate – 35-34 points

BTEC (QCF Level 3) Extended Diploma – DDD

English language requirements

6.5 IELTS minimum overall

6.0 IELTS minimum in each sub-skill

Dance and Drama Award-funded students

Good statistics i.e. alumni careers, teachers with good profiles etc. Does this support your career path?

Many alumni careers have recieved loads of roles.

Posture

Posture

As an actor it is very important to be relaxed on stage. Having good posture is key to an actor. Good posture allows you optimum use of your voice and increases your stage presence. The alignment of the spine affects your voice production because the spin is connected to the diaphragm therefore it is important your body free of tension and to practice exercises which keep the spine supple and active to enable improved posture and to free the natural voice.

 

There are exercises that help with posture such as the Alexander technique and yoga. Both of these allow you to have a great voice as an actor. The exercise is to lie on your back with your knees up and close your eyes. By closing your eyes it helps you relax your body. You should put a pillow under your head to help with the alignment of the spine. Then listen to yourself breathing and try not to change the pattern of your breathing. This will help you relax. If it helps to put relaxing music feel free to do this is it will put you in the mind set of a relaxed atmosphere. Then imagine the breath travel through every part of your body. The arms, the legs, the head etc. Feel warm inside your body. After this you should tense every part of your body for 10 seconds and relax and repeat this process three times. After this process you should start to feel that your voice is clear and posture is improved. When I did the Alexander technique I felt that my hips were going through the floor.

James Kinney says “in order to arrive at good posture, you should set up positive thought patterns about it. Avoid the temptation to move on to more interesting areas of vocal instruction, leaving alignment and tensional faults to fend for themselves”.

The Alexander technique is a method that works to change (movement) everyday habits in everyday activities. It is a simple but practical method for improves the ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches you the right amount of effect that you should put on an everyday activity. This gives more energy for your other activities. The technique is not a treatment or exercise it is a re-education of the mind and body. The Alexander technique is a method that helps a person discover a new balance in the body by releasing unnecessary tension. It can be applied to sitting down, standing lying down, walking, lifting and other daily activities.

As an actor the alexander technique is a way of improving the alignment in the spine which therefore helps the voice to be better and improved.

Respiration and getting to know your voice

Respiration and getting to know your voice

As an actor respiration is very important because it helps your voice with projection. Voice delivery is one of the many tools that is used for an actor. The voice is the main tool for an actor because it is a way to communicate with the audience. There are many others ways of communicating to the audience to but the voice is a common way to perform as an actor.

Respiration is a process of breathing. The process of breathing is, inhaling through the nose and out through the mouth. When you breathe you inhale oxygen. When you exhale you breathe out carbon dioxide. As an actor having good respiration is a good skill to have because it helps your projection on stage. Especially in an open air theatre where there is more sounds in the surroundings. There are many organs that are involved in respiration such as the larynx. The larynx is where speech sounds are produced. The oxygen goes through the larynx after the nose. The oxygen then travels to the trachea. The trachea is a tube which is kept in the chest cavity. After that the tubes are split to form smaller tubes to go to the bronchi. The bronchial tubes lead directly to the lungs. The bronchial tubes are divided even more to travel to the alveoli. The bronchial tubes have tiny air sacs which connect to the alveoli. On average the number of tiny air sacs for an adult is 600.The tiny air sacs are surrounded by capillaries. After the alveoli the oxygen diffuses into the arterial blood. Meanwhile, the waste-rich blood from the veins releases its carbon dioxide into the alveoli. The carbon dioxide follows the same path out of the lungs out of the lungs when you exhale.

The diaphragm is a dome shaped muscle that is located beneath the lungs. The diaphragms job is to help pump the carbon dioxide out of the lungs and pull the oxygen into the lungs. When the diaphragm contracts oxygen is pulled out into the lungs and carbon dioxide is pumped out. When you inhale the diaphragm goes down and flattens. This is because the diaphragm is tensing. When the diaphragm tenses the lungs expand and fill with air. Normally the diaphragm is in a raised position. When the diaphragm is lowered, because it is connected to the lungs, it pulls the lungs downward much like opening up an accordion. When you open an accordion it fills up with air. To notice how the diaphragm works you can do your breathing exercises. One of them is half pant and feels how the diaphragm is working. How to half pant is you need to stop yourself half way through the pant and you can feel your diaphragm flatten.

As an actor knowing how to control your voice is key to the performing arts because then you can try out new things and knowing how long you can do things. For example knowing how loud your voice goes, how high or low your voice goes and your articulation etc.  You should also understand where your voice is being produced and what improvements you can make.