Thursday 14th June 2012
Today we experimented with the masks that Ellie had made for our various sins and tried to see what the different scenes would look like with these masks. The first scene we tried was with the 7 deadly sins and how that would like. As we had the masks on people didn't feel like they were restricted within their character so they played with different charcteristics and a different way of moving and interacting with each other within the space. The scene worked really well with the masks and added a different element to each character and brought something new to the scene that wasn't there before. I think it benefited a lot of people and made their characters a lot stronger and gave them something to work with that they had never thought of before.
The next scene we worked on was the pope scene using different masks to the sins, again as we went through the scene, new things were created that we had never thought of before. It added something new to the scene and brought it to life, giving it more comedy but as the scene progresses there is that contrast to what is really going on, that the pope can't see which is what makes it quite a shockin scene to watch. As such a religious and well respected figure is basically getting tormented and humiliated by devils.
Ellie had these skull masks for us to use in the party scene, as we are cheering Faustus on the whole time and showing so much appreciation, that when we turn around you just see a group of people with skull faces. Which is quite a disturbing image as you really do think what is behind the intentions of people, are they for good or for evil. It may look to Faustus like Hell is going to be a fun time, but once he's there its not like that at all. He's being sold something that isn't really there, simply just created from his mind as the what he wants to believe really exists.We then decided to use the masks in the next performance as they have given everyone something new to work with and that fresh feeling as if were performing the scenes for the first time.
Today's performance went even better than yesterdays, even though we had that boost of confidence from the night before we still had to maintain that discipline and perform just as well, as if we'd never done it before. I think you can really see how much progress each and everyone of us has made and yet you dont even really feel like you have until you look back to where we were at the start of the year to now.
We have all worked really hard to get Faustus to where it is and I am very pleased with how the show turned out and what is has become.
I need to take on board everything I have learned through this whole rehearsal process and apply it to future productions, not doubting my talent and have the confidence to not let it hold me back. I think I know I am good at comedy and that it is something I want to persue in the future but i think it's how the audience will react to me is what holds me back and if they are going to find what I do funny. I know its going to be a continuous battle that I am going to have to deal with for my entire life but that is going to stop me from doing what I love.
Monday, 18 June 2012
Faustus Rehearsal Process June 13th
Wednesday 13th June 2012
Today we had a run through before the actual show, sorting out any last minute problems with blocking, ques and making sure people get into the light while on stage. The run through went well, the only problem really was people were too late coming on with their ques and there were gaps between each scene. So as a scene is just finished and they are exiting the stage, people should be coming on stage for the next scene to keep the pace of the play going.
I then got everyone to quickly top and tail the whole play, just so everyone was clear about where they enter a scene and where they exit. I got everyone to just say their first and last line of text, so we were all clear when to come on stage for the next scene. We managed get that done quickly, as everyone knew where and when to enter and exit from.
We pre set all props for tonights show making sure everything was in place ready to start at 7.30. To fit in with Brechts style of performance we all had white faces, to make us all neutral so the audience look at us as actors, he characters we play and not for what we look like. This ties into his thechnique of breaking the fourth wall, you are able to have that interaction with the audience as they really believe you are that character and not an actor playing one.
I think the performance was really good, it ran smoothly, everyone knew their lines, their ques, the show was a success. The only main critique for us all was to not be afriad of the space, not stepping back out of the light and trying to stay away from the back of the stage. Keeping all the action at the front, having that confidence to be able to own and command the space and making it believable. Letting go and giving it all within a scene, to fully embody a character.
Today we had a run through before the actual show, sorting out any last minute problems with blocking, ques and making sure people get into the light while on stage. The run through went well, the only problem really was people were too late coming on with their ques and there were gaps between each scene. So as a scene is just finished and they are exiting the stage, people should be coming on stage for the next scene to keep the pace of the play going.
I then got everyone to quickly top and tail the whole play, just so everyone was clear about where they enter a scene and where they exit. I got everyone to just say their first and last line of text, so we were all clear when to come on stage for the next scene. We managed get that done quickly, as everyone knew where and when to enter and exit from.
We pre set all props for tonights show making sure everything was in place ready to start at 7.30. To fit in with Brechts style of performance we all had white faces, to make us all neutral so the audience look at us as actors, he characters we play and not for what we look like. This ties into his thechnique of breaking the fourth wall, you are able to have that interaction with the audience as they really believe you are that character and not an actor playing one.
I think the performance was really good, it ran smoothly, everyone knew their lines, their ques, the show was a success. The only main critique for us all was to not be afriad of the space, not stepping back out of the light and trying to stay away from the back of the stage. Keeping all the action at the front, having that confidence to be able to own and command the space and making it believable. Letting go and giving it all within a scene, to fully embody a character.
"A man who strains himself on the stage is bound, if he is any good, to strain all the people sitting in the stalls". Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956), German dramatist, poet. repr. in Brecht on Theatre, pt. 1, ed. and trans. by John Willett (1964). "Emphasis on Sport," Berliner Börsen-Courier (February 6, 1926).
Faustus Rehearsal Process June 12th
Tuesday 12th June 2012
Today we had to run the tech for the show, sorting out lighting, video projection as well as sourcing for any other props needed. We pre set everything ready to do a full run through with costume. We all had to figure out where we could be seen on stage in the light, making sure you had a halo over your face, to know that your face is lit up. We worked on exits and entrances, changing them if they didnt look right or if it didn't make sense for someone to come from a certain door.
Once we did a run through the only thing that really needed to be worked on was the pace of the play, as we get into the second act the play really slows down and peoples energy levels drop. As the first act is quite fast paced you can really tell that theres a drop in energy, whereas there are a few slow moments but they have to be earned from the audience to have those special scenes in there.
I think overall the run through went really well considering the amount of time we have had to put this play together, to learn and understand the text, character development as well as having to take on other peoples parts who weren't present. You can see how much we have grown as performers and that we have really worked together as an ensemble.
I need to now start believing in myself and not doubt my comedic talent and know that I am a good actor and I am good at what i do. My nerves start to show when i am performing and i need to learn to let them go as they will always be there. It's just having the confidence to know i am good but not having the arrogance so that my performance is ruined.
Today we had to run the tech for the show, sorting out lighting, video projection as well as sourcing for any other props needed. We pre set everything ready to do a full run through with costume. We all had to figure out where we could be seen on stage in the light, making sure you had a halo over your face, to know that your face is lit up. We worked on exits and entrances, changing them if they didnt look right or if it didn't make sense for someone to come from a certain door.
Once we did a run through the only thing that really needed to be worked on was the pace of the play, as we get into the second act the play really slows down and peoples energy levels drop. As the first act is quite fast paced you can really tell that theres a drop in energy, whereas there are a few slow moments but they have to be earned from the audience to have those special scenes in there.
I think overall the run through went really well considering the amount of time we have had to put this play together, to learn and understand the text, character development as well as having to take on other peoples parts who weren't present. You can see how much we have grown as performers and that we have really worked together as an ensemble.
I need to now start believing in myself and not doubt my comedic talent and know that I am a good actor and I am good at what i do. My nerves start to show when i am performing and i need to learn to let them go as they will always be there. It's just having the confidence to know i am good but not having the arrogance so that my performance is ruined.
Monday, 11 June 2012
Faustus Rehearsal Process June 11th
Monday 11th June 2012
We ran the entire play to get an estimated running time, with 2 missing from the cast and others reading in for their parts we managed to get a time of 1 hour and 8 minutes. But that is with the play being run at quite a fast pace and people reading in so the blocking in a scene would have not been completely the same. Overall the play ran smoothly, there were hardly any lines that needed prompting, people knew their blocking and when to exactly come on stage for their scene. The run through was a success considering 2 cast members were not present, this just conveys how well we have worked together as an ensemble and that if need be we can rely on each other to fill in the missing gaps.
We then discussed what we were all doing with costumes and props and that they really do need to be rehearsed with as soon as. Also how much it is going to make the play so much better when the real things are there to use and play with instead of going through the motions.
Faustus Rehearsal Process June 8th
Friday 8th june 2012
We went over certain scenes that people just felt needed polishing off and tweaking to see if how they exit looks right, the way they say a certain lines sounds good that way and if the blocking could be changed a tiny bit to fit the scene better. We then just did a complete line run of the entire play with me having the only script to prompt if people needed it, but as we went through it nobody really needed to be given their line so it was a real confidence boost to us all as that was one of the main things people were stressing about. The show itself has really come together over the past few days and you can really tell how the group has come together as a whole to make this performance work and be the best it can be. I am very interested to see how the show is going to look by the end and what the final outcome will be.
Faustus Rehearsal Process June 7th
Thursday 7th june 2012
We were able to get into the theatre space today so it exploring the stage and owning it when you are in a scene. At first the staging area took some getting used to as it is such a smaller scale than to what we have been rehearsing in so it was really about taking control and owning the space. Also we were able to practice our exits and entrances knowing if where we originally wanted to enter or exit the stage from worked or if it needed to be changed. I think we made really good progress today, we focused a lot more on the 2nd act as that was what needed work on the most. I think the main reason behind it was the stress of lines and people worrying whether they remembered them or not. So because people were focusing on trying to get their lines out all character disappeared from the scenes. Everyones energy dropped because of it so the the 2nd act became quite boring and slow paced compared how exciting and energetic the 1st act is. In particular Rosie's and Tim's scene lacked a lot of energy and because they were focused on getting their lines out and rushing them they had forgotten the blocking that i had worked with them on last week. So i gave them the task of running the scene again but this time Rosie was a superhero/ power ranger and Tim really really needed to go to the toilet. I matched that characteristic with their own desires and needs within the scene, so the believability that Rosie really thinks she can be this awesome witch taking on the thought of how superhero's see themselves. Whereas Tim's desperation for the toilet represent how bad he really want that conjuring book. As they went through it, they were thinking more about the personas i ha given them, and the scene was so much more interesting and had a lot more energy, the lines they were struggling with before suddenly flowed though easily. Once we got over that barrier and just let go, the scenes and the text just flowed.
We were able to get into the theatre space today so it exploring the stage and owning it when you are in a scene. At first the staging area took some getting used to as it is such a smaller scale than to what we have been rehearsing in so it was really about taking control and owning the space. Also we were able to practice our exits and entrances knowing if where we originally wanted to enter or exit the stage from worked or if it needed to be changed. I think we made really good progress today, we focused a lot more on the 2nd act as that was what needed work on the most. I think the main reason behind it was the stress of lines and people worrying whether they remembered them or not. So because people were focusing on trying to get their lines out all character disappeared from the scenes. Everyones energy dropped because of it so the the 2nd act became quite boring and slow paced compared how exciting and energetic the 1st act is. In particular Rosie's and Tim's scene lacked a lot of energy and because they were focused on getting their lines out and rushing them they had forgotten the blocking that i had worked with them on last week. So i gave them the task of running the scene again but this time Rosie was a superhero/ power ranger and Tim really really needed to go to the toilet. I matched that characteristic with their own desires and needs within the scene, so the believability that Rosie really thinks she can be this awesome witch taking on the thought of how superhero's see themselves. Whereas Tim's desperation for the toilet represent how bad he really want that conjuring book. As they went through it, they were thinking more about the personas i ha given them, and the scene was so much more interesting and had a lot more energy, the lines they were struggling with before suddenly flowed though easily. Once we got over that barrier and just let go, the scenes and the text just flowed.
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Faustus Rehearsal Process June 1st
Friday 1st June 2012
In the morning we discussed and talked about which scenes in particular people wanted to work on or what scenes they felt they weren't totally happy with. I took charge of blocking all the different scenes that needed work and how to give others creative ideas of how they can explore their character more and let go in the scenes to give it real texture and believability. A scene in particular was the 2nd Robin and Dick scenes, as i had already blocked the first scene it was a lot easier for me as i knew the direction the characters were going in and what the relationships are like. It was interesting for me being assistant director because as everyone in the group saw how i was as a director they really began trusting my ideas and wanting to know my opinions on what do in a particular scene and how i could make it better. I had a lot of positive feedback which was really nice and encouraging to hear, as it let me know that what i was doing was good and had an effect on them. I really wanted everyone to just let go and really play on their sins and characters, going full pelt and really committing to what they were doing. Also really pushing them and making them feel out of their comfort zone to produce something that they didn't think they could do in the beginning. I think it has really helped me grow and explore my creativity more as a director and not only think about the technical side of acting in a scene, i.e. back to the audience, projection but to have a different out look altogether. Not just how i see the scene, and what i want to get out of it, but what the audience will think and what they have to gain from the experience.
In the morning we discussed and talked about which scenes in particular people wanted to work on or what scenes they felt they weren't totally happy with. I took charge of blocking all the different scenes that needed work and how to give others creative ideas of how they can explore their character more and let go in the scenes to give it real texture and believability. A scene in particular was the 2nd Robin and Dick scenes, as i had already blocked the first scene it was a lot easier for me as i knew the direction the characters were going in and what the relationships are like. It was interesting for me being assistant director because as everyone in the group saw how i was as a director they really began trusting my ideas and wanting to know my opinions on what do in a particular scene and how i could make it better. I had a lot of positive feedback which was really nice and encouraging to hear, as it let me know that what i was doing was good and had an effect on them. I really wanted everyone to just let go and really play on their sins and characters, going full pelt and really committing to what they were doing. Also really pushing them and making them feel out of their comfort zone to produce something that they didn't think they could do in the beginning. I think it has really helped me grow and explore my creativity more as a director and not only think about the technical side of acting in a scene, i.e. back to the audience, projection but to have a different out look altogether. Not just how i see the scene, and what i want to get out of it, but what the audience will think and what they have to gain from the experience.
Faustus Rehearsal Process May 31st
Thursday 31st May 2012
First we went over ay scenes that needed work on, as assistant director I had to watch over each scene and blocked a few scenes myself, in particular the Dick and Robin scenes with Rosie and Tim. First i got them to run the scene how they had been rehearsing it so i could see what goes on, then questioned them on their relationship between the two of them and what they are trying to achieve in this particular scene. Focusing on each others characteristics and how they would move, speak and react to on another. Just making them build it even more each time i got them to run it. I always tried to make sure i thought about the audiences perspective and how they would see it, and if they can understand whats going on.
We then had a full run through of the play, The first act went really well, there was smooth transitions between each scene, most were off script completely so character was able to come through and everyones energy was up. But as it got to the second act, he energy just dropped, and the pacing of scenes slowed down as this act hasn't been rehearsed as much as the first. Some were still using the script so there was limitations with peoples movement so character wasn't as much as in the beginning. Overall i think the run through went pretty good considering it was our first one, i think everyone just needs to remember to build the energy each time they're on stage and not to let it drop because that is when the audience will lose interest. I think that the play is going to be really good and interesting to see what the final product is, from when we first started rehearsals. You can see how much we have grown as an ensemble and that we are starting to take the initiative to better ourselves and work together the way a professional cast would.
First we went over ay scenes that needed work on, as assistant director I had to watch over each scene and blocked a few scenes myself, in particular the Dick and Robin scenes with Rosie and Tim. First i got them to run the scene how they had been rehearsing it so i could see what goes on, then questioned them on their relationship between the two of them and what they are trying to achieve in this particular scene. Focusing on each others characteristics and how they would move, speak and react to on another. Just making them build it even more each time i got them to run it. I always tried to make sure i thought about the audiences perspective and how they would see it, and if they can understand whats going on.
We then had a full run through of the play, The first act went really well, there was smooth transitions between each scene, most were off script completely so character was able to come through and everyones energy was up. But as it got to the second act, he energy just dropped, and the pacing of scenes slowed down as this act hasn't been rehearsed as much as the first. Some were still using the script so there was limitations with peoples movement so character wasn't as much as in the beginning. Overall i think the run through went pretty good considering it was our first one, i think everyone just needs to remember to build the energy each time they're on stage and not to let it drop because that is when the audience will lose interest. I think that the play is going to be really good and interesting to see what the final product is, from when we first started rehearsals. You can see how much we have grown as an ensemble and that we are starting to take the initiative to better ourselves and work together the way a professional cast would.
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