Today we started working on DFTA, looking into it and blocking it. We started the lesson by discussing the meaning of circus and is it still entertaining. Circus is a group of acts trying to make you laugh and entertain you. It involves various types of acts, mainly acrobatic Rachel then asked us if we found it entertaining or not and we split into two groups. I don't think circus is that entertaining because I think its just a load of people dancing and playing tricks with a bit of music in the background. I think its almost like watching the gymnastics in the Olympics but with music. We then argued whether its popular or not. My group thought it was very unpopular, because in the UK you don't hear of many circus acts, and they are meant to be for families and children, but when people talk about circus's we associate them with clowns and clowns are very scary, so children may not go to watch them.
Traditional circus mainly involve clowns and animal taming. Clowns were a lot more associated with circus's than they are now. Nowadays there is a lot more movement and dance involved in the act. Also you have people risking their lives to entertain you nowadays. This was apart of the argument we had earlier in the lesson. The people who were fore circus's said that one of the reasons they thought circus's were entertaining because people are risking their own lives and people like the idea of this, as it brings people in to see whether they will succeed or fail. Plus its the excitement of seeing someone in danger or hurting themselves.
Their also use to be something called 'freak shows'. These are similar to circus acts, except their not like your traditional circus's with clowns and acrabatics. Instead the use people with disabilities or someone who has something abnormally wrong with their body. These sort of acts had appeared in travelling fairs in England since the 1600s. These included dwarfs, fat people, very thin, giants, and conjoined twins. Freak shows were very popular in the victorian times, when people from all different classes gathered to see these unusal humans. They would make their money by not showing the audience any of the performers in the flesh, until they paid money to come and see these abnoramal people everyone had been talking about. The advetisers of these shows often aroused the curosity of the audience, to know how these people gained these abnormal things and reinvented their life stories through the show.
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
10.01.13 - Musical Theatre
In yesterdays lesson with Rachel we looked at DFTA and did a quick run through of it, so in todays lesson we did a quick run through of WWRY too. Rachel put us in to groups and I was with Dylan, Elle and Amy. We all decided to incorperate the songs into it, but instead of singing them we said them.
It was key to just pick out the main bits of the story, and make sure to have a clear beginning, middle and end. The beginning was about Galieo wanting to find the music, so we incorperated the first couple of songs in the beginning. Then we needed a middle, so we thought this probably when Brit and Meat come in and the end would be Galieo finally find the music. I found it pretty easy to do a quick run through and a lot more helpful, because through this I got a better understanding of the play. Also by watching the other groups too, it helped me a lot.
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
09.01.13 - Musical Theatre - DFTA
We started Dont Feed The Animals Today(DFTA)
I missed the first part of the lesson where they had to do a speed run of DFTA and pick out the main factors of the play. But I got to the lesson in time to watch them, so that was helpful to see what everyone did. After that Rachel put us into a few new groups and we had to speak about gangs and personal experience with gangs, or if you've ever been in involved in a gang. Rachel gave us some of examples of what to talk about and that made me remember a few things. I remembered the time where there were about 20 of us chilling out and goring gap and we had a bbq and played football and various games and we stayed there until midnight. Even though its not a stereotypical gang story, it still involved more than 4 people.
I was with Dylan, Amber and Amy. We went with Dylans story, which was about the time him and Josh were getting on the train and they were laughing about something before they got on a bus and they couldn't help it. So when they sat down they were still laughing and then a old lady kept turning around eventually told them to shut up and stop making so much noise.
We all thought this was a good story to use so me and Dylan said we'd play the two people getting on the bus and Amber said she will play the old women on the bus. We then needed a part for Amy, so thought she could a middle aged women on the bus telling the old lady that they are not doing anything wrong. We went through it a few times and it worked really well. We added our own bits to it. Me and Dylan mentioned that we were laughing about something, but we weren't given it away to the audience. So it would look even funnier to the audience, as its meant to be a funny story anyway.
Previous Blog:
- challenges of touring TIE(3)
- props/costume
-space
-music (research in touring) stage website
-behaviour
Stimulus - your starting point
- could talk about: frantic assembly, the bus scene, michael lee.
Next Blog:
- blog project purposal
1. Skills audit - write details backing up your order: (why are they in that order)
1. Dancing: - I've chosen dancing as my strongest, because I've been dancing since I was younger, so I'm well experienced
2. Acting - Ive chosen Acting next as I think I'm fairly strong at it, and I did a lot of Acting throughtout my school life.
3. Singing - I chose singing as my weakest as I'm not a very confident, loud singer. I can sing in tune, but I wouldn't say I'm powerful and definitely not as confident as I'am with Dancing and Acting.
2. Early Reactions to casting, script and character:
My early reactions to the play were good. I really liked the sound of it and it sounded like a lot of fun as it was to do with the circus. My first thoughts on my character were that I think this could be quite easy. I'm Gang 4, I don't actually have a character. My fellow Gang members are Lauren, Amber and Charlotte. My reaction to the script was quite good in a way because I noticed I didn't have that many lines, so I can learn my lines quickly and then focus really well on my character. I also was a bit disappointed with getting a really small part, but Rachel gave me a really good part for WWRY, so she's made it equal for everyone.
3. Production - Role - Costume:
My costume is very easy to do, because we are all school children on the bunk. I can make my outfit a little bit more chavvy too, as I'm in a gang of four. I could think about wearing a hoodie, and not typical school shoes, so its shows that I'm a little bit rebellious.
I missed the first part of the lesson where they had to do a speed run of DFTA and pick out the main factors of the play. But I got to the lesson in time to watch them, so that was helpful to see what everyone did. After that Rachel put us into a few new groups and we had to speak about gangs and personal experience with gangs, or if you've ever been in involved in a gang. Rachel gave us some of examples of what to talk about and that made me remember a few things. I remembered the time where there were about 20 of us chilling out and goring gap and we had a bbq and played football and various games and we stayed there until midnight. Even though its not a stereotypical gang story, it still involved more than 4 people.
I was with Dylan, Amber and Amy. We went with Dylans story, which was about the time him and Josh were getting on the train and they were laughing about something before they got on a bus and they couldn't help it. So when they sat down they were still laughing and then a old lady kept turning around eventually told them to shut up and stop making so much noise.
We all thought this was a good story to use so me and Dylan said we'd play the two people getting on the bus and Amber said she will play the old women on the bus. We then needed a part for Amy, so thought she could a middle aged women on the bus telling the old lady that they are not doing anything wrong. We went through it a few times and it worked really well. We added our own bits to it. Me and Dylan mentioned that we were laughing about something, but we weren't given it away to the audience. So it would look even funnier to the audience, as its meant to be a funny story anyway.
Previous Blog:
- challenges of touring TIE(3)
- props/costume
-space
-music (research in touring) stage website
-behaviour
Stimulus - your starting point
- could talk about: frantic assembly, the bus scene, michael lee.
Next Blog:
- blog project purposal
1. Skills audit - write details backing up your order: (why are they in that order)
1. Dancing: - I've chosen dancing as my strongest, because I've been dancing since I was younger, so I'm well experienced
2. Acting - Ive chosen Acting next as I think I'm fairly strong at it, and I did a lot of Acting throughtout my school life.
3. Singing - I chose singing as my weakest as I'm not a very confident, loud singer. I can sing in tune, but I wouldn't say I'm powerful and definitely not as confident as I'am with Dancing and Acting.
2. Early Reactions to casting, script and character:
My early reactions to the play were good. I really liked the sound of it and it sounded like a lot of fun as it was to do with the circus. My first thoughts on my character were that I think this could be quite easy. I'm Gang 4, I don't actually have a character. My fellow Gang members are Lauren, Amber and Charlotte. My reaction to the script was quite good in a way because I noticed I didn't have that many lines, so I can learn my lines quickly and then focus really well on my character. I also was a bit disappointed with getting a really small part, but Rachel gave me a really good part for WWRY, so she's made it equal for everyone.
3. Production - Role - Costume:
My costume is very easy to do, because we are all school children on the bunk. I can make my outfit a little bit more chavvy too, as I'm in a gang of four. I could think about wearing a hoodie, and not typical school shoes, so its shows that I'm a little bit rebellious.
Monday, 7 January 2013
07.01.13 - Chicago and Street Dance Review
Chicago:
Today we are watching our final Street Dance and Chicago performances.
Blog - Dance and Music
(refer to master dvd)
Identification: I am the one wearing a lacey top, with medium sized sleeves, I have my hair in a quiff and I was on the far right handside, second in. - 'Cell Block Tango'
Cell Block Tango:
Cell Block Tango was the main dance I was in and felt like I could show off my dancing a lot more. Throughtout the rehearsal process I got into more and more, every time we did it. I got more and more angry when we did too. Throughtout my performance I felt I was really loud when I had to speak and sing. In the rehearsal process I didn't sound very loud, but when it got to the performance it we had mics but as my confidence grew each time I did it, I was very loud and confident in the show. I thought mine and Dylans separate choreography went really well and was really effective with the red cloth. I also thought my timing was good and I had very strong posture and arms, when I was dancing. I had to make sure my arms were sharp and it was a very sharp piece of music and very fast too. My characterisation was very good. I looked very angry as my character was meant to be angry, as from my speaking part you could tell my husband had cheated on me. Overall I was extremely happy with this performance.
(refer to master dvd)
Identification: I was in the third group from the left.
Razzle Dazzle:
In the rearhsal process this was probably the last one we choreographed and in so little time, as we were running out of time. We literally had 45 minutes to quickly choreograph it. So this may be why this one was a bit sloppy in the middle, in the performance. Thankfully, it got a lot better towards the end and ended up pulling through. Mine and Emily's leg movements were in time with music which worked very well and we didn't bump into each other either, like we did in rehearsals a few times. Tableaux was really good and they were very strong and held nicely. Also the finger clicks had to be sharp and they looked very sharp throughout. Overall it didn't go to bad, but it could of possibly gone a bit better at the beginning and been a lot less sloppy and less out of time. I feel this happened because lack of time we had choreographing it with Sam.
(Tableaux - means a still picture, with a form of fosse movements.)
All That Jazz:
Identification: I was in the second row, far right, next to Dylan.
I felt this dance was my second best, as it had really sharp movements and I had very good posture when it was needed. I also had a lot of fun in this one, as I got to play a sexy lady andhad to look sexy when doing these moves. My arms were very strong throughout it and I was in time a lot. I think I maybe could of improved on the turning bit towards the end.Overall I felt it was a very good performance, but maybe I could projected my voice a bit more when we had to sing.
Dance Show:
Identification: I wore a blue jumper and black leggings and I was the first person to start off the dance, being centre stage.
Rehearsal for Street Dance:
The Song: Usher - Scream
In the rehearsal video the timing looked really good, as we worked really together as a team. We always helped each other out, to the best of their abilitys. I thought I could smile a lot more, as it's meant to be a cheery, upbeat song. Overall I think working well as a team in rehearsals was good and it was a very strong performance from us all.
Final Street Dance Performance:
Identification: blue jumper - the one who started the dance off and was already on stage when the music began.
Unfortunately we ended up only having 4 people in our street dance routine, which was really annoying as we were suppose to have 6. It didn't affect the final performance that much, as we were able to practise a few times without them in it and it still worked really well and fitted well with all of them timings. The performance started off really strong. It was important for me to start the performance of strong, as I was first on, already centre stage. Also I had to remember to smile, which I did. My arms were strong throughout the peroformance and I had good sharp movements. Overall we pulled together well as a 4, and I felt like it went perfectly and there weren't any flaws. I'm a street dancer, so I felt extra confident doing it.
All That Jazz Final Performance:
Identification: black long sleeved top, with leggings and new yorkers. On the far right hand side, second row back, nearest to the middle. Hair was also in a mini type quiff.
This performance also went very well. It wasn't the final performance of 'All That Jazz', as this was only for the dance show, not Chicago. So I didn't have a very good costume to wear for this one. Although it wasn't exactly our show, didn't mean I shouldn't of not out any effort in. I still did the best I could do. I had strong arms throughtout he performance which was important. I also lookedvery confident and confidence is defnitely key. I had a good posture and sharp movements when they were needed. Overall I think it went really well and siked me up for the doing it our Chicago performance. I gained alot more confidence and felt I can do even better in the Chicago one.
Overall I think I did really well in all of my performances and I felt very confident throughout. My timing was good and I had strong sharp movements in there. I wanted to make sure I did my best in 'Cell Block Tango' as that was my main role, playing six. I felt like it was my best performance as I showed really good characterisation and dancing. Plus I enjoyed it the most of all the others as it was the most energetic and had more dancing and moving around in.
Today we are watching our final Street Dance and Chicago performances.
Blog - Dance and Music
(refer to master dvd)
Identification: I am the one wearing a lacey top, with medium sized sleeves, I have my hair in a quiff and I was on the far right handside, second in. - 'Cell Block Tango'
Cell Block Tango:
Cell Block Tango was the main dance I was in and felt like I could show off my dancing a lot more. Throughtout the rehearsal process I got into more and more, every time we did it. I got more and more angry when we did too. Throughtout my performance I felt I was really loud when I had to speak and sing. In the rehearsal process I didn't sound very loud, but when it got to the performance it we had mics but as my confidence grew each time I did it, I was very loud and confident in the show. I thought mine and Dylans separate choreography went really well and was really effective with the red cloth. I also thought my timing was good and I had very strong posture and arms, when I was dancing. I had to make sure my arms were sharp and it was a very sharp piece of music and very fast too. My characterisation was very good. I looked very angry as my character was meant to be angry, as from my speaking part you could tell my husband had cheated on me. Overall I was extremely happy with this performance.
(refer to master dvd)
Identification: I was in the third group from the left.
Razzle Dazzle:
In the rearhsal process this was probably the last one we choreographed and in so little time, as we were running out of time. We literally had 45 minutes to quickly choreograph it. So this may be why this one was a bit sloppy in the middle, in the performance. Thankfully, it got a lot better towards the end and ended up pulling through. Mine and Emily's leg movements were in time with music which worked very well and we didn't bump into each other either, like we did in rehearsals a few times. Tableaux was really good and they were very strong and held nicely. Also the finger clicks had to be sharp and they looked very sharp throughout. Overall it didn't go to bad, but it could of possibly gone a bit better at the beginning and been a lot less sloppy and less out of time. I feel this happened because lack of time we had choreographing it with Sam.
(Tableaux - means a still picture, with a form of fosse movements.)
All That Jazz:
Identification: I was in the second row, far right, next to Dylan.
I felt this dance was my second best, as it had really sharp movements and I had very good posture when it was needed. I also had a lot of fun in this one, as I got to play a sexy lady andhad to look sexy when doing these moves. My arms were very strong throughout it and I was in time a lot. I think I maybe could of improved on the turning bit towards the end.Overall I felt it was a very good performance, but maybe I could projected my voice a bit more when we had to sing.
Dance Show:
Identification: I wore a blue jumper and black leggings and I was the first person to start off the dance, being centre stage.
Rehearsal for Street Dance:
The Song: Usher - Scream
In the rehearsal video the timing looked really good, as we worked really together as a team. We always helped each other out, to the best of their abilitys. I thought I could smile a lot more, as it's meant to be a cheery, upbeat song. Overall I think working well as a team in rehearsals was good and it was a very strong performance from us all.
Final Street Dance Performance:
Identification: blue jumper - the one who started the dance off and was already on stage when the music began.
Unfortunately we ended up only having 4 people in our street dance routine, which was really annoying as we were suppose to have 6. It didn't affect the final performance that much, as we were able to practise a few times without them in it and it still worked really well and fitted well with all of them timings. The performance started off really strong. It was important for me to start the performance of strong, as I was first on, already centre stage. Also I had to remember to smile, which I did. My arms were strong throughout the peroformance and I had good sharp movements. Overall we pulled together well as a 4, and I felt like it went perfectly and there weren't any flaws. I'm a street dancer, so I felt extra confident doing it.
All That Jazz Final Performance:
Identification: black long sleeved top, with leggings and new yorkers. On the far right hand side, second row back, nearest to the middle. Hair was also in a mini type quiff.
This performance also went very well. It wasn't the final performance of 'All That Jazz', as this was only for the dance show, not Chicago. So I didn't have a very good costume to wear for this one. Although it wasn't exactly our show, didn't mean I shouldn't of not out any effort in. I still did the best I could do. I had strong arms throughtout he performance which was important. I also lookedvery confident and confidence is defnitely key. I had a good posture and sharp movements when they were needed. Overall I think it went really well and siked me up for the doing it our Chicago performance. I gained alot more confidence and felt I can do even better in the Chicago one.
Overall I think I did really well in all of my performances and I felt very confident throughout. My timing was good and I had strong sharp movements in there. I wanted to make sure I did my best in 'Cell Block Tango' as that was my main role, playing six. I felt like it was my best performance as I showed really good characterisation and dancing. Plus I enjoyed it the most of all the others as it was the most energetic and had more dancing and moving around in.
Thursday, 3 January 2013
03.01.13 - Singing
It's our first lesson back after the Christmas half term and Lena has told us about what our main tasks of this term will be. We need to make sure have all of our 3 songs, and start getting them together and choosing them and practising them. The need to involve characterisation in them, and you have to at least have one solo and one duet. She said we also have to do a practice routine. Then the last thing she said was that we will be doing the singing back phrase tasks. She said that there will be 3 milestones for them, where we can show Lena what we have so far in milestone 1 and 2. Then in the final milestone we will record them and be graded for them. Lena said she will help us with all of them, especially with the singing back phrases and she knew that would be the most trickiest.
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