Returned to college after half term. I was able to study and work on my performance despite suffering with mild flu/cold symptoms at the beginning and a migraine towards the end. In class, Connor and I were able to set up most of the performance. We needed to adjust the set slightly towards the main door. To rectify this in future, we have marked out 'anchor' pieces with tape. Therefore, we will be able to place some pieces into place and more efficiently build the rest of the set around it. This is a key part of devising, the processes and systems developed in production are just as fundamental as development of the story and characters. After we had set up, the class got into costume and makeup to be ready for the test audience (Level 2 Performing Arts class + staff + V(I)P). This can be challenging for me, due to all the ropes, but I have a system of entanglement in place. Clothes, Blue rope (starts at neck, left arm, body, right arm), white rope (doubled up, starts at waist), makeup, hair, chains. Due to time commitments, I needed to do my own makeup. I had a rough idea of how to achieve this. Solid Black paint for eyes and details such as lines, around the nose and inside the ears. Dabbed white over for contrast and blending. Used black and blue faint for further detail and contrast. Overall this process was effective and efficient, taking roughly 15-20mins and achieving a dead look. This is useful knowledge, as I now know exactly how to apply the makeup and also how long it takes. The makeup does not need to be perfect or have any extra details (exposed teeth), as the hair, visibility and length of performance make it unnecessary. In full costume and makeup, I was even able to freak out the other performers.
By 11, I was ready to perform and the test audience knocked on the door. Jamie introduced the visitors to the performance and he got in an early scare. He used acting and storytelling to draw the audience into the performance and create layers of tension. His micro interactions with the visitors also created additional scares and contributed to the performance. It helped keep the visitors on edge and I think overall, he stayed in character throughout and brought the individual performances together. Jess used mystery to create suspense and when it came to my performance I delayed the jump for as long as possible, until I felt Jamie had provided enough details and it was the right time to react. I do not know what I said, I think I made only loud noise, but it was effective at producing some good jumps. I also added some bursts of aggression and push my face close to the screen to be creepy on top of intimidating. I also overheard some positive comments from the visitors during my individual performance. I was also able to achieve some additional scares whilst the visitors were passing through the tunnel, waiting for the right moment to pounce. I believe my performance was effective and also each students individual performance contributed to the whole. I sat and listened for the rest of the performance and laughed with Sonia at some of the scares. I believe some performances could still be improved but overall, it worked. The visitors were then able to provide positive feedback to Sonia in regards to the performance. It would be useful send a survey out in order to receive anonymous critical analysis before Friday, but I'm not sure it will be possible in a short amount of time. The audience reaction is also a good indicator of the effectiveness of the performance. There are still some tweaks to make, such as areas that had not been covered and performers being visible. This made be dome via lighting or barrier. Riley was unable to activate the confetti canon, possible due to a manufacturing flaw. For the final performance, a 2nd canon should be made available for Riley if the first one fails. I will need to make some minor adjustments to my personal performance, but these are mainly for my own convenience and to ensure no mishaps such as hair sticking to the Velcro or chains caught in netting. I am mostly happy with my overall performance and the work I have produced. During the final performance, I will try and add some dialogue, but it will have to be general script such as "free me", rather than targeted "mmm blondes, my favourite flavour", due to visibility issues. I enjoyed the whole process and feel sad it is coming to an end. I don't want it to end. I enjoy this style, not just devising, but also 'fright mare'. It's possible that in future I can work in a fright mare shows to generate an income and continue to practice. I like my act, I would recreate it in an alternative performance if possible. This could be producing my own fright mare shows, which could become an alternative (non-alcohol) Friday/Saturday night activity. I can also expand the character, turn the character into his own story. I can escape the circus and unleash terror upon the earth, and go deeper into the backstory. The costume is intimidating and the movements can be expanded upon using devising workshops such as the Le Coqs, 'Seven levels of tension' or Labens 'Eight Efforts'. The workshops used in fright mare such as the human/animal scale, or any contrasting scales of movement are useful for developing movement and harnessing energies for performances.
I also feel that I have able to manage my energies through performance, using, conserving, or drawing upon varying energies as and when required. It has contributed to my mental well-being more than any psychological therapy.
Comments