The beginning:
Today was the first day of term, at least for me, as my previous class started two weeks ago. I begin a new journey as I have ascended to Undergraduate level a year earlier than planned. It was not all new faces, I am familiar with most of the students and of course spent last term working under Sonia's tutor ledge. Sonia was also influential in my initially decision to begin studying Performing Arts last year. The class was introduced to the schedule for the year and broke down into various elements. It felt good to be back in my spiritual home and felt I settled into the class much easier than last year. It helps that I have gained more confidence generally, but also in performing. I have knowledge of styles and practices and I am more open than when I started last year. It also helps the other students are older, the group is smaller and fully integrated.
This term we are to focus on building our portfolio using a website (this website) and use it to track our progress through the term. We are to also look at our physical strengths and weaknesses. Later down the road, we have been provided options to choose from. I am looking to study TV + Film and also Vocal Repertoire. These are the most appealing options at this time and encourage me to work on my versatility. There are other interesting options, such as choreography, voice acting, costume and makeup. There is still time to change my mind.
The first project for this term, that has deadline of Nov 5th, is to create a 'fright fest' style performance named 'Spooktacular Fright Festival', where we aim to scare visitors and raise money for charity. After Sonia's introduction for the term, the class settled into discussing ideas for the performance. Devising is an important element of this term, so analysis into the process must be undertaken. I need research devising techniques, as different techniques provide can different results and can be used to create new and original performances.
A bulk of the discussion is found in the video links. Jess took on the responsibility of recording and sharing the discussion. Jess is like the leader in leader in the group and I appreciate being able to work with someone who takes on that responsibility. However, I will also need to keep track of my own progress through the term via video recording and notes.
From this discussion, we have determined that our primary theme will be an old circus from 1920's era. We choose this because of the style of that era such as posters, but also technology from that time. The group was unanimous in this decision and mostly came from the devising our individual performances When combined or tweaked, a circus theme was an obvious choice. During this time, 'The (not so) Great War' had only recently ceased and the decade would end with 'The (not so) Great Depression' which adds background to the story.
Even though the mind storm was a fast process, I was able to contribute some ideas. My best idea relates to the plant, where her death is shown as CCTV footage on a monitor. As she as plant, we hope that the other visitors will unaware and this footage could potentially disturb them and play with their minds. Even though I wasn't on the ball, I was supportive of other students ideas and also had similar ideas of my own.
Maddi: 'The Plant'. Maddi will act as an imposter amongst the visiting public. She can react at will, not needing perks which can be used to distract and alarm the other visitors. We also aim to record a death scene, where she is mutilated and this video can be played after Maddi has been taken. A video avoids the need to redo makeup, which allows quick turn around and potential for a detailed and graphical murder.
Riley: 'The Tall Guy'. Riley will make use of his unique talent to ask like a spooky caretaker who sneaks around, peaking out of no-where, reaching at people, asking people not to litter. He will be like a floater, who has freedom to move around and cause mischief.
Matt: 'The creepy child'. Matt will play a lost child who died in the circus. He initially appears normal and then puts on gas mask later in the performance. He speaks in a creepy, child-like tone and its very effective.
Jamie: 'The Ring Master'. Jamie will play ring master. He responsible for opening the circus, introducing the guests and taken them on a tour of the circus. He will be either 'undead' or 'mechanical' in makeup.
Connor: Monster. Connor will transform into a monster. The monster will possibly be animal/human hybrid, or beast man.
Jessy: 'Zoltar' Jessy will play the role of a 'prophetron'. She will initially act like a machine, but when a visitor approaches, she will come to life. Jess will
JB: Mirrow Man. I will play someone who is trapped in a mirror. Lighting will be used to turn the mirror transparent as a visitor studies the mirror.
Each character idea is currently only a rough guide the final decision. We will finalise our characters over the next few classes.
Comments