Unit 3: Romey & J (Blog 6) - Final Reflection

ROUGH DRAFT -  

        For my rough draft performance, I practised ad tried to memorize my lines but I only managed to memorize the first page of my act. (Which was act 2, scene 5- the Lady Capulet and Juliet scene about marriage) I think I prepared for my rough draft at an okay level, I could have done better, and I can improve on my time management and memorized my lines a lot better.  

       There are a few elements in my performance that needs work such as memorizing my lines, stuttering, speaking clearing and projection. I could have done a lot better on those things if I practised more. For my rough draft performance there was barely an audience, so I don't know if they understood what the scene I performed was about, but I think they understood the basic concept about the scene. (Marriage) 

        To improve for my final performance, I worked on my projection and articulation and I tried to memorize most of my lines. I also working on blocking my script and practised my lines with emotion. My character was Lady Capulet so I had to talk like a strict mother, so I had to practice that. 

FINAL DRAFT-

       I did feel like my final draft was an improvement from my rough draft because I felt like I knew what I was doing, even though I didn't memorize all my lines, but I did feel like I knew what I was supposed to do, I knew where to stand at specific times during my performance, I also felt like I improved my facial expressions.

        I was told to improve my transitions between emotions such as anger and happiness, I also needed to act like I had lots of authority and I had to be more convincing about having revenge on Romeo, I had to be a lot more "mother-like" because Lady Capulet was supposed to be comforting Juliet by telling her Romeo would be killed, and I was also told to memorize my lines.

       For my final draft, I worked on projection and articulation because speaking Shakespearean language is hard to pronounce and sometimes it is hard to understand- from an audience point of view. I think I did better this time for making it more clear that I was Lady Capulet because I tried to look like I had authority and I was Juliet's mother. I feel that I did meet the circumstances better than my rough draft, because this time I had improvements and feedback to look at. 

FINAL REFLECTION-

     During this unit of Romeo and Juliet, I feel like I understand the whole concept of "Tragic Love" a lot better, because I had the actors perspective when I had to perform a scene from Romeo and Juliet. I understand the characters and plot lines a lot more and it is easier to talk about Romeo and Juliet while acting out the scene when you actually understand what it is about. I do appreciate the actors/actresses that have to act out Romeo and Juliet, because it is really fun to recite Shakespearean language. Even though it is a lot of hard work and a lot of effort to put into memorizing lines, and blocking in scenes and staging, it is really fun in the end.

       There are a lot of acting skills that I have learned from this unit such as time management, learning lines, learning staging and blocking, taking rehearsals seriously, and performing really well. I think that using all those skills will really help in making a good performance, because you need preparation, managing your time well, and rehearsals to make a satisfactory performance. I also think researching the topic is a good skill to help with a performance, because you need to know what you are acting, and knowing the general plot line of the topic. 

Unit 3: Romey & J (Blog 4)

I would like to perform the balcony scene from Romeo And Juliet because it is such a nice scene. I really like the scene because the script and the poetry is really nice. I really like how Juliet longs for Romeo, and Romeo longs for Juliet, and how Romeo goes and finds Juliet and listens to her reciting poetry about him.

For the balcony scene I would use dim lighting because it's at night and it's more romantic. In the background of the scene, I would have soft, classical music playing. I would have followspots  on Romeo and Juliet as the scene is happening. I would rather keep the actual script as it is; original and not change anything. I would keep the costumes original; like clothing from the olden days.

I would give myself the role of the nurse or Juliet because Juliet's lines are romantic and slightly romantic, and the nurse's lines are funny. I would also cast Kheilah as Juliet because Kheilah has Juliet's "Sweet and innocent" look, and I think that Kheilah could pull off the whole "Juliet" look.

Romeo and Juliet blog entry 3

In class, we have watched the 2 videos of reduced Shakespeare. They were basically a shortened version of Romeo and Juliet. They were quite funny and were performed really well.

There were many elements involved in the 2 videos such as they were both performed on stage, as it was a stage performance and plays are usually performed on stage. Due to the fact that female actors were not allowed to perform in these Shakespearean plays, only male actors performed in both of the videos. The setting was very simple, which is common with plays as such, so there was not many bright lights, not many light and sound changes, and the script was the actors reciting Shakespeare.
The script was also quite modern, but they continued to recite Shakespeare's poetry on Romeo and Juliet.

All in all, the performances of both videos imitated Shakespeare's version of Romeo and Juliet very well. There were sufficient amount of "Shakespeare" in it, and the actors acted very well. 

Unit 3: Romey & J - Baz Luhrmann (Blog Entry 2)

I think that the Baz Luhrmann version of Romeo And Juliet is a lot different from the other versions. I think he wanted to modernize the whole concept of Romeo and Juliet. The movie is set in modern time. The characters used in the film was also very modern, but they still used some of Shakespeare's lines of poetry from the original. I think Shakespeare would have liked some parts of the movie, but most of the parts were really 'different' from the original. Although I do think the story line was somewhat similar, and I think Shakespeare would appreciate that. Even though they changed the script to fit the modern world, they still used sufficient amounts of Shakespeare's poetry. I think that some of the characters that they created were very different in a bad way such as Mercutio. I don't think Shakespeare would like Mercutio dressed up in a silver skirt and top with heels and red lipstick, but nevertheless I think that the concept of the modern day version of the star crossed lovers was well imitated.

Unit 3- Romey & J

Commedia:  

-In Commedia they use gromalot.

-Women were allowed to participate in the plays. 

-They used stock characters.

-Most of the scripts were improvised 

-Regularly wore masks. 

-Performed anywhere (found places) 

-The 16th century 

Shakespearean:

-In Shakespearean theater they spoke in English.

-No women in the play.

-Different characters for each play they performed

-Written scripts for play 

-Performed in the Globe Theater. 

-The 17th century 

-Usually performed tragedies.

Similarities: 

-Everyone was involved.

-Everyone of all class could afford and watch the plays.

-Were thought of as devil worshipers mainly by the church. 

-Performed during the day because they couldn't afford candles.

-Broke the fourth wall.

-They both performed in troops of paid actors.

Unit 2: (BLOG) Commedia dell'Arte Final Performance Task Rough Draft Reflection

Part 1: Evaluate your own performance using the language found on the performance rubric and Crit B descriptors. 
-What did you do well?  I think I that I used enough movement and language.
-What did feedback did you receive? What do you need to improve?  I think that I need to improve on eye contact with the audience and I think I need to improve more on not laughing and staying in character.
-What specific things will you do to improve before performance? I'll improve on keeping my character and maintaining eye contact with the audience. 

Part 2: Evaluate another group's rough draft (someone who didn't do as well as you) using the language found on the performance rubric and Crit B descriptors. 
-What did they do well? 
-What feedback would you give them? 
-What specific things could they do to improve before performance?

Part 3: Evaluate another group's rough draft (someone who you think performed better than you) using the language found on the performance rubric and Crit B descriptors. 
-What did they do well? 
-What feedback would you give them? 
-What specific things could they do to improve before performance?

Unit 2: Commedia dell'Arte Summative Performance Task 9-- Emotion & Language

In class, we were put into groups to experiment with the emotion, expression, and language of commedia dell'arte. I was grouped with Ayasha and kheilah because we chose contrasting characters. we came up with a few scenes to perform that had similar ideas but were slightly different. I was the first actress and Kheilah was my servant, and Ayasha was Brighella. we settled for a scene that showed all three aspects of Commedia Dell'Arte. In the scene the first actress gets engaged, the servant comes in and admires the ring, Brighella comes in and kisses the first actresses hand and steals the ring. The first actress faints and the servant is left to find the ring. Once the ring is found the scene ends.  

Commedia'del arte task 7

Part one
What choices did you make for your rough draft performance? -The choices I made for my rough draft was that I added more hand movements.

How much time did you spend practicing for your performance? - I spent a few minutes everyday practicing my performance.

What specific feedback did you get from your Rough Draft performance? - The feedback that I got for my rough draft was that I should use more hip movements and that I should really exaggerate my movements. 

What did you choose to change for your Final Performance? - I chose to change the amount of movement to use for my hip movements.

How did you feel your Final performance went? - I feel like my final performance didn't go as well as I expected to go, I feel like I could stay in character and not laugh as much.

What specific feedback did you get? -I think it was to exaggerate my movements and to stay in character.

What score would you give your performance out of 10 using Criteria B descriptors? Explain why.
I would probably give myself a 6 or a 7 because I used a lot of ideas and I worked hard on my performance. I feel like I did a satisfactory performance but I think I can improve on a few things.

Part two

Pick someone who's character is completely opposite than the one you chose. -
Abrar, because he was Harlequino  is a lot different to Brighella.
Evaluate their character based on what you know about the character.-
Abrar did a good job being Harlequino. Harlequino is supposed to be really funny and Abrar was funny. His body posture has improved from the other time and this time he wasn't as jumpy.
How close did they come? What did you like about their performance? -
I liked how Abrar made the whole audience laugh because of his funny movements and his body posture.
What do you think they could have improved from their performance? -
I think he could've improved on interacting with the audience a little more and not being as jumpy. 
What score out of 10 would you give them using the Criteria B descriptors? Explain why.-
I think that Abrar would get a 8 out of 10 because he used all of his ideas, he improved on all his mistakes, and I think he did a satisfactory performance. 

Task 6- Commediadel'arte

--Why did you choose the character that you did? - I chose Brighella because being Brighella is a lot different from being the outcast. They have different personalities and I think that was a challenge for me. 
--How is that character described (personality, physicality, etc.)? - Brighella is sneaky, mysterious, very high with his status. 
--What "body part" is their stereotypical feature? How did you attempt to center their energy there? - For Brighella, its his hips.
--How did you choose to interact with environment/prop? What specific interaction choices did you make? I chose to interact with the environment by looking at the audience a lot and try to interact with them. 
--How did you choose to "take out" to audience in order to "invite them in" to your performance? I looked at the audience a lot.
--What feedback did you get from your performance? - The feedback that I got for my performance was I should use more hip movements and that I should really exaggerate my movements. 
--What will you change for next performance? 
I will use hip movements and use a lot of arms but mainly focus on my hips and keep my head high to look a lot more confident. 

Unit 2: Commedia dell'Arte Task 5--Personal Evaluation of Performance Task 1 (Final)

Part 1: Performance Task 1 Self-Assessment 
What choices did you make for your rough draft performance? I made choices such as different facial expressions, different body movements, and changes that expressed and showed the stock character I was acting. 
How much time did you spend practicing for your performance? I spent 10 minutes everyday researching and practicing my character and kept on working on it until it satisfied me. 
What specific feedback did you get from your Rough Draft performance? The feedback that I got was that I should look less paranoid but more lonely and left out.
What did you choose to change for your Final Performance? I chose to change my facial expressions and body movements to fit my character. 
How did you feel your Final performance went? I feel like my performance went better than last time because I improved and changed my performance based on what my feedback said. 
What specific feedback did you get? To be more hunched over, seem more sad, act more lonely, don't smile so much. 
What score would you give your performance out of 10 using Criteria B descriptors? Explain why.
I think I would give it a 6ish because I showed understanding in what a stock character was and I showed understanding in how to perform the stock character I chose. 

Part 2: Performance Task 1 Peer Assessment 
Pick someone who's character is completely opposite than the one you chose. 
Evaluate their character based on what you know about the character. 
How close did they come? What did you like about their performance? I chose Sapphire, she did a really good job with her character. She used a lot of movement and facial expressions to show that she was mysterious. 
What do you think they could have improved from their performance? I think she could have improved by making a little longer and engaging the audience a little more in her performance. 
What score out of 10 would you give them using the Criteria B descriptors? Explain why.
I would give her a 9/10 because she did a really good job and she showed a lot of understanding in her character and Commedia.

My thoughts on class performance.

I chose being the outcast because I have watched a lot of movies and I felt confident with pretending to be the outcast.
The outcast is a character that is lonely, gets bullied a lot, doesn't get noticed, is ignored by the majority of the school, it tries to stay invisible.
Physically, the character slouches, tries to not get noticed.
when playing the outcast, I think you need to emphasize your facial expressions and your shoulders. You would need to slouch all the time and keep your head down.
I chose to pretend to be in a school hallway and try to talk to people, but got ignored.
The feedback I got was  that I shouldn't smile and that I shouldn't look so paranoid.
I can improve by not smiling and looking like I'm not so lost and just pretend to be invisible.
I think that Ayasha should be able to actually act like a social butterfly, talk a lot, and act very social.

Stock characters

I think characters that are in present day secondary schools are:
1. The popular girls.- Snobby, know-it-alls, show off-y, confident.
2. The popular guys/jocks.- Sporty, show offs, know-it-alls.
3. The less popular (people who usually hang out in their own type of 'cliques'). - less confident but confident in who they are and what they're doing, smartish, less show off-y but isn't afraid to raise their hand in class.
4. The 'less noticed' people (wannabe's) .- Not very confident, low self esteem, want to be apart of the popular 'group' etc.
5. The smart people who like to be isolated or left alone. -Very low self esteem, not confident at all, invisible to the crowd, likes not to be noticed, doesn't raise their hand in class, also known as the out cast.
6. The nerds.- Smart, raises hand in class all the time, teachers pet. Etc.

Identity; the masks we wear.

After watching the film, I realized that we all wear different 'masks' that basically shows our different moods and personalities. I think that throughout the day we all have different masks that describe our mood at that moment. For example, when in an uncomfortable situation such as being put on the spot in class to answer a question and you don't know the answer, I would probably describe that moment as embarrassing. So for that 'mask' I would think of different ways to describe the current mood with for example a color or a facial expression that fits with the situation.
In the video, the girl most likely seems insecure about herself so she tries to hide herself from public or from a crowd. Eventually the girl realizes that she is unique in her own way, and she shouldn't care about what people think of her. So she decides to take her mask off, and walk through life with confidence in herself and who she is.
I think everyone has a certain mask for different occasions.
Masks imply in my life as well, for example when I hang out with friends or if I do something I really like, I have a happy mask. I think this mask shows that I'm happy with what I'm doing and where I am. The pink brings out a soft gentle nature.

whenever I'm lonely or feel left out, I think I have a sad, mysterious mask on. I think this mask shows that my mood is now distant and the colors in my opinion look lonely and sad, and possibly isolated. 

If I ever go to a party or to a special event, I want to look my best and feel good about myself. I think this mask brings out the fanciness and the prettiness. The gold shows that it is special and all together the mask is looks beautiful. So I would use this mask if I were to ever feel beautiful.