Our task for today was to complete the filming section of our Risk project, we had our scenes roughly drafted and had the message we wanted each video to communicate. In the performance piece the video will represent the characters memories. These memories will be the key in determining the characters progression. For this purpose of the piece all the memories are to be negative experiences. So the idea is to edit the videos into black and white, to create the feeling of these memories being without life, and draining.
Improve to Improve
We had 5 scenarios that were to be acting out live in front of the
audience. Each of these where to portray the feeling of being ‘Trapped’ in a
situation, and the only way the character could overcome this would involve Risk. We used a
combination of Discussion and Improvisation to create theses scenarios (UNIT 28,
LO 2.2). Each improvisation had basically the same formula. The main character would be in a position where they are not happy or frustrated by their situation. But to overcome that would in Risk.
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| John and Billy improving romantic scene |
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| Improving scene about Isolation |
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| Matthew's Judgement panel scene improv |
We had trouble thinking of a final scenario for our fifth
character. We needed a scenario in which the character would be compelled a
risk in order to gain something valuable to them. It was difficult coming
up with a story that we felt was compelling enough to interest
an audience. If it didn't capture our attention, then neither would
it hold the attention of an audience. What do people in general want to
gain? Why risk?
A technique or exercise that we found very useful during our time of devising was to get on our feet and ask each-other questions while we move about the space. This got our energy up, and minds flowing. We would call out thoughts, words and sentences that came to mind with the aim of finding a fitting scenario. For instance the word Courage lead to Brotherhood, then to Brothers, which lead to Family Dispute. Which was the context of our final scenario.
A technique or exercise that we found very useful during our time of devising was to get on our feet and ask each-other questions while we move about the space. This got our energy up, and minds flowing. We would call out thoughts, words and sentences that came to mind with the aim of finding a fitting scenario. For instance the word Courage lead to Brotherhood, then to Brothers, which lead to Family Dispute. Which was the context of our final scenario.
WATCH OUT STEVEN!
Filming was the relatively easy part of this project, which is
probably why we enjoyed so much. We had a list of our scenes to shoot, and the
action to be filmed.
We resourced the MAC centre for ideal shootings locations for our
various scenes. We filmed external scenes in the Canon Hill Park grounds, and
internal scenes within the MAC centre. We were able to silicate assistance from
a member of staff who provided us with a suitable space and props for the filming
of our ‘Living room’ scene.
A challenge that came with filming was the recording of sound. Apple
IPhones make great phones, but not so great filming equipment. Visuals were captured
sufficiently, but the actor’s dialogue depending on where the scene was shot at
times came out unclear, or was drowned out by background noise. A way we
overcame this challenge was to film takes where there was an emphasis on voice
projection, and diction. (UNIT 73, LO.2.2)
While filming the 5 different scenarios we each had an opportunity
to experience a different role in the scenes production. Directing, Camera
operator, Crowd control, and Duck control. (Yes Duck control)
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Scenes were shot several times, and from various angles for back
up and editing purposes.
LJ getting ready to lure the ducks into our shot by using Jonathan's crisps
BIG BIRD
For the finally of our piece we will be forming with our bodies a Physical
Bird that is about to take flight.
Why? Is the question.
Amy, our Physical Theatre tutor loves to ask this question. This
is annoying when you just want to get on with something and get it done. But if
you can’t answer the Why then there’s no point doing it.
The Bird in flight is the representation of Freedom. The Bird being
freed from its cage of restriction is the outcome of escaping from the cage by taking
a Risk.
So our plan is to Physical Theatre Techniques to create this Bird
with our physical bodies. We attempted this but found that how we imagined it
in our minds and the actually forming the bird was some distance apart. One of
the reasons for this was that the ideas we had for creating the bird were from watching
video of professional physical theatre companies. And although it is a great
way to draw inspiration, it is not possible for our group to duplicate the
complex moves that this company has extensively trained do accomplish. Our
vision was beyond our means on this one.
Resourcing companies such as these are important not only for inspiration
but to also gain a greater understanding and appreciation of how different styles
of theatre are used to communicate a message. Imagery is a big focus of our
Risk project and physical theatre is great at portraying images. An image can
paint a thousand words, which is why we are really enthusiastic to incorporate
it into our piece.
Of the many physical theater companies 2 of them that we looked
into are;
PUSH Theatre Company
Another is DV8
What type of Bird is it? We were
encouraged to look into how a bird moves, breathes, whether they flap their
wings, or glide. This would help us to find the image of the bird we would like
to create, and so focus our efforts. Is it an eagle or a pigeon?
The video link below is a slow motion clip of an eagle taking off.
From watching the clip in slow motion you can see the eagle poises itself as it stoops down, then the huge physical powerful movements that the eagle makes as it lifts off, followed by impressive wing expansion.
In this 2nd link I really recognise how the eagle seems quite small, but as soon as it spreads its wings it has a huge presence. King of the Skies
All of these aspects we can look into as we create our Bird.
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