Dialogue Reflection: Pringles

When practicing my scene with Dayna, I found the dialogue difficult to master. Firstly, it was hard for both of us to fully understand the dialogue due to the writer’s lack of revision on the piece. Minor grammatical and awkward phrases made the memorization process for Dayna and I difficult. However, we managed to memorize the piece, even if it took us longer than expected. We both worked together by taking turns in a memorization-improvement exercise. One of us would read the other’s lines while the other would write out their individual lines on the white board. After both of us had taken turns, we wrote out each of our lines together while speaking them outline until the board was filled with the entire script. I felt that this exercise helped me to memorize me lines more efficiently. While I still struggled with a lot of the lines, if I had not done the exercise, I would have been in a harder situation when performing. Another part of this process that was challenging for me was picking a dialogue that was appropriate for class and from a play. Most of the dialogues that I found were either inappropriate or too dark. It took Dayna and I the majority of our time to find a piece we both liked. The time spent finding the piece could have been used to work on memorization. This taught me that it is helpful to look ahead at assignments and try to brainstorm ideas for the project. For example, I have already started looking for a scene to do with John that is serious yet appropriate for class.

At first it was hard for me to understand what Jack and Duncan’s skit was about. However, once they switched roles, introduced more movements, and developed their characters more, I found the piece interesting and really liked it. The only thing that I wish was different in there skit is concerning Jack’s part. I think that he needs to have more lines in order to make the skit an even performance that shows of both of the actors on stage. Yet jack was able to use his movements to his advantage, compensating for his lack of lines. He did a very good job at his body language, and movement, as did Duncan.

After Alexis, Lisa, and John wrote a preface to their skit, I found that their performance became more sophisticated and easy to follow. They all did an excellent job of making a very serious dilemma into a comedic situation. I think that Lisa did a good job of using productive criticism to her benefit. After a few suggestions for her character, I could really see a change in what she was trying to portray in her skit. I liked how every one participating in the skit had an even amount of lines. The one suggestion I have for them is to slow down in their lines and to react more. I think that both groups did a fantastic job altogether.  

                          LINK: http://youtu.be/RmicFziWYqU

Character Development: Barbara

Character Study/ Scene Study

Barbara:

-Fast talker/ talks down to Ally

-Possibly from Boston

-Uses improper language

-Mean attitude, very defensive

-Uses an inappropriate amount of makeup

-Chews gum

-24 years old, has 8 kids, never graduated from high school, is not in a relationship and is not married. 

-Wears lots of jewelry
-unemployed, relies on welfare to financially support Her and her kids (although she mostly spends the money on her self)

-Does not know her father

-Dresses inappropriately 

-Has been arrested for breach of peace

-She is a smoker

-Fake Blonde

-Butterfly tramp stamp

-Lives in a trailer

-Shops at Good Will

-Steals expensive items and clothing from stores

-Puts her hands on her hips

-Her motivation is to get attention. That is why she starts the fight with Ally. 

-Barbara is buying food for her kid's school lunches. So far she's collected the items Twinkies, hoho's, devil dogs, Sunny D, lunchabels, and then she stumbles upon Pringles. 

As an actor I want to learn how to act very snotty and ridiculous. I want to be able to become someone that is a complete opposite to me. 

Reflection

At the beginning of this course, I first wanted to work with some sort of dramatic and some comedic material.  I believe that I have completed this goal. I have done multiple comedic roles, such as my first personal monologue and in my silent film. I think that these two comedic piece have helped me become more serious about comedy. For example, what doing my silent film, I learned that in addition to have funny lines, body motion and expression is very important. An actor can be extremely hilarious by doing certain faces or motions with their body. 

I have also been able to act in a dramatic role. When I first picked my "Fantastic Mr. Fox" monologue I had no idea how much effort I would need to put into it to make it have a climax and to make it as dramatic as it was. This monologue was by far the mist challenging project that we have done in class for me. I struggled with channeling anger and learning how to express it properly. I felt that at times I was holding back key emotions that my character was feeling, and that resulted in my mongoose not living up to expectations. However, once I fully kept in mind all of the suggestions that I received from my peers and Ms. Guarino, I was able to accomplish every emotion that I wanted to show to my audience. 

Another goal of mine was to improve upon my memorization skills. In class I was given many helpful strategies on how to improve on this, and I feel that they all really did help me. by writing each monologue out or recording and listening to it, I was able to memorize them in an effective and timely manner. I also used these strategies outside of class on Peter Pan. Because I did this, I felt comfortable when for when we were required to go off book. 

I feel like acting class also allowed me to improve upon working with others. I think that the silent film project allowed me to get to know my fellow students and learn how they work. I look forward to work with them for the second semester and every one that I didn't get to work with too. 

Lastly, what I want to work on during the second half of class is learning how to develop my characters more. I thin this is something important to do before acting in a production. When we developed the background of our characters class it helped me get more into my emotions for a monologue by picturing my character's past. In addition, I would love to work on a one-on-one dramatic dialogue with someone that I haven't worked with yet. I think that by doing this it will help to learn how to work on my feet, and improvise in hard situations. I think that learning this skill can really benefit an actor if they ever get stuck in a scene on stage if someone forgets their line.  

Back In My Day...

Silent Film: Back In My Day...


http://youtu.be/qJYfdbPu9zl

In Class Writing: Silent Film Reflection

After making a silent film with one group and watching another group’s work, I can honestly say that I am impressed with everyone’s final result. I think that both groups had original ideas and are captivating to any audience that might watch them. Even though “Back In My Day…” is not finished yet, I think that demonstrates amazing group effort and group reliance. What I mean by this is that not one person took over the project. Everyone had a specific role in the production, filming, developing and acting process.

            As I reflect on my group’s work, I really appreciate how much energy and optimism everyone put into our film. In addition, it is apparent that the boy’s group put great amounts of energy into theirs too. I think the boy’s group really manipulated the use of space that was available to them. I also think that they successfully used classic silent film movements. For example, when John would duck whenever Jack would try to hit him, it reminded me of other old silent movies. It even brought a lot of comedy to their serious plot.

Further more, I think that the boy group used interesting props, and used a balanced amount so that they didn’t take away from their movie. The use of the cupcake and the fact that it started the fight made the movie very silly. I really enjoyed their silent movie because it invited the audience in to laugh.

            In our group, we had a very good work ethic. Like I stated in my previous blog, at times my group was able to get easily distracted and we would often goof around. For example, I was guilt of this whenever I was in the wheelchair, or hen we first tried on our props. However, we all knew when to stop ourselves and focus on what we were doing. This work ethic made the process extremely fun and productive. Needless to say, wee all had great chemistry with other on and off stage.

In addition, I believe that we also used our props to our benefit. I think that when Lisa had the idea to throw her bingo card, that turned and ordinary prop into a joke and made the audience want to laugh.  Another little but smart detail we all unanimously did was whenever Dayna rang the Bingo Bell; we all were effected in someway by the loud sound. We also all shook in some way or had other body motions that depicted our age. While Dayna acted perky and sat up straight, the elderly people were all wither sweet or grumpy and were in constant pain.

I think that both of the movies came out extremely well. I hope that I get the opportunity to make another movie with either my same group or get to know how the other actors work when producing a film. I learned many things through this process, but one important factor that stands out to me is that if you and your fellow actors are prepared and organized, the process will flow very smoothly.

Silent Movie Reflection

I really enjoyed the experience of creating a silent movie. I thought that I was in a group with fellow optimistic, fun, and talented actors. What I really took away from my experience was learning how to incorporate a prop (the wheelchair) that required me to use my whole body, while at the same time I had to additionally focus my energy on my facial expression. At first, I found the chair difficult to learn how to use and restricting. While other actors, such as Lisa and Alexis could shake to show to audience that they were old, I was limited in my body movements. I found that I had to rely on shaking my hands, making over-exaggerated facial movements, and head movements to depict what I wanted to express. For a future film, I would like to work on resisting from laughing when we were filming and doing run throughs. I thought this was my main struggle and want to improve on being more serious.I thought that the other actors in my group did really well on this project. Even though at many times we would act extremely goofy in our costumes, we all devoted ourselves to being serious about the final result of our movie. We each wanted to produce a comedic piece, and by focusing when we had to, organizing a prop and costume list, and listen to each other, we were able to succeed. One important factor that my group excelled on was listening to each other. There was no frustration working with each other because everyone's opinions and ideas were listened to and adapted into our film. Lisa had the great idea of throwing her bingo card, which was an action that showed the audience her rage at Alexis while being funny. I really appreciated how much energy Alexis put into the film, all of her ideas helped it flow naturally and allowed the audience to stay entranced. Finally, Dayna was able to manipulate where each actor should be placed. By doing this, she made everyone in the film equal and made the filming process easier for Duncan and myself.

This project taught me many things, but what stands out is that collaboration is a key element when writing a scene, film, or other type of performance. Because I had so many great ideas to work with, our film turned out to be truly original. The collaboration from everyone in our group made the process of developing our plot and characters, forming a prop and costume list and choosing our music go very smoothly. It was also extremely helpful to me because when ever I was unsure of an action or idea; I either received helpful criticism or encouragement. I also learned that when you make silent films, energy is important for any type of scene. I think it is easy as an audience member to get bored if energy is lacking in a scene, especially because there is no spoken dialogue. I hope I get another opportunity to make a silent film; it was an experience that I really enjoyed every minute of.

Silent Film Plot

BEGINNING, MIDDLE AND END OF MOVIE:

Beginning

Characters begin to play bingo.

Middle

Fight breaks out (Lisa and Alexis), (Abby's) character gets hurt and her dentures fall out.

Ending

Nurse (Dayna) picks dentures up, Nurse and character (Abby) leave the nursing home together in wheelchair. 

PLOT, SPECIFIC MOVEMENTS, SPEECH CARDS:

*All actors are visible, camera is set far away*

{"We're In The Club Now" is playing}

- Alexis and Lisa are sitting making puzzles at an elderly home, as Dayna rolls Abby in in a wheelchair. 

- Dayna then sits down mouths: "Time For Bingo." (Speech Card 1)

- Everyone begins to play bingo. 

- Speech Card/Transition Card: "25 Minutes Later" (Speech Card 2)

- Dayna calls/mouths: " B 52" (Speech Card 3)

- Lisa and Alexis claim they have a bingo, they stand up at same time.

- Speech Card: "Bingo, Bingo!!!" (Speech Card 4)

{"Star Wars" begins to play}

- A very slow fight then occurs between Alexis and Lisa.

- Alexis bites her thumb at Lisa. Meanwhile, Abby is sitting with Dayna behind them.

- Lisa throws her bingo card at Alexis.

- Alexis SLOWLY swings Cane to hit Lisa, however Lisa ducks, and the cane hits Abby in face.

*Close up shot of Abby's face when she is hit with the cane*

- Dentures fall out of Abby's mouth.

*Close up shot to where and when they fall on ground*

*Camera cuts away, all actors are visible*

- Alexis and Lisa very slowly and in pain bend down to pick up dentures.

*Camera closes in on their hands as they get close to the dentures* 

{"We're In The Club Now" begins to play}

- Before either hand can reach the dentures, Dayna's hand reaches in and grabs them.

*Camera cuts to far away, every actor is visible again*

- Dayna hands the dentures to Abby.

- Dayna sits in Abby's lap and as they wheel off, the other two are left in pain.

*A heart shape closes off the scene into a black out*