Theatre Exam Quarter 2 Review

Content

• Characters from Death of a Salesman and Sorry, Wrong Number
• Directing (from Everything about Theatre!)
• Stage Makeup (from Everything about Theatre!)
• Set Design (from Everything about Theatre!)
• Figurative and Literal interpretation of a play/screenplay
• Plot of both films
• Director choices in both films
• Theatre Troupe experience
• Context
• History: Romanticism through Realism

Format:

• Matching
• Multiple Choice
• Short Answer
• Reading Comprehension (article)
• Visual Analysis
• Essay

Class notes from viewing

Sorry, Wrong Number

(link to youtube.com)

FILM NOIR: a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes

What are the cynical attitudes in the screen play?-Cynical attitude- a negative attitude about a situation in life.

The cop concerned only with his problems and not with the severity of a crime.

Mrs. Stevenson thinks that her husband married her for her money.

Mrs. Stevenson's father spoiled his daughter. Money is power and can get anything

Henry wants to make his own living by being underhanded

Henry blames everyone for his own problems

Henry believed that money is more powerful than love

How would the film be different if it were created today?

The film will be in color

The leading actress wouldn't have been over-dramatic

The technology/science would have been advanced; no telegrams

The situation where Mrs. Stevenson interferes with another's call about the murder would have had to be changed, maybe a text or email

Younger people in movies may not have smoked

"Sorry, Wrong Number" film!

Here is the playlist for "Sorry, Wrong Number." There are 9 parts.

http://www.youtube.com/user/sorrywrongnumber4u#p/c/F5E9F51282DAC674

Thank you to sorrywrongnumber4u on youtube.com.

Makeup for Theatre notes

• We can use makeup to accentuate the facial characteristics, or to change a face entirely.
• Makeup is needed for stage presence and visibility of expression.

• Straight Makeup: when the character is similar to the actor (however, don't get too comfortable! There is always interpretation to be found in the script.
• Character Makeup: when makeup is used to change an actor's characteristics.

Character Research (CONTEXT):

You must know when your play takes place to apply appropriate make up

Theatrical Makeup Characterization:

H.E.A.R.T.H.--a mneumonic for remembering the six elements of character analysis

• Heredity: family background--parents facial characteristics
• Environment: Financial standing, where the character lives, occupation
• Age: Makeup can make a face look older or younger; and appropriate application
• Race: To buy the right color, to enhance or hide any cultural features that do not fit the character, and to adhere to any cultural trends
• Temperament: (a measure of someone's emotional status) Makeup can be used to show emotion.
• Health: Sickness can affect appearance--whether it's the actor or the character (pale, wrinkled, dark under eye area).

Example of the power of perception, which can be enhanced with makeup:

These faces are identifcal except for the

eyebrows. What feelings do they exude?

Where can information about a character be found? (Hint: the same places an author uses characterization.

• What a character says
• What a character does
• What other characters say about the character
• What other characters do to the character

What is Physiognomy?

The practice of judging one's character by looking at the facial features.

• large nose means forceful leader.
• high, arched eyebrows can make someone look less than intelligent
• young face/baby face means innocence

Physiognomy is based on human perception, not science.

Physiognomy has roots in Darwinism

One makeup rule to follow:

Rule without exception? Never apply a shadow without a highlight.

Makeup Videos from YouTube.com

Multimakers--time lapse MONKEY creation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Fc3YMJcR-k&playnext=1&list=PL86F06CF223AFF807&index=47

eHow Beauty--How to make fake wounds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5xW-z2lsgs&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=PLD3AE001EA6E4F323

Both of these channels contain many more tutorials!

"Death of a Salesman" Film discussion questions/notes

Remember: These are student notes based on class discussion.

ACT 1
Death of a Salesman” Response Questions
1. Why cast a small (in stature) Willy Loman? What characters seem to purposefully be larger than Willy?
Larger: Biff, Hap, Charlie, Ben, the Boss, even Linda
Smaller to show his insignificance, lack of power, misunderstood position in society.

2. What do you notice about the lighting choices during the flashbacks versus the present day scenes? Why would the director make that choice?
Brighter in the "Glory Days." Darker in the present. This shows that Willy is glorifying his past and Biff's success while remaining blind to the present situation.

3. Why does Linda cover for Willy? What is her goal?
She believes that he has worked hard and deserves dignity and respect--above all his humanity demands that his sons respect him. She is honorable and doesn't want to take away his facade of dignity.

4. Give evidence that Biff is still childish.
Biff acts childish by still sleeping in the same room with his brother and wearing matching kiddie pajamas. He still blamed his father for his faults; he sounds as though he is 12 years old.

5. Why is Willy behaved worst when Biff is around?
Willy behaved worst when Biff is around because Biff reminders him of all his unsuccessful attempts.
Push Biff so hard only for Willy's pleasure

6. List the elements against Willy (people, situations, concrete and abstract). Are these his fault? Consider Linda’s statement: “He’s not a great man, but he’s a man.”
Willy's job is against him because he wasn't a great salesman; he felts although his loyalty is enough
Time was against him
His mind is against him; he's having delusions
The lack of respect that he earns
MOST OF ALL:HE IS AGAINST HIMSELF
His wife, Linda, his against him because she is hindering him because she won't tell him the "ugly truth."
Although he is not a good man, he should still have his dignity
Irony: Hap wants to prove Willy's legacy but there is nothing to prove.
"American Dream":Willy's sickness is symbolic of the "American Dream." People who believe in the "American Dream" are delusional and need to snap back to reality.
Miller is saying:If you see the "dream" without the struggles and obstacles, you are being naive. Hard work will take you far but if you just sit back and "wait" for it success will not come.
Make short-term goals and be realistic.
American Dream made him sick. Humans deserves dignity.

ACT 2
1. What does Willy's garden symbolize? Consider his American Dream and these lines he speaks: I've got to get some seeds. I've got to get some seeds, right away. Nothing's planted. I don't have a thing in the ground.
Willy's garden symbolizes his desire; he needs to grow something. Miller is telling the readers that he wants the garden but doesn't have the seeds yet. Digging in the garden represents appreciation for the Earth and basic human needs. Willy didn't know who he was or what he wanted.

2. Hap tries to give Linda flowers. She throws them to the ground. The director (Volker Schlöndorff) chose to have Willy pick them up and put them in a vase of water. Why do you suppose Schlöndorff makes this choice?

3. How does Biff begin to represent "truth" in this play? Consider this line he speaks: I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been.
Biff know that he couldn't live his father's dream. He realized that his father's dream was a lie. He left to go West to start something new.

4. Why doesn't Willy want Biff to tell him the truth about the job he never had, or about being in jail?
Biff went to jail for petty theft. Biff tries to come clean but Willy doesn't believe him because it's going to bring him back to reality;he is hiding from the truth. He had invested so much into Biff he's afraid to believe anything else.

5. Consider the following lines: Biff: Pop! I'm a dime a dozen, and so are you!
Willy: I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman, and you are Biff Loman! What does Biff mean? What does Willy mean? What is Arthur Miller (playwright) tell the audience literally and figuratively?
Dime a dozen is something that can be obtained easily.
Biff means- The family is regular, nothing special
Willy means- Values his family and family name as something special

6. Who changes in this play? Who does not change? What is Miller's point?
Biff grows through out the play. He matures and starts to understand the truth.
Hap and Linda doesn't change. Willy continues to get worse. His illusions become more intense. He changes for the worse.
Miller's point
Biff shows that there will be change for the next generation
Hap shows that it's too late.

7. Why does Willy die at the end? Does he commit suicide?
Willy dies at the end because he has a car accident.
Does he commit suicide? Answer: Up for debate, Your own response with evidence...

Last section of Directing notes...

See past posts for previous notes

Contrast-difference stands out

Rehearsals-what is important? What must be considered?
-

Preparing a Prompt Book (This is what we'll be creating next week!)
-What should be in it?
For the director: All aspects of play such as blocking, lighting, sound, costume changes and role changes.
-Why does each member need one?
Everyone needs a prompt to be informed
-How will they be different from each others?
They will be different because the others' prompt book will satisfy their specific role
-Whose will be most complete?
The director's book will be the most complete

Off-Book Rehearsals(week 7)

Technical Rehersals(week 8)

Dress Rehersals(week 8)

Performance(week 9)

Due Dates and Annoucements

"Death of a Salesman" Act 2 Questions--due Wednesday, 11/3

Theatre Troupes Context Research and Questions--due Monday, 11/8

Test--Tuesday 11/9. It will cover:

• Directing responsibilities
• "Death of a Salesman"
• Theatre Troupe Project

See posts below for more information!!

Homework for 11/1/10

Answer the following "Death of a Salesman" questions:

1. What does Willy's garden symbolize? Consider his American Dream and these lines he speaks: I've got to get some seeds. I've got to get some seeds, right away. Nothing's planted. I don't have a thing in the ground.
   
2. Hap tries to give Linda flowers. She throws them to the ground. The director (Volker Schlöndorff) chose to have Willy pick them up and put them in a vase of water. Why do you suppose Schlöndorff makes this choice?
3. How does Biff begin to represent "truth" in this play? Consider this line he speaks: I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been.
   
4. Why doesn't Willy want Biff to tell him the truth about the job he never had, or about being in jail?
5. Consider the following lines: Biff: Pop! I'm a dime a dozen, and so are you!
   Willy: I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman, and you are Biff Loman! What does Biff mean? What does Willy mean? What is Arthur Miller (playwright) tell the audience literally and figuratively?
6. Who changes in this play? Who does not change? What is Miller's point?
7. Why does Willy die at the end? Does he commit suicide?

Theatre Troupes: Context

Today your group is going to begin researching the CONTEXT of the play you've chosen, in order to begin interpreting. The director and the dramaturg should discuss and give assignments to the other members of the theatre troupe. Remember these important research items:

• What is the setting of the play?
• What historical occurrences or situations would the characters of this play consider common knowledge or current events?
• What race/gender/class are these characters?
• What is the psychology of each character? Why?
• Which characters are FLAT and which are DYNAMIC?
• How does the society and culture of the play affect each character?
• How should the stage for this era look?
• What style of clothing would these characters have? Would it change based on their race/gender/class?
• What sounds will need to be produced? Where can they be procured?
• Are they're any words in the play that we don't understand or can't pronounce? FIND THEM ALL.

Your group is required to use the sources listed below, all of which are also available through the PSM LRC. Feel free to use other sources at the PSM LRC--I've just linked a few I think will be helpful.

You're group may also use the Internet, provided the site is reliable. One troupe member should be in charge of compiling an MLA Annotated Bibliography.

eBooks

• Gale Contextual Encyclopedia of American Literature
• Literary Movements for Students: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Literary Movements
• American Eras
  

Database

• Gale Student Resources in Context

Theatre notes: Director responsibilities continued...

Gaining Epmphasis

-Why is it easier for a television or screen director to direct the audience’s attention to something than a stage director?
Film can eliminate what ever is un necessary. Stage diector have limited options.

-Movement-How can moving help or hinder a play?

-Height-how can a director alter the height of an actor (without just choosing tall/short actors)
For shorter actors to get noticed they could make bold decisions such as standing on a chair, or making a loud noise.

-Body position-what positions are most powerful?
Facing the audience

-Stage location-What locations on the stage are best to get the audience’s attention?
Center and Up-right(audience's up-left)

-Sound-speakers, silence, cue
During intense pauses, everyone must be silent.
Before an intense pause, there must be a loud gesture such as a deep breath.
To make sure that the audience pays attention to the silence, actors can interject.

-Light-why does this help?
Humans are drawn to more light. Humans can be manipulated by light.

Theatre Announcements

• Finish discussion director's responsibilities
• Finish Death of a Salesman
• Test next Tuesday or Wednesday
• Begin reading "Cyrano de Bergerac"

HW: Finding your one-act play

HW: Browse through this archive of one-act plays. Begin skimming them. Your group is going to choose one to produce. Any preferences you have will be useful.

http://www.one-act-plays.com/

From the Reading: Notes on Directing through 10/26

Why should the director know as much as possible about as many things as possible?

How is the actor’s responsibility to assimilate into any culture or situation, depending on the role, similar to the director’s responsibility to know as much as possible about as many things as possible?

Step 1: Interpret the script.
How should the director read the script?
3 times
Once as an audience member
Paying attention to what each scene is about and how the action is revealed through dialog and movements
With a pencil in hand-blocking, important passages, ideas, ANNOATIONS

What combination of seeing and hearing does a director need to focus on?

Composition: Just like ART class or PHOTOGRAPHY
-The visual picture of the stage should be pleasing to the audience
-Balance

Picturization: what is it?
-What are some basic patterns of movement that directors can use?

Psychology
-Explain the magnet metaphor
-How does that relate to the set design?
-How does the set design relate to the psychology of the actors

Gaining Epmphasis
-Why is it easier for a television or screen director to direct the audience’s attention to something than a stage director?
-Movement-How can moving help or hinder a play?
-Height-how can a director alter the height of an actor (without just choosing tall/short actors)
-Body position-what positions are most powerful?
-Stage location-What locations on the stage are best to get the audience’s attention?
-Sound-speakers, silence, cue
-Light-why does this help?
-Line of sight
*Why do people tend to start top left, look across and then down from the left again?
*How does knowing this help the director?
*How can the director get the audience’s attention to one actor without having every other actor staring at the target-actor?

Contrast-difference stands out

Rehearsals-what is important? What must be considered?
-Prompt book? You’re going to need one-each of you!
-What should be in it?
-How are you going to create yours?

"Death of a Salesman" Film Questions Part 1

Answer questions on loose leaf (typed acceptable) by 10/22. Use complete sentences and evidence when possible.

Character list:
Willy Loman (father)
Linda Loman (mother)
Biff Loman (son)
Happy (Hap) Loman (son)
Charley (neighbor)

“Death of a Salesman” Response Questions
1. Why cast a small (in stature) Willy Loman? What characters seem to purposefully be larger than Willy?

2. What do you notice about the lighting choices during the flashbacks versus the present day scenes? Why would the director make that choice?

3. Why does Linda cover for Willy? What is her goal?

4. Give evidence that Biff is still childish.

5. Why is Willy behaved worst when Biff is around?

6. List the elements against Willy (people, situations, concrete and abstract). Are these his fault? Consider Linda’s statement: “He’s not a great man, but he’s a man.”

7. Is Linda right? Do we need to pay attention to the Willy Loman’s of this world?

Monologue Performance start Monday!

Notes from Ms. Finder's visit

Stage presence:
never turn your back to the audience.
be aware: if you can see the audience, they can see you
Keep shoulders facing audience at all times.

Voice:
project your voice
When turning on stage, be aware that it's harder for the audience to hear.
When to pause--use your interpretation of the character.

Blocking:
Be realistic: what would your character be doing during this monologue?
You are on stage.
No need to move a lot.
Don't let movement take away from the message of your monologue.
Keep the purpose of "monologue" in mind--these are internal thoughts.
Where you look--movements that are believable for the emotion of the lines being spoken.
Balance between cheesy/overdone and looking like you aren't comfortable on stage.
We should know your movements are part of the planning, not your, real, true, nervousness.
Another character is on stage when your character is speaking--pretend someone is there.

Theatre Exam Review

Quarter 1 Exam

Format

• 20 true/false
• 5 short answer
• reading comp and analysis
• essay

Content:

• History
• Audience-Actor Relationship
• Acting
• Voice
• Body
• Stage directions
• Stage design/set-up
• "The Lottery"
• "Sorry, Wrong Number"
• "Sorry, Right Number"
• "Dust on the Road"
• "The Undercurrent"
• NEW: "Trifles" Look at this play. If 30 minutes isn't long enough for you to read it, you should read it this weekend!!! It's in Fifteen American One-Act Plays.

"Sorry, Right Number"

You can finish the show we started here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hdH-kO7y-A

It's posted in 4 parts. Enjoy!