Week Thrity-One: Junk Evaluation

Performing Scripted Plays Evaluation: ‘Junk’

Monday 2^nd June 2014

 

Overall –

     In summary I feel we succeeded in presenting an entertaining and interesting story.  I strongly feel we succeeded with the first two performances, with each cast member inputting strong characterisation into their performances, to present an understandable storyline with intriguing characters.

     However I do feel that the third performance could have increased the details within our performances, and storytelling, had it not been for a distracting audience.  But I do see this as an opportunity to take the next steps towards improving and learning, from any mistakes made in this assignment piece, and improve for future reference.

Strengths –

     What I feel I succeeded most with throughout this project, was the rehearsal process and creating my own version of the character ‘Vonny’.  By doing some background research into what type of environment these particular types of characters (squatter) lived in, I managed to create an origins story suitable for my character.  Beginning with very little detail of my characters past, from the original script, and novel, I feel I managed to achieve in creating a character decent enough for this play.

     I also feel I achieved in understanding the majority of the details within the script.  This backed up my understanding of my character.  In understanding my characters current thoughts and feelings towards other characters, I feel I succeeded in portraying these emotions on stage, whilst keeping my characters ambitions for his future alive in his motivations.  An example of ‘Vonny’s’ thoughts and feelings towards other characters standing out in particular, was during ‘Gemma’s’ change in attitude towards all the characters on stage, therefore I would have to portray the strong overcoming emotion of disappointment as well as frustration.

     My final point is of how I strongly feel in achieving new techniques, which helped me vastly throughout the rehearsal and production process.  In particular was a new found technique of learning lines, using a technique which requires me speaking my lines out loud repeatedly in a slightly robotic voice, which then makes my lines become more of a muscle memory, therefore when it came to the main performance I felt pretty confident in delivering my lines.  The second technique was my presentation of my character on stage, using the “meisner” technique, where the main aim is to present my characterisation through the method of thinking through what the other characters perspective, therefore any sudden shock emotions of my character don’t backfire on my personal emotions.  Therefore thinking of the other characters emotions enthralled me to give a stronger performance.

Weaknesses –

     One area in particular I see as an area for improvement, is the distraction I received from the third performance’s audience.  The main issue I feel occurred in the third chowing of the play was a distracting audience.  With the audience entering a serious amateur dramatic production, the audience resulted to some unnecessary laughter, which caused me to lose track of my lines and not put enough characterisation in my characters monologues.  Although I do see this as a good learning point for future reference; in the sense of having to stay focused throughout the production and performing process and not get too distracted by audience members, so I can give a detailed performance.

     By taking in these notices from this minor error I feel I can achieve more detail, should this scenario ever occur again in future projects.

Notes –

     In conclusion I see this project as an excellent learning stepping stone towards future performances.  Having learnt new techniques, in the rehearsal process, and took on board areas for improvement in the production process.  Learning new methods in rehearsals has allowed me the opportunity to present an extra amount of details in my performance as ‘Vonny’.  As well as learning methods to take in the right amount of research to add extra realism to the main performance. 

     Also with taking in areas for improvement, it has given me targets to be improved to achieve the best I can for future projects.  Targets such as, staying focused throughout the production and performing process to keep the performance alive, and entertaining, for the audience.  As well as not getting too distracted during the main performance. 

     With these targets set I feel positive in setting goals to achieve them and achieve a good performance to my potential in future performances.