Monologues. [Performing Arts Group]

On Friday the 10th of December, on the penultimate week before we break up for Christmas holidays, the Creative & Media group were invited to go and see the Performing Arts ladies and gentlemen perform their own written monologues. This was the first time that they had performed to an audience, so as you can tell the must of been pretty nervous! They were given a picture, one separate for the girls and one for the boys, and then from that image they had to write a monologue which somehow intertwined with that picture. The images consisted of a man looking into the distance on a bridge and the second picture for the girls was a woman standing under a tree on her own, looking down. 
We were shown into a little room where there was a few chairs waiting for us and the group were already prepared to deliver their monologue. 
The first person to stand up and deliver their speech to us was a girl called Shev; she talked about how she was affected by domestic violence. She came across in her role quite well and delivered a clear and to the point. I think that her confidence lacked a bit but some of the words she used in her speech made an impact.
Secondly another girl called Grace talked about running away from her house because she hated her new mum. Her real parents had obviously split up and her new step mum was being horrible to her. A very convincing performance using lot of different devices to convey how she felt about her new enemy. 
Third to show off their talent was yet another girl called Charlie. Her monologue was all about her time at the dentist and how she was so scared. She talked a lot about the dentist pulling out her teeth and how paranoid she was as something was going to go wrong! Quite a humorous monologue and well delivered.
The first boy to perform was one of my mates called Owen. His script consisted of a story when his "wife" left him at the alter just before he was about to get married to her. He talked of devastation and how his love for was so strong yet she didn't want to marry him. He remembered back to the time under the mahogany tree when they were in love and when they etched their names into the trees bark. A VERY convincing role and very confident delivery yet didn't come across to hyperbole. 
Back to the girls, Michelle, who talked about how hard it was being a lesbian and all the stress she was under. The way she convinced the audience into believing she was a lesbian was fantastic but their wasn't much interaction with the audience. I know she shouldn't of been marching up and down the stage but she needed to move around a bit more. Very good act.
Ryan went next and played the part of an actor who was being placed in a really bad and cheesy filmed. He talked for a while how bad the script was and the costumes but then he got out his phone and talked to the manager. He contradicted himself BIG time when he said he actually did love the film when he found how many millions he was getting paid. Bit over the top but a funny act never the less.
Faye's monologue was about how she always saw this strange elderly woman with a crystal ball. It was a bit weird and convincing to begin with but when she literally collapsed on stage, she said how a bright light shone on her with a figure of a man looking down onto her. This was apparently the man of her dreams <3 A very romantic and passionate performance! 
Finally a girl called Sarah stood up and delivered a performance about how in love she was with this one man but how strict her parents were. She showed her hate for her parents and how everytime she does something good her parents manipulate it into a bad thing. She talked a lot about running away from home, into the sunset, so that she could be with this man for ever. They wanted to get married but all she could think about was how horrible her parents were. She liked the boyfriends parents as they were better than her own parents were to her! A very emotional act...
To wrap it up, I really enjoyed watching the variety of acts that performed! A really good way to relax on a friday morning :) Well done Performing Arts Group! 

Clay Artefacts

Before we started on the masks, we were given some clay each to create an "artefact" of our choice. We had to make one artefact of what ever and then the second one we were asked to create a clay model version of the worlds most famous play writer, William Shakespeare. I found making the little version of William more difficult then my other model which was a camera! The camera was not as detailed as Shakespeare however it did have a hole for the viewfinder as well as a little screen and shutter speed toggle!  I also made a little shutter button :) Working with clay was quite a good insight to drafting models and is very easy to work with!

Making My Mask | Evaluation

Today, I finished working on my mask of a character from the Lion King Theatre production, Simba. I finished it after 3 weeks of hard and tiring work! The final product was worth it though.

On the first day we started these masks we had to plan out exactly what we were going to do. So we went to the College Library to find some inspiration and ideas. I found some masks from the lion king and i was really inspired by all the hard work that had gone in to them! Other people chose traditional masks such as the small half face masks. Here is an example: 

 We started by making the template from paper mache, layering newspaper upon newspaper. I found that when I used smaller pieces of newspaper it created a better and stronger bond between the layers. This resulted in making the mask much stronger and reliable.

  It took me a good lesson and a half to fully cover my mask from top to bottom in glue and newspaper, but the final product looked great! 

Next thing I did was to add the ears which were big and circular. To make these I used a circle of card and glued on to the back of the mask. Then I used another piece of card to go on top of that ear. This let the ear have some depth and  made it more realistic. 

Next step was the painting! I used a selection of different yellows and oranges to create a good looking gradient. I also chose really thick paint so that it had a unique texture to it :) 

This texture also let light bounce off the mask so the reflections looked really good! 

I really enjoyed making the masks, even though it was a bit stressful with a time limit but never the less, having the opportunity to create a mask on anything from theatre was a very well picked assignment! If I'd of had a few extra hours to do all the touch ups and make it perfect I would of preferred that, yet its done and I am happy with the final product.

    

Masks.

As part of our Artefact unit, we have been told to make a mask from a theme of something from the theatre. For this I chose to do The Lion King and more specifically the lion cub "Simba." The technique we are all using is called 'Paper Mache' which is when you build up loads of different layers using newspaper and glue. This allows us to create different shapes and styles using these simple materials. 

1. It's helpful if you start with a template
2. Then get lots of newspaper and start adding layer upon layer
3. For specific raised parts, use balls of newspaper.
4. Smooth over with more newspaper
5. Allow to dry
6. And there you have it! Your own basic mask! 
7. Now get painting :) 

How to make Stage Curtains // Artefact

INSTRUCTIONS

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:

• Fabric
• Lining fabric if desired
• Nylon webbing
• Snap hooks
• Heavy duty upholstery needles for your sewing machine
• Sewing machine
• Coordinating thread
• Iron and Ironing board
• Pressing board for velvet if needed
• Tape measure
• 
  

1. 
   
   Measure the desired length for your theater curtains. They should reach from the top hanging hardware to the stage or lower. . Allow for a 6 inch bottom hem and a 2 inch top hem. Decide how wide the stage curtains should be. Obviously, they will need to cover the full width of the stage, but additional fullness will make for prettier and richer looking stage curtains if desired. Pleating is the most common way to add this fullness, whether through box or knife pleats. Smaller theaters may opt for 50 percent fullness, but 100 percent fullness is ideal for formal theater curtains. An average size for rental stage curtains is 22 feet wide by 25 feet high, and two panels of this size are required.
2. 
   
   Determine fabric quantities. You will need to seam multiple lengths of fabric together to create an adequate width for the stage curtains. Allow for the full width of the stage, multiplied by 1.5 for 50 percent for additional fullness and by 2 for heavier pleating. You will also need to include 3 inches on each side for edge finishing.
3. 
   
   Take the time to note down work order and desired measurements. This will prevent any errors and allow you to use your time more productively. Plan out pleating at this point, whether you are using knife or box pleats. Be sure that you have plenty of thread on hand, and consider moving your sewing machines to a larger table if one is available. Make space for the fabric.
4. 
   
   Measure your stage curtain fabric when it arrives and before cutting. Once you determine that you do have the appropriate quantity of fabric, begin by cutting your fabric to the desired length. Use distinctive pins to denote nap if relevant. Press if it suits your fabric and is necessary, but you may wish to avoid ironing if working with velvet.
5. 
   
   Sew together panels of fabric to create the desired width for your stage curtains. Hem the bottom with a 6 inch hem and both sides with 2 inch hems. Using pins or a fabric marker as appropriate, mark your pleats. Press and pin the pleats into place, being sure to hide the joining seams in the pleating. Stitch your pleats into place
6. 
   
   Press a 2 inch hem into the top of the stage curtain. Stitch this hem into place. Reinforce by securely sewing coordinating nylon webbing along the full width of the curtain.
7. 
   
   Double check all seams for sturdiness. Attach any desired tiebacks and snap clips. Your stage curtains are now ready to hang, making for beautiful and luxurious theater curtains.