I am emailing Eriks, Michael and Kenny the characterization sheet I use for my actors. You can adapt it to your own show. I can help you, if needed. Some other character games I like are the freeze frame pictures (Eriks- explain it to Kenny and MB) - they can then be animated, like we did during Museum. A park-benchish scenario using people in character - like in a public place of some sort - restaurant, hospital waiting room, beach, etc. I also think it's a good idea to explore how the characters sit, stand, and walk. Some of you have very distinct personalities in your show, and having clear physicalities will help. I have some good games for that. Doing viewpoint work outside or in the hall can also bring your cast together as an ensemble. Sit, stand, kneel encourages the use of levels and breaks people out of their normal comfort zone. Trust walks are fun. I will keep the ideas flowing.
The game "Honey, I love you but I just can't smile" was an amazing success, and it should be noted that Andrew Agress is a force to be reckoned with. Some players went incredibly above and beyond *cough cough* Andrew Agress *cough cough* as well as Pricilla and Rahul. What those three specifically did so well was they used (hysterical) facial expression and accents to make there opponents smile, and in doing so loose. The game is built around innovation and a strong poker face, so it's easy to create your own slightly different version of the game. I would strongly recommend this game to other groups.
I recognize this doesn't exactly responds to what Mr. Moore originally asked, but it felt relevant to what mrs. Houston was talking about.
Today went great, Eli already explained our first game. To prepare for practices we also did the freeze frame vacation activity as well as park bench with play characters. These were great and fun activities, but it is noticeable that more character development is necessary. I really want to get the character sheets going so we can start giving the play real depth, through the characters. To mentally prepare for Monday I will just be talking with Eli and Jackie before practice to ensure we are all on the same page, and all ready to work as a team and effective unit.
I've constantly barraged my cast with emails and reminded them to check it in person. It has worked thus far as they have become pestered and now check their email and yell what I typed to them before I can even ask. I plan on finishing a bit of the character sheets by monday, however I want the cast to fill out some of it themselves as the character is an extension of themselves. I want to know more about this "smile game" Eli brought up it sounds like a fun and interesting way to work on building character, and improvisation.
Awesome. So, at practice today Michael and I mapped out what we would be blocking the beginning, with some sweet and nifty things. So one thing we need to have is an actual alarm clock. We also planned out how the scheduling of how to run what rehearsals - planning on taking a week to block out the main plot stuff, than after that individual days to do the different "ghost stories." Allison then was thinking of maybe adding a little scene. I do not know how I feel about this, but we shall see. I think today was quite productive and we really know how we are going to start Monday off, but I know that we are planning on having the other characters do character sheets but really indepth ones.
Also, Eriks and Eli's game was GENIUS! I kind of want to copy it!
The games Eriks and Eli talked about sound good. And yay trust walks! Michael and I did those during Kiss Me, Kate rehearsals, and I thought it was a good way to strengthen character relationships. It might be a good idea for Sasha and Jarred to those. I think it's really important that those two characters have a visibly strong emotional connection. A sense of trust should be present.
Gaah. I really don't have much to say because exercises and such are not my area of expertise. I'm working on a few scenes (a writer's work is never done, unfortunately), and preparing for the massive amount of costuming to be done. I should probably start the laundry on Monday, too.
Claire mentioned Allison adding a scene...who is it for? Travis? I think something could be added for him, given it's Nick and he's a strong character in all of your minds, but not quite as strong on paper - meaning, that there could be more depth to him, I think. In my opinion. Take it or leave it.
I am emailing Eriks, Michael and Kenny the characterization sheet I use for my actors. You can adapt it to your own show. I can help you, if needed.
ReplyDeleteSome other character games I like are the freeze frame pictures (Eriks- explain it to Kenny and MB) - they can then be animated, like we did during Museum. A park-benchish scenario using people in character - like in a public place of some sort - restaurant, hospital waiting room, beach, etc. I also think it's a good idea to explore how the characters sit, stand, and walk. Some of you have very distinct personalities in your show, and having clear physicalities will help. I have some good games for that. Doing viewpoint work outside or in the hall can also bring your cast together as an ensemble. Sit, stand, kneel encourages the use of levels and breaks people out of their normal comfort zone. Trust walks are fun. I will keep the ideas flowing.
The game "Honey, I love you but I just can't smile" was an amazing success, and it should be noted that Andrew Agress is a force to be reckoned with. Some players went incredibly above and beyond *cough cough* Andrew Agress *cough cough* as well as Pricilla and Rahul. What those three specifically did so well was they used (hysterical) facial expression and accents to make there opponents smile, and in doing so loose. The game is built around innovation and a strong poker face, so it's easy to create your own slightly different version of the game. I would strongly recommend this game to other groups.
ReplyDeleteI recognize this doesn't exactly responds to what Mr. Moore originally asked, but it felt relevant to what mrs. Houston was talking about.
Today went great, Eli already explained our first game. To prepare for practices we also did the freeze frame vacation activity as well as park bench with play characters. These were great and fun activities, but it is noticeable that more character development is necessary. I really want to get the character sheets going so we can start giving the play real depth, through the characters.
ReplyDeleteTo mentally prepare for Monday I will just be talking with Eli and Jackie before practice to ensure we are all on the same page, and all ready to work as a team and effective unit.
~Eriks
I am going through the entire script and listing things like costumes and fixing things.
ReplyDeleteI've constantly barraged my cast with emails and reminded them to check it in person. It has worked thus far as they have become pestered and now check their email and yell what I typed to them before I can even ask. I plan on finishing a bit of the character sheets by monday, however I want the cast to fill out some of it themselves as the character is an extension of themselves. I want to know more about this "smile game" Eli brought up it sounds like a fun and interesting way to work on building character, and improvisation.
ReplyDeleteAwesome. So, at practice today Michael and I mapped out what we would be blocking the beginning, with some sweet and nifty things. So one thing we need to have is an actual alarm clock. We also planned out how the scheduling of how to run what rehearsals - planning on taking a week to block out the main plot stuff, than after that individual days to do the different "ghost stories." Allison then was thinking of maybe adding a little scene. I do not know how I feel about this, but we shall see. I think today was quite productive and we really know how we are going to start Monday off, but I know that we are planning on having the other characters do character sheets but really indepth ones.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Eriks and Eli's game was GENIUS! I kind of want to copy it!
The games Eriks and Eli talked about sound good. And yay trust walks! Michael and I did those during Kiss Me, Kate rehearsals, and I thought it was a good way to strengthen character relationships. It might be a good idea for Sasha and Jarred to those. I think it's really important that those two characters have a visibly strong emotional connection. A sense of trust should be present.
ReplyDeleteGaah. I really don't have much to say because exercises and such are not my area of expertise. I'm working on a few scenes (a writer's work is never done, unfortunately), and preparing for the massive amount of costuming to be done. I should probably start the laundry on Monday, too.
ReplyDeleteI prepared for chaos by doing nothing (sleeping).
ReplyDeleteLucas-
ReplyDeleteWell done!
Claire mentioned Allison adding a scene...who is it for? Travis? I think something could be added for him, given it's Nick and he's a strong character in all of your minds, but not quite as strong on paper - meaning, that there could be more depth to him, I think. In my opinion. Take it or leave it.
I prepare for dis-organization and unergized actors who will be pushed by us to show their full potential!!!
ReplyDelete