We met at my church at 3.30pm, straight after my cell group time finished. I expected it to be the same as every rehearsal but this time I saw someone new! Apparently my church friend who has connection to Stacy was watching us do our stuff. Stresss!!!
Today was also quite different due to the fact that we were arguing a lot more than usual. There were a lot of conflicts between us regarding our motion, positioning and speech. For the first time I actually felt pissed off at Stacy when he was being so particular about everything. In the end I still smile, but at least I know the feeling now. It feels like there's something very tense inside just waiting to explode. My eyes widened and became more focused at the center than at the sides. There's also some restlessness, which follows up with very fast actions. Hopefully i'll be able to recreate that. Unfortunately our dear friend could not feel the emotions we were portraying, but we did learn a lot. Which means we have to argue more! :)
Improvements
- Stacy does less hand gestures during second monologue and puts in eye contact
- Afiqah's entry is more natural and convincing
- I smiled less and learnt to throw the trophy better
Things we need to improve on
- Stacy needs to work on motivation for every action, especially first monologue during "with inspiration" where his arms are everywhere and his tone/speech does not sound appropriate/natural. Also the "papa help me" needs work as it's not urgent/scared enough
- Afiqah has to sound more annoying when giving the "I said she won, are you deaf?" part and have more violent and longer fits. Also lines when entering scene need to be happier, like that last time when you screamed "wait till you see this" in that high pitch tone. I felt the joy and excitement when it was done.
- I need to stop smiling completely and work on first monologue. I could not shock the audience with my anger and I havent decided how I'm going to say "it's none of your fucking business who I am" and "ruth if you dont shut up I'm going to have you put away". Also my face is constantly looking down, and I need to make more eye contact. Lastly, I'm very confused as to what my action is when Ruth is screaming "are you deaf?", so we need to discuss on that.
As for now I am currently reviewing my script and changing it to suit my idea of Benjamin and I will present to you all tomorrow. I deeply apologize for being fucking annoyed/annoying today. Work hard guys, D-day is coming!!!
Benjamin Hunsdorfer
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
dates for rehearsals
since P-day is coming...
we are having intense rehearsals...
so here are the dates...
jot them down in your planner cows and tech cows...
SATURDAY 25 april 2009 at 5pm. meeting place to be comfirmed(preferably somewhere near esplanade)
SUNDAY 26 april 2009 at 3.30pm at Isaac's church
MONDAY 27 april 2009 4.5pm- meet outside bbox
TUESDAY 28 april 2009 6-8pm- meet outside bbox
WEDNESDAY 29 april 7-9pm- meet outside bbox (last rehearsal)
THURSDAY 30 april 2009 -P-DAY!!!
please be good cows and attnd every meeting!
love yoou guys and let's continue working hard ya...
afiqah
we are having intense rehearsals...
so here are the dates...
jot them down in your planner cows and tech cows...
SATURDAY 25 april 2009 at 5pm. meeting place to be comfirmed(preferably somewhere near esplanade)
SUNDAY 26 april 2009 at 3.30pm at Isaac's church
MONDAY 27 april 2009 4.5pm- meet outside bbox
TUESDAY 28 april 2009 6-8pm- meet outside bbox
WEDNESDAY 29 april 7-9pm- meet outside bbox (last rehearsal)
THURSDAY 30 april 2009 -P-DAY!!!
please be good cows and attnd every meeting!
love yoou guys and let's continue working hard ya...
afiqah
full dress rehearsal.
Full dress rehearsal
Attendance: FULL
Place: Blackbox
Ok. Firstly, let me day that we all did a good job despite all the technical problems and the rushing. So, YAY COWS!!!
Ok, we were unprepared, I admit it. Firstly, we did not train our tech team so they were clueless about what to do and also where the set is supposed to be at. So that was problem no.1, and thus, we have learnt our lesson that it is VERY IMPORTANT to have the technical run with the tech team so that the lightings and sounds and whatever else goes smoothly and the actors can focus on acting and being in character.
For the whole play itself, I was quite disappointed because all the comments and improvements that we made prior to this was not implemented ad we reverted to our old ways of doing the actions. Also, the mood of the play was not there I think, particularly because of the rushing.
These are the comments from me:
Isaac, you need to be angrier and also remember to look up so that the audience can see your face and you can catch the lighting.
For the ringing of the phone thing, you need to show the frustration more, that you are really having a headache and you are damn pissed at the person calling.
I think you were hesitant on your movements when you are wrecking havoc in the house, so you need to work on being really pissed. =)
also, when you are screaming at me “ ruth, is you don’t shut up…”, please remember to cut me off and stand to show that you really can’t stand me talking to you like that.
basically, work on movement and physicality to show your character’s anger and frustration.
for stacy, I think that he need to put in more emotion in his inspirational lines, where the audience can really see your love and passion for science.
your, “papa, help me” should be more urgent.
holding the rabbit more tenderly, show that you really care for it.
as for me, I think that I should work on being more natural when reacting to papa, and not just say my lines- as ms. Norzian have said too.
also, I think that my interaction with stacy can have more emotion so my “ they ought to put you away” could be done with more loathe and hate at papa.
need to work on “benny the loon” say it in a cold manner???
must practice fixing gaze on he window and also on the rabbit cage.
These are the comments from the rest of the people:
Isaac-
need to be pissed and angry in your expression and voice.
press button angrily
turn towards audience, tilt head even when looking at phone?
more angry movements.
expression does not show what you mean, very difficult to understand.
volume variation, angry and passive nearly same volume.
whole body needs to show aggression.
good pressing buttons the 2nd time =)
what do you feel after you help ruth, the audience cannot tell! And then you are suddenly angry, awkward, need to find motivation.
maintain anger in face, you look confused and worried instead.
show pain when you say, “I hate the world” use your whole body!
face audience! Cannot see your face.
expression of shock when ruth talks to you + satisfaction and smirk when she threatens you.
legs have to show anger too, not just face and hands.
voice was very strained and draggy.
eyes did not show anger.
not smooth( I’m guessing dialogue?), feels very planned.
gesturing wildly looks unnatural
moving around when 2nd call a bit distracting
good anger: breathing heavily.
Afiqah-
anger could be much better portrayed
despair over rabbit must show more
more frantic when enter scene again with rabbit?- as a build up to the fit.
blocked by matthew when lying down on sofa
fits more vigorous to be more convincing.
voice and inflection is okay.
ripped paper at the wrong place where papa ripped it.
“if you did anything to it…” can’t really hear.
more tension all over body when having fits, teeth???
For Chen Xing, the comments are not with me, so I can’t type them up, will ask him to do it later. =)
When we asked ms. Norzian about the play, she said:
we need to work on our motivations as the characters, always know why we are doing something.
for me: don’t just wait for your line, react to the given situation to make it more natural.
our tension is okay, but can do better, the climax and also the progression must be shown more clearly.
for papa: please practice your facial expression
don’t use the tech too much, she wants to see the acting.
Ok, today was not that bed, we got a comment that we improved! And ms. Norzian also said that we improved, even though by a bit only. But still YAY!!!
Okay so to solve the many problems that we encountered this day,
MORE PRACTICE
SIT WITH CREW AND TELL THEM EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT
REHEARSAL WITH CREW!
Oh yes, not all of use were in full dress. SO THIS IS A REMINDER! Please go and get you outfit and shoes and hair style down before P-day. Also, props must all be there, where art thou, PETER??? We are also missing a breakable trophy for papa to throw.
Ok my lovely cows, we still have 1 more week till P-DAY!!
Don’t let our hopes down and continue our effort to do our best!
We can do it!
Love,
afiqah
Attendance: FULL
Place: Blackbox
Ok. Firstly, let me day that we all did a good job despite all the technical problems and the rushing. So, YAY COWS!!!
Ok, we were unprepared, I admit it. Firstly, we did not train our tech team so they were clueless about what to do and also where the set is supposed to be at. So that was problem no.1, and thus, we have learnt our lesson that it is VERY IMPORTANT to have the technical run with the tech team so that the lightings and sounds and whatever else goes smoothly and the actors can focus on acting and being in character.
For the whole play itself, I was quite disappointed because all the comments and improvements that we made prior to this was not implemented ad we reverted to our old ways of doing the actions. Also, the mood of the play was not there I think, particularly because of the rushing.
These are the comments from me:
Isaac, you need to be angrier and also remember to look up so that the audience can see your face and you can catch the lighting.
For the ringing of the phone thing, you need to show the frustration more, that you are really having a headache and you are damn pissed at the person calling.
I think you were hesitant on your movements when you are wrecking havoc in the house, so you need to work on being really pissed. =)
also, when you are screaming at me “ ruth, is you don’t shut up…”, please remember to cut me off and stand to show that you really can’t stand me talking to you like that.
basically, work on movement and physicality to show your character’s anger and frustration.
for stacy, I think that he need to put in more emotion in his inspirational lines, where the audience can really see your love and passion for science.
your, “papa, help me” should be more urgent.
holding the rabbit more tenderly, show that you really care for it.
as for me, I think that I should work on being more natural when reacting to papa, and not just say my lines- as ms. Norzian have said too.
also, I think that my interaction with stacy can have more emotion so my “ they ought to put you away” could be done with more loathe and hate at papa.
need to work on “benny the loon” say it in a cold manner???
must practice fixing gaze on he window and also on the rabbit cage.
These are the comments from the rest of the people:
Isaac-
need to be pissed and angry in your expression and voice.
press button angrily
turn towards audience, tilt head even when looking at phone?
more angry movements.
expression does not show what you mean, very difficult to understand.
volume variation, angry and passive nearly same volume.
whole body needs to show aggression.
good pressing buttons the 2nd time =)
what do you feel after you help ruth, the audience cannot tell! And then you are suddenly angry, awkward, need to find motivation.
maintain anger in face, you look confused and worried instead.
show pain when you say, “I hate the world” use your whole body!
face audience! Cannot see your face.
expression of shock when ruth talks to you + satisfaction and smirk when she threatens you.
legs have to show anger too, not just face and hands.
voice was very strained and draggy.
eyes did not show anger.
not smooth( I’m guessing dialogue?), feels very planned.
gesturing wildly looks unnatural
moving around when 2nd call a bit distracting
good anger: breathing heavily.
Afiqah-
anger could be much better portrayed
despair over rabbit must show more
more frantic when enter scene again with rabbit?- as a build up to the fit.
blocked by matthew when lying down on sofa
fits more vigorous to be more convincing.
voice and inflection is okay.
ripped paper at the wrong place where papa ripped it.
“if you did anything to it…” can’t really hear.
more tension all over body when having fits, teeth???
For Chen Xing, the comments are not with me, so I can’t type them up, will ask him to do it later. =)
When we asked ms. Norzian about the play, she said:
we need to work on our motivations as the characters, always know why we are doing something.
for me: don’t just wait for your line, react to the given situation to make it more natural.
our tension is okay, but can do better, the climax and also the progression must be shown more clearly.
for papa: please practice your facial expression
don’t use the tech too much, she wants to see the acting.
Ok, today was not that bed, we got a comment that we improved! And ms. Norzian also said that we improved, even though by a bit only. But still YAY!!!
Okay so to solve the many problems that we encountered this day,
MORE PRACTICE
SIT WITH CREW AND TELL THEM EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT
REHEARSAL WITH CREW!
Oh yes, not all of use were in full dress. SO THIS IS A REMINDER! Please go and get you outfit and shoes and hair style down before P-day. Also, props must all be there, where art thou, PETER??? We are also missing a breakable trophy for papa to throw.
Ok my lovely cows, we still have 1 more week till P-DAY!!
Don’t let our hopes down and continue our effort to do our best!
We can do it!
Love,
afiqah
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
At the Foyer.
Hello TGO!! =D
And HELLO to everyone else too!! =)
Okay. Today's rehearsal was THE ONE.
Asked to bring the actual attire and we didn't use it. D;
Yes. I was late. Because of choir as usual. So in a sense, I've skipped quite a fair bit of rehearsals. Yes, the one Ruth and Benny did.
We focused mainly on Voice. YES VOICE.
Benny isn't an all-time throaty person. So Isie, you must take note. =) Remember what I've said just now? Your emphasis and all. It was all gone just now. D; If not, then it was disrupted by the occassional, "this one can?" Terrible habit. =( Remember to use the diaphram and put everything that I've mentioned during the vocal practical session to use! Isy, this is the consequence of not paying attention. =| Remember to speak using the falsetto technique BUT in your normal tone in order to not strain your throat. This will help you in your pronounciation. =D Ermmm... And not only that though.
It too, helps in bringing forth the tension that we've always wanted to convey. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, DECREASES THE CHANCE OF YOU GETTING A SORE THROAT!! x)
We did rehearse and change some stage directions.
So yes. In scene 1 (Benny's mono), move more towards the front or diagonally towards the front and not towards the side (let alone the back). LOOK UP (most of the time)!! If not, NOT ONLY the lights will not shine on you BUT also YOUR HAIR / HAND GESTURES will cover your face. =(
Scene 3! Yeah. We had little times for that so... Isy's line, "I'd have you put [pause] a-way!" ONLY HERE, after you've said "WAY" then you THROW the "trophy" at the carpet. =) Remember yeah?? =D
Oh yes! And after Matt said, "I'd better call the doctor", Isy turn around, lift your hand up and pushes Matt (preventing him from coming any nearer towards you). Then pushes Matt onto the ground at the normal time. =) I'll work out my fall. We didn't manage to do much after Ruth left. In fact, a short while after Ruth's departure, the school attendance invite us out of the school.
Oh well... D;
AND ISY (I'm saying Isy not Benny cos BENNY LAUGHS and Isy doesn't). It's not very good to laugh at me when you find my actions fake. >< class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chenxing.
And HELLO to everyone else too!! =)
Okay. Today's rehearsal was THE ONE.
Asked to bring the actual attire and we didn't use it. D;
Yes. I was late. Because of choir as usual. So in a sense, I've skipped quite a fair bit of rehearsals. Yes, the one Ruth and Benny did.
We focused mainly on Voice. YES VOICE.
Benny isn't an all-time throaty person. So Isie, you must take note. =) Remember what I've said just now? Your emphasis and all. It was all gone just now. D; If not, then it was disrupted by the occassional, "this one can?" Terrible habit. =( Remember to use the diaphram and put everything that I've mentioned during the vocal practical session to use! Isy, this is the consequence of not paying attention. =| Remember to speak using the falsetto technique BUT in your normal tone in order to not strain your throat. This will help you in your pronounciation. =D Ermmm... And not only that though.
It too, helps in bringing forth the tension that we've always wanted to convey. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, DECREASES THE CHANCE OF YOU GETTING A SORE THROAT!! x)
We did rehearse and change some stage directions.
So yes. In scene 1 (Benny's mono), move more towards the front or diagonally towards the front and not towards the side (let alone the back). LOOK UP (most of the time)!! If not, NOT ONLY the lights will not shine on you BUT also YOUR HAIR / HAND GESTURES will cover your face. =(
Scene 3! Yeah. We had little times for that so... Isy's line, "I'd have you put [pause] a-way!" ONLY HERE, after you've said "WAY" then you THROW the "trophy" at the carpet. =) Remember yeah?? =D
Oh yes! And after Matt said, "I'd better call the doctor", Isy turn around, lift your hand up and pushes Matt (preventing him from coming any nearer towards you). Then pushes Matt onto the ground at the normal time. =) I'll work out my fall. We didn't manage to do much after Ruth left. In fact, a short while after Ruth's departure, the school attendance invite us out of the school.
Oh well... D;
AND ISY (I'm saying Isy not Benny cos BENNY LAUGHS and Isy doesn't). It's not very good to laugh at me when you find my actions fake. >< class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chenxing.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday Rehearsal!
Righhtt after a daunting day at school which ended at 4, we had a rehearsal! WoohOO!
Anyway, here's what we did
1. Got into character, tried different actions and tones
2. Full rehearsal
I felt a bit more comfortable with my character and threw in some new actions, stacy also did the same thing, but end us both of us still got stuff to work on. I didn't feel natural at some parts!! :(
3. Full rehearsal again! (with comments from 2 loving drama mates)
We learnt that the growling seriously makes me hard to hear, that problem must faster fix man. Also our emotions seem to change either too fast, or the story gets draggy. I personally felt that the pause while stacy is picking up the rabbit is too dam long, I feel kinda dumb standing there.
Oh yes! I found a new way to push stacy! and I also changed the tone so it would sound less stupid. Must tell stacy and afiqah tmr..
4. Dealing with my inability to stop smiling
I swear, my upbringing has caused me this difficulty to be angry, cause as myself when I'm angry, I will smile. So..frowning and looking mean has turned out to be more tough than it seemed. I'm planning to ask my father to teach me how to to be angry since he can do it so well, I got a lot of experience ah, trust me.
Overall, we improved slightly but not really that much, we're gonna need a lot more practise and drive ourselves crazyy!! Hopefully we dont die by d-day. Good Luck everyone!
Benjamin Hunsdofer
Anyway, here's what we did
1. Got into character, tried different actions and tones
2. Full rehearsal
I felt a bit more comfortable with my character and threw in some new actions, stacy also did the same thing, but end us both of us still got stuff to work on. I didn't feel natural at some parts!! :(
3. Full rehearsal again! (with comments from 2 loving drama mates)
We learnt that the growling seriously makes me hard to hear, that problem must faster fix man. Also our emotions seem to change either too fast, or the story gets draggy. I personally felt that the pause while stacy is picking up the rabbit is too dam long, I feel kinda dumb standing there.
Oh yes! I found a new way to push stacy! and I also changed the tone so it would sound less stupid. Must tell stacy and afiqah tmr..
4. Dealing with my inability to stop smiling
I swear, my upbringing has caused me this difficulty to be angry, cause as myself when I'm angry, I will smile. So..frowning and looking mean has turned out to be more tough than it seemed. I'm planning to ask my father to teach me how to to be angry since he can do it so well, I got a lot of experience ah, trust me.
Overall, we improved slightly but not really that much, we're gonna need a lot more practise and drive ourselves crazyy!! Hopefully we dont die by d-day. Good Luck everyone!
Benjamin Hunsdofer
Sunday, April 19, 2009
REHEARSALS SUNDAY
Time: 3.30pm-5.30pm
attendance : FULL
Okayyy~
We had rehearsals today!
1) experiment physicality
2) run through the entire script
3) comments and improve =)
So, we met at Isaac’s church and it was super hot, but Isaac said there was a room that we could use that was AIR-CONDITIONED!!! Haha, so, we went into the music room and Stacy started to play the piano, and it was so good so that was the entertainment for today…
Moving on, Isaac said he wanted to try out his character’s actions after the session with Henry the other day. However, I think that he could have done it better…
1) DON’T SMILE =(
2) Move like a drunk man
3) Try to wreck the room, i.e.: throw pillows, rip paper of window
4) Be angrier!
5) Don’t kick the rabbit cage to hard!
Other than that, I think that Papa had improved and he got rid of the growling voice. It was good, and we will see how it goes again tomorrow…
For Stacy’s scene, we pointed out that he looked unnatural with the sudden burst of happiness when talking about the gamma rays… and he tried it again with better results. YAY =)
The last scene, where I come in needs to be worked, we seriously need to build the tension between Ruth and Papa so that is doesn’t look fake and weird.
1) Need to figure out the settings of the house once and for all! So that Ruth knows where she is looking at and papa knows where he tears the paper from.
2) The blocking between Ruth and Mattie must practice until perfect. =)
3) Timing of Papa’s appearance and how he snatches the trophy.
4) Ruth needs to be angrier but have a limit when shouting at father.
5) Emotions!!! BE in CHARACTER people, find out motivation and do better for next rehearsal.
6) PRACTICE x3!!
Okay and this is a few comments about the scene after I passed out.
1) Will papa really throw Mattie to the ground, what direction, blocking? Must address this issue next meeting.
2) Emotions for when Papa says “I hate the world” and the timing with the music.
3) Mattie’s position? Standing or sitting, when? What is more effective, and must not make it so monotone. =)
So, I think we did about 4 rounds of rehearsals and GOOD JOB COWS!! We really persevered and got through 2 hours of hard training…. Okay….with entertainment from Stacy and the piano but still…
I noticed that we can really get into character easier since ms Norzian helped us and another thing is that we really need to be focused and stay in character so that we don’t make a lot of mistakes and it helped when we got chased out and used the music room downstairs instead where there was a full sized mirror so that we can see our own reflections.
We need to try out more of our character’s physicality! So next rehearsal, be prepared cows.
REMINDERS-
1) Lightings and sounds to be confirmed with Stacy and written out to give partner group.
2) Costumes latest by WEDNESDAY!!! Yes Isaac, I do mean you…
3) Pillows! And confirm other props! Oh, and a breakable trophy would be nice =)
4) Get enough rest and don’t forget to practice, P-DAY is in 2 weeks time!!!
NEXT MEETING
Outside bBox
Don’t be late, we only have an HOUR!!!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Rehearsal!!
Bah I can't believe I have to write this on my own now, I have such bad memory!! Guys if I leave out anything just go leave some comments and hopefully I will read them. Ok? Alright lets start!
We actually got Ms. Norzian to observe us today! After making sure the lighting and the tech stuff was ok, we got to do a full rehearsal. It so did not turn out well la! Our positioning was off, our movements were awkward and we didn't play off each other's energy.. So dissapointed!! X(
Ah, but after that Ms. Norzian commented on our overall performance and gave us very helpful tips. We were to question our motives, find out why our characters reacted the way they did, even suggesting that we each have our own "quirks" to make our character more unique to us. Also we were told to work on our voice projection and the actions we carried out when we were not saying lines.
It was after that and a long series of retrys and re-dos that made us improve by a lot! Our positioning during scene 3 was dramatically changed, and I was given a lot more things to do than just shout. Personally, I felt that the changes made really brought more life and reality to our characters. The play seemed more real and our actions and intentions were clear.
There is still a lot more room for improvement I feel, we need to start experimenting more on our speech and movement to find what suits our characters more. Also after the experimenting is over we will need a lot of practice to pull it off.
For a closing note, I would like to say that you guys did a wonderful job, and that I will try harder not to smile on stage. I'm so sorry for throwing you stacy!!!
Best wishes,
Benjamin Hunsdorfer
We actually got Ms. Norzian to observe us today! After making sure the lighting and the tech stuff was ok, we got to do a full rehearsal. It so did not turn out well la! Our positioning was off, our movements were awkward and we didn't play off each other's energy.. So dissapointed!! X(
Ah, but after that Ms. Norzian commented on our overall performance and gave us very helpful tips. We were to question our motives, find out why our characters reacted the way they did, even suggesting that we each have our own "quirks" to make our character more unique to us. Also we were told to work on our voice projection and the actions we carried out when we were not saying lines.
It was after that and a long series of retrys and re-dos that made us improve by a lot! Our positioning during scene 3 was dramatically changed, and I was given a lot more things to do than just shout. Personally, I felt that the changes made really brought more life and reality to our characters. The play seemed more real and our actions and intentions were clear.
There is still a lot more room for improvement I feel, we need to start experimenting more on our speech and movement to find what suits our characters more. Also after the experimenting is over we will need a lot of practice to pull it off.
For a closing note, I would like to say that you guys did a wonderful job, and that I will try harder not to smile on stage. I'm so sorry for throwing you stacy!!!
Best wishes,
Benjamin Hunsdorfer
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