Journal Entry 6

Week 6

Reflecting back on preparing for my final project, I found the most challenging aspect condensing and rewriting the play to fit the modern theme I wanted. This play was originally written in Greek, and translated to Old English. I originally wanted to translate Cyclops using only the Old English script, however I found it impossible and not very effective in terms of getting the best possible dialogue I could. What I did to counter that was I searched for already modern interpretations of Cyclops.

I managed to find a really good interpretation I could understand, however I couldn’t just simply use that, since it would be plagiarism. So, I rewrote my desired scene from the modern script in my own words. The only problem was that this script was incredibly long. The individual responsible really embellished each and every possible word from the old script into his dialogue. Thus, I had to condense it, picking the lines I felt were more important.

I also tweaked the script to fit the number of people I had available for filming. Including myself, I had four people available. My mother filmed, and my brother and father acted. My brother filled the role as the leader of the warriors who were trapped in Cyclops’ cave, while my father played Cyclops himself.

The tools I used for this course were props and costumes. I tried to find the best cave I could, using a clearing into the woods in the back of my home. I also shredded a shirt to wear, and carried a wine bottle and sword. In the play, Odysseus gets Cyclops drunk off of very fancy wine, while stabbing him in the eye afterwards. I felt these tools were adequate for the story.

What I enjoyed most from this process was the acting itself. I do not consider myself a very good actor, but I have never really given it a shot. It is fun to get in the role of somebody completely different and try and see things through their eyes, acting how you think they would act in a given situation. I also enjoyed seeing my family act and take on their roles as well. It was an experience that allowed us to collaborate together, something we rarely get to do in such a fashion.

What I learned from creating this piece is that I have a far larger creative side to me when I put my mind to it. I also learned my father can show silly emotions and not be rather stoic all the time. Most importantly, I learned that this will serve as a memory from this summer, and that is something my family and I will truly enjoy.

Journal Entry Five

Week 5

I wanted to take this week and talk about The Whipping Man. My first thought reading this play was why and how are Simon and John Jewish? They are African American, and I have never in my life encountered an African American Jewish individual. When Simon and John were talking about their ancestors and how they escaped the Egyptians, I could not really take them seriously. It was just too odd for me.

Having said that, I did really enjoy this play for what it was. I thought it gave perspective into a culture that we really don’t take any time to divulge into because their side was the “losing side”. We don’t take into account that they were people too, who may have had different beliefs but shared the same sets of emotions we all do. I really loved the message in this play. All three men were either of different ages, different skin colors, or different beliefs. They all have committed their fair share of regrets, but they all take care of the other, they all believe in family.

The language in this play was not ancient and hard to decipher. I really enjoyed the way they set up the amputation scene as well, leaving all to imagination.  

Journal Entry Four

Week 4

I found this week rather boring. I’m not trying to insult the instructor or the assembly of the material, but the subject matter I was just not interested in. Instead, I’ll talk about my experiences that I based my first production response off of.

I usually have disliked sitting in church for an hour or so on Sundays, ever since I was a kid. I failed to look at it from another perspective. It really is just a pure performance. There are rituals, certain ways of dress, speakers, grand spectacles in the background, etc. Each “performance” even has a different theme or message, with readings to support it.

After church ends, people proceed from the pews in front of the altar, with music playing the background. The audience has a chance to interact with the priest or “lead actor” afterwards, discussing the readings and themes into further and greater detail.

Perhaps the most amusing part for me is that just like other performances, you pay for going to church too. During the middle of the ceremony, people will come around with baskets, asking people to donate any amount of money desired.

After looking at church through this new lens, it may be my favorite kind of performance. No other type of performance is that based in real life, and also rooted in spirituality and self-growth.

Journal Entry Three

Week 3

This week’s material was very interesting, it provided a historical background to theater. When I tend to think of theater, I picture Broadway and current productions, especially ones I have seen. It is fascinating to look at how theater originated and really blossomed.

It’s pretty cool how the general structure of traditional theater has not changed that much. When we look at Elizabethan theater, there is a stage in the center of a circular structure, with room for the audience all around. In Spanish theater, there were varying levels of seats which were occupied by men and women alike, with a platform in the center. The crowds were enthusiastic and participative. This may have changed in modern times to applauding post performances, however the concept is still the same.

I also think people have really taken to preserve theater and it’s history. This is evident in films that retell stories, and even create spin off scenarios, such as the movie “Shakespeare In Love”.  

Journal Entry Two

Week 2

What I found most captivating this week was Sir Ian Mckellen’s video interview with Ricky Gervais. It really just gives you insight on what certain actors and actresses do when they approach the art of performing. Sir Ian Mckellen was extremely sarcastic, saying that acting was not that hard of a profession, and all it really involved was being a good liar and pretender. If a person came across that video and hadn’t looked into that subject, they would probably assume all actors are sort of these sarcastic, pretentious liars who know how awesome and easy their jobs are. This, however, is not the case.

I have included a link below to an article describing actors who have taken extreme measures to get into a role. It is absolutely incredible how dedicated some of these people are. Two actors who did not make the list are Christian Bale and Daniel Day Lewis. The former is notorious for completely altering his body to play different roles. For instance, Bale dropped 60 plus pounds to play his role in The Machinist, while gaining almost 90 back to play Batman in the Dark Knight Rises. The latter, Lewis, completely transforms into his character, even off the set. He is known to have driven fellow co-workers and family members mad.

This article may be a bit vulgar, so it is NSFW. But it is worth it!

http://www.cracked.com/article_20172_the-5-craziest-ways-famous-actors-got-into-character_p2.html

Journal Entry One

Week 1

The article we had to read for week one, "What is Performance?" really struck me. I had always envisioned theater and life in two ways: performing, and not performing, as if they were two separate entities. I had never thought that to actually live was to perform. 

Even when thinking of living as performing, I always imagined any sort of front being put on to be put on in front of other people. I never considered people could actually perform to themselves, with self-esteem so directly tied. 

The article we had to read for week one, "What is Performance?" really struck me. I had always envisioned theater and life in two ways: performing, and not performing, as if they were two separate entities. I had never thought that to actually live was to perform. 

Even when thinking of living as performing, I always imagined any sort of front being put on to be put on in front of other people. I never considered people could actually perform to themselves, with self-esteem so directly tied. 

Another interesting aspect of this article I found was the idea that a performance is just as much about how a person goes about performing as it is about the audience perceiving that performance.