Monday
March 1st
Practice 1
Today was focused on practicing our performances for the Jabberwocky. But before we started off our first practice we started with some warm-up games. We started off with Zip, Zap, Boing. And once again I lost again, and was not the winning champ. It was basically to get us more alert and ready. The second game we played was to develop movement for some of the things in our performance. So for example for a word like mimsy, we supposed to create happy whimsical movement. We stood in two lines parallel to each other, and we were put into partners. We then were supposed to pick out a word from the poem that we would portray. I chose mimsy. So when we started I started flailing my arms, but in a more graceful manner, kind of like doing the wave to create that whimsical movement.
For our first practice we were supposed to create a small preview or trailer to show Mr.Mouck. Our group got to discussing how we were going to act out all of our parts. I was the narrator, so I sat and observed for some time how everyone else was going to work there parts. For the trailer we were going to have Mohamed be sitting down telling his son, Lorenzo about the dangers or love and how we should stay away from it. We were then going to have Margaux and Sarah, the distractions walk across and catch lorenzo's eye for a second. The vorpal sword, Omar was then going to be put into action and stop lorenzo from being distracted. We were then going to end the trailer with me doing a heartbeat like sound while turned around, to add some suspense and mystery. One of the ideas I had for margaux and sarah as they were walking by, would be for lorenzo to whistle and say "damn." But I remembered that we couldn't add lib, and we had to follow the poem to the exact tee. Alas, we didn't get to perform our trailers, because we kept on going back and forth on some ideas and we ran out of time, but we managed to get a good sense of what we wanted to do.
Practice 1
Today was focused on practicing our performances for the Jabberwocky. But before we started off our first practice we started with some warm-up games. We started off with Zip, Zap, Boing. And once again I lost again, and was not the winning champ. It was basically to get us more alert and ready. The second game we played was to develop movement for some of the things in our performance. So for example for a word like mimsy, we supposed to create happy whimsical movement. We stood in two lines parallel to each other, and we were put into partners. We then were supposed to pick out a word from the poem that we would portray. I chose mimsy. So when we started I started flailing my arms, but in a more graceful manner, kind of like doing the wave to create that whimsical movement.
For our first practice we were supposed to create a small preview or trailer to show Mr.Mouck. Our group got to discussing how we were going to act out all of our parts. I was the narrator, so I sat and observed for some time how everyone else was going to work there parts. For the trailer we were going to have Mohamed be sitting down telling his son, Lorenzo about the dangers or love and how we should stay away from it. We were then going to have Margaux and Sarah, the distractions walk across and catch lorenzo's eye for a second. The vorpal sword, Omar was then going to be put into action and stop lorenzo from being distracted. We were then going to end the trailer with me doing a heartbeat like sound while turned around, to add some suspense and mystery. One of the ideas I had for margaux and sarah as they were walking by, would be for lorenzo to whistle and say "damn." But I remembered that we couldn't add lib, and we had to follow the poem to the exact tee. Alas, we didn't get to perform our trailers, because we kept on going back and forth on some ideas and we ran out of time, but we managed to get a good sense of what we wanted to do.
February 27th
The Jabberwocky
Today we did not play any games. However, we did visit wonderland. At least a poem from wonderland, called The Jabberwocky. After taking a few turns to read the poem by Lewis Carol, and having a few spacey moments here and there, we set forth to decide what The Jabberwocky would be for our performance. We were put into groups of six and then we started brainstorming. We through some ideas here and there, things like poverty. But finally me being the genius that I am, we came up with love. The poem from Alice in Wonderland was about a monster. The poem talked about the scenery using portmanteaus like mimsy that were used to describe a happy scenery. Some of the other things were bandersnatch and jubjub bird, which were creatures within this magical environment. As soon as we got what our idea was going to be we started placing things around. The idea of love was not going to be the type that you see in the movies, where boy meets girl etc. Instead we were going to portray love as a monster, the 'Jabberwocky,' something to beware of. So The Jabberwocky was love, the bandersnatch was going to snatch lorenzo who was the lovestruck victim into love. The jubjub bird was the distraction or the actual love, which would be played by margaux and sarah. The father who was the guide to make sure lorenzo didn't fall in love was to be played by mohamed and the vorpal sword which was the defence against love was to be played by omar. After assigning the parts we developed how the story would go. The first stanza was an intro, the second stanza would be about the father warning the son about love. The third and fourth stanza would be about the son coming across love and being distracted by it. The fifth and sixth stanza would be about the vorpal sword fighting off the love, and then the father congratulating his son. The seventh stanza would be a repeat and a close to the performance. Once we had our storyboard we were prepared to start the next lesson.
The Jabberwocky
Today we did not play any games. However, we did visit wonderland. At least a poem from wonderland, called The Jabberwocky. After taking a few turns to read the poem by Lewis Carol, and having a few spacey moments here and there, we set forth to decide what The Jabberwocky would be for our performance. We were put into groups of six and then we started brainstorming. We through some ideas here and there, things like poverty. But finally me being the genius that I am, we came up with love. The poem from Alice in Wonderland was about a monster. The poem talked about the scenery using portmanteaus like mimsy that were used to describe a happy scenery. Some of the other things were bandersnatch and jubjub bird, which were creatures within this magical environment. As soon as we got what our idea was going to be we started placing things around. The idea of love was not going to be the type that you see in the movies, where boy meets girl etc. Instead we were going to portray love as a monster, the 'Jabberwocky,' something to beware of. So The Jabberwocky was love, the bandersnatch was going to snatch lorenzo who was the lovestruck victim into love. The jubjub bird was the distraction or the actual love, which would be played by margaux and sarah. The father who was the guide to make sure lorenzo didn't fall in love was to be played by mohamed and the vorpal sword which was the defence against love was to be played by omar. After assigning the parts we developed how the story would go. The first stanza was an intro, the second stanza would be about the father warning the son about love. The third and fourth stanza would be about the son coming across love and being distracted by it. The fifth and sixth stanza would be about the vorpal sword fighting off the love, and then the father congratulating his son. The seventh stanza would be a repeat and a close to the performance. Once we had our storyboard we were prepared to start the next lesson.
February 24th
Gripes
The definition of a gripe is to complain naggingly or constantly. And this is exactly what we did, except we had to try to keep notice of our surroundings at the same time. Everyone was supposed to pick a subject, whether it meant something to them or not and gripe about it. We all did this in a group, griping together, somewhat like a choir, with Mr. Mouck being our choir master? The objective of the game was to make us feel confident enough to put on a show when it comes to actually performing. As well as create more sense of how we project our voice. Anyway at some point in time he would pick someone to do a 'solo'. That person would then gripe alone for the time being while everyone else was quiet. This game was most certainly not my forte. I found it odd that we are all shouting about nothing, and we must've all looked so silly. I remember not even knowing what to gripe about, so for the first few minutes while everyone else was enjoying themselves, I was standing there like a fish out water, not knowing what to do, or even wanting to do it. I definitely did not want to get called out for a solo, because all you'd end up hearing is crickets. My experience with this was quite ordinary, I mostly watched other people have fun with shouting out about what was wrong with the world, and might I say a few teachers as well. I wanted to pick up on some things but I don't think I did. From this, I've learnt that I can't be afraid to look silly and I must indeed shout if I want to be heard.
Say Yes
This activity was focused on improvisation. We learnt that when acting with a partner or whenever in a situation with improv you should always say yes. This not only makes your partner look good, but it can also make your environment and the whole act seem more believable. For the activity we stood in two lines parallel to each other. One of the partners standing across from each other was supposed to step in with an idea of a place and action in mind. The other partner was then supposed to say yes and accept whatever idea there partner had in mind. The objective was to work on our improv skills as well as introduce environment into it as well. If my memory serves me well, Andre was my partner. I came in with the idea of golf. He stood for a little bit watching me, but as soon as I did the swinging motion he caught the hang of it and joined immediately. The good thing was Mr. Mouck made sure that everyone had an idea so they wouldn't walk in empty handed. This helped a lot because I was worried about not having anything.
Gripes
The definition of a gripe is to complain naggingly or constantly. And this is exactly what we did, except we had to try to keep notice of our surroundings at the same time. Everyone was supposed to pick a subject, whether it meant something to them or not and gripe about it. We all did this in a group, griping together, somewhat like a choir, with Mr. Mouck being our choir master? The objective of the game was to make us feel confident enough to put on a show when it comes to actually performing. As well as create more sense of how we project our voice. Anyway at some point in time he would pick someone to do a 'solo'. That person would then gripe alone for the time being while everyone else was quiet. This game was most certainly not my forte. I found it odd that we are all shouting about nothing, and we must've all looked so silly. I remember not even knowing what to gripe about, so for the first few minutes while everyone else was enjoying themselves, I was standing there like a fish out water, not knowing what to do, or even wanting to do it. I definitely did not want to get called out for a solo, because all you'd end up hearing is crickets. My experience with this was quite ordinary, I mostly watched other people have fun with shouting out about what was wrong with the world, and might I say a few teachers as well. I wanted to pick up on some things but I don't think I did. From this, I've learnt that I can't be afraid to look silly and I must indeed shout if I want to be heard.
Say Yes
This activity was focused on improvisation. We learnt that when acting with a partner or whenever in a situation with improv you should always say yes. This not only makes your partner look good, but it can also make your environment and the whole act seem more believable. For the activity we stood in two lines parallel to each other. One of the partners standing across from each other was supposed to step in with an idea of a place and action in mind. The other partner was then supposed to say yes and accept whatever idea there partner had in mind. The objective was to work on our improv skills as well as introduce environment into it as well. If my memory serves me well, Andre was my partner. I came in with the idea of golf. He stood for a little bit watching me, but as soon as I did the swinging motion he caught the hang of it and joined immediately. The good thing was Mr. Mouck made sure that everyone had an idea so they wouldn't walk in empty handed. This helped a lot because I was worried about not having anything.
Sunday
February 22nd
3 Chairs
Today's games used some of last period's concepts. We were to create an imaginary environment, and use our improvisational skills. The first game commenced with three people going to sit on three chairs in the front of the class. The three people were to create a scenario that would urge them to leave all at the same time! The catch was it all needed to be improvised, meaning none of the three could talk to each other about what they were going to do, nor could they speak while they were up there. The objective of the game was to see how we could create our environment, and how we could include others using improv.
I have to say it was nerve wracking watching people up there, and I wasn't even up yet! I kept on thinking of ways that I would lead or follow with my partners that would make the scenario go smoothly and effortlessly. Unfortunately thinking is cheap. My first partners, if my memory serves me well were tau and omar. While sitting up there I felt so silly, I had no idea what to do. I started giggling because there was utter silence going on between the three of us. I assume they didn't know what to do either. Until omar just got up and went off, and I went along with it. My second time was not any easier. I was with sarah, and andre. Again I didn't know what I was doing and once again I started giggling. Sarah offered me a joint and at first I ate it! And so did andre, of course we didn't know at the time. Our scenario ended with us getting the munchies, and needing food desperately. My whole experience in both and action and observation was intriguing. I found that sometimes the people on either side couldn't see what the audience could so that made it difficult. Another one was we couldn't talk. In action it took me awhile to get the hand of saying 'yes,' but with practice I'm sure i'll get the hang of it.
Room, I say
The second activity of the day used the same things as the last. Imagination and a bit of improvisation. We were supposed to imagine a room, basically create a little environment. We were then supposed to create a situation on our own, and the go into our environment acting the situation out. I immediately thought of McDonald's I don't know why. My scenario was first day on the job. I ran in late and apologized to my boss and got started immediately. I then attended to the customer, and put a little humor into it as well. My experience with it was very fun, I enjoyed it very much, but I feel that I could have made the cash register a little more realistic.
3 Chairs
Today's games used some of last period's concepts. We were to create an imaginary environment, and use our improvisational skills. The first game commenced with three people going to sit on three chairs in the front of the class. The three people were to create a scenario that would urge them to leave all at the same time! The catch was it all needed to be improvised, meaning none of the three could talk to each other about what they were going to do, nor could they speak while they were up there. The objective of the game was to see how we could create our environment, and how we could include others using improv.
I have to say it was nerve wracking watching people up there, and I wasn't even up yet! I kept on thinking of ways that I would lead or follow with my partners that would make the scenario go smoothly and effortlessly. Unfortunately thinking is cheap. My first partners, if my memory serves me well were tau and omar. While sitting up there I felt so silly, I had no idea what to do. I started giggling because there was utter silence going on between the three of us. I assume they didn't know what to do either. Until omar just got up and went off, and I went along with it. My second time was not any easier. I was with sarah, and andre. Again I didn't know what I was doing and once again I started giggling. Sarah offered me a joint and at first I ate it! And so did andre, of course we didn't know at the time. Our scenario ended with us getting the munchies, and needing food desperately. My whole experience in both and action and observation was intriguing. I found that sometimes the people on either side couldn't see what the audience could so that made it difficult. Another one was we couldn't talk. In action it took me awhile to get the hand of saying 'yes,' but with practice I'm sure i'll get the hang of it.
Room, I say
The second activity of the day used the same things as the last. Imagination and a bit of improvisation. We were supposed to imagine a room, basically create a little environment. We were then supposed to create a situation on our own, and the go into our environment acting the situation out. I immediately thought of McDonald's I don't know why. My scenario was first day on the job. I ran in late and apologized to my boss and got started immediately. I then attended to the customer, and put a little humor into it as well. My experience with it was very fun, I enjoyed it very much, but I feel that I could have made the cash register a little more realistic.
February 20th
Pushing and Pulling
Today's games were a continuation of last class' concept. We continued to use our imaginative as well as our improvisational skills. But this time we incorporated pushing and pulling of heavy objects. In order to make pulling and pushing of heavy objects real we were taught a few techniques that could aid us in the matter. Using our knees or legs to bend down and pick up the object, instead of our backs was an important lesson, for real life as well. Using our backs in imagination or real time can cause serious injury. Other lessons taught were things like our facial expressions when carrying the object, and the tension in our bodies as well. I think the objective of this was to help us relate to objects when acting, as well as help the audience relate to it as well.
After a few of these lessons we were paired up with partners. When my partner and I turn came up we picked up a body and carried it across the room. At the end of it one of our constructive critiques was to try to visualize what carrying a dead body in real life would be like. It would be hard because the body is so... flailing. Which makes it harder (one of our previous lessons). My experience with this was that proximics was also quite important when carrying imaginary objects. Because the actual object is isn't there you have to how much space it would take up between you and your partner, and you have to try your best to maintain that proximity as you carry the object across the room, otherwise the illusion is shattered.
We then had another little pushing and pulling exercise. We were told to push and pull the two bookcases across the room to get the feel of what it's really like. Then me and my partner Sarah practiced with our own objects. We pulled a fish out of the water. And we regrettably pushed an imaginary cow over. By the end of the day I had gotten a sense of how pushing and pulling worked.
Pushing and Pulling
Today's games were a continuation of last class' concept. We continued to use our imaginative as well as our improvisational skills. But this time we incorporated pushing and pulling of heavy objects. In order to make pulling and pushing of heavy objects real we were taught a few techniques that could aid us in the matter. Using our knees or legs to bend down and pick up the object, instead of our backs was an important lesson, for real life as well. Using our backs in imagination or real time can cause serious injury. Other lessons taught were things like our facial expressions when carrying the object, and the tension in our bodies as well. I think the objective of this was to help us relate to objects when acting, as well as help the audience relate to it as well.
After a few of these lessons we were paired up with partners. When my partner and I turn came up we picked up a body and carried it across the room. At the end of it one of our constructive critiques was to try to visualize what carrying a dead body in real life would be like. It would be hard because the body is so... flailing. Which makes it harder (one of our previous lessons). My experience with this was that proximics was also quite important when carrying imaginary objects. Because the actual object is isn't there you have to how much space it would take up between you and your partner, and you have to try your best to maintain that proximity as you carry the object across the room, otherwise the illusion is shattered.
We then had another little pushing and pulling exercise. We were told to push and pull the two bookcases across the room to get the feel of what it's really like. Then me and my partner Sarah practiced with our own objects. We pulled a fish out of the water. And we regrettably pushed an imaginary cow over. By the end of the day I had gotten a sense of how pushing and pulling worked.
February 17th
Where Games
Where games were games that we played that were based on our imagination of the objects we were wielding and, the elements of our sensory environment incorporated into it. Our sensory environment, if you must know includes things like taste, touch/feel, and sound. We sat in a circle and basically Mr. Mouck would tell us to pick up an object. We then had to describe the object in our hands. As I mentioned before, we would describe it based on it's smell, feel, taste etc. The objective of the game was to teach us how to get the feel of our environment, using our senses.
The first object that we started with was a phone, a ringing phone to be exact that we all proceeded to pick up. We all went around the circle describing what kind of phone it was, it's color and any other special physical attributes it contained. Some people *cough,* *cough,* like me did the typical Pinky finger, thumb phone, you know, the one you see in the movies just before the person says call me. Either way I managed to change it quickly and it became a regular phone. Mine was a home phone and purple. We then were asked to pick up a drink. For some reason I was immediately shifted to a bar scene, everything was blurred out, not because I was drunk, but because my drink was in focus. It was a beer of course, in one of those lager glasses. I remember I could see the water droplets on the glass because of it being cold. And when I took a drink I felt it going smoothly down my throat, however I didn't taste it. A book was the last of our objects to describe. When we reached back to pick up a book, at first I saw Harry Potter then I saw Twilight. I was conflicted about which book I saw so it was a little harder for me to describe. My experience with this game didn't start off the way I wanted to but I feel that I got the hang of it after a while.
The second part of this game was done with partners. It was done with the somewhat the same concept. We were supposed to turn around pick up an object then hand it to our partner. However, this was to be done without telling our partner what it was, and they were supposed to guess what we were handing to them. Using the elements of improvisation, we were supposed to say 'yes' to whatever our partner thought it was.
It was a little hard for me to get the hang of it at first. I remember giving my partner an orange, and he in turn received a burger. So we played around with the situation a little bit. And eventually I got into it.
Where Games
Where games were games that we played that were based on our imagination of the objects we were wielding and, the elements of our sensory environment incorporated into it. Our sensory environment, if you must know includes things like taste, touch/feel, and sound. We sat in a circle and basically Mr. Mouck would tell us to pick up an object. We then had to describe the object in our hands. As I mentioned before, we would describe it based on it's smell, feel, taste etc. The objective of the game was to teach us how to get the feel of our environment, using our senses.
The first object that we started with was a phone, a ringing phone to be exact that we all proceeded to pick up. We all went around the circle describing what kind of phone it was, it's color and any other special physical attributes it contained. Some people *cough,* *cough,* like me did the typical Pinky finger, thumb phone, you know, the one you see in the movies just before the person says call me. Either way I managed to change it quickly and it became a regular phone. Mine was a home phone and purple. We then were asked to pick up a drink. For some reason I was immediately shifted to a bar scene, everything was blurred out, not because I was drunk, but because my drink was in focus. It was a beer of course, in one of those lager glasses. I remember I could see the water droplets on the glass because of it being cold. And when I took a drink I felt it going smoothly down my throat, however I didn't taste it. A book was the last of our objects to describe. When we reached back to pick up a book, at first I saw Harry Potter then I saw Twilight. I was conflicted about which book I saw so it was a little harder for me to describe. My experience with this game didn't start off the way I wanted to but I feel that I got the hang of it after a while.
The second part of this game was done with partners. It was done with the somewhat the same concept. We were supposed to turn around pick up an object then hand it to our partner. However, this was to be done without telling our partner what it was, and they were supposed to guess what we were handing to them. Using the elements of improvisation, we were supposed to say 'yes' to whatever our partner thought it was.
It was a little hard for me to get the hang of it at first. I remember giving my partner an orange, and he in turn received a burger. So we played around with the situation a little bit. And eventually I got into it.
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