Introduction to Theatre Making 2

Sound

In theatre we use sound for many reasons. To create atmosphere, emotions & moods, settings or to reinforce by adding an additional layer to the performance.

3 types of reinforcement
1. Conscious- used in musicals and light entertainment- the mic moves to the movement.
2. Subconscious- cinema, TV, Radio- the sound is and accompaniment.
3. Intrinsic (vital)- Bands- everything is mic individually and all movement is based around the mic.

3 types of sound effect
1. Live
2. Taped
3. Reinforced

After learning the basics of a sound board the class was decided into groups and given the task to create a lightning storm through sound. The following are the decisions we made and where possible reasons why.

Firstly we decided we wanted to create a progressing storm. This way the storm has a journey and builds to a climax, this in turn should make the storm seem more real to our audience by tapping into past experiences and creating a familiar atmosphere. After looking at the available sounds we added the concept of placing our audience on a ship at sea and telling the story of the ship being destroyed by the storm through sound.

To achieve this we decided to start with a calm wind and the sound of distant rain on water, this establishes a location, at sea, because the sound of rain on water has a different quality to rain on another surface.

From here we would bring in a heavier wind and rain to show some small progression in the storm, we would expect our audience to feel as if the storm is travelling towards them and start to build some tension.

The third phase of our storm would be the introduction of a distant tremble of thunder, again this helps show a progression and adds tension by upping the severity of the storm.

From here we introduce a thunder clap and gale force winds through ship rigging whilst maintaining the heavy rain. This again adds to setting as now it is clear we are on a boat and places us in a dangerous atmosphere.

To heighten the sense of location further we would add the sound of rain on a cockpit, this would suggest we as an audience are now inside and gives a slight relief before we heighten the storm once more to a lightning crash and thunder before introducing a tornado and fading out to silence to show that the storm has progressed to a stage that it has destroyed our boat.

This was the initial plan based on the sound labels on the tracks we were given. However the reality was rather different. Due to the lack of time management and some of the tracks not working out as we planned our raging, destructive storm drizzled into a brief passing over of heavy shower. We still managed to show some progression and travelled our storm towards and away from our audience.

I feel we now have the skills to create more and progress on what we achieved as well as the understanding of what we can do with more thorough preparation.

Introduction to Theatre Making 1

Firstly we were introduced to the three types of theatre house, a receiving house is a theatre that buys in companies to perform, they hae no in house company producing its own work. A producing house is a theatre that does have an internal company that produces work to put on within the theatre. The final option is a Repetory house, there are only two left in the UK and the Mercury theatre in Colchester is one of them, these theatres have an annually paid company contracted to the theatre to produce around 6 shows a year.

Next we covered the roles and occupations within the majority of theatres that have been devided into sections as follows:

Creatives: Artistic/director, set designers, LX and SX (light and sound) Designers, costume designers, choreographers, fight and music directors.

Technical: Technical manager, Cheif LX, LX and SX operators, Master carpenter, Assistant LX, Deputy Cheif LX, Flyman, Dressers, Wardrobe, Stage technicians

SM(stage management): SM, Assistant SM, DSM, Company SM, Production Manager

FOH/Admin: Theatre manager, Box office, Ushers, Bar staff, Caterers, Cleaners, Stage door keeper, Marketing, Theatre Administrator.

We then went through the order in which these people become part of a production.
1st- Director.
2nd-Set Designer.(produces a white card model to scale, specifics, final model box, ground plan)
3rd- Production Manager ( at White card model stage)
4th- Stage manager and all other creatives.

We also went through a typical rehearsal schedual and how certain days work for a technical crew that come in about a week and a half before the performance.

Each day split into 3 sections:Am (9-1), Pm (2-6), Eve (7-10)

Day 1: LX and SX Rig
Day 2: Rig Trap doors, Flying Pieces, Get in & Fit up.
Day 3: Fit up
Day 4: Focus
Day 5: Plot

then in production week

Day 6: Technical Rehearsal
Day 7: Technical Rehearsal
Day 8: Problem Solving, Dress Rehearsal ,Notes
Day 9: Problem Solving, Show Opens

Then between each show notes are given through a DSMs performance report to each department, this includes Run time, Audience reaction, Audience numbers and any problems to be resolved.

The final thing we covered was the communication used within a theatre and the calling terms.
For example a Half call means there is 35 minutes to curtain, the countdown is as follows:
15min call (20)
10min call (15)
5 min call (10)
Begginers (3)

Other forms of communication during the proccess comes through production meetings and the DSM's rehearsal and performance reports.

The assement for this course is a journal reporting everything we do within the class, evidence to show we have seen 3 perfromance, 2 art exhibitions and a dance production complete with reviews and 1 full review of 1500 words.

Introduction to Literature Lecture 1

The first thing we are introduced to is the reading list which can be found on the moodle page via hyperlinks from this blog. The first texts we are introduced to are Gilgamesh and The Book of genesis, both to be read by tuesday of week 2.

Next we are advised on preperation techniques to help us get the most out of lectures. This involves again going to moodle via the link and looking through the assignments and prep material for the week ahead as well as looking at podcasts and other research material as this will help later in the year when we come to write our essays, it is also advised to read through the lecture handouts before each lecture and print one out for when it arrives. It was also stated that we can find the exact extracts and chapters that the lecture will be relating to, this can also be found on moodle.

The third topic covered was nate taking. We were made aware that sometimes the lecturer will ask us to listen and not make notes. Some lecturer's notes can be found online throughout the year. i Personally have decided to write up my notes on Blogger so as to get easy organised access from anywhere. We were also told that we will be covering aroud 2/3 of the primary texts within our group discussions and seminars and that we should ask and seek help from tutors based on our needs of their specific expertise in certain fields.

The format of our examination is as follows:
5% participation (being at and engaged throughout lectures and seminars)
Oral Group Presentation (marked on an individual basis-to be explained later in the year)
2 Essays (both 2500-3000 words,deadlines: Tuesday 14th November; Tuesday 8th March)

All essays are based upon individual research and lecture notes. All quote and unoriginal ideas must be referenced accordingly.