Remember tomorrow, to emphasize, that they/actors need to be off book after spring break.
You are in the blackbox 2 more times before we start running through the show.
Some of you have a loose grip over your students, make sure they are attentive when you are talking.
Yes I found out that they do not write down what I told to. Don remembered everything I told him including the little things that he needs to do for certain lines which makes me glad, but he will definitely forget what I told him after spring break. I told them to memorize their lines at home and try to memorize the line every time we rehearse it and I will make sure to tell them that they need to be off book after spring break. Jenny and Oliver both are going to the work trip too so yeah....I think they are under my control!!
ReplyDeleteI think that the game Ms. Houston told me today was a really nice exercise for Jenny and Oliver. It is a game that two people stand face to face and say things that you observe from the other. They first look at each other like a couple and didn't pay much attention, but then I told them to be into character and pretend that they are not close at all. They eventually had a good awkwardness going on.
OK, so I am really stressed right now because Dillon and Xander want to get uninvolved in my play and leave me to direct after telling me for about a month that I would have no real power. What the (Inserst word to express anger here)! I mean if they had told they were going to do this BEFROE we started the play I would be OK, but I now feel totally unprepared and that's not good.
ReplyDeleteThis could also have dire effects on coporation of our actors. So I appear as a minor to thhem and now my task is twice as hard as it should be because I have been soft on them for the most part, which is exactly what Houston Warned AGAINST. Adam, Hope, and Sasha seem commited, but I'm getting bad vibs from Kenny and Tristain. So if we go through with this then I will have to make the major change from having the mindset of having no power, to having total power.
Ultimately the decision lies with Houston, Mr. D, Mr. Moore, Dillon, and Xander and maybe this will work well from them. However, from my standpoint, the Headmasters scene could be seriously comprismised by the events unfolding here.
Having Hayfever doesn't help since I feel weak right now, but whatever decision you make, I shall Keep Calm and Carry On.
P.S. I used the wrong word. coporation should be reliability.
ReplyDeleteI think that today went well for Dillon and I, and that our actors were in fact writing down all our stage directions, mostly because we are constantly telling them to do so. We also came up with some useful games and activities for actors to do when they aren't needed and which have proved very useful. I'm sorry for allowing our actors to leave early, and we'll be sure to keep them to 5:00 from now on to the dot.
ReplyDeleteTo Charles, I have very simple advice: DON'T be soft on them. I mean come on Charles, I know you're flustered and dissapointed that your actors weren't listening you, but this is kind of a result of you casting yourself as the lead in your scene. If Dillon and I take turns directing your scene, then our notes and stage directions for our own scene will be different and we'll become disorganized. I'm convinced that you can direct your actors while acting in your scene. I had to do it when one of my actors was absent, and I acted in his place, and I actually found it almost more convenient to be playing a character when directing. It must just be that hayfever Charles.... you're tenacious, I know you'll pull through.
I can't agree more with Mr M and Evonne's experience in regards to writing things down. Don't take the chance of wasting the last week by having your actors forget your blocking or dialogue instructions. Take time tomorrow and check your actor's scripts. Go over anything they didn't write down again. A little time tomorrow saves a lot of time when we return.
ReplyDeleteJames' dance sequence is coming together well and I have to say that Lena is on fire! The song rehearsal sounded good and the makeup ideas today were great!
My two cents about Charles situation: Mr Merrick, don't get too worked up. I think this is simplier than you realize. If it is decided that you should direct the scene, your actors will gravitate toward you and it'll work out. Its not like there's going to be a mutanee. If anything they will appreciate one voice to follow and you'll get more accomplished.
After tomorrow we only have 15 rehearsals left - MAKE GOOD USE OF YOUR TIME!
Hey yall!!! thanks Dark Migiacomo for saying i'm on Fire? umm yea realized that liquid latex smells like rotting fish and several other unamable things....We still need to measure people so if you don't know what to have your actors do then SEND THEM DOWN!!! also the CTC need to get allergy tested for latex and such...
ReplyDeleteSong rehearsal was good don though is putting on his emo voice and i HATE IT! IT SOUNDS BAD... and steph is really QUIET like itsy bitsy spider quiet
also the entire time they were fondling and i felt like i was mad thirdwheeling it ...(awkward turtle)
charles: Never give up!!! at this point any winston churchill quote is an inspiration although playing ding dong ditch and leaving someone to direct something they aren't prepared for is kinda insensitive.
Pible: fake drip-able blood please, color wise i was thinking like a nicely aged red wine (burgundy for those without imagination) cause these dudes have been dead for a bit :)
EVERYONE: TEE-SHIT CONTEST IS ON! and any specific costume things you'd like to see or idea need to be emailed txted or facebooked to me asap because i want to know what i need to prepare/buy/find to be ready for after spring break
JAMES: Music wise i think it's best you just do your thing because its kinda too late for me to take the time to listen to your stuff, sorry:(
xoxo lena
tech went well today. We have pretty much accomplished everything we can until our additional lumber is purchased, which will not arrive until after spring break. So for Thurs/Fri we have no idea what to do with crew. This 16 people crew is both a difficulty/ payoff. We have so many that 5-6 different jobs get done the same day, but it can be a nightmare when 16 different people are asking what to do next. We anticipate that the set will be complete, and hopefully loaded into the bbox at the end of the 1st week back. Then we will realy have to figure out what to do with these people. Either cut them, or maybe teach them lights/sound basics.
ReplyDeleteOK, I now feel better and have had time to let everything sink in. I'm sorry if I seemed brutish in my first comment, I was just venting steam. I was also feeling pretty crummy, I literally collapsed on my bed and went to sleep for an hour after I wrote that and came out feeling worse. But I am better now.
ReplyDeleteSo here is my proposal, just humour me alright. I am willing to direct, but I would at least like Dillon to run Tomorrow just so I have Spring Break to prep for my new job. In addition I also need all the blocking notes so I can take control of that. Also, I just want Dillon to say (and I mean lie) that we planned for me to take over after Spring Break, I don't want the actors to think I am a substitute because that will spell disaster for our end of the production. We have all treated subs as lessers, don't even deny it.
I don't intend to be soft, but I think that is the mood in the Headmasters office now and that needs to be crushed quickly, maybe even tomorrow.
Let me know what you think and again I apoligize for being unpleasant.
Sincerely to the Directors and Faculty Advisors of the Spring Play
Charles Merrick
So basically, things went quite well today. The person that I seem to be working with the most is Will because he has the least amount of experience out of anyone in the group, but everyone has been helping him out which i think is awesome. I found out that he forgets things easily and therefore I started making him write down every single piece of blocking. In terms of everyone else...I've seen them all work before and I know how they work so I them go through their own process because if you try to make people abide to yours it just pisses them off I've found. Tommy and Jon are already really trying to learn their lines and trying to get off book..the same goes for Aaron. I'm quite impressed actually.
ReplyDeleteToday's practice was awesome. We were able to finish blocking all of the scenes in the counselor's office and it's actually pretty hysterical. Zylox's blocking is ridiculous and involves him regularly creeping up behind people, poking his head out from behind a couch, and in fact jumping over the couch multiple times. I was actually surprised that Jimmy could do that.
ReplyDeleteCharles, believe me, I'm not trying to make this more difficult for you but there's multiple things you have to remember. When you're making something perfect you have to try different things and find what works. Xander and I tried to direct multiple scenes at once and it didn't work. Yesterday, we were luckily quick, because we actually had to go through everything Xander had already accomplished so I could write down the blocking for the scenes he'd already put together and understand what actions he was talking about. Also, I don't think any of us took time and were like, "We're going to prepare for this NOW," so when you say you weren't prepared to direct, I don't buy it. Firstly because I've seen you direct in class and in PSN and know that you're very capable of seeing something in your head and transposing it to a stage. You're also very good at being clear about what you're trying to convey to your actors. Second off, what have we been learning in class all year? I have faith in you bud. I know you can do this and I think that having me run practice for your scenes outside when the scenes that I really want to direct are inside the Black Box is pretty absurd and I'm going to be firm in saying "No, I will not direct your scenes tomorrow." Sadat expressed his nerves for directing in class the day before he conquered it and I know that you're just as capable as anyone else Charles. In fact, your original intention was to direct and act when you wrote this scene so you're technically back where you originally wanted to be.
I also wanted to add that I only directed your scene for one day and Xander actually never did, Charles. The actors have almost no attachment to me as their director. I've seen you get our AP Government class quiet and that is definitely harder than getting a few actors to be quiet. Hang in there and if you really feel stressed tomorrow come and get me and I'll help you in the meantime. I'm also glad that you are willing to do this and I don't think I made that clear at all in my last rant so make sure and understand that as well.
ReplyDeleteoho seems like we've got a heated debate going on here...getting a little feisty
ReplyDeleteLOVE THE FIRE KIDS!! ok well i think writing stuff down has to be huge with this big break coming up! so great idea papa Mdawg. I'm running late to school but i think theres a great vibe on this post. BTW how are we gonna get everyone to actually practice lines over break? Confinement?
ReplyDeleteAJ- You all will need to email them repeatedly, text them, facebook message them, and remind them countless times to learn their lines. Maybe this is something you can do- get a copy of the list from Coleman and send out messages every few days. It really will help. They did it last year with great results.
ReplyDeleteHey everyone out there. Guess who gets to decide who is directing Charles' scene? ME! So, we'll talk about it in class. Basically, Dillon agreed to do it, so I think he should still be in charge when Charles' scene is in the blackbox. Mr. D will make an adjustment to the schedule so that you aren't in the Blackbox at the same time anymore. An actor cannot direct a piece of theatre that they are in. It just does not happen. Xander, you need to be able to take charge of your scene on your own. You don't need Dillon all the time. Charles - you need to be able to take charge of your actors and fill time with games/activities/running lines when Dillon is in the Bbox with Xander. After break, Xander may need to direct both scenes while Dillon and Charles direct and film movie clips.
Dillon and Xander - This process is not about unilateral decision making. You agreed to help Charles, so you need to stick to that agreement.
Charles - Keep calm and carry on. You have all of break to prepare for the time outside the bbox.
Lena-you need to be clear and firm with Don and Steph. No canoodling during the song rehearsal, and be specific in your music direction of them. They can both take direction. Be professional and direct.
Everyone else -- checking people's scripts today is of paramount importance. Don't take their word for it. You don't have time after break to re-teach blocking.
There may be some downtime where I can let my actors run their dances out in the hallway and could take one of the scenes - if both Charles and Dillon are out taping. I just thought I'd offer, if someone is needed.
ReplyDeleteI think things are going very well. I feel like the use of choreography and these intense characters helps the people who feel slighted by their lack of lines enjoy being part of this production more. Nick, Emma, Eriks, etc. who have all done multiple shows initially seemed kind of disappointed or subdued about their parts. Now that they are seeing how wonderful these characters are - and they have a (in my opinion) badass dance to perform, I think they're having some more fun and not worrying so much about being "the star" (as if the amount of lines determined your star potential! BAH!) and just enjoying being a part of this production.