Unit 7 - Preparation for Specialist Studies
Context
Our Unit 7 consists of an overview of what we have learned during the year by doing projects like working the sound, lights, being a stage manager on shows, a national competition and being technical director for one of the shows as well. We also need to show how we can use the skills that we've learned during this course on upcoming projects, especially our Unit 8.
The main thing that I will be focussing on for my Unit 7 and Unit 8 is the Acting Level 3, Year 1 final performance. This piece is called Love and Information. For this piece I plan to be the stage manager as well as design and create a set using pvc pipes. This idea has been agreed on during the first production meeting that I had with the director. Doing this will create an interesting setting as well as giving the actors an opportunity to work with an abstract set. The set will be very versatile and can create a visualization of isolation or a crowded space as the pvc pipes create a box feeling. The director can decide how big or small they want the space to look by putting a certain amount of people in it.
The main thing that I will be focussing on for my Unit 7 and Unit 8 is the Acting Level 3, Year 1 final performance. This piece is called Love and Information. For this piece I plan to be the stage manager as well as design and create a set using pvc pipes. This idea has been agreed on during the first production meeting that I had with the director. Doing this will create an interesting setting as well as giving the actors an opportunity to work with an abstract set. The set will be very versatile and can create a visualization of isolation or a crowded space as the pvc pipes create a box feeling. The director can decide how big or small they want the space to look by putting a certain amount of people in it.
Progress
During my time on this course I believe that I have made a lot of progress. When I started this course I knew how to use a certain type of lighting board which wasn't anywhere near the lighting console that I know how to use now. Starting off I had very little to no knowledge about how to operate a sound desk but after learning how to do this by having physical practice I can use it and even explain to someone else how to use it as well. We learned how to do all of this during our first term and were able to produce multiple shows, even the Christmas show which scale is bigger than the shows we would usually do. Besides learning how to do light and sound, I learned how to do stage management, which is the practice that I would like to do professionally. This was a bit more difficult as we don't have a certain class for that. By looking at how other people would call a show is how I learned as well as doing research on the internet, in books and by doing work experience at a West End show.
What I learned in October
During my first month at the college we went over the basics of lights and sound. We were taught how to properly operate the light and sound consoles. Besides that we learned how to rig the lights safely in case we needed to this for future shows. After this we did our first show for Acting Year 1, Levels 2 and 3. The lights and sound were very simple as we didn't have the skills to create something more elaborate yet. This was also the first show that I did as a stage manager. We weren't given a script, just a running order which I was used to by doing shows at my secondary school. It was my first time calling a show and I got the comment that I did it a bit too aggressive, this helped me to adapt my calling style.
What I learned in November
November was my second month at the college and there were quite a few trips planned during this month. It started with the Performing Arts and Production Arts students going to a special school matinee of Hamilton. Because I sat quite close to the stage, I was able to see some of the lights as well as some of the automations. This was very interesting as I had never seen a production through technical eyes. After this we had a trip planned to Disneyland which was part of our Unit 3. This consisted of us looking at the technical aspects of running multiple shows as one company. We looked at the different techniques that Disney uses and how we could adapt these to work for our theatre and upcoming projects. Straight after Disneyland we went to Theatre Craft. There we could sign up for different workshops that would show us the technical side of the theatre. The most interesting workshop that I did that day was the automation workshop. This was something that I didn't really know that much about but is quite important for a stage manager to know. Besides that I won tickets to see Motown which was amazing. The fun part was that I could now identify the things that I had learned previously in that day in the show. Besides the things that the college had planned for me, I was able to get work experience with a stage manager on the West End. I went to shadow the deputy stage manager of Heathers: The Musical at The Royal Theatre Haymarket. This was an experience that I really enjoyed and learned a lot from, for example: How to mark up a script and professionally call a show. Amongst this I also had an opportunity to talk to the rest of the stage management team about the industry and they gave me some tips and tricks as well as the offer to stay in touch with them so I would have contacts as soon as I get into the industry. We also did another small show with the Year 1, Level 2 and 3 actors in which we applied the skills we had learned thus far.
What I learned in December
Once December started we knew it was time for the Christmas show. Usually the college does a pantomime as these are very popular to do around the holiday season, but because they had very little (only 4) Dance and Musical Theatre students, they decided to do a slightly adapted version of A Christmas Carol. During this production my role was to be stage manager. This consisted of marking the script, which I had learned to do the precious month, as well as calling out the actual show. I also was the contact person in the tech crew that the actors could contact if they had any issues. Besides that I was also in charge of costumes. This mainly consisted of making sure that everyone had and was in their costume on time and that they were returned neatly. The process of doing the show went smoothly except for a technical issue during the last show. We fixed this quickly as a team so the show could go on without any further interruptions. The main thing that I learned from that experience is that we can still function well as a team in a stressful situation because everyone knew exactly what to do without having to consult with each other. Another thing that I learned whilst doing the Christmas show is how to use the movers. My classmate explained everything that he was doing in terms of lighting for the show which really helped me to understand everything about the lights.
What I learned in January
After the holidays were done we mainly focussed on our Royal Opera House Challenge. This was the national competition that we took part in. We had to work on our planning and how we would execute our ideas to get a physical piece that we could present to the judges in a video. By doing this I learned how to plan better and how to create a piece of clothing from scratch. Whilst creating the piece I had used bits of my experience that I had learned about costuming during A Christmas Carol.
What I learned in February
During February we got back into doing shows as we were given the task to be technical director on a show. I chose to be TD on Macbeth, the Year 1, Level 3 Acting show. The role of technical director was harder than I expected, especially if you have to do it for three different groups. My planning for the show had been better than for previous shows because I had now learned this skill due to doing other shows. I was with the class during their rehearsals and had production meetings with them which I learned to do from doing Christmas Carol. This was very helpful as I had all the ideas written down clearly. These meetings also gave me the opportunity to tell the cast and director if something was not feasible or if I had ideas to change or add on to certain parts of the show.
What I learned in March
March was the month of the Macbeth performances as well as the Dance/Musical theatre one; Little Shop of Horrors which my classmate was TD for. During one of the performances of Macbeth I acted as backstage support, which I hadn't done before. This was very interesting as I could communicate with the actors directly if they had any issues and resolve them on the spot. This was a part of stage management that I was lacking but now have the skill to do so again. For the Little Shop of Horrors my classmate put me on sound. I was pleased that he had done this cause this was something I hadn't done before, at least not for a complete show. The knowledge was there, I just needed to get the practical part of it down. Everything went well as I had the confidence that I needed because my classmate sat beside me if I needed any help or instructions. In the end I didn't need help but I now possess the skill that I need to fully do it on my own.
What I learned in April
Although the month of April was interrupted with a two week break, I realized that I learned quite a bit. During the time that I have been working on our new project, which is being TD for another show, I have learned about creating and developing a set design. This is a side of theatre that I hadn't really done any research about, but I do have an interest in. For my current project, Love and Information which is the Year 1, Level 3 Acting show, I have researched abstract stages and how I would be able to create one on a low budget. This is a big part of my Unit 7 and 8 and I will explain this further in the Proposal part in Unit 8.
Physical Proof of my Progress
Down below are some video's of my progress over this year. Most of the video's are lighting related as these easiest to record without disturbing anyone whilst they are working.
What I learned in October
During my first month at the college we went over the basics of lights and sound. We were taught how to properly operate the light and sound consoles. Besides that we learned how to rig the lights safely in case we needed to this for future shows. After this we did our first show for Acting Year 1, Levels 2 and 3. The lights and sound were very simple as we didn't have the skills to create something more elaborate yet. This was also the first show that I did as a stage manager. We weren't given a script, just a running order which I was used to by doing shows at my secondary school. It was my first time calling a show and I got the comment that I did it a bit too aggressive, this helped me to adapt my calling style.
What I learned in November
November was my second month at the college and there were quite a few trips planned during this month. It started with the Performing Arts and Production Arts students going to a special school matinee of Hamilton. Because I sat quite close to the stage, I was able to see some of the lights as well as some of the automations. This was very interesting as I had never seen a production through technical eyes. After this we had a trip planned to Disneyland which was part of our Unit 3. This consisted of us looking at the technical aspects of running multiple shows as one company. We looked at the different techniques that Disney uses and how we could adapt these to work for our theatre and upcoming projects. Straight after Disneyland we went to Theatre Craft. There we could sign up for different workshops that would show us the technical side of the theatre. The most interesting workshop that I did that day was the automation workshop. This was something that I didn't really know that much about but is quite important for a stage manager to know. Besides that I won tickets to see Motown which was amazing. The fun part was that I could now identify the things that I had learned previously in that day in the show. Besides the things that the college had planned for me, I was able to get work experience with a stage manager on the West End. I went to shadow the deputy stage manager of Heathers: The Musical at The Royal Theatre Haymarket. This was an experience that I really enjoyed and learned a lot from, for example: How to mark up a script and professionally call a show. Amongst this I also had an opportunity to talk to the rest of the stage management team about the industry and they gave me some tips and tricks as well as the offer to stay in touch with them so I would have contacts as soon as I get into the industry. We also did another small show with the Year 1, Level 2 and 3 actors in which we applied the skills we had learned thus far.
What I learned in December
Once December started we knew it was time for the Christmas show. Usually the college does a pantomime as these are very popular to do around the holiday season, but because they had very little (only 4) Dance and Musical Theatre students, they decided to do a slightly adapted version of A Christmas Carol. During this production my role was to be stage manager. This consisted of marking the script, which I had learned to do the precious month, as well as calling out the actual show. I also was the contact person in the tech crew that the actors could contact if they had any issues. Besides that I was also in charge of costumes. This mainly consisted of making sure that everyone had and was in their costume on time and that they were returned neatly. The process of doing the show went smoothly except for a technical issue during the last show. We fixed this quickly as a team so the show could go on without any further interruptions. The main thing that I learned from that experience is that we can still function well as a team in a stressful situation because everyone knew exactly what to do without having to consult with each other. Another thing that I learned whilst doing the Christmas show is how to use the movers. My classmate explained everything that he was doing in terms of lighting for the show which really helped me to understand everything about the lights.
What I learned in January
After the holidays were done we mainly focussed on our Royal Opera House Challenge. This was the national competition that we took part in. We had to work on our planning and how we would execute our ideas to get a physical piece that we could present to the judges in a video. By doing this I learned how to plan better and how to create a piece of clothing from scratch. Whilst creating the piece I had used bits of my experience that I had learned about costuming during A Christmas Carol.
What I learned in February
During February we got back into doing shows as we were given the task to be technical director on a show. I chose to be TD on Macbeth, the Year 1, Level 3 Acting show. The role of technical director was harder than I expected, especially if you have to do it for three different groups. My planning for the show had been better than for previous shows because I had now learned this skill due to doing other shows. I was with the class during their rehearsals and had production meetings with them which I learned to do from doing Christmas Carol. This was very helpful as I had all the ideas written down clearly. These meetings also gave me the opportunity to tell the cast and director if something was not feasible or if I had ideas to change or add on to certain parts of the show.
What I learned in March
March was the month of the Macbeth performances as well as the Dance/Musical theatre one; Little Shop of Horrors which my classmate was TD for. During one of the performances of Macbeth I acted as backstage support, which I hadn't done before. This was very interesting as I could communicate with the actors directly if they had any issues and resolve them on the spot. This was a part of stage management that I was lacking but now have the skill to do so again. For the Little Shop of Horrors my classmate put me on sound. I was pleased that he had done this cause this was something I hadn't done before, at least not for a complete show. The knowledge was there, I just needed to get the practical part of it down. Everything went well as I had the confidence that I needed because my classmate sat beside me if I needed any help or instructions. In the end I didn't need help but I now possess the skill that I need to fully do it on my own.
What I learned in April
Although the month of April was interrupted with a two week break, I realized that I learned quite a bit. During the time that I have been working on our new project, which is being TD for another show, I have learned about creating and developing a set design. This is a side of theatre that I hadn't really done any research about, but I do have an interest in. For my current project, Love and Information which is the Year 1, Level 3 Acting show, I have researched abstract stages and how I would be able to create one on a low budget. This is a big part of my Unit 7 and 8 and I will explain this further in the Proposal part in Unit 8.
Physical Proof of my Progress
Down below are some video's of my progress over this year. Most of the video's are lighting related as these easiest to record without disturbing anyone whilst they are working.
This was the first show that we did for the Acting course. As you can see the lighting is very simple. There were very little ques to call because we had only a few lighting and sound changes.
This is a video of the first show that we did for the Dance/Musical Theatre course. At the time we struggled with this piece, but looking back on it with the experience that we have now, this was a very easy piece to program and call.
This is the recording of A Christmas Carol. This was our first big show which we learned a lot from. As you can see there are multiple lighting and music changes as well as a projection part. The difference between this show and the first one that we did is pretty big. You can tell that we learned lot between these shows.
This is the lighting installation that I did as part of my certificate. This was the first piece that I fully created on my own. Compared to the single colours that I was able to do at the beginning of the year, (see first video) I think the progress is very visible.
This is the performance of Little Shop of Horrors of which I did the sound. This was the first full piece that I did sound for besides my lighting installation.
This is a recording of one of the groups that did Macbeth. This was the show that I was TD on. For a first time I think it worked out quite well. I am looking forward to compare this with my next project.
Skills Audit
Evaluation
During my time at this course I absolutely believe that I have learned a lot. Some things didn't exactly go to plan but because these mishaps happened I know how the prevent them from happening in the future. The previous productions and my classmates have inspired me to be more creative going in to future shows and how to encourage my team and the actors to do that as well. By doing this I believe that my Unit 8 as well as the shows that I will work on during my second year will continue to become better and better.
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