Drama mediums

Drama mediums

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  Drama Mediums Salvatore Sorce
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  Drama Mediums Refers tothe different ways in which dramatic meaning is communicated to an audience: • Costume • Mask And Make Up • Sound And Music • Lighting • Space, Levels And Proxemics • Set And Props • Movement, Mime And Gesture • Voice • Spoken Language Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 2
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  Costume • Can be used to clarify the character’s age, social class and rank • Each period helps to dictate posture and movement • Props serve as an extension of touch and clarify the relationship between characters e.g. fan = flirting/anger • Can be used to outwardly express the character’s internal emotional state Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 3
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  Masks • Ancient Greeks –rituals became ritual drama. Masks were exaggerated in expression and fitted about the mouth of the actor aiding voice projection • Middle Age – during the 12th -13th Centuries, masks were worn to dramatise the character to the extreme. Masks were grotesque, usually of Satan or one of his minions. • Renaissance Italy – in 15th Century Commedia dell arte consisted of characters so ridiculous in moral, that mask choice had to be absurd. Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 4
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  Make up Make upcan be used to: • accentuate • beautify • disfigure • age and • emphasise aspects of a character Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 5
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  Sound and Music Musicis most commonly used for dancing and interludes of entertainment for the audience More recently sound has been used for cinematic effects to underscore emotional tempo of a scene both to introduce and end Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 6
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  Lighting Correct choice oflighting can: • Direct audience attention • Focuses on particular elements of the play: introducing character/event or allows character/event exit • Sets atmosphere, mood and emotional tone for scene Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 7
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  Space and Levels Theatrein the round – Original theatre, used by the Greeks, adapted now to modern spaces i.e. National Olivier and Scarborough – Consider using for large scale productions – Olivier theatre Proscenium stage – Traditional theatre used late 17th to early 20th. Considered the norm, use of the 4th wall e.g. Lyttleton theatre – Has limitations in performance and staging Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 8
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  Space and Levels Semithrust stage – Used in Elizabethan period – e.g. Shakespeare’s Globe – Audience can both watch the main stage and surround the apron on three sides e.g Globe Two sided or traverse stage – Audience is predominantly on two sides of the stage, facing each other. – Ideally used to focus action on a even level with audience and to remind audience of theatrical event. i.e. Brechtian productions. e.g. Cottlesloe Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 9
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  Proxemics Proxemics refers tothe positioning of people in relation to each other and the use of interpersonal space. Reinforces the significance of relationships between characters due to their proximity Can be extended to include the positioning of the cast in relation to the audience and the use of the space in the auditorium section of the theatre Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 10
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  Set and Props Setsplace the action of the play Can be minimal or extravagant Can suggest an environment or recreate a complete one Props – what is their purpose? For set or for characters? What is the significance of a prop used in a scene i.e. a gun in Ivanov by Chekhov? What does a prop tell the audience about the character? What does a prop reveal about the inner workings of the character by the way they relate to the prop? Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 11
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  MMG Movement, mime andgesture dictates the audience perception of the character Questions to ask: at what speed does the character move? Are the movements direct or indirect? What manner of movement – fluid, staccato, light, heavy etc? What is the natural posture of the character? How much of the character can be told through mime or dumb show? What gestures are symbolic of this character? What do the gestures express? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laban_Mov ement_Analysis Is there a reason for the character to adopt this form of movement or gesture? Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 12
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  Laban Movement Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 13
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  Voice Voice dictates theaudience perception of the character Questions to ask: Where is the voice placed: chest, larynx or head? Is the voice resonant and deep or high and nasal? Vocal mannerisms? Specific emphasis? Accent or dialect? Pace of speech? Volume? How do all these contribute to the audience perception of the character? Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 14
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  Spoken Language Following onfrom voice the choice of language indicates the way the character thinks: How comfortable are they using language? Are they an energised or expressive, loquacious speaker? Are they a taciturn, short speaker? Are they laconic? Low energy? Are they an intelligent speaker? Is wit a part of approach? Are they mute? How do they express themselves if so? How do all these contribute to the audience perception of the character? Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 15
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  Drama Mediums Refers tothe different ways in which dramatic meaning is communicated to an audience: • Costume • Mask And Make Up • Sound And Music • Lighting • Space, Levels And Proxemics • Set And Props • Movement, Mime And Gesture • Voice • Spoken Language Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 16
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  Drama Mediums Salvatore Sorce