Peter Pan was amazing!! I had extremely low expectations for it because a.) I had never liked the movie or the music and b.) the last production I saw at that theatre was a completer flop. So, it could be that the reason I loved it so much was because my expectations were so low, or simply because it was a really good show. There were a few things that I didn't like though; for example Peter Pan had at least 2 visible tattoos, which is not something you find commonly on a child who doesn't want to grow up. I think they could have at least used make up to cover them. Another thing I didn't like was Tinker Bell, she was just a green shadow-like fairy that always faced one direction; so it looked like she was flying backwards at times. I would have made Tinker Bell a simple yellow dot or circle, that way it wouldn't make a difference which direction she was moving. I also did not like the make-up they used on Hook, it seemed as if they tried to make him look scary, but it just made him look weird. I did love the set though. The colors in the children's room was different and unique, and other set pieces such as Peter Pan's house and the forest really stood out. I also liked the Indians dances, even though it seemed weird that they were randomly dancing in the forest when they could be doing something productive...
I think this show did great with the lighting. They took full advantage of the fact that this show is supposed to be magical by the lighting they used. They didn't simply use different colors, they also used different designs that were reflected on the parts of the stage that there was magic or that Peter Pan was entering in. So, this show only strengthened my love for the lighting used in theatre.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
LIGHTING!!! vidoes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRPLYeefo5E&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud21pqKeSuw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ62X6HeStg&feature=related
I included these three videos in my discussion of lighting because they emphasize my point that lighting is an important aspect of the theatre. The 1st video is a scene from Wicked; this video seems to have such small lighting changes, yet they affect the scene with something as small as changing the color of the floor!!! Whenever a mood or a thought is changed on stage the lighting changes with it. This type of lighting supports what the actors are trying to do as they make the audience feel what their character is feeling.
The second video is more of a concert-like lighting plot. But, I included it because it is more intense than the first one. The lights are all over the place and they are constantly moving is all directions. This lighting may not be good for every play, but it is definitely a way to grab the attention of an audience.
You never really understand how important lighting is until there isn't any lighting. That's why I included the 3rd video. I understand that these people aren't professionals, but I believe that with a lighting design, this performance could have went up a few notches. These videos really helped me understand that lighting should definitely be present, but it should also be consistent with the scene and also be unique. So, trying to achieve all of these things in every show is tough!! But I would definitely take on this challenge and try to master it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud21pqKeSuw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ62X6HeStg&feature=related
I included these three videos in my discussion of lighting because they emphasize my point that lighting is an important aspect of the theatre. The 1st video is a scene from Wicked; this video seems to have such small lighting changes, yet they affect the scene with something as small as changing the color of the floor!!! Whenever a mood or a thought is changed on stage the lighting changes with it. This type of lighting supports what the actors are trying to do as they make the audience feel what their character is feeling.
The second video is more of a concert-like lighting plot. But, I included it because it is more intense than the first one. The lights are all over the place and they are constantly moving is all directions. This lighting may not be good for every play, but it is definitely a way to grab the attention of an audience.
You never really understand how important lighting is until there isn't any lighting. That's why I included the 3rd video. I understand that these people aren't professionals, but I believe that with a lighting design, this performance could have went up a few notches. These videos really helped me understand that lighting should definitely be present, but it should also be consistent with the scene and also be unique. So, trying to achieve all of these things in every show is tough!! But I would definitely take on this challenge and try to master it.
Set Day
I've always loved set day, but only to a certain extent. I enjoy cleaning the wood, taking out the trash, pulling things apart, painting or spray painting things, and even cutting the Styrofoam; but I do not like to actually build things. For example, the people who will build the Smokey Joe's platforms, I am extremely appreciative of them because building is not my favorite part. But, I have done it before and I will do it in the future if I am needed, but I would rather not do it if at all possible. So, set day was good for me because it wasn't anything too big to handle. I believe the set will play a humongous part in this play because a.) we use it for levels, b.) the ancestors and Mushu are constantly on the platforms. and c.) it gives variety rather than just your usual set. I believe the technical thing that will play the most part in Mulan is the lighting. First of all, without the lights we would be in the dark; second of all, when the ancestors use their "powers" to help Mulan there is going to be cool lighting there; and also with the avalanche scene there should definitely be some cool lighting. So, I believe the lighting will the most important technical part of the play because it changes as moods and situations change. But the sound also plays an important part because without it the audience wouldn't be able to hear us!! So, I guess every technical aspect of the theatre is equally important!!!
But, I think I would rather learn more about lighting.
But, I think I would rather learn more about lighting.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Reaction to STOMP
OK, let me start off by saying that STOMP was AMAZING!!!! They should change the name of the show to "AWESOME"!! I was expecting to be blown away by the beats and the movements, but the show blew me away with so much more. I loved how the actors didn't have lines or even a plot, yet they still each had individual unique characters. I also loved how the show started; at first people didn't know if the sweeping was part of the show or if it was simply a last minute clean up (or at least that's what I was thinking). The beats were so cool, I can.t imagine how long it would take to choreograph something like that or to come up with those beats. I loved meeting the performers. It showed us the difference between them and their "characters". Also it allowed us to hear their reaction to their own show and their lives on tour. I was so mad when their manager made us leave, but I was glad I got to experience a talk-back.
I didn't really notice any elements from Kabuki or Greek theatre, but I'm sure there were some small elements of both.
I think STOMP made me realize that your character is who you make it. Each person in the show had a unique character made by themselves, and that made the show that much better. So now I know that my character, Hong, can only go as far as I let it; which is what Mrs. Laura has been telling us about our character only being words on a paper. If I restrict my character in any way, I am penalizing the show as an entirity.
I didn't really notice any elements from Kabuki or Greek theatre, but I'm sure there were some small elements of both.
I think STOMP made me realize that your character is who you make it. Each person in the show had a unique character made by themselves, and that made the show that much better. So now I know that my character, Hong, can only go as far as I let it; which is what Mrs. Laura has been telling us about our character only being words on a paper. If I restrict my character in any way, I am penalizing the show as an entirity.
Greek Theatre
http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110Tech/Theater.html
This site was really helpful in my search for information about ancient Greek theatre. It has different sections where you can search for different information. I already knew a little about Greek theatre, so this was sort of a review for me. The stage was like an arena where the audience sat and looked down at the show; there was a chorus who sang what was going on; and there is usually an Exodus where you learn the moral of the story at the end. But I did not know, and I was interested in the fact, that the cast of Greek theatre consisted of a chorus and only three actors; no matter how many speaking parts there were they only used three actors by making them change costumes or masks to change their character. I thought that was interesting because in modern theatre casts range from numbers as low 2 actors to as grand as 50 actors.
I would have loved to go to a traditional Greek theatre performance. I believe Greek theatre would have interested me way more than the traditional Kabuki theatre would have. Kabuki seems to be more of a slower paced show with actions that are far fetched, while Greek theatre seems to be more realistic. I believe that more modern theatres around the world derived from Greek theatre more than they derived from Kabuki, even some elements are still used from Kabuki.
This site was really helpful in my search for information about ancient Greek theatre. It has different sections where you can search for different information. I already knew a little about Greek theatre, so this was sort of a review for me. The stage was like an arena where the audience sat and looked down at the show; there was a chorus who sang what was going on; and there is usually an Exodus where you learn the moral of the story at the end. But I did not know, and I was interested in the fact, that the cast of Greek theatre consisted of a chorus and only three actors; no matter how many speaking parts there were they only used three actors by making them change costumes or masks to change their character. I thought that was interesting because in modern theatre casts range from numbers as low 2 actors to as grand as 50 actors.
I would have loved to go to a traditional Greek theatre performance. I believe Greek theatre would have interested me way more than the traditional Kabuki theatre would have. Kabuki seems to be more of a slower paced show with actions that are far fetched, while Greek theatre seems to be more realistic. I believe that more modern theatres around the world derived from Greek theatre more than they derived from Kabuki, even some elements are still used from Kabuki.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Kabuki Theatre
Let me first start off by saying that I would definitely not want to attend Kabuki theatre in ancient Japan. I always thought that Kabuki theatre was an elaborate dance with fire and dragons and lots of dark scenes. But, it actually isn't anything like I thought it would be. All of the videos I found of Japanese Kabuki theatre were really boring. But, being as it was traditional in Japan, I might have seen one show just for the experience.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW_MO1i7YcA
This video is an example of all of the elements of the Kabuki theatre: they show the traditional make-up, fans, wigs, and costumes. The man in the video makes extremely weird faces and when he speaks it sounds as if he is trying to sing. Also his costume seems way to big on him.
But, I guess I could sit through a live Kabuki performance just to have the experience and for an educational purpose, but definitely not for recreation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW_MO1i7YcA
This video is an example of all of the elements of the Kabuki theatre: they show the traditional make-up, fans, wigs, and costumes. The man in the video makes extremely weird faces and when he speaks it sounds as if he is trying to sing. Also his costume seems way to big on him.
But, I guess I could sit through a live Kabuki performance just to have the experience and for an educational purpose, but definitely not for recreation.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Story of Fa Mulan
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art29756.asp
I really liked this website because it didn't just give the story that is known by Disney, where Mulan goes to war and when she returns she is praised and falls in love with the captian. It tells of the poem that originated in China. This site points out that Mulan went to war and fought long and hard; but when she returned she resumed her position as the girl of the family. I realized that she knew her place, even when it seemed wrong to everyone else. Before the war she did the chores of the lady, but when her father needed her she took on the role of the man, and when she returned home she immediately knew she was needed back as the womanly role.
I really liked this website because it didn't just give the story that is known by Disney, where Mulan goes to war and when she returns she is praised and falls in love with the captian. It tells of the poem that originated in China. This site points out that Mulan went to war and fought long and hard; but when she returned she resumed her position as the girl of the family. I realized that she knew her place, even when it seemed wrong to everyone else. Before the war she did the chores of the lady, but when her father needed her she took on the role of the man, and when she returned home she immediately knew she was needed back as the womanly role.
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