Tuesday, 13 May 2014
Comedy attributes
4 Comic Timings:
Fixed Point - This is when two characters in the scene/sketch stop what they're doing and look into each others eyes. The objective of this is to have the audience know that the two charcters, no matter how far or near to each other, acknowledge each other, but they don't necessarily have an effect on what they're doing.
Comic Drop - This is similar to a fixed point but when the characters are talking in the scene/sketch they will take a moment, come out of character for a matter of seconds, and stare out to the audience. Then suddenly go back into character and carry on with the moment.
Comical Stop - This is a flinch reaction to a certain moment in the scene/sketch. For example the characters phone may ring whilst they're out shopping, they flinch acknowledging their phone ringing. They may also flinch as a reaction to who is calling them. This is very comical as no one in the audience would expect you to randomly flinch, neither would the characters on stage so there are many reactions from the characters flinch.
Suspension - The objective is in the name really. This is when the characters creat a moment of suspension, whether to come on stage, make a particular action or say something. The audience after a while may acknowledge this suspension and find it funny. It works well when it's down to saying something, especially when the character comes off over the top when they say what they say.
Clown:The clown character is a character who is a very stupid version of you, in fact the complete opposite. The clown always wants to help so they will not take "No it's fine, don't worry" for an answer. This makes them a very annoying character which becomes very comical to the audience as the clown just becomes more stupid and stupid. The one thing the clown doesn't want to do is be so unbelievably stupid that it just gets boring and hard to believe that they're that stupid.
Straightman:
The straight man is a part of the act with the clown character. This character is very overly serious and doesn't find anything that the clown does funny at all in the slightest. This character can be anything from a stranger at a bus stop to the clowns best friend.
Philippe Gaulier:
Fixed Point - This is when two characters in the scene/sketch stop what they're doing and look into each others eyes. The objective of this is to have the audience know that the two charcters, no matter how far or near to each other, acknowledge each other, but they don't necessarily have an effect on what they're doing.
Comic Drop - This is similar to a fixed point but when the characters are talking in the scene/sketch they will take a moment, come out of character for a matter of seconds, and stare out to the audience. Then suddenly go back into character and carry on with the moment.
Comical Stop - This is a flinch reaction to a certain moment in the scene/sketch. For example the characters phone may ring whilst they're out shopping, they flinch acknowledging their phone ringing. They may also flinch as a reaction to who is calling them. This is very comical as no one in the audience would expect you to randomly flinch, neither would the characters on stage so there are many reactions from the characters flinch.
Suspension - The objective is in the name really. This is when the characters creat a moment of suspension, whether to come on stage, make a particular action or say something. The audience after a while may acknowledge this suspension and find it funny. It works well when it's down to saying something, especially when the character comes off over the top when they say what they say.
Clown:The clown character is a character who is a very stupid version of you, in fact the complete opposite. The clown always wants to help so they will not take "No it's fine, don't worry" for an answer. This makes them a very annoying character which becomes very comical to the audience as the clown just becomes more stupid and stupid. The one thing the clown doesn't want to do is be so unbelievably stupid that it just gets boring and hard to believe that they're that stupid.
Straightman:
The straight man is a part of the act with the clown character. This character is very overly serious and doesn't find anything that the clown does funny at all in the slightest. This character can be anything from a stranger at a bus stop to the clowns best friend.
Philippe Gaulier:
Philippe Gaulier was born in Paris, 4 March 1943 and is a French master clown, pedagogue, and professor of theatre. He is the founder of École Philippe Gaulier, a prestigious French clown school in Étampes, outside Paris. He studied under Jacques Lecoq in the mid-1960s and was an instructor at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in the late 1970s. As well as performing as a clown, he is also a playwright and director. He has published The Tormentor (Le Gégèneur), a book discussing his thoughts on the theatre and containing exercises designed to develop an actor's skill.
Thursday, 27 March 2014
VARIETY Unit 15 - Task 2 Devising an act - Learners Log book
FIRST ENTRY:
Ventriloquism? Magic?
One of these two can be learned, perfected and performed. Magic is going to be very difficult to perfect as I've never done a magic trick in my life! Ventriloquism I reckon I could do well because I can actually talk without moving my mouth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL6fTcdE4bg
Check this guy out - Darren Carr, an Australian ventriloquist.
Check out Jeff Dunham.
I need an act that is original and funny and engages with the audience in a humorous manner.
This link is a guide with tips on ventriloquism http://www.brownielocks.com/ventriloquism.html
Check out this video, with exercises on ventriloquism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsTUvk4J2eI
SECOND ENTRY:I have been developing my skills with ventriloquism over the past weeks and I have created an act. I have been struggling with pronouncing M's, B' and P's. But I have been practicing them very hard... It's still hard, don't get me wrong but I feel more confident with my speech.
I have an act, I just don't have a dummy/puppet which is basically the whole point of the act so that's where I'm struggling the most.
Made a decision and I'm not doing a ventriloquist act. Although I can do ventriloquism I found devising an act was too complicated for the lack of time I have to prepare.
I've joined with Josh and John doing a mime comedy sketch also followed by the three of us singing "come fly with me" in a comedy style.
THIRD ENTRY:
So Thursday 15th May me John and Josh decided to team up and do an act together which consists of a comedy mine sketch followed by a song still in comedy style.
Ventriloquism? Magic?
One of these two can be learned, perfected and performed. Magic is going to be very difficult to perfect as I've never done a magic trick in my life! Ventriloquism I reckon I could do well because I can actually talk without moving my mouth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL6fTcdE4bg
Check this guy out - Darren Carr, an Australian ventriloquist.
Check out Jeff Dunham.
I need an act that is original and funny and engages with the audience in a humorous manner.
This link is a guide with tips on ventriloquism http://www.brownielocks.com/ventriloquism.html
Check out this video, with exercises on ventriloquism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsTUvk4J2eI
SECOND ENTRY:I have been developing my skills with ventriloquism over the past weeks and I have created an act. I have been struggling with pronouncing M's, B' and P's. But I have been practicing them very hard... It's still hard, don't get me wrong but I feel more confident with my speech.
I have an act, I just don't have a dummy/puppet which is basically the whole point of the act so that's where I'm struggling the most.
Made a decision and I'm not doing a ventriloquist act. Although I can do ventriloquism I found devising an act was too complicated for the lack of time I have to prepare.
I've joined with Josh and John doing a mime comedy sketch also followed by the three of us singing "come fly with me" in a comedy style.
THIRD ENTRY:
So Thursday 15th May me John and Josh decided to team up and do an act together which consists of a comedy mine sketch followed by a song still in comedy style.
The song is called "come fly with me" by Frank Sinatra. This is a classic song and we felt that the crowd would really enjoy hearing it.
FOURTH ENTRY:
Monday 19th May, me John and Josh got together at lunchtime to rehearse the song and devise a short sketch beforehand. We've had to divide the song into sections for each individual so that we all have an even share.
We devised the sketch in a mime to add more affect. We thought this would be more comical to the audience.
FIFTH ENTRY:
Tuesday 20th May, finally we have learned the all the song lyrics and managed to fit the sketch and the song together. We have now added some small choreography to particular parts in the song. The steps are basic and easy to remember with some clicking and leg kicking, two classic musical theatre dance moves.
We have also set the lighting plans and also the stage set to fit our act. We've put our songs on to a disc. The song in our sketch is "charleston dance music" which will be played in the background and also our song "come fly with me".
SIXTH ENTRY:
I can confidentially say that everything has been learned and put to perfection (as good as it can be) and I think this act will be a success.
For our costumes we will wear checkered shirts (Red, Green and Blue) with white t-shirts underneath, black trousers and black shoes. These costumes help to show that we are performing as a group and also shof off character. All our characters are quite similar in that we're interested in women and are looking for some action. Our engagement and communication is aimed at the female members of the audience making us a bit flirty with the lyrics to the song. This in itself helps the characterization because we're all trying to make the women want our attention and want to win over the ladies.
GROUP PERFORMANCE (FINALE)
One from A Chorus Line. We have been rehearsing the song and dance numbers choreographed by Sam. We started rehearsing on Tuesday 13th May.
For our costumes we will wear checkered shirts (Red, Green and Blue) with white t-shirts underneath, black trousers and black shoes. These costumes help to show that we are performing as a group and also shof off character. All our characters are quite similar in that we're interested in women and are looking for some action. Our engagement and communication is aimed at the female members of the audience making us a bit flirty with the lyrics to the song. This in itself helps the characterization because we're all trying to make the women want our attention and want to win over the ladies.
GROUP PERFORMANCE (FINALE)
One from A Chorus Line. We have been rehearsing the song and dance numbers choreographed by Sam. We started rehearsing on Tuesday 13th May.
For me it was a struggle at first learning the lyrics as I wasn't familiar with the song 100%. So my main goal was to learn the lyrics.
Tuesday 20th May, we rehearsed the dance again to make every move perfect. I was struggling with a few things but managed to make them work such as the knees up and legs up at the end of the piece which I find quite funny but now I have it perfected.
Thursday 22nd May, today we finalised the piece in an intense rehearsal which we videod and here is a link to the video http://youtu.be/z_MIVlYAwJc
Thursday, 6 March 2014
Unit 15 Variety performance Task 1- Variety and Music Hall
Music hall and Variety theatres
Music Hall
Music Hall was the entertainment for working-class Londoners in the 19th century. Variety theatre represented a more commercialised, 20th-century version of music hall. It took place in lavish, large theatres, built and run by the great theatrical impresarios.
Music halls can be traced back to the taverns and coffee houses of 18th century London where men met to eat, drink and do business. Performers sang songs whilst the audience ate, drank and joined in the singing. By the 1830s taverns had rooms devoted to musical clubs. They presented Saturday evening Singsongs and Free and Easies. These became so popular that entertainment was put on two or three times a week.
Mr Charles Morton, publican of the Canterbury Tavern in Lambeth, opened the first purpose built music hall, The Canterbury Hall, in 1852. It held 700 people. Audiences were seated at tables and food and drink was served throughout the performance, which took place on a platform at one end of the hall under the watchful Chairman, the vocalist, Mr John Caulfield.
Variety Theatre
In the early 20th century, new purpose-built theatres, many designed by Frank Matcham, sprang up across Britain. These were the Empires, Palaces and Hippodromes, beautiful Edwardian theatres with chandeliers, gold leaf decorations and red plush velvet seats. Unlike music halls where the audience sat at tables, the Edwardian theatres had proscenium arches, with fixed seats and separate bar and auditorium.
The link here is a mixture of famous variety acts: http://www.ibmring21.org/varietyartists.html
- Roy Benson comedy magician and musician (Januray 17, 1914 - December 6, 1977)
Roy Benson was a legendary performer: a brilliant magician whose ingenious techniques baffled his peers, a superb manipulator, and a daring comedy magician considered far ahead of his time. He studied with Nate Leipzig, creating the bell and bowl routine and elaborating the Chinese Sticks routine which is published in "Benson by Starlight". This also describes Benson's Bizarre Bag, The Dice Box, Bell and Bowl, The Wines of Beelzebub and Hydrostatic Cravis (where a drinking glass is inverted without the contents spilling). A photograph of Benson, signed and dedicated "To Dai (Vernon), Jeanne, Neepie in admiration and affection, Roy. 1946." was auctioned in January 2010.
Here is an example of Benson's work in 1955 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIuIvcLvVXw
- Jeff Dunham, ventriloquist and comeidan (April 18, 1962)
It is the rare entertainer that can take up a serious subject like suicide bombers, death, and terrorism and deliver it with such humor and grace.
Jeff Dunham is an imaginative man who has created great acts with a variety of puppets including Achmed The Dead Terrorist, Walter, Sweet Daddy Dee, Jalapeño On A Stick and Peanut, there are more characters but these are his most well-known acts. Each act is different to the other and I think Dunham is a genius with a large amount of talent.
Here is Jeff Dunham and his act "Walter" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I226Sfgs0s
His tours have expanded globally to places in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa making his talent known all over the world which has increased his publicity.
The London Palladium Recent productions-
The Empire Palace Theatre, Leeds was part of a large construction consisting of two Arcades and a Theatre seating over 1,700 people.
The Empire Palace opened its doors for the first time on the 29th of August 1898 with a Music Hall Bill featuring Lydia Adams - the Original Sally in our Alley, The Sisters Preston - duetists and dancers, W. E. Bates - a coronet soloist, The Nine Leopolds - acrobats, Mddle Mignonette - soubrette and dancer, Prince Koki - juggler, Will Hebden - comedian, Jessie Albini - comedienne and dancer, O' Gust - a ventriloquist, The Aglos Trio - novelty and specialty act, Harry Tate - 'the greatest mimic of the day,' The Brothers Onda - a comedy act, The Royal 6 Welshmen - Rhonda valley glee singers, Professor John Higgins - 'the human kangaroo,' and the Empire Grand Orchestra consisting of 25 musicians.
Vaudeville Theatre
The Vaudeville Theatre is a West End theatre on the Strand in the City of Westminster. As the name suggests, the theatre held mostly vaudeville shows and musical revues in its early days. It opened in 1870 and was rebuilt twice, although each new building retained elements of the previous structure. The current building opened in 1926, and the capacity is now 690 seats.
List of Variety acts:
Magicians - David Blaine and Dynamo
Comedians - Lee Evans and Sean Lock
Impressionists - Paul Burling and Les Gibson
Jugglers
Illusionists - Derren Brown
Hypnotists
Acrobats - Spellbound
These acts are very well known in their field of entertainment, stars such as Lee Evans have headlined places like the O2 arena in London and Wembley Stadium. Magicians David Blaine is a worldwide sensation for his work. Derren Brown is the most well known illusionist who makes simple adjustments look so complex and has made quite a name for himself.
These big stars all have their own tv shows and products and have a lot of success in the field of entertainment they compete in.
Music Hall
Music Hall was the entertainment for working-class Londoners in the 19th century. Variety theatre represented a more commercialised, 20th-century version of music hall. It took place in lavish, large theatres, built and run by the great theatrical impresarios.
Music halls can be traced back to the taverns and coffee houses of 18th century London where men met to eat, drink and do business. Performers sang songs whilst the audience ate, drank and joined in the singing. By the 1830s taverns had rooms devoted to musical clubs. They presented Saturday evening Singsongs and Free and Easies. These became so popular that entertainment was put on two or three times a week.
Mr Charles Morton, publican of the Canterbury Tavern in Lambeth, opened the first purpose built music hall, The Canterbury Hall, in 1852. It held 700 people. Audiences were seated at tables and food and drink was served throughout the performance, which took place on a platform at one end of the hall under the watchful Chairman, the vocalist, Mr John Caulfield.
Variety Theatre
In the early 20th century, new purpose-built theatres, many designed by Frank Matcham, sprang up across Britain. These were the Empires, Palaces and Hippodromes, beautiful Edwardian theatres with chandeliers, gold leaf decorations and red plush velvet seats. Unlike music halls where the audience sat at tables, the Edwardian theatres had proscenium arches, with fixed seats and separate bar and auditorium.
Variety artists were employed by the season to perform on a circuit of theatres controlled by producers. By 1925 Moss Empires controlled 24 theatres, Oswald Stoll 16.
Oswald Stoll started his career at the age of 14, assisting his mother in running the Parthenon Music Hall in Liverpool, and ended it owning a string of vast music halls. From 1898 to 1910 he was the Managing Director of Moss Empires. Sir Edward Moss was the other giant in the world of music hall management at the time.
The first Royal Variety Performance (known as the Royal Command Performance) took place on 1 July 1912 at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End.
King George V and Queen Mary attended. This was a lavish occasion; the theatre was decorated with 3 million roses which were draped around the auditorium and over the boxes. The performers included music hall stars Alfred Lester, Gus Elen, Dan Leno, Vesta Tilley, Vesta Victoria and the great Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova but with a few notable omissions such as Marie Lloyd (whose act was considered too risqué for the Royal party) and Albert Chevalier.
The popularity of variety dwindled with the advent of the talking pictures. By the 1930s many theatres had closed or become cinemas. Other forms of entertainment, such as revue, had become popular and many variety performers made their names through radio, film and later, television. In World War I many former acrobats, aerialists and jugglers were killed or injured and could no longer perform, thus robbing the stage of the breadth and variety of acts previously available.
By 1959, the comedians who made up the Crazy Gang – the three double acts Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen, Jimmy Nervo and Teddy Knox, and Charlie Naughton and Jimmy Gold sometimes joined by “Monsewer” Eddie Gray - had been together for 27 years and were all aged between 60 and 72. They had been threatening to retire for years but kept being persuaded to do one more show.
I've gathered all this information together for my research into the Music Hall and Variety Theatre, the information I have received is accurate and I found what i needed at various web links such as http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/m/music-hall/
Famous acts
The link here is a mixture of famous variety acts: http://www.ibmring21.org/varietyartists.html
- Roy Benson comedy magician and musician (Januray 17, 1914 - December 6, 1977)
Roy Benson was a legendary performer: a brilliant magician whose ingenious techniques baffled his peers, a superb manipulator, and a daring comedy magician considered far ahead of his time. He studied with Nate Leipzig, creating the bell and bowl routine and elaborating the Chinese Sticks routine which is published in "Benson by Starlight". This also describes Benson's Bizarre Bag, The Dice Box, Bell and Bowl, The Wines of Beelzebub and Hydrostatic Cravis (where a drinking glass is inverted without the contents spilling). A photograph of Benson, signed and dedicated "To Dai (Vernon), Jeanne, Neepie in admiration and affection, Roy. 1946." was auctioned in January 2010.
Here is an example of Benson's work in 1955 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIuIvcLvVXw
- Jeff Dunham, ventriloquist and comeidan (April 18, 1962)
It is the rare entertainer that can take up a serious subject like suicide bombers, death, and terrorism and deliver it with such humor and grace.
Jeff Dunham is an imaginative man who has created great acts with a variety of puppets including Achmed The Dead Terrorist, Walter, Sweet Daddy Dee, Jalapeño On A Stick and Peanut, there are more characters but these are his most well-known acts. Each act is different to the other and I think Dunham is a genius with a large amount of talent.
Here is Jeff Dunham and his act "Walter" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I226Sfgs0s
His tours have expanded globally to places in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa making his talent known all over the world which has increased his publicity.
Paul Burling is a British impressionist. A veteran of show business for 25 years, having worked in voiceover, radio and pantomime, he rose to national attention as a finalist of the fourth series of Britain's Got Talent. His debut television show in 2010, It's Paul Burling! attracted a television audience of 3.7 million.
Famous variety venues
London Palladium
- A West End Theatre located off Oxford Street in City of Westminster in London.
- A West End Theatre located off Oxford Street in City of Westminster in London.
1991: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Jason Donovan, Linzi Hateley, Phillip Schofield
1994: Cameron Mackintosh revival of Oliver! directed by Sam Mendes, starring Jonathan Pryce, Jim Dale, Russ AbbotRobert Lindsay, George Layton, Barry Humphries, Sally Dexter, Sonia Swaby and Ruthie Henshall
1998: Saturday Night Fever directed and choreographed by Arlene Phillips, starring Adam Garcia and Ben Richards
2000: The King and I directed by Christopher Renshaw and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. This production was a West End transfer of the hugely successful 1996 Broadway production. The production starred Elaine Paige, Jason Scott Lee, Paul Nakauchi, Josie Lawrence and Keo Woolford.
2002: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang directed by Adrian Noble and choreographed by Gillian Lynne. This production starred Michael Ball, Emma Williams, Nichola McAuliffe, Brian Blessed, Gary Wilmot, Jason Donovan, Brian Conley, Christopher Biggins, Scarlett Strallen, Louise Gold, Richard O'Brien, Paul O'Grady, Caroline Sheen, Wayne Sleep, Lionel Blair, Stephen Gately, Derek Griffiths, Alvin Stardust and Jo Gibb.
2005: Scrooge - The Musical, by Leslie Bricusse, starring Tommy Steele
2006: Sinatra at the London Palladium
2006: The Sound of Music directed by Jeremy Sams, starring Connie Fisher, Alexander Hanson, Lesley Garrett and, later, Summer Strallen and Margaret Preece.
2008: MJP Showcase. A show by a young group of actors, dancers and singers, featuring music from many different musicals and movies.
2009: Sister Act the Musical - performances from 7th May 2009, produced by Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment with music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Glenn Slater, starring Patina Miller, Sheila Hancock and Ian Lavender.
2010: Shrek the Musical
Hackney Empire
1994: Cameron Mackintosh revival of Oliver! directed by Sam Mendes, starring Jonathan Pryce, Jim Dale, Russ AbbotRobert Lindsay, George Layton, Barry Humphries, Sally Dexter, Sonia Swaby and Ruthie Henshall
1998: Saturday Night Fever directed and choreographed by Arlene Phillips, starring Adam Garcia and Ben Richards
2000: The King and I directed by Christopher Renshaw and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. This production was a West End transfer of the hugely successful 1996 Broadway production. The production starred Elaine Paige, Jason Scott Lee, Paul Nakauchi, Josie Lawrence and Keo Woolford.
2002: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang directed by Adrian Noble and choreographed by Gillian Lynne. This production starred Michael Ball, Emma Williams, Nichola McAuliffe, Brian Blessed, Gary Wilmot, Jason Donovan, Brian Conley, Christopher Biggins, Scarlett Strallen, Louise Gold, Richard O'Brien, Paul O'Grady, Caroline Sheen, Wayne Sleep, Lionel Blair, Stephen Gately, Derek Griffiths, Alvin Stardust and Jo Gibb.
2005: Scrooge - The Musical, by Leslie Bricusse, starring Tommy Steele
2006: Sinatra at the London Palladium
2006: The Sound of Music directed by Jeremy Sams, starring Connie Fisher, Alexander Hanson, Lesley Garrett and, later, Summer Strallen and Margaret Preece.
2008: MJP Showcase. A show by a young group of actors, dancers and singers, featuring music from many different musicals and movies.
2009: Sister Act the Musical - performances from 7th May 2009, produced by Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment with music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Glenn Slater, starring Patina Miller, Sheila Hancock and Ian Lavender.
2010: Shrek the Musical
Hackney Empire
Sir Oswald Stoll was an entrepreneur who had a line of theatres in the north of the UK opened up the Hackney Empire in 1904 which was his first London theatre. Then he began the Shepherd's bush Empire which was Stoll's favourite.
In 1912 came the massive Coliseum in central London. The opening programme was a typical variety mixture of song, dance, acrobatics and spectacle.
Here is a link to Hackney Empires website: http://www.hackneyempire.co.uk
Empire Palace Theatre
The Empire Palace opened its doors for the first time on the 29th of August 1898 with a Music Hall Bill featuring Lydia Adams - the Original Sally in our Alley, The Sisters Preston - duetists and dancers, W. E. Bates - a coronet soloist, The Nine Leopolds - acrobats, Mddle Mignonette - soubrette and dancer, Prince Koki - juggler, Will Hebden - comedian, Jessie Albini - comedienne and dancer, O' Gust - a ventriloquist, The Aglos Trio - novelty and specialty act, Harry Tate - 'the greatest mimic of the day,' The Brothers Onda - a comedy act, The Royal 6 Welshmen - Rhonda valley glee singers, Professor John Higgins - 'the human kangaroo,' and the Empire Grand Orchestra consisting of 25 musicians.
Vaudeville Theatre
The Vaudeville Theatre is a West End theatre on the Strand in the City of Westminster. As the name suggests, the theatre held mostly vaudeville shows and musical revues in its early days. It opened in 1870 and was rebuilt twice, although each new building retained elements of the previous structure. The current building opened in 1926, and the capacity is now 690 seats.
List of Variety acts:
Magicians - David Blaine and Dynamo
Comedians - Lee Evans and Sean Lock
Impressionists - Paul Burling and Les Gibson
Jugglers
Illusionists - Derren Brown
Hypnotists
Acrobats - Spellbound
These acts are very well known in their field of entertainment, stars such as Lee Evans have headlined places like the O2 arena in London and Wembley Stadium. Magicians David Blaine is a worldwide sensation for his work. Derren Brown is the most well known illusionist who makes simple adjustments look so complex and has made quite a name for himself.
These big stars all have their own tv shows and products and have a lot of success in the field of entertainment they compete in.
Thursday, 23 January 2014
Theatre tour - task 3
Musical
Theatre: PAB
Financial controls –
Budgeting and funding for a small scale tour.
Box office
My tickets will be priced at £14.00. My tour will be performed in Theatre Royal, Brighton with a capacity of 952 seats. I will multiply the pricing of tickets by the seat capacity to create my profit of ticket sales per day, this amount is £13,328.00 (full house). This will be performed at Theatre Royal for 14 days, so my overall income for 2 weeks from box office sales will be £186,592.00. As this will be my income I must make sure my running costs do not exceed this amount.
My second 2 weeks of the performances will be held at The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton with a capacity of 2,300 and the tickets will be priced at £14.00 Multiplying my ticket prices by the seating capacity my income for each show will be £32,200.00 (full house). It will be held at this venue for 14 days so the overall box office income for The Mayflower performances will be £450,800.00 bringing my total box office income for 4 weeks the amount of £637,392.00 (full house).
My tickets will be priced at £14.00. My tour will be performed in Theatre Royal, Brighton with a capacity of 952 seats. I will multiply the pricing of tickets by the seat capacity to create my profit of ticket sales per day, this amount is £13,328.00 (full house). This will be performed at Theatre Royal for 14 days, so my overall income for 2 weeks from box office sales will be £186,592.00. As this will be my income I must make sure my running costs do not exceed this amount.
My second 2 weeks of the performances will be held at The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton with a capacity of 2,300 and the tickets will be priced at £14.00 Multiplying my ticket prices by the seating capacity my income for each show will be £32,200.00 (full house). It will be held at this venue for 14 days so the overall box office income for The Mayflower performances will be £450,800.00 bringing my total box office income for 4 weeks the amount of £637,392.00 (full house).
Running costs
I
will be paying my actors £1,500.00 for 4 weeks at weekly salary of £375.00. I
have 15 actors bringing my total cost of actors to £22,500.00.
I will be paying a director £3,612.00 for 4 weeks at a weekly salary of £903.00.
I
will be paying a set designer £3,968.00 for 4 weeks at a weekly salary of £992.00.
I will have a costume designer being paid £3,768.00 for the 4 weeks at a weekly
salary of £942.00.
For 4 weeks I will have a sound & lighting
designer paid £4,152.00, on a weekly salary of £1,038.00 being paid £148.00 per
day.My production manager will be paid £2,166.00 for 4 weeks being paid on a weekly salary of £541.00.
Venue
Theatre Royal, Brighton for 14 days =
For 14 days the hire price will be £8,400.00, £600 per day.
The Mayflower, Southampton for 14 days =
For 14 days the hire price will be £8,400.00. £600 per day.
This brings my total venue hire cost to £16,800.00
Rehearsal space - I have a building in Worthing that I have free access to any day of the week.
Transport
I have a friend of the family who owns a building company and has 4 big white vans and will be happy to allow me to use them as transport for cast, crew and set for 4 weeks.
Using this transport will save a lot of money, I'll be paying my friend for petrol money. I'll be paying him £300.00 for each van for 2 weeks from Worthing to Brighton every day, this brings that total cost to £1,200.00. I'll be paying him £600.00 for each van for 2 weeks from Worthing to Southampton every day, this brings that cost to £2,400.00.
My total cost in transport will come to £3,600.00
Expenditure/budget Income
£56,798.00 £637,392.00
Task 3 - Part 2
Funding
I need to raise up to at least £56,798.00 but a round number of £60,000.00 would be my preference for emergency expenditure.
I would start by compiling a list of 'funding in kind' and I would seek 'matched funding' from: PrincesTrust, Arts Council South East and Calouste Gulbenkian.
Arts Council: South East
Apply for £20,000.00
This is a public funding organisation that is funded from The Lottery. This is different to a private funding organisation where it's less likely that all the project costs will be covered and most private fundings don't cover indirect costs.
Princes Trust
I will need £20,000.00 from The Princes Trust
I emailed the Princes Trust to get information about funding my theatre companies tour and received this:
Calouste Gulbenkian
I will apply for £20,000.00.
This is a charity, but a private funding organisation that is funded by people who perhaps leave money in their will for the charity or make donations annually.
My show
Arthur Miller's - All My Sons
Scripts/Performance rights:
Rights from 'Josef Weinberger Ltd'.
£100 per performance
http://www.josef-weinberger.com/plays-and-pantomime/play/all-my-sons.html
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Task 2 - CV and personal statement
Matthew
O’hagan
Height: 175cm
Weight: 75kg
Hair colour: dark brown
Eye colour: hazel/green
Hair colour: dark brown
Eye colour: hazel/green
Mobile: 07584350617
Email:matthewohagan007@gmail.com
Email:matthewohagan007@gmail.com
Experience:
Wizard of OZ – Scarecrow, Durrington Middle School
Grimm’s Tales – The King, Durrington High School
Our Day Out – Bad boy, Durrington High School
Snow Queen – The Reindeer, Worthing College
Grease – Danny Zuko, Worthing College
We Will Rock You – Gaga kids and Bohemians, Worthing College
Medea – Jason, Worthing College
Wizard of OZ – Scarecrow, Durrington Middle School
Grimm’s Tales – The King, Durrington High School
Our Day Out – Bad boy, Durrington High School
Snow Queen – The Reindeer, Worthing College
Grease – Danny Zuko, Worthing College
We Will Rock You – Gaga kids and Bohemians, Worthing College
Medea – Jason, Worthing College
Training:
Durrington High School – BTEC Performing Arts
Worthing College – BTEC Performing Arts: Musical Theatre
From these two courses I've been able to exercise my skills in acting and develop my awareness around the knowledge of acting and all performance studies. Aboard both courses I've had different experiences playing a variety of roles which have helped me develop new skills in rehearsals for each part and I'm constantly improving my acting abilities, whereas I've done straight acting with classical theatre and devising plays and also musicals so I've had a range of different experiences in the
Durrington High School – BTEC Performing Arts
Worthing College – BTEC Performing Arts: Musical Theatre
From these two courses I've been able to exercise my skills in acting and develop my awareness around the knowledge of acting and all performance studies. Aboard both courses I've had different experiences playing a variety of roles which have helped me develop new skills in rehearsals for each part and I'm constantly improving my acting abilities, whereas I've done straight acting with classical theatre and devising plays and also musicals so I've had a range of different experiences in the
Skills:
Dance – Jazz and Street.
Singing – A wide and expanding range.
Improvisation
Puppetry
Devising
Tone change
Accents - American, English, Scottish.
Dance – Jazz and Street.
Singing – A wide and expanding range.
Improvisation
Puppetry
Devising
Tone change
Accents - American, English, Scottish.
Various impressions
Ventriloquism
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Further education/training
Personal Statement
In life I believe it has important to have goals and to find something to motivate those goals. I always believe you should love what you do for a living. I have a great passion for acting and for as long as I can remember it's always been in my life. As a young child my family and I enjoyed watching various plays and pantomimes such as 'Jack and the beanstalk' and one year was lucky enough to be selected to play as an extra child in 'Aladdin'. And ever since then I've wanted to become a part of the world of acting which lead to me taking up performing arts in GCSE and BTEC college courses. Before I took up these courses I had never realized that there is so much more that is involved in the acting industry and I have picked up a lot and hope to learn and develop more knowledge and skills. I have learnt a lot about different theories and styles, and although I'm a very imaginative person my favourite style is Naturalism because I like the way it creates a perfect illusion of reality through a range of dramatic and theatrical strategies.
In life I believe it has important to have goals and to find something to motivate those goals. I always believe you should love what you do for a living. I have a great passion for acting and for as long as I can remember it's always been in my life. As a young child my family and I enjoyed watching various plays and pantomimes such as 'Jack and the beanstalk' and one year was lucky enough to be selected to play as an extra child in 'Aladdin'. And ever since then I've wanted to become a part of the world of acting which lead to me taking up performing arts in GCSE and BTEC college courses. Before I took up these courses I had never realized that there is so much more that is involved in the acting industry and I have picked up a lot and hope to learn and develop more knowledge and skills. I have learnt a lot about different theories and styles, and although I'm a very imaginative person my favourite style is Naturalism because I like the way it creates a perfect illusion of reality through a range of dramatic and theatrical strategies.
I would say I have had quite an interesting life and
I have some interesting memories. Since
2011 I have had different experiences
such as paragliding in Turkey, going to the top of the
Empire State Building in
New York, visiting the Harry Potter studios in London and also went
to Reading
Festival 2013. Outside of college and work I regularly go to the gym because I
like
to keep myself fit and busy, also making time for friends and family is
something I find
important because as much as I am committed to making my
future career possible I like to have
a good social life in order to keep
connected.
I have had an average amount of work experience waiting tables at
restaurants and cafes in my
local town. Each year around Christmas time my
singing teacher at college organises for
students and staff to form a choir and
orchestra to perform Christmas carols at a local church
and I've taken part in
that and also inviting some members of care homes to come to our
college
canteen and have us perform Christmas carols to them.
In my school and college years I have
experienced playing a variety of different roles for
performances under
examination. I've been fortunate in college to be cast in 'Grease' as Danny
Zuko,
a high school boy who is a massive hit with the ladies. And previously in
'Medea' a
Greek play where I was cast as Jason, the man who betrayed Medea to
be with a princess and is
a right piece of work. I have also been part of
chorus pieces in various college productions
such as 'We Will Rock you' playing
Gaga kids & Bohemians and 'Seuccial Jr.' playing background
characters.
Throughout my GCSE and BTEC performing arts courses I
have made note of what skills I possess.
I've dancing ability in Jazz and
street dance where I've done duets and group pieces that have
been examined. My
singing voice is constantly improving and I have found with practice over
the
past year has vastly improved. I've had experience with acting and singing in
accents, In
'Grease' I was acting and singing in an American accent and my BTEC
class performed the song
and dance number of America from 'West-Side story'
where I played Bernardo and was acting and
singing in a South-American accent
and I didn't have any trouble with either of them.
My future is
something I think about day in and day out. I have dreamed of becoming an actor
for
film and television for years. I would also like to write my own stories and
have them
published. People like Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Hardy, two well-known
actors, are role models
of mine and I hope to one day be at their level of
success. I know how much time and effort I
will have to put in but given the
opportunity I will step up to the mark and put in my best
efforts which in
acting is 110% everytime as I have a great passion for it.
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Further education/training
University of Arts London
BA (Hons) Acting - Drama Centre London: Structure-
Intensive and vocational, BA Acting prepares you for direct entry to the profession while laying the foundations for a lifelong acting career. It's based on the work of teaching giants like Stanislavsky and there's a successful mentoring scheme to help you find your professional feet.
Stage One is entitled 'The Year of Subjectivity'. During this year you'll investigate the self and learn to move from the concrete to the abstract in your work.
Stage Two is entitled 'The Year of Objectivity'. During this year you'll learn to locate your work within a conceptual framework.
-Stage Three is entitled 'The Year of Synthesis'. During this year you'll learn to merge learning elements and disciplines into a single organic process.
Looking at the 3 years (above) I've noticed key features in which I reckon this course will suit my personality well and I'll be able to achieve what I want and get out of the course what will help me go on to success.
University of Essex
BA Acting and Stage Combat: Structure-
Our BA Acting and Stage Combat is the UK’s first full-time course in stage combat and related performance skills. Led by our team, who are hugely experienced and respected in this specialist field, you study armed and unarmed combat and the use of weaponry in an historical context. In addition to developing your acting skills, your training includes Aikido, free-running and horse riding. Graduates typically go on to become fight directors and specialist performers.
I think this course will suit me because I'm a very practical person and have always thought stage combat would be an interesting thing to learn and because I have got good physical aspects and also have experience in physical sports such as rugby, football and karate I think my skills will be put to the test and will come in handy and will help me go on to a successful career which I hope is a promising and exciting future ahead of me.
Year 1 core and optional modules
Stage Combat I;Sporting Skills I;Physical Skills I;Performance Skills I;Specialised Performance Skills; and Contextual Studies I.Year 2 core and optional modules
Stage Combat II;Sporting Skills II;Physical Skills II;Performance Skills II;Performance Projects; andContextual Studies II.Year 3 core and optional modules
Stage Combat in Practice and Performance;Performance Projects;Theatrical Appreciation;Contextual Studies; and Graduation Project.I think this course will suit me because I'm a very practical person and have always thought stage combat would be an interesting thing to learn and because I have got good physical aspects and also have experience in physical sports such as rugby, football and karate I think my skills will be put to the test and will come in handy and will help me go on to a successful career which I hope is a promising and exciting future ahead of me.
University of East London (Italia Conti Academy)
BA (Hons) Acting: Structure-
Acting is concerned with performance, live or recorded, and our degree course ensures that final assessments reflect this through a Velocity Exit course structure. This means that the final award gained at graduation is based upon the performance work in the 3rd year of the degree course. It is through performance that the ability to integrate and apply acting, voice, movement and singing skills is measured. It is because of the holistic nature of acting that this form of assessment is most appropriate.
In level 1 the curriculum focuses on the acquisition of technical skills, such as acting, voice, movement and singing. Rehearsals for projects allows students to put the techniques they have learnt into practice. This very technical 1st year underpins the 2nd year where more time is given over to rehearsal and project work. In the 3rd year technical classes take place on Mondays only with the rest of the week given over to rehearsals for public performances. All productions, live and recorded, receive voice, movement and singing input as required. In addition students are given career advice and support through the Professional Preparation module.
I think this course is well-suited to me, from looking through the stages of the course I've noticed key features with in the 3 year course. Hoping this will help me create great success for my future.
In level 1 the curriculum focuses on the acquisition of technical skills, such as acting, voice, movement and singing. Rehearsals for projects allows students to put the techniques they have learnt into practice. This very technical 1st year underpins the 2nd year where more time is given over to rehearsal and project work. In the 3rd year technical classes take place on Mondays only with the rest of the week given over to rehearsals for public performances. All productions, live and recorded, receive voice, movement and singing input as required. In addition students are given career advice and support through the Professional Preparation module.
I think this course is well-suited to me, from looking through the stages of the course I've noticed key features with in the 3 year course. Hoping this will help me create great success for my future.
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London
BA (Hons) Acting: Structure-
The BA (Hons) Acting offers comprehensive classical and contemporary actor training. This demanding programme will nurture you through a life-changing journey, in which you will be challenged to achieve your full potential as an actor and will acquire the skills for working in the full range of acting contexts.
Year 1
Freeing and discovering: students work from the uniqueness of self within the group context and the rigour of the training studio, and learn to work with truth and integrity, opening up and releasing the body, voice and imagination, and developing a personal process and craft through which to build character and live truthfully within a fictional world. By learning to live and breathe in the moment, students start to discover the creative potential of the acting space.
Year 2
Stretching and growing: building on this experience, students expand their physical and emotional range, developing the art of transformation and working imaginatively from within worlds and characters which are substantially removed from their own. Students also learn to transfer skills to television and radio. Towards the end of the year, students start to think about applying their training within industry contexts.
Year 3
Applying the craft: through a series of contrasting public productions and recorded media projects, students apply and develop their craft within simulated professional contexts, while at the same time engaging in the process of interfacing with the industry and learning how to survive as a working actor.
Looking at the 3 years (above) I've noticed key features in which I think this course will suit my personality well and I'll be able to achieve what I want and get out of the course what will help me go on to success.
Rose Bruford College
Acting BA(Hons)
This highly vocational Drama UK (formerly NCDT) accredited programme is designed to provide you with the skills needed to become a successful professional actor for the stage, screen and recorded media. Acting is a demanding programme that aims to produce an artist who is physically and vocally flexible, and intellectually alive and curious. Over three years, you will work in a variety of genres and repertoires from classical to contemporary. Alongside the core disciplines of voice, movement and acting techniques, you will develop a range of creative and transferable skills that will encourage you to become an independent thinker and motivated artist; an articulate and reflective practitioner equipped to succeed in an increasingly competitive profession.
I think this course is well-suited to me, from looking through the stages of the course I've noticed key features with in the 3 year course. Hoping this will help me create great success for my future.
Year 1
Freeing and discovering: students work from the uniqueness of self within the group context and the rigour of the training studio, and learn to work with truth and integrity, opening up and releasing the body, voice and imagination, and developing a personal process and craft through which to build character and live truthfully within a fictional world. By learning to live and breathe in the moment, students start to discover the creative potential of the acting space.
Year 2
Stretching and growing: building on this experience, students expand their physical and emotional range, developing the art of transformation and working imaginatively from within worlds and characters which are substantially removed from their own. Students also learn to transfer skills to television and radio. Towards the end of the year, students start to think about applying their training within industry contexts.
Year 3
Applying the craft: through a series of contrasting public productions and recorded media projects, students apply and develop their craft within simulated professional contexts, while at the same time engaging in the process of interfacing with the industry and learning how to survive as a working actor.
Looking at the 3 years (above) I've noticed key features in which I think this course will suit my personality well and I'll be able to achieve what I want and get out of the course what will help me go on to success.
Rose Bruford College
Acting BA(Hons)
This highly vocational Drama UK (formerly NCDT) accredited programme is designed to provide you with the skills needed to become a successful professional actor for the stage, screen and recorded media. Acting is a demanding programme that aims to produce an artist who is physically and vocally flexible, and intellectually alive and curious. Over three years, you will work in a variety of genres and repertoires from classical to contemporary. Alongside the core disciplines of voice, movement and acting techniques, you will develop a range of creative and transferable skills that will encourage you to become an independent thinker and motivated artist; an articulate and reflective practitioner equipped to succeed in an increasingly competitive profession.
I think this course is well-suited to me, from looking through the stages of the course I've noticed key features with in the 3 year course. Hoping this will help me create great success for my future.
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