Drama

It was fun to work in a team. We all collaborated well and we listened to everyone's ideas and then all together we chose one. What we found hard was to make a bridge as there were five people in the group. But overall this was a good activity to do.

Drama homework

(1)  When was Shakespeare born? Where was he born? (include a picture) 

-Shakespeare was born on April 23^rd 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom.

(2) What is so important about Shakespeare? 

-Shakespeare wrote many poems and sonnets which are used now to study. At his times, he used to write play scripts and people would act it out. Some of his famous plays include Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet.

(3) During which approximate year did Shakespeare write ‘Macbeth’’? 

Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in the year of 1606. Macbeth was written in association of what was happening at the throne in Great Britain.

(4) List the main characters in ‘Macbeth’. 

King Duncan, Malcom, Donalbain, Macdonwald, Macbeth, Banquo, Macduff, Fleance, Lady Macbeth, Lady Macduff and the three witches.

(5) Where is the play set? 

Macbeth was mostly set in Scotland and some scenes were set in England.

(6) What happens in the play? Write a short synopsis about what happens. 

Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches who tell a prophecy that Macbeth will be king of Scotland. In the war between Norway and Scotland, Macbeth betrays Scotland which makes king Duncan punish him to death. Still thinking about the prophecy that the witches said, Macbeth plans on killing Duncan. Macbeth makes the chamberlains drunk so they won’t remember a thing. Then Macbeth kills king Duncan. Duncan’s sons Malcom and Donalbain go to England and Ireland fearing that whoever killed their father would want to kill them too. Fearful that the witches prophecy will be true, Banquo’s heirs will try to take seize the throne. When Macbeth finds out, he arranges to kill Banquo and his son. He successfully kills Banquo but couldn’t kill his son. Later Banquo’s ghost visits Macbeth making him go see the witches. They witches tell him to beware of a man called Macduff (Macduff doesn’t want Macbeth to be the king). Macbeth wants to kill Macduff but he finds out from the witches that he (Macbeth) cannot be killed by a man born of a woman and as long as the Birnam woods can’t move (forests don’t move) he’ll be safe. He understands that everyman is born of woman and forests can’t move so Macbeth feels secure. But when Macbeth finds out that Macduff went to England to Duncan’s son Malcom, Macbeth orders that Macduff’s wife and children will be murdered. When Macduff hears this he becomes very sad and he wants revenge. Luckily by then Malcom trains the army and they are ready for war. But before the army reaches Scotland Macbeth finds out that Lady Macbeth killed herself which causes Macbeth to be grieving. As the army gets closer they cut the trees that come in their path (Birnam woods). Macbeth gets really scared after that because half of the witches prophecy comes true. At the war Macduff and Macbeth finally meet and Macbeth finds out that Macduff wasn’t ‘born of woman’. Macbeth realises that his fate is over but keeps fighting. In the end Macbeth gets killed and Malcom ascends the throne.
(7) What is a ‘thane’? 

(Scottish definition): A man (usually the chief of a clan) who receives land from the Scottish king.

(8) What happens in the opening scene? Which characters are important here and why? 

 In the opening scene the people here are the three witches, Macbeth and Banquo. In the very beginning the witches meet Macbeth and Banquo and tell them the prophecy that Macbeth will ascend the throne. These characters are important here because they are the main characters in the story. 

(9) Find 2 different pictures that illustrate (show) what happens in Macbeth. 

(10) Find an interesting fact that you think no one else will find about the play.

Did you know that the real name of the play is called The tragedy of Macbeth?

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/essays/importance.html

THE IMPORTANCE OF SHAKESPEARE

In-text: ("The Importance Of Shakespeare")

Your Bibliography: "The Importance Of Shakespeare." Shakespeare-online.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 7 Oct. 2017.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/higher/english/macbeth/background/revision/1/

BBC - HIGHER BITESIZE ENGLISH - BACKGROUND : REVISION

In-text: ("BBC - Higher Bitesize English - Background : Revision")

Your Bibliography: "BBC - Higher Bitesize English - Background : Revision." Bbc.co.uk. N.p., 2017. Web. 7 Oct. 2017.

https://www.playshakespeare.com/macbeth/characters

THE IMPORTANCE OF SHAKESPEARE

In-text: ("The Importance Of Shakespeare")

Your Bibliography: "The Importance Of Shakespeare." Shakespeare-online.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 7 Oct. 2017.

http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/summary.html

THE IMPORTANCE OF SHAKESPEARE

In-text: ("The Importance Of Shakespeare")

Your Bibliography: "The Importance Of Shakespeare." Shakespeare-online.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 7 Oct. 

2017.

They must describe what was going on in each pic. They should also describe how it was to collaborate within their group. Was it difficult/easy? Why? What did they find difficult about reading the script (the wording, what was actually being said, etc).

-In the first photo, there are the three witches who come in at the opening scene and in the second photo, Macbeth and Banquo see the three witches (they are supposed to have a scared/surprised look on their faces as witches were said to be mad as they usually gave prophecies and it came out true). It was easy to collaborate as a team as we all worked very well and we took in all the ideas that we shared and we added on to the ideas. What we found was the hardest about reading the script was that there were some words that we don't use anymore and we have never even seen and he had sometimes combined two words together to make it seem as one word 

SUPERSTITIONS TASK:

Superstitions Task 

Following this week's lesson about 'superstitions' please answer the following questions in full sentences, using your own words and post them onto your blog:

1) What is a superstition? Believing in things quickly with relation to the supernatural.

2) Give 3 examples of superstitions that you have in your family or your culture. 

• Cutting nails after evening is bad. 
• Black cats crossing your path is considered as bad luck.
• If a ladies right hand is itching, it is not good but if the left hand is itching it is good. And the opposite for men.

3) What did you learn in the lesson about witchcraft in Scotland and England in the time the Macbeth play was written? Witches were not really witches, they were just crazy old ladies who told prophecies which came true. But people were really scared of them.

4) What role do the three witches play in Macbeth and why are they important characters in the play? (Do not just google this and copy and paste the answer; try to write in your own words). The roles of the witches in the first scene was to tell a prophecy to Macbeth saying that he will rule over Scotland, which makes him, greedy and makes him think of a plan to get to the throne as quick as possible. The witches are important in this scene because it is a superstition. Macbeth believed in what the witches said causing him to fall into big trouble.

5) Do you think the witches control Macbeth's future or does he? In my opinion, Macbeth controls his own future because it was him who quickly believed what the witches said and he was the one who killed Duncan to ascend to the throne. The witches had just told him a prophecy but he mad it come true which caused this dramatic ending to this play.  

I was a maid working for Macbeth and he didn't seem so cruel so I don't mind that he is crowned as the king as long as he is a fair and just king who cares for his people. I believe that the guards killed Duncan, I won't believe that a man will kill his friend to get over the throne, or will he? I have heard a lot of rumors stating that Macbeth killed Duncan. Its too hard to believe. But now that he is crowned, I think that he did all of this to get the throne. He did seem a bit excited, but the person who was more excited was Lady Macbeth. Did you see that smirk on her face? It seemed as if she had plotted something and it was achieved. Hmm... now lets see what else happens.

END OF TERM REFLECTION:

1) What do you know about the character of Macbeth (his personality and aims) that would help you to know how to use your body language as an actor to portray him? Give an example.

Macbeth is a cruel and wicked man who wants the thrown all to himself and to achieve that he even kills his best friend. So this shows that Macbeth could possible destroy every object that comes between him and getting to the thrown. If i had to be the character of Macbeth I will have to have a voice which will clearly show in a way that when I want something, I really do mean it. Body posture should be straight filled with confidence and the facial expression should be extremely serious or with a cruel smirk. 

2) What do you know about the characters of the witches that would help you to know how to use your voice as an actor to portray them? Give an example.

The witches are three old women who are a bit crazy, and they do make some weird predictions which eventually come true if you make it happen. As a character, the body posture should be a bit bent and the voice should be quavery to make your character seem spooky. Differ the pitches as it might help. Another key thing is to make your voice croaky. Also remember to give a toothy grin. Finally do not forget to scrunch up your face to make wrinkles which represents that the witches are old.

3) Can you describe one specific performance skill (acting skill) that you have improved on or developed this term through this unit? Give some examples of how or why you think you have got better.

This term I really have gotten better at working with others who are put in the same team that I am in. I have learnt to appreciate ideas of others and come up with my own ideas too. During this term, as we did performances related to Macbeth, everyone has their own brilliant ideas which are really good and as a team, when you are working well together drama gets even better and more fun. In the last couple of team activities we did together in class, I really do feel that I have given in some good ideas and helped others form their ideas and share it. So I believe that I have gotten better at this skill. But there is still room for improvement.

4) Describe some of the ways that you were able to create a specific atmosphere on stage in this unit of work.

On the stage I could mostly stick to my character and behave like they were. Something I do well on stage is moving around in the manner of the character. If they are hunch backed, I can do it too while performing on stage. This can create a specific atmosphere that suits the scene that we are working on.

5) What do you still think you need to improve on in terms of your drama skills? Write yourself a specific target of how to improve for next term.

Confidence of performing is something I really need to improve on. After you got the confidence, everything gets so much more easier as you aren't shy while doing your performance. This helps a lot as now you will be sure of what to do and you will not always be questioning yourself about whether you should do something or not. The  way to improve my confidence is to pick a monologue from the internet and practice it in front of a mirror, looking at what you need to improve on and picking up those points and working on it.

TERM TWO:

This term we are doing stage combat. For stage combat we have to be very careful with what we are doing. One of the most important thing is to have distance between you and your partner or else you will end up actually hitting, punching or even slapping them

1)Explain how to do the SLAP technique (please mention everything vitally important to complete the Slap SUCCESSFULLY on stage).

First step is distance. The distance between the victim and the slapper is an outstretched arm and a step back from that.

Second step is to figure out where the slapper wants to slap the victim. Tip: first make eye contact with the victim then when it is time to hit look at where you want to hit them on the face.

Step three: still keeping the distance, try to make the slap look real by practicing how your hand is going to pass the victims nose.

As soon as the slapper fake slaps the victim, the victim has to do a knap. It is when you do a clap and a reaction together to make sure that the slap looks as real as possible.

Always remember that the victim's back always has to face the audience or else it won't look real. That is how you do a basic slap.

2) Why were your characters fighting and who exactly each of you were.

We were supposed to act out a scene of a boss and a co worker arguing and then slapping each other as they get angry at each other. So my partner and I decided to make our scene about the boss (me) and the co worker (Rayyan)get into an argument because the employee didn't complete the worker they were supposed to complete weeks ago. Then he slaps me and then I fire him. Both of us were very careful and tried not to smile or laugh to make this scene be as real as possible.

3) Was your scene believable? Why or why not?

Our scene was believable because both of us tried not to laugh, we made the conversation as real as possible and we followed through with the rules of stage combat.

4) Did you effectively create tension?

Yes. Both of us were shouting loud to make the conversation become real and we kept the emotion (anger) till the very end to create the tension.

5) Did the Slap, look believable? Why or Why not?

Yes the slap looked believable as I did a knap plus a reaction and turned my back against the audience so they can't see me do the knap.

Knapp, slap, punch reflection:
Last week we had to perform a scene on sports and two people fighting. My partner and I decided that we were going to play a game of basketball and fight with each other. We were limited as we didn't have enough tension and the dialogue was limited. Karim and Rayyan's group was good. They had realistic slaps and punches but their dialogue was limited. Thea and Sara's group were adequate, their story wasn't so understandable as Sara's voice was very low. Tsumugi, Sarvika and Saif's group were adequate. Their position wasn't correct and we could see everything that was happening. Amani and Rayan were good as they had good voice projection. Madiha and Farah were very good. Their conversation seemed real and they had a very realistic slap that made everyone question if it was real. But for their punch, Madiha forgot to do the knapp. Abdullah and Natalie were limited/adequate. Their major problem was that they didn't have good use of dialogue and that Abdullah's reaction was a bit late. Melisa and Maya were adequate. They didn't have enough tension. Fayha and Myra were good. Their only problems were that they had too much distance and they had the wrong position. Yasmin and Adam were limited as they didn't have enough time to practice. Gautam and Arshia were limited because they didn't have effective tension and they didn't listen to the instructions saying that they have to do a scene on sports.

FINAL PERFORMANCE (CHOREOGRAPHY)

Throughout the topic of stage combat I have learnt many things such as the slap, the knapp, punch, uppercut, falling (sideways and backward), punch to the stomach and others.

This time we had a choreographed script that everyone had to follow to perform. At first it did seem quite easy, but it wasn’t. We had to create an original idea of why two members would fight.

Natalie and I decided to pretend that we were doing a project and I would just slack of and not do any work then argue over it. We both really liked the idea and worked on getting the moves just right but our greatest mistake was not considering the positions when we got on stage. Due to this major problem the audience could clearly see everything that as happening and we were not that effective. Sometimes we would also have problems with the distance which caused panic as we thought that the other person would hit us. We had many directions too as we were silently telling each other what to do and what not to do so that also was seen by the audience.

But other than that Natalie and I believe that we did well with speaking out loud and having an original plot. To improve, next time I would practice more on making my reactions seem more realistic, improve my sophisticated dialogue and make sure we are standing in the correct position when we are on stage and practice it.

Question 1: In our case, person A was Natalie. For her role she had to teach me a lesson for not helping out on any assessments, particularly the geography assessment. Mostly throughout the performance she maintained an angry look or stern look on her face to portray the character well.

Question 2: person B was me. I was the character who was lazy and never doing any work to achieve my grades. This makes my character seem selfish and rude. I believe that i managed to keep a bad/careless attitude throughout the scene to make my character seem really like the person we wanted her to be.

Question 3: Our idea was that we would have a fight over not doing the work. Person B has to be dozing off while she has to work and person A decides to teach person B a lesson because she is doing all the hard work and person B gets credit even though she did not do anything to deserve it. 


Question 4: We were either adequate or good. I would say partially adequate because we did  not know what the right positions were for us to stand when we got onto the stage and because we had too many actions like directing each other which way to go. I believe that the other half would be good as we had an original plot-line and our reactions were mostly realistic as in the audience didn't see what we were actually doing (having distance instead of actually punching or slapping on the face).