Drama presentations today

You asked for feedback and here it is.
Group 1 - move nearer front of stage. Group characters more centrally, you are too spread out. Louder, clearer and needs much more pace. It all ground to a stop. You've got to know your lines.

Group 2 - Blocking needs serious attention. Barbara and Rita need a bit more variety of intensity and movement. Billy and Liz very good. Maybe it's a bit too long. You could happily lose one scene. End on the bit I suggested or cut something out.

Group 3. Impressive and full of energy and pace (I know I didn't see the end!). Again, a bit long - consider reducing the bit with Arthur? Maybe just do the "comedy" bit and move on?

EVERYONE: The costumes are just too much of a distraction. One piece of costume to "suggest" each character is enough. You've all spent more time on costumes than learning your lines!

We will reconvene and fit in the final performance in the first week back. Be prepared to show your production on Monday. Also do not forget the essay - details below.

Tasks that need to be completed for you to enter coursework
A. Performance
I have learnt my lines
I have blocked the action
I have used the stage to show particular meanings
I have a costume
I vary the use of my voice
My accent is secure
I react and keep acting when others are speaking
I use PHYSICAL QUALITIES –MOVEMENT, POSTURE, GESTURE, FACIAL EXPRESSION
I use props that my group has sources
I use lighting and scenery

B. Written work (around 1000 words) – same standard as an English Essay
Compare your performance of Billy Liar with “The Loneliness of the Long distance Runner”
I have described in detail how “my performance” used...
- CHARACTERISATION
- VOICE – VOLUME, ACCENT, PACE, TIMING, EMOTIONAL RANGE
- PHYSICAL QUALITIES – MOVEMENT, POSTURE, GESTURE, FACIAL EXPRESSION
- VISUAL QUALITIES – COSTUME, MAKE-UP, PROPS
- DESIGN QUALITIES- SCALE, SHAPE COLOUR, TEXTURE
- USE OF SCENIC DEVICES, LIGHTING, SOUND
- HEALTH AND SAFETY FACTORS – yes honestly!
I have explored, in detail the relationship between the two texts
Look in detail at all the stuff involving SOCIAL CONTEXT AND GENRE
This would include
- Class
- Place of Women in society
- Teenage rebellion
- Morality – stealing lying etc
- Fathers
- ENDINGS...
- And all the other things we’ve ever talked about!
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE “DONE” YOUR PERFORMANCE- JUST IMAGINE THAT IT GOES REALLY WELL!- DUE IN MONDAY 2nd NOVEMBER!

Y11 English - Boxing Draft

Your "mock" mock exam (paper1)was actually quite good - results when I see you next. Do not forget Boxing draft in by Wednesday 21st October!

Y10 Wuthering Heights Final copies

With so many of you away today (12 present out of 22!) it's clear that timings will have to adapt to work around the amount of illness going on. Get better soon, those of you off this week.

If you'd like to email me your completed final pieces do so through englishcoursework@strs.org.uk

Otherwise, we're going to have to reschedule for Monday 2nd November.

Drama

Billy Liar practical exam Wednesday 21st October.

Please be ready for these boys. Remember this isn’t a memory test. I’m not going to sit there with a book checking that every single work is correct. Far better to concentrate on creating a flowing piece of drama than a static read through.
Costumes too – including you “ladies” - is not that important, it’s about acting.

Someone remind me to video these, please.

Windows 7 and the school network

Not been able to post much lately due to huge workload involved in rebuilding the entire school network during term time. Why? Don't ask, it's a long story. When this is all finished (I think) we'll be the only school in the UK running Server 2009 and Windows 7 across a whole site. Whether this is a good idea remains to be seen. No, it will work. Keep repeating "it will work!" over and over.

Enjoying Macbeth

If you are (and who wouldn't) you can see the animated tales at MACBETH