W2D2 - Story Telling!!

Once again, i start this entry too late. But it has to be done, and this is how I learn from it. I'm noticing more and more how I just procrastinate doing things. I got home today at 11 o clock, but I didn't really start doing anything on the computer till 11:45. I washed some dishes, but otherwise was just thinking about what I should do, rather than just doing it. There is so much time wasted that way. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE! And how's it's 12:30 and I'm just starting to blog. Ridiculous, at least i only have to leave the house at 8:00 tomorrow. 6 hours will be nice!

Today really felt like a Wednesday. It was definitely full, and tiring, but also it was a really fun day too. We had an awesome yoga class in the morning, then we had a dance class, which was all around awesome. Marie played the best music possible for a dance class. A little bit of Britney, some Jordan Sparks, and some Lady Gaga, some Latin tango stuff, and then even some Elvis Presley. It was so much fun.

The during Creative Precess we talked about story telling. In a story there are 5 major parts (sometimes 6)

1. Character Development
2. Conflict is presented
3. Character works with the conflict
4. Climax - When the person changes.
5. Resolution

In any story, you need to develop characters, and then present the conflict. You then see the characters interact with the conflict, and realize that something needs to change. It keeps building and building as the character(s) attempt to figure out the conflict. The climax come in when the "ah ha" moment takes place. The character(s) becomes a different person, or realizes what kind of person he really is.

it was a very powerful class and what struck me the most is how important understanding your operas plot points, and then being able to discuss how you character fits into the big picture. You need to know where you place is, to know what your motivation is. Each line and thought has to be motivated by someone else, or something else. This led to Carol talking about Queing. We each took 2 pieces of paper, one tha said a phrase, and another that said a "state of being"

Ex - Phrase, "Cereal, are you serious, you are absolutely ridiculous, that is not going to work." This phrase must then be spoken in the state of "inspired." It's crazy, but it really shows you how you need to make a story up in your head about what que's your line. You have to know your que line, and the more specific, and full of layers, the better. Each Character has a back story, what is it? These are all great ways to get to know your character that much better, which could allow you the freedom to just "BE" on stage, and not always feel like you have to present something. Presenting looks contrived, and fake. When you know your story and plot points, you know where the play is headed, but you also can react to everything around you onstage.

Even in the morning Inspiration we had today. It was all about living in the present. We often spend so much of our time it the past and future, but what about that is right now. Isn't that more important, within reason. We all have a billion things going on in our heads, but we need to practice living in today. A really good way to do that is to do an exercise called "verbing." when you verb, you are asking yourself what are you doing right now. Ex - running, conversing, arguing. It really makes you focus your energy in the present moment.

I want to apply this to my schedule, and rehearsal, and practice time. So I bought some sticky notes, and every time i go into the practice room, or a rehearsal, I have to have a goal written down. Something achievable!! but don't sell yourself short:) Practicing, even though it is your Left Brain, should be fun! Enough with the old way, find new ways. It's just like the cue's. There are many ways to played "inspired." In the same way, it is good to have thought of different ways your character could react. The director may not like your first take on the line. So then you bring more options to the table. There is no wrong choice, but there is a difference between a choice and the best choice. You want to learn how to always choose the best choice, or, in this case, the best cue's.

Lots to think about. Today during lunch I realized that I don't care how much work has to be done, it will get done. Even after all these feelings of not being prepared, and feeling like I'm going to suck, I still want to be in this profession. We all need to stop thinking that we suck. Who's criteria are we living by. Our new phrase as NUOVAites, is "I'm not ashamed." -Michael Shannon and Jennifter Szeto. Basically everthing you can better, something might go wrong, you just say your not ashamed. It's kind of hilarious, and something that will stick around for a while.

well folks, I'm fading. Off to bed we go

Over and Out!!