unit 10

Preparing for Progression 

Skills Audit
Over the past year and a half ,I have progressed the skills.
-Creativity: In areas of set designs and marketing for up and coming projects. Being more dedicated in our performances have also widened my experience with the theatre world.
-Confident and fully amerced in my roles: Having confidence in my roles have helped me to really put myself in my characters shoes , which helps to allow me to preform truthfully. I am able to work with my classmates without feeling confused.
Great Energy: Having a good consistent set energy has helped me to clasp onto the thought of coming into college to also feed off the energy helps to stay in my character more.

Pros & Cons of Higher Education

Seeing as this is our last year our main focus will be finding a university or in my instance drama school.But I am in the predicament of choosing drama school; or university.so did some research.

A lot of aspiring actors are confused about the difference between a drama school and a university. Is an acting degree from a reputable drama school the same as the one from a university?

Drama school could be either an independent institution or a drama-based department of a school, college or university. Either one has equal value if they maintain the status of a “drama school” and have their higher education validated by universities.

Drama schools can be a part of a university. This isn’t common, but a good example of a reputable and highly regarded UK drama school that’s part of the university is Drama Centre London. It is associated with Central Saint Martins college which is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London.

Pros & Cons of Acting School

Advantages of applying to/training in drama schools:

• The most valuable degree in performing arts one can possibly get;
• Great training for all types of performers, particularly actors;
• Opportunities to meet important industry people and create strong connections;
• Final year graduate showcases attract a lot of good talent agents;
• Agents and casting directors value actors with drama school training more.

Disadvantages of applying to/training in drama schools:

• Extremely busy class schedule and a lot of homework;
• No time to audition for acting jobs or work to support yourself;
•  Since 2013, universities hiked their prices to cost the same;
• No preparation on the business and marketing side of acting;
• Very difficult to get accepted;
• Some additional training (acting classes) is still recommended after graduation.

Note on the busy schedule: normally, classes in drama schools take place strictly from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Students are expected to do their homework – research and written assignments – during their free time for monthly exams. Weekends are reserved for rehearsals among students themselves for exam-productions.

Pros & Cons of University’s Acting

Advantages of applying to/training in universities:

• The schedule isn’t very packed, not a lot of homework;
• Enough time to audition for an occasional acting job and work part-time;
• A chance to enjoy a real student’s life;
• Might be a good (although not time-effective) introduction into an acting world;
• Much easier to get accepted.

Disadvantages of applying to/training in universities:

• Poor acting training, both hands-on and theory;
• The degrees are pretty much worthless within the industry;
• Little chance to connect with important industry people;
• Final year showcases are usually small and attract minimum attention;
• No preparation on the business and marketing side of acting;
• Same cost of training as drama schools;
• A significant amount of additional training is required after graduation.

For our last year it is all about experiences and preparation into the acting world. for this assignment we were told to prepare two monologues to be recited in front of a camera. A Contemporary and classical monologue was to be learned by heart on the 11th of October.


Audition Monologues

    

“Classical” monologues are speeches taken from plays that go as far back as ancient Greek theatre, and as far forward as the end of the nineteenth century.

Contemporary monologues are speeches taken from plays that go as far back as the beginning of the twentieth century, and as far forward as the present moment.

Classical Monologues
 When i think of classical monologues i think about the greats such as William Shakespeare and Anton Chekhov. On my classical monologue i wanted to play safe but also take a risk seeing as my Shakespeare isn't the best i also want my monologue to be unique. so i decided on one of Shakespeare underrated plays Alls Well That Ends Well say the monologue "Then I confess" By Helena.  Helena heals the King of France, and the King grants her permission to marry Bertram, the man she loves. Bertram rejects her and leaves a list of tasks that she must do to have him acknowledge their marriage.  
In the monologue Helena confesses to the Countess that she is in love with her son , so I had to really bring my previous skills learned to help we with my characterisation. For example Confident and fully amerced in my roles: Having confidence in my roles have helped me to really put myself in my characters shoes , which helps to allow me to preform truthfully.

Results;
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX1pQEuh-Ydm80rZOSB45GvOvGFZZssfk


Contemporary Monologue
For my modern day monologue i wanted to choose something that is right up my alley. so i decided on a comedy piece that can show a range or emotions. so i picked a monologue from on of my favourite plays.Your a good man charlie brown my John Gordon. the scene is about Charlie Brown realises that lunchtime is the worst time of day because he is always lonely as he sits by himself every day. Charlie reflects on the idea that his sandwich exemplifies his loneliness, While eating his peanut butter sandwich for lunch it comes to his attention that his crush, the little redheaded girl, is also sitting alone. His contemplation and over thinking is what ultimately leads to Charlie to never approaching the little redheaded girl. This ends with Charlie placing his lunch bag over his head because she looks at him. this monologue is definitely one for my books seeing as will have to feel his feelings a s a character. seeing as the classical monologue was filmed. Rob went with another approach and got David schaal in to give us some feed back on what we can improve from a professional point of view to help us in the near future for audition for roles. 

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