homework

[thehefner]

Kate, my teacher at Studio Theatre, called me up to give me my first homework assignment for the first class next week. My assignment is a 3 minute pantomime, with a distinctive beginning, middle, and end, focusing on one of the five senses."

It was exactly exercises like this that kept me far, far away from such classes for so many years. Now I am receptive and open-minded (well, more so anyway) and very willing to do this. I just still don't have the faintest bloody idea what to do or where to begin even thinking of such a thing.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Still haven't heard back from Gary regarding Grad School.

Comments

[sharrainchains.livejournal.com]

Suggestion: be specific! If you are acting out doing something, really do it (don't rush through the details). And be careful what you choose: one guy in our class tried to do a pantomime of taking a shower... ::shaking head:: The teacher put him through all kinds of embarassment!

[charisma18.livejournal.com]

I agree with sharrainchains. What this exercise is about is building specificity in body language. This kind of exercise usually freaks the hell out of American actors, but that's because our training isn't as physical-focused as other styles. We're all about emotion and feeling the moment, so when it comes to actual body manipulation we get freaked.

Another suggestion. Better here to do something specifically and well than to be original. The best work I've ever seen people do with this exercise have been things like making a cup of coffee and drinking it. Because it's in activities that we all do that the little things stand out the most. If someone takes four packs of sugar with their coffee, for instance, that tells us something very specific about the character.

Don't waste time worrying about what to choose. Just pick something common that involves a fair amount of handwork (hands can be so wonderfully specific) and go from there.

Good luck!

[wendywoowho.livejournal.com]

I like smell and taste for exercises like that. "Is this milk bad?" sorts of things.

[europasings.livejournal.com]

ah, theatre exercises. takes me back...
My first thought was also an every day activity. How many steps to get out of bed in the morning? Cook breakfast? Put sunscreen on? Step in the gum in the crosswalk and then get it off your shoe?
There's a great play by Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney called "Parallel Lives", I believe. It's a sequence of short sketches and one is an entirely pantomimed routine of a woman getting ready for the day (showering, shaving, plucking, make-up, the whole nine yards...). It's a fabulous show. I highly recommend it.
Break a leg!

[tompurdue.livejournal.com]

Do "sense of balance". That's much more interesting.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... any thoughts on a possible context?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that one's growing on me. Thankee!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. Was this Serge?

[tompurdue.livejournal.com]

Oh, hell, I dunno. Jostled at a disco. Walking an obstacle course. Having the flu. Rides at the amusement park.

But if this is some sort of charades game, just go with taste. You can indicate until the cows come home.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... ok. Ok, all this shall I keep in mind, once I actually come up with or get a good starting concept. Thankee!

[sharrainchains.livejournal.com]

The teacher? Yes. In his defense, what he asked the student to repeat did not require TMI or aquick any of us, and the student chose the act of showering (not the teacher). S just required him/all of us to focus on the details of what we were doing.

Please don't get me wrong. This exercise - and the class - were rather enjoyable and educational (until we reached the scenes and S decided that I was Harry Potter/not worth his time to instruct in any way).

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

All the more reason I'm glad I have Kate as my teacher, then.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Heh heh, oh dear, me pantomiming anything involving dance could only lead to hilarity, though most likely at my expense.

Ok, I have a couple possibilities to think on. Thankee!

[fiveseconddelay.livejournal.com]

BEEEEEEEEEES!!!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

But will I emphasize HEARING the bees, SEEING the bees, or FEELING them as they sting me to death? I have to choose one sense!