Workshop 3

Sound that drives

We start with each character seated and upon listening to music and being offered with a theme we watch how the actors start to react to this sound whilst thinking about the music. This really helps to establish the state of mind with the character. Jennie preparing to go out, looking in the mirror. Thinking about being somewhere else. Simon deep thinking, seemingly always deep in thought about his life. As with Chris, looking into the beyond. Thinking about his life. Physically Jennie was more active, showing that her character always wants to be somewhere else or away in some dream world. Max more stationary as a lot of the sounds don’t tend to inspire the character as his actions are a lot of the time not necessarily what he has in his mind. Each person responded in a different way which is always encouraging.

Stage Picture

We create scenarios after that deep exercise that free the tension of what was a powerful last exercise. I’m painting the actors onto a canvas which helps for us to be aware of each other’s space and are continuation with status. There seems to be a real group understanding developing from each others individual personalities.

Isolation

Jennie wanted some specific exercises to really help her realise the characters intentions for seeing McQueen. By creating a room where no one else is listening to her and the rest of the cast and crew ignore her, we see how frustration turns to despair as she needs attention and everyone completely ignores her. Eventually we see max coached into helping her as she completely breaks down and collapses to the floor. The helpful comfort of Max ensuring she was OK. We can then work with Jennie and Max next time on how they become closer and trust one another before developing the characters further.

Conclusions – There is a real sense of characters and thought process that will be carried into the first scene reading as we put it on it’s legs. Coming back to more games and exercises as the rehearsal period develops.