Denny High School Drama Department

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Denny High SchoolDrama Department

• Standard Grade
• Body of Knowledge

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The Drama Process

• Respond to stimulus
• Offer ideas
• Discuss and select ideas for situations and roles
• Agree form, structure and devices
• Set up space
• Rehearse
• Review
• Add theatre arts
• Present to an audience
• Evaluate

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STIMULUS

• All drama is a response to a stimulus.
• A stimulus is anything which suggests ideas which
  can be developed into a presentation.

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Some examples of Stimulus

• Photos/paintings
• Props
• Costume
• Scripts
• Location
• Stories/Words
• People/Situations
• Newspaper Articles
• Music/Sound FX

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CREATING, PRESENTING AND EVALUATING

• CREATING is developing a drama through practical
  investigation, experimentation and problem
  solving.
• PRESENTING is the review of the creating process,
  decision making, rehearsal, presentation and
  evaluation.
• EVALUATION is the process of reviewing,
  reflecting and target setting, and can be of the
  self or others.

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LANGUAGE AND VOICE

• LANGUAGE is what we say and/or write (word choice
  and order).
• VOICE is how we communicate meaning verbally
  (meaning and expression).

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VOICE WORDS

• Accent Way of speaking used in local area or
  country
• Pace Speed of speech
• Volume Loudness or quietness of the voice
• Clarity Clearness of the voice
• Emphasis The stress on a word or phrase
• Pause A break in speaking, period of silence
• Pitch How high or low the voice is

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Voice Words

• Tone Change of voice to express emotion
• Articulation Clear pronunciation of words
• Fluency Natural, flowing speech
• Intonation Rising and falling of voice in speech
• Register Appropriate speech for the person being
  spoken to, or for the situation

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NATURALISTIC MIOVEMENT used to aid
characterisation.

• Body Language Messages given by the movement or
  position of the body.
• Facial Expression Look on face which shows
  emotion.
• Gesture Movement of the hand or arm which
  communicates a meaning or emotion.
• Eye Contact Looking straight into the eyes of
  another actor
• Posture Position of the body how it is held.
• Use of space How the actor moves in the acting
  area.

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STYLISED MOVEMENT Expressing abstract ideas.

• Balance Keeping an even distribution of weight.
• Speed Pace of movement.
• Timing Speaking, moving or pausing at exactly
  the right moment.
• Positioning Where an actor is placed on the
  acting area in relation to other actors.
• Use of Levels Whether the actor is low, medium
  or high.

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STYLISED MOVEMENT

• Use of Space How the actor moves in the acting
  area
• Rhythm Movements which follow a pattern or beat
• Stance Attitude or position of the body
• Use of Direction Whether the actor moves
  forwards, backwards or sideways.

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MIME

• A stylised form of movement which gives the
  illusion of reality. It should be
• Simple
• Precise
• Exaggerated
• Clear
• Slow

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ROLE PLAY

• A means of exploring attitudes and beliefs
• Role play involves representing a point of view,
  without the need for accents and funny walks etc.

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CHARACTERISATION

• The investigation and portrayal of a specific
  character. A variety of techniques can be used
  to investigate a character
• CHARACTERISATION TECHNIQUES
• Character Cards Written profile of a character
• Improvisation
• Role Play

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CHARACTERISATION TECHNIQUES

• Hot-Seating A character is questioned while
  still in role
• Voices-in-the-Head Words said about the
  character being repeated
• Writing-in-Role Writing a letter or diary as the
  character.
• Thought Tracking A character speaking his
  thoughts aloud.
• Thought Tunnel Other characters comment on a
  characters situation

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PURPOSE

• The purpose and target audience of a drama must
  be decided. A drama can be used for one or more
  purposes
• For example High School Musical could have the
  following purposes To entertain and to tell a
  story.

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POSSIBLE PURPOSES IN DRAMA

• Communicate a message
• Entertain
• Tell a Story
• Educate
• Explore a theme or issue
• Explore and Experience (through audience
  participation/forum theatre)

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FORM The overall style of the drama. These
include

• A Play, scripted or improvised
• Dance Drama
• Mime
• Monologue
• Movement
• Musical

• Pantomime
• Comedy
• Tragedy
• Docu-Drama
• Forum Theatre

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STRUCTURE

• Structure is the way in which time, place and
  action are sequenced.
• Linear Structure is chronological action
  unfolds from beginning to end.
• Non-Linear Structure unfolds through shifts in
  time (flashback/flashforward) and/or place.

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CONVENTIONS alternative ways of presenting
part(s) of a drama.

• Flashback Acting out an event in the past.
• Flashforward Acting out of a future or imagined
  event.
• Freeze Frame The action is frozen in time.
• Frozen Picture Foundation word for tableau.
• Mime Stylised form of movement which creates an
  illusion of reality.
• Monologue A character speaks their thoughts
  aloud.
• Movement A series of events told silently.

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More CONVENTIONS

• Slow Motion Movement performed at a slowed down
  speed.
• Narration Part(s) of the drama are told as a
  story by a narrator.
• Voice Over Recorded speech played during the
  drama.
• Aside A remark to the audience only.
• Soliloquy A single lengthy speech, made when no
  other characters are onstage.
• Tableau Credit term for Frozen Picture.

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MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE

• Mood and Atmosphere creates feelings and emotions
  in the audience.
• Tension driving force in drama. Holds interest
  in what happens next.

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TENSION CREATED THROUGH

• Movement
• Shock or Surprise
• Silence
• Action
• Conflict and Confrontation

• Mystery
• Relationships and Status
• Threat or Pressure
• Dramatic Irony

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ACTING TECCHNIQUES USED TO CREATE TENSION

• Movement
• Pace
• Pause
• Silence
• Voice
• Eye Contact

• Moves
• Physical Contact
• Contrast
• Positioning
• Timing.

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THEATRE ARTS can also create tension.

• Costume
• Lighting
• Music
• Make-up/Masks
• Props
• Sound Effects (SFX)
• Set
• Special Effects
• Staging

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THEATRE ARTS

• Theatre Arts is a term which covers lighting,
  sound, costume, props, make-up and set.
• You should know the function of all the theatre
  arts.

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THEATRE ARTS LIGHTING

• Lighting has two main functions to light the
  actors and set,and to create mood and atmosphere.
• There are three main types of theatrical lantern

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LIGHTING

• A Fresnel Lantern giving a soft-edged beam of
  light.
• A Flood Lantern giving a wide spread of light.
• A Profile Spot Lantern giving a hard edged beam
  of light.

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OTHER LIGHTING TERMS

• Gel Film placed in front of the lantern to
  change the colour of the beam.
• Gobo Thin metal plate cut out into a pattern
  and placed in a lantern to project a pattern or
  shape onto the acting area.
• Blackout the acting area is not lit.
• Fade Up/Down to brighten or dim the lighting.
• Crossfade To change from on lighting state to
  another with no blackout in between.

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MORE LIGHTING TERMS

• Focussing Positioning the lanterns to get the
  desired lighting.
• Follow Spot Powerful profile used to follow
  actors around the acting area.
• LFX The quick way to write lighting effects.
• Lighting Desk Control board for lighting.
• Wash the whole acting area is evenly lit.
• G-Clamp Clamp used to secure lantern to
  lighting bar or stand.
• Pyrotechnics Stage fireworks.
• Safety Chain Used to secure lantern to lighting
  bar for safety.
• Special Effects Used to create a mood or
  atmosphere on stage e.g. strobe light, mirror
  ball, smoke machine.

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THEATRE ARTS SOUND

• Cue A signal for an actor to do something, or
  for a lighting or sound effect to begin or end.
• Fade in/out To bring the volume up/down.
• Crossfade To change from one sound cue to
  another, with no silence in between.
• Live (SFX) An SFX is operated on cue during the
  performance e.g. a doorbell, a phone ring, a
  knock.
• Pre-Recorded (SFX) An SFX is recorded on
  tape/CD and played during the performance.
• SFX The quick way to write sound effects
• Mixing Desk Control desk for sound.

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THEATRE ARTS COSTUME

• Costume clothes worn by actors for their
  character.
• Hats Items worn on head in keeping with
  character.
• Jewellery Items worn on the ears, neck or
  wrists in keeping with the costume.
• Period Costume Costume which reflects clothing
  from a time in history (see right).
• Costume list List of all costumes for each
  character in a drama.
• Wigs Artificial hair worn in a variety of
  colours and styles for any character part.

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THEATRE ARTS PROPS

• Personal Props items carried or worn by a
  character e.g. glasses, handbag, wallet.
• Pre-set Props items placed on the set, e.g.
  lamp, clock, picture.
• Props Table - Table in the wings on which all
  props are placed for actors to collect as they
  enter, and replace as they exit.

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THEATRE ARTS MAKE-UP

• Fake Blood Powder, liquid or capsules which
  create the effect of bleeding.
• Foundation The basic skin colour
• Liners Sticks of make-up in different colours
  used to create lines, bruises, shading,
  highlighting etc.

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MORE MAKE-UP TERMS

• Pencils Soft pencils in different colours which
  are easily smudged and blended.
• Scarring Scars created with make-up, putty or
  scarring material.
• Stipple Sponge Used to create an unshaven look
  or the appearance of cracked veins.
• Tooth Varnish Used to create the look of a
  missing tooth by blacking out an existing one.

• Crepe Hair Plaits of artificial hair which can
  be cut and trimmed to form eyebrows, moustaches,
  and beards.
• Highlighting Using light colours to make face
  areas stand out.
• Shading Usiing colours to make facial areas
  look shrunken.
• Spirit gum Glue used to attach hair to the
  face.

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MORE MAKE UP TERMS

• Latex Liquid rubber which can be used to make
  skull cap moulds and false noses.
• Nose Putty Type of clay used for altering the
  shape of the nose or chin and/or making warts and
  wounds.
• Skull Cap plastic head-shaped covering to give
  appearance of baldness.

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THE ACTING AREA The acting area is split into
nine areas which are described from the actors
point of view
Up Stage Right (USR) Up Stage Centre (USC) Up Stage Left (USL)
Centre Stage Right (CSR) Centre Stage (CS) Centre Stage Left (CSL)
Down Stage Right (DSR) Down Stage Centre (DSC) Down Stage Left (DSL)
AUDIENCE
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TYPES OF STAGINGStaging is the position of the
audience in relation to the acting area.

• PROSCENIUM ARCH
• Definition stage with an enclosing arch.
• The audience are seated on one side only.
• Examples in Glasgow The Kings, The Pavilion, The
  Theatre Royal, the main stage in the Citizens
  Theatre.

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TYPES OF STAGING

• THRUST STAGING
• Definition The audience is seated on three sides
  of the acting area.
• Can be used in smaller theatres to create more
  intimate relationship with the audience.

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TYPES OF STAGING

• END ON STAGING
• Definition Audience is seated at one end, the
  acting area is at the other.
• Similar to Proscenium Arch but there are no
  wings masking curtains at the side to hide
  entrances and exits.
• Example in Glasgow The Tron, pictured opposite.

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TYPES OF STAGING

• THEATRE IN THE ROUND
• Definition The audience is seated all around the
  acting area.
• Creates limits in what scenery and set can be
  used.

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TYPES OF STAGING

• AVENUE STAGING
• Definition The audience is seated on two sides
  of the acting area. (right)

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TYPES OF STAGING

• PROMENADE STAGING
• Definition The audience follows the action on
  foot, moving from one location to another.
• This can be used in large theatre spaces e.g. The
  Tramway or The Arches in Glasgow.
• The diagram is of an open-air promenade
  production.

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GROUND PLANThe ground plan is a birds eye view
of the set.REMEMBER LAKES!!

• LOGICAL Enough space for actors to move, set
  visible to audience.
• AUDIENCE Position of the audience clearly
  marked.
• KEY A table which lists and identifies every
  symbol used in the ground plan.
• ENTRANCES AND EXITS All possible exits and
  entrances marked with arrows.
• SET All scenery, set and large furniture to be
  included using the appropriate symbols.

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