One of the joys of working with kids is that you are able to introduce lots of different techniques into their training. They haven't yet formed a full working practice or 'method' of working. Therefore, we try to cover as large a variety of forms and performance studies as possible in Windmill Young Actors.
This week we looked at two very particular forms, in Meisner and Mask.
As I'm writing this, Wikipedia is currently down so I'm unable to get their wonderful definition of a mask. But hey, as I'm sure most of the journalists around the country are finding today, they actually write because they used to enjoy being original! So here goes:-
Mask is an object normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance or entertainment (okay I'm cheating, you can still get that much on the google search page!). But I'm going to branch out. A mask can either be figurative or literal. People can be regarded as 'hiding behind a mask', mask here representing a 'front' or 'fake personality'. In performance mask has a rich history, from ancient tradition through to Shakespeare and more recently as a teaching method to help us forget about 'us' - Ben the performer with all of his physical and facial defects! The mask is able to portray possibility in performance. With such a set expression, from neutral to extreme, the mask takes over. The performance becomes hugely physical and every slightest adjustment becomes significant and takes on meaning. Okay, enough for now!
There are a number of rules with mask, and if I can persuade Tanushka to ever read this blog, then maybe she'll get round to telling you about them. Alas, having never trained fully in mask, I found myself learning alongside the kids. Tanushka is a great teacher and always makes classes fascinating.
But there's an important point to make about her directing. She always always always encourages discussion. She allows an individual or small group to experiment in front of the class in performance and then encourages feedback afterwards. I am learning as a director that sometimes you get more from the discussion than the performance itself. I guess, it's similar to telling your child off. You can either shout at them or you can sit them down quietly and explain why what they did was wrong and why they shouldn't do it again. You can champion what works and what is good and right whilst also beginning to explain the importance and of boundaries and discipline.
As adults we have the opportunity to learn everyday but those lessons are often affected or tainted by what has gone before. With kids, the sooner they understand a method, the sooner they can find the unique value in it for themselves.
We did a very quick Meisner exercise of repetition. Meisner is designed to make us forget about what is going on in our own heads and focus purely on the moment or the relationships on stage, right at that second. There will be more on this is future weeks so I'll talk more about it then.
Good stuff.
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Congratulations to Ollie and Vito
Well done to the two Windmill Young Actors boys who were seen for the Harvester commercial.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Saturday January 7th - Of New Groups and New Hopes
Wow, what a start to the year!
We were so delighted to see a great number of new children try out for the first time this week.
The first group was made up mostly of old and experienced students so the atmosphere was playful and full of cheek! Christmas had obviously been joyful and everyone was keen to show off their latest trinket (I proudly displayed my new Christmas jumper given with aplomb from my mother-in-law!). Well, what are mother-in-laws for if not to gift a new jumper every now and again!?
The atmosphere was tangibly full of excitement and everyone threw themselves into games and exercises. This first week is always simply about getting people used to each other again, welcoming newcomers and talking about what's to come.
I did have a rather proud director moment during a tableaux exercise where I remarked how wonderful the whole group were and what amazing talent there was in the room. Hey, I'd missed teaching this lot, so there!
It was similarly gratifying to see the new students take to the rehearsal room and try things out, playing and exploring as hard as the rest of them.
Our new second, slightly later group was a different matter but equally as positive. With a lot of new children it becomes harder to get exercises moving and it took a good 45 minutes for us all to relax around each other. But soon the session began to take on its own personality with some lovely thoughtful pieces evolving out of their group work.
Overall, a fantastic start to the term and I'm looking forward to seeing where we develop over the coming weeks.
We were so delighted to see a great number of new children try out for the first time this week.
The first group was made up mostly of old and experienced students so the atmosphere was playful and full of cheek! Christmas had obviously been joyful and everyone was keen to show off their latest trinket (I proudly displayed my new Christmas jumper given with aplomb from my mother-in-law!). Well, what are mother-in-laws for if not to gift a new jumper every now and again!?
The atmosphere was tangibly full of excitement and everyone threw themselves into games and exercises. This first week is always simply about getting people used to each other again, welcoming newcomers and talking about what's to come.
I did have a rather proud director moment during a tableaux exercise where I remarked how wonderful the whole group were and what amazing talent there was in the room. Hey, I'd missed teaching this lot, so there!
It was similarly gratifying to see the new students take to the rehearsal room and try things out, playing and exploring as hard as the rest of them.
Our new second, slightly later group was a different matter but equally as positive. With a lot of new children it becomes harder to get exercises moving and it took a good 45 minutes for us all to relax around each other. But soon the session began to take on its own personality with some lovely thoughtful pieces evolving out of their group work.
Overall, a fantastic start to the term and I'm looking forward to seeing where we develop over the coming weeks.
Casting/Audition Opportunity - this FRIDAY 13th!
Let me know asap if you think you're suitable. See below:-
Boy ( 8 - 10 years old)
Harvester (Commercial)
Two commercials featuring our boy, his father and kitchen staff. Real believable characters with natural comedy performances. Please do not suggest anyone who has appeared in any recent UK TV commercials
Production dates: Shoot 31st Jan in London & 1st Feb Milton Keynes
Company: Tomboy
Casting director: Sue Pocklington
Casting details: 12th Jan, London, 14th Jan, Manchester
Summary
New campaign from Harvester. This commercial could be set anywhere in the country so please do include regional accents(but not too strong).
Boy ( 8 - 10 years old)
Harvester (Commercial)
Two commercials featuring our boy, his father and kitchen staff. Real believable characters with natural comedy performances. Please do not suggest anyone who has appeared in any recent UK TV commercials
Production dates: Shoot 31st Jan in London & 1st Feb Milton Keynes
Company: Tomboy
Casting director: Sue Pocklington
Casting details: 12th Jan, London, 14th Jan, Manchester
Summary
New campaign from Harvester. This commercial could be set anywhere in the country so please do include regional accents(but not too strong).
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