Be A Clown & Ch 3

Be A Clown

I did not realize there was that much information on clowns. It was interesting that clowns could basically be split into three types. I was also surprised about how much thought should be put into finding the right clown hat. I never thought I would be reading something about how to think like a clown. I have to say it is different. I see how a lot of it could be translated into normal acting, especially the part about comedic timing. There are a lot of different takes that can be done. Most of the time when I watch someone doing one of these takes I will laugh or at the very least chuckle a bit.

Ch. 3

I don't think I would normally do any of these stretches during a warm up, but it does make sense to do these ones for the particular tasks that follow in the chapter. It is weird reading about how each of the rolls and falls happen. It is usually easier for me to watch someone do the task and then copy what they did. Basically this chapter covered the movements we have already learnt in class so it wasn't interesting to me to read.

Ringling Bros Circus Clowns

http://media.arkansasonline.com/img/photos/2012/05/31/resized_99265-ringling-bros-circus-clowns_51-15879_t1000.JPG?cc6fa094ad523b984325c7879220d3883a443e7f

Bein a Clown

I found this reading incredibly interesting. I had no idea there were detailed categories of clowns, which is silly now that I think about it. It was also very interesting to find out that someone can be a clown without the makeup, I always just figured they were "clownish" in personality. Also, I'm wearing a Lucille Ball shirt right now. So that was fun for me.
I would love to find a way to tone down every take for all forms of acting, they all make me laugh just thinking about them. Too bad a triple take is too over the top... for regular theatre I mean.

http://www.ibtimes.com/we-still-love-lucy-after-100-years-839963

Clowning!!!

Hey all!
So I found the excerpts about clowning were really interesting.  Normally, I picture clowns as being all the same, but in this reading I found that there are different types of clowns and how they are portrayed.  It has the elements of Commedia in the way of having specific characters for specific clowns.  I feel that this idea is closely involved with mime and how they do things as well.




https://www.google.com/search?q=clown&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=encrU8PCJNSyygH3jYGQBw&ved=0CDgQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=667#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=uxWdx6pIjgcDnM%253A%3BYE-LUDVAlvtJpM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmedia.heavy.com%252Fmedia%252F2012%252F10%252FKryptKiddiesClowns.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.heavy.com%252Fcomedy%252F2012%252F10%252Fthe-20-creepiest-clowns%252F%3B600%3B450

Be a Clown and Stage Combat Chapter 3

Be a Clown

Be a Clown was a fun chapter to read and I really enjoyed the wacky pictures.  I had no idea clown hats were such a big part of the clown character -- I learned a lot.  I can see how a clown hat and costume would fill out the type of clown character you want to portray.  Indicating what you are doing and thinking while performing as a clown is important (which is quite different from acting when you definitely don't want to indicate). Something I'm looking forward to learning about is comic timing with just movement because it sounds like a challenge to find the exact right moment to hit a joke/gag.  After reading about the spit take I decided to try it and just ended up spitting out a mouth full of water onto the floor instead of spraying it (whoops).  The chapter inspired me to watch a Steve Martin movie and to go out and find my destined clown hat.

Stage Combat - Taihenjutsu

As I read through this chapter, I realized that some of what was making my backward rolls more difficult was that I forgot to use my core muscles which probably would have helped. :) Bridge tag sounds like a really excellent warm up and I suggest that we play that in class soon. My rolls all traveled pretty far last week and this week I would like to try rolling a much shorter distance.  The chapter was a good reminder for proper techniques when we do each of our rolls and falls and such because while I was reading, I realized that a couple of my rolls and falls had gotten a little sloppy already. I failed Ninja IQ test #1 and #2 the first time I tried them…not quite sure how that happened with the pictures demonstrating it. The main points were to fall, roll, jump, and move safely and quietly and to come down on your meat, not your bones. Also, that buddies can help you maintain proper technique and can spot you. 

I included the picture of the handstand because I aspire to someday be able to do one.

http://www.lottje.de/zeichnungen04.html 

Be a Clown & Chapter 3

Photo taken at the Mexico City Clown Convention.  http://clikhear.palmbeachpost.com/2012/world-nation/south-america/laughter-is-a-serious-matter-at-mexico-city-clown-convention/


I thought I was going to be hard pressed to find an image of a clown that I liked, but there it was, right on google.  If you have a second to follow the link and take a look you will find several other very well done, airbrushed looking clowns.  Personally I find this much more appealing than the classic grease paint look.

Be A Clown Response:
I would be lost if I were to try to "become a clown" on my own.  I believe that starting with some costume pieces that you identify with is a great way to start. Before the reading, I did not realize that clowns had types and categories. It makes sense once you think about it.  How could a happy clown be in the same category as a sad clown? I would have liked to read some more examples of comic timing, something I think a lot of actors struggle with. I know I need to have it, but how do I get it?

I think clowning could help any actor in their theatrical training.  I believe it is always good to study as many forms of performance as possible. Clowning could help with an actor's comedic style by the actor either using the knowledge or consciously choosing to not be like a clown.

Chapter 3:

In the warm-up section, I particularly liked the visual of holding caterpillars in your hand and trying not to crush them while you smack your thighs.  When it came to the roll section, "stop, drop and roll" struck me as a great way to remember to get low and to pay attention to what you are doing. The fall section was a great description of what were have been doing in class.

 There were some really good wrist stretches in there later on as well that I have not done before.  I'm always excited to learn a new stretch! Overall I really enjoyed how easy this chapter was to read and how I could easily picture "holding a pizza" box up by my ear and see exactly where my hand should be, not to mention the helpful pictures.

The Rivals

Melissa and Rachel:

Overall this scene was great, the only thing was Rachel became breathless while running around and I began to lose dialogue. They held their postures appropriately and didn't run into inaccuracies with potential costume pieces (It's easy to forget skirts, etc) due to their blocking, which I thought was smart. The way Melissa was sitting on that couch probably would have been hilarious on a more accurate set piece when she tried to get up. I totally loved the way  Rachel was reacting to Melissa's squeals, they weren't even words anymore haha.

JD and Kalond:

There were huge strides from the both of them character-wise since the preview, especially in JD's performance. They held themselves very well, and adjusted to the fact that their swords had been forgotten. They still carried on as if they were there. The build in tension was great at the end, from both Kalond's character and JD's. Though a part of me still wanted JD to be bigger from the beginning.

Darcy and I:

I was pleased with our scene, though for some reason the word 'prudence' completely disagreed with me in the moment. We tended to forget our skirts and stand close to each other in rehearsal, but I think we overcame that in the final performance. I just wish we could have rehearsed with fans more and added our 'fan language'!


http://www.stageandcinema.com/2012/10/29/the-rivals-actors-gang/

Rivals Scene Review

Kayla (Lydia) & Darcy (Julia)

Kayla forgot some words during the performance but when she stopped to remember them she stayed in character which was good. She also remembered to keep her arms up to account for her "dress" being to big. Darcy did a pretty good job of that as well. The blocking for the scene where Lydia was chasing Julia around to get her to listen to her was well done. I think more stage business could have been done so weren't just sitting or standing next to each other not moving. Overall it was really well done.

Kalond (Absolute) & JD (Sr. Anthony Absolute)

It was an interesting idea for Absolute not to move at all during his fathers rant/aside. JD had pretty good posture for a rich old man. He was fidgeting with his robe belt so I think if he had some stage business to keep his hands occupied that would have been good. When JD was describing Lydia he had great facial reactions to what he was doing. Kalond also responded to the description well. Kalond did a really good job of keeping a straight posture even though he didn't have a corset on.

Melissa (Lydia) & Me (Lucy)

I think our scene went pretty well. I should have delivered my lines in a steady way instead of high pitched and frantic. I think the props we used were really good. Melissa did a really good job of acting like a frantic spoiled rich girl. The status difference between our characters was established early on and maintained throughout our scene. I think our blocking was pretty good as well.

http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/193/471/193471539_640.jpg