Learning Journal 8

Class time is running out, and it is exciting!
Last class, the whole duration was used to present the different playgoer's guides, and wiki sites. The editorial teams chose some great information, but afterwards Russ made us inkshed about the presentations, which brought up some interesting points that may have been missing out of both presentations. Inkshedding is difficult to do, mentally and physically, but once you get into the groove, you find yourself thinking of ideas that would have never came up were it a regular discussion. In the Beaux Stratagem wiki site crew's presentation they had quite a bit of information, more than enough for a playgoer's guide, but the only issue I had with it was the interest of it. Some of the subjects were a little tidious, and rich with history, which sometimes, if I had come across it, would not read it because of my un-attraction to large blocks of text. I guess we should all keep in mind that what is apealing to the eye, and is not intimidating is most likely what the audience will actually take the time to read.

Other than that, I have to get to posting on the Beaux Stratagem, homework has been piling up lately, which has put me behind on my play postings!
Until next time.

Learning Journal 7

Hello again,
Last class was informative in relation to the plays Frost/Nixon and the Cripple of Innishman. The group from Cripple presented their wiki site that was full of information, and I was a little dumbfounded because there was very little to add! It was quite interesting to see the background to that certain play, and with all the information I really wish I was goin to see it. I cannot attend that play because of the dates it is on, but it was still great to hear about the story. It was funny to know that most of the plays we have been studying are black comedys; maybe it is a common genre of plays? I was actually shocked to find out how famous Martin McDonagh, he even won an Academy Award for one of his short films. One other fact that was valuble to know about the play was the truth behind the "Man of Aran" documentary. The characters refered to it, and it turns out to be an actual film. Frost/Nixon playgoer's guide group also presented what they thought should go into the companion, and they also did a great job. I think they chose the right material for the panflet.

I also went to see Frost/Nixon in Saint John this past week, and it was a great experience. I enjoyed traveling there with the people of our class, it was a lot of fun. The production was the best I have seen yet; set and theatre company wise. I thought they handled the scene changes very well, and the set design worked great with the story.
I guess until next time!

Learning Journal 6

I was a little late for class last week, but I got there just in time for my group's wiki site presentation. I learned quite a bit about the play while researching, and reading what others had found. I was actually quite suprised to find out that many people in the class did not know that the play was made into a critically praised movie. Many did not know about it's historical background either - although I did not know nearly as much about it as I do now, after reading the script. The presentation went well, and I beleive that the class was well-informed. I think the most interesting section of my research for the play was the noted fiction in the script - it is always informative to know what actually happend, and what did not.

The Gut Girls team also presented their website, and did a great job. They left not much room for questions. In my personal opinion, the best grouping of information in the presentation was the historical background of the slaughterhouses, and the existance of the "real" Gut Girls. In high school history, I learned quite a bit about the Industrial Revolution, and the rise of women workers - but this script, and it's background opens a whole new view on girls and their new found independence at the time. It was informative, interesting, and helps you understand the relevance of certain situations in the play for it's time.

Until next time! :)

Midterm Reflection

In class last week we discussed some interesting points about reading and posting, specifically with using the posts from Problem Child. There was a lot reoccurring themes in the forums, including that of the difference of character visions on paper and on stage. Most people seem to have the same experience as I do – when you read a character a certain way it affects the way you watch a play. Already once reading it, you have expectations of what a character should and should not be doing. This can have some faults if you tend to have a close-mind, but if you are able to accept the idea of different portrayals “The page to the stage” could be an interesting experience.

--- When reading Frost/Nixon I had another interesting experience. This is the first play I read that has interesting and controversial history behind it. The Watergate scandal was a subject I did not know much information about before I read the play, and began to wonder about the background to the play. It is one of those pieces of writing that leaves you wanting more if you were not well informed. I instantly, even before I was done the play, began research information about the history to Nixon’s presidency, and the errors he made. It was a different experience because for the rest of the times I read the other plays; I never really felt I needed to do research to understand the conflict of the story. With Life Without Instruction I wanted to research certain aspects of the time frame, but I did not have to to understand the issues. Even after done reading it I thought it was interesting to find out what was fiction in the play, and it turns out, there are a lot of parts of the play that have been challenged as a lie. Such as the part when Nixon calls Frost at his hotel room – it supposedly never happened. Also, the whole interview was said to be planned in the first place, especially the apology – Nixon apparently had chosen to say he was sorry before the interview even commenced. I thought it was interested that a play such as this one could have such power over my want to research.

Plays are all around interesting – I never really was involved in drama so I think that an experience backstage would be a wonderful one for me – and stressful. Once starting this class, I have begun to realise the complexity and amount of hard-work it takes to take a script and turn it into a play. There is so much work behind stage design, costume design, paperwork, directing, and lighting- you name it, it has to be done. I never really thought of the elaborate career of a director, but these experiences have opened my eyes. I think, if I ever get the chance, it is time for me to try it out, and probably fail horribly: but yet, still a learning experience.

Until next time!

Learning Journal 4

This week has been informative. Our editorial group for Problem Child got together in class to choose what we thought was important for the playgoer's guide. After we had the presentation from the wiki group, we had all taken note of what parts of the site we thought was important to the brochure. Our group was really productive, and on track. When we met at first we decided on 4 sections that were the most important: background on George Walker, the Suburban Motel series, the factory theatre, and the black comedy genre. Charles and I shared the Suburban Motel series, as he talked about the series itself, and I talked about the use of one motel room. I also went to see the play this week, and it was quite interesting. The characters were opposite of what I envisioned when I read the play: Helen was a lot more strong-willed, while Denise was vulnerable and weak throughout most of the play. Anyway, excited for next class! See you later.

learning journal 3

Hello everyone!
Last class was interesting, we got to further discuss our views on Life Without Instruction, while doing an interesting excercise. I learned some interesting opinions from reading different blogs, and talking about them further. We got set up into our wiki site groups, where I met some really nice classmates. I think that the our wiki site for Frost/Nixon will be a success after we set up our ideas. After reading Problem Child, and responding to it, I am kind of mixed as to if I liked it or not. It was very emotional, strange, yet interesting. I feel as though when it is performed live I will enjoy it more. As for Frost/Nixon - beside it being a little long, I enjoyed learning about the whole background to the play. There is a lot of information about USA's history that I had no idea about, and I also enjoy learning new things.
Well, that is all for now folks, catch ya on the flip side.

Learning Journal 2

Hello everybody!
Things have been going great lately. Last class was interesting, especially when we practiced the free writing. My wrist hurt instantly when I started writing, my body wasn't made to write under pressure. Anyway, we learned that we all had similar ideas about the subject: what advantages come from knowing information before seeing a play.
When discussing the use of a playgoer's guide we agreed there can be faults and adavatages. The faults are when the guide gives too much information, and it ruins the suprises within the play. The advatages are that you can have valuable background information that will help you with following along with the play. Sometimes plays can be confusing without knowing some facts about the story.
We also disscussed the advantage of reading a play before watching it live. Many people thought it helped them in relation to "Life Without Instruction". It could even be compared to watching a movie twice? (realising things you didn't notice the first time reading it) Although, there were some people who thought the experience would have been better if they didn't know every aspect to the play - it might have been a little more interesting.

Anyway, great class, and I have to start reading "Problem Child!" ( a little excited for that)
Peace out.