12th January

Lesson 1 Today in lesson we wroked on the stanislavski system so that we could use this or the seven states of tension or even both to fully develop characters that we get.

      
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantin_Stanislavski - Link for the history of Stanislavski and his views and beleifs.

1) The Given Circumstances -

This is everything to do with the play, what you are given such as; the story of the play, facts, events, time and place, the actors and the directors, the production, the scenery and costumes, the sound effects etc. It includes everything that the actor is asked to take into consideration.

2) The 'Magic If' -
 Links in with The Given Circumstances as the actor now has to question everything to do with the performance, has to question how they would behave and so on.
3) Imagination -
 Exactly what the title says, the actor must have a good imagination of what they think the performance will turn out like and have to imagine being that character and how to link it in well with the rest of the production.
4) Concentration -
An actor must be able to control their imagination, and not bring it to far away from what the aspects of wjhat the directors want. There are three levels of concentration;
   1- Outer: The actor must be able to focus on the stage and their surrounds on the outside of their bodies, must shut out the audience.
   2- Inner: Have to shut out their own thoughts, and become their character, remained focused.
   3- The Outer World: Have to observe and understand what your doing, look at the history, religion, culture and art of it all.
5) Relaxation -
An actor must have a flexiable and versatile voice and body.
6) Units and Objectives -
An objective should be "I want..." Should have sections.
7) Truth and Belief -
Concentrating on a small physical actions which allow the actor into the character.
8) Effective Sense Memory -
An actor must be able to have good memories, must learn the history of the character there playign and try to re-live their memories, blocking out their own.
9) Communion -
An actor doesnt just work on their own, actor msut react to others on stage and with their imagination act how the role they would play would react back.
10) Adapation -
Its all about adapting into a truthful, organic part of the performance.

Lesson 2 In this lesson we were told to sit on chairs and imagine we were in a cafe in france, we were then told to eat some chocolate and drink some tea. I personally do not like tea or chocolate but i made a character and he liked it so when i tried it i liked it. This was good for me because i was able to realise that i could make a character and have it be me not just be something im playing.