Well, acting class ends on Monday. This means that it's time for me to reflect on my experience in acting class all semester.
One of the really good things that I did in my acting class this semester was accomplish my goals of this year. I grew more confident in my performing abilities, which was one of my goals. I also learned many new games involving acting, like when each person sits in a chair and is given a character and they pretend to be in a car. I also tired several different kinds of acting, like the dramatic monologue I did and acting in a silent movie. I also got to work on my improvisation abilities, when my class did the improvisation unit last week and I also tried new things when we improvise as we did new activities I had never done. I also learned a little about the behind the scenes work, because I helped my classmates with filming their videos and turning on music when they needed it. I am very happy with the fact that I completed my goals.
I was very proud of my improvement this year. I got a lot more confident about my performing abilities, as I was not very comfortable with performing in front of people. I also got better at not laughing or breaking character while acting in comedic scenes. I also got to try new things in acting and had success in doing them, like in the silent movie. The improvements I made in this class.
I still need to work on being comfortable improvising with other people. I had a lot of trouble with staying in character when unpredictable and funny things happen. I also have trouble making my voice heard and speaking when other people are talking, which happened when we did some of the improvisation in the activities with all my classmates. I can also have trouble with coming up with ideas sometimes that are needed for improvisation. Being more comfortable with improvising is something that I still need to work on.
The thing I took away from this class the most was that I can do well when I work hard at them. It was shown when I made a lot of progress at many different areas of performing in this class. One example of better I got at memorizing lines exactly than I did before I was in this class. I previously had never real need to memorize things that were as long as the things I performed in this acting class along with my role as Matti the Iron Founder in Galileo, which also was earlier this year, so it took a lot of work on my part for me to be able to improve on my memorization skills. The fact that I can do well when I do hard work was the thing I took the most from this class.
I loved the experience of being in this acting class and working with my classmates. It was very fun and I benefited a lot from the experiences in that class.
I think this is my last blog post, so see you.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://beastwatchnews.com/hand_waving_goodbye.jpg&imgrefurl=http://pixgood.com/hand-waving-goodbye.html&h=113&w=158&tbnid=TmGMH878tvW7dM:&zoom=1&docid=9Byt6SiHxii2WM&hl=en&ei=nCK7VOnFFIacNv-9g_gM&tbm=isch&client=safari&ved=0CCgQMygFMAU
(Sorry my picture wouldn't load)
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Blog Post 9- Monologue Take 2
In acting for the past month, we have been working on individual audition pieces, which I referenced in my recent blog posts. I did a monologue called 'Where's My Prince Charming,' which I finished today. I think I did a really good job on it and deserve a good grade.
One of the reasons why I should get a excellent grade is that I successfully tried something new and different when I did the monologue in a more dramatic style. Most of my work in acting class has been on the more comedic and light side. This was very different from my other work, as the way I performed my monologue, it was darker, more serious, and very dramatic. I also did it with success, as I had to work on re-staging the original blocking when I first performed my monologue when I tried focusing on being more dramatic. This tone I used during my monologue also was very different from what the intended tone was light and funny, which also was a more risky and different choice. The fact that I did different and new things is one of pieces of evidence that shows that I should get a good grade.
I improved my abilities, which supports my idea that I should get a good grade. With my classmates help, I was able to find a way to stage the scene I was in so I would not fidget as much or, at least, it would be less noticeable, which was to be sitting instead of standing. I also was able to do better at memorizing, as I was able to do it without as much hesitation as it usually there. I also did the monologue in a style that I was not used to performing in, and did really well for not doing dramatic acting a lot. The improvement I made on the project shows that I deserve a good grade.
I met the goals I set out for myself in the beginning of this project shows that I should get a super grade. I was able to improve my memorization skills, as it took less time to memorize it outside of class. It also took me fewer tries for me to get relaxed enough to be less nervous about perform it in front of my classmates. I also was able to fight less when I performed. I also was able to successfully perform a dramatic monologue. The fact that I met my goals for this monologue is one of the factors that supports my opinion that I should get a amazing grade for my performance.
I faced many challenges that I worked to over come them, which is another supporting factor in my reasoning that I earned a great grade for my work. I had trouble with my fidgeting, which I fixed by changes in my stage directions. I had some problems with being loud at first, but I got better at it over a few takes. I also had trouble switching my delivery from comedic to dramatic at first, but got better over time. How I conquered many challenges supports my belief that I earned a excellent grade from my project.
These are the many reasons I think that should get a good grade (hopefully Mrs. G will give me one!). I really liked the experience of working on a monologue again, but this time I got to do it differently and had gotten a lot more performing experience since the first monologue was assigned. There were many improvement I made that will help me in the future, so the next time I do a monologue they will be even better. I'm really excited about next weeks assignment, which is improvisation, which I will write about soon.
See ya later.
The link to my monologue- http://youtu.be/DPr9jXoUuc0
One of the reasons why I should get a excellent grade is that I successfully tried something new and different when I did the monologue in a more dramatic style. Most of my work in acting class has been on the more comedic and light side. This was very different from my other work, as the way I performed my monologue, it was darker, more serious, and very dramatic. I also did it with success, as I had to work on re-staging the original blocking when I first performed my monologue when I tried focusing on being more dramatic. This tone I used during my monologue also was very different from what the intended tone was light and funny, which also was a more risky and different choice. The fact that I did different and new things is one of pieces of evidence that shows that I should get a good grade.
I improved my abilities, which supports my idea that I should get a good grade. With my classmates help, I was able to find a way to stage the scene I was in so I would not fidget as much or, at least, it would be less noticeable, which was to be sitting instead of standing. I also was able to do better at memorizing, as I was able to do it without as much hesitation as it usually there. I also did the monologue in a style that I was not used to performing in, and did really well for not doing dramatic acting a lot. The improvement I made on the project shows that I deserve a good grade.
I met the goals I set out for myself in the beginning of this project shows that I should get a super grade. I was able to improve my memorization skills, as it took less time to memorize it outside of class. It also took me fewer tries for me to get relaxed enough to be less nervous about perform it in front of my classmates. I also was able to fight less when I performed. I also was able to successfully perform a dramatic monologue. The fact that I met my goals for this monologue is one of the factors that supports my opinion that I should get a amazing grade for my performance.
I faced many challenges that I worked to over come them, which is another supporting factor in my reasoning that I earned a great grade for my work. I had trouble with my fidgeting, which I fixed by changes in my stage directions. I had some problems with being loud at first, but I got better at it over a few takes. I also had trouble switching my delivery from comedic to dramatic at first, but got better over time. How I conquered many challenges supports my belief that I earned a excellent grade from my project.
These are the many reasons I think that should get a good grade (hopefully Mrs. G will give me one!). I really liked the experience of working on a monologue again, but this time I got to do it differently and had gotten a lot more performing experience since the first monologue was assigned. There were many improvement I made that will help me in the future, so the next time I do a monologue they will be even better. I'm really excited about next weeks assignment, which is improvisation, which I will write about soon.
See ya later.
The link to my monologue- http://youtu.be/DPr9jXoUuc0
Friday, December 12, 2014
Blog 8- Let's Take a Note from Broadway to Bust
In class recently, we watched the CBS special Broadway or Bust, a documentary about the days of rehearsals leading up to a competition and the competition itself where high schoolers who won their regional completions competed using a solo piece and part of a group in a madly which included a song from the musical they were nominated from which was played by their character in their awards show. It was a very educational for me to watch the competition and I learned many different things.
Evan was the student that I identified most with. We both are better at acting than at singing, so we might chose to sing a character song instead of a more serious one. Evan and I both are skilled at performing in comedic acting, yet it was not shown if Evan can act in dramatic roles, while I can perform in dramatic roles. We are both very hard workers, as he had to work very hard to succeed in his performance, which made him improve a lot and eventually be one of the three boys nominated to win the award for the solo. The high schooler I had the most in common was Evan.
Despite having a lot in common with Evan, I learned more from Brittany and her experience. She showed me that you have to work hard to perform as she progressed a notable amount throughout the documentary. She also showed me that people can come over many obstacles, like being homeless, and still be successful, as she was able to win her regional competition and be considered seriously for the solo part until the judges thought that if she sang again her voice would be damaged. Her experience also showed me that sometimes the judges and/or the people who are auditioning you might just see something you can not or they might have your best interest at heart. The student I learned the most from was Brittany, not Evan, who I ha a bit more in common with.
These lessons I learned from Brittany and Evan I can used in my audition piece. I can use Evan and my similar strengths in our comedic abilities to use it to my advantage in my monologue, as it has both dramatic and comedic elements to it. The fact that Brittany had such a dramatic evolution of her abilities will help me stay positive when I do not get my monologue right. Brittany and Evan had to work very hard to make the improvements they made will help inspire me when I practice to keep working hard and try my best. Brittany and Evan both taught me many different lessons that I can use when I work on my monologue audition piece and perform in general.
I learned lots of different lessons and enjoyed watching the special Broadway or Bust. Each of the featured students taught me something about acting and performing in general. Some of the featured high schoolers also had a lot with me. I can not wait to add these lessons to my monologue and tell you about it see you.
Evan was the student that I identified most with. We both are better at acting than at singing, so we might chose to sing a character song instead of a more serious one. Evan and I both are skilled at performing in comedic acting, yet it was not shown if Evan can act in dramatic roles, while I can perform in dramatic roles. We are both very hard workers, as he had to work very hard to succeed in his performance, which made him improve a lot and eventually be one of the three boys nominated to win the award for the solo. The high schooler I had the most in common was Evan.
Despite having a lot in common with Evan, I learned more from Brittany and her experience. She showed me that you have to work hard to perform as she progressed a notable amount throughout the documentary. She also showed me that people can come over many obstacles, like being homeless, and still be successful, as she was able to win her regional competition and be considered seriously for the solo part until the judges thought that if she sang again her voice would be damaged. Her experience also showed me that sometimes the judges and/or the people who are auditioning you might just see something you can not or they might have your best interest at heart. The student I learned the most from was Brittany, not Evan, who I ha a bit more in common with.
These lessons I learned from Brittany and Evan I can used in my audition piece. I can use Evan and my similar strengths in our comedic abilities to use it to my advantage in my monologue, as it has both dramatic and comedic elements to it. The fact that Brittany had such a dramatic evolution of her abilities will help me stay positive when I do not get my monologue right. Brittany and Evan had to work very hard to make the improvements they made will help inspire me when I practice to keep working hard and try my best. Brittany and Evan both taught me many different lessons that I can use when I work on my monologue audition piece and perform in general.
I learned lots of different lessons and enjoyed watching the special Broadway or Bust. Each of the featured students taught me something about acting and performing in general. Some of the featured high schoolers also had a lot with me. I can not wait to add these lessons to my monologue and tell you about it see you.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Starting from the Beginning- The Early Careers of Scarlett Johansson and Neil Patrick Harris
In acting class today, my class is researching different performers who worked in the theater. We each picked two people to research. I chose to learn about Scarlett Johansson and Neil Patrick Harris.
Scarlett Johansson started acting when she was a kid. Her family included many people working in theater, like her grandfather, Ejner Johansson, who a director and a screenwriter, her mom, Melanie Sloan, a producer, and Vanessa, her big sister who also is an actress. Her interest was continued and involved in her education when she went to Professional Children's School in New York after elementary school until 2002 when she graduated.
Did you know that Johansson's first role ever was a theatrical one? She was in Sophistry, an Off Broadway play with Ethan Hawke in 1992. She had several roles early in her career while she was a child, as she started auditioning when she was a kid, but they were limited by her mom because she didn't do well with rejection. Sophistry was followed by her first four film roles, where she played Laura Nelson in North in 1994, Kate Armstrong in Just Cause in 1995, Emily in If Lucy Fell in 1996, and Amanda in Manny & Lo in 1996, which gained attention from critics, which helped her career.
Actors, including me, can learn a lot from Scarlett Johansson's early career. It shows that if you keep try and auditioning you will eventually get a part, as she went through rejection as a child actor. She became upset when she didn't get the part she tried out for, which shows that you have to learn to accept rejection, or at least be more understanding when you don't get the part. Her career also shows that acting takes a lot of hard work and practice, because she went to acting school. The career of Scarlett Johansson can teach many actors, including me, many valuable lessons.
Neil Patrick Harris started acting after being Toto in The Wizard of Oz when he was in elementary school. His passion grew as he acted in many different performances at La Cueva High School and eventually the playwright Mark Medoff discovering him when he was at acting camp in New York.
After his discovery, Harris was casted as David Hart in the film, Clara's Heart, the television movie Too Good to Be True as Danny Harland, and as Billy Johnson in the movie Purple People Eater. He gained a lot of attention from Clara's Heart which also starred Whoopi Goldberg and was nominated for a Golden Globe, which was his first professional role. His first professional theater credit was when he played Mark Cohen in the 1997 National Tour of Rent.
There are several lessons that can be learned from Neil Patrick Harris' career by actors, including myself. His career also shows that knowing people can help your career, as Medoff, who discovered him, also worked on Clara's Heart. The critical and popularity of Harris's early work shows that some people can get their success by luck sometimes, as it's very rare to be nominated for a Golden Globe in your first professional film. Harris's career can teach several lessons to actors, myself included, about being a performer.
I found it fascinating researching about successful actors' like Neil Patrick Harris and Scarlett Johansson's early careers. I learned many interesting facts about them, also, like that Harris' first role was playing ToTo. It also taught me important lessons about acting, also, which I can use when I work on my monologue for my audition piece, which I'll write about it soon.
See you then!
Sources-
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000439/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Patrick_Harris
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlett_Johansson
Scarlett Johansson started acting when she was a kid. Her family included many people working in theater, like her grandfather, Ejner Johansson, who a director and a screenwriter, her mom, Melanie Sloan, a producer, and Vanessa, her big sister who also is an actress. Her interest was continued and involved in her education when she went to Professional Children's School in New York after elementary school until 2002 when she graduated.
Did you know that Johansson's first role ever was a theatrical one? She was in Sophistry, an Off Broadway play with Ethan Hawke in 1992. She had several roles early in her career while she was a child, as she started auditioning when she was a kid, but they were limited by her mom because she didn't do well with rejection. Sophistry was followed by her first four film roles, where she played Laura Nelson in North in 1994, Kate Armstrong in Just Cause in 1995, Emily in If Lucy Fell in 1996, and Amanda in Manny & Lo in 1996, which gained attention from critics, which helped her career.
Actors, including me, can learn a lot from Scarlett Johansson's early career. It shows that if you keep try and auditioning you will eventually get a part, as she went through rejection as a child actor. She became upset when she didn't get the part she tried out for, which shows that you have to learn to accept rejection, or at least be more understanding when you don't get the part. Her career also shows that acting takes a lot of hard work and practice, because she went to acting school. The career of Scarlett Johansson can teach many actors, including me, many valuable lessons.
Neil Patrick Harris started acting after being Toto in The Wizard of Oz when he was in elementary school. His passion grew as he acted in many different performances at La Cueva High School and eventually the playwright Mark Medoff discovering him when he was at acting camp in New York.
After his discovery, Harris was casted as David Hart in the film, Clara's Heart, the television movie Too Good to Be True as Danny Harland, and as Billy Johnson in the movie Purple People Eater. He gained a lot of attention from Clara's Heart which also starred Whoopi Goldberg and was nominated for a Golden Globe, which was his first professional role. His first professional theater credit was when he played Mark Cohen in the 1997 National Tour of Rent.
There are several lessons that can be learned from Neil Patrick Harris' career by actors, including myself. His career also shows that knowing people can help your career, as Medoff, who discovered him, also worked on Clara's Heart. The critical and popularity of Harris's early work shows that some people can get their success by luck sometimes, as it's very rare to be nominated for a Golden Globe in your first professional film. Harris's career can teach several lessons to actors, myself included, about being a performer.
I found it fascinating researching about successful actors' like Neil Patrick Harris and Scarlett Johansson's early careers. I learned many interesting facts about them, also, like that Harris' first role was playing ToTo. It also taught me important lessons about acting, also, which I can use when I work on my monologue for my audition piece, which I'll write about it soon.
See you then!
Sources-
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000439/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Patrick_Harris
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlett_Johansson
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Blog 7- Monologue Take Two
Over the next few weeks in acting class, my class will be working on audition pieces. Each person picked a type of performance that they want to do. For my audition piece I have chosen acting in monologue.
I have many strengths as an actor and performer in general. I have taken many singing, dancing, and acting lessons. I really like to act and to be on stage. My voice is strength of mine when I perform because I can project it on stage. My facial expressions, body language, and movements work to my advantage, as I can do them well. I like and am skilled at being other characters while acting. Working as a performer and an actor shows that I have skills in several different areas.
There are also many areas of acting that I need to work on during this project. I need to improve my ability to memorize monologues faster and accurately. I try to talking slower. I also need to work on being less nervous when I am performing, because sometimes when I get very nervous, my performance changes. I also need to work on not fidgeting when I am doing my monologues, because it detracts from the scene. Despite my abilities in some areas of performing and acting, I also have some areas that I need to work on, which I can do during this project.
In this assignment, I'm trying to challenge myself, while I still demonstrate my skills. I am doing a more dramatic, darker roll in this project because I usually pick roles that are more humorous and light. This will let me show my abilities, despite being challenging for me, because it still is very similar to comedic acting and still involves the abilities that I am good at. I also will try to use a monologue that is longer than what I have done in the past, which will challenge my abilities for memorization skills, but will give me more time to show more of my talents. When I perform my monologue, I am trying to challenge myself, yet show my skills.
I have chosen acting for several reasons. It seems to be somewhat easier for me to act. I am also more comfortable acting, and when my nerves are not as noticeable when I act comparers to other kinds performing. I like it more than dancing and singing. There are a few reasons I picked acting.
The genre of my monologue is dramatic, which shows a director many different things. It shows that I am able to do a serious piece, which theater often includes. It fails to show that I can do comedic acting. It also shows that I am capable of playing a darker character than most comedic scenes would allow me to do. My choice of a dramatic monologue shows several things about my abilities.
If I really was auditioning with this monologue, I would need to get the director to give me the part, which I would use many ways of showing my talents. I would stay in character. I would show confidence. I would project my voice. My body movements and facial expressions would be true to the piece and help build my character and monologue. There are many things I would do to get the part if I really used this piece for a monologue.
I'm really excited to see how it goes working on my audition piece and how my classmates will do. I think it will be fun working individually and still work with my classmates. I can't wait. Bye!
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Thursday, November 20, 2014
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