You know what's missing from our group? Understanding. I'm usually very zen (a concious effort) about the frustrations and irritants of others, so i often find myself in the middle of arguments. So I have decided to list the following, trying to look at everything from everyone's point of view. And if you disagree (or agree) with something, tell ME. don't put in a comment. No Comments.
=>It is hard rocking up to rehearsals and seeing people not knowing their lines and stuff. Especially when sitting up there with next to nothing to do, and not having any1 come up and ask for help to learn lines or anything like that
=>It is hard to learn lines. Damn hard. and it's hard to deliver them in stressful rehearsals where people are running around 'n' stuff
=>It is hard sitting at rehearsals with next to nothing to do when so much more could be accomplished at home
=>It is hard to offer someone ur help in their job, just to be felt like that help was unappreciated or even detrimental to their job
=>It is hard doing lots of work that noone sees, lots of work that noone notices, and being told that people don't like that work
=>It is hard having to act and being made to feel like that isn't doing much, when it actually is, coz there is so much more to consider than just lines and movement
=> It fucking hard being stuck in the fucking middle trying to play the fucking diplomat.
*sigh* ah well
PS NO COMMENTS. talk to me if ya got something to say =D
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Perceived class worries
I think the title says it all really, so I'm just gonna jump into it
1) I think we're moving along ok. Mirror, Mirror, like any other school productions ever rehearsed and performed, will involve a rush towards the end, but I think for a school production (certainly any i've ever been involved in), the focus (especially when blocking out scenes) and willingness to help and put forward ideas has been unusually high. I personally have am extremely grateful for the suggestions i've been given, as it has led to avenues of thought i'd never have considered.
2) If there is a divide in the class, I have absolutely no idea where or what it is. who it's between, what it's about, where it happens... I'm feeling very clueless atm. If it really is such a big problem, someone bring it up in lesson or rehearsal so it can be resolved. If it involves me, someone please tell me.
3) Watching rehearsals from the side, i've been very impressed with what i've seen. Characters have been clear and defined, the real life characters have been believable, and the circus has been exciting and entertaining to watch. Keep it up fellas =)) (first time i've used a smiley face this post. Go me). I am of course no moderator, and chose music because of my lack of real dramatic knowledge, but i have been impressed so far
I generally keep a positive attitude to school life and work, partly coz it helps me to work better, partly coz i have plenty of other stuff to worry about, but i really do believe what i've said in this blog. So a final word - Stay cool ppl, ur doing good =D
1) I think we're moving along ok. Mirror, Mirror, like any other school productions ever rehearsed and performed, will involve a rush towards the end, but I think for a school production (certainly any i've ever been involved in), the focus (especially when blocking out scenes) and willingness to help and put forward ideas has been unusually high. I personally have am extremely grateful for the suggestions i've been given, as it has led to avenues of thought i'd never have considered.
2) If there is a divide in the class, I have absolutely no idea where or what it is. who it's between, what it's about, where it happens... I'm feeling very clueless atm. If it really is such a big problem, someone bring it up in lesson or rehearsal so it can be resolved. If it involves me, someone please tell me.
3) Watching rehearsals from the side, i've been very impressed with what i've seen. Characters have been clear and defined, the real life characters have been believable, and the circus has been exciting and entertaining to watch. Keep it up fellas =)) (first time i've used a smiley face this post. Go me). I am of course no moderator, and chose music because of my lack of real dramatic knowledge, but i have been impressed so far
I generally keep a positive attitude to school life and work, partly coz it helps me to work better, partly coz i have plenty of other stuff to worry about, but i really do believe what i've said in this blog. So a final word - Stay cool ppl, ur doing good =D
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Part 3: Swan Lake
DUM DUM DUM!!! IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!
Swan Lake Plot: "Swan Lake begins at a royal court. Prince Siegfried, heir to the kingdom, must declare a wife at his birthday ball. Upset that he cannot marry for love, Siegfried escapes into the forest at night. As he sees a flock of swans flying overhead, he aims his crossbow and readies himself for their landing by the lakeside. When one comes into view, however, he stops; before him is a beautiful creature dressed in white feathers, more woman than swan. Enamoured, the two dance and Siegfried learns that the swan maiden is the princess Odette. An evil sorcerer, Von Rothbart, captured her and used his magic to turn Odette into a swan by day and woman by night.
A grouping from the fourth scene of Rudolf Nureyev's production of Swan Lake for the Vienna State Opera Ballet, Vienna, 2004
A retinue of other captured swan-maidens attend Odette in the environs of Swan Lake, which was formed by the tears of her parents when she was kidnapped by Von Rothbart. Once Siegfried knows her story, he takes great pity on her and falls in love. As he begins to swear his love to her - an act that will render the sorcerer's spell powerless - Von Rothbart appears. Siegfried threatens to kill him but Odette intercedes; if Von Rothbart dies before the spell is broken, it can never be undone.
The Prince returns to the castle to attend the ball. Von Rothbart arrives in disguise with his own daughter Odile, making her seem identical to Odette in all respects except that she wears black while Odette wears white. The prince mistakes her for Odette, dances with her, and proclaims to the court that he intends to make her his wife. Only a moment too late, Siegfried sees the real Odette and realizes his mistake. The method in which Odette appears varies: in some versions she arrives at the castle, while in other versions Von Rothbart shows Siegfried a magical vision of her.
At this point versions of the ballet diverge. Many different endings exist, ranging from romantic to tragic.
In a version danced by the Mariinsky Ballet in 2006, the true love between Siegfried and Odette defeats Von Rothbart, who dies after the prince breaks one of his wings. Odette is restored to human form to unite happily with the prince. This version has often been used by Russian and Chinese ballet companies. In a version danced by American Ballet Theatre in 2006, Siegfried's mistaken pledge of fidelity to Odile consigns Odette to eternal swanhood. Realizing that her last moment of humanity is at hand, Odette commits suicide by throwing herself into the lake. The Prince does so as well. This act of sacrifice and love breaks Von Rothbart's power, and he is destroyed. In the final tableau, the lovers are seen rising together to heaven in apotheosis. In a version danced by New York City Ballet in 2006 (with choreography by Peter Martins after Lev Ivanov, Marius Petipa, and George Balanchine), the Prince's declaration that he wishes to marry Odile constitutes a betrayal that condemns Odette to remain a swan forever. Odette is called away into swan form, and Siegfried is left alone in grief as the curtain falls." - Wikipedia
Links to play:
-Idea of Battle - siegfried vs Von RothBart
-The Idea that an outside force/person/thing came in and changed Odette for the worse, links with the voice and where the voice comes from.
Swan Lake Plot: "Swan Lake begins at a royal court. Prince Siegfried, heir to the kingdom, must declare a wife at his birthday ball. Upset that he cannot marry for love, Siegfried escapes into the forest at night. As he sees a flock of swans flying overhead, he aims his crossbow and readies himself for their landing by the lakeside. When one comes into view, however, he stops; before him is a beautiful creature dressed in white feathers, more woman than swan. Enamoured, the two dance and Siegfried learns that the swan maiden is the princess Odette. An evil sorcerer, Von Rothbart, captured her and used his magic to turn Odette into a swan by day and woman by night.
A grouping from the fourth scene of Rudolf Nureyev's production of Swan Lake for the Vienna State Opera Ballet, Vienna, 2004
A retinue of other captured swan-maidens attend Odette in the environs of Swan Lake, which was formed by the tears of her parents when she was kidnapped by Von Rothbart. Once Siegfried knows her story, he takes great pity on her and falls in love. As he begins to swear his love to her - an act that will render the sorcerer's spell powerless - Von Rothbart appears. Siegfried threatens to kill him but Odette intercedes; if Von Rothbart dies before the spell is broken, it can never be undone.
The Prince returns to the castle to attend the ball. Von Rothbart arrives in disguise with his own daughter Odile, making her seem identical to Odette in all respects except that she wears black while Odette wears white. The prince mistakes her for Odette, dances with her, and proclaims to the court that he intends to make her his wife. Only a moment too late, Siegfried sees the real Odette and realizes his mistake. The method in which Odette appears varies: in some versions she arrives at the castle, while in other versions Von Rothbart shows Siegfried a magical vision of her.
At this point versions of the ballet diverge. Many different endings exist, ranging from romantic to tragic.
In a version danced by the Mariinsky Ballet in 2006, the true love between Siegfried and Odette defeats Von Rothbart, who dies after the prince breaks one of his wings. Odette is restored to human form to unite happily with the prince. This version has often been used by Russian and Chinese ballet companies. In a version danced by American Ballet Theatre in 2006, Siegfried's mistaken pledge of fidelity to Odile consigns Odette to eternal swanhood. Realizing that her last moment of humanity is at hand, Odette commits suicide by throwing herself into the lake. The Prince does so as well. This act of sacrifice and love breaks Von Rothbart's power, and he is destroyed. In the final tableau, the lovers are seen rising together to heaven in apotheosis. In a version danced by New York City Ballet in 2006 (with choreography by Peter Martins after Lev Ivanov, Marius Petipa, and George Balanchine), the Prince's declaration that he wishes to marry Odile constitutes a betrayal that condemns Odette to remain a swan forever. Odette is called away into swan form, and Siegfried is left alone in grief as the curtain falls." - Wikipedia
Links to play:
-Idea of Battle - siegfried vs Von RothBart
-The Idea that an outside force/person/thing came in and changed Odette for the worse, links with the voice and where the voice comes from.
Monday, May 7, 2007
The Latest on Copyright
Taken From "Music Copyright for Schools: Guide to the AMCOS, AMCO/ARIA & APRA school Licences" page 26, part 4.8 (Performing Music In Schools: APRA License; Dramatic Context Performances):
"...additional licensing is required... if all of the following conditions apply:
1. You are a secondary school; and
2. You are charging admission; and
3. You are advertising the performance outside of the school community"
... Ms Mace, please don't advertise this outside the school community! =))
WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!
"...additional licensing is required... if all of the following conditions apply:
1. You are a secondary school; and
2. You are charging admission; and
3. You are advertising the performance outside of the school community"
... Ms Mace, please don't advertise this outside the school community! =))
WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Part 2: 1812 Overture
Yes I know I was meant to write about Swan Lake. So sue me.
My general aim for the non-modern music was to have it come from approx. between 1800-1900 In what is Generally known as The Romantic Period - early 19th century, and the Nationalistic period - late 19th century, from Eastern Europe (Austria, Russia, The Balkans, Germany in a large stretch of the imagination). The music is characterized by Emotive Melodies, Rich Harmony, flexible-to-nonexistant structure. The most passionate 100 years of Music in history. Think Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Wagner, and of course, Tchaikovsky.
Onto the 1812. Twas comissioned by Tsar Alexander II for the Church of Christ the Redeemer nearly being built. It commemerates Napoleon's defeat at the Hands of The Russians in the battle of Borodino in 1812, which turned the Napoleonic Wars (By this time Napoleon, in a wave of Nationolistic fervour, had led the French Republic in conquering most of mainland Europe). Napoleon attacked the Russians there and won at heavy cost, leading to the capture of Moscow. However, all supplies were taken out by the russians in their retreat and the city was set on fire.
Heavily damaged, with no supplies or shelter from the harsh Russian Winter, They were forced to retreat, while being attacked by Russian Cossacks (Cavalry), resulting in a Russian victory. The 1812 plays this out.
Use for Mirror Mirror is mostly limited to the idea of the Battle (the voice and pop culture playing the french, the family and friends playing the russians)
Important parts:
- The Hymn "God preserve thy People" probably to be used in last 1 1/2 scenes
- The Battle scene probably will be used in the fairytale scene, as the fairytale characters attack her
- The Russian Winter scene will probably be used in First Check-up, to highlight her isolation
- The Retreat could be at the end of the counsellor scene
My general aim for the non-modern music was to have it come from approx. between 1800-1900 In what is Generally known as The Romantic Period - early 19th century, and the Nationalistic period - late 19th century, from Eastern Europe (Austria, Russia, The Balkans, Germany in a large stretch of the imagination). The music is characterized by Emotive Melodies, Rich Harmony, flexible-to-nonexistant structure. The most passionate 100 years of Music in history. Think Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Wagner, and of course, Tchaikovsky.
Onto the 1812. Twas comissioned by Tsar Alexander II for the Church of Christ the Redeemer nearly being built. It commemerates Napoleon's defeat at the Hands of The Russians in the battle of Borodino in 1812, which turned the Napoleonic Wars (By this time Napoleon, in a wave of Nationolistic fervour, had led the French Republic in conquering most of mainland Europe). Napoleon attacked the Russians there and won at heavy cost, leading to the capture of Moscow. However, all supplies were taken out by the russians in their retreat and the city was set on fire.
Heavily damaged, with no supplies or shelter from the harsh Russian Winter, They were forced to retreat, while being attacked by Russian Cossacks (Cavalry), resulting in a Russian victory. The 1812 plays this out.
Use for Mirror Mirror is mostly limited to the idea of the Battle (the voice and pop culture playing the french, the family and friends playing the russians)
Important parts:
- The Hymn "God preserve thy People" probably to be used in last 1 1/2 scenes
- The Battle scene probably will be used in the fairytale scene, as the fairytale characters attack her
- The Russian Winter scene will probably be used in First Check-up, to highlight her isolation
- The Retreat could be at the end of the counsellor scene
Music for Mirror Mirror: part 1
Note: This is mostly for my benefit, so if it seems disjointed and unexplained, It's coz I know what I'm talking about =D I'll try and make it readable so that you guys can give me feedback! yay!
THE PLAN:
-Analyse Text for Themes, important ideas in the narrative (as in, moods and tones created which could be highlighted by music)
-Look for music that fits general themes, whether directly or indirectly (such as using Toxic to highlight the shallowness of the mallrats, or The Carpenters because of Karen Carpenter's battle with anorexia)
-Breakdown to scenes and ... errr, sub-scenes?
-Try to fit music picked from "pool" created earlier, broaden or narrow said pool accordingly
EXECUTION (hopefully):
Themes in play: Family, Courage in the face of adversity (like in every text written in the history of the world), Anorexia (is that a theme?), The Shallowness of Celebrity Culture (lol oxymoron), The influence of Celebrity/Pop Culture, Self-image, peer pressure
Important Ideas in the narrative:
-The Idea of the Battle
- Between Family/friends and The Voice/The Circus
- Between Celebrity/pop Culture and ...other stuff (If i could articulated this better i would)
-The Ugly duckling Theme
Initial Music "Pool":
-Swan Lake Ballet suite
-The Nutcracker Ballet suite
-Sleeping Beauty Ballet suite
-Music by The Carpenters
-1812 Overture
-Assorted Pop
-Assorted Piano (But I'm trying to stay away from these as there is generally little or no information about them, they sometimes have no theme or idea behind them, or worst, are written as studies - technical work for students)
And Thus concludes part 1. Tune in next time for part 2: Swan Lake
THE PLAN:
-Analyse Text for Themes, important ideas in the narrative (as in, moods and tones created which could be highlighted by music)
-Look for music that fits general themes, whether directly or indirectly (such as using Toxic to highlight the shallowness of the mallrats, or The Carpenters because of Karen Carpenter's battle with anorexia)
-Breakdown to scenes and ... errr, sub-scenes?
-Try to fit music picked from "pool" created earlier, broaden or narrow said pool accordingly
EXECUTION (hopefully):
Themes in play: Family, Courage in the face of adversity (like in every text written in the history of the world), Anorexia (is that a theme?), The Shallowness of Celebrity Culture (lol oxymoron), The influence of Celebrity/Pop Culture, Self-image, peer pressure
Important Ideas in the narrative:
-The Idea of the Battle
- Between Family/friends and The Voice/The Circus
- Between Celebrity/pop Culture and ...other stuff (If i could articulated this better i would)
-The Ugly duckling Theme
Initial Music "Pool":
-Swan Lake Ballet suite
-The Nutcracker Ballet suite
-Sleeping Beauty Ballet suite
-Music by The Carpenters
-1812 Overture
-Assorted Pop
-Assorted Piano (But I'm trying to stay away from these as there is generally little or no information about them, they sometimes have no theme or idea behind them, or worst, are written as studies - technical work for students)
And Thus concludes part 1. Tune in next time for part 2: Swan Lake
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Grrrrr...
Whoo. Need to get a few things off my chest. Need to get it out, to cool down. Ally and Bec, you two are ANNOYING. and FRUSTRATING. and MEAN. you attack me during the whole double and then tell me you'se were screwing around with me. VERY annoyed. From now on I'm just gonna ignore you'se both. Bang. How ya like them apples.
Copyright is dumb. I found out that, for the purposes of "research and study", you may copy 10% of a published musical work, so long as that work is at least 10 pages long. Or something like that. ALSO, you must obtain copyright to perform christmas carols whose copyright has not expired. Copyright expires 70 years after the death of the carol writer, or 70 years after publication, whichever is later. In other words, when december rolls around this year, you're not allowed to sing "It's beginning to look a lot like christmas", "I'm dreaming of a white christmas", and probably (i haven't checked the publishing dates) "Rudolph the red nosed copyright infringed reindeer".
PS Shaka is back. I neeeed him back
...and the world is right again.
Whoo. Need to get a few things off my chest. Need to get it out, to cool down. Ally and Bec, you two are ANNOYING. and FRUSTRATING. and MEAN. you attack me during the whole double and then tell me you'se were screwing around with me. VERY annoyed. From now on I'm just gonna ignore you'se both. Bang. How ya like them apples.
Copyright is dumb. I found out that, for the purposes of "research and study", you may copy 10% of a published musical work, so long as that work is at least 10 pages long. Or something like that. ALSO, you must obtain copyright to perform christmas carols whose copyright has not expired. Copyright expires 70 years after the death of the carol writer, or 70 years after publication, whichever is later. In other words, when december rolls around this year, you're not allowed to sing "It's beginning to look a lot like christmas", "I'm dreaming of a white christmas", and probably (i haven't checked the publishing dates) "Rudolph the red nosed copyright infringed reindeer".
PS Shaka is back. I neeeed him back
...and the world is right again.
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