Week Six - Week Eleven

Thursday, 31 March 2005

An interesting day yesterday.  First, it seems no matter what is said by Jenny, Brien and Darren, some students won’t turn up, won’t say they aren’t turning up, or will arrive late – by as much as forty five minutes.  If you arrive forty five minutes late, and you came by bus, surely the obvious answer is to get an earlier bus.  One student at the other end of the scale arrives forty minutes early each week because she has to come by bus.  Just because this is “only” a university subject, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be given exactly the same value as you would give your job.  Especially if one day you hope to get a job and keep it.  I don’t think it is my age that makes me punctual, or respectful of authority, or responsible.  I’ve always been that way.  Presumably some of it is my nature, some the way I was brought up, but a lot of it is a desire to do the right thing by everyone.  I’m not a particularly nice person, I’m competitive and can be a real bitch.  But letting people down when you can avoid doing it is just rude.  So perhaps it is my age!  There – I’ve vented my spleen enough for one day.

The production meeting went smoothly, everyone reporting positive progress in their particular departments.  Bradley’s windmills look great, and the costume department appear to be very organised, though I think they will be glad to talk to Jenny Lees again – but in many respects it is probably better than she can’t be there for them all the time, as it does force them more onto their own resources.  Everyone seems very focused and full of energy.

After the production meeting, I went off with Brien and the others to Nexus, to look at my booth, identify different areas, locate first aid box, etc.  Joe wanted to work on the lighting and I found Brien’s method of assisting very instructive.  Always there, but gently pushing students to solve problems on their own, if possible.  I honestly don’t know what I would do without his wise words of advice.

I missed most of the read through of Act 2 that Darren was holding, but it was when I got back that he asked me to phone everyone who hadn’t turned up.  Realise I need to have the characters’ names next to the students’ names in the sign on sheet, as it is easier to identify a missing character than a missing person.  Salmyah (I must get that spelling right) had everyone moving like penguins, and crabs and other sea creatures, and it was great to see how they carried this on to the later exercise with Darren, when they had to perform various scenarios totally unconnected with the play in their characters.

Later

Perhaps it should be pointed out early in the piece that it is unprofessional to be late or not turn up, and that whatever career one aspires to, professionalism is essential.  I think to be accused of being unprofessional would sting more than just a “you’re late!”

Incidentally, why, apart from Andrew, is it only females who have responded to the call for help to set up/clean up before and after class, and only females who have stayed to help, or been there in time to help (whether rostered or not).

Friday, 8 April 2005

We went to Rottenest on Monday.  Research, of course.  And there really is a Little Parakeet Bay.  It was a lovely day, and though we saw some Quokkas, we didn’t see any Pie-rats.  Saw quite a few seagulls, though, munching on (forbidden) chips, but none claimed to be Sol!

Friday, 15 April 2005

A week since I’ve written anything and although it’s the break, that doesn’t mean no work to be done.  I’m still recovering from a day and a half painting backdrops.  I haven’t done that since my Nauru days when my back was thirty years younger.  It was so good to have the opportunity to really talk to some of the production team, and get to know them.  Joe, who seems such a rebel, and hates the country of his birth with a passion, is so committed to what he is doing, reliable and helpful – even when he’s only had five hours sleep.  I hope he comes to terms with his feelings for his family and homeland, and doesn’t allow his bitterness to become real, instead of just the rebelliousness of youth that it seems from my end of the telescope of age.  Sharon is another totally reliable person, Cheryl is hard working and enthusiastic, making huge efforts to overcome the disadvantages of being a single mother with four children under twelve, two of whom have disabilities.  She really doesn’t let anything get her down.  I wonder if it is all right for me to make these personal remarks in my journal.  But then I don’t suppose anyone will read it except Jenny and Darren, and none of the above will be news to them.

But what I’d meant to write about was how wonderful Lindsay’s backdrops look!  I don’t know if she gets paid to help us, but quite apart from being hugely talented she is so helpful and encouraging.

I’m looking forward to Wednesday, and seeing the play put together.  Must make sure I am paying close attention to the script as it goes on.

Time to get on with the essay.

Wednesday, 20 April 2005

Slightly altered script, and a successful (I think) first rehearsal.  We managed to get through the whole play and while I think I have to do more work on the prompt book, so that it is more easily followed by anyone who might happen to need it, that should just take some solid work over the next couple of days.  It’s just nitpicking stuff – which is what I do best anyway.

I just love listening to Darren get everyone doing their warm ups.  I’ll never be able to see a Pizza Hut next to a KFC outlet again without hearing that song.  Just as well I don’t have a dog!  Maybe Darren should write a Whiskas and GoCat song, too.

I have to be the school sneak and tell Jenny who didn’t turn up and why.  Some are obviously genuinely ill, and one I think is away on a pre-arranged trip.  But “busy”?  Doesn’t sound like much of an excuse to me.

Some people are starting to stand out as stars, and really getting into their roles.  Kate is amazing (Sol the Seagull).  I wonder if she wants to act for a living.  I’d go and watch her in anything.  Some people are shy, I think, and afraid to assert themselves.  And some people are very full of themselves already.

Tuesday, 26 April 2005

Spent most of yesterday morning on the prompt book.  Highlighting, making sure pages match up, just housekeeping.  And making sure I know the script.

Spent last Wednesday and Friday nights at KADS, doing FOH for Terry and George, away in England for a funeral.  Great to have a long talk with Theresa, the Stage Manager for Caravan, and she has very kindly agreed to let me shadow her this Friday night.  It’s what I really need because no amount of reading makes up for the real thing.  No doubt I’ll have plenty to write about on the weekend.  Pure terror, probably.

How does Jenny cope with the fact that so many of her actors are teaching students, and spend so much time away on prac?  I imagine one difficulty would arise with Darren (et al) taking on the missing peoples’ roles, and then the actors returning and not doing the same thing with the role.

I had a talk with Karen (Caravan’s director) on Friday night about the play I want to write next.  She is experienced in comedies, and that’s what I want to write this time.  Could we collaborate, I wonder.  I write the play, she reads it and offers suggestions, then we run it through somehow and see what works?

Wednesday, 27 April 2005

A good run on the first act today, and then Nick’s music.  How amazing!  Better than Andrew Lloyd Weber if you ask me (but then I don’t think any good musicals have been written since Hair – and what does that say about me!).

Quite a few away on prac – and once again a no-show (although she did email me) without a reason.  Pleasing to hear Brien say, at the production meeting, how on track we were compared to some other years.  I do feel everyone is working well as a team, and so far we don’t seem to have any prima donnas.  Everyone seems prepared to pitch in and help.

I must ask Jenny about people’s lines.  Does she want them word perfect from her script, or is she prepared to allow a certain amount of leeway?  Is it better to learn it off by heart…  No, I do know the answer to this one.  You have to learn it properly and then you have to keep practising.  I have my monologue on Friday.  I have it off by heart, and it’s easier to put the feeling in if you don’t have to think about the actual words.  But perhaps everyone is different..

Tuesday, 3 May 2005

Didn’t get around to writing about Friday night, leaning over Theresa’s shoulder.  As stage manager for Caravan, she only has a cast of six, and much less room to move, both on and off the set, than I will.  Plus, she can’t phone the bio box during the performance as the ring tone is too loud!  She does have a television monitor and video, but because her position is actually in the dressing room, directly next to the stage, she doesn’t have to call people much – just lifts a finger.  She said they are very good, and she only has to make eye contact with them, and they are ready.  Disconcerting to note how many keep ducking outside for a smoke, though!

I was very grateful to Theresa for letting me watch what went on, and dog her footsteps.  I am a lot less frightened now, as even though I can see that each performance will require total concentration for the whole time, I don’t think the job is actually beyond me.  I do still have a lot to learn, but am reasonably happy with the prompt book, and the way I have written up the blocking.  I hope to find myself knowing the whole script fairly well – I did notice Theresa and Liza (wardrobe) mouthing many of the lines as they were said.  I also noticed some lines were missed, and some said back to front, so will need to know what I should do about that (see query above – still to be queried!).

Monday, 9 May 2005

I spoke to Jenny about prompting – and she’s leaving it to my discretion whether to require a line to perfect or whether some leeway might be allowed.  Obviously it’s important not to lose the meaning – but also it’s important that allusions are not lost or funny lines spoilt.  Not everyone will get everything – adults or children – but Jenny has written a very intelligent, clever script – some of it is over the younger students’ heads, too.

Had to make some more copies of the script.  I discussed this with Jenny early in the piece.  I hate wasting paper, so have only made copies as they are needed.  This does save paper, but means making more trips to Cheryl to use the photo copier.  I can’t decide if it’s better to print off more than are necessary or not.  There’s not really a use for scrap paper, particularly when it is printed on both sides.  Is there a shredder somewhere and a use for shredded paper?

Tuesday, 10 May 2005

Goodness, Nick’s music is catchy.  Woke up in the middle of the night to find myself singing Sol the seagull’s theme song!

View other Your Work entries...

Val's Journal...     Week One - Week Six     Week Seven - Week Eleven     Week Twelve - Week Fourteen

    Jodie's Journal...     Part One     Part Two     Character Development

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