Description:
Back to school after the already-missed holidays. However, that doesn't mean that there is no work to do; on the contrary, we are somehow delayed with the building-up process of the One Act Play. This week, we started to completely focus on the development of the scenes of the play; and polishing the characterization of our characters. We also decided on the name of our play based on the main conflict that it depicts. This entry will be focusing on the implementation of props and physicality.
Analysis:
On Tuesday was the first rehearsal of the week and it began by me practicing with Roberto the first few lines of the first scene, since I hadn't finished writing my script. This was a major drawback as it didn't allow for me to develop or have a solid base for the scene. I couldn't work much as the script was incomplete, so Roberto told me to sit down and write down the rest as I had lost the first draft that I wrote before the July holidays. However, this allowed me to look at how Scene 3 was going on; and analyze it from an outer perspective. This scene is the last of the play and it takes place around the toilet seat. Grandpa Alfie constantly suffers from strong diarrhea due to the food prepared by the maid, Berlinda Jones. In this scene, we can see how Spencer Alexis II, the father, is helping grandpa Alfie clean himself; then, Berlinda Jones bursts in and demands that she needs to clean the bathroom. One thing that really helps to create humor in this scene, is the fact that the whole situation is absurd. For example, it is really improbable that you'll have a situation in which the maid tries to impose herself over the owner of the house, and even so, try to make him leave the room, forcing the grandpa to stand up.
Moreover, the implementation of exaggerated face expressions, noises and movements in this scene is crucial. For example, taking as an example grandpa Alfie, who at first does not take much participation in the discussion, we can see that the noises he makes contribute to create a grotesque and disgusting atmosphere that at the same time creates humor. While, Spencer Alexis II and Berlinda Jones fight about him leaving and start pulling him from side to side, he is there making noises. These noises reassemble grunting, and somehow the pain a constipated man goes through; which create an absurd atmosphere as the audience realizes that everything is going on while a really old man is trying to defecate, something both disgusting and funny. Moreover, the exaggerated face expression and movements done by grandpa Alfie in this scene help to create an idea of his suffering. For example, when Spencer Alexis II is grabbing hold of him by the neck in order to keep him away from Berlinda, Alfie extends both his arms and legs while opening his mouth and making a choking sound. The fact that both Spencer and Berlind don't realize the trouble they are putting grandpa Alfie through, is somehow comedic and fun as the audience perceives as ironic the lack of concern that these two characters have towards Alfie's needs. Furthermore, we could argue that Alfie's vulnerability help to increase humor as the audience feels that he is submissive and therefore is forced to withstand all of what goes on. Another that I found to be interesting in this scene, is how Berlinda manages to impose over Spencer Alexis II who is supposed to be the man of the house, who has to be in control. For instance, in the beginning of this scene, after Berlinda bursts into the bathroom we can see how she manages to diminish Spencer who is trying to give the image of power. This gives the idea of Spencer's weakness and Berlinda's power which somehow is absurd as the audience knows that it is usually the other way; the employer (owner of the house) is the one in control, and thus the one who decides over the decisions. On the contrary the employee (the maid) is usually the one more submissive, however, in this scene we are seeing the opposite. At one point, Berlinda even raises her broom as if it was a sword, showing that she truly believes that she is superior to Spencer and that no one can act against her. This gives the audience a feeling of confusion and humor as our perspective of a functional family is being distorted.
On Thursday and Saturday I worked with Roberto on my scene, trying to define a set of actions that will accompany my monologue as it is pretty static at first. These actions go as follows:
The use of props, helped me explore another personality of Spencer; the audience will also have clear what he likes and dislikes by using these series of utensils to clean and cure himself; as well as the cards that will show his fanaticism.
Moreover, the implementation of exaggerated face expressions, noises and movements in this scene is crucial. For example, taking as an example grandpa Alfie, who at first does not take much participation in the discussion, we can see that the noises he makes contribute to create a grotesque and disgusting atmosphere that at the same time creates humor. While, Spencer Alexis II and Berlinda Jones fight about him leaving and start pulling him from side to side, he is there making noises. These noises reassemble grunting, and somehow the pain a constipated man goes through; which create an absurd atmosphere as the audience realizes that everything is going on while a really old man is trying to defecate, something both disgusting and funny. Moreover, the exaggerated face expression and movements done by grandpa Alfie in this scene help to create an idea of his suffering. For example, when Spencer Alexis II is grabbing hold of him by the neck in order to keep him away from Berlinda, Alfie extends both his arms and legs while opening his mouth and making a choking sound. The fact that both Spencer and Berlind don't realize the trouble they are putting grandpa Alfie through, is somehow comedic and fun as the audience perceives as ironic the lack of concern that these two characters have towards Alfie's needs. Furthermore, we could argue that Alfie's vulnerability help to increase humor as the audience feels that he is submissive and therefore is forced to withstand all of what goes on. Another that I found to be interesting in this scene, is how Berlinda manages to impose over Spencer Alexis II who is supposed to be the man of the house, who has to be in control. For instance, in the beginning of this scene, after Berlinda bursts into the bathroom we can see how she manages to diminish Spencer who is trying to give the image of power. This gives the idea of Spencer's weakness and Berlinda's power which somehow is absurd as the audience knows that it is usually the other way; the employer (owner of the house) is the one in control, and thus the one who decides over the decisions. On the contrary the employee (the maid) is usually the one more submissive, however, in this scene we are seeing the opposite. At one point, Berlinda even raises her broom as if it was a sword, showing that she truly believes that she is superior to Spencer and that no one can act against her. This gives the audience a feeling of confusion and humor as our perspective of a functional family is being distorted.
On Thursday and Saturday I worked with Roberto on my scene, trying to define a set of actions that will accompany my monologue as it is pretty static at first. These actions go as follows:
- Lavar la cara
- Secar la cara y manos
- Poner alcohol en las heridas
- Poner hielo en las heridas
- Pomada
- Curitas
- Maquillaje
- Peinar
- Perfume
- Sacar la chompa manchada
- Lavar la chompa
- Sacar el polo
- Coger el saco de pijama
- Poner el saco de pijama
- Abotonar saco de pijama
- Sacar cartas de Yu Gi Oh
- Poner gorro de pijama
- Tomar pastillas
- Sacar y poner "duel disk"
What these actions intend to do is add dynamism to the first scene of the play, as it is monotonous at first. The audience is able to see how Spencer Alexis III is reflecting upon what has just happened, her sister humiliated him in front of everyone by hitting and getting him hurt in a party. He is confused, and does not know what to think about this whole situation. However, he is really sure about something; he is not guilty of betraying the Prokopowicz DeBille. In this scene, the interaction with the props is necessary in order to avoid repetition and monotony. For example, at first, Spencer is trying to hide and cover the "traces of the crime"...the wounds. He does so by using the legato movements while drying, applying ice and alcohol to these bruises. The pace he uses to do these movements help to give the sense of pain, that pain caused by his sister. After he's done covering and cleaning his wounds with foundation and makeup; another facet of Spencer is revealed to the audience; his excessive eagerness towards self care... metro-sexuality in a way. He starts combing his hair and applying perfume, even do he does not needed... as he has just returned from the party. He then takes off his stained sweater and tries his best to clean it and remove those marks; which intend to represent his will to move on and forget what happened. However, that is not possible... At one point, Spencer lets a tear stream down his face. That tear is meant to represent all of his suffering which in a way has been contained. The audience therefore, perceives Spencer as a kid trapped inside the body of an almost adult man... so big yet so vulnerable.
There is also a twist in the monologue, the moment in which Spencer shows his true self to the audience; that moment in which he somehow gets possessed by the child that lives inside him... that Yu Gi Oh maniac. This happens, as he discusses with himself giving reasons to why he is not guilty of the betrayal. There is a sudden crescendo in the pitch of his voice and slowly the volume goes up to... There is an increase in tension and the audience can foreshadow that something is about to happen; that Spencer is about to burst. He kneels down and takes out of the cupboard, a "duel disk". This action is accompanied with a low pitched voice; which gives the audience the idea that Spencer is coming out of his shy and weak crust... to the inner and powerful one. He activates the "duel disk" and starts narrating what happened with Algernon Balthzar Clayton; making exaggerated moves with the hands and having a separated feet stance. The audience is able to feel Spencer's passion towards this card game and really believe that it is all that means to him. When he says "you've activated my trap card" his sudden change in voice, making an unclear high pitched voice... gives a sense of creepiness... this guy is crazy! However, that is what melodrama is about... exaggerating little things.
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| "Duel Disk" the prop that will be used by Spencer |
Connections:
I can once again connect the work done this week with the one done during the exploration process during the beginning of the school play, "Romper la piel". Why? Well, I specifically remember a rehearsal in which I didn't managed to find the character Roberto expected me to be. Therefore, with the help of Eduardo I tried an exercise in which He remembered me any memory that made me feel angry, and as this happened I had to focus and use my breathing in order to get these contained emotions out. The use of deep and continuous breathing managed to help me get concentrated on what he was saying, making me feel angry and frustrated as well vulnerable. I even managed to cry and it was inevitable. In the One Act Play rehearsals I also had to rely on breathing in order to help the feelings inside of Spencer Alexis III come out. During the rehearsals I try to accompany each set of actions with a specific breathing pattern; this helps me to concentrate on what is going on and the intentions of this character. It also helps me to connect with him and put myself in his shoes; abuse is something frustrating and depressing for him.
Another connection that can be made with this week's work is related to an actual melodramatic soapopera, "Maria la del Barrio". In this entry I have mentioned how the absurdity of the plot itself is one of the main generatora of humor. In this soapopera, the characters exaggerate and make a big deal out of situations that don't demand it; and the fact that they care so much and believe that everything is important creates humor on the audience. In "6. A spoonfull of trust" the audience will be able to see how the characters exaggerate a lot everything. For example, the fact that Berlinda is so desperate about cleaning grabdpa Alfie's poop barrage.
Reflections:
I have realized that all of this process serves a purpose. Character exploration is not only useful in order to identify and build your character externally, by getting to know his way of walking, face expression, etc. It also serves to know your character internally and help you to know what are the reasons behind his behaviour. For example, during the character exploration I pictured my character to use as a center of energy his shoulders and forehead and him using a way of walking based on small and fast paced steps. However, after practicing my monologue in which my character is pretty static and reaching the part in which he is supposed to transform completely; I had a different vision for his physicality in comparison to the one previously explored. He was more extroverted, he was inside his comfort zone and therefore his steps where bigger and stronger; he had something else... An attitude generator: the "duel disk". The audience can therefore perceive Spencer's double personality: the one that is more reserves that he shows to the outside world, and the one more extroverted, true and crazy that he only shows to himself.
Can a sudden change in the character's behaviour be truly a humor generator in the scene?
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