Jonathans Blog

Yesterdays lesson was the first blocking session and the first official day of production. It was a great double period that got me to work out needed to be  set out. Firstly, i was able to speak to Scotty on how to find ways to layout my script. We basically tore it apart and put it back together again in a folder, making note taking much easier. With my folder set out i was able to draw a simple 2d set design for every page. I simply drew 2 tables with 6 chairs, of course 1 remains empty for the entire play. At the moment my idea is to simply go through each and every page and work out the lighting effects i could use. Having had a master session on lighting and having talked to a few friends who are wannabe technicians, the past week i have learned more about lighting then i have in my life.

Now the stage managements role throughout the play can be compared to as much work as the director role. Scotty’s been explaining to me just how challenging the task is. The upside is that lighting works directly with stage management which just makes my life a bit easier by not having to go through a middle man.

Throughout the lesson it was mostly quite and productive with Scott (our director) proclaiming that we had completed the preset amount of pages and that we had 30 minutes to go over our 10 page introduction. The lesson consisted of me trying to plan a table for each page and having 2 columns:

• LX (Lighting Effects) and
• FX (Sound Effects)

Those columns are basically empty as we are still uncertain of if we are looking for a ‘eye candy’ effect or a ‘naturalistic’ effect. Personally, i would opt for the eye candy effect as in my opinion it would add a more personalised effect and could really be used by our ‘over acting’. My idea was to simply use a complex string of lighting events that help direct the audiences eyes to points of interest. For instance, if i was walking in with a tray with my waiter role, the spot light would instantly fade on me, follow me and fade off when i walk off the stage. This could be used with an intelligent light if we have them available.

Another idea i brought up was to have cardboard cut outs as our ‘band’. Then the lighting effects will take care of the rest by using Gels for different colourful effects and combinations while lights focus on certain ‘band members’ to give an almost life like effect. Most people in my group appear to dislike this idea as they think we shouldn’t have any band at all and just get the actors to ‘pretend’ while they are listing to the song (preselected from the script). Boring anyone? I mean seriously now who would want to sit there for 3 minutes staring at the actors looking behind the audience? So all i am asking is for someone like Kim to attempt to get 3-5 life size cardboard cut outs and i would take care of the ‘light show spectacular’.

Nevertheless i will abide by the majority vote on a lot of my decisions as this play is a team production and it should really stay that way. For now though, i am going to try and complete a workout plan for each of the pages and find out the various lighting effects and help goofy with his sound.

 Until next time,

moondy