Wednesday, October 29, 2008
All Should Know
I am so incredibly close to being DONE with my lighting project. I did not think it was going to happen, but I just might finish! Huzzah!!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Preparing for the Winter
I want a coat rack. You see it in the movies and in plays all the time and it looks so elegant. Also, there is plenty of room between our front door and our couch to comfortably have a coat rack. I have visualized myself many times coming in from a day of class and rehearsal and stopping by the door to take off my coat and my scarf and placing it on the conveniently located hook. I am rather fond of the image it creates.
Recently, I needed to improvise. I am a complete wimp when it comes to cold weather, so I wore my pea coat on Friday even though it's barely past the "chilly" stage. When I got home, I did not want to hang it up in my closet because I expected to use it again the next day, I did not want to toss it on the floor for obvious reasons, and I did not have the folding chair that normally sits at my desk since it was used in my scene and has not found its way home yet. However, I did have the vacuum cleaner sitting proudly, but unnecessarily in the middle of my room. The handle was at the exact right height and the pea coat hung quite well on it. I was also highly amused every time I checked the time Saturday morning and saw my pea coat on my vacuum cleaner. So I am hopeful; if my dream of owning a coat rack is not fulfilled I know I can supply a suitable substitute...that is, until I need to vacuum.
Recently, I needed to improvise. I am a complete wimp when it comes to cold weather, so I wore my pea coat on Friday even though it's barely past the "chilly" stage. When I got home, I did not want to hang it up in my closet because I expected to use it again the next day, I did not want to toss it on the floor for obvious reasons, and I did not have the folding chair that normally sits at my desk since it was used in my scene and has not found its way home yet. However, I did have the vacuum cleaner sitting proudly, but unnecessarily in the middle of my room. The handle was at the exact right height and the pea coat hung quite well on it. I was also highly amused every time I checked the time Saturday morning and saw my pea coat on my vacuum cleaner. So I am hopeful; if my dream of owning a coat rack is not fulfilled I know I can supply a suitable substitute...that is, until I need to vacuum.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Spike Heels
I did it. It's over. I have now been a director.
"He's the best man I've ever met and he's not good enough for them."
The beginning of the dance. Lydia feels awkward.
The end of the dance. Lydia has finally relaxed.
Yesterday was the day of truth when our scene was performed for the department. I am very proud of the work the girls did and I think it was a huge success. There were some awkward things like a drink being spilled and the audience laughing at points we did not expect. Also there is a lot of pressure in workshop to do it right since the scene is only performed once. In spite of the small slip-ups, they did a wonderful job and I could not have asked for better! I was also fortunate to have an extreme amount of time for my tech. The group before me had to finish early, so we pounced on the space and set up as soon as they left. That meant we were able to have everything set and ready to go at the time we were supposed to begin instead of fifteen minutes in. That meant that I was able to run the show twice, taking pictures during one run, work some problem areas, take some staged pictures, and get out early. That NEVER happens! The blessings of this were 1) we left feeling confident because we did not need our whole time 2) we left feeling refreshed because we were supposed to finish at midnight 3) I have plenty of pictures to share.
"I'm the big success story. I moved to Boston, I work in a law office and they have no idea what that means! It means I get to read books I don't understand."
"I'm sorry."
"I think you'd better finish your drink."
"He's the best man I've ever met and he's not good enough for them."
The beginning of the dance. Lydia feels awkward.
The end of the dance. Lydia has finally relaxed.
Photo Hunter: Scary
I noticed that all of my other photo hunter posts talk about how difficult the word is. So this week, I want to say that finding a scary picture was easy. The first one is some dorm fun from freshman year. Scary how time flies! 
For the next one, airplane food is always scary but there's something about reconstituted soy beans that is even more frightening than usual.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Don't Stop Me Now
Tonight we had the best rehearsal ever! Last night we had a strong run-thru then had to redo one moment many, many times which was wearying. This afternoon we had our dress rehearsal and I think both of the girls were tired (I know I was). The first run dragged without energy and felt strained. We reworked a few moments then I had my girls improv what happened directly before the scene and continue into the scene itself. The girls were slow at first (as was expected) but they soon got into the game and the scene started with a level of tension that we had never had before. They never lost their energy and tension through the shifting emotions of the scene. We were energized and confident and I know we will be satisfied no matter what happens on Friday because we have performed the scene at it's best. I am excited for workshop and so proud of my girls!
At the end of the scene there is a dance. We played with several different songs and styles of music, trying new things each night. We finally chose "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen which is a highly energizing and empowering song that is fun to dance to and describes the character of Georgie and also our work on the scene. "Don't stop us now, we're having such a good time, having a ball!"
At the end of the scene there is a dance. We played with several different songs and styles of music, trying new things each night. We finally chose "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen which is a highly energizing and empowering song that is fun to dance to and describes the character of Georgie and also our work on the scene. "Don't stop us now, we're having such a good time, having a ball!"
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Photo Hunter: Family
For me the term "family" is quite expansive. I was terrified by the thought of digging through the hundreds of pictures of my family and having to choose only one. Or two. Or thirty. However, somewhere in the course of my weekend, although I can't be sure if I was waking or sleeping, I was struck with inspiration. Baseball. When I was a child, we went from Florida to Texas to my aunt and uncle's house where all the family that could met for Thanksgiving and each year we would all get together and play baseball in the back yard. We do not meet like we used to, but my nephews are completely enamored of the sport. This is a picture of my nephew, David, and my cousin, Ben, playing baseball together last Christmas since baseball has been my family's sport for as long as I can remember.
Friday, October 17, 2008
You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
Okay. That's fine. The old tricks work quite well for me. In fact, I am learning at this point so I am not planning to teach anybody anything. I really don't feel like I'm asking for too much.
Here is my first request: Light, turn on.
Unfortunately, this is too large a task for our archaic lighting instruments.
As a part of our lighting design class we must design a moving light show (sometimes called Roboshow) to 3-5 minutes of music. For the past 10.5 hours at least one person in our class (and at least one lighting staff member) has been trying to make the lights work. The good news is we had a school holiday today so we had the time to deal with it. The process is slow and somewhat excruciating, but the project has a lot of value and should produce something I can be extremely proud of and enjoy.
For now, the conclusion of the day is this: You can't teach these old dogs old tricks!
On a lighter note, my friend made up a lighting joke today. (Background: when a light is on at its highest intensity it is at "full," so a lighting designer will ask for a specific light at full).
THE JOKE: What did God say when he created the world? Sun, at full.
Here is my first request: Light, turn on.
Unfortunately, this is too large a task for our archaic lighting instruments.
As a part of our lighting design class we must design a moving light show (sometimes called Roboshow) to 3-5 minutes of music. For the past 10.5 hours at least one person in our class (and at least one lighting staff member) has been trying to make the lights work. The good news is we had a school holiday today so we had the time to deal with it. The process is slow and somewhat excruciating, but the project has a lot of value and should produce something I can be extremely proud of and enjoy.
For now, the conclusion of the day is this: You can't teach these old dogs old tricks!
On a lighter note, my friend made up a lighting joke today. (Background: when a light is on at its highest intensity it is at "full," so a lighting designer will ask for a specific light at full).
THE JOKE: What did God say when he created the world? Sun, at full.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Bleagh
I am as
as a
but recovering.
I took the day off to rest up so that I can be strong and alert (or at least awake and functioning) to do my HODGE. And my lighting presentation. And my unit estimate project. Who knows? Maybe being sick is a blessing in disguise, a chance to get work done while there's daylight. We'll see.
as a
but recovering.
I took the day off to rest up so that I can be strong and alert (or at least awake and functioning) to do my HODGE. And my lighting presentation. And my unit estimate project. Who knows? Maybe being sick is a blessing in disguise, a chance to get work done while there's daylight. We'll see.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Photo Hunter: Lazy
This was the HARDEST subject for me! "Lazy" simply does not exist in my vocabulary (not in a positive way at least). I found examples of "restful" and "relaxing" but still "active." I did manage to pull out two pictures that could represent lazy. The first is of my cat, Hanes, who is staying with my brother and sister-in-law. Generally, she only plays with toys she does not have to chase and even in this shot the squirrel is almost too far away.
The next picture was taken at a Christmas party I went to last year. We arranged the candy canes artistically, but still wondered about the presence of a pumpkin at a Christmas party. Apparently, someone was too lazy to go to the trash can!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Beginning Directing: You Must Call Me Sister!
In order to graduate with a theatre degree, you must take at least one semester of directing. Each director presents a scene in front of the entire department at Workshop. We are split up into groups so that about five scenes go up each Friday. The seniors (advanced directors) and grad directors also stage scenes, usually one scene at each end of the semester. I am in the beginning class and part of the Group 3 Clan, meaning that our rehearsal period started this Tuesday, October 7 and our scenes will be performed on October 24 (the next Workshop).
There are all sorts of parameters for these scenes, but for my class, we must take 5-7 minutes of a realistic play, using a scene that has only two characters. Our rehearsal period is two weeks (my group has longer because there is a random Friday holiday during our time - the actual number of rehearsals evens out) and we can rehearse an hour a day. Also, we must cast at least one freshman or transfer student.
My scene is from a play called Spike Heels by Theresa Rebeck. It is about a low-class girl (Georgie) who tries to "make it." She moves to the city and meets a man (Andrew) in her apartment building who tries to help her by getting her a job at a law office and teaching her how to act in society. In his effort to help her, he winds up losing sight of her humanity. The scene takes place between Georgie and Andrew's fiancé (Lydia). Lydia has come barging into Georgie's apartment (this is the first time they meet) and degrades Georgie while accusing of having a fling with Andrew. Georgie retaliates and Lydia apologizes saying she was only upset because Andrew postponed their wedding. Lydia tries to leave, but Georgie convinces her to stay and they both lament the fact that the men in their lives can't help but be insensitive. The scene ends with them dancing as a way to unwind.
In The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, Jack says to Algernon that his fiancé and his niece will call each other sister within thirty minutes of meeting each other. Algernon responds, "Women only do that when they have call each other a lot of other things first." Later, we are given the opportunity to see the girls brutally fight each other over a misunderstanding, then when the truth is revealed they find comfort in each other and they must call each other sister for they share the same suffering. This is my favorite joke in that play, so I am thrilled that it matches the plot of my scene.
An awesome scene is all good and well, but directing is new, awkward, and intimidating. My blessing is that my girls are great to work with and I feel like we are making very good progress. I will probably give a couple more updates, and certainly an update (with pictures!) at the end. In the meantime, wish me luck in a theatrical way!
There are all sorts of parameters for these scenes, but for my class, we must take 5-7 minutes of a realistic play, using a scene that has only two characters. Our rehearsal period is two weeks (my group has longer because there is a random Friday holiday during our time - the actual number of rehearsals evens out) and we can rehearse an hour a day. Also, we must cast at least one freshman or transfer student.
My scene is from a play called Spike Heels by Theresa Rebeck. It is about a low-class girl (Georgie) who tries to "make it." She moves to the city and meets a man (Andrew) in her apartment building who tries to help her by getting her a job at a law office and teaching her how to act in society. In his effort to help her, he winds up losing sight of her humanity. The scene takes place between Georgie and Andrew's fiancé (Lydia). Lydia has come barging into Georgie's apartment (this is the first time they meet) and degrades Georgie while accusing of having a fling with Andrew. Georgie retaliates and Lydia apologizes saying she was only upset because Andrew postponed their wedding. Lydia tries to leave, but Georgie convinces her to stay and they both lament the fact that the men in their lives can't help but be insensitive. The scene ends with them dancing as a way to unwind.
In The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, Jack says to Algernon that his fiancé and his niece will call each other sister within thirty minutes of meeting each other. Algernon responds, "Women only do that when they have call each other a lot of other things first." Later, we are given the opportunity to see the girls brutally fight each other over a misunderstanding, then when the truth is revealed they find comfort in each other and they must call each other sister for they share the same suffering. This is my favorite joke in that play, so I am thrilled that it matches the plot of my scene.
An awesome scene is all good and well, but directing is new, awkward, and intimidating. My blessing is that my girls are great to work with and I feel like we are making very good progress. I will probably give a couple more updates, and certainly an update (with pictures!) at the end. In the meantime, wish me luck in a theatrical way!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Photo Hunter: Sad
I love taking pictures and having pictures and sharing pictures with anyone who'll pay attention. So when my sister (Rachel) began playing a photo hunting game - a game where you post a picture a week based on a theme - I knew it would only be a matter of time before I was also drawn in. Interestingly enough, my other sister's (Julie's) blog is dedicated to her photography, particularly in capturing everyday life (and quite beautifully, I might add). I guess it's just in the family!
This week's theme is sad. It was much more difficult than I imagined, but this made me more determined to join this week. I dug through almost all the files on my computer finding smile after smile and several beautiful landscapes, but no frowns. I was interested to discover that some pictures have a beautiful face, but have come to symbolize loss. This one however, has a wholly depressing appearance yet fell in the middle of a rather ironic adventure.
Points of interest:
-the keys sprawled casually upon the seat
-the lock jammed firmly closed
-the flash from the last picture my camera took before the battery died in such a way I thought my camera had completely cratered
Sad day!
This week's theme is sad. It was much more difficult than I imagined, but this made me more determined to join this week. I dug through almost all the files on my computer finding smile after smile and several beautiful landscapes, but no frowns. I was interested to discover that some pictures have a beautiful face, but have come to symbolize loss. This one however, has a wholly depressing appearance yet fell in the middle of a rather ironic adventure.
Points of interest:
-the keys sprawled casually upon the seat
-the lock jammed firmly closed
-the flash from the last picture my camera took before the battery died in such a way I thought my camera had completely cratered
Sad day!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Problem Solving
Sometimes in college you make the choice to buy gas instead of bread, a textbook instead of a LeanCuisine, or a crossword puzzle book for the person spending 6 hours a day making your project look good instead of milk. Then you find yourself on the first of the month, waiting for a check and looking at a surprisingly bare refrigerator. What happens at this juncture? Creative cooking!
My food stores:
A Brita pitcher
One bottle of Gatorade
Lil' Smokies
Breakfast sausage
1 can of Pillsbury French bread left by my roommate
1 can of Pillsbury pizza dough left by my roommate
Chicken sandwich meat left by the roommate
Some cheese (shredded and sliced)
Spaghetti sauce
Cookie dough
Butter
Pineapple
Pancake mix (filled with ants)
Ritz crackers (afraid to open because of ants)
Peanut butter
Some spices
The options are limited to clogged arteries, sugar rush, and condiments. Anything remotely useful is immediate bait for the ants. After a day or two of contemplation (and one vivid dream -- although in the dream I at least had tortillas) I came up with a solution: Cheese Pizza.
Start with Christina's pizza dough. Add spaghetti sauce. Next add the rest of the shredded cheese and three whole slices of cheese. Eat the last slice of cheese separately. Bake. Let cool. Enjoy. I just pulled it out of the oven, and it is actually successful!
Any other suggestions?
My food stores:
A Brita pitcher
One bottle of Gatorade
Lil' Smokies
Breakfast sausage
1 can of Pillsbury French bread left by my roommate
1 can of Pillsbury pizza dough left by my roommate
Chicken sandwich meat left by the roommate
Some cheese (shredded and sliced)
Spaghetti sauce
Cookie dough
Butter
Pineapple
Pancake mix (filled with ants)
Ritz crackers (afraid to open because of ants)
Peanut butter
Some spices
The options are limited to clogged arteries, sugar rush, and condiments. Anything remotely useful is immediate bait for the ants. After a day or two of contemplation (and one vivid dream -- although in the dream I at least had tortillas) I came up with a solution: Cheese Pizza.
Start with Christina's pizza dough. Add spaghetti sauce. Next add the rest of the shredded cheese and three whole slices of cheese. Eat the last slice of cheese separately. Bake. Let cool. Enjoy. I just pulled it out of the oven, and it is actually successful!
Any other suggestions?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)