Monday16th March 2015

Monday 16^th March 2015- Multimedia lesson

This lesson we looked at the use of multimedia used in theatre. We worked as a whole theatre company with a class of 55. We had many group discussions and talked to each other about ideas and thoughts we had. We also looked at three videos that were about multimedia being used in performances at the Nation Theatre. This was a good opportunity to become more comfortable working with the other class as before when we have worked on previous performances we work as two separate classes.

We discussed multimedia what we could use in our performance. We came up with ideas such as phones, the internet, voice audio, video recorder, camera, art, computers, projectors and a few other ideas. We included this exercise today to help us become aware of multimedia we could incorporate in our performance and get to understand how they would be used effectively in a play especially our show Antigone. As a class we discussed different ways the multimedia could be used in our show Antigone we are going to perform. We had ideas such as; voice overs, previous video recordings that could appear outside of school for example running. We could show on a projector a video of somebody running which would show something they done previously. This would be a good idea for use of multimedia and I have seen it used in plays I have watched before and it has always been performed great. We talked this topic through as a group so we all could get an understanding of what ‘using multimedia in a play’ actually meant and to make sure that everyone was at the same level of understanding. Also this was a good discussion because we got to learn and explore different ways in which we could use multimedia in the play Antigone.

In between our group discussions we got to do some small practical work such as Grandmas footsteps and focus exercises. These little activities were very important for us as actors because it is an important way for us to all connect as a company and be disciplined well so that we can work together as mature adults. These activities for our class were extremely useful and helpful for us all as actors. When we done the exercise where we had to look at something far out of the window, then at something not so far away, and then at look at our hands, it was a good way to understand the environment full of young actors you are in. This exercise was used to get us focussed and relaxed. During this activity the silence was amazing and the class worked excellent together to make it so successful.

Later on in the lesson, we got into groups of 4 and discussed further on how to use multimedia in a performance, especially Antigone. The people in my group were: Jake, Gloria and Cameron. After we discussed our ideas we were allowed half an hour to go and explore the building for places we could use multimedia for our show Antigone. We came up with many places that were quiet such as: near Mrs Nelson’s classroom, near the History and sociology rooms, near some of the science rooms, perhaps in a dance room or a theatre. Also another place we discovered that would be good to record in is the Musical Theatre department, it was relatively quiet and there was no one around apart from some of the students singing in the background. Some outdoor spaces seemed quiet as well for example outside the small canteen.

At the end of the lesson we watched three videos about the National Theatre using multimedia in some of their performances, such as a performance called ‘Waves’. learnt a lot of new things from them videos such as how using multimedia can bring a whole different atmosphere to the piece and make it become so much more realistic for the audience as well as for the actors. Also the video told me that using multimedia is a chance to include more creativity into the piece and it gives the audience a chance to capture life not just on the stage for the characters but outside of the theatre. We watched these videos to understand more on the use of multimedia in shows and why it is effective.

This lesson we very productive and it helped me understand a lot more on multimedia used in theatre then I knew before. I now have some ideas planted in my head to share with the class for next lesson in what we can use for our Greek play, Antigone.