OUR HOUSE - Independent Blocking

The idea in todays session was that we would be working independently from Kim (with her guidance overseeing our decisions) as a group, blocking and directing the scenes as we go.

First Impressions:
At first I was wary about this idea, because as a group I know we can lack focus and motivation. However, this turned out to be the independence we need to get in gear and start working really hard, which I think we did.

What went well as a class:
-Our ease of accepting each others ideas, with an open mind of trying them out was really what worked. because it meant we could explore different ways of blocking the scenes and decide collectively on the most effective one
- our ability to notice when we were spending too long on certain scenes, and manage time was effective, we got through a fair amount of script thoroughly.

What ideas I offered:
- Personally I contributed many things, specifically towards other people, as I was sitting where the audience would be, and so could see how things worked/didn't. An example of this was when Joe's character says 'oh can anyone go' (referring to the charity ball), he was originally just stood there, whereas I suggested he looked down sheepishly at his feet, to suggest that he as embarrassed to ask, particularly in front of his friends.
- The dance choreography with Joe and myself was a challenging scene, but I offered the main steps and a clear idea of blocking the spin, and how the lines fit in with that.
- I also showed commitment and active listening skills when they needed extra bodies on stage (e.g. the police scene) I was up and ready to help so that we could clearly picture the blocking of things.
-When exploring unfamiliar lines I helped people with the phrasing and tone of how the lines should be delivered. For example Jennah has a line which says 'I'm in a dress, 'I'm at university' and it's said in a sassy manner, so i suggested that she hair flick left and right on each segment of the phrase, adding comical value to the way in which the sentence was written.

What we could do better next time:
- As a group we have a tendency to either completely switch off (people being on their phones and things) or be so enthusiastic that we end up interrupting each other, wasting time trying to hear 10 voices at once
- We also spent a few minutes too long filling people in where they should have been listening, I think that we need to have a silent rule when you're off stage unless your contributing ideas, so that we all know whats going on, we need that clarity
- Finally, my note taking in the script wasn't substantial as I was so engrossed with offering ideas and suggestions that I wouldn't allow myself time to write them down- which needs to change.