To Be Successful in This Unit You Will

Paisley Grammar

National 4/5

Name: ______Class: ____

Group: ______

To be successful in this unit you will:

N4
Outcome 1: Explore drama skills by: / N5
Outcome 1: Use a range of drama skills, by: / Tasks / N4 / N5
1.1 Responding to stimuli to develop ideas for drama /

1.1Responding to a range of stimuli, including text, to develop ideas for drama

/ Complete Pgs 5,6 and 7
Research task (2 Ideas) pg 9
Presentation (N5) / Detailed response written and discussed. / Highly detailed response
Presentation
1.2 Developing drama skills to communicate ideas /

1.2Developing a range of drama skills to communicate ideas

/ Character card p11
Characterisation task p 12
Acting skills task p10
Demonstrate exploration of voice and movement
Development of at least two skills / Development of at least one idea / Highly detailed development of at least two ideas
1.3 Using drama skills to communicate ideas / 1.3 Applying a range of drama skills to communicate ideas / Rehearsal process. / communicate ideas using their learned skills and knowledge. / detailed development of at least two ideas
demonstrate the ongoing use of relevant drama skills
1.4Reflecting on their own work and that of others / 1.4 Evaluating their own work and that of others / Written assessment Questions
Peer Evaluation (p19) / N4 Assessment questions (p21) / N5 Assessment questions (p22)
Outcome 2: Contribute to the drama process by / Outcome 2: Contribute to the drama process, by:
2.1Planning and devising drama / 2.1 Researching, planning and devising drama / Research task (2 Ideas)
Presentation
Written account of the Drama (p16-18) / Evidence of Contribution to
Development of at least two ideas. / Evidence of detailed research and planning to the Contribution to
Development of at least two ideas.
2.2Using acting skills in order to portray character / 2.2 Using a range of acting skills in order to portray character / apply acting skills to portray character through the use of voice and movement to rehearse and present their selected performance concept. / Demonstrated the application of more than one acting skill through portrayal of character. / demonstrated the effective application of two or more acting skills through portrayal of character.
2.3Exploring form, structure, genre and style / 2.3 Exploring form, genre, structure and style / Practically Explore the Drama using alternative form, genre, structure and style.
Justify choice of form, genre, structure and style. (p13-15)
Two ideas should be explored / Demonstrate the exploration of form, genre, structure and style which could contribute to the drama process.
/ Demonstrate the effective exploration of a range of form, genre, structure and style which could contribute to the drama process.
2.4Reflecting on their own work and that of others / 2.4 Evaluating their own work and that of others / Evaluation Questions
Peer Evaluation feedback / N4 Evaluation Questions (p21) / N5 Evaluation Questions (p22)

Drama Skills

theme and link it to current issues around the world
Present your research to the class
Work in groups to create a piece of theatre based on your Chosen stimulus
Take responsibility for a section of your drama
Incorporate Theatre Arts into your performance
Perform to an audience
Evaluate yourself and others

These are the Skills you will develop:

Voice skills: accent, pace, volume, clarity, emphasis, pause, pitch, tone, articulation, fluency, intonation, register.
Movement skills: body language, facial expression, gesture, eye contact, posture, balance, speed, timing, positioning, use of levels, use of space, rhythm stance, use of direction, mime (slow, precise, exaggerated, clear and simple, SPECS).
Characterisation skills: role play, character cards, improvisation, hot seating, voices in the head, writing in role, thought tracking, thought tunnel.

WORKING FROM A STIMULUS

‘A stimulus is

the starting point

for the drama’

In groups you will begin looking at a variety of Stimuli.
You must look carefully at each stimulus. Whether in whole or in part is there an area of this stimulus that you can use to help you begin?
You can use more than one stimulus.
Choose stimuli that you can develop ideas from:
Are there questions that you can explore?
Does it highlight an issue that you would find interesting to work on?
Are there characters mentioned that you would like to develop?
Is there an issue that stands out from any of the stimulus? (eg raising awareness of world poverty, looking at body image or role models)
Over the next few pages there are questions that you are asked to complete for at least 3 of the stimuli you have looked at.

Stimulus:______

Describe the stimulus. ______

What theme, issue or message do you think you could develop from this stimulus? Why?______

Write below your initial ideas based on this stimulus. (do not write a full story – you should bullet point your ideas.)______

______

Stimulus:______

Describe the stimulus. ______

What theme, issue or message do you think you could develop from this stimulus? Why?______

Write below your initial ideas based on this stimulus. (do not write a full story – you should bullet point your ideas.) ______

______

Stimulus:______

Describe the stimulus. ______

What theme, issue or message do you think you could develop from this stimulus? Why?______

Write below your initial ideas based on this stimulus. (do not write a full story – you should bullet point your ideas.) ______

______

THEMES/ ISSUES

After group discussion and careful consideration you should decideAS A GROUP on the Stimuli that you are going to use and your principle theme.

Stimulus Chosen______

Theme to be explored: ______

In the space below mind map the issues that arise from your chosen theme.

Research Task

You should now have chosen the theme and issue that you are going to work on and have decided on what you would like the message of your piece to be.

Theme:______

Issue:______

Message:______

______

Activity One:

After listening to the instructions given by your teacher decide on the issue that your group will research.

Split up the task; each of you should take one area that you can research.

Gather your research. Keep a note of where ALL of your information comes from. This can be obtained from:

Internet (make sure the information is from a credible source – Just because it is online does not make it truthful. News websites are usually reliable)

Books/ Magazines/ Newspapers

A primary source (Photos, Interviews with people that are directly involved or affected with your issue).

Activity Two:

After you have completed your research you will return to your group.

Together you must decide how you wish to present your findings. Your presentation should include one of the following:

PowerPoint Handouts Prezi

Each member of the group will be responsible for presenting their research to the class.Ensure every member of the group has a copy of the research for their folio.

Your presentation will be recorded. That recording along with your PowerPoint/handout/ Prezi is evidence for your folio.

Acting Skills: Characterisation

You use Acting Skills to help portray your character. This means, they way you use voice, movement and the way you show your character interacting with other characters and reacting to situations. This helps the audience understand your character, and helps you communicate effectively with them.

First, you must investigate your character so you know how you want to portray them. Choose from the characterisation techniques listed below:

Improvisation

role-play

hot-seating

voices in the head

thought tracking

thought tunnel

In your group, use one of these characterisation techniques to help develop your characters. Then answer the questions below.

Describe the technique you have chosen.

______

How did this help you develop your character?

______

Write some words that would describe your character in the shape below.

Character Card

Complete this Character Card for your character

Name of character:

______

Age:

______

Background:

______

Occupation

______

Physical description: (Height, hair, build)

______

Describe your characters movement:

______

Describe your characters voice:

______

Status (how much authority/ power they have in the world of the drama):

______

Purpose

______

Motivation (why they want to plan or achieve the above, what drives them)

______

Acting Skills: Portraying your character

As you are developing your drama you will first improvise and then rehearse your scenes. As you do this, you will use different Acting Skills to portray your characters personality, emotions, and relationships to other characters and to enhance the tension, mood and atmosphere of your scenes.

Read through the questions below, and when you feel like you are confident in the portrayal of you character during rehearsals, answer them.

movement

pace

pause

silence

voice

eye contact

moves

physical contact

contrast

positioning

timing

a. What was the most important relationship your character had with another character?

______

Why was this?

______

Describe how you used Acting techniques to show this relationship.

______

a. What is the most important moment in the drama for your character, and why?

______

b. How did you use Acting techniques to enhance this moment in the Drama?

______

Form, genre, structure and style

The four terms above describe the overall look and feel of the drama. Deciding on these will influence the plot, characters, setting and type of performance.

Form: The type of Drama/performance

A play, scripted or improvised

Dance drama

Mime

Monologue

Movement

Musical

Pantomime

Forum theatre

What would be an appropriate form for your drama? ______

Give reasons for your answer ______

What form would not be appropriate for your drama? ______

Give reasons for your answer ______

Genre: The overall Style of the drama

Comedy

Tragedy

Crime drama

Docudrama

Melodrama

Commedia dell ‘arte

Farce

Tragicomedy

Satire

What would be an appropriate form for your drama? ______

Give reasons for your answer ______

What form would not be appropriate for your drama? ______

Give reasons for your answer ______

Structure

Linear

Non Linear

What structure are you using for your drama? ______

Why have you chosen this?

______

Style

Naturalistic

Non Naturalistic

What style are you using for your drama? ______

Why have you chosen this?

______

Describe how you practically explored two of the following

Form Genre Style Structure

______

Plot Outline

Scene one

Time: ______

Place:______

Action: ______

Scene Two

Time: ______

Place:______

Action: ______

Scene Three

Time: ______

Place:______

Action: ______

Scene Four

Time: ______

Place:______

Action: ______

Scene Five

Time: ______

Place:______

Action: ______

Scene Six

Time: ______

Place:______

Action: ______

Peer Evaluation

When another group is presenting their devised drama you will reflect on the work of one member of the group.

Chosen Performer:______

Prepare some feedback from one key area from the list below. Describe two things that your chosen performer did well and one area for improvement.

Voice Characterisation Movement

What did they do well?

______

______

Area for improvement

______

After the performance you will give constructive feedback to the performer you choose. Once you have done that, have them sign below.

Evaluation (National 5)

All questions must be answered in detail

1 Summarise why you chose this stimulus for this performance.

2. Describe at least two problems or challenges you faced when creating your character and the solutions you found. You should include decisions made regarding your character’s voice and movement.

3. Briefly describe your final performance concept. What were you trying to communicate during the performance? Consider whether you were successful or not, referring to the initial planning stages of your drama.

4. Evaluate your contribution to the performance. Include areas for improvement

5. Evaluate at least one other candidate’s contribution to the performance in terms of their creation of character.

Notes from SQA:

Evaluation Task (National 4)

1Give two reasons why you chose this stimulus for your Drama Skills performance.

2Describe at least two problems or challenges you had in carrying out your tasks and the solutions you found.

3Briefly describe your final performance concept.

4a.Reflect on your contribution to the performance.

b.Reflect on the contribution of two others in your group.

5Give two areas for improvementon your work and how you feel you could make improvements.

6Write a short review as though it was for a school magazine or local newspaper.