actingreaper (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
actingreaper) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2006-11-14 01:59 pm
actingreaper) wrote in fandomhigh2006-11-14 01:59 pm
Entry tags:
Basic Acting, 11/14
The desks have been cleared to the walls in the classroom today, and Daisy leaned against the chalkboard, holding a blunt rapier.
"Hey kids. Today we're going to beat each other up." She started handing out some worksheets. "Only not for real. Stage combat is an important skill for any actor hoping to get to do more than just stand there and look pretty. The level of trust and planning required for a combat scene to look realistic without anyone getting injured can be helpful in all areas of performance, not just fight scenes." Daisy took a moment to shake herself out, then looked for a volunteer to help demonstrate a few of the important items.
"The most important thing to remember is that the person being 'attacked' is in completely control. They direct the action by creating their reaction. For instance, when choking someone: you want to place your hands on the 'victim's' shoulders. They will grip your wrists. Keep yourself loose, and move with your partner as they react. They will decide what directions you move in, how big of a reaction they will have." Daisy demonstrated a few more, including hair and ear pulling, and biting.
"Of course, not all combat methods are so hands on. You also have your punches and kicks. But hitting someone in silence? That doesn't look real. To really convince an audience, there has to be a sound, and I'm not just talking about screaming. That's where something called a 'knap' comes in." Daisy faked a punch, thumping herself on the chest with her alternate hand in order to create the sound of hitting someone. "A knap is anything that you do to add sound effects to your combat scene. It could be crumpling a plastic bottle for the sound of breaking vertebrae, stomping your foot on the floor, thumping your own chest, anything you can think of. Try to mask that movement from the audience, though, like this." She turned sideways and performed the punch again, this time keeping the students from seeing her hand thumping on her chest.
"Okay, that's the very basics of unarmed stage combat. We're not working with weapons today, we'll save that for next week. Take a look at some of the techniques described here, and then slowly and carefully try them out. Anyone who gets injured gets a failing grade for the day, along with their partner."
[ooc: OCDgoing up up and ready to go. I'll also be posting to my journal soon I've also posted here with an alternate final project plan, to get your opinions.]
"Hey kids. Today we're going to beat each other up." She started handing out some worksheets. "Only not for real. Stage combat is an important skill for any actor hoping to get to do more than just stand there and look pretty. The level of trust and planning required for a combat scene to look realistic without anyone getting injured can be helpful in all areas of performance, not just fight scenes." Daisy took a moment to shake herself out, then looked for a volunteer to help demonstrate a few of the important items.
"The most important thing to remember is that the person being 'attacked' is in completely control. They direct the action by creating their reaction. For instance, when choking someone: you want to place your hands on the 'victim's' shoulders. They will grip your wrists. Keep yourself loose, and move with your partner as they react. They will decide what directions you move in, how big of a reaction they will have." Daisy demonstrated a few more, including hair and ear pulling, and biting.
"Of course, not all combat methods are so hands on. You also have your punches and kicks. But hitting someone in silence? That doesn't look real. To really convince an audience, there has to be a sound, and I'm not just talking about screaming. That's where something called a 'knap' comes in." Daisy faked a punch, thumping herself on the chest with her alternate hand in order to create the sound of hitting someone. "A knap is anything that you do to add sound effects to your combat scene. It could be crumpling a plastic bottle for the sound of breaking vertebrae, stomping your foot on the floor, thumping your own chest, anything you can think of. Try to mask that movement from the audience, though, like this." She turned sideways and performed the punch again, this time keeping the students from seeing her hand thumping on her chest.
"Okay, that's the very basics of unarmed stage combat. We're not working with weapons today, we'll save that for next week. Take a look at some of the techniques described here, and then slowly and carefully try them out. Anyone who gets injured gets a failing grade for the day, along with their partner."
[ooc: OCD