Characterization Exercise

1. Find a picture of a person (from a magazine or newspaper).

2. Create a physical characterization of this person using Laban's analysis of different types of effort/shape.

3. Find a gesture that expresses this person's personality.

4. Make up a sentence for this person. It can be something quite simple (e.g. "Oh dear, it's sunny now but it'll probably rain later because life is like that."

5. On Thursday you will show the class your physical characterization, gesture and sentence.

For those of you who didn't record the chart from class, here is one I found online.

Viewpoints Reflection

Viewpoints is a technique of composition that provides a vocabulary for thinking about and acting upon movement and gesture. Originally developed in the 1970s by choreographer Mary Overlie as a method of movement improvisation, The Viewpoints theory was adapted for stage acting by directors Anne Bogart and Tina Landau. Bogart and Overlie were on the faculty of ETW at NYU in the late 1970s and early 1980s during which time Bogart was influenced by Overlie's innovations. Overlie's Six Viewpoints (space, story, time, emotion, movement, and shape) are considered to be a logical way to examine, analyze and create dances, while Bogart's Viewpoints are considered practical in creating staging with actors. (from wikipedia)

Reflect on your experience with Viewpoints thus far.

1. What do you like about Viewpoints?

2. Where there any moments that felt particularly alive for you?

3. Where there times when the activity felt dead and forced? If so why and when?

Body Learning 2 - Due Sunday March 8th

Book Report: Body Learning Part 2

300-500 words

Blog Post

• Summarize: Primary Control, Unreliable Sensory Appreciation, Inhibition, Direction, Ends and Means
  
• Reflection: What did you find interesting, helpful, confusing, etc. about the reading?