caldersidedrama

National 4 & 5 Drama blog- Mr Coleman's class

[3d1ca-blog]

Approximately 50 Drama and Classics students from Calderside Academy upper school will be going to see a production of Antigone at the Cottiers Theatre on the evening of TUE 19th November 2013. I have now extended the invitation to all my 3rd year classes.

If you think you too may be...

[caldersidedrama]

Living with HIV: All your questions answered.

As you know, my good friend Michael Aries, 53, kindly agreed to be interviewed. Anyone who has ever met Michael would know how much he loves to talk, so keeping him to a time limit of 20minutes was tough ! He told me he how "very impressed" he was with everyone's questions and thought you all seemed "intelligent and really switched on".

WHAT BEING HIV+ MEANS: an interview with Michael Aries

  General questions

RM  Are you gay or straight?

A: Straight

D  How did you get it?

Amy  How did you get HIV?

A: Through sex

JMc   How, and when, did you get HIV?

A: I don't know when I was infected but reckon it was within a year of being diagnosed

LH   Can you only eat certain foods if you’re HIV?

A: There are no food restrictions although the medications do have criteria to be taken either before, during or after eating.

Sarah   Do you feel pain every day with HIV/AIDS?

A: No, When people start taking medication there will be side effects which can be painful but this is temporary, thereafter as long as a patient adheres to their regime and the drugs continue to work then there should be no physical problems.

When

SM   How old were you when you found out?

Heather   What age were you when you found out you were HIV+?

A: 35. So 18 years ago.

Sex

Callum   Has finding out changed your sex life?

A: Yes, very much so

SS   Does HIV affect your sexual life?

A: Everyone is an individual with their own conscience to guide them. When I was diagnosed my first thought was "Who have I infected?", I couldn't allow myself to worry about that side of things though, first because I didn't know I was infected at the time and secondly because I was a bit of a lad back then so couldn't contact those people if I wanted to. What I could do is make sure I did not put anyone else at risk from me so I chose to become celebate.

MM   Has it changed your sexual confidence?

A: No, I am accutely aware of the perception people get when they hear those three letters. The problem for most HIV people isn't confidence in sex but when to disclose their condition to a potential partner.

Becca   Has this changed your sex life in any way?

A: I am accutely aware of the risks involved when indulging in casual unprotected sex. I certainly wouldn't sleep around now.

David   Did you still have sex with anyone?

A: I'm not clear as to what your asking here, if you mean did I still have sex while being HIV then the asnwer is yes but that was before I knew. Since knowing I am HIV I have gone through a period of celebacy to protect other people and only now (because I have confidence that my condition is stable and my medication is working) do I actively pursue relationships. My current status is Undetectable which means that the technology available cannot count the HIV cells in my blood.

Gaynor   Does this affect your relationship life?

A: All relationships are successful through honesty, in the early stage of a relationship we want people to see us at our best, HIV is a unique condition because of the ideas it conjures up in peoples minds. instantly your sex life comes under scutiny, your sexuality and even your character, people will assume the worst that you are a drug user or did something to deserve the infection. In this sense HIV does affect relationships

Before you heard

Helen   How did you know when you got HIV?

A:I used to give blood before I went to London, when I came back I decided to do my civic duty again and donated a pint (Blood screening had just been introduced then). a few weeks later I was called back to the clinic and told bluntly that I was HIV+, I had no idea that I was even at risk prior to that

Beth   How did you not know before you went for your blood tests?

A: HIV is a sneaky little virus and can lie dormant for years before any symptoms become apparent. I suspect if I hadn't gone to give blood that day then eventually after a couple of years I'd start to develop persistant ailments, because the Doctor wouldn't routinely check for HIV my health would have gradually deteriorated to a fatal point without proper diagnosis.

Kaitlin   How did you feel when you were waiting on your results?

A: That scenario doesn't apply to me because I was completely unaware that I had any risk from HIV so the revelation was a bombshell. I do assist at a Fast Test clinic though and can tell you that most people come into the clinic with worry etched on their faces.

When you heard

DC   What was your reaction when you were told you had HIV?

Lauren J   How did you feel when you were told you were HIV positive?

Stephanie   How did you take life a couple of days after you found out?

Claire   What were your first thoughts and reactions when you found out?

RG   Was it hard to take in the news?

Emma   What was it like when you were told?

Ross    Were you scared?

Callum   Did you cry?

MM   Were you devastated?

A: I sat in a Doctors office being waited on by a nurse, the doctor sat astride his desk like a pal instead of behind it like a professional. I sat opposite thinking "get on with it". He then said "there's no easy way to tell you this Mr Aries...You're HIV+", I heard myself say the word "Shit" and the rest of the consultation is a blank until I was being lead out of the office with a handful of cards and leaflets, the Doctor then said "You seem to be taking this quite well" to which I thought 'Try looking through my eyes mate' then I got drunk and stayed drunk for three months. Was I scared? I suppose I was, at that time HIV was a death sentence but I was too numb with alcohol of feel it. I don't cry as a rule but was sad for a very long time.

EB   How do you contract the disease? Were you born with it, or was it something else?

A: HIV is transmitted through exchange of body fluids, Blood, saliva, semen and vaginal fluids. In the days before blood screening some people were infected through contaminated blood products, now though the common methods of infection are unprotected sex (Gay or Straight) with and infected partner or needle exchange with an infected drug user. An infected woman who is pregnant may pass on the virus to her unborn child but not always.

SJC   Do you know the person who gave you it? Did you confront them?

A: I can't say for certain who infected me but I do have an idea of the most likely candidate and no I couldn't confront if I wanted to, it was a one night thing and I didn't take their name address or any other contact detail.

Gemma   Was it female or male?

A: Female

Your family

CT   How did your family react when you told them?

A: One of my sisters cried and thought I was going to die the other was pragmatic and asked the same questions you are asking, both have been very supportive.

Jack:   How did your parents deal with you telling them the news?

and Did it affect your relationship with your parents?

CD  What was the family reaction?

Megan  How does it affect your life and family?

Sarah  How did your family and friends react?

KB Have your family had anything to do with your HIV?

Millie   How did your family, friends and anyone you know react?

A: I regard myself as a very lucky man, All my friends and family have been supportive and been a great strength too me, particularily during the time I did receive prejudice from people. They asked questions and wanted to know what they could do to help me and make life easier for me.

Telling People

LM   Who was the first person you told about your condition?

A: When I came out of my drunken stupor I plucked up the courage to go to see a consultant and then started my first drug regime. A couple of months later I told one of my closest friends I was HIV. We met in a cafe, which he knew was unusual so asked me what was wrong. I bowed my head and quietly squeaked "I'm Hiv+" and waited for the reaction. He took my hand with sympathy on his face, said he was sorry to hear that and then asked me how I was feeling. That was the first time anyone had asked me that question in nearly a year.

Haven   Do you feel confident telling someone you have HIV?

A: Absolutely. Knowledge is power! I was unlucky to be infected as I was, it wasn't my fault and I don't blame the person who infected me but I can and will do anything in my power to ensure that other people don't suffer the same fate as me, so yes I am confident telling people.

Stephanie   Do you feel isolated when you tell someone you have HIV?

 A: Categorically NO. If anyone tries to make light of the condition or use it a leverage I am fully equipped to put them in their place.

 Abbey   Did anyone laugh when you told them?

A: Not laugh, but someone did start a chinese whisper that caused me problems for a while

Sarah   Do you find it hard to find a relationship?

A: God loves a trier and we all experience rejection, it is only difficult if you allow it to be.

Now and the future

DW  Are you alright?

A: Yep! I am happy, healthy and honoured to be talking to you all

AS   Are you still confident about yourself?

A: More than ever

LG   Has your view of life changed since you were diagnosed?

Lauren C   Ever since you found out, have you looked at life different?

AA    Has your life changed, or is it still the same, like nothing happened?

Chloe   How does HIV affect your life and everything you do?

Katelyn   Did finding out you had HIV make you change your views and the way you look at life?

A: Everyone's view of life changes through time, we all have trials to deal with, you all will have experiences over the years that will shape your views. HIV has changed the direction of my life but it has also given me direction and through that new friends, achievements, ambitions and goals.

Rebecca   Does it affect your daily routine?

A: It did for awhile now it's part of it. I get up in the morning, go to the loo, make a coffee, have my breakfast, have my tablets, shower, get dressed and walk the dogs. It's a normal routine.

LE   Do you worry about what will happen if you develop AIDS symptoms?

A: I came to terms with my own mortality a long time ago. Everyone dies sometime and some people have cruel, sudden and painful deaths. When the time comes I'll be prepared for it and will be able to die content.

Chloe and Amy   How do you cope with this disease?

A: I wake up and moan how short the days are, get as much done as I can then go to bed at night planning the next day. There really isn't anything to cope with for me.

MC   Any advice you would like to pass on to anyone who is HIV positive?

A: When you need help ask for it, don't let the virus beat you.

And, finally, any advice you would like to give those who happen to be HIV negative?

A: Be careful, enjoy your lives but make sure you get tested regularly for your own peace of mind. The virus is very difficult to catch so more people get a negative result than positive, it'll save you years of worry.

Thank you very much for answering our questions, Michael. I'm sure this will be very helpful for my students.

A: No problem at all.

[caldersidedrama]

Antigone- directed by Mark Coleman- November class visit

Both eternal and timely, ancient and modern, the 2500-yr-old drama of Antigone deals with precisely the same political and ethical struggles we face in our world today. Mark Coleman's bold new production for Strathclyde Theatre Group revisions Sophocles’ ancient Theban tragedy set in a totalitarian Islamic state... November 14-23 Cottiers Theatre, Glasgow Antigone is an SQA text for both Higher DRAMA & Higher CLASSICS. “Ultimately one leaves the theatre feeling that one has been in contact with truly great tragic theatre... something which many of Scotland's professional companies would struggle to achieve." Mark Brown (theatre correspondent for Edinburgh Guide, Sunday Herald and Daily Telegraph) reviewing Mark Coleman’s previous STG production of A Hard Heart

[caldersidedrama]

Some really sensible and practical advice from one of Britain's leading dramatists.

[caldersidedrama]

Comments now activated

You should now be able to comment on each others' blog postings.

[caldersidedrama]

My thanks to Stephanie Orr, Chloe Duncan (4D) & Beth Kennedy (3D3) for all their help tidying up the Drama Studio today (not to mention putting up with Bob Marley as we worked!)

Wishing everyone a refreshing and relaxing summer break.

:-)

Mr Coleman

[caldersidedrama]

Some good advice... #3 Making the best use of 50mins rehearsal time

You have 50mins every time you’re in drama it’s important to make the best use of time available. The last thing you should be doing is wasting valuable rehearsal time trying on costumes or searching for and playing around with props. It’s a clever story and interesting  characters that make any drama interesting and entertaining to watch- not the added extras. It’s the characters, their relationships, the dialogue and the story which need to be perfected before you start thinking about adding all the trimmings. It will save you so much time if- once you’ve had your discussion at the start and worked out where the action will take place and the characters you’re going to play- your whole group just stay in character for the next 10 or 15 minutes until you get to the very end of your first run-through. Any stopping and starting, coming in and out of character or continually restarting from the beginning again is not only distracting but just a really slow, inefficient and boring way of creating drama. Even if things fail to go according to plan in the first rehearsal, so what?  You can comment on it, and sort it out once you’ve played the scene through to the end. It is best if you’re patient, make and mental note of anything that will need fixing later, and resist the temptation to come out of character to comment on what you or others are doing well (or not so well!). Even when things appear to go wrong or mistakes are made, react as your character would to everything that happens (intended or otherwise). Even when your scene partner laughs- make it part of the scene. You drop a prop or forget something? Simply acknowledge what’s happened as the character, pick it up and carry on. Don’t apologise. And  whatever else should happen, don’t come out of character, unless somebody has hurt themselves, or you simply can’t avoid it.

Many special moments in drama often come about as a result of mistakes made during rehearsals.  

[caldersidedrama]

Some good advice... #2 or How to stop corpsing

Corpsing is the name used by actors for uncontrollable laughter in rehearsal or even on stage. There’s no shame in it, it’s actually very natural. As I young actor I suffered terribly from the giggles. Acting is fun after all. However, it’s not something that’s desired in most dramas that you will act in and so you need help to prevent it. http://actingcoachscotland.co.uk/2009/03/how-to-stop-corpsing-on-stage-or-in-rehearsal. First of all, forgive yourself. Laughing is natural; and, during rehearsal, you should feel free to express laughter when you find something funny. But it is usually not appropriate and you may feel a little embarrassed that the laughter keeps happening anyway.

So how do you stop?

My good friend Mark Westbrook, Scotland’s foremost acting coach, has some thoughts on this. If you find yourself corpsing, it means you probably don’t have anything concrete to focus on. You need to choose a strong focus or goal and then set about trying to achieve it:

Some examples of this might be:

§  To get someone to back down

§  To get someone to hold up their end of the deal

§  To get someone to let their hair down

§  To get someone to join the party

§  To get someone to reveal the terrible truth

§  To get someone to stand on their own two teeth

§  To get someone to ride the bull

§  To get someone to crown me Queen

§  To get someone to give me the green light

Of course there are many more of these, hundreds. But let me repeat, it’s pointless having an essential action that you have to try to ‘believe’ in. Anything that your common sense will junk as ‘nonsense’ will be nothing more than deluding yourself. Have a practical task that’s capable of being done and has its test in the other person and you’ll soon realise that you were so focused during the performance/rehearsal that you don’t have the time to laugh or do anything else for that matter.

[caldersidedrama]

Good advice... #1

When devising, think about cutting scenes where precious little seems to be happening.

Good examples include...

Car journeys without any appreciable dialogue or introspection

Time spent eating, waking up, or travelling from one room to another. (Why not just have a blackout and cut straight to the next scene where the story and the situation gets interesting again?) 

Time spent recapping evidence, details or situations the audience has already seen and heard about in the course of the drama.

Time spent with characters telling each other and the audience what they are going to do instead of letting the action of the story unfold naturally. Nike are right:

"Just do it!"

And so was film director Alfred Hitchcock...

  "Drama IS life with the dull bits cut out!"

[caldersidedrama]

Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.

Alfred Hitchcock

[caldersidedrama]

The wonderful and inspiring English company, Frantic Assembly, who devise and improvise 'physical theatre'. "Our work is about seeing body language writ large." "The most exciting moments come from when you disagree." http://www.franticassembly.co.uk/

[caldersidedrama]

Is anybody listening...?

The skill of listening is one of the most important you can have in life and how well we do it can affect almost every aspect of your life. Psychologists say that people on average only listen to between 25 - 50% of what is said, so as a teacher I feel it’s my responsibility to help my students become more effective listeners. Drama and especially drama games like Fruit Salad, which many of you played in class last week, help.

That game is really a way of testing listening skills whilst getting to know more about each other. Listening is a drama skill, and it’s truly amazing how much of a difference it can make to an actor if he/she really LISTENS. Something you will hear me say a lot in class (-if you’re listening that is!) is “Acting is Reacting”. As an audience I want to see actors reacting appropriately and believably to what the other characters say. Actors want to know the audience are listening too, or it makes their job very difficult. If you know you’re a little bit of a chatterbox why not try to listen twice as much as you speak. I guarantee it will make a huge difference to the success of your acting. Being a good listener can help improve communication in your group too as well as build trust. With a little awareness and some practice anyone can develop and demonstrate good listening skills, and it will make you more popular with everyone too!

When you stop listening, communication suffers. Interrupting others, talking over them is disrespectful because it suggests they’re not really worth paying any attention to.

When having a conversation, give the speaker both verbal and nonverbal cues to show you are paying attention. Agreeing or empathizing (which literally means “feeling with”) at different points while he/she is speaking shows you’re listening. Nodding your head, smiling or leaning forward while maintaining eye contact are all encouraging nonverbal ways of showing this. People like people who can show they’re good listeners. In fact it’s an art, and  very few people are any good at it to be honest.  Many think it’s enough to pretend they’re listening; that it’s enough to nod their head and smile but usually they are picking up only about half of what is said at best, and only 25% is actually remembered!

Practise getting better at listening- really listening- both onstage, in class and in your day to day life.

It will make you a better actor, I promise.

Is anybody listening…?

[caldersidedrama]

'Antigone' November school theatre trip

Calderside Academy's very own Mr Coleman is directing a theatre production of the ancient Greek tragedy Antigone for Strathclyde Theatre Group (semi-finalists in Sky Arts' recent hit series "The Nation's Best Am Dram") Calderside's National 3,4,5, Higher and Advanced Higher Drama students are cordially invited. Antigone by Sophocles Directed by Mark Coleman 14th-23rd November 2013 @ 7.30pm Cottiers Theatre, Glasgow G12 £10.50 inclusive of admission + travel to and from theatre. Antigone is currently set text for both Higher Drama and Higher Classics. Not to be missed. Details to follow shortly. :)

[caldersidedrama]

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER WHEN YOU ARE IN A BAD MOOD?

Laurel and Hardy :-)

 )

[caldersidedrama]

Info from the SQA website about National 4 Drama

[caldersidedrama]

There's something you quoted in class today and I didn't quite understand it. Who was it who said "All drama is based on a mistake", and what exactly did he mean? Thanks. John Smith

Thank you for your question. It was said by the famous 20th century poet WH Auden. He claimed that "Drama is based on 'the Mistake'. I think someone is my friend when he really is my enemy, that I am free to marry a woman when in fact she is my mother, that this person is a chambermaid when it is a young nobleman in disguise, that this well-dressed young man is rich when he is really a penniless adventurer, or that if I do this such and such a result will follow when in fact it results in something very different. All good drama has two movements, first the making of the mistake, then the discovery that it was a mistake" Auden thought that the characters's realisation he/she had made a mistake should be achieved slowly and believably. The examples he uses in this quote are some of the most famous characters in dramatic history.

The man who thinks another man is his friend is probably Shakespeare's Othello (and Iago!);

the man who marries his mother Sophocles' Oedipus;

the 'chambermaid', Octavian from Strauss' comic opera Der Rosenkavalier,

and the penniless adventurer...? It's Harlequin from commedia dell'arte.Read more at http://quotes.dictionary.com/drama_is_based_on_the_mistake_i_think#x3Am7EfbcW5DIZ2D.99

[caldersidedrama]