Professional Practice @lempropractice - Tumblr Blog

Professional Practice Evaluation

This project has been a fantastic experience. At the start I did struggle to find a placement and was starting to worry that I wouldn’t be able to find something and complete my 30 hours in time. It was a worrying time thinking that I wasn’t good enough for the places that I got in contact with. However in the end it all came together and I believe that I did probably one of the quirkiest placements out of the whole of my group. If you’d said to me a couple of months ago that I would be working with a Circus, then I probably wouldn’t have believed you.

Giffords was definitely a new experience for me. Making a costume to fit a human is hard enough, but making one for a horse was even more challenging. Trying to visualise what you’re making on a horse is an odd thing to do. It was also quite a slow process also getting damaged fingers along the way wasn’t exactly a bonus, but I think you’ll agree the 3 horses looked beautiful in the end. Seeing how this circus was run was extremely interesting, you always have an image of caged animals and bearded ladies, but it was more of a quirky, acrobatic, gymnastic, traveling, theatre group with an eccentric visionary leader. I have definitely been able to utilise my skills such as, sewing and construction, within this placement and hopefully been a useful asset to the team. I am definitely going to volunteer in the future shows. I would love to find a job working for somewhere like this, or even just work for them.

The Norbury Theatre has been really great to get back into volunteering for them. I love nearly every moment I spend there, there are some divas and demanding people and also some awkward directors but I still find that everyone is so welcoming and grateful for any help you can give them. Being a small amateur theatre, within my placement there I got to do a lot more than I probably would have at a larger professional theatre such as the Hippodrome. I got given greater responsibilities such as running the back stage desk and refurbishing doors to look however I think they should look. There were some frustrating points where I couldn’t get a straight answer and also I found that during the Amadeus rehearsals I was ‘told off’ for not always being in the right place at the right time even though no one told me what I was supposed to be doing and when. I got past that and talked it out with the director and asked him to direct me better and show me exactly what to do as I’m not used to following a script. I’ve helped out with many productions at the this theatre from The Sound of Music to The 39 Steps and I am planning to do many more. I hope to take on more responsibilities and learn as much as I can to one day in the near future be able to run my own show as a stage manager.

Overall, though this project I have realised that I would rather go into the theatre than film. Even though film is amazing I love the atmosphere and the family-like team work that you get with a theatre. I’m not completely dismissing the idea of working in film but at the moment I am aiming for a career in Theatre.

#Giffords #The Norbury theatre #Giffords Circus #norbury #chrono

The Norbury Theatre’s Amateur Production of Amadeus

Earlier today the director of Amadeus, Andy Brown, received and email from Sir Ian McKellen saying this...

I just thought I’d mention this to show you how important this show is to us at the Norbury Theatre and how unique this production is to be seen as an Amateur Production.

#The Norbury Theatre #sir ian mckellen #Amadeus #Amateur production #motzart #salieri #Peter Shaffer #Norbury #droitwich spa #worcestershire #chrono

Day 9-12 of The Norbury - Amadeus Rehearsals

Over the past few weeks I have been attending the rehearsals for Amadeus, so that I can familiarise myself with the show and what my role will be within it. I have been practising moving furniture mostly around the stage to the cues of the actors and trying to be as in sync with everyone on stage as possible. It has been very hard to get through the play, I find myself becoming lost very easily as its an intense show. Plus we have a very small crew for such a busy show so it become difficult at times to make sure everything is in its place at the right time. Its almost a military operation. However, I think with time and also when it comes to the actual show it will be easier to visualise what is happening when and where. I’ve also been trying to define what we will be wearing on stage. I’ve been asking questions like...

- Will we wear dress in full costume like the cast?

- Will we just wear plain black clothing?

- Could we wear black clothing and a traditional apron to slightly fit into the show?

- Should we just wear black and white formal clothing?

As of yet I have no sure answer as no one seems to want to make the decision. I decided to keep suggesting ideas, so that hopefully the director would make a final decision. On the dress rehearsal finally a decision was made and we will now be wearing completely black clothing covering as much of our bodies as possible, so that hopefully the audience won’t pay attention to us.

#Norbury #chrono

Day 8 of The Norbury - Amadeus Intro

My role within Amadeus is to be a cast/crew member playing the role of a silent servant that moves furniture and props around live on stage. The show flows from scene to scene rather than having black out scene changes or curtains coming in. Today was my first rehearsal and I started to see how the show will work and what I exactly will need to do within the show. This show is completely new territory for me, I have never done anything on stage with the lights up before. I think crewing on a show where my roll is entirely out of my comfort zone will help me to gain more confidence in my abilities and learn how a more complex show works. I have never worked on a drama before and already this show has a completely different atmosphere, almost heavy, but I am looking forward to the challenge.

#Norbury #chrono

Yes, Prime Minister Group Photo Cast and Crew

#norbury #chrono

Day 4-7 of The Norbury: Yes, Prime Minister Show Run

Throughout the performances me and Talor were given the responsibility to take turns in managing the back stage desk, where you are in contact with the sound booth, lighting box and orchestra pit this enabled use to learn how a show runs by cueing cast and crew, managing crew and planning scene changes. this was very nerve racking and I found it hard to keep on top of everything that was going on as well as following the complicated script. I got through it in the end though and with more practice I believe that I could take on a more complex show with more scene changes, etc. We also helped put with scene changes and bringing in and out the tabs (Red curtains). Unfortunately for us there was only a small amount to do, set moving wise, as it is a very minimal show that’s set in only one room. However we made the most of it and learnt as much as possible from the experience, for instance I now know how to run the desk and I would love to try it again on a busier show.

*All photos taken by me or another volunteer of the theatre*

#Norbury #chrono

Day 3 of The Norbury- 2nd Set Building day

Today was the day to get the bulk of the set created and as much achieved as possible. We needed to finish the doors, wall paper the walls put down the carpet, bring in the furniture, finish the windows, put up curtains and much more. My main priority was to get the doors finished and move onto helping out with general tasks such as painting. By around 2pm I'd finished refurbishing the doors and getting them to look as high quality as possible and just the right colour to make the look as if they were made from expensive wood. I then moved onto paint the window frame lead grey. Whilst painting we decided that the curtains chosen weren't good enough, we racked our brains for a solution and then I remembered seeing some fabric in the wardrobe department that would be perfect for the job. Anne Lane who was part of the set building team for YPM then went onto create the perfect curtains to complete the set. We also felt that something was needed to add some traditional detail to the window, a crest stain glassed window was suggested and I was asked to digitally design one which I had the idea for it to be printed onto acetate, to take on the transparent look of a window (photos shown). By the end of the day we achieved more than we'd hoped, which was fantastic and which meant Brian could move onto the finishing touches sooner.

*All photos taken by me or another volunteer of the theatre*

#norbury #chrono

The Norbury Theatre and it’s Prop Cellar

This is a collection of some interesting shots of The Norbury Theatre. Most of them are down in the cellar where furniture and props are stored between shows.

#Norbury #chrono

Day 2 of The Norbury : First day at the Norbury Today we started building the set for ‘Yes, Prime Minister’. One of my friends on my course Talor is also doing the same placement as me at the theatre so we worked together to help build the set. First we were given a health and safety talk where we were told where the fire exits were and basic construction guide lines such as the right clothing and footwear, also someone steadying the ladder when another person is using it. Other health and safety guideline were things like be careful of the flats when they’re not secured and take care with any tools that you may use.

Once that was over, we were given a basic plan to build the skeleton of the set with flats from the scene dock. The double doors to the set were the main priority of the day were given the task to refurbish them as they had been purposely damaged for a previous show. It was interesting to see how fast a set can come together and you can start to better visualise what the stage will look like. I had never 'remade’ a door before but my skills from my previous carpentry experience helped to get the job done effectively and quickly to make the doors look as good as possible. I have noticed that there doesn't need to be that much close up detail within the set when reviewing it now it seems obvious that the audience wouldn't see small details at the distance that they are sat at. Comparing this to the work that I have done in the film industry on a short film it is more important to get the overall look of the stage set right than the small details.

*All photos taken by me or another volunteer of the theatre*

#Norbury #chrono

Day 1 of The Norbury Theatre

After securing the placement with Giffords Circus, I decided that I would like to get more experience in a theatre, therefore I got in touch with friend at the Norbury theatre who is a stage manager there to ask if I could do a placement with him as his assistant.

His reply...

After this I went to meet him and we work out that I will be able to help create the set and be a part of the back stage crew for “Yes, Prime Minister” and possibly “Amadeus”. Even though I already have experience at this theatre I am keen to try new roles within the theatre such as set building and stage managing. Hopefully, I will be able to get as much experience as possible to one day be able to stage manage a show on my own.

#Norbury #chrono

Photos From My Time at Giffords - Carousel Horses

These are the finished costumes for the Albino horses and their riders.

*All photos taken by Eliza (another volunteer) as I wan’t there when it was finished*

#Giffords #chrono

Photos From My Time at Giffords - Human Cannon

Just before I arrived at the circus a cannon had been delivered and on the day that I visited Fennels farm I got to see it and the workings inside. I’m still unsure if its actually going to be shooting a real human out of it.

*All photos taken by me*

#Giffords #chrono

Photos From My Time at Giffords - 2015 Show design

Models, Mood boards and designs around the theme of Moon Songs, to show the look and feel of 2015′s show. See more of of an explanation here.

*All photos taken by me*

#Giffords #chrono

Photos From My Time at Giffords - Day at Fennels Farm

Sanding down and painting were the tasks for the day! See more of of an explanation here.

*All photos taken by me or Eliza (another volunteer)*

#giffords #chrono

Photos From My Time at Giffords - Rose Numnahs

The making of the roses that will surround the saddles of two Albino Horses, to give the impression that the are Carousel horses. See more of of an explanation here.

*All photos taken by me or Eliza (another volunteer) through the making process*

#Giffords #chrono

Day 2-5 of Giffords Circus - 4 Day Placement

This experience has been so exciting I've loved every moment, I've learnt a lot and seen some fantastic things. On my first day, Louisa (Art Director), introduced me to the team at the offices and to another volunteer, Eliza Whimperis. I was then shown the progress so far into what they have created for this years show and what the plan is for the coming weeks. My main task, for the four days that I was with them, was to help create a costume for 2 rare albino horses. The idea was to make them look like traditional carousel horses (photo shown). We made as many leather roses as possible and then sewed them into panels that fit around the saddle and on the bridal (photos to come in a later post).

Throughout the experience I used my skills, not just to help create the horse costumes, but to help create things such as folding panels, back boards and painting sections of the big top. The first 3 days were slightly monotonous as I had to make as many roses as I possibly could. As you will see when its finished we will be needing a lot for it to look effective. By then end of the first three days I was glad to be doing something different, as my finger tips were burnt from the glue gun and slightly numb from the needles.

On my last day we went down to Fennells Farm where they rehearse and prepare everything for the tour. We were shown around the farm, I met a bunch of people employed at the circus from construction workers, to trainers, to the owner of Giffords, Nell Gifford. It was amazing to see the grand Big top and all of the trailers that the cast and crew live in whilst rehearsing and touring. It was a very fantastically eccentric place to visit as if it was in its own little bubble so totally different to anything that I've seen before.

Whilst we were at the farm we were asked to help prepare for a photo shoot that Valentino were coming in to do with some of the show dogs. They wanted to use the big top which we had to paint with colours chosen by Valentino. This got very messy, but I found an overall to cover me up. Unfortunately, I was unable to be there when they came in to do the shoot but I was glad to be a part of the preparations.

It has been so interesting to see how the Circus works and the amount of detail and effort that goes into each and every part of the show. Comparing this to my experience at the theatre, where as long as it lasts for the short run and that it looks good, it doesn't matter how it's made. I've noticed that everything created for the show has to last for a long run and survive travelling, repeated construction and dismantling. I would've liked to be a part of different aspects of the design work for the show such as painting the back drops for the big top, but unfortunately there just wasn’t enough time. I would have also liked to meet more people in the Gifford’s team but you can’t meet everyone in just 4 days there, also most of the time I was just in the art studio sewing roses.

I hope to go and see the circus this year and take some friends and family to experience this unique and wonderful show. Hopefully next year or the year after I would like to return and volunteer again, as I would've loved to have spent more time at Giffords and gained more experience.

#Giffords #chrono

Day 1 of Giffords: Interview with Giffords

Today is the 18th March and this morning I travelled down to Stroud and met Louisa for my interview at Giffords Circus, she told me about the circus and its history and also what the theme is for this years show, which is Moon Songs based on the film A Trip to the Moon. I had a look around the office and studio and then she asked me about myself and what my interests were and how I think that I would be an asset to the team. She has asked me to do a week within the Easter holidays, where I will help with props, scenic painting, creating costumes, building sets and much more. This interview has been so interesting, I am really excited to get started its such an unusual placement.

#Giffords #chrono

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