General Note:
Please read Saturday's notes too
The great news is we basically got through a show---which is
great. So thank you for your work!
Believability – about ½ the scenes were believable and ½
were not. Part has to do with
transitions still slowing things down, but you have to bring it NOW. We have no idea what some scenes need other
than pace and intensity…. There are really brilliant moments however. What makes a believable scene end to
end? If one actor is not in the moment
in a scene, then the scene will fall apart instantly—it changes the vibe for
the next scene. Lines may hit, everything may seem okay, but the audience will
not respond as much and you have to win them back. Everyone must operate with strong character purpose/intent
from transitions to scene. Paul and
Sherry do a great job of in character every scene no matter moving a set piece
or w lines. Breathing, eye movement, body
shift, sneeze, wine drinking, laughing, smiling, crying, coughing, stroke of
hair, sword work/sheathed, walking, running, fighting, kisses, hugs, etc. All have to be done w purposeful intent or
the audience will disengage from you and the scene falls flat.
Fights –, watch Porthos v world from 2:3 or milady/sabine
from 2:9 intensity last night (I will post)..there are still little character breaks we will
fix in both, but overall this is the intensity needed on every fight. Note how they have tempo to their sword casting/movements, so
it does not look like marking or slowing down on impact—work w Jonny on this…It’s
part physical acting, part technique. We
have to believe this is life or death at all times—grunt, show intensity.…some
of the fights feel sterile and not life and death—some are playful yes, but you
still are fighting to defend or attack your enemy.
Pace of show – overall a lot of late entrances and
late/choppy lines. especially during
minimal scene changes—we know lights will change this, but much rater have you
overzealous now and we pull back then not being ready to enter. We have to know our entrances/exits, be ready
and focused, set props and set pieces (we were delayed by this first act
several times)
These notes are also from video recording, so I am happy to
let you watch and compare my notes to see what we see. I cannot post the whole run, but I will bring
it and you can watch and I am happy to meet you 1:1 to discuss video frame by
frame—this is actually very beneficial.
Act 1
1:1
Fight – general note—more intensity needed, far more anger,
threat, fear from both.
Father---not liking the pause on stairs…hit stage immediately
and the fight going….
Darty – get into a more assassin position as soon as you hit
stage…..ready to attack.
Father hold first longer scrissor on darty until music
changes….talk to david to play it for
you.
Beginning looks intense, it lagged in second half. I think
father needs to shift far more SL after the first shove to the table to allow
room for the back and forth—you both ended short arming all the tings and it
looked very slow and planned/methodical versus 2 men fighting hard – watch
Milady Sabine when posted.
2nd scissor hold a beat too—it happens too quick.
Father – turn out and up on “to be a musketeer” need to see
this.
Father – slow down on kill em…let’s do this. if a man
insults you, turn other cheek, slap, then stay and if insults you again---point
to him
Father – cheat out on cross to buttercup.
Father/Mother – come a bit DS away from scrim – worried
about swords, running around, hitting scrim
Father/Darty – I feel table is too far SR. let’s review and spike
Father – more projection.
Father – slowed down too much on your monologue—time it out
so I promise from darty ends music. I think it happened during the glove
removal and cross.
Father – point and look to God
Darty – give a faint look up on his god line.
Father – loved the laugh at “unless he starts it first line”
Father – cross towards mother and son on your lines about
buttercup…I feel like the joke has to be managed more towards them veruss
buttercup… maybe only look on her upon the sound q. let’s discuss. It’s almost right.
Darty – cheat out watch your back turn to SL audience.
Darty – when fathers throws you the coins, react—it’s a big
deal…it also helps his following line – say no more.
Father – wait for Darty to react to coins before your line.
Darty – read notes from Saturday-we will work on this – I
think you need to uncork from your position—lines on brioche, etc. after Sabine
says there—let’s work on this Thursday
1:2
REPEAT – READ NOTES FROM SATURDAY RUN.
Athos – do not go so far SL—move more DS—aramis should grab
the cap, deliver line then x to your SR..this allows you not to collide with
him.
Aramis you will grab hat, deliver line SL of Athos as he
approaches, Porthos grabs from you, then you cross USR of Athos
3M – more urgency in scene—Athos can be oblivious, but
porthos and aramis start more SL/SR and then slowly move back to him—Aramis
keep looking around—show more intent that people are coming.
Rochefort – no cap gun.
I like you running in behind them as if you are chasing, but we will
time a sound q for you.
1:3
Morgan – do not get so close to sign…split difference
between SR and CS – your blocking Darty’s rope entrances…watch your bounce
walk..move more deliberate.
Ragan/Rochefort – let’s be sure blocking is locked – it
changed a bit—rochefort lines keep happening in different places. It worked,
but I am worried about it changes. Let’s
lock it.
Darty – cape moving forward for all scenes. Need you to
start working on that in fight.
Rochefort – more threat on gun hold and sword holds…needs to
be firmer looking..gun up in his face more…
Darty/Rochefort – need to work that sword fight more – seems
choppy and swords are moving methodically so audience can see you marking.
Rochefort – read notes from Saturday—more urgency w note
Rochefort, let’s have you stand near the door versus
proscenium
Rochefort – physical note from Dru and I – love your comedy
but show a little more upright posture when fighting and being physical…I know
you are the comedy break, but at times it would be funny to see you far more
formal. Let’s discuss.
Ragan/Rochefort – do not make it so far SR—this wil involve
Rochefort pulling sword quicker and you recognizing it quicker.
Ragan/Rochefort – bigger overall. Attack the scene – do not
let it control you.
1:4 worked overall..good job w spacing as darty comes in…
Porthos/Aramis – lines seem choppy – make sure you are
reacting to each other more and Aramis
Aramis – bigger, more projection, more in your
body/facials. Move w more intent. Do not hesitate. Your frustration is great, but I feel you get
lost in the scene after.. work w porthos on making that snappy back and forth
bigger, remember you are trying to one up Porthos, so you can drive each other.what
are you feeling/thinking when Athos comes in?
We can discuss it.
Darty – shoulders upright—do not slouch, yes a bit nervous,
but when you walk in—your meeting rock stars too, so this needs to be bigger as
you come in so your fall is bigger…
1:5 – we will work this on Thursday w crosses – this will
not be a speed clean J
Timing and entries were too slow or not in correct location…
Porthos – love your x to Darty
Darty – loved your slow
Constance part of
scene…
Jonathon – entering too far SR on entrance.
Darty – after you stab Jono, good surprise, then look back
at constance, but, when Jonny falls—you watch him, peek forward a bit as if to
see if he is truly down, then turn your sword on Rochefort in assassin stance
where audience sees your face as he draws down to you and open body not back to
us. Switch to back ds on start.
1:6
Cardinal – good character….
Queen, I want you to give a little glimpse as cardinal
approaches…wonder if you take fan with you and continue to fan as you move
DS…just switch to your left hand prior to slap.
Cardinal/Queen – slap has to be bigger or we need to knap –
Jonny please work with them – queen get with Jonny
Queen – constance?
Constance…need to see a tone change. First one is calling for her as if
she is somewere near you…make a look in the direction of SR and maybe out? Second is more of more alerting, threatening
call.. watch pitches.
Queen – bigger reaction to constance coming to you…also
watch your tone—you went up into the upper register….be happy, relieved and
assured all is well. Need to see
that…start when you see her, but “I thought you were is a combvination of happy
and relief”
Cardinal—calmly walk to rochefort to choke him---approach w
grace then slam a choke on him…more dramatic and funny contrast that works w
your build up tone change too.
Explodision/volcanic…
Cardinal/Rochefort – let’s work on your chokes with
Jonny…..it should progress slowlsy as a build up…see Jonny. Also keep your face up more as you fall to
knees
1:7
Porthos – bigger, bolder on your lines…intent is to play it
out to audience more w your lines. bigger…slapstick style…your Bacchus in a
fight.
Aramis-bolder, more confident… read note from Saturday— your
intent again is to challenge Porthos on the time, so your lines have to read a
big statement of fact to be topper—step forward maybe? And… I… at 12!. as long as everyone keeps lines moving along…but,
I feel you get lost…maybe give us a point of some kind because you were really
ticked when you left him. Let’s play w it.
Porthos – read notes
from Saturday—your first line, Athos my boy, is from on top of stairs, then
cross under and say “is that you”, then,
your lines about pumps are just USL of Athos.
Let’s work this Thursday. Your “is
this some kind of joke young man…” needs
to come quicker immediately after Athos
Aramis stay USL of Porthos and begin your examination/cross
to Darty after tyrannized by a pair of pumps so we can still see your reaction
w Athos, but you are not yet really sure who Darty is yet…you realize it just
on right here? Let’s discuss.
3M read notes from Saturday—the counting lines are too slow—more
snappy/urgent. needs to develop…
Fight needed more intensity—more edge..felt to calm and easy
like Sunday morning
JT when Porthos asks you about shoe untied, look down pause
and up then run off.
Porthos big laugh as
he does! Have fun w it.
1:8
Song posted…learn the words..Porthos will lead but everyone
sing along until he ends it w Song of
Maid…
Everyone in this scene watch this trailer..……you are out w
rockstars—the Msuketeers. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181875/
Everyone singing coming into scene….even if off key or off
song..needs to be a drinking having fun scene…transitioners as well. We will adjust the music so it’s not as long…
3M, let’s mov to our positions as soon as music starts….
Athos invite Darty to sit—you stay up getting drinks set,
greeting girls, sherry
Sherry come in dancing through Aramis to Athos to table.
Darty and Sabine – this bar is foreign to you…Sabine stay w
Darty and watch this action happen in amazement then as Athos makes the gesture
to sit you move along checking things out…these are things Gascony farm peeps
have not seent a lot..you are hanging out w rockstars! Ever seen the movie. Almost Famous --- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181875/
Athos, do not take a seat immediately—maybe a different
look, boot up on chair, talking to Darty…Sherry, then invite the “surprised”
wide-eyed darty to sit and enjoy.
Darty and Sabine – this is foreign to you…Sabine stay w
Darty and watch this action happen in amazement then as Athos makes the gesture
to sit you move along checking things out…
everyone be aware, that she is still playing a boy sort of,
so you offer her a drink and party with Sabine, though she is a little unsure.
1:9
Worked – good blocking recall guys.
Milady – see notes
from Saturday
Ben – use a dagger to slit throat not sword, but good cover.
Ben – look up more –too much top of hat.
Ben/Darty work on hits
Debris, Exit US between curtains…
Ragan can you sit on arm?
Ragan off with wig and cape in 2 beats…
Cardinal – let’s work the line about children—
1:10
Overall, worked. Little
concerned about pacing, but it could just be lack of lights etc.
Morgan – your who are you was the best so far..believed
you. Just be careful to not turn back to
audience. Angle will need to adjust
depending on where Milady settles…let’s take a look at that.
3M The end worked well too.
Morgan – little more up on One for all—again, choked,
butalive and able to breath and function.
In fact, I want a little less death feeling there…
sherry - excellent death.
2:1
King – remember blocking where you cozy up to Cardinal with
your back to his side as you tells you the plan? You recalled most, but forgot that..you
listen to him with great interest.
King – can you sit back in chair more so feet hang off
ground?
King – Yodeling – make it bigger—so people get the joke
coming from Cardinal – it’s a shoot down—you’re a know it all and never get it
right
Queen--we will work on this blocking of Darty as you move US..it needs to be more open to DS...
2:2 – good, but Ragan you changed your inflection/purpose a
bit…I like how you touched the cardinal on the necklace discussion, but you
have to seem more put out that he only wants 2 and you need the necklace for
you…make sense?
2:3
Late entrances kill this scene, so let’s tighten up.
3M see the notes from Saturday on gun cocking at same time
when she tries to leave so darty can make a cross.
3M when at table –
Look less modern and less faced out to audience…turn chairs
no matter how these are set.
Energy cannot be low on this—it’s up close…to constance has
to be b ig, every line big…
Porthos – on your line about protestants, etc make it over
the top—need a laugh in there a joke to let ppl know it’s okay to laught and
everything you do is funny..give them permission to giggle with you. Be dismissive funny… lets play with this.
Aramis, do not sit right away..grab chair, turn standing w
one foot on and do not take a seat…lean into table w one foot on chair.
Sherry – when yyour boys arrive and you clear, do you have
to go around bench? I want you step
aside and maybe put one foot up to watch this at first…very casually because
you have numbers…in fact, leave your hood on until it is your turn…let’s
discuss.
Porthos – remember to move DS after chris wisdom stab
Porthos/Sheryy The struggle for the swords, keep faces up…sherry
big aha as you decide to to this then both look up as you do this…Porthos first
bigger eyes, beat, then smile, then this will give her time to nearly clear
before you run after her…milk it more.
3m great job on the cross DS to barricade,,,worked, but pace
is important—darty cut pauses on lines there..make it far more urgent. Aramis –
good job!
2:4 – seemed choppy/dropped lines.
Darty – turn out more…you don’t have to stand in one
position,,,show more visible shaken when only 10 and not 12…then when cardinal…
JonO – more accent – faster on lines like a field commandant
– no doubt, very confident…
2:5 – do not telegrapy your bow to king—it happend when he
makes eye contact.
King watch the high pitch… be purposeful on Balls pitch—the last
one?
Rochefort – move closer to Cardinal from beginning during
Mammal chat after you walk in as you speak…make it a little bit of a secret
moment, until you look for Mammal…in fact start looking out on Mammal..
2:6 – loved it…perfect!
Work on fight now.
One note – both look up as you stop her…need to see faces
2:7/2:8 skipped
2:9
Sent notes w video email
Abbess we discussed our notes—great job. Maybe walk her down stage…
Constance – nice work
Milady nice work.
Sabine—loved your entrance in—really look right.
Everyone – very good ending.
We really felt verything
Athos, make a turn towards milady as you walk in and before looking
at constance. You can acknowledge
her..also maybe change levels after your lines crouching down over milady.
2:10 - loved - nice work..
3M - trickle as you come in...make it more urgent but trickle in..we will discuss.
The choking of cardinal...worked but the choke lasted too long---want it shorter, so we will work on this more
lines queen and treville - 2 beats after darty reaches him and start lines over Dartys...
Darty work fast through your lines and start your cross on Can't you see...and really pace your lines fast.
Rochefort come in faster by anticipating rochefort as if you were just walking in
3M - we need to time it faster--porthos needs to reach Darty as he starts I'll kill you know even if his jumps a bit. So Aramis and Athos are likely first in w Porthos crossing quickly across stage...sabine last
Darty - one note...be sure not to cross by the queen as you apologize and in the opening to this scene...you end up blocking her and we lose her reactions...King will move to you and meet you as you give him the letter for example...
queen - when Darty comes in - need a reaction--are you concerned, happy to see him or both one then the other...you are framed up there for a reaction.
Treville - let's walk through lines in and out...I liked some of it, but not all--its on me.
Darty...look up when he starts speaking about musketeers....
No comments:
Post a Comment