Higher Drama

Study of a Text in its Theatrical Context:

Write in planners:

“Understanding the Dramatic Commentary”

Today’s tasks:

•Learn what a dramatic commentary is and what it involves.• Understand your role and responsibilities as a director.

Dramatic Commentary

• Designed to assess your skill as a director and your knowledge of the theatre.

• Tests your knowledge, understanding and interpretation of the text.

Dramatic Commentary

• Is part of the set-text assessment

This includes: a ground plana dramatic commentaryan essaya performance

The performance takes place on a separate day.

Set - Text

• There should be a clear through line with the essay and dramatic commentary.

ESSAY

GROUND PLAN

DRAMATIC COMMENTARY

• They should all have the same DIRECTORIAL CONCEPTS.

Dramatic Commentary

It will be...

• an extract from The Crucible

• approximately 3 pages in length

• laid out as follows...

Dramatic Commentary

Proctor: The child?

Elizabeth: It grows

Proctor: There is no word of the boys?

Elizabeth: They’re well. Rebecca Samuel keeps them.

Proctor: You have not seen them?

Moves & Interpretive

notes

Justification Technical Effects

Dramatic CommentaryYou have to...

• write in MOVES and INTERPRETIVE NOTES for actors

• give JUSTIFICATION for these moves

• outline any TECHNICAL EFFECTS you wish to use

• write an average of 12-15 moves per page of text (approx. 25 in total)

THERE IS A PENALTY FOR UNFINISHED COMMENTARIES

Dramatic Commentary: Moves & Interpretive Notes

This is where you...

• direct your actors.

• tell them what to say and how to say it.

• tell them when, where and how to move.

• explain fully and clearly what you want them to do.

It should be very clear.

Dramatic Commentary: Moves & Interpretive Notes

This column should...

• be clearly numbered and should match the text.

• reference voice (if not, it will be marked out of 4)e.g. “in a low-pitched growl”

• include stage terminology (if not, it will be marked out of 4)

e.g. “crosses to DSL”

If the scene is static use facial expressions, body language and gesture.

Interpretive notes – use adverbs, adjectives to describe

Dramatic Commentary: Justification

In this section you should...

• explain WHY a character is reacting in a certain way

• give detail

• should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.

• NOT repeat yourself.

If you don’t know your stuff...you WILL be found out here!

You can’t wing it....and no, that’s not a challenge

Dramatic Commentary: Technical Effects

• marked out of 2

• refers to lighting, sound, special effects.

In this section you should...

• describe and justify the opening lighting state

“the stage is lit with a dim blue wash to show that it is late at night”

You MUST give an indication of intensity e.g. lights at 70%

• give at least one more justified effect to gain the marks

Dramatic Commentary

To pass this element you must...

• know the text EXTREMELY well

• have a clear interpretation of the text

• understand the writer’s intention (social, historical)

• decide your purpose and what you want to achieve in YOUR presentation of The Crucible

-What is your focus?- What are you trying to say?- What themes/issues are you highlighting?- What impact do you wish to create?- How will you do this?

Dramatic Commentary - HOMEWORK

Using the handout to help complete a Dramatic Commentary for your acting extract.

Divide the extract between members of your group. You should have appx 2 pages each.

Week 5

Write in planners:

“Understanding the Dramatic Commentary”

Today’s tasks:

•Learn what a dramatic commentary is and what it involves.• Understand your role and responsibilities as a director.