Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Blog 8
"Inception" was the idea that John Jiang brought up in our acting class for the group project. I knew that John started to get interested in Leonardo DiCaprio after the Great Gatsby scene. When John offered me a role of Leonardo DiCaprio, I accepted the role without lots of concern. At that time, I was very confident about my acting ability. At that time, I did a fine job acting as a male main character in the winter musical "Once on this island". Also, after acting Leonardo DiCaprio in the Great Gatsby scene and showing my energy and characteristic that I haven't shown to other people, I was feeling really good. I was feeling good because I felt people accepted my rough and wild characteristic and I even felt I received some respect by showing the part that I was usually hiding in my real life. So, after all of those acting career, I was being over confident. I started to enjoy the reputation that I gained from my job in Great Gatsby scene and Once on this island and forget how much work I put to those performances. When I accepted John's offer of acting the role of Mr. Cobb, I wasn't realizing and thinking about the responsibility of the role and just thought that I have an ability to act the role successfully. That cocky attitude and mind made myself being lazy. I learned that the first step and the most important part of learning the character is memorizing lines as soon as possible from the past acting experiences. There were few elements that gave me hard time learning the lines. First, there were a lot of unfamiliar vocabularies. In the movie, Mr. Cobb is extremely intelligent character who knows everything about inception which is very complicated concept. So, it was very hard for me to act with those words that I didn't really understand. Secondly, the script wasn't clear to me. I couldn't tell what director was expecting only looking at the script. The biggest reason why I was confused was because there was no explanation of scene change. Lastly, when I was in the class, I was more focused on to other peoples' acting instead of focusing on my role. Because of the confidence that I gained too much, I was judging others's acting, just complaining about the situation to the director without doing any productive action, and forgetting about what I was supposed to do. Because of all of those excuses, I never memorized my lines and eventually my role was given to someone else. Now, my role in our class is just filming, and helping the director in general. This project was good chance for me to think about the ideal role of director and actor. Next time, I hope I can be a better actor who knows the role of himself.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Too well described...
Last Wednesday our English class had a sweet trip to New York Broad Way. Since, it was the first time that I visited Manhattan after I came to this school, and my girl friend was also accompanying, I was extremely excited. The show that we watched was "Curious incident of the dog in the night time". The play was basically about a boy who has an autism. The boy tries to find the person who killed a dog, which leads him to find his mom who left him when he was young. In the first half, most of the story happens in the boy's home town but the second half was about the boy's journey to find his mom which lives in London.
The biggest thing that caught my attention was staging. They used a lot of weird sound effects such as siren sounds and electronic sounds. Purpose of the sound effects was to describe the characteristic of autistic individual. People who are affected by autism has great ability of visualization, but also has poor hearing ability. The sound effects that they used perfectly expressed how autistic feel when they hear things. Also, the lightening was very captivative and splendid. It made me to be speechless. The other thing that I was so interested was the cool props. The whole floor was built up by the tiles which could be opened, closed, and go down.
This show changed my opinions of autism or those people whose actions are weird. I used to keep away from those people, as if they could hurt me. But the show described the life of autist so well. The sound effect, lightening, blocking, choreography, acting, and the way how author told the story strongly encouraged me to focus on the play and helped me to understand the mystery of the human brain. Although the show had lots of interesting and funny elements, topic was still heavy.
I suppose that the show affected the audiences in all different ways. For me, before I got into the theater, I was just glad about watching a Broad Way play with Charlotte which is huge fan of Theatre. During the show, however, there were a lot of scenes that reminded some of my personal memories which made me extremely nervous and uncomfortable in the theater. Fortunately, she recognized that I was having hard time just sitting there down and watching it. I sincerely appreciated that she hold my cold hands and helped me to release my tension. After the show, I was exhausted and surprised because of the too well described play. I would say this play is a awesome show, but I won't recommend it to people who already know and understand about an autism. You will feel extreme pain in your brain, heart, or both for 2 hours and 45 minutes.
This show changed my opinions of autism or those people whose actions are weird. I used to keep away from those people, as if they could hurt me. But the show described the life of autist so well. The sound effect, lightening, blocking, choreography, acting, and the way how author told the story strongly encouraged me to focus on the play and helped me to understand the mystery of the human brain. Although the show had lots of interesting and funny elements, topic was still heavy.
I suppose that the show affected the audiences in all different ways. For me, before I got into the theater, I was just glad about watching a Broad Way play with Charlotte which is huge fan of Theatre. During the show, however, there were a lot of scenes that reminded some of my personal memories which made me extremely nervous and uncomfortable in the theater. Fortunately, she recognized that I was having hard time just sitting there down and watching it. I sincerely appreciated that she hold my cold hands and helped me to release my tension. After the show, I was exhausted and surprised because of the too well described play. I would say this play is a awesome show, but I won't recommend it to people who already know and understand about an autism. You will feel extreme pain in your brain, heart, or both for 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Still have a long way to go
In this comedy scene project, I worked with William. We chose our scene in the TV show "how I met your mother". Since both William and I love the TV show, we could easily decide our scene for the comedy project. So, we chose the dialogue between Ted and Barney which are the two of the main characters. We choose this scene because o two main reasons. The first one is because that these two characters have a similar connection like I have with William. The second one is that we never worked on comedy scene with each other before, and we thought this might be the perfect scene to try.
There were several things that we focused on during the project. The first one is creating the connection based on the characters' relationship. For example, Ted and Barney are great friends and they know everything about each other. In the scene, Ted tells the secret that barney is dating a stripper to other friends even he promised not to tell which makes their relationship and scene so funny. As acting Barney, I had some places where I had to change my voice to convince Ted to put on the brobe and promise to keep my secret. So I worked a lot on those voice change to make the whole scene funnier. I used really strong, serious, and low voice for most of the time when I was doing the ritual . However, I changed it to a high and light voice when I was talking to him about my situations my honest feeling and thoughts. Also, for my individual character development, I wrote the notes on the every single lines to tell myself which part I should use my higher or lower voice, louder or quieter voice like a music sheet. It was the first time that I used this strategy, and I thought this strategy is going to come our better if I also write details about my movement.
I was quite disappointed at myself during working on this project. Firstly, although William and I have decided the scene before the spring break so that we could have a lot of time to practice, I was still struggling with the memorization of the lines until the day we were filming. I am regretting that I haven't practiced more and come up with more ideas, but I am glad that I could have a lot of conversation about acting with William. I have to confess that I didn't work enough on my lines which effected my final video. However, it was also a great experience and practice to improve my acting skills, and I will work harder next time, so I will be 100% ready to take the video with all my lines!
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Random casting of kung fu Panda
Charlotte, Samantha, or Gianna
Ryan or Cade
Cade, William, or Zola 
Jack or RobertFriday, March 11, 2016
Project that is going to be a LEGEN wait for it DARY!!
The next project that I am going to perform is comedy scene. Since, both William and I really like the TV show "How I met your mother", we decided to pick the hilarious scene from the show. The show tells the funny story about five main characters' daily life. The characters that we are going to play are Barney and Ted which are best friends and the two of the main characters. In the show, Barney is the one who does the most unpredictable and weird things and my favorite character among the five characters. As like Barney's characteristic, this is one of the most hilarious scene that is led by Barney. I honestly think William will be a better Barney than me, but, I really wanted to act as Barney because I thought I will be able to improve my acting skills a lot if I put enough effort to be a Barney and he is one of my favorite character among all kind of TV show characters.
The Scene starts with Ted entering into the Barney's apartment which is full of sacred mood that already makes audience to laugh. Candles are all around the apartment, the music that monks are chanting "bro" is turned on as a back ground music, and Barney is wearing a costume that monks wear which is really weird to wear in a normal apartment. The main element that makes this scene so funny is Barney's constantly changing acting. Basically, he uses two totally different voices. First one is very serious voice that expresses a monk and another one is his actual voice that shows his playful characteristic and unconfidence about his girlfriend because she is a stripper.
I think there will be a few difficulties to act this scene successfully. First, Neil Patrick Harris and Josh Radnor who actually played Barney and Ted in the show have been acting with each other for more than 5 years which causes a great teamwork. In my opinion, developing a teamwork between me and William will be the most challenging part to make this scene as funny as the original scene. The thing that I need to work on by myself is practicing that instant change of voice and acting. Also, I am going to observe all the details such as tiny facial movement, tone, volume, and pitch of his voice, and body language that Neil Patrick Harris makes. I will put a lot of effort to perfectly understand how Neil expressed Barney, then try to make my own Barney.
As I learned from my previous group project, I will be prepared for the work that I need to do by myself as soon as possible and work on as a highly participated teammate. Since I have a whole break to practice by myself, I will spend a lot of time to work on with my own acting skills. I am extremely excited to make an awesome chemistry with my good friend William.
I think there will be a few difficulties to act this scene successfully. First, Neil Patrick Harris and Josh Radnor who actually played Barney and Ted in the show have been acting with each other for more than 5 years which causes a great teamwork. In my opinion, developing a teamwork between me and William will be the most challenging part to make this scene as funny as the original scene. The thing that I need to work on by myself is practicing that instant change of voice and acting. Also, I am going to observe all the details such as tiny facial movement, tone, volume, and pitch of his voice, and body language that Neil Patrick Harris makes. I will put a lot of effort to perfectly understand how Neil expressed Barney, then try to make my own Barney.
As I learned from my previous group project, I will be prepared for the work that I need to do by myself as soon as possible and work on as a highly participated teammate. Since I have a whole break to practice by myself, I will spend a lot of time to work on with my own acting skills. I am extremely excited to make an awesome chemistry with my good friend William.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Reflection of Man in the Pink Suit
I worked the dramatic dialogue project with Jack Palmer and Abigail Zuckert. The scene that our group chose was hotel scene from the Movie Great Gatsby(2013). I watched the movie day before the class and I thought that scene would be a fun and challenging activity for our group. I played as Jay Gatsby which is originally played by Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack played Tom Buchanan, and Abigail played Daisy.
The first thing that made me really excited about this project was my partners. I first saw Abigail's acting from the play Peter Pan and I felt she really is an actress, not just a high school student who likes acting. Then, I was more impressed at her acting by activities that we had together in acting class and Winter Musical. Also, I was really impressed at Jack's acting. I felt his acting in the silent movie was hilarious and thought he knows how to act. So, at the beginning, I thought I was the only one who I need to worry about and needs much more development to do the scene successfully. However, after I got used to my role and confident about it, I could see that I couldn't see before. I could started to feel their habits when they act, how they use their voice and body, how they get prepared for acting, and how their characteristic in the real life affects acting. I couldn't realize all the details of them, but I could realize where the chemistry between actors come from. The chemistry between Abby, Jack, and me wasn't really great for this project. I felt we could have made better teamwork if I made my work which is memorizing the lines and thinking about the emotion done little earlier and spent more time thinking about our whole scene and my partners acting. Thus, for the next group project which is the comedy scene that I am going to work with William, I will finish my own work as soon as possible and spend more time to communicate with my partner.
Generally, it was a really tough scene to act for me. In my opinion, the scene required the maximum level of energy that our group members had. Gatsby showed the highest anger level of him and Daisy cried which is one of the hardest part of acting. Honestly, I was willing to show our scene to other people especially the last part of the scene. I can't usually scream to someone like how Gatsby screams to Buchanan because I will probably get into big trouble if I show that level of anger in this school. So, I have been hiding my other part of my characteristic and this was a great chance to reveal myself little more to others. Since I was young, I had an anger problem and realized my level of anger is extremely dangerous when I was in high school in Korea. I have been trying to use and turn that negative and uncontrollable energy into some positive way and while I was working on this scene, I felt acting can be the best practice to come over my problem. Also, the other thing that I learned a lot was how to deliver my lines effectively. I used to only focus on my voice instead of my facial expression, physical action, and reaction which is because of the habit of my singing. But, I learned how movement is important for delivery by Mrs. Guarino's coaching.
The third project was not only tough but also really exciting activity. I didn't have enough time to get prepared perfectly but I learned what I need to work on for my next project. I sincerely appreciate that I could have a chance to act this intense scene with Abigail and Jack, but also hope that I can act with this group again. Now it's time to don't worry about this heavy scene and ready for the comedy scene which is going to be a legen wait for it dary!!! (This is what Barney always says in the TV show "How I met your mother".)
The first thing that made me really excited about this project was my partners. I first saw Abigail's acting from the play Peter Pan and I felt she really is an actress, not just a high school student who likes acting. Then, I was more impressed at her acting by activities that we had together in acting class and Winter Musical. Also, I was really impressed at Jack's acting. I felt his acting in the silent movie was hilarious and thought he knows how to act. So, at the beginning, I thought I was the only one who I need to worry about and needs much more development to do the scene successfully. However, after I got used to my role and confident about it, I could see that I couldn't see before. I could started to feel their habits when they act, how they use their voice and body, how they get prepared for acting, and how their characteristic in the real life affects acting. I couldn't realize all the details of them, but I could realize where the chemistry between actors come from. The chemistry between Abby, Jack, and me wasn't really great for this project. I felt we could have made better teamwork if I made my work which is memorizing the lines and thinking about the emotion done little earlier and spent more time thinking about our whole scene and my partners acting. Thus, for the next group project which is the comedy scene that I am going to work with William, I will finish my own work as soon as possible and spend more time to communicate with my partner.
Generally, it was a really tough scene to act for me. In my opinion, the scene required the maximum level of energy that our group members had. Gatsby showed the highest anger level of him and Daisy cried which is one of the hardest part of acting. Honestly, I was willing to show our scene to other people especially the last part of the scene. I can't usually scream to someone like how Gatsby screams to Buchanan because I will probably get into big trouble if I show that level of anger in this school. So, I have been hiding my other part of my characteristic and this was a great chance to reveal myself little more to others. Since I was young, I had an anger problem and realized my level of anger is extremely dangerous when I was in high school in Korea. I have been trying to use and turn that negative and uncontrollable energy into some positive way and while I was working on this scene, I felt acting can be the best practice to come over my problem. Also, the other thing that I learned a lot was how to deliver my lines effectively. I used to only focus on my voice instead of my facial expression, physical action, and reaction which is because of the habit of my singing. But, I learned how movement is important for delivery by Mrs. Guarino's coaching.
The third project was not only tough but also really exciting activity. I didn't have enough time to get prepared perfectly but I learned what I need to work on for my next project. I sincerely appreciate that I could have a chance to act this intense scene with Abigail and Jack, but also hope that I can act with this group again. Now it's time to don't worry about this heavy scene and ready for the comedy scene which is going to be a legen wait for it dary!!! (This is what Barney always says in the TV show "How I met your mother".)
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Time to go back to a student from an actor
We played "Once On This Island" for the winter musical in Cheshire Academy. This musical is an adaption of a novel called My Love My Love by Rosa Guy. I was one of the member in the casts and I played Daniel. Daniel is one of the main characters in the musical. For me, it was really hard to play Daniel because I have never done romantic actings before and it was my first time acting on the stage. So I had been getting too much stress and pressure before the show. However, fortunately the show went pretty well. Among the entire music in the musical, my favorite song was "Pray". Even though I lay down on the floor for the entire song and pretend to sleep, I could feel every actor's energy from the song and a lot of audiences told me they got goose bumps by that song.
When I first got a script of the musical and watched the entire performance on the youtube, I was actually so confused. Before I read the script and watched it, I was just excited about the fact that I got the male leading role. However, after I realized that I need to be a jerk and the time of my singing part is less then the time of laying down on the ground and driving, I was disconcerted and disappointed. It took quite a lot of time and effort to get rid of those emotions and focus on my role. I think this show was generally very interesting and well fitted in our black box theater. First of all, I think the four gods were very well described and each characters were very well cast. Maggie's voice expressed the Agwe's dignity, Abigail's vibrant performance expressed characteristic of Asaka, Charlotte's intensity and moderation expressed the Erzulie's beauty, and Gianna's acting and make up perfectly expressed the Papa ge's creepiness. Also, I think the actors who had peasant and rich roles did a great job to express their character. Even though I had little bit of dissatisfaction of my role and the ending, I would say the play was very interesting and beautiful.
Two months of preparing for this musical "Once on this island" was very meaningful time for me because a lot of things were new experience to me and I felt those time healed my scars from my past. Firstly, this was my first performance that I acted on the stage. When I was in Korea, I once dreamed to be an actor and learned acting but things didn't go well because of my back problem. Eventually, I needed to give up everything that I sincerely desired and had a hard time forgetting everything. So, I truly appreciate this chance that I could be on the stage and work with everyone for the performance. I needed to answer the question "what was your favorite memory during the rehearsal?" for information about me that was gonna be hanging on the wall with my photo. I answered "when I wear the microphone" because wearing microphone was totally new thing and somehow I felt wearing microphone was kind of funny. However, my real answer that I hid in my heart was "every time when I open the black box door". It's really hard to explain that feeling but I always got emotional and excited when I opened the black box door and stepped into the black box. However, that doesn't mean I only had easy and joyful time in the black box. Honestly, there were several times that I wanted to storm out of the black box during the rehearsal or just skip the rehearsal and not show up. When Ms.Digiacomo yelled at me although when I was trying really hard, when I could imagine my history grade was falling down because of 4 hours rehearsals, when my partners attitude, words, and actions annoyed me and drove me crazy, when I needed to lay down on the cold, hard black box floor for more than 30 minutes, and when I could never get the one single note for my duet song and practiced it like for a hundred of times, I really wanted to kick the door and run away from the black box. I actually don't know how I handled those hard time and have good feelings and memories about everything that happened in the past two months. The truth is I learned a lot of new things that I haven't learned in my life before and became a little bit bigger person than couple months ago. One thing that I really felt bad for everyone was even though I was the oldest kid among the students, I couldn't fulfill the role of it because of bunch of my excuses. For the next year's musical, I hope I can be a person who can embrace the group and contribute to make a better team.
Monday, February 15, 2016
script for hotel scene in Great Gatsby
TOM
That’s enough...
The room is large and stifling hot, it has been filled with
huge ice buckets in an attempt to cool it.
Gatsby, Tom, Nick, Daisy and Jordan are bathed in a thin sheen of perspiration.
Gatsby, Tom, Nick, Daisy and Jordan are bathed in a thin sheen of perspiration.
DAISY
Open another window.
NICK There aren't any more.
DAISY Then telephone for an axe...
TOM Forget about the heat. You make it worse by crabbing about it.
GATSBY Why not let her alone, old sport?
TOM That's a great expression of yours, isn't it?
GATSBY What is?
Tom turns to Gatsby...
TOM 'Old sport'. Where'd you pick it up?
DAISY Now see here, Tom; if you're going to make personal remarks I won't stay here one minute. Gatsby's foot beats a restless tattoo; Tom eyes him suddenly.
TOM Mr. Gatsby, I understand you're an Oxford man.
GATSBY No, not exactly. 100.
TOM Oh yes, I understand you went to Oxford.
GATSBY Yes - I went there. Tom's laugh is incredulous and insulting.
TOM Sure; the man in the pink suit went to Oxford!
DAISY Tom...! Gatsby stands.
GATSBY (slow, intense) I told you I went there.
TOM I heard you, but I'd like to know when.
GATSBY You’d like to know when....? It was in nineteen-nineteen, I only stayed five months. That's why I can't exactly call myself an Oxford man.
Tom glances around to see if the others mirror his disbelief. But they are all looking at Gatsby.
GATSBY (CONT’D) You see, it was an opportunity they gave to some of the officers who actually fought in the war.
Nick can’t help but smile.
NICK (V.O.) I wanted to get up and slap Gatsby on the back.
DAISY I'll make you a drink Tom, then you won't seem so stupid to yourself...
But Tom’s not done yet.
TOM Wait a minute, I want to ask Mr. Gatsby one more question.
GATSBY Go on. Please Mr. Buchanan, go on.
TOM What kind of a row are you trying to cause in my house anyhow?
They are out in the open at last and Gatsby is content.
DAISY He isn't causing a row; you're causing a row. Please have a little self-control!
TOM Self-control! I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife? Well, if that's the idea you can count me out... See, nowadays people begin by sneering at family life and family institutions and next you know they'll throw everything overboard and we’ll have intermarriage between black and white!
JORDAN We’re all white here, Tom.
GATSBY Your wife doesn't love you. She's never loved you. She loves me!
TOM You must be crazy.
GATSBY No, old sport. See, she never loved you... She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting. It was a terrible, terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved anyone but me!
JORDAN We should go...
GATSBY Daisy and I have nothing to hide... 102.
DAISY Jay let’s go, please...!
TOM Sit down Daisy! GATSBY (reassuring) Yes, Daisy, please sit down. Tom's voice gropes unsuccessfully for the paternal note.
TOM What's been going on? I want to hear all about it.
GATSBY I just told you what's been going on; its been going on for five years...! Tom turns to Daisy sharply.
TOM You've been seeing him for five years?
GATSBY Not seeing. No, we couldn't; but both of us loved each other all that time, old sport, and you didn't know. I used to laugh sometimes, to think that you didn't know... TOM Oh - that's all; you're crazy! I can't speak about what happened five years ago, because I didn't know Daisy then - but I'll be damned if I see how you got within a mile of her unless you brought the groceries to the back door. But all the rest of that's a god-damned lie. Daisy loved me when she married me and she loves me now.
Tom starts to make himself a drink...
GATSBY No... 103. TOM She does, though... And what's more, I love Daisy too. Once in a while I go off on a spree, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all the time...
DAISY You’re revolting... Daisy’s voice drops an octave lower, filling the room with thrilling scorn...
DAISY (CONT’D) Do you know why we left Chicago...? I'm surprised they didn't treat you to the story of that little spree. Gatsby walks over and stands beside Daisy.
GATSBY That's all over now. Just tell him the truth, that you never loved him; and all this... all this pain will be wiped out forever. Daisy looks at Gatsby blindly. DAISY Why, how could I love him, possibly?
GATSBY You never loved him. Daisy hesitates; too late, she realizes what she is doing. DAISY I never loved him.
GATSBY That’s right...
TOM Not at Kapiolani?
DAISY No.
TOM (a husky tenderness) Not that day I carried you down from the Punch Bowl to keep your shoes dry...? Daisy? Never? 104.
DAISY Please don’t.
TOM Daisy... Her voice is cold, but the anger is gone.
DAISY There, Jay. She trembles as she looks to Gatsby...
DAISY (CONT’D) You want too much! I love you now; isn't that enough? I can't help what's past. (begins to sob) I did love him once; but I loved you too.
GATSBY (shocked, uncomprehending) You loved me too?
TOM (savage) Even that's a lie. She didn't know you were alive. There are things between Daisy and me that you'll never know, things that neither of us can ever forget. The words seem to bite physically into Gatsby.
GATSBY I want to speak to Daisy alone. She's all excited now...
DAISY Even alone I can't say I never loved Tom. It wouldn't be true.
TOM Of course it wouldn't. Daisy turns to her husband.
DAISY As if it mattered to you. 105.
TOM Of course it matters. I'm going to take better care of you from now on.
GATSBY You're not taking care of her any more! Daisy's leaving you.
TOM Nonsense. DAISY (with visible effort) I am, though.
TOM She's not leaving me; and certainly not for a common swindler! Tom's words suddenly lean down over Gatsby.
TOM (CONT’D) Mr. Gatsby, who exactly are you anyhow? You see, I have made a small investigation into your affairs... You're one of Meyer Wolfsheim’s bunch. Tom turns to the others and speaks rapidly.
TOM (CONT’D) See, he and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of 'drug stores' and sold bootlegged alcohol over the counter!
GATSBY What about it, old sport?
TOM Don’t call me ‘old sport!’ This drug store business is just small change compared to the bonds stunt you and Wolfsheim have got going on now.
GATSBY Well your friend Walter Chase isn’t too proud to come in on it. 106.
TOM I’ve been giving that some thought. How does a reputable banker like Walter Chase find himself up to his eyeballs in debt to a little kike like Wolfsheim?
GATSBY It’s called ‘greed,’ old sport.
TOM That’s right; you’ve got half of Wall Street out there swilling your free booze at that fun park every weekend... (to Nick) I’m surprised he hasn’t tried to drag you in... Nick looks away sharply. Tom registers this.
TOM (CONT’D) My God, he has...
GATSBY He’s got nothing to do with--
TOM With your little racket... (to Daisy) Daisy... Can’t you see who this guy is? With his house and his parties and his fancy clothes; he’s just a front for Wolfsheim, a gangster, to get his claws into respectable folk like Walter...!
GATSBY (a vicious sneer) The only respectable thing about you, old sport, is your money, that’s it, and now I’ve just as much as you; so that means we’re equal!! Tom smiles with smug, condescending scorn.
TOM Oh no, no, we’re different; I am, (gesturing at Nick and Jordan) They are... (now at Daisy) She is; 107. (MORE) we’re all different from you - we were born different, it’s in our blood, and nothing you do, or say, or steal or dream up, can ever change that... And a girl like Daisy will never...! Gatsby explodes with terrifying rage.
GATSBY SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUTTT UP!!!!
Shock jolts the room. We float toward Gatsby. His rage-filled eyes stare into the void, as, with all his willpower, he restrains himself from ripping Tom apart...
NICK (V.O) Gatsby looked, in that moment... as if he had “killed a man.” Tom snorts a dismissive laugh.
TOM That’s right Mr. Gatsby, show us those fine Oxford manners... Gatsby recovers and turns to Diasy, who is trembling in the corner, on the verge of tears.
GATSBY My sincerest apologies. I... I seem to have lost my temper. Struggling for self control, Gatsby turns toward her as if Tom suddenly no longer exists.
GATSBY Daisy darling... None of this has any consequence. Don’t listen to him Daisy. Daisy blanches; Gatsby, now desperate, babbles incoherently.
GATSBY (CONT’D) We’re going back to Louisville to be married. Then we’re going to live together in our house; it’s-- There is a feeling of excruciating unease in the room.
NICK There aren't any more.
DAISY Then telephone for an axe...
TOM Forget about the heat. You make it worse by crabbing about it.
GATSBY Why not let her alone, old sport?
TOM That's a great expression of yours, isn't it?
GATSBY What is?
Tom turns to Gatsby...
TOM 'Old sport'. Where'd you pick it up?
DAISY Now see here, Tom; if you're going to make personal remarks I won't stay here one minute. Gatsby's foot beats a restless tattoo; Tom eyes him suddenly.
TOM Mr. Gatsby, I understand you're an Oxford man.
GATSBY No, not exactly. 100.
TOM Oh yes, I understand you went to Oxford.
GATSBY Yes - I went there. Tom's laugh is incredulous and insulting.
TOM Sure; the man in the pink suit went to Oxford!
DAISY Tom...! Gatsby stands.
GATSBY (slow, intense) I told you I went there.
TOM I heard you, but I'd like to know when.
GATSBY You’d like to know when....? It was in nineteen-nineteen, I only stayed five months. That's why I can't exactly call myself an Oxford man.
Tom glances around to see if the others mirror his disbelief. But they are all looking at Gatsby.
GATSBY (CONT’D) You see, it was an opportunity they gave to some of the officers who actually fought in the war.
Nick can’t help but smile.
NICK (V.O.) I wanted to get up and slap Gatsby on the back.
DAISY I'll make you a drink Tom, then you won't seem so stupid to yourself...
But Tom’s not done yet.
TOM Wait a minute, I want to ask Mr. Gatsby one more question.
GATSBY Go on. Please Mr. Buchanan, go on.
TOM What kind of a row are you trying to cause in my house anyhow?
They are out in the open at last and Gatsby is content.
DAISY He isn't causing a row; you're causing a row. Please have a little self-control!
TOM Self-control! I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife? Well, if that's the idea you can count me out... See, nowadays people begin by sneering at family life and family institutions and next you know they'll throw everything overboard and we’ll have intermarriage between black and white!
JORDAN We’re all white here, Tom.
GATSBY Your wife doesn't love you. She's never loved you. She loves me!
TOM You must be crazy.
GATSBY No, old sport. See, she never loved you... She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting. It was a terrible, terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved anyone but me!
JORDAN We should go...
GATSBY Daisy and I have nothing to hide... 102.
DAISY Jay let’s go, please...!
TOM Sit down Daisy! GATSBY (reassuring) Yes, Daisy, please sit down. Tom's voice gropes unsuccessfully for the paternal note.
TOM What's been going on? I want to hear all about it.
GATSBY I just told you what's been going on; its been going on for five years...! Tom turns to Daisy sharply.
TOM You've been seeing him for five years?
GATSBY Not seeing. No, we couldn't; but both of us loved each other all that time, old sport, and you didn't know. I used to laugh sometimes, to think that you didn't know... TOM Oh - that's all; you're crazy! I can't speak about what happened five years ago, because I didn't know Daisy then - but I'll be damned if I see how you got within a mile of her unless you brought the groceries to the back door. But all the rest of that's a god-damned lie. Daisy loved me when she married me and she loves me now.
Tom starts to make himself a drink...
GATSBY No... 103. TOM She does, though... And what's more, I love Daisy too. Once in a while I go off on a spree, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all the time...
DAISY You’re revolting... Daisy’s voice drops an octave lower, filling the room with thrilling scorn...
DAISY (CONT’D) Do you know why we left Chicago...? I'm surprised they didn't treat you to the story of that little spree. Gatsby walks over and stands beside Daisy.
GATSBY That's all over now. Just tell him the truth, that you never loved him; and all this... all this pain will be wiped out forever. Daisy looks at Gatsby blindly. DAISY Why, how could I love him, possibly?
GATSBY You never loved him. Daisy hesitates; too late, she realizes what she is doing. DAISY I never loved him.
GATSBY That’s right...
TOM Not at Kapiolani?
DAISY No.
TOM (a husky tenderness) Not that day I carried you down from the Punch Bowl to keep your shoes dry...? Daisy? Never? 104.
DAISY Please don’t.
TOM Daisy... Her voice is cold, but the anger is gone.
DAISY There, Jay. She trembles as she looks to Gatsby...
DAISY (CONT’D) You want too much! I love you now; isn't that enough? I can't help what's past. (begins to sob) I did love him once; but I loved you too.
GATSBY (shocked, uncomprehending) You loved me too?
TOM (savage) Even that's a lie. She didn't know you were alive. There are things between Daisy and me that you'll never know, things that neither of us can ever forget. The words seem to bite physically into Gatsby.
GATSBY I want to speak to Daisy alone. She's all excited now...
DAISY Even alone I can't say I never loved Tom. It wouldn't be true.
TOM Of course it wouldn't. Daisy turns to her husband.
DAISY As if it mattered to you. 105.
TOM Of course it matters. I'm going to take better care of you from now on.
GATSBY You're not taking care of her any more! Daisy's leaving you.
TOM Nonsense. DAISY (with visible effort) I am, though.
TOM She's not leaving me; and certainly not for a common swindler! Tom's words suddenly lean down over Gatsby.
TOM (CONT’D) Mr. Gatsby, who exactly are you anyhow? You see, I have made a small investigation into your affairs... You're one of Meyer Wolfsheim’s bunch. Tom turns to the others and speaks rapidly.
TOM (CONT’D) See, he and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of 'drug stores' and sold bootlegged alcohol over the counter!
GATSBY What about it, old sport?
TOM Don’t call me ‘old sport!’ This drug store business is just small change compared to the bonds stunt you and Wolfsheim have got going on now.
GATSBY Well your friend Walter Chase isn’t too proud to come in on it. 106.
TOM I’ve been giving that some thought. How does a reputable banker like Walter Chase find himself up to his eyeballs in debt to a little kike like Wolfsheim?
GATSBY It’s called ‘greed,’ old sport.
TOM That’s right; you’ve got half of Wall Street out there swilling your free booze at that fun park every weekend... (to Nick) I’m surprised he hasn’t tried to drag you in... Nick looks away sharply. Tom registers this.
TOM (CONT’D) My God, he has...
GATSBY He’s got nothing to do with--
TOM With your little racket... (to Daisy) Daisy... Can’t you see who this guy is? With his house and his parties and his fancy clothes; he’s just a front for Wolfsheim, a gangster, to get his claws into respectable folk like Walter...!
GATSBY (a vicious sneer) The only respectable thing about you, old sport, is your money, that’s it, and now I’ve just as much as you; so that means we’re equal!! Tom smiles with smug, condescending scorn.
TOM Oh no, no, we’re different; I am, (gesturing at Nick and Jordan) They are... (now at Daisy) She is; 107. (MORE) we’re all different from you - we were born different, it’s in our blood, and nothing you do, or say, or steal or dream up, can ever change that... And a girl like Daisy will never...! Gatsby explodes with terrifying rage.
GATSBY SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUTTT UP!!!!
Shock jolts the room. We float toward Gatsby. His rage-filled eyes stare into the void, as, with all his willpower, he restrains himself from ripping Tom apart...
NICK (V.O) Gatsby looked, in that moment... as if he had “killed a man.” Tom snorts a dismissive laugh.
TOM That’s right Mr. Gatsby, show us those fine Oxford manners... Gatsby recovers and turns to Diasy, who is trembling in the corner, on the verge of tears.
GATSBY My sincerest apologies. I... I seem to have lost my temper. Struggling for self control, Gatsby turns toward her as if Tom suddenly no longer exists.
GATSBY Daisy darling... None of this has any consequence. Don’t listen to him Daisy. Daisy blanches; Gatsby, now desperate, babbles incoherently.
GATSBY (CONT’D) We’re going back to Louisville to be married. Then we’re going to live together in our house; it’s-- There is a feeling of excruciating unease in the room.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Shall I compare me to an actor
First thing that I think I did well was the music selection. At first, I had an idea that I am talking by myself looking up the moon. And then I imagined that it would be nicer if I recite the sonnet with nice music. Eventually, I didn't use the idea that talking by myself, but I came up with a perfectly adequate music "River flows in you" by Yiruma. I think the song helped audience to concentrate on my monologue and also helped me to get into the emotion. Another thing that I think I did successfully was phasing. Usually, most of students have problem of reading their line too fast. However, maybe because English is not my first language, my phase is really slow when I speak lines and I think it is easier to control the whole monologue. Also, since I have been singing a lot, it helped to get my breathing points and to control the dynamics.
The thing that I felt I need to practice and think about more after I watched my video was maintaining my voice tone. The video that I posted on the You tube is the third one and I was little distracted by the moments between I was being taken a video. Because of that, my voice wasn't as stable as the second take.
By preparing this project, I learned a lot about acting. Since monologue is the most basic part of acting, this project showed my level of acting frankly. I learned how to project my voice on the stage. Also, I watched a lot of moives to study acting and Leonardo Dicaprio was the awsome actor to study. I am really excited about the next group project which is going to be a dialogue.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Monologue analaysis
Who?
A guy who fell in love with a woman
Age?
The woman that shakespeare is talking about would probably be early 20s or late 10s because this sonnet is talking about her beauty
Sex?
Male
Personality?
Extremely straight forward, because he is literally talking about her appearance and giving a compliment for it. Also very romantic and smart
Situation
Where?
I have no idea....
What?
The guy is telling that she is gorgeous. He is comparing her to the summer which is the most beautiful season and saying her beauty will last forever because of his poem
Who?
Beautiful lady and a guy who loves her or is attracted to her beauty.
A guy who fell in love with a woman
Age?
The woman that shakespeare is talking about would probably be early 20s or late 10s because this sonnet is talking about her beauty
Sex?
Male
Personality?
Extremely straight forward, because he is literally talking about her appearance and giving a compliment for it. Also very romantic and smart
Situation
Where?
I have no idea....
What?
The guy is telling that she is gorgeous. He is comparing her to the summer which is the most beautiful season and saying her beauty will last forever because of his poem
Who?
Beautiful lady and a guy who loves her or is attracted to her beauty.
Monologue shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? (Sonnet 18)
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date. Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimmed; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimmed; But thy eternal summer shall not fade, Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st, Nor shall death brag thou wand’rest in his shade, When in eternal lines to Time thou grow’st. So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
Friday, January 22, 2016
The longest flight but funniest filming
This project was the first movie that I was appeared. Although I used to wanted to be an actor, I didn't have chance to go up on the stage for performance or create a movie. So, this silent movie was a quite meaningful project for me. Overall, I think our process and result were both pretty successful. At the beginning of this project, Abigail contributed a lot to the group by leading the whole discussion while other members didn't know what to do at all. First, we decided to use air plane for the setting. After we decided to use air plane as the setting, everyone began to come up with brilliant ideas such as putting pink dress and wig on me to make a hilarious stewardess, using oat meal to replace baby vomit, and all the other details that we showed in the movie. Actually, I was having a hard time when we started acting because of I had never wore dress and wig on. It was just hard to accept my appearance with those costumes. However, after I realized that I look hilarious and many people liked it, I thought it was a good experience to try a woman's role.
Basically, our movie combined the happenings that could be easily occured in the plane during the flight and ended up with stewardess giving up everything. There were few differences between our group's movie and the other group's movie. Compared to the other group's film, our movie had more realistic comic elements. The other group's movie had more over acting which was hilarious. Most of scenes in our movie was taken in one spot which might bore the audiences. However, the other group used their camera in many different angles and made the film more dynamically. Our group couldn't make the movie as dynamically as the other group did because most of actors were sitting down and I was the only one who was walking around. I assume that we could've had some more powerful laughing points if we used more zooming or changing the angles. But, what I really liked for our group were the details that we showed between all the scenes. There was one action that I accidentally did, I was supposed to appear with the book but I actually forgot to bring it, so I went back again and brought it. It wasn't in our original script that we planned, but Abigail suggested to put it in the scene like it was meant. Also, one of my favorite idea was josh carrying the camera and screaming at it. That scene made the whole movie more dynamically and lively.
Generally, I believe everyone in our group put a lot of efforts. Josh had oat meal all over his hair and face, Robert took the scene that he spits water almost ten times, and was spilled by water all over his body, but no one complained about anything. Also, every music that we inserted to the movie was perfect to show the mood changes. One thing that I feel regretful about the editing is that we didn't last the ending scene long enough which is my "giving all up" facial expression. The result wasn't a 100% perfect, but I learned a lot from this project about group working, acting, and editing. I feel much more confident about this class after completing the project and can't wait for other activities.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Click if you are interested at Ryan
My name is Ryan Kim and I'm a junior in Cheshire Academy. I had an experience of taking an acting class back in Korea. The reason why I started learning acting was to improve my self confidence. I used to wanted to be a singer 3 years ago, but I always got extremely nervous when I appeared on the stage. At that time, I heard a lot about an acting class from my best friend which was taking an acting class and wanted to be an actor. And, I thought the activities that students do in the acting class might help my self confidence problem. Fortunately, it was of huge benefit to the problem and I had the happiest three months in my life with a great teacher in the beginning of the course and I fell in love with acting. Eventually, I had no choice but giving up everything because of my back problem which was bothering me for past 2 years. So, I'm so glad about joining musical in Cheshire Academy and having a chance to learn acting again.
Although I'm truly happy and excited, I'm still nervous about taking this class because there will be quite a few challenging parts for me. Memorizing the lines will be one of the most challenging part. Since English is my second language, it's hard to speak like a native American. I don't have to care about my accent, pronunciation, speed, or the way how I talk when I'm talking in general, but I need to think about all those things when I speak the lines unless my role is an Asian guy. However, I assumed that my speaking skills will improve a lot after I complete those memorizing lines. Also, the other thing which is going to be really challenging is Ms. Guarino's 500 words blog essay for every week. I struggled so badly in the first semester of my English class all because of the Ms. Guarino's blog assignment. I realized that I need to improve my writing skills and every single teacher that I asked the question "how can I improve my writing skills?" responded "The more you write, you will get better and faster." So, I decided to take the acting class which is Ms. Guarino's instead of the public speaking class that I originally chose.
I have three specific things that I want to learn in this class: monologue, dialogue, and improvising. All three of them might look similar because they are all about speaking lines. Firstly, in my opinion, monlogue requires the most basic skills for actors and is the hardest one to act because only one actor leads everything by their voice and some of facial expression and body language. Secondly, dialogue is the most part that occupies and leads the story and easiest way to describe the story in most of plays, movies, or musicals. Lastly, I am interested in improvising because I think it shows lots of emotions how I am and how I make my decisions. Also, It will help my speaking skills in general becasue it requires adaptation to circumstances.
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