♥drama

Thursday, September 23, 2010 { 5:58 PM }

Sorry for posting so late! Well, we performed our piece already and I felt we were awesome! I really loved it and everyone put in so much effort. The fact that we only started on the script 4-5 days before the performance date really shows the time constraints.

I was doing my reflections the other day and I started thinking about everyone's contributions to the group and I realised that all of us worked so hard for this. Everyone participated in script-writing, and throughout the hectic schedule of school, everyone turned up for rehearsals. When we were brainstorming for ideas on effects, lightings or sounds, every single member suggested ideas and ur play slowly pieced itself together.

I remember when we tried to balance out the roles in our play so that everyone could get a more or less important role on stage, and there were times whereby we were worried that our play might be too repetitive or even boring. However, we all really tried our best and attained success. We worked together and all actresses had at least 8-10 lines (i think :D).

To be honest, I was worried at first, because after all, we only finished our script on Friday!!! Furthermore, that was only a draft. However, everyone worked quickly and efficiently and I believe we made good use of our time slots in M4-04. Although the sounds were a little screwed during our performance, but everyone did well and performed their role to their utmost best.

All in all, I just want to say is that I feel proud that I'm a part of this drama group and I'm honestly glad that everyone contributed so much.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 { 12:40 AM }

YAY i must say i really loved our performance and good work everyone!!! :D

Now good luck to the rest of the groups! :)

Andrea

{ 12:30 AM }

My character is a seventeen year old teenage girl who was part of a happy family before it was torn apart by the murder of her family members and herself. i suppose like typical teenagers, my character would come across as a bit distant from her parents, unlike her younger sister who is more open towards her parents. however, my character also wants to live in a happy family so she is devastated by the murder of her mother. She was scared at first but little did she know that she would be the next to die.
Before she died, my character had a new belt and her father complimented her on this. this scene would show an attempt between father and daughter to foster a closer relationship especially since the mother has died.
After my character dies, the main feeling she has would be hatred towards the woman who killed her and feelings of unjust. She would think that this is not fair and that she wants to be alive again. As a young adult, my character would have her own hopes and dreams for her future, however, all these goes down the drain after she is murdered and naturally she would think it is unfair that she did not get a chance at life.
As a teenager, my character would wear a miniskirt with a normal t-shirt as well as the belt.
i hope that i can portray my character well and all the best for our performance! :)

Andrea

Tuesday, September 14, 2010 { 11:30 PM }

The character that I am playing is a nameless 14-year old girl. She used to be part of a happy family before being killed by a psychopathic seamstress, and is the second last to die (before her father). It can be noted that she is a cheerful and amiable person who loves her family. She resents the seamstress for causing the tragic downfall of her loved ones, and blames everything on her. If she hadn't died, she probably would have went on to become a preschool teacher :/ Her dad bought her a hair band before she died.

Tmr is drama! @_@ good luck everyone hehs :)

-SJ>:3

{ 10:07 PM }

My character is a man in his 30s who does odd jobs for a living, but is rarely working hard. He is single, and therefore often find his two other neighbours to talk about different things to relieve his boredom. He can be quite nosy and likes to gossip(just a bit :D ) He wears very casual clothes (e.g. T-shirt, bermudas) to show his casual attitude toward everything in general.
The main objective of the neighbours is to act as a collective symbol of the town's attitude and comments on the recurring murders, and also to drop hints of the real identities of the main characters, and also to add to the suspense of the play.
His opinions towards the killings are mainly that of a passer-by's--------- he feels only a little empathy towards the murder victims and is mainly just gossiping or feeling worried for his safety.

-Amy :D

{ 9:01 PM }

My character is a 43 year old housewife who is constantly caring for her family. Her usual apparel is a simple pair of jeans and shirt, whether she is going to the market to buy groceries, or to the barber's to trim her hair. She has 2 close neighbours whom she talks to everyday. With them, she talks about anything under the sun. From washing detergent brands to food recipes and to the happenings around the neighbourhood.
My character shows much apprehension to the topic of the murder that happened to her neighbours. She is worried that something might happen to her family members, and is very much frightened by the killer. She shows genuine empathy towards the victims.
The script for the neighbours is a way to drop hints to the audience of the murder, and at the same time maintain a certain amount of uncertainty. The script is such that the neighbours are not allowed to reveal that the females being killed at first, were actually a family. We wanted to make the audience think that Claudia (the guy) was a hopeless flirt and therefore Denise (deranged hallucinating woman) kept killing them. We want to reveal that they are a family only at the end, where the 3 females reveal their relation to Claudia. It was difficult to avoid any mention or anything that would hint that they were a family, and the script was edited a few times. Also, we tried to avoid being too gossipy in the neighbours' scripts, which was also quite difficult!
All in all, my character aims to lead a simple life, and has a slight tendency to gossip with her neighbours. Just a very slight one. (:

-Lumjia

{ 7:43 PM }

Characterization

The character i have to portray is a clueless man whom loves his family of a wife and two daughters very much. He is clueless that a woman has mistaken him for her late husband and is constantly waiting for his return.

There are many difficulties in playing this character. Firstly, he is a man. So i have to be able to take the role as a man (despite myself being clearly a female) for the audience to understand. Secondly, the fact that he has a family will only be revealed at the end of the play makes things a little tricky as well. The main idea is to let the audience think that he is an unfaithful man who fools around with different women. Yet at the same time, i must be able to give hints that he actually isn't an unfaithful husband. Then what is he? Well, it is best the audience are led to wonder who on earth is this man, it makes them engaged and anxious to find out the end of the play.

This character starts off happy as he praises his wife's clothing and offers to cook for her, he then changes to a more solemn mood as he has to comfort his daughters. Lastly, he is overcome by grief because of the death of his three most precious loved ones. As the play is short, the mood of the character shifts quickly, therefore, i must be able to quickly change my tone, mindset etc to get into the right mood.

Tomorrow, our day to shine on stage.

Claudia.

Monday, September 13, 2010 { 10:46 PM }

Hi all! Denise here :D

So basically, my character is a 36-year-old woman who works at home as a seamstress. She loves her husband very much and was very dependent on him, but lost him due to a car accident. This leads her into a deep depression, which causes her to think a guy she saw on the street is actually her husband who has returned. She proceeds to follow the man's movements and daily activities. She sees him with three different women, who are actually his wife and daughters. With her state of mind, she believes the three women to be her "husband's" mistresses. In order to have the man all to herself, she kills all three women. When the man eventually doesn't acknowledge her and speaks to her as if she were a stranger (which she is), she kills him too. The weapon used for all the murders is the woman's yarn, which she uses to strangle her victims. This fact is emphasized further as the woman keeps repeating one sentence, "The thicker the yarn, the harder it is to break." However, throughout the play, it seems as though my character is unaware or is in self-denial about her being the murderer of her victims. It is only at the end of the play does she subconsciously acknowledge that she is the murderer.

I feel that my drama group has come a long way from the beginning of drama lessons. We started of with a "channel 8" style script and then went on to rewrite a new one. In a mere few days, we have worked hard and stayed up late to rush out details for the play. We also take time to have rehearsals in school and M4-04. All in all, my drama group has become more aware of different effects as well as the usage of stage space throughout the rehearsals and lessons we have been attending. I believe we will do fairly well for our drama assessment :D

{ 10:42 PM }

This is our new satisfying script. Completed today at 10.42 PM. 3 cheers for us!

Cast:

Woman: Denise

Man: Claudia

Daughters: Sijia and Andrea

Wife: Yutzu

Neighbours: Yunni, Lumjia,Amy

Scene 1: Intertwining Tales (3)

All walk out slowly and start walking in a circle, chanting “The thicker the yarn, the harder it is to break”. When the final actor joins in, there is a scream and everyone fades into their position. Wife, daughters and woman cover the stage area, standing in random space. Neighbours freeze-frame at their positions.

Denise: You know, my husband and I have such a loving relationship. Then one day, he got into a car accident and left me all alone. But now, he’s back. I saw him yesterday. He came back for me. But he’s angry, angry that I gave up waiting for him, and he’s been so cold and distant. It’s alright; I’ll work hard and become the woman of his dreams. He’ll love me again, just like old times.

Yu Tzu: She’s just a stranger to me. What had I done to die in her hands? Dear, did you not see her when she entered? You simply lay there, fast asleep… When she was twining that thing around my neck… I’m sorry, Dear, I left first.

Andrea: Gone. Everything is gone. I trusted him so much, yet he was not there when she killed me. I just wanted a happy and peaceful life with him. Who was she? Why did she do this to us? Now I’m gone, everything is gone.

Si Jia: I didn’t know what happened. It was so… fast, so swift, so sudden. Just a tight suffocating feeling and everything was… gone. He promised to protect me. He promised that I could be happy. When she killed me, he was nowhere to be found. My screams went unheard.

Daughters exit scene. Wife and Man freeze-frame at centre stage left.

Scene 2: (4)

Man places his hand over Wife’s shoulder. He whispers something in her ear and they laugh. Woman stands at a side and watches the entire scene.

Claudia: Hey, that jacket looks so beautiful on you.

Yu Tzu: Thanks, you really like it? I’ll wear it more often then.

Claudia: Great, it really suits you.

Yu Tzu: (giggles)

Claudia: Do you want to go for dinner now?

Yu Tzu: Hmm… where should we go?

Claudia: How about I cook for you today? I’m a really good cook, you know?

Yu Tzu: (giggles again) I can’t wait to taste your cooking.

Claudia: Alright then, let’s go home and I’ll cook you a meal filled with everlasting love.

Man and Wife walks to downstage left and freeze-frame.

Scene 3: (1)

Woman playing with the yarn, weaving a jacket.

Denise: Today, I saw him again, together with that lady. That lady, with the beautiful jacket. Maybe if I wear something like that, he’ll pay more attention to me. Oh, I lost track of time. I have to concentrate on sewing this jacket, my yarn seems to have gotten tangled. The thicker the yarn, the harder it is to break. And I still have dinner to prepare…

Scene 4: (2)

Amy: Hey, do you know something happened…

Yunni: Oh, I know, someone in that house…

Lum Jia: She died, didn’t she?

Amy: How did she die?

Yunni: I heard she was murdered, strangled by a yarn…

Wife falls to the ground.

Lum Jia: Poor woman…

Scene 5: (4)

Man walks to Elder Daughter at centre stage left. Both look very close and intimate. Woman stands at a side and watches the entire scene.

Claudia: Hey dear, did you just buy this belt?

Andrea: (looks upset)

Claudia: Why are you feeling so down? Give me a smile. You look lovely.(smiles)

Andrea: You think so?

Claudia: Yeah.

Andrea: I’m scared… The crime…

Claudia: (cuts off quickly) Don’t worry about it! Everything will be fine. Really.

Andrea: (holds hands) Alright, I believe you. Let’s go home.

Man and Elder Daughter walk to upstage left and freeze-frame.

Scene 6: (1)

Woman plays with the yarn, sewing a belt.

Denise: The neighbours were very restless today. It seems a crime has taken place. That aside, I saw him again, with another girl. A younger one this time. She looked so pretty in that belt. Oh, I got sidetracked; better work hard on my sewing. The thicker the yarn, the harder it is to break. Dinner must be prepared for my beloved husband too…

Scene 7: (2)

Amy: Hey, do you know something happened…

Yunni: Again! She was murdered, wasn’t she?

Lum Jia: Don’t tell me she was strangled by a yarn…

Elder Daughter falls to the ground.

Amy: (nods frantically) Yes, this is too creepy…

Yunni: We better lock our doors and windows properly tonight.

Lum Jia: Better to be safe than sorry.

Scene 8: (4)

Man walks to join Younger Daughter at centre stage left. They’re holding hands and look happy together. Woman stands at a side and watches the entire scene.

Si Jia: (looks sad and scared)

Claudia: Hey, I bought something for you. It suits you perfectly. (pins it on Si Jia) It looks beautiful on you.

Si Jia: (smiles a little) You know… the crimes are happening at an alarming rate. I’m very worried!

Claudia: You know I will protect you!

Si Jia: Yes… you will right?

Claudia: I definitely will. (smiles) Let’s go.

Man and Younger Daughter freeze-frame.

Scene 9: (1)

Woman plays with then yarn, weaving it in and out of a hairpin.

Denise: There were police asking questions today. The neighbours are getting worried. And I saw my dearest today too. His female companions seem to be getting younger, a little too young. He bought a hairpin for her. He’s never bought anything for me before. Well, I’d better get to work. The thicker the yarn, the harder it is to break. My husband will not tolerate dinner after 8.

Scene 10: (2)

Amy: Three in a week!

Yunni: It’s all happening too fast…

Lum Jia: Horrible, just horrible…

Amy: And all of them were strangled by a yarn…

Younger Daughter falls to the ground.

Yunni: I wonder what’s the police doing about it..

Lum Jia: It’s too dangerous, we should go home early.

Neighbours exit.

Scene 11:

Woman looks into “mirror” and is busy putting on makeup, dressing up to meet Man.

Denise: My husband hasn’t come home for days. If he won’t come to me, then I’ll go to him. But I have to look presentable, right?

Woman puts on clothes and accessories, and then she stares in the “mirror”, looking pleased with herself.

Scene 12:

Man walks to upstage centre, holding pictures of his family, looking sad and depressed.

Claudia: All of them whom I loved are gone... They were the constant joy in my life, I was supposed to love and treasure them all my life. Now that they are gone, what should I do? Everything is falling apart.

Woman walks in and goes up to greet man in a very friendly manner.

Denise: Hi!

Claudia: Hi, nice to meet you.

Denise: Darling! Come home with me, I’ll prepare dinner.

Claudia: Sorry miss, do I know you?

Woman looks taken aback.

Scene 13:

Denise: I talked to him today. He spoke to me in such a distant manner, like I was a stranger to him. How could he? After all I’ve done for him. I shouldn’t think so much, I’ll work hard and he’ll love me again. The thicker the yarn, the harder it is to break. Maybe he’ll come home for dinner today…

Scene 14:

Neighbours enter and stop at downstage centre, whispering.

Amy: That poor guy, so many misfortunes befell on him.

Yunni: Everyone he loved and now even he himself has been murdered.

Man falls to the ground.

Lum Jia: They were all such nice people…

Amy: How terrible! This is so scary.

Yunni: We should go home early, I’m worried about my family.

Lum Jia: I wonder what’s going to happen now…

Neighbours exit.

Scene 15:

Man, Wife and Daughters rise from their positions and move slowly to stand in a straight line.

Yu Tzu: My husband was so sweet to me, he even complimented me when I wore my scarf…

Andrea: Daddy was so sweet to me after Mummy died, he even noticed my new jacket…

Si Jia: I love my Daddy! He was the best Daddy in the world! He bought this really cute hairpin for me that other day…

Claudia: Why must this happen? We were such a happy family, until she came. What did she have to do such things?

Scene 16: (All - 1, 2, 3, 4)

Man, Daughters and Wife start yelling about their deaths, while Woman goes around tying yarn around each of their necks. Woman then proceeds to upstage centre.

Denise: SILENCE!

Everyone keeps quiet. Woman starts singing “London Bridge Is Falling Down” while instrumental version is being played on the piano. At each “down”, Woman tightens the yarn around a person’s neck and the person falls to the ground. Wife first, followed by Eldest Daughter, Youngest Daughter and then Man. As each person falls, a row of light is being switched off, until the stage is completely dark. (order of lights going off - 4, 3, 2, 1) Woman picks up her torchlight and shines it on herself. She’s wearing the jacket, scarf and hairpin, looking very happy.

Denise: (laughs freakily) A pretty jacket, a long belt and a cute hairpin. I guess this is the kind of girl he likes. I’ve finally achieved it… Do you think I’m pretty? Well, I’d better go prepare dinner for him. Today’s our wedding anniversary. Oh, I forgot… He’s never coming back…

Woman switches off torchlight.

End.

Costumes:

Yu Tzu (Wife)

- Long skirt

- White shirt

- Brown jacket

Andrea (Elder Daughter)

- Skirt

- Shirt

- Belt

Si Jia (Younger Daughter)

- Childish shirt

- Shorts

- Hairband

Claudia (Man)

- Jeans

- Guy shirt

Denise (Woman)

- Long skirt

- Shirt

- Jacket

- Belt

- Hairband

Amy, Lum Jia, Yunni (Neighbours)

- Bermudas/Pants

- Shirt

Props

- Knitting needles

- Yarn

- Torchlight

Lights

- Middle 4 rows of lights used

- Xiaofan is in charge of helping us control lighting effects

{ 9:19 PM }

Characterization

okay, this is yunni here. Now, i will be sharing on my character in our new play. The character i am playing in the drama is a typical neighbour in the neighbourhood. My character is a 35 year old middle age women with a family. She is very curious about the happening in the neighbourhood and worries about herself when murder takes place in the neighbourhood. She is close with two other friends in the neighbourhood and would gather together in the afternoon to chit chat. She is empathetic of the murder in the neighbourhood but seems creeped out by the strange situation. Her purpose to this play is to add to the strangeness of the whole situation as well as to drop hints to the murderer of the scene. Ok, that's about it. We are now discussing drama on msn and deciding on the important elements such as the props and costumes etc. Hope we can pull it off during drama assessment as we have pretty much atmosphere to create and our lightning and placing are also quite complicated.

{ 9:18 PM }

Hi Yu Tzu here. :D
The character is a 40years old middle-aged woman married to the man in the play. She has a loving relationship with her husband and has a family of four, including her two daughters, husband and herself. In the play, she is a gentle woman who is close to her husband as they usually go out together and also enjoy being with each other. The husband also cooks for her, showing their mutual love. The character is killed by the woman, who mistakes her husband as hers who died in an accident, strangled by a yarn.
Yup, byes C:

{ 8:32 PM }

And yes, we have finally written a satisfying script. Our previous script (the one on kidnap) was a little too "channel 8 style", it was also difficult for some of us to portray certain characters to engage the audience. Threfore we decided to write an entire new script.

The process was tough. We had difficulty looking for engaging topics to use for our script. At the same time, we had to made sure it wasn't too "channel 8 style". After about a long hour of discussion at Denise's house during the Spetember holidays. We finally managed to decide what we wanted for the script. We all liked scripts with a certain mysterious aura, to allow audience to be engaged and interested in the play. After lots of effort put in by all the group members, we finally came up with " ". ( we are still in the midst of coming out with a fantastic title)

This script is about a lady who has just lost her husband. Because of this, she falls into a state of despair and suffers from a serious mental illness which causes her to think of this man, totally unrelated to her, as her husband. She waits for him daily at home, waits for him to come and eat dinner while kneading. Of course, he never comes back. And on 3 occassions, she spots the man with 3 different ladies. She is upset and wants to be the perfect woman the man wants. So she deliberately wears the same things as those ladies, hoping to be the perfect one. During this period of time, crime also takes place. Murder. The neighbours start to worry about their own safety.

We hope we are able to portray the characters well and create suspense within the audience and at the same time, achieve what we want - an enagaging, enjoyable play we and the audiene will enjoy.

The script is still in the process of editing. We are also taking time off for rehearsals to make sure that we will be able to do significantly well for assesment. There are still many things we need to work on, things like stage directions etc.

Hopefully, we will be able to complete everything soon.
Well, with a bunch of hardoworking and ambitious actresses, why not?