Still Image

Definition:
When a group freezes in a position which is like a
photograph.

Alternative Terminology:
Freeze Frame
Tableau
 Features
Features of an effective Still Image:
Presentation of an aesthetic quality
A clear purpose the moment presented should be important for some
reason (e.g. the start / end of something)
Use of different levels
Positioning of the characters in relation to each other (status)
The amount of tension which the image captures
 ES4: Cross - Cutting
Definition:
Creating scenes and then re-ordering the action by cutting
forwards and backwards to different times. For example, you
could start with a middle scene, then have a flashback to teh
first scene, and then continue to the final scenes.
The Scenarios The Conventional Drama
Sequence
 Task
Create the Conventional Drama Sequence.
As soon as Wolf began to feel
That he would like a decent meal,
He went and knocked on Grandma's door.
When Grandma opened it, she saw
The sharp white teeth, the horrid grin,
And Wolfie said, ``May I come in?''
Poor Grandmamma was terrified,
``He's going to eat me up!'' she cried.
And she was absolutely right.
He ate her up in one big bite.
But Grandmamma was small and tough,
And Wolfie wailed, ``That's not enough!
I haven't yet begun to feel
That I have had a decent meal!''
He ran around the kitchen yelping,
``I've got to have a second helping!''
Then added with a frightful leer,
``I'm therefore going to wait right here
Till Little Miss Red Riding Hood
Comes home from walking in the wood.''
He quickly put on Grandma's clothes,
(Of course he hadn't eaten those).
He dressed himself in coat and hat.
He put on shoes, and after that
He even brushed and curled his hair,
Then sat himself in Grandma's chair.
In came the little girl in red.
She stopped. She stared. And then she said,
``What great big ears you have, Grandma.''
``All the better to hear you with,'' the Wolf replied.
``What great big eyes you have, Grandma.''
said Little Red Riding Hood.
Then sat himself in Grandma's chair.
In came the little girl in red.
She stopped. She stared. And then she said,
``What great big ears you have, Grandma.''
``All the better to hear you with,'' the Wolf replied.
``What great big eyes you have, Grandma.''
said Little Red Riding Hood.
``All the better to see you with,'' the Wolf replied.
He sat there watching her and smiled.
He thought, I'm going to eat this child.
Compared with her old Grandmamma
She's going to taste like caviar.
Then Little Red Riding Hood said, ``But Grandma,
what a lovely great big furry coat you have on.''
``That's wrong!'' cried Wolf. ``Have you forgot
To tell me what BIG TEETH I've got?
Ah well, no matter what you say,
I'm going to eat you anyway.''
The small girl smiles. One eyelid flickers.
She whips a pistol from her knickers.
She aims it at the creature's head
And bang bang bang, she shoots him dead.
A few weeks later, in the wood,
I came across Miss Riding Hood.
But what a change! No cloak of red,
No silly hood upon her head.
She said, ``Hello, and do please note
My lovely furry wolfskin coat.''
 What makes this ES effective?
Ensuring that the audiences engagement and reactions are highly controlled e.g. Open the piece at a
moment of high drama or climax, so that you immediately get the audiences attention. You could
also cut quicly between two scenes taking place at the same time to show the contrast.

Varying the pace of the drama to maximum effect.

Ensuring that the audience does not get confused as to what is happening when it needs to be
clear that the cutting has either moved the action forwards or backwards or that each scene is a
different perspective of that same moment. Think about how it would be best to cut between Scene
2 and 1, and then Scene 1 and 3.
 Techniques in Cross-Cutting
In films, Cross-Cutting is a normal part of storytelling, because
different images can be shown instantly e.g. Flashbacks.
 Techniques
Technique How it works
Parallel Cross- While you perform your
cutting with scene, another set of actors
Mime shows a different scene at the
same time. Your character
might appear in both but
played by another student.
Cross-cutting While a scene is being
with Narration performed, the main
and Still Images character steps out of the
action (which freezes) and
narrates what has happened
to him/ her earlier.
Example
Marc on the streets , homeless,
explains to Vic why hes there. At
the same time, a parallel set of
actors with another Marc show
the earlier scene with him arguing
with his step-dad (perhaps in
Mime)
Marc on the streets, homeless,
begging. The scene freezes as Vic
approaches. Marc stands up abd
explains to the audience why he is
there. There is then a cross-cut to
Scene 1. You might then return to
the first scene, unfreezing the Still
Image.
 Narrating
Definition: Giving a spoken commentary alongside what is
happening on stage.
A separate Narrator can tell a story whilst others act it out.
A character in the play tells the audience what is happening, or has
happened in the past.

How Narration can be used:

To start a story
To create mood and atmosphere, or to help visualise a scene
To bridge the gaps or fill in the story
To end a story
 How Narration can be used
To start a story Two households, both alike in dignity
In fair Verona where we lay our scene...

To create mood and Imagine a city where there are no people, where there
atmosphere, or to are graveyards of cars, where electricity is dead, and dust
help visualise a scene lies on every building of every street

To bridge the gaps of Many years passed and the forest grew. Everyone forgot
fill in the story that the sun had once shone, until one day when a young
wood cutter lost his way

To end a story
They lived unhappily ever after
What works well in Narrating:
It should add to what is being seen,
rather than simply describing it.
Narrators must use different words
from the actors to describe events.

Narrating can be in many forms

formal past-tense speech
song or verse, mime.

A good Narrator speaks clearly and

projects their voice
In traditional drama, Narrators were
usually separate from the action
Modern writers tend to make their
Narrators personally involved in
events.
 Thought Tracking

Definition:
Stopping Individuals during a role-play activity and asking them
to reveal a characters thoughts at a particular moment
It can help you explore the motivation of your character,
making you ask:
What do I feel about the situation I am in, and the others at this
moment?
Why is my character behaving in this way.
 Thought Tracking

Features of effective Thought Tracking:

Thinking about the characters inner thoughts.
Speaking these thoughts helps you and the other actors to understand
your character and why you behave as you do.
When completing a thought track, you should use your imagination to find
something out about your character that you didnt already know.
 Simple Script
A. Hiya

B. Excuse Me?

A. Lovely day!

B. Yes it is!
 ES2: Thought Tracking

Features of effective Thought Tracking:

You can respond to the immediate situation, but you can also think ahead.

You then think of your character as someone real, who has a life beyond the
scene that you are acting.
 Effective Thought Tracking
You can respond to the immediate situation.

Im angry with....

Im bored with....
 Effective Thought Tracking
You can think ahead to the future.
Im worried that in a minute....

Im delighted that this means

that tomorrow....

This can help you to think of your character as

someone real, who has a life beyond the scene
that you are acting out.