Evaluation

Discuss three moments in your play that you thought were excellent.

The first moment in the play that I thought was excellent was our entrance because it really set the scene for the audience and we were able to portray different objectives. There was a huge contrast between looking and hiding and the arm movement was performed together and tightly. I thought this was good because it gave the audience lots of changes in energy and many places to look. Also the arm movement was suggesting a salute and a fist which gave the audience an insight to what they play would be about.

I also believe that the fighting scene with Clay was really realistic and interesting to watch. All the hits were performed accurately so that clay looked like he was really being beaten and it grabbed the audiences attention. Also having the rest of the class watching as the fighting went on showed the audience that no one cared enough about 'James' to stop the bullies from hurting him so we can understand how alone he must feel.

The final scene I thought was really effective was when we were screaming and then the boys end up strangling the mums. I think this scene was really good because the girls transition from screaming to becoming the mum trying to comfort James changes really smoothly. Also I think the screaming really shocked the audience and the fact that James turned on his mother showed how his fathers violence, the bullying and the death of his Granddad really changed him and it also shows the audience how he became something he was not and didn't mean to do it.

How do you think you could improve your rehearsal process in the next unit?

To improve in the next unit I would learn my lines earlier on so that I would not need a script in my hand whilst rehearsing. I would also make sure the lunch time rehearsals were successful because when we called rehearsals lots of people didn't turn up so we didn't do anything. Another think I should have done is start wearing costume earlier because it gives you a reason and helps develop your character, I would also be more focused in lessons. Finally I would change my character in every rehearsal so I could find out in which way I wanted to play my objective by seeing what felt best.

Discuss in detail a moment in the play that you were in that you think really worked

I really think the moment where I was waling around the space and the school scene I was in really worked because it showed changes in energy. Having everyone talking and then go silent when I walked past them was really effective because there was a huge contrast and it really should how lonely James was. Then again there was a big burst of energy when it went into the school scene where I got injured. I think this really worked because their was a drastic change in atmosphere and the bullying I thought was really realistic. personally this scene worked for me because it did make me really get into the character and understand what James went through.



Discuss a moment in the play you weren't in that you think really worked

Due to our piece being an ensemble piece I was on stage throughout, however I am going to talk about a scene I wasn't really evolved in. I think the fighting scene with Clay, Dru and Danny really worked because the fighting was really clean and realistic. I think the audience found this moment really powerful because 'James' who they had seen put through so much was just trying to stand up for himself but in stead he got really hurt.


Write about another actor in the play that you were in that you thought was excellent - what did they do to make their performance excellent?

I really think Clay performed extremely well in our play because he really took on his character and didn't hold back. In the rehearsals Clay seemed to be using the script a lot and not acting tough like James was supposed to be. However, as the weeks went by he really developed his character and knew his lines off by heart. In the performance his reaction to the fight scene were amazing (he really looked like he was being beaten up) and he really portrayed his hard man character by his body language and the way he spoke!!!

Discuss a moment in the play that you were in that you think didn't really work - why might this have been?

I don't think the granddad scene worked because we cut out some lines so it was quite hard to understand. Also everyone started coughing at different times and it was difficult for the gang members because lots of people were sitting in the way. I don't think this worked particularly well because we found it difficult to find a way to show the relationship between James and his Granddad so I think if we had spent more time on it it would have been better.

Discuss a moment in the play that you weren't in that you think didn't quite work - why might this have been?

I think that the bit in the play where jack is supposed to be a police officer and all of us were behind the jail door didn't work. I think this because Jack was in control enough, I think he should have been louder and more aggressive towards us to make us feel frighten. if he had made his character more powerful and acted like he was disgusted by us then I think it would have really worked.

Set yourself three specific targets for next term

• Learn my lines earlier so I don't need a script in rehearsal.
• Bring my costume in earlier so I can start to become the character.
• Be more focused in lessons and do more research on the character I am playing.