OPEN SCENE: Instructions & Performance Grade (THAR 10B)

THAR 10B:  Open Scene Assignment 

ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVE & OVERVIEW

The objective of this assignment is to explore the motivation of truthful, realistic acting moment-by-moment, as well as the level of detail necessary to do so.  Working with your partner, you will create an original 2-minute scene using only the lines from the script on pg. 116 (6th ed)/pg. 119 (7th Ed), together with corresponding actions you invent (and the tactics, subtext, and inner monologue that go with those lines and actions).   

While the majority of your grade will be based on your performance (50 pts.), with your partner you will prepare a written Character Profiles/Given Circumstances document (6 pts.) and a “Words and Action Script”, which will include a column analyzing your own character's words and actions (10 pts.).  Note:  Since these written items demonstrate your preparation process, if these items are not completed your performance grade will also receive a points deduction of at least one full letter grade. 

WHAT TO PREPARE

Step 1:  Review the pages from Ch. 4 on Open Scenes (6th Ed - Pg. 115-122; 7th Ed - Pg. 118-125); if you don't have the whole textbook, email me immediately and I'll send you a PDF of those pages.  

Step 2 - For Tuesday, March 4:   Meet with your partner, either in person or online, to brainstorm the essential details of your scene and complete a team draft of the following documents.  These drafts can be typed or handwritten, BUT both partners need a copy of it to work on in class.

What to prepare - Drafts

•  Your scene's Character Names and Profiles (one brief paragraph per character) - WHO are you?

•  Your scene's Given Circumstances:  Sketch out the following in order to develop your scene -

What's your Relationship?  What is your Backstory?  (WHAT & WHY?)

Setting - WHERE are you in time and space?

Central Action of Scene stated in just 1-3 sentences - WHAT happens in your scene?/HOW it happens?

•  Draft of Your Scene's Words and Action Scene - This "script" contains both characters' lines and actions (like the center column in the examples passed out in class).  You do not need to do your analysis column yet, although actors often do so.  Using only the lines from the script on pg. 116 (6th ed)/pg. 119 (7th Ed), invent and write out your own “Words and Action Script”, formatting it like the two examples provided to you during class.   

Tuesday's In-Class Rehearsal:  We will take a portion of Tuesday's class for you and your partner to explore your draft with another team and instructor giving you feedback.  Based on the feedback, you may wish to make adjustments in your scene planning.  You will also figure out your staging and furniture needs on this day.

FINAL SCENE PREPARATION

Between Tuesday's draft rehearsal and the Scene Performance on Tuesday, March 11, plan to rehearse face-to-face with your partner outside of class at least once before your performance on Tuesday, March 11.   With your scene partner, you will expand your preliminary ideas into a fully realized scene, making sure it is memorized, polished and ready for performance.  In preparation, you will also gather your props (please, no pantomime) and appropriate costumes.  

With your partner, prepare the final version of your scene's 1) Character Names/Profiles and 2) Given Circumstances, as well as your 3) "Words and Actions" Script.  On your own (or with your partner's help, if you prefer), 4) prepare your character's analysis column in which you analyze your own character's tactics, subtext, and inner monologue; there must be an analysis entry for every line and/or action your character speaks/does. 

SUBMITTING FINAL DOCUMENTS ON CANVAS

The following Canvas submission assignments will be published later in the week.

•  Open Scene Characters/Given Circumstances - Both partners need to submit these pages on Canvas for credit.  They can be identical copies.

•  Words and Action Script with Analysis Column *- The Words and Action Script portion will be identical for both partners.  However, the Analysis Column only needs to be for your character.  

* Format Note:  If you and your partner don't know how to prepare an electronic document using Google Docs or Word that looks like the examples passed out in class, you can type up your Words and Actions script on multiple pages of 8 1/2 x 11" paper and have your analysis column contents on separate 8.5 x 11" pages.  However, each analysis entry must be directly parallel with the line or action to which it corresponds.  Therefore, you will ALSO need to prepare and turn in a hard copy, with each script page and analysis page taped side-by-side. along with submitting the individual pages to Canvas.

DUE DATE - TUESDAY, March 11:  With your partner, you have until 2:30pm to complete and submit the final versions of your scene documents to Canvas.  The scene will be performed that day in class, with full costumes and props (to the best of your ability based on available resources).