Scene Analysis Strategies

1. Beginning, Middle, End: chunk/draw

helps identify progression of character, plot, theme
helps identify turning points, points of conflict, change, resolution
drawing helps visualize

2. Beat by Beat

helps work on timing, creating space, flow, tempo
helps put everything in its place and avoid rushing through words

3. Emotional Progression (and levels)

colors help create a visual map of emotions throughout script
helps with making your performance less flat

4. Seven Levels of Tension

see previous blog post on what this is and use to create a map of progress throughout script (similar to Emotional Progression)


These analysis tactics help with actors, writers, directors, and devisers. Following the analysis, think about how to revise based on what you see and what might be more dynamic.

Levels of Tension

Remember that theater pieces should have a beginning, middle, and end. They should cycle through different emotions and dynamics, so they are not simply "flat." Check out this approach to help with this -- originally developed by Lecoq -- the Seven Levels of Tension:

https://dramaresource.com/seven-levels-of-tension/

Devising Companies

Age Exchange http://www.age-exchange.org.uk/
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry http://www.belgrade.co.uk/
Complicite http://www.complicite.org/flash/
Teatro de Creación http://www.devisingtheatre2013.com/#/methodology/4574690305
DV8 Physical Theatre http://www.dv8.co.uk/
Fevered Sleep http://www.feveredsleep.co.uk/
Forced Entertainment http://www.forcedentertainment.com/
Fork Beard http://www.forkbeardfantasy.co.uk/
Frantic Assembly http://www.franticassembly.co.uk/
Fuel http://www.fueltheatre.com/
Gecko Theatre http://www.geckotheatre.com/
Young People’s Theatre http://www.glypt.co.uk/
Goat Island http://www.goatislandperformance.org
Gob Squad http://www.gobsquad.com/about-us
Grid Iron http://www.gridiron.org.uk/
Improbable http://www.improbable.co.uk/
Invisible Flock http://www.invisibleflock.co.uk
Invisible Thread http://www.invisiblethread.co.uk/
I O U http://www.ioutheatre.org/
Ex Machina http://lacaserne.net/index2.php/exmachina/
Lone Twin http://www.lonetwin.com/
Massive Company http://www.massivecompany.co.nz/
Wrights and Sits http://www.mis-guide.com/
Northern Stage http://www.northernstage.co.uk/
Theatre Passe Muraille http://www.passemuraille.on.ca/
People Show http://www.peopleshow.co.uk/
Pintsize Theatre Company http://www.pintsizetheatre.co.uk/
Pirate Productions http://www.pirateproductions.co.uk/
Potatoroom Productions http://www.potatoroom.co.uk/
Reckless Sleepers http://www.reckless-sleepers.co.uk/
Red Ladder Theatre Company http://www.redladder.co.uk/
Rude Mechanicals http://www.rudemechs.com/about/index.htm
Shunt http://www.shunt.co.uk/
Space Hijackers http://www.spacehijackers.org/html/history.html
Stan’s Cafe http://www.stanscafe.co.uk/
Station House Opera http://www.stationhouseopera.com/
Tangled Feet http://www.tangledfeet.com/the-company/
Théâtre du Soleil http://www.theatre-du-soleil.fr/thsol/index.php?lang=fr
Theatre O http://www.theatreo.co.uk/theatre_O/O2/index.html
The Paper Birds Theatre Company http://www.thepaperbirds.com/
The Red Room http://www.theredroom.org.uk/
The Wooster Group http://www.thewoostergroup.org/blog/
Third Angel http://www.thirdangel.co.uk/home.php

Proposal Requirements for Collaborative Devised Project

Include the following information in your proposal:

1. What are you ideas based on the stimulus?
2. What ideas and themes do you want to explore in your performance?
3. What will your plot be? (beginning, middle, end -- scenes, transitions)
4. Who are the characters and how will they grow, change, or stay the same?
5. How might you use theater tech to enhance the story?
6. Who is the intended audience and what is the desired effect you want your piece to have on the audience? (reaction, meaning)
7. Why is the story important/meaningful to you?

Halloween Collaborative Routine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lZ99M84cKg&feature=youtu.be

Resources for The Assembly Theater Company (orchestrators of the devising workshop)

Here is their website:

www.assemblytheater.org

This is very important -- a video about their process:

https://vimeo.com/132464719

Here is an article based on an interview with the director:

https://stagebuddy.com/theater/theater-feature/jess-chayes-that-poor-dream

Director's Vision Class Notes