How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: Discovery

I have been looking up How to Succeed and I found out there are are a few things left out of the movie that are in the musical. For example, the song "A Heart of Gold," which is a duet between Hedy and Biggley. It's truly a beautiful song. This makes me even happier as I will be able to be in stage more and what could possibly make someone happier than being able to do more of what they love? 

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: Casting

I finally found out what part I got in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; J.B. Biggley! I am happy I got this role even though it wasn't the one I was going for. Receiving a supporting lead is always an honor and in my opinion, this part is a lot more fun than the lead. The character has an affair and is the president of a company. He yells and has a scandal! I can picture a funner part! I can't wait for rehearsal to begin. 

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: Dance Auditions

I was never much of a dancer but I was told I caught on quickly. Over the summer when I was in "South Pacific" as Lt. Joseph Cable, my manager attended the show and advised I began taking theatre dance classes if I'm serious about wanting to be a Broadway actor so of course I enrolled immediately. I've been enrolled in classes for roughly four months now and even that has helped. So, today I had dance auditions for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." We spent about a half hour learning a routine for the audition and afterwards, we went up in groups and were evaluated, which counted as the audition. We were told that the routine was more difficult than easy. If the routine we did was difficult, I'd love to see easy was because the difficult routine was so easy! I've never felt more satisfied about a dance audition ever. I always think of myself as a klutz but I wasn't one at all for once. I feel really confident about the audition and this show being very dance heavy, doing well on this part of the audition is really important. All I have left now is are the Scene Auditions where we run through scenes, pretty self explanatory. Next stage, here I come!

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: Vocal Auditions

Don't under estimate the element of surprise! You may waltz into your audition and find out the song you rehearsed is one step lower than the score the people auditioning you have. Sadly, this happened to me. Fortunately, I was able reach the notes one step higher and I managed to sing "How to Succeed" to my fullest ability. I also sung "I Believe in You" and I actually managed to practice that song on the correct key so there was no surprise at the audition! That allowed me to sing this song even better than the first because I was able to sing it to an even fuller ability. After that, an even larger surprise occurred. I was asked to sing a part of "The Company Way." If you couldn't tell, I was auditioning for J. Pierrepont Finch, the lead character. I didn't prepare "The Company Way" because it is a duet between Finch and Twimble and usually auditions request solo songs. I had listened to the song before as I have watched the "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," the movie version, numerous times. I had a rough idea of the tempo. Luckily, I was only asked to sing a few lines so I managed to pull that off successfully as well! I walked out with pride and courage and I plan to remain hopeful.

That Was Unexpected

Today in STAC we talked about how we're possibly walking a different path as to how we put on STAC live and we also talked about power systems in the world and how the power system works in school.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: Before Auditions

It's that time of the school year when the school musical is finally chosen and you're researching the part you'd like. As the title says, it's How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. As of now I'd like to keep what part I'm going for to myself. Yesterday, I was watching the movie  version of the musical. I found out there is actually a book called How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and the musical was based off that. This is one of the few musicals that had me laughing and smiling throughout the entire thing. The timing for the jokes has to be perfect though. This musical is the funniest and brightest musical I've ever seen. I can't wait for auditions this Wednesday! I'm not nervous actually. After going on auditions for a decade, you lose that feeling.

The Advantages of Cold Weather

I kept forgetting to post this. The other day, I went out to see a Christmas show that a few of my friends were in. We went out to eat at the diner and afterwards, one of my friends drove a few people to the park we were heading towards. My friend and I had to walk because there wasn't enough room in the car. It was freezing out side and it was really windy. Those to combined made me start to tear up; full on tears streaming down my face. So when I walked into the park, I made it looked like I was crying and I said someone took my wallet and ran. It worked for a little while then my friend who I usually pull pranks with knew I was joking and called me out. It was hilarious for the time it lasted!

Kontroll

Kontroll was filled with many mythological messages but there was one in particular that stood out and lasted throughout the entire movie.  Bulcsú was constantly in a battle or suffering. It never got better, until the end of the movie that is. Bulcsú was either fueding against Gonzo, getting beat up by violent train passengers, or suffering from the stress of life. The only time Bulcsú was happy was when he was with Sofie, the "angel." That was Bulcsú's spirtual aid. Even at their first encounter, you could tell something was going to happen between the two as Bulcsú staired at her for a long time. The staring wouldn't have gone on for that long if didn't mean anything. From that point on, when Bulcsú was really worn out, the two would talk and not even about Bulcsú's troubles. They had normal conversations and that alone lifted Bulcsú. This all led me to conclude that things will always get worse until you get over whatever is bothering you and move on, or whatever causes the suffering goes away. If neither of the two happen, you need someone to be there to help you. You may not even discuss your troubles. Simply knowing that someone is willing to talk to you could really make someone's day. Which is why I got a 2 on the Ennegram Test. I try to be that person that helps someone who is really down and depressed. It's roughing walking down that road alone and a lot of people aren't willing to help. So if I can be the streak of sunlight peering through someone's window, I'm going to take the opportunity because no one should have to suffer and have the pain slowly eat away at you until you're nothing.

Field Trip Work

I am going to film numerous stop motions using Motion Pics, an app on the iPhone. They will either be of my feet walking and how they react to not knowing where to go or of people walking around the city. I m at have other ideas spark in the city but that's what I am going in with.

The Fall

I'm not entirely sure what I got out of The Fall. If anything, I got out that you can't live your life alone. Roy would have killed himself if Alexandria hadn't come along. Roy was basically telling his story and his struggles through the story he was telling Alexandria. Alexandria, being a little girl loves life unlike Roy. So when Roy wanted to kill himself off, Alexandria didn't want him to. Alexandria eventually got so attached to Roy and the story, she didn't want the character to die. She eventually figured out that the main character in the story was Roy and she didn't want Roy to die. In life, you need a friend to always be at your side to talk to about the deeper things in life. Suicide may seem like a way out but if you really think aabout you're hurting yourself and everyone that loves you a thousand times more.

Self Criticism on last week's Project

Voice

-Too fast
-cut offs are awkward because I'm the only one speaking
-Minor characters need a more distinct voice from the main characters
-Studder/Mumble-like at times
-Spanish is off

Visual

-Props are SO TERRIBLE
-Attire is inappropriate for a higher class of person
-Too hunched over at the "typewriter"
-Unclear as to where the person I'm talking to is

I'm just wondering what I'll be doing for the next week now.

Answers to Qvestions #1 and #2

Questions #1

1) I worked better alone because I was able to do what I wanted without any conflict. I'm comfortable in either situation. Although, I would rather work with other people. It makes the experience more enjoyable and I'm able to learn more communications skills as it is rare I will be preforming on my own in the future. Plus I like being able to have community at all times.
2) I learned more on how to manipulate my voice to sound like different people which was something I expected to learn.
3) I learned how to block myself which I didn't expect to learn. I had an idea of how to block myself but I never had the opportunity to do so because the director was telling me my blocking but since I was both the actor and director, I had to both. I thought I would be portraying more than one character in more of a monologue type style so that's why I didn't expect to improve my blocking skills.
4) I actually I learned everything that I expected to learn.
5) I think my project went fantastically. I knew all my lines and said them fluently. I had all the different voices down to make it seem like I was multiple people. I knew the blocking well and I hit the punch lines at the right time and with the correct attitude and got laughs out of them.

Questions #2

1) I used all the time I had to work. I doubted I would be able to memorize all 9 pages of the scene and have the voices, blocking etc, down by that Friday so I worked whenever I had the time too.
2) I didn't think too much about the work. I had a rough idea as to what I wanted it to be like from the start so as I went along I tweaked what needed to be fixed.
3) I feel as if everything I did was real work. Yes, one might say watching the Fawlty Towers scene that I was preforming was not working but I was talking along with the voices trying to mimic them and get the feel of the high class accent. So that to me is studying my roles, not goofing off.
4) I didn't socialize very much. If I was talking to other people, it was me acting as their community. Scott LaMarca and I were community for each other. I helped him fix his Italian pronunciations while he gave me feedback on my scene.
5) I used my community as a way to get feedback and to practice in front of an audience. More to practice in front of an audience so I get used to a reaction and getting the feel of my performance with people watching.
6) My performance was too fast because I was nevous, my Spanish accent needed work, I didn't have a good costume or props because I didn't have the chance or access to better ones and I didn't have sounds for the reception bell because I didn't get the chance to get a bell and find a way to use it when I was away from the reception desk.
7) Although I enjoyed this experience, I want to something different. I really want to sing Italian music. Scott LaMarca and I are already thinking of singing 'O Sole Mio together with the idea of a bass/baritone and tenor harmony. I've done acting for most of my projects in STAC and I really want to do singing. If anything, I enjoy singing more than I do acting because singing includes acting but the emotional level is much happening. The reason singing is incorporated into a musicial is because the moment rises to a point where words aren't enough to express how the character feels so he or she goes into song. So for my next step or project for the next intensive week, I would like sing Italian songs, probably more on the classical side with Scott. It will be a good learning experience for the both of us.

Last Day of the Intensive

Today I practiced my scenes with their props and coreagraphy and I feel I'm ready! I know all my lines and can switch in between voices correctly. Not going to lie, I am a little nervous, as I've never preformed as multiple characters before but I'm sure I'll be fine. If it was something I have done before, I wouldn't be nervous but since it's not, I guess that's the only reason I have to justify it. We'll see how it goes tomorrow!

Intensive Day 3

Today was productive. I got all the coreagraphy down and I know all the props I need. Now it's a matter of putting it all together. Should be interesting. I wish I could watch myself preforming it because I have no idea how this is going to turn out!

Intensive Day 2

I made great progress today. I have memorized the entire script. Line wise, I need to work on my Spanish pronunciation for the part of Manuel but besides that, I'm in good shape. I've decided when I preform, I am going to the bocking in the Point of View (POW) Basil, the main character. All lines said not by Basil will still be said by me but with a slightly different voice. I figured out I need a picture frame, a plate, a cup, papers, and a newspaper as props. These certain things are needed to understand a few punch lines. I will definitely be ready to preform on Friday!

Intensive Day One

After a first day of the intensive week, I think I am headed in a good direction. First off, I should say I am preforming a few scenes from the TV show Fawlty Towers, a British TV show from the 1970s. I will be playing as all characters to experience how it would be to portray multiple characters at one time. So far, I feel like I am getting the high class accent well. I've memorized 4 of the 9 pages I chose to preform so I think I am in great shape for the first day. I hope to memorize at least another 3 pages tomorrow and then the last 2 on Wednesday so by Thursday I can do a complete run through and have a good idea how the preformance will look on Friday.

The Creative Habit Questions

1. The first creative moment I can remember was at Disney World and want on stage to be a part of a pick up "preformance" of Beauty and the Beast. I was roughly 5 or 6 years old and coincidentally this moment sparked my interest in acting.
2. My family was there to appreciate it and to encourage me. After the production, I said that I liked the experience and my parents started explaining what acting was to me and from then on, I wanted to be an actor.
3. I'm not sure what my best idea was but I assume I could say it would be to pursue acting. It's become such a passion for me, it feels like part of my life that I can't part with. Life wouldn't be the same without acting in my life.
4. What made it great in my mind at the time was having the opportunity to be someone else. I wanted to be someone I wasn't and I still do because I find it interesting to see how other people with a different personality may act.
5/6. The dumbest idea I had (or at the dumbest I can think of) is not wanting to do a singing competition because I would get judged. My excuse was that I didn't want to get judged on something I love to do because it took the fun out of it. But no matter where or what I do, I'll be judged for it whether I like it or know it or not. So after being convinced and after I convinced myself, I sucked it up and joined the competiton.
7. To be perfectly honest, I have no idea what led me to this idea. Probably the fact that I thought all competitions are based of popularity and not who actually is most talented or qualified. I still think that but I just sucked it up and did the competition anyway.

Update

Today I started my fallback plan. I started putting my script on the wall outside the STAC room which was a process because I have to make it as straight as possible because I'm so OCD about that. I aim to have all of the script up on Friday.

Update

Today I rehearsed Captain Canada. John and Alex created a vey good musical and I'm glad to be a part of it. I'm still aiming to film this week, hopefully thursday if there are no conflicts.

Update

Today, I ran into a casting problem and was unable to finish the shot schedule. I will finish that tomorrow and hopefully start filming wednesday or thursday.

Update

Today I recieved some feedback from my community and thought I should continue editing. I hopefully will be done this time, but no promises. Things can always be improved.

Update

Okay, I lied. TODAY is the last day of editing... I think. My script has been halved so I can film the movie before STAC Night. All of the characters have been casted. I have to talk with the actors and actresses to see when filming can be done. That's all folks!

Update

Today was actually the day I finished editing. There were a few things that I felt I should change. I hope to start filming but I'm having complications casting parts. I don't know how I resolve them or if I can. I'll have to see how things play out.

Update

Completely done editing the script. Finally! I hope to get all parts assigned by Wednesday. I have all the leads assigned so things are looking in good shape!

Update

Today, I exceeded my goal. I finished editing all of my script with some help from my community. Within the following days, I'd like to cast actors and actresses, write down some shots, and create a film schedule.

Update

Today, I began revising my script. Luke helped me revise the first two scenes or so and then I took it from there. Tomorrow, I hope to edit at least three more scenes.

Update

This is really short. I did not get a chance to work on my script today so I did nothing. Therefore I have nothing to write about.

Update

I finally finished my script! This is the first script I've ever written and actually completed it. I hope to produce the movie when I have a schedule set up. If you'd like a copy of the email, put your email in the comments. I'm not really sure how to attach a Celtx file. I'm really happy!

Late Update

This past Thursday and Friday I continued the script. I've finally reached the climax of the script and working out an ending. I have two endings in mind. I'm not sure which one I'm going to be going with but I'll figure it out.

Update

Today I continued writing the script. I am going to be writing the first draft by Friday no matter what. I have  had a few people read what I have so far. I don't know how good the script is  because this is my first time actually finishing what I've written.

Update 5

Today I wrote a few more scenes for the script. I'm aiming to be finished by friday for the presentation but I don't know if I will be finished. If anything, I want the majority of the script (roughly 75% minimum) to be finished.

Update 3

Today I continued writing the script. It's coming along. I'm aiming for the entire film to be at least 15 minutes. I think I've developed an interesting writing!

Update 2

Today I developed an idea on what Ashley Coppolino and I's movie would be about and began writing. I like the idea so far and believe that it will turn out well. I aim to further develop the idea in the coming days.

Update

Today I did not that much. I've debated what I wanted to do and that is as of now I'm going to collaborate on writing a short movie with Ashley Coppolino. We are debating what we want to write about today and tomorrow.

Written Assignment

         One of the most helpful things that I learned throughout participating in the acting workshop was the “thumb trick.” It’s a very silly thing to think that was learned but it is actually quite useful. Every time I read a script for the first time, I use the thumb trick. Now that I have started using this trick, there is no going back. It doesn’t feel natural not to use the thumb trick. It keeps me on top of my lines and allows me to look up and away from the script, at my partner like an actual conversation.  I’ve used this trick during rehearsals for Herricks High School’s “Fiddler on the Roof.”  Whenever I was in a new scene and reading it for the first time, I used the thumb trick and it blew through the scene as if I’ve done it several times.
         Another helpful thing I learned throughout participating in the acting workshop was identifying a character’s objective.  Knowing your character’s objective gives you information on how you should be speaking with whoever else is in the scene. Sometimes, knowing the objective gives you an enormous hint as to what the personality of your character is. More knowledge continues to roll out all from knowing your character’s objective. If you are auditioning for a roll and have an excellent idea as to who your character is from knowing your character’s objective, you will have an extra edge over all of the other people auditioning for that roll. I’ve tried applying this skill to Herricks High School’s “Fiddler on the Roof” as well. I did it more mentally though. I did not find this as helpful as the thumb trick, maybe because I use the thumb trick more often, but either way, knowing your character’s objective is still helpful.
           The last thing that I found really helpful throughout this workshop was the critique. After people preformed a scene, the other participants of the workshop would say what they liked and what could be improved. It gives me and hopefully the others in the workshop a rough idea as to where they have the most room for improvement. This way, we know exactly where we need to focus on. It could help set a goal for improving which I like to have every once in a while. The feeling of accomplishing the goal is great so I like to give myself a mental goal.
        In conclusion, I found this acting workshop to be very helpful. Between the learning the thumb trick, how to identify a character’s objective, and receiving critique, I learned a lot. Maybe in the future we could do something like this again. It could benefit a lot of the members of STAC.

Sunset Blvd

The movie, Sunset Blvd. was overall a decent movie. But at times I felt like I was just waiting for something to happen. In a way, the movie was slow moving. I like movies that are more fast paced. Everyone has a different view on movies. I feel like some of the scenes could have either been cut or shortened. When Joe got shot in the end, I was thinking, "Finally! Something besides dialogue!" The movie had a lot of dialogue. I feel like it could had some more movement. It was too wordy in my opinion. It almost needed some silence, some time to take in everything that was happening.

Next STAC Trip

I'm really excited for the next STAC trip. It's been too long since we've had them. There always amazing experiences for me. Being out in the city with friends, going to art museums, seeing shows and just wondering around is a lot of fun. The entire trip is an advanture in a way. Besides the pre-decided destinations like the museums and show, everything is planned on the spot. And honestly, I don't have a problem with that! Just go with the flow and see what happens.

The Terms

Constantin Stanislavsky was a Russian actor who founded the "Moscow Art Theatre." Some of the shows he has acted in are "Othello" and "The Cherry Orchard." Stanislavsky created the "Stanislavsky Method" or "Method Acting." Method acting is the act of the using a memory in the actor's library as a base for experience in acting. Some of Stanislavsky's students were Michael Chekov and Stella Adler.

Michael Chekov was a Russian actor at the "Moscow Art Theatre." There he studied with Stanislavsky. Later, he emigrated to the United States and studied comedy and classic drama at the Suvorin Theatre School in St. Petersburg. He updated Stanislavsky’s acting method, by blending it with yoga, theosophy, psychology and physiology, and adding his own ideas of transformation of actor's consciousness. Chekov was also eventually nominated for an Oscar award.

Lee Strasburg was the founder of Group Theatre. He directed numerous shows here. He too, eventually adapted his own form of Method Acting. He greatly influenced people through the Actors Studio, which he was director of. Here, he influenced several generations of actors.

Robert Lewis was one of the original members of the Actors Studio. He was actively in Hollywood whether it was directing musicals or playing characters. He became a much respected Broadway director. Lewis also taught Stanislavsky's method acting.

Stella Adler introduced Method Acting to the United States. She was a director. Some of the productions she directed were "Manhattan Nocturne" and "Sunday Breakfast." With her experiences she founded The Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting. Of course one thing taught here was Method Acting.

Sanford Meisner was a teacher at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. He was also a founding member of  "The Group Theatre." Meisner was one of the best Method Acting teachers. He eventually came up with a modified version of Method Acting called The Meisner Technique.

Expressionism

     Expressionism was an art movement about death and the disasters humans witness. This is not one of the more uplifting, interesting art movements. It's more frightening and creepy. I am not that into Expressionism from what I know about it. I don't think I could relate to death.
     It makes sense for this type of art movement to be created. During the time it was created, World War I was going on. It was not a good time. World War I marked a change in warfare permanently with the new machine gun technology. Wars were more brutal and frightening, not that they weren't frightening before. So, I am not surprised Expressionism came out of this. Death and human disasters seem be a major part of World War I and Expressionism is the art that came out of it.
    If war never occurred, I think Expressionism would exist because there is still death and disasters. Although it would be a little different because it would be displaying different forms of human struggles. Ultimately, Expressionism expresses human struggles and pain. Whether war caused it or not, it would exist because there is still death and disasters.

Time Flies

I can't believe how fast freshman year is going. STAC Auditions have past and new people are being accepted. The year is already half over. I feel like there isn't enough time in a day, week, etc. Soon, the seniors in STAC will leave and become Alumni and go off to college. One year together simply is not enough. I never paid attention to the speed of time. I'm always saying the days are going by slowly and to be honest, they are. But the weeks, months, and years go by way very fast. So what I am really trying to say is use your time wisely.

STAC Live 2012

Well, being that I am a freshman in STAC, this was my first STAC Live. And, it was really great! Even though we had changes on a short notice, it turned out amazing. We adapted to the changes really smoothly and to be honest, I'm not that surprised. STAC consists of many talented and smart people. I had no doubts; I knew we could pull it off. Based on the audience's reactions, I think they really loved it! We are going to have our hands quite full when auditions come around. A lot of people are going to be auditioning this year.

Again, great job everyone! Great show!

2011

People say that they usually remember the bad things that happen to them and
forget most of the good things. This is unfortunately the way our minds work
and I find this a shame. So, I'd like remember the best thing that happened to
me in 2011. STAC was probably the best thing that happened to me in 2011.
Everyone is welcoming and friendly and we all share the same passions. It's
great to have a group of people really similar to you because you can relate to
them. Even though I was in STAC for less than half of 2011, it left a huge
impact on my life and it will continue to do that for a long, long time.