Performance Timetable

415- (our room) 18.45- tech guys preparing and O'Brien dressing 19.00- O'Brien speech 19.10- digital doubles 19.25- half revolution 19.40- live broadcast 19.50- revolution. O'Brien and staff is paraded 411- (room 101)
18.45- thought police patrol and broken minded person.
19.00- victor interrogates/tortures Phillips 19.20- Phillips broken 19.25- USB torture 19.40- torture training 413- (canteen)
18.45- preparing food. 19.00- meal time 19.15- soup theif 19.25- poster talk 19.40- leaflets hidden under the soup- spark for the revolution 19.55- soup spill Outside- (training and public executions)
18.45- audience emerge to see person burst through the Fire Exit- mini protest 18.55- project insgoc video in the dance changing rooms 19.05- confession voiceover in corridors or in rooms 19.10- people singing song 19.20- teddy bear training/mini revolution 189.35- Fitness regime 19.50- defaced insgoc posters Rose gardens- (greenery)
18.45- Stanley and Rose meet 18.55- Rose giving speeches to particular audience members 19.05- Rose arrested 19.10- room 101 torture 19.25- Rose garden- audience are alone 19.55- revolution alert 20.00- love starts the revolution Lecture Theatre- (welcoming room)
18.30- audience will separate into two lines- men and women. Collect information- twitter, Facebook, DOB, names etc. 18.40- hand out the masks. Numbers on the masks. 18.50- Prezi of the rules Space- anti sex league- two times will have recruitment sessions- one at the beginning one at the end- times on flyers Two minute hate- 2 sessions- times advertised on posters and flyers When anti sex are in session, hate people will advertise and visa versa- 15 minute slots. 418 (Stanley's room)- a lot for audience to touch and witness/ things for the audience to discover. Stanley is always present Corridors- sweepers, speakers and runners.
One off rooms- get audience to take a letter to other places/locations. Tell them not to open, but if they do, put something interesting inside

My Initial Reaction to 1984

My initial reaction to 1984 is quite a positive one, though I think it will take more research to understand the play fully. The story was written in 1948 by George Orwell and it was his vision of the future. George Orwell had lived through both World Wars so he had seen a lot of change occur in society and this may have played a part in forming his views that he expressed through his literature.

1984 is a vision of the future, where the government (Big Brother) is always watching the citizens that live under their control. Everyone is controlled and freedom of speech and thought are banned; they do the same jobs, eat the same food and see the same thing on the television screen each and everyday- screens that broadcast 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If anyone defies them, they are found and then either killed or turned into non rebellious members of society.

It is said that the story of 1984 is still relevant today and even that some of Orwell's predictions have come to pass. I agree with this statement partially. The idea that we are always watched can be related to today's society; we have cards that can track our locations and movements, there is CCTV in many public areas and governments can monitor our searches on line. This could mean that we don't have any privacy, similarly to the characters in 1984. However I don't think our situation is as drastic as the events in 1984.
I think the story is very interesting and contains a lot of dramatic potential, especially in the immersive form we are performing in. As we are conveying a whole world it is important that the audience are transported their fully and this style will allow us to do that. I also think it will be an interesting experience for all actors. When acting on stage, though your aim is to live in the moment, this style will bring that idea to life even more and we will be able to engage and interact even more.

The multimedia aspect of the performance both excites me and frightens me. I have never done a performance using the amount of multimedia that we are aiming to use. I predict that my main problem will be taking the ideas I have on paper and putting them into action. However the fact that we are working in groups means that I have support from people that know more about technology than I do. We are able to bounce of each other and all contribute ideas to the performance.

I am happy with the room I have been given. It has a lot of space that can be used for many different things, to create different moods and scenes for the audience to experience. As we have been given a space with three rooms in one, we can have different scenes flowing into each other, creating a more interactive environment for both the audience and the actors. I hope to be able to make my scene memorable and interesting allowing the audience to take away something from the scenes I have created and perhaps carry them on to other rooms.

Multimedia- The National Theatre

http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/backstage/multimedia

When doing research into projections used in professional performances, I found a link to the National Theatre website where they have a whole section linked into multimedia performances. Their articles range from advice on how to act in a multimedia performance and how to use projections effectively. As the National Theatre is a famous theatre, I am confident that it is a reliable source as they have put on many shows for many years and will therefore have experience in many versatile types of performances. Even though they are a major company that put on well know shows, the multimedia aspects aren't always as complicated as you think, so the advice they give from their plays are still relevant to ours.

Projections in Theatre

Projections can enhance a performance, yet they can also make them look messy if not presented properly. Here are two examples of professional uses of projections.

War Horse
In War Horse they have a large screen that covers the whole stage for the whole performance so they can project whenever to make the performance more effective for both the audience and actors. They have six projectors; 3 sets of two projectors. To create an image they turn of two sets of projectors and with the remaining two make the first layer of an image using a square grid. Then the next two are turned on and they project on top and finally the last set do the same. The projectors are set up on a curved circle front, then using media server technology, they run the show. Using this they can morph and distort the image so the picture the audience sees, is what they artist originally intended.
As we do not have as many resources as a show like War Horse, we may not be able to use the same software. However some of their work may help with our projections. For example, they only use 6 projectors for a wide stage and this creates a precise, refined image. As our stage is on an even smaller scale we could project on a whole wall using very few cameras.

Travelling Light
For this performance they used a camera and projector combined as one, a devise made in the 1890s. However they needed a way to show their projections to the audience. To do this they needed to plan the set, the costume and the story; all important elements when creating multimedia. They decided to do a film shoot to create a group of recordings- filming them almost like a real film. They filmed very simply on a film camera as they wanted an honest and real experience for the audience. However they could create inventive shots without a lot of work; the simplicity made the piece more impressive.
When preparing for our performance of 1984 it will be important to plan what we need to do thoroughly. If we don't, our multimedia may get too complicated as we won't have a clear idea of what we want to achieve. Also, like in travelling light, we need to take into consideration the story, costume and space to make our multimedia as effective and smooth running as possible.

Punchdrunk and Dream Think Speak

Punchdrunk and dreamthinkspeak are both immersive theatre companies that have put on performances and work in styles that are similar to our performance of 1984. By looking at these companies and why they are so successful, we will be able to gain an understanding about how to make our performance enjoyable, educational and professional.

Punchdrunk
Punchdrunk is British immersive theatre company that allows the audience to go where they please and see whatever scene they want, allowing them to create their own story and for them all to leave the show with a different experience as they have all ultimately watched a different show. The performances are put on in a 5 story warehouse, creating a completely 'three dimensional' experience. They have performed plays ranging from Shakespeare to their current play The Drowned Man. Their current show is said to be their most ambitious performance to date and the audience are advised to immerse themselves and be bold and open minded.
This company links very closely to our performance and all the techniques, especially theatrical techniques used by Punchdrunk could be applied to our performance.

dreamthinkspeak
dreamthinkspeak are internationally recognised for their work linked to immersive theatre and claim credit for playing a key role into the introduction of this style of theatre. The performances include both live performance and films and installations as they aim to create a layered and ambitious piece. The locations for these performances have ranged from an underground abattoir in Clerkenwell to the Old Treasury Building in Perth, Australia.
This links well to our performance for both the performance and technical elements of the play. Their use of films and projections may help us create pieces of multimedia without making it overcomplicated or meaningless to the performance.

Room construction

We were given a certain room to create a scene inside and to set up. We had to think about assets and properties of the space plus multimedia opportunities. These locations need to link to the original story of 1984. My group was given O'Brien's office, meaning I need to research what O'Brien's office was like in the original story. I will need to establish what props and set is appropriate to the story and action. I need to work in three dimensions meaning I will need to consider and plan what happens inside and outside the room.

Our ideas
Have rows of tables with laptops and computers on them with people working at every desk, engrossed in their work. At the front their will be one desk standing alone with the main worker at the front. His screen will be projected onto a bigger screen, perhaps the wall behind them. The other workers will have files on their screen about the audience, that will be sent after the information is given at the front desk. If you have a file of someone that walks into the room, the worker may call over a security member, show them the file and then the security will take them away. When the revolution begins all screens will go black and an alarm bell will start ringing.
The back rooms will be two separate scenes. One will be O'Brien's dressing room. We thought it would be quite ironic that in a world were there is no privileges for normal people, we could show that some people, like O'Brien still have luxuries. The other room would be like a police room. There will be a map and wanted posters on the wall with people files and 'evidence' on a white board. There will be tables where we interview audience members.


Other Rooms
Room 101- videos on each wall of discomforting things. A box with someone gagged and bound inside. Strobe lights to make an intense atmosphere. Lull the audience into a false sense of security before they enter. Red liquid on the walls and lights. Files on torture techniques and last confessions.
Food hall- hidden cameras. Announcements in the food hall. If someone is whispering they'll be taken out for torture/interrogation. Food- soup in one big pot, bread. They will come in small portions. Bags of flour along the wall. Put couples on different tables making them mingle and get involved. One guard. Simple uniform.
Courtyard- directly after reception. The fire door from O'Brien's- someone will burst through and then be taken back in by guards. The audience will become alert. Dummy hung from the tree; could be an act of resistance. Scavengers in the bins.
Fitness area- people not getting involved will be taken away. Announcements and orders from the government. Revolution will start there.
Grass area- big space. When it's dark have lights on the floor, laying out a path for people. Little screams can be heard. Whilst people are being escorted back in, some will be taken of course by rebels. Restricted areas will be marked with police tape- makes sure audience do not get lost. Hidden cameras in the trees. 

Today's notes

Locations- Lecture theatre, 418, 411, 415, 413, space and all hallways, greenery and space/outside area in between these locations.
It will be an immersive theatre experience. The piece will be audience led- they can come and go as they please. They are like a performer also. All audience members will wear surgical masks- creating effect and recognitionof the audience membrs for the other actors.

The scenes will be detailed- sights, smells, sounds and touch. We create the set and props plus any other material in out own time.
Some scenes will incorporate audio, photographic, projected and live video multimedia.
Sound and lighting. will also play a key role. Smoke and set are all included under the umbrella of special effects.
The audience are their own storyteller/author. An empty room can still equal a story. They can read something (eg. a diary) creating a different experience for all audience members. They will all see a different play. Start in lecture theatre where they are given a mask and give their identity information. They are then released into the outside and allowed to roam.
Not 1984, 2050.
Strong beginning ^ and the end is a revolution. Small revolution in the middle stopped by the police.
The play will last an hour- a lot of material. Only one person may see a scene. They won't see everything.

Locations

411- 101- we could torture audience (eg. My dad hates injections.) Torture tools and a guide to torture.
418- Winston's home- diary halfeaten meal, clothes.
413- food hall. Being made by us and serving it to the actors and the audiences.
415-  O'Brien's office. Files, video evidence of the audience- live feed. Digital doubles- filming as we walk around and then bring it back up.
Space- group hate room. Footage of rebels and we will have an aggressive hate towards them. Anyone who isn't hateful will be pulled out.
The hallways- computer screens on top of the lookers. Loud speaker give out speeches and reminders.
The lecture theatre- cold, business like room. Where the audience put masks on and give their details.
If they don't take part they will be put somewhere separate. That will be the end of their journey.
Audience are visitors to our world for the day. Perhaps government officials. We are polite yet cautious. They will be briefed before.
In between the blue block and main building- exercise area. In 1984 forced labor camps are named joy camps- backward meaning.
Greenery- were the rebels enlist the audience members.
 

Hope to expand our minds and our understanding of Theatre. Not linear; no beginning, middle or end.

Assets of the room- the light, entrances and exits, multimedia opportunity. 

Not a theatre show, real life. 

Function of the room in the performance.

We may play two characters at once- military turn rebel. When we hear the signal at the end we will turn on the other security.
O'Brien will die.
We will have a space to set up.

Experimenting And Researching Multimedia Techniques

Our lesson this week was split into two parts; one part of experimenting with our ideas with the equipment in class and the other spent in the library, looking at books, including the script and on line with two editors to put it all on one blog. 

I spent the first lesson experimenting with the equipment. This ranged from projectors (hand held and fixed,) computers and a video camera. In my group we came up with three experiments:

• a projection onto a blind of the big brother poster. Someone is going to sleep and when they pull the blind down the poster is there. Even when they're asleep, the government are still watching. 
• project three different colours onto someones chest; red, green and white- red for faulse, green for true, white for scanning. Someone is being interviewed and scanned to read their inner thoughts.
• a live feed of everyone in jail and perhaps some tortures to remind people of what is in store if they become a thought criminal. 

We decided to experiment with the second idea. We used a projector, a computer with a prezi and a chair with someone seated. We made a prezi so we could have a white slide and then the option of changing to red and green. To do this you put the pattern of colours white, green, white, red. The prezi, when linked to the projector, will project onto anything around you. For our scene we chose to project on to a person being questioned by the thought police. The questions asked would be answered by the person seated and we change the slide according to whether they were telling the truth or not. If they were telling the truth we would turn the slide green. However if they were lying we would turn the slide red. Written across the red slide was the phrase thought criminal which projected across the persons chest. When scanning for answers the slide was white. 

I enjoyed experimenting, mainly because it was a lot easier than I thought. if you can work with the individual equipment it is just a case of putting it together. I hope to use and develop ideas created in that lesson later in the unit.

In the other part of the lesson we went to the library to research multimedia theatre and elements of the play to accompany it. My job was to gather books from the library, take relevant information from them and give them to bloggers. I looked at a book that described how easy it was to mess up a piece of multimedia. Technology, as wonderful as it is, can have its faults. When preparing for a performance where multimedia is key therefore, you need to keep the projection or technical detail as simple as possible to avoid mistakes.

I also looked at costumes we could use that would be affective both to compliment the themes of the play and the projections that may be shown on actors. We chose simple t shirts and trousers, either in white or black. In the world of 1984 individuality was non existent so the colour scheme is simple and not eye catching and also is clear and visible when projecting on. It also doesn't highlight any particular era meaning that detail is flexible.