Drama Exam 8 November Flashcards
What is mime
Give 3 answers
3 marks each
The act of using movements of your hands and body, and expressions on your face, without speech, to communicate emotions and actions or to tell a story
Mime is the theatrical technique of suggesting action, character, or emotion without words, using only gesture, expression, and movement. It is the act of copying or imitating.
Mime is making something out of nothing. Mime is making the invisible visible. Mime is about walking into the empty space with an expressive body and creating a world around that body. A world that without that body would be invisible.
Can mimes speak
Yes
Similarly, while traditional mimes have been completely silent, contemporary mimes,
while refraining from speaking, sometimes employ vocal sounds when they perform.
What are the 5 stages of mime?
5 Stages: Nothing; Preparation; Contact; Release; Nothing
Give a brief explanation of The principle of fixed point
Once an object is created in the space through making contact with it remains a
fixed point unless it is released. For example, if I make contact with a table, I
need to release it if I move away. If I remain in contact but move around,
towards, away, that spot remains a fixed point in the space and the body needs to
organize itself so that one part is still while others move.
This of course does not
affect a small object that can be picked up and moved around in the space. It does
affect them however if they are put down, released and picked up again. Where
they are first put down is a fixed point as they need to be retaken from the same
spot, otherwise the object has either grown or I am taking another of the same.
NB: The Fixed Point defines the object in space (or environment)
Give a brief explanation of The principle of the Still Point
NB: The Still Point is used to define movement and clarify actions. For the invisible to be made visible, the performer has to clearly define movements so that the audience can distinguish one action from another.
The performer does this with the use of the Still Point – a slight moment of stillness that gives the audience time to see each separate movement and mentally process and visualize the action in relation to their own experience or frame of reference to a ‘real’ object or environment. i.e.
The still-point gives the audience a chance to catch up with what the performer is doing and what’s going on.
Give a brief explanation of The principle of Resistance and Opposition
Every object when it comes in contact with the body offers a certain amount of resistance. This resistance is set up because of the object’s weight, speed, the force that it exerts on the body etc. This resistance causes oppositions to be set up in the body. The greater resistance the object offers, the greater the oppositions are - That are set up in the body.
Extra note:
The oppositions that are set up in the body are the most extreme when the resistance is the greatest. E.g. pushing a car: the head will move far back if the car is going uphill, will move less as it goes downhill.
Give a brief explanation of The principle of Contact and Release?
Because there is nothing in the space, we need to define the presence of those objects. Invisible becomes visible when the moment contact happens with the object and the exact moment when we release it is clear.
Give a brief explanation of The principle of Visualization?
If you don’t see the object, person, environment, and event, the audience will not.
This is where the mime moves into his own in his ability to make the invisible, visible. It is the power of imagination combined with a level of skill that defines the world.
Give a brief explanation of The principle of Weight, Shape, and Rhythm
The weight, shape and rhythm of an object is reflected or mirrored by the way it engages with surrounding objects (including humans) – i.e. how a person ‘handles’ or engages with that object.
In creating the illusion of objects and or environment, the mime performer needs to simulate the weight, shape and rhythm (i.e. the physical properties and forces) of that object or environment in order to give the illusion that it exists.
What happens when one is pushing something in mime (Resistance and opposition)
Pushing: The more resistance that object offers in space the more the body will move in the opposite direction.
The head moves forward in opposition to the direction of the external force. The shoulders move back. The hips engage (it is impossible to counter a strong force without the engagement of the hips.)
Give examples of Movements that contain the core principles:
Baton Turn; Fixed Point Climbing wall; Ladder; Walking; Pulling Rope
To find rehearsing tips for African praise poetry go to this link
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Sh54yzijAY84EXfg7
How to write a praise poem
IN EXAM
Step 1: Introduce yourself (for example: ‘Here’s to Sindi’ OR ‘I am Sindi’) NOTE: Here, you speak about the person you are esteeming in the first person.( as if it were yourself. )
Step 2: Write one line about where you come from or about your family (for example: “Born where the river meets the sky; lifted high by many brothers’).
Step 3: Write three lines that describe aspects of yourself (3 different aspects) using animal or natural imagery (for example: ‘I am a thunder cloud releasing my passion on all who cross my path’ OR ‘I am the lion warrior, victorious in all I do’).
Step 4: Repeat something about yourself or something you enjoy doing (for example: ‘I am joyful – always laughing, laughing, laughing’) REMEMBER: repetition is an essential aspect of praise poetry.
Step 5: Repeat your first line, but phrase it differently (for example: ‘Sindi – this is me’ OR ‘Sindi I am’).
Step 6: Decide on an echo phrase that the whole class
can say after the lines in which you introduce yourself (first and last lines) (for example: ‘lighter than a dandelion flower’)
What do praise poets do?
Praise poets are traditionally called “imbongi” and their poetry is called “izibongo”.
Praise poets interact with the audience and may use various gestures such as clapping, making a fist or nodding their head
A praise poet’s primary job is to esteem someone. This means that they celebrate and acclaim a person. In what sort of circumstances do you think someone might be esteemed?
What are the roles of praise poets?
IN EXAM
Other than esteeming someone, praise poets can also
fill some of the following roles:
• Commentator: comment on and question society
• Memory: remind a community about events from the past
• Mediator: help people to communicate and show both
sides of the story
• Political: share a political message and encourage people to vote
