QUESTIONS THAT COME UP IN THE PRELIM

Question 1

what is Drama structure?

Answer 1

a drama, structure is how the story is split into sections and how time, place, and action are organized within the play.

Question 2

what types of drama structures are there?

Answer 2

chronological
linear order
non-chronological
episodic
flashbacks
flashforwards

Question 3

what is chronological?

Answer 3

following the order in which a series of events happened: in chronological order Give me the dates in chronological order.

Question 4

what is linear order?

Answer 4

Film narratives are usually linear. That means we see the events of the story unfolding in the order in which they occurred.

Question 5

what is a non-chronological structure?

Answer 5

Writing in a non-chronological order refers to writing a story or a piece of content in a sequence that is not linear, i.e., the events or ideas are not presented in the order in which they occurred.

Question 6

what is episodic structure?

Answer 6

The Episodic plot structure is made up of a series of chapters or stories linked together by the same character, place, or theme but held apart by their individual plot, purpose, and subtext. A Parallel Plot: The writer weaves two or more dramatic plots that are usually linked by a common character and a similar theme.

Question 7

what is a flashback?

Answer 7

A flashback (sometimes called an analepsis) is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point in the story. Flashbacks are often used to recount events that happened before the story’s primary sequence of events to fill in crucial backstory.

Question 8

what is a flashforward?

Answer 8

A flashforward (also spelled flash-forward, and more formally known as prolepsis) is a scene that temporarily takes the narrative forward in time from the current point of the story in literature, film, television and other media.

Question 9

what is form in drama ?

Answer 9

drama or theatre form is the shape of the drama. certain productions use particular conventions and techniques that give it a certain character and they falls into a category because of this

Question 10

what are the common forms?

Answer 10

play- scripted or improvised

physical theatre

mask

pantomime

dance-drama

mime

monologue

puppet

Question 11

what is play- scripted or improvised ?

Answer 11

at the most basic level of form a play or a performance can be either scripted or improvised. There may be elements of both or it may be a performance based on rehearsed improvisation.

Question 12

what is physical theatre ?

Answer 12

physical theatre emphasises physical movement as a form of expression. some physical theatre productions also use speech or song , but the physical movement is the principle mode of expression.

Question 13

what is Mask ?

Answer 13

mask theatre contains many of the elements of physical theatre because there are conventions connected to the use of masks that require greater physicality.

Masks function as a form of signal to the audience about the character being presented. In a crude form, the Hallowe’en mask serves this function by signalling to those who see it that the wearer’s true identity is hidden and the character of the mask (although not performed) is represented through the mask.

Question 14

what is pantomime ?

Answer 14

A pantomime is a form of musical comedy theatrical production created to entertain families. A modern pantomime is a kind of entertainment especially suited for children. It usually includes dances and musical acts, jokes, slapstick, and other physical or situational comedy.

Question 15

what is dance drama ?

Answer 15

Dance-drama implies a spoken text, and often a story, combined with movement. Both dance and drama seem to be part of every human culture. They occur in myriad folk, social, … …

Question 16

what is Mime ?

Answer 16

Mime n the theatrical technique of suggesting action, character or emotion without words, using only gesture, expression and movement; vb to use only gesture and movement to act out a play or role.

Question 17

what is a monologue ?

Answer 17

In theatre, a monologue (from Greek: μονόλογος, from μόνος mónos, “alone, solitary” and λόγος lógos, “speech”) is a speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts aloud, though sometimes also to directly address another character or the audience.

Question 18

what is a puppet ?

Answer 18

Puppetry involves the animation of objects to tell a story or engage an audience. Puppets can take a range of forms, and the mechanics of the puppet vary depending on the techniques used and the effect that the puppeteer wishes to create.

Question 19

what is genre ?

Answer 19

Genre. A French word meaning type or category. In theatre, genre denotes the category into which a play falls: for example, tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, farce, melodrama or a number of others.

Question 20

what are the common genres ?

Answer 20

comedy

tragedy

Melodrama

historical

kitchen -sink/social realism

tragicomedy

docu-drama or documentary theatre

theatre for development

commedia dell’arte

theatre in education

Question 21

What is comedy ?

Answer 21

There are many different types of comedy, ultimately it should be funny and make the audience laugh. Within this genre , there are sub-genres like parody , satire , slapstick , farce , comedy.

Generally- unless it’s a black comedy-a comedy had a happy ending with good characters rewarded and bad punished.Ridiculous things can happen and characters are often stereotypes such as a greedy lawyer or a stupid model. Comedies often use mistaken identities and verbal humour such as puns, malapropisms and exaggeration. Examples are the importance of bieng Ernest by Oscar Wilde and noises off by Micheal Frayn

Question 22

What is Tragedy ?

Answer 22

Tragedy is a classical genre of drama that originated with the ancient Greeks . It focuses on themes of human suffering and man’s place in the universe. There is usually a conflict between the main character and some kind of superior force like destiny or the gods. Typically, the main character has a tragic flaw and brings about his downfall , which arouses the audiences fear and pity. It is not essential for the main character to die in a tragedy, but Shakespeare’s normally do. There are many sub-genres of tragedy such as Greek tragedy, Roman tragedy,Elizabethan tragedy and Modern tragedy. Famous examples of tragedies include Shakespeare King Lear and Romeo and Juliet

Question 23

what is Melodrama?

Answer 23

Melodramas are over the top ! They exaggerate plot and characters to appeal to the emotions. they are characterised by intense action, some kind of terrible disaster, and intense emotion. they are characterised by intense action, some kind of terrible disaster and intense emotion. They were popular in Victorian times when they included the use of signature music to signify a particular emotion or character. They have simple, exaggerated, good - and -evil stories with happy endings. The plot and action are more important than the (typically) one - dimensional characters. Traditionally, there was a hero, a heroine (who has to be rescued) , a villain, a villian’s accomplice, a faithful servant, and a flirty and loyal maidservant. Quite a few modern action and romantic comedy films use this formula with great success.

Question 24

what is historical?

Answer 24

these plays are based on historical events and famous people from history. they don’t necessarily stick to the facts and will often be fictionalised. saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw is an example of this genre.

Question 25

what is kitchen - sink / social realism?

Answer 25

kitchen -sink drama deals with the real - life situations of the working class, and was developed in the 1950s and 60s. John Osnourne’s look back in anger is a famous example of this.

Question 26

what is tragicomedy?

Answer 26

Tragicomedy combines elements of both comedy and tragedy. it can often be a serious play with a happy ending or a funny play with a sad ending. These plays are sometimes called romances, like Shakepear’s the merchant of Venice.

Question 27

what is docu-drama or documentary theatre?

Answer 27

These productions are dramatised re-enactments of real events and they attempt to stick closely to the facts as possible. They often include sound recordings from the event or film clips of actual events and places. The National Theatre of Scotland’s black watch is a powerful example of this genre.

Question 28

what is theatre for development ?

Answer 28

this is a form or participatory theatre developed for the purpose of international development. It’s a way of encouraging the audience or participants to identify and solve their own problems, empowering communities to make sustainable changes.

Question 29

what is commedia dell’arte ?

Answer 29

commedia dell’arte is a hugely influential form of fifteenth-century Italian street theatre. Troupes of performances would tour the country, improvising scenes based on masked stock characters that the audience would immediately recognise. many practitioners of physical and mask thetare forms will cite commedia dell’arte as an influence on their work.

Question 30

what is theatre in education?

Answer 30

theatre in education is a form designed specifically to encourage learning and debate through theatre and drama. It is often preformed in schools, and involves high level of audience participation. This form uses mobile and minimal sets.

Question 31

what is setting?

Answer 31

The setting is the time and place in which the story takes place. The period of a story can impact characters, plot, and theme. Wars, natural disasters, and societal changes are examples of how a period of time affects the drama.

Question 32

(Lighting) what is barn doors ?

Answer 32

shutters mounted on the front of a lantern to enable you to shape and direct the light

Question 33

(Lighting) what is blackout ?

Answer 33

when all the lights are extinguished on stage. This can either be a slow fade blackout or a sudden blackout, and blackouts are often used to indicate the passage of time or the end of a scene.

Question 34

(Lighting) what is crossfade?

Answer 34

when one lighting cue fades into another without a blackout in between.

Question 35

(Lighting) what is flood ?

Answer 35

a type of lantern that gives a wide, bright spread of light.

Question 35

(Lighting) what is fast fade?

Answer 35

when lighting fades out quickly

Question 36

(Lighting) what is focusing ?

Answer 36

when the lanterns are directed at the correct place and angle to achieve the desired effect.

Question 37

(Lighting) what is the follow spot ?

Answer 37

a powerful and bright beam of light that can follow actors around the stage

Question 38

(Lighting) what is the fresnel spot?

Answer 38

a type of lantern that produces a soft-edged beam of light.

Question 39

(Lighting) what is a G clamp?

Answer 39

a clamp used to fix a lantern to a bar or a stand.

Question 40

(Lighting) what is Gel ?

Answer 40

a coloured filter applied to a lantern to change the colour of the light.

Question 41

(Lighting) what is a Gobo?

Answer 41

a metal plate with a design cut into it that goes in front of a lantern to project an image or an effect onto the performance area

Question 42

(Lighting) what is LFX ?

Answer 42

an abbreviated term for lighting effects.

Question 43

(Lighting) what is lighting desk ?

Answer 43

a control desk or board for the lighting

Question 44

(Lighting) what is profile spot?

Answer 44

a type of lantern that gives a hard-edged beam of light.

Question 45

(Lighting) what is rigging ?

Answer 45

the structure that lights hang from in a theatre, or the activity of hanging lights.

Question 46

(Lighting) what is a safety chain?

Answer 46

a chain that goes around the lantern bar to provide extra safety.

Question 47

(Lighting) what is slow fade ?

Answer 47

when lighting is faded out slowly

Question 48

(Lighting) what is special effects?

Answer 48

lighting effects such as strobe, lighting or camera flash.

Question 49

(Lighting) what is T-bar ?

Answer 49

a floor - stand onto which lantern s can be attached

Question 50

(Lighting) what is wash?

Answer 50

lighting the whole stage evenly

Question 51

What are costume props ?

Answer 51

These are items that form part of a costume that an actor wears, but the props manager takes responsibility for them rather than the costume designer. These might include things like hats, glasses, armour and weapons

Question 52

What is a master props list ?

Answer 52

The list of all props and any information about how they are used in the show.

Question 53

What are personal props?

Answer 53

These are props - like a wallet or a walking stick- that are carried by the actor. Personal props are usually issued to an actor rather than stored on the props table, and the actor is responsible for them.

Question 54

What’s in the master props list ?

Answer 54

Personal props , set props , costume props

Question 55

What are set props ?

Answer 55

This is a prop placed on the set - like a gun in the drawer - or a prop that forms part of the set dressing - like a table lamp or a vase of flowers

Question 56

What are theatre techniques and conventions?

Answer 56

Theatre techniques and conventions are conventions and elements used in a performance to enhance the storytelling or to aid the understanding of the audience. They can also be used to create a certain style within the production and contribute towards mood and atmosphere. Choosing the correct conventions for your drama is crucial to making your story flow and ensuring that the audience understands what is going on.

Question 57

What are the key conventions?

Answer 57

Aside

Choral speech

Cross-cutting

Dramatic irony

Flashback

Flashforward

Freeze frame

Mime

Monologue

Motifs

Narration

Slow motion

Soliloquy

Symbols

Tableau

Voice-over

Question 58

What is aside ?

Answer 58

An aside is when a character makes a remark or a short speech to the audience, which is unheard by the other characters on stage. Shakespeare used this extensively in his plays.

Question 59

What is choral speech ?

Answer 59

This is an important element of Greek drama. It involves a group of people speaking in unison, acting as the chorus.

Question 60

What is cross-cutting ?

Answer 60

Cross-cutting is a sequence of scenes that jump backwards and forwards in time and ‘cut across’ each other.

Question 61

What is dramatic irony?

Answer 61

This is a very effective technique for heightening tension. It involves the audience being aware of something that the characters on stage don’t know - for example, when Romeo finds Juliet unconscious he thinks she is dead, but the audience know she is not. This makes it all the more agonising and tragic for the audience when he then kills himself.

Question 62

What is flashback ?

Answer 62

A flashback is a scene that shows events leading up to the present time. It breaks the chronological sequence of events and moves the action back in time. There must be clues provided for the audience that the timeline has shifted so they understand what is happening. This can be done through dialogue, music or movement.

Question 63

What is flashforward ?

Answer 63

As with a flashback, a flashforward moves the action through time but this time the action jumps to a point in the future.

Question 64

What is freeze frame ?

Answer 64

This is a moment in the action when all the actors on stage freeze. It allows the audience to take in more information about what’s going on. It can be a useful technique for portraying violent events like a car accident or a fight. You can freeze just a split second after the characters have realised what’s about to occur, and leave the audience to imagine the rest.

Question 65

What is mime ?

Answer 65

Mime could be a short sequence or a whole show performed through physical movement alone without dialogue. This can be useful for setting the context of a scene. It could have musical accompaniment to set a mood and tone, but silence is also powerful and creates contrast if you are also using dialogue.

Question 66

What is monologue?

Answer 66

A monologue is a passage of text that a character speaks as if they are speaking their thoughts aloud to other characters or to the audience. This is not to be confused with soliloquy

Question 67

What is motifs ?

Answer 67

A motif is a recurring element that has symbolic significance in the story. It could be an object, words or sounds but it is repeated many times throughout the performance to tie events together or demonstrate significance.

Question 68

What is narration ?

Answer 68

Narration is when parts of the story are told by narrator.

Question 69

What is slow motion ?

Answer 69

Slow motion involves actions being performed at a slowed-down speed. Again, this can be useful for very dramatic or active parts of a performance like fight scenes or chases.

Question 70

What is a soliloquy ?

Answer 70

A soliloquy is when a character speaks their thoughts aloud. This differs from monologue in that they are speaking to themselves and not to another character or to the audience.

Question 71

What is symbols ?

Answer 71

Symbolism in theatre involves using a prop or an element of set or costume to represent an idea. For example, white could symbolise innocence or a flower could symbolise love.

Question 72

What is tableau ?

Answer 72

A tableau is a living picture. The actors create a still image to show an action, idea or moment in a story.

Question 73

What is voice-over ?

Answer 73

A voice-over can be off stage, or recorded speech played during the production.

Question 74

Rehearsal activities you can use ?

Answer 74

Here are five easy techniques to use to keep the discoveries rolling…

Role Switch
Put everyone’s name into a hat and recast the show totally at random. Run scenes with the “new” cast. Don’t worry about getting the blocking right, just do it for fun. This allows everyone to see the play from a completely different perspective, allowing the actors to step outside of their own roles and to be more sensitive to the other characters’ wants, needs, objectives, journeys.

Isolation Run
Spread everyone about the room and tell them to close their eyes (or turn out the lights). Do a line run of the show like this, with everyone in isolation. You can also coach the cast to whisper their lines, yell their lines, sing their lines, etc. You’ll really like the whisper part, it’s a great focus-builder.

Italian Run
This is a variation of a line run. Have the cast stand or sit in a big circle. Do a line run of the show as quickly as possible. No pauses, no drama, no emotion, just raw speed. It’s my favourite thing to do in the late stages of rehearsal. It’s a great team- and focus-builder and is a big help for actors struggling to pick up their cues.

Play Ball
Another line run variation. Have the cast stand in a circle and do a line run. Whatever character is speaking holds a big rubber ball in his or her hands. At the end of their line, they toss the ball to the next speaker, and so on. Use the physical act of throwing the ball to mirror the emotional act of the line. If the character is angry, they’ll throw it with some intensity. If the character is loving, they’ll toss it gently. If the character is infirm or very young, maybe they roll the ball. If the character is teasing, maybe they’ll roll the ball just short of their scene partner.

Opposites Attract
Run various scenes of the show playing the exact opposite of the intention of the scene. Play comedy for tears, drama for laughs, make suspenseful scenes obvious, make silly scenes dangerous. A world of discoveries comes out of an exercise like this. Every scene should be three-dimensional. Nothing in life is ever one note.

Question 75

What is pace in drama ?

Answer 75

Pace is the speed at which lines are delivered. The speed of speech can often convey how someone is feeling. For example, a person who is tired may speak slowly, whereas an excited character may talk quickly. Sometimes a performer might speed up or slow down throughout a line to show their thoughts are changing.

Question 76

What is tone in drama ?

Answer 76

Tone is the emotional sound of the voice, eg frightened, angry or joyful, and is very important in revealing the subtext. The real feelings of a character that they may not show or express to another character.

Question 77

What is volume in drama ?

Answer 77

This is how loud or quiet your voice is. Varying volume is important to communicate a range of emotions and situations.

Question 78

What is facial expressions in drama ?

Answer 78

Facial expressions. are the way the face moves to convey an emotional state. They can be used to reveal subtext. The real feelings of a character that they may not show or express to another character., eg a character may say they are feeling happy while their facial expression reveals the opposite.

Question 79

Eye contact in drama ?

Answer 79

Eye contact
It can be used to reveal the status. and relationship between characters. For example, two characters in love may look adoringly into each other’s eyes, whereas a character withdrawing or avoiding eye contact completely could indicate a strained relationship.

Question 80

What is gesture in drama ?

Answer 80

Gesture
is the way people communicate with their hands or other parts of the body. It can be used to show a character’s emotions, eg shaking a fist to represent anger. Gestures can also show a character’s personality, eg strong and sharp gestures such as wagging a pointed finger may show an aggressive character.

Question 81

What is theme in drama

Answer 81

A theme is a recurring idea that’s present throughout the work. Which themes are present in your script – love, loss, hope, injustice? What is it about on a wider level than the story itself? Perhaps there’s an idea here that you can take away from the script to explore in more depth.

Question 82

What is set ?

Answer 82

In theatre, the set is the scenery and furniture in the acting area that indicates the setting of a play. The set designer researches and plans - and often makes - the whole set for a production. If you are responsible for designing a set for your production, you might not have to make it, but your design choices should reflect the ideas and themes of the play.

Question 83

What is backcloth (set) ?

Answer 83

Blackcloth- a large cloth - either painted or black- that hangs at the back of the stage

Question 84

What is Bar (set) ?

Answer 84

Bar- a metal bar that sits horizontally above the stage for suspending lights, cloths, and other items of scenery.

Question 85

What is cloth (set) ?

Answer 85

Cloth - a hanging cloth that can be painted as part of the set.

Question 86

What is cyclorama (set) ?

Answer 86

Cyclorama- a large curtain, wall or screen - sometimes concave and usually white - at the back of the stage.

Question 87

What is Entrance (set) ?

Answer 87

Entrance - a place onstage or within the set where a performer can enter the acting area.

Question 88

What is exit (set) ?

Answer 88

Exit - a place onstage or within the set where a performer can leave the acting area.

Question 89

What is flat (set) ?

Answer 89

Flat - a flat piece of scenery that can be freestanding or suspended. These can be painted to form part of the scenery or set.

Question 90

What is fly system (set) ?

Answer 90

Fly system - a system that allows you to hoist elements of scenery upwards into the fly above stage.

Question 91

What is marking (set) ?

Answer 91

Marking - marks on the stage, usually made with tape, that indicate the positions of set and props.

Question 92

What is split stage (set) ?

Answer 92

Split stage - this type of stage has two or more areas that depict different locations or times. It allows you to change the location or time without a complete set or scenery change.

Question 93

What is strike (set) ?

Answer 93

Strike - to strike the set means to remove, dismantle and store the set and scenery after a performance.

Question 94

What is Tabs (set) ?

Answer 94

Tabs - curtains that hang at the sides of the stage to obscure the wings. They can also be a pair or curtains that meet in the middle of the stage and overlap. The house curtain is sometimes called front tabs.

Question 95

What is a sound designer ?

Answer 95

As a sound designer, your responsibilities range from choosing music and sound effects, amplification of voices and controlling volume levels to ensuring that everything can be heard perfectly. Like the lighting designer, you need to combine creativity and technical skills to enhance the mood and atmosphere of a production.

Question 96

What is crossfade (sound) ?

Answer 96

Crossfade - when one sound is faded out and another faded in with no break in between.

Question 97

What is cue (sound) ?

Answer 97

Cue - a signal for a sound effect to begin or end.

Question 98

What is fade in (sound) ?

Answer 98

Fade in - bringing a sound in by slowly increasing the volume.

Question 99

What is fade out ( sound ) ?

Answer 99

Fade out - slowly decreasing the volume of a sound until it stops.

Question 100

What is live SFX (sound) ?

Answer 100

A sound effect that is created live during the performance.

Question 101

What is a mixing desk (sound) ?

Answer 101

Mixing desk - a control desk for sound effects, microphones and music.

Question 102

What is pre-recorded SFX (sound) ?

Answer 102

Pre-recorded SFX - a sound effect or music that has been recorded prior to the performance.

Question 103

What is style in drama ?

Answer 103

The definition of style differs from form and genre slightly, but there is considerable overlap and you will find many of the following terms on lists of drama forms and vice versa.

The style of drama focuses more on the way in which the story is told - this includes the way it is acted and the contribution made to the drama by production techniques such as lighting, costume, make-up and sound. Quite often these styles have parallels in literature, art and architecture

Look page 26 and 27

Question 104

What are the types of staging ?

Answer 104

Staging is the position of the acting area relative to the audience. Every stage is different in terms of size, shape, acoustics, backstage areas and atmosphere.

Proscenium arch or end on

In the round

Traverse stage

Thrust

Promenade theatre