What makes a good ensemble:
- Communication
- Being open minded to ideas and proposals
- Risk taking
- Knowledgable
- Caring in regards to others ideas
FRANTIC ASSEMBLY
"Frantic Assembly creates thrilling, energetic and unforgettable theatre. The company attracts new and young audiences with work that reflects contemporary culture. Frantic Assembly's unique physical style combines movement, design, music and text.
Frantic Assembly is led by Artistic Director Scott Graham. Scott formed the company with Steven Hoggett and Vicki Middleton in 1994, and continues to collaborate with many of today's most inspiring artists. Having toured extensively throughout the UK, Frantic Assembly has built an enviable reputation as one of the most exciting companies in the country. The company has also performed, created and collaborated in 30 different countries across the world. "
http://theatreanddance.britishcouncil.org/artists-and-companies/profiles/frantic-assembly/
---------
Task 1. Analysis of a Live Performance by Frantic Assembly
a) Watch Lovesong on Digital Theatre Plus
https://www.digitaltheatreplus.com/productions/lovesong
b) Using the Live Performance Analysis framework we have used previously, write an analysis of the production in your journals.
Frantic Assembly is led by Artistic Director Scott Graham. Scott formed the company with Steven Hoggett and Vicki Middleton in 1994, and continues to collaborate with many of today's most inspiring artists. Having toured extensively throughout the UK, Frantic Assembly has built an enviable reputation as one of the most exciting companies in the country. The company has also performed, created and collaborated in 30 different countries across the world. "
http://theatreanddance.britishcouncil.org/artists-and-companies/profiles/frantic-assembly/
---------
Task 1. Analysis of a Live Performance by Frantic Assembly
a) Watch Lovesong on Digital Theatre Plus
https://www.digitaltheatreplus.com/productions/lovesong
b) Using the Live Performance Analysis framework we have used previously, write an analysis of the production in your journals.
c) Explore Lovesong using the T.E.A.M framework to analyse this performance
Tension
Identify specific moments of tension (between characters or for the audience) within the performance. Discuss how tension was achieved through the use of performance techniques and production elements.
Emotion
Identify two moments when a heightened emotional response occurred (between characters or within the audience) within the performance. Discuss how this was achieved through the use of performance techniques and production elements.
Atmosphere
Identify what atmosphere was created during Lovesong. How were production elements and performance techniques used to create this atmosphere?
Meaning
Referring to characterisation, character relationships, the narrative and/or themes, how were production elements and performance techniques used to create meaning within Lovesong.
--------
Task 2: Independent Research: Frantic Assembly
a) Ensemble Discussion (Mrs Moran to add notes of the discussion to the Collaborative Project google community.)
How could a live performance company influence your devising process/performance?
A live performance company can influence an individuals devising process and final performance as it gives the actors and directors a chance to see how a performance company, such as Frantic Assembly, has manipulated an utilised theatrical elements such as lighting, sound, props...etc to their advantage to help portray and convey the story(and its message). Another positive seeing a live performance is that it gives you the chance to see how they've chosen to possibly adapt and modernise a play, story, or concept to fit their intend message and audience. This is a good way of taking and even further adapting concepts portrayed on stage, and it can help viewers and performers to see the story from a different light/perspective, that could ultimately positively benefit the ideas given and brainstormed during the division process.
What do you need to find out about Frantic Assembly for the company to positively impact your work?
b) Ensemble Discussion and Journal Exercise
As an ensemble come up with a list of twelve questions to guide your research into Frantic Assembly. Add these questions to both the google community and your journals.
1) Do they seek to conform to conventions of traditional theatre or provide a different perspective on today's theatre? In what ways?
No, Frantic Assembly does not seek to conform to the conventions of traditional theatre it would seem. Frantic Assembly employs an unconventional physical style which combines movement, music and sound, text and design. Using these techniques, the theatre company is able to devise and produce reflective, deep and meaningful performances that have direct links to contemporary culture in present day, and the effects they can have on society. Through this, Frantic Assembly is more appealing to younger audience members and those who are able to easily relate to what is being portrayed on stage. Unlike some performance production companies, Frantic assembly also offers extensive learning and 'training' programmes which can include over 6,000 participants annually. These lessons help guide individuals through the exploration of different theatre styles and culture and is explored using a variety of different methods and settings. Some of their training sessions include vocal training and educating individuals in the "building blocks to devising" a performance.
http://theatreanddance.britishcouncil.org/artists-and-companies/profiles/frantic-assembly/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUqZPfGIX6U
2) What sets them apart from other theatre companies?
A key thing that sets Frantic Assembly apart from other theatre companies is their performance techniques. They use more physical styled acting, and they look to tell a story that educates their audience on an issue or underlying message - through the use of current and modernised situations. For example in the production "Lovesong", their use of 4 actors, 2 playing the wife and 2 playing the husband at different periods in their lives allows the audience to see the before and after effects within the characters relationships. In addition, Frantic Assembly is able to make performances such as Lovesong come across as more realistic and believable, despite the physical actions and movement, through the actual actors themselves; using elderly looking actors to play the "after" characters, and younger actors to play the "before" actors. This makes it extremely clear to the audience that time has changed, and so has the atmosphere, mood and problem during the given scene.
https://www.digitaltheatreplus.com/productions/lovesong
Task 2: Independent Research: Frantic Assembly
a) Ensemble Discussion (Mrs Moran to add notes of the discussion to the Collaborative Project google community.)
How could a live performance company influence your devising process/performance?
A live performance company can influence an individuals devising process and final performance as it gives the actors and directors a chance to see how a performance company, such as Frantic Assembly, has manipulated an utilised theatrical elements such as lighting, sound, props...etc to their advantage to help portray and convey the story(and its message). Another positive seeing a live performance is that it gives you the chance to see how they've chosen to possibly adapt and modernise a play, story, or concept to fit their intend message and audience. This is a good way of taking and even further adapting concepts portrayed on stage, and it can help viewers and performers to see the story from a different light/perspective, that could ultimately positively benefit the ideas given and brainstormed during the division process.
What do you need to find out about Frantic Assembly for the company to positively impact your work?
- Which other theatre practitioners/companies does Frantic Assembly draw inspiration from?
- What kind of exercises/workshops do they use in the devising process?
- How do they decide on a starting point?
- What research is carried out?
- What are their signature/key theatrical effects? What is the significance of production elements in their performances?
- What do they aim to achieve/communicate?
- Who is responsible for all the different elements of performance/production?
- What kind of time constraints do they work within, and how does this affect their work?
- Do they seek to conform to conventions of traditional theatre or provide a different perspective on today's theatre? In what ways?
- Is there a diversity of cultural/personal perspectives within the company? Is there an "ideal" performer that they would recruit?
- What is their performance philosophy, and how does it impact their work?
- What sets them apart from other theatre companies?
b) Ensemble Discussion and Journal Exercise
As an ensemble come up with a list of twelve questions to guide your research into Frantic Assembly. Add these questions to both the google community and your journals.
- Which other theatre practitioners/companies does Frantic Assembly draw inspiration from?
- What kind of exercises/workshops do they use in the devising process?
- How do they decide on a starting point?
- What research is carried out?
- What are their signature/key theatrical effects? What is the significance of production elements in their performances?
- What do they aim to achieve/communicate?
- Who is responsible for all the different elements of performance/production?
- What kind of time constraints do they work within, and how does this affect their work?
- Do they seek to conform to conventions of traditional theatre or provide a different perspective on today's theatre? In what ways?
- Is there a diversity of cultural/personal perspectives within the company? Is there an "ideal" performer that they would recruit?
- What is their performance philosophy, and how does it impact their work?
- What sets them apart from other theatre companies?
1) Do they seek to conform to conventions of traditional theatre or provide a different perspective on today's theatre? In what ways?
No, Frantic Assembly does not seek to conform to the conventions of traditional theatre it would seem. Frantic Assembly employs an unconventional physical style which combines movement, music and sound, text and design. Using these techniques, the theatre company is able to devise and produce reflective, deep and meaningful performances that have direct links to contemporary culture in present day, and the effects they can have on society. Through this, Frantic Assembly is more appealing to younger audience members and those who are able to easily relate to what is being portrayed on stage. Unlike some performance production companies, Frantic assembly also offers extensive learning and 'training' programmes which can include over 6,000 participants annually. These lessons help guide individuals through the exploration of different theatre styles and culture and is explored using a variety of different methods and settings. Some of their training sessions include vocal training and educating individuals in the "building blocks to devising" a performance.
http://theatreanddance.britishcouncil.org/artists-and-companies/profiles/frantic-assembly/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUqZPfGIX6U
2) What sets them apart from other theatre companies?
A key thing that sets Frantic Assembly apart from other theatre companies is their performance techniques. They use more physical styled acting, and they look to tell a story that educates their audience on an issue or underlying message - through the use of current and modernised situations. For example in the production "Lovesong", their use of 4 actors, 2 playing the wife and 2 playing the husband at different periods in their lives allows the audience to see the before and after effects within the characters relationships. In addition, Frantic Assembly is able to make performances such as Lovesong come across as more realistic and believable, despite the physical actions and movement, through the actual actors themselves; using elderly looking actors to play the "after" characters, and younger actors to play the "before" actors. This makes it extremely clear to the audience that time has changed, and so has the atmosphere, mood and problem during the given scene.
https://www.digitaltheatreplus.com/productions/lovesong
My Personal Theatre Profile
Skills
Approaches (styles of theatre)
Interests
- Improvisation
- Realism
- Creating meaning and symbols within a piece
- Drawing inspiration from songs, books and movies
- Comedic
- Shouting & Angry characters
- Accents
Approaches (styles of theatre)
- Dark theatre
- Theatre of cruelty
- Exploration of real life emotions and situations, and applying them to my ideas and themes
- Devising
- Devised improvisation
- Directing
Interests
- Music & songs and devising a piece based on the message and images conveyed in the song