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Read “ Why This Young Girl Is a Masterful Storyteller in Sign Language ”.
Introduce a noun phrase (“a mouse that was running about”) and say something about it (“is now still”) Use raised eyebrows for topic Lower eyebrows for comment
Narration occurs in a neutral position. Shift your gaze to where you are setting up a location. Now you can reference it and react to it. › Ex: The stockings were hung perfectly and looked beautiful.
Shift your body, expressions, etc. to become a character in the story. Each character will have their own expressions and body language. › Santa- old, fat, jolly › Dad- was awakened by a loud noise in the night › Consider for all characters: are they tall? Short? Old? Young? Speak quickly? Slowly?
Try to think of how your voice would sound if you spoke it; then find a face that would match. › Signing OLD as if it were a creaking door Make your story interesting enough that an audience would want to pay attention. › Use your energy and your emotions.
When signing a story, choose something you feel strongly about so you don’t have to fake your emotions. You can let your own feelings and emotions shine through, “without breaking the rhythm of the story”. › “I’m excited about the gifts” › Screaming, “SANTA!!!!”
Pantomiming and signing at the same time. › Santa turning his head, winking Make the story visual.
Slow down and speed up when appropriate to the story. Feel the flow of the story. › Speed up: “Away to the window I flew like a flash” › Slow down: “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night”.
No journals, earplugs or phones. You will be taking notes. Warm-Up: turn in your selfie collage if you haven’t already! You have 3 minutes.
A song is a story set to music. Every storytelling technique also applies to interpreting songs. › Topic-comment structure › Gaze Shift › Role Shift › Engage and show emotions › Pacing › Bottom line: make it visual!
It’s easy to focus only on the lyrics; don’t forget about the instruments! What face does a shredding guitar solo make? What face does a tender, sweet piano piece make? Think about tempo (speed), pitch (high v. low notes) rhythm (flow), is there a beat?
You MUST understand the meaning of your song. If you don’t understand it, you CAN’T sign it.
KSKS3TTbc KSKS3TTbc Performed and Translated by Rosa Lee Timm, Azora Telford, and students at Camp Mark Seven Watch for their expressions and enthusiasm.
pzHBUo-z4 pzHBUo-z4 Interpreter: Molly Bartholomew Watch for her use of role shifting, gaze, and pacing.
VDZJqTmRo VDZJqTmRo Interpreter: Shelby Mitchusson Watch for how she incorporates the instrumental music.
Read sheet being handed to you. You are allowed to choose your own song. Song interpretation must be at least one verse and one chorus, or at least 1 ½ minute long. Must have prior approval from me. › Little to no cursing › No sexual overtones or innuendos › No heavy drug references
Lyric submission for approval due by Friday, 1/27. You’ll be graded on each of the aspects we’ve already discussed on a rubric. Do not wait until the last minute: you only have a maximum of two in-class days to work on this. These will be performed in class on February 9 th, 10 th, and 11 th.