Investigative Drama Dramatic Commentary Created by L McCarry

Dramatic Commentary As part of your Investigative Drama unit you must complete a Dramatic Commentary for the scene you have scripted and directed. Some pupils may have scripted and directed more than one scene and if this is the case you have to choose a scene to base your Dramatic Commentary on. However, if your scene is less than two full pages in length, you may have to also complete a commentary for another scene you have directed. Created by L McCarry

Dramatic Commentary A Dramatic Commentary is basically your directorial notes for an extract or in this unit your scene(s). It will involve you completing directorial notes for your actors on voice and movement and will also include the blocking for your scene(s). The commentary will also require you to justify your direction, giving reasons behind your notes to your actors. Finally, the commentary will also require you to identify and justify the technical effects you will use in your scene(s). Created by L McCarry

Dramatic Commentary To help you to write your commentary accurately you are given three columns which are headed: "Moves and Interpretative Notes for Actors" "Justification" "Technical Effects" Created by L McCarry

Dramatic Commentary The allocation of marks for each column are as follows: Moves etc. - 7 marks Justification - 7 marks Technical Effects - 2 marks You must also draw a ground plan of the set relating to your scene(s). This should contain the following information: A plan view of the set. An indication of exits and entrances for the actors. The starting positions of the actors at the commencement of the extract. The position of the audience in relation to the stage or acting area. A suitable key relating to the above. The total for the Ground Plan is 4 marks. The Commentary will be marked out of 20, pass mark being 10 marks. Created by L McCarry

Dramatic Commentary The following slides will provide you with help and examples to enable you to complete the commentary successfully. Created by L McCarry

Dramatic Commentary Firstly you will have to number your script at the points where you want to highlight a direction (see the example on the next slide). If you number your script firstly and then begin your directorial notes, you won’t have to rub things out if you don’t have enough points. You need approximately directorial points. When you have numbered your script with your directorial points you are ready to begin explaining your direction in the commentary columns. Your ‘Moves and interpretative notes’ should be numbered to match the script and should then correspond to your justification for the move (in the justification column). Take a new column for each page, it will help you to follow your directorial notes and make it easier to read. Created by L McCarry

(A)(B)(1) Ella: I need to see the fairy godmother, it’s an emergency. (2) PA: Do you have an appointment, because the fairy godmother works on a strict appointment only basis now? Ella: No, no please. I must see her. PA: Well I’m afraid she’s on holiday, sorry about that, I could give you 2pm next Tuesday?(3) Ella: But the ball is tomorrow… (4) PA: Well I couldn’t just let her go like that. (5) Ok come on in, now sit down, take a deep breath and tell me what has happened. Ella: (6) My name is Ella but my evil step mother and two ugly step sisters call me Cinder – Ella because my clothes are always covered in cinders from the fire. They are so mean to me (7) I have to cook, clean, iron and sew for them and that’s just the start of my daily chores and they just sit around all day and have fun poking fun at me. But to make matters even worse I now have to make them dresses to wear to the Royal Ball, the ball that I am not allowed to go to. (8) (C) Created by L McCarry

Beginning your commentary ‘Moves and interpretative notes column’ As you answer you need to write in detail, think exactly what you would get the actors to do. You must use voice, movement and blocking terminology. Your first direction should always be the opening positions of the characters. Your first justification should set the scene and establish the mood and situation. Make sure that your last moves note is at the very end of the extract, to show you have finished. SEE AN EXAMPLE OF A COMPLETED MOVES COLUMN ON THE NEXT SLIDE Created by L McCarry

Moves and interpretative notes for actors JustificationTechnical effects 1) The scene is set in an office. There is a table and chair U.S.R and three chairs to represent a couch U.S.L. Ella enters from U.S.L. She has and upset facial expression and tone of voice. The P.A crosses from U.S.R to U.S.L to answer the door. He has a matter of fact tone and impatient expression. 2) The P.A speaks in abrupt tone and crosses to the table U.S.R. He begins to check the diary on the table. Ella follows him, her body language is closed and she has a pleading expression. 3) The P.A scrolls in an exaggerated fashion through the diary. He looks up with a nervous smile. Ella stands with a hopeful expression. Created by L McCarry

Beginning your commentary: Justifying your direction In your justification, try to think along the lines of ‘what is this showing?’ State how your directorial moves highlight the themes of the play, the characters relationships and the situation they find themselves in. What do your directorial moves tell us about the characters thoughts, feelings and attitudes? Mention if your direction is used to highlight humour in the play. Do not just repeat your directorial move, try to show a bigger picture in terms of the message of the play, plot and characters. SEE AN EXAMPLE OF JUSTIFICATION ON THE NEXT SLIDE Created by L McCarry

Moves and interpretative notes for actors JustificationTechnical effects 1) The scene is set in an office. There is a table and chair U.S.R and three chairs to represent a couch U.S.L. Ella enters from U.S.L. She has and upset facial expression and tone of voice. The P.A crosses U.S.R to U.S.L to answer the door. He has a matter of fact tone and impatient expression. 1) This is to convey the setting of the scene as an office. It also shows the impatient personalities of both characters. The P.A is trying to convey a higher status here. 2) The P.A speaks in abrupt tone and crosses to the table U.S.R. He begins to check the diary on the table. Ella follows him, her body language is closed and she has a pleading expression. 2) This establishes that the P.A is in charge and is not that useful as he makes no attempt to help Ella. Conveying the theme of ‘control’. Comedy is highlighted here in Ella’s disbelief at not getting an appointment. We see for the first time Ella’s child like personality. 3) The P.A scrolls in an exaggerated fashion through the diary. He looks up with a nervous smile. Ella stands with a hopeful expression. 3)This creates a tense atmosphere to show the desperation of Ella to get an appointment. The P.A is becoming uncomfortable with her presence. Created by L McCarry

Beginning your commentary: Technical effects Your technical effects should be given letters. These should also be marked clearly on the script and should correspond to your justification (in the justification column). The technical effects will detail the lighting and sound that you will use in your scene(s). You should mark these on the script EXACTLY where they start and FINISH. In terms of lighting you should try to detail the lantern or type of light you will use, the intensity of light, the colour of gel(s) and the area of stage that will be lit. Any change in light must be highlighted. Its best not to over complicate your lights in the commentary as it can take away from the two more detailed columns. Created by L McCarry

Beginning your commentary: Technical effects An example of your first technical effect may be: A) Lights up, Fresnel Lantern, amber gels, 75% intensity, C.S. A) Justification: It is the beginning of the play. It is also set indoors. The mood is relaxed and calm. Created by L McCarry

Beginning your commentary: Technical effects Your final technical effect has to also be marked on the script and again it could be: B) Lights fade to blackout. B) Justification: It is the end of the play. Created by L McCarry

Beginning your commentary: Technical effects The other technical effect element that you have to consider would be if you are using any SFX or Music. This would just be added as another letter in your technical effects column: B) SFX of an ambulance siren. B) Justification: This is to create realism and inform the audience of the accident. It will also be used to create tension. SEE AN EXAMPLE OF ADDING LFX AND SFX INTO THE TECHNICAL EFFECTS COLUMN ON THE NEXT SLIDE Created by L McCarry

Moves and interpretative notes for actors JustificationTechnical effects 1) The scene is set in an office. There is a table and chair U.S.R and three chairs to represent a couch U.S.L. Ella enters from U.S.L. She has and upset facial expression and tone of voice. The P.A is a matter of fact tone and impatient expression. 1) This is to convey the setting of the scene as an office. It also shows the impatient personalities of both characters. The P.A is trying to convey a higher status here. A) This is to show that it is the start of the scene and is indoors. A) Lights up at 75% intensity, amber gels on a Fresnel Lantern C.S. B) This is used to start the scene and set the play in location. B) SFX of door bell. 2) The P.A speaks in abrupt tone and crosses to the table U.S.R. He begins to check the diary on the table. Ella follows him, her body language is closed and she has a pleading expression. 2) This establishes that the P.A is in charge and is not that helpful as he makes no attempt to help Ella. Conveying the theme of ‘control’. Comedy is highlighted here in Ella’s disbelief at not getting an appointment. We see for the first time Ella’s child like personality. 3) The P.A scrolls in an exaggerated fashion through the diary. He looks up with a nervous smile. Ella stands with a hopeful expression. 3)This creates a tense atmosphere to show the desperation of Ella to get an appointment. The P.A is becoming uncomfortable with her presence. C) It is the end of the scene.C) Lights fade to B/O Created by L McCarry

Dramatic Commentary Once you have completed your commentary you then have to draw a Ground Plan. The next few slides will remind you of the requirements for ground plans. The one difference from Standard Grade is that you must now include the opening positions of the characters. If they are due to enter during the scene they must be marked in the wings. Created by L McCarry

Ground Plan The ground plan must clearly show all of the following: logical staging a key positioning of the audience in relation to the acting area entrances and exits opening positions of characters for the extract Created by L McCarry

Ground Plans A delineation of the acting area indicates the boundaries of the acting area. This is the shape to draw to represent this: Created by L McCarry

Ground Plans The position of audience may be indicated simply by the word ‘audience’ in the appropriate place(s). There is no need for drawings. Audience Created by L McCarry

Ground Plans The entrances/exits can be indicated by a door symbol where a door flat would actually be used: OR by arrows when walls/doors are imaginary or do not exist : Created by L McCarry

Ground Plans T he viability of the set: Sightlines must be considered, the set must allow actors to move around the acting area, entrances/exits must be clear and the audience must be able to see the action and actors. Created by L McCarry

Ground Plans Indication of scale refers to the relative proportions of items on the set and the amount of acting area they occupy. NB. Exact measurements are not required. Created by L McCarry

Ground Plans The key The following slide shows some of the main symbols used in ground plans. Symbols for any other items may be designed, and should be clearly explained in the key. Created by L McCarry

Key Rostrum Bed Treads Chair Door Flat Entrance/Exit ~~~~~~~ Tabs/Curtain Sofa Table Created by L McCarry

Ground Plan On the next slide there is an example of a ground plan based on the script used in this presentation. Created by L McCarry

Ground Plan ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ Audience Created by L McCarry X1 X2

Key Treads Chair Door Flat Entrance/Exit ~~~~~~~ Tab line/Curtain Table X1: P.A X2: Ella Created by L McCarry

Good Luck! You must now complete your own commentary and ground plan and hand it into your teacher. Created by L McCarry