Cats Auditions

Cats Auditions

Singing Cats Audition 

Link to Singing Audition 1

Analysis:
I feel my first singing audition went okay, I was very nervous having to singing in front of a camera and as well as other members of my class and Kim. 
But as nervous as I was from watching it back it wasn't that bad. I sang in tune and the song fitted well with my voice. 
One thing I would of done differently if I was to do it again would be to do the whole song and make sure when i do the high notes and notes I struggled with i used my diadiaphragm to help support my voice.
I felt the song was a good choice for me, because it was too challenging so i was confident enough to perform it. I also think the tone of the song was just right for my voice.
If i was going for an audition the character of this song, I think I would of been considered as i think it was a good audition and i would only get better at it.

Link to Singing Audition 2

Analysis:

I feel my second singing audition was not as good as my first one, this maybe because I wasn't as confident singing on my own and without any backing track.
One thing I would of done differently if i was to do it again would be to find the correct backing track so i could use it, if not find a different song that maybe went with my voice and tone better. From looking back at the audition I personally felt it was not as vocal strong as my first song and didn't show of my voice as well as i would like. 
One things that I thought went well wash that remember most of my words for the song.

If I was going for a audition the character in this song, I don't I would of been considered for the job, as I think it didn't sound as good and not to a god enough standard.

Dance Cats Audition 

Link to Dance Audition 

Analysis:

The choreographic devices, movements and skills I used in my final solo were repetition, fragmentation, climax, tempo and rhythm changes, structure development, different use of dynamics, confidence, performance skills, gestures, travelling phrase, rolls, leaps, pirouettes and turns.
Some of the strengths in my final solo was the lengths of dance, I made sure I had the right timing and correct time given to express myself and the dance. I found getting into the character and focus of the dance quite easy, this was because I enjoyed the music and the theme of the dance, I also found the characteristics of a being a 'Cat' quite easy to grasp. I was confident and tried to keep the excitement  and pace of dance to the max through the dance. I wanted the audience to enjoy it.
The weakness in my final solo were ...
If I was to do it again I'd make sure I'd practised my leaps more and maybe stretched before my audition, so they were higher and prettier to look at and included some kicks to get more levels and heights to the dance.

Link to Choreography Unit Blog Post on this. 

Interview with Rachel

Link to Interview with Rachel

Run Through Notes - 28th April 2015

Run Through Notes - 28th April 2015

General Notes

MAKE SURE PROPS ARE GATHERED

MAKE SURE PROPS TABLE IS MADE

ALL SHOES AND COSTUME CHANGED PREPPED AND READY FOR EACH SHOW

Costume Notes

NO MORE BLACK

Personal Costume Notes
WHITE GLOVES FOR OLD D
BIG FUR COAT FOR OLD D
NECKLACE

ACT 1

Song 1 - Jellice Songs for Jellcie Cats

INCREASE VOLUME IN THE CATS SECTIONS 

WATCH SPACING

LOOKED A BIT UNBALANCED

EVEN OUT NUMBERS IN SPACING

Song 2  - Grumbie Cat

GOOD

MAKE SURE THE TAP DANCE IS IN TIME 

Song 3 - Rum-tum-tugger

MAKE MAGIC ENTRANCE A LOT BIGGER AND DRAMATIC

FINE - NICE AND TIGHT

Song 4 - BusterJones
GETTING THERE WITH HUMMOR
NEED MORE STILL
MAKE A DIFFERENT HAT
AND A CANE TO REPRESENT BUSTERJONES.
EVERYONE NEEDS TO DO THE FUNNY WALK.

Song 5 - Rumbleteaser & Mungojerrie
REALLY INTRESTING
STAY IN LIGHT
JUST ENOJOY IT

Song 6 - Old Deuteronomy
MORE GLAM
NEEDS GLOVES
AND BUG FUR COAT

Song 7 - Pecks & Poll
WORKING REALLY WELL
SOPHIE IS DOING REALLY WELL WITH LYRICS
WORKS WELL WHEN YR12 ARE IN

Song 8 - Jellice Ball
LOOK AT CHOREOGRAPHY
THE SIDE IS NOT WORKING
LOOK AT THIS SONG ON 29TH MORNING
EVEN OUT CLICKS SPACING
EXIT NEED TO HAPPEN QUICKER

Song 9 - Macvity
MAKE SURE TIMING IS RIGHT FOR PHOTO
GET A TORCH AND CAMAERA

ACT 2

Song 1 - Moments of Happiness
MAKE MESS

HeavySide Layer
GATHER EVERYONE ELSIE TO PRESENT ENVOLPE

Cats - Impressions

Impressions throughout Cats

Early impressions 

How did you initially react to the script? How did you start to create your character?

My initial reaction to the script was that it was very long, so being able to remember all the lyrics to the song as they were all very long as they was not dialogue in the musical, and being able to show and portray the storyline and my character just through singing and dance. 

What did you think of the concept of changing the context to the fashion world?

When we first got told about the concept change I was very shocked, not shocked that we were doing it differently, shocked that we were doing so differently and in fashion! I didn't ever think Cats could ever be done in the fashion world. So this made me cautious and apprehensive about what was to come. 

Mid-way Impressions After First Run-Through Questions for Rachel

My Character: Old Deuteronomy

My 3 Choreographed Songs: "Old Deuteronomy", "Moments of Happiness" & "Ad-dressing of the Cats"

1) What stage is your choreography work at and why?

"Old Deuteronomy" is complete, but needs refreshing and going over choreography with all cast and staging.

"Moments of Happiness" has not been looked at in class, but I have the choreography ready to teach.


''Ad-dressing of the Cats" has not been looked at in class, I have an idea on the choreography but would like some reassurance and help on how this final song should be choreographed.

2) How well do you know the melody and lyrics to your solo sections and group songs?

Solo songs:
Old Deuteronomy - Know the melody and lyrics. Only a few lines at end and just need to know when to come in.
Moments of Happiness - Need to continue practising this song as I still dont know the melody or lyrics very well. 
Ad-dressing of the Cats -  Know the melody and lyrics but still need to continue practising this song.

All my solo sections is will also go and see Kim for help with pitching and what key to sing them in.

Group songs:
Very familiar with Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats, Need to continue practising Naming of the Cats and would especially like to go over that with whole cast. Also would like some reassurance what songs my character is meant to sing. 

3) How much thought have you given to the narrative behind the songs you are involved in? (relating them to the fashion world)

"Old Deuteronomy" is about when Old Deuteronomy comes in the building while the employees are working collections/designs and models, My characters decides when are likes their collections and design and let the workers know there and then. 

"Moments of Happiness" - I would some help relating this to the fashion world concept.

''Ad-dressing of the Cats"is the last song and know that Old Deuteronomy is closing the show but haven't given that much thought to it. 

4) How much have you considered your on stage movement, particularly when you are not involved in the main action?

Quite a lot of the time my character is sat in the 'Deuteronomy Designs' office, When doing this I will be either, on the phone, searching through modelling accents books, on the company iPad/iMac, checking on employers.
This is help to show more of my characters personality and show that Old Deuteronomy is head of the company 'Deuteronomy Designs' 


5) Is the costume for your character sorted? 

I have completed the work for ''Character 1'' for Costume Design, which is for my character,  Old Deuteronomy. 

My costume includes;
A black furry coat, which I already own. 
A pair of Black heeled Chelsea boots, which I already own. 
And a white embellished top, which i am still currently looking for, in charity shops and online and may need help if cant find something specific. 

6) Have you completed your production role?

Yes I think so, 
I have created the "Sealight Theatre Presents Cats the Musical" Facebook Page, I have been updating and will be promoting even more. I have also created an 'Opening Night' Facebook event and there has been 194 invited!

A Twitter page has also been made between Ellie and myself, and updated and is being used to promote too. 

7) Have you arranged any extra curricular rehearsals since the start of the Cats process?

Not yet, But will be making sure I make at least 2 appointments to see Kim and group rehearsals to go over and refresh "Old Deuteronomy" choreography and teach "Moments of Happiness" choreography as that has not been done.  


8 ) Have you cleared your diary up until the performances?

Yes, 
Apart from that I have my A2 Textiles Final Exam on the 27th April 8:30am -10:40am & 29th April 8:30am -10:40am. 
But I will speak to Catrina tomorrow morning in my lesson and see if I can get them both changed.

Final impressions

Towards the end of the rehearsal process, I begin more and more drawn to the concept and context of our Fashion World Cats. This was because I understood our different storyline to the original and made the contentions and links to each other. This was from all the research into relatable Fashion icons and personell we did throughout the rehearsal process and lead up to the shows. I thought the staging and set really helped to get the atmosphere and vibe of a fashion house too. At the end of the show I thought the Fashion World was unique and orginal. 

Cats Choreography Lessons/Songs

PROMO VIDEO:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRNM101xfHMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRNM101xfHM


Cats Choreography Lessons/Songs

Links to evidence of Rehearsal Videos & Notes

Act 1

Prologue: Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats

Naming of Cats

Invitation to the Jellicle Ball

Old Gumbie Cat

Rum Tum Tugger

Grizabella: The Glamour Cat

Bustopher Jones

Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer

Pekes & Polccicles

Old Deuteronomy

Jellicle Ball

Memory

Act 2

Moments of Happiness

Gus: The Theatre Cat

Growltiger's Last Stand

Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat

Macavity: The Mystery Cat

Mr. Mistoffelees

Journey to the Heaviside Layer

Ad-Dressing of Cats

Script - First Draft Review

First Draft Script Review

Name three things that are working in the 1st draft of your script? 

The structure 
The first thing that is currently working well on my first draft of my script is the structure and the way it is laid out.
I feel like it is very organised and simple to read, It clearly shows the different scenes and the the different character when they start to talk. But some of the numbering of scenes I not correct and could do with a bit of re-structure with the scene order.

Stage directions
Another thing that is working well is the stage directions thatI have included stage directions and how detailed they are, for example;

"John is unpacking boxes in his kitchen, which have just been packed by Jane, his daughter. It a cold and gloomy day and Radio 4 is on in the background."

The stage directions show was the character is doing, where he is located , what the physical settings is and what the aural setting is (the music).

The characters 
The last thing that I think is working well is ....

Name three things that require development?

The dialogue 
One thing that requires development is... 

The order of scene (structure)
This also requires development because... 

Discuss specific points to evidence where and why changes will be made? 

I will continue to develop and finish this scene;

Old Man (John Watson aged 72) Moving in with daughter Julie.

Scene 1 - John
John is unpacking boxes in his kitchen, which have just been packed by Jane, his daughter. It a cold and gloomy day and Radio 4 is on in the background.

This scene is obviously isn't finished, but .... 

What would you like to achieve in your final piece?

A more dialogue to create more scenes, I would like the continue going along the storyline and hopefully create some tension and a climax into the play.

How much consideration have you given to staging? 

I would like to set the stage as a street.
Using specific lighting to show 3 different houses, the house would be next to each other.
The set would have part of the interior of the houses on stage, maybe showing v rooms where the characters use the most.
Doing this I would need a be able to use a fairly big stage and probably a big budget. 

Dance for Camera - First Draft Video & Process.

Dance for Camera  

First Draft Video &  Rehearsal Process

Choreographing & Video Notes:

Inspiration for some of the choreography and movement style for my video, has been gathered for our research into Rosa Danst Rosa. 

I did not copy the motifs or movement directly, I came up with a motif from my memory and understand of the choreography from Rosa Danst Rosa.

Other inspiration and movement style comes from dance lesson taught by Emily in the past few weeks.

The style of dance will be jazz and contemporary. It will be this style as I am most familiar through having dance past research and dance lessons in class.

I have made a few storyboards, showing a brief plan of the structure of my video.

The theme & stimulus for my video is based on "chairs".

Using chairs as the main set/prop for the video. In every scene of the video chairs will either be in the background, being used as a prop or sat/danced apron. 

The costume will be baggy and loose clothing. Just a bit like the costumes in Rosa Danst Rosa. They will be loose and baggy so it is comfortable to move and dance in. The colours of the costumes with be naturalistic, dull and quite plain.

I will have two dancers in my video; Cherkanah & Sophie.

I will film and reheard my choreography in lesson and at college out of lesson.

My accoonpiment with be "Latch by Disclosure". 

I have chosen this music because it is a dance/house style song but when playing it out my choreography fitted in very well. I like the beats and jumpy sounds in the song. I would like to make sure my dance-music relationship, 

I will use choreographic devices in my video such as; repetition, canon, fragmentation, call & response, different levels, embellishment and change in temp/speed.
I will use a AB Structure in my Dance for Camera.

The AB Structure - Binary - one of the more simplistic structures, like a verse and chorus of a song. A and B need a translation or a link.

Rehearsal Process:

I started by filming empty and rows of chars practicing different angle shots and views. These shots were middle angled shot, behind the shoulder shot, panning shots, high and low angled shots.

Then I created my first motif and played around with how it could be performed using the chairs. Next I taught it to Cherkanah , and got her to do the motif 5 times in the chairs and I filmed it 5 different times from different angles shots.

I did this because when editing my video I want to link the angle shots with the choreography together and this enables me to do that. 

After that I added another dancer, Sophie and taught her the first motif, then filmed both of the danger doing it on the chairs with a empty chair next to Cherkanah so that when development the first motif I could add more travelling movement on to it and move the dancers to the next chair along.

I also filmed both dancers doing the same motif movement in the learning zone for a different setting and background. At the moment I am not very sure on that bit of film and will be redoing it because adding into my final video.

Finally I filmed just Sophie doing the motif but filming it from behind her shoulder shot and in front of her using a middle and panning shot.

Then I went home and edited the clips of the choreographic on my MacBook Pro using iMovie.

I added the music over the top of the clips and cut some of them to create jump cuts.

First Draft (2nd March 2015) - 38 Seconds so far:

                                             

    

Review of First Draft Video

What works well?

Choreography - I have used repetition, fragmentation, call & response, different levels, embellishment and change in temp/speed.

Camera Shots/Angles - The video so far is showing a range of camera angles and shots, For example; Low Angle Shot, High Angle Shot, Wide Angle Shot,  Embellishing' Shot, Wide Angle' Shot & Over the Shoulder' Angle. I have shown screen shots and examples of these shots below.  

Structure - The structure of the choreography and motifs is just an A structure, But for my second/final video will use and show an "ABA" structure.

Music - The music of the video is 'Latch' by Disclosure  

 What changes are you going to make to improve it?

Choreography - I plan to add more choreography and a different set of motifs. This will help the video move away for the style of "Rosa" and help to show even more camera angles and shots. This will also help with my structure of the video and develop the structure 'ABA' more. 

Length - I would like to make the length of my video and little longer .

Camera Shots used in my first draft of my 

'Dance for Camera'

'Low Angle' Shot

'High Angle' Shot

'Wide Angle' Shot

'Embellishing' Shot #1

'Embellishing' Shot #2

'Over the Shoulder' Angle 

Script - 1st Draft

Old Woman (Pauline aged 66) Going off travelling

Scene 1 - Pauline
Pauline is sat her front room, re writing her list of things to do before moving away to travel the world.

Pauline: Second set of inoculations due Friday, house sale goes through at the end of the month....



Family (Mum Jane age 51, Dad Andrew age 49, Lily 13, Eloise 11) 

Eloise: Do not even suggest I spy on her, I am not even in the same building as her at school.


Andrew: I am not suggesting that....not for one second.



Old Man (John Watson aged 72) Moving in with daughter Julie.

Scene 1 - John
John is unpacking boxes in his kitchen, which have just been packed by Jane, his daughter. It a cold and gloomy day and Radio 4 is on in the background.

Scene 2 - John
The local Estate Agent is round 3 Holmcroft Gardens, visiting John who is refusing to cooperate .

Estate Agent: So Mr Watson, If you want this house sold by the end of the month, the only way is to work with me now.


John: Who said I wanted to move?


Estate Agent: Mr Watson, we have been through many times now, Ive been assigned to get this house sold for you.


John: I don't want or your help


Estate Agent: I understand that Mr Watson, but I am only trying to help you and your family.


John: She's got on it on RightMove anyway.

Scene 3 - John
John is in the garden struggling to pull down the ''for sale'' sign.


Scene 4 - John
John is on phone to Sky, demanding to restatement his package after it was cut off.

Sky Recorded Answer phone: Please say your name and account number after the tone. Our lines are currently busy working hard answering customer calls, one of our team with be with you shortly.

Cheesy muzak plays continuously for 5 minutes and the phrase is repeated " Please say your name and account number after the tone. Our lines are currently busy working hard answering customer calls, one of our team with be with you shortly."

Sky Rep: Hello, Darren speaking, How can i help?


John: About time!


Sky Rep: Sorry Mr Wakeson, I didn't know catch that, How can i help you today?


John: My name is Watson!!! Stupid company!


Sky Rep: If you wish to make I can send you over to the Complaints Departement if you wish.


By giving me my Sky package back!!


Sky Rep: I am sorry to hear you are distressed about your Sky packet, P Yes I am Mr John Waston,

Okay Sir, I'll just check on the stytem to see is way this problems.