Tuesday 14th Jan

Rehearsal Diary (14/1/14)

Today we.....

We worked solely on our devised pieces.

Created 5 scenes. 

Began getting into more of a character.

I built confidence working with other people. 

Ran it with props and set. 

Worked out that there is obvious times were the audience can give feedback and make changes. 

 

*Explain who is oppressed and potential changes the audience may suggest? (Boal Research & Example from Lesson)

 

 I think there is a few people who may be oppressed in our piece. I think my character is oppressed because although I seem happy I have had a very tough time recently with money. I am the only one working in my family meaning I need to bring in all the income which covers the house, food, family needs ect. 
I think a potential change that they might make will be my reaction to Lauren when we bump and she goes mad at me. I accept how she treats me but the change that will be made is me reacting back to her and treating her badly like she treated me. This will change the dynamic of this scene and also will change how easily she decides to sack me.

*Provide a clear guide to your scenes - with titles. (Example from lesson)

Oppressed Forum Devised Piece

Scene Description

Scene 1

This scene is set in the office with the boss, Lauren, her office stage left at the front and the main office centre stage. All actors are on stage in this scene. Lauren enters from the back and I stand up from my desk and walk in her direction holding papers. I accidently bump into boss Lauren and drop what I was holding. I apologize immediatly only to recieve abuse from her. She then continues to her office while the other office workers encourage me to make a complaint. Charlotte, who is the manager of our section, is called into the office where Lauren speaks to her very badly. She has no respect for Charlotte and she just takes it and dosnt moan. They discuss that the sales levels are low and Lauren makes a quick decision that I, the newest employ, need to be sacked. Charlotte tries to back me up and mentions I have a family and that job meant a lot to me but Lauren is having none of it. Charlotte gives in very easily and goes back to our office like normal.

Scene 2

This scene is set in the staff room which is to the stage left. It only involes 3 actors. The 2 staff members Emily and Maisie and their boss Charlotte. The main discussion, which takes place while they make hot drinks, is Charlotte telling them what was said in the meeting with Lauren. They are shocked but encourage her to sack me. They do this because they know if its not my job that goes it could be theirs.

Scene 3

This scene is set in my home. Emily and Maisie now become different characters. Maisie is my girlfriend and Emily is our child. I arrive home to recieve a warm welcome. Me and Maisie talk about how our days were and she then asks me for some money for a shopping spree with a friend. I agree and this leads her onto mentioning how much more stable and happy we are with money now. This tells the audience that we must of had a time in past where we struggled with money. Emily enters with a list of new things she needs including a new bag and new fairy lights. I dont even question saying no which shows again that we are well of with money. This scene concludes with Maisie saying how happy she feels now.

Scene 4

This is the firing scene. Its set the same as scene 1 apart from its Charlottes office rather than Lauren and Lauren isnt in this scene. Charlotte enters and asks how everyone is, she then calls me into her office. I walk in intrigued as to what she is going to say. She begins with mentioning my sales are down but I back myself up with the fact I havnt been working there for long and am still training. However obviously her decision is already made because she cuts straight to the point in saying im sacked. I argue my point by mentioning my family and depending on the money however because of what my character is like I dont make a fuss and just walk out. My exit leaves Maisie and Emily wondering if im ok.

Scene 5

This is the final scene. It is set in the same place as scene 3, my home. And the characters are the same as scene 3. It is a few months later this scene. Its showing the affect me being sacked has had on my familys life. It begins with me talking to Maisie who makes it very clear she is in a bad mood with me. We have a very heated disucission in which we speak about the fact I havnt managed to get a job yet. We disagree on the fact whether I have been trying or not. Maisie then makes a quick decison that she is moving out and taking Emily. Emily enters crying about her boyfriend problems which makes Maisie even more angry. She then marches off taking Emily with her.

THE END

 

Character Analysis
 

My character is called Abi. She lives with her girlfriend Maisie and daughter Emily. Abi recently got a job in a office where they sell things which pays very well. As a family they havnt had the best of times. Money has been a huge problem but finally now Abi has this job they feel stable and happy.

She works hard at her new job and gets on well with Maisie and Emily who work in the same office as her. She sees Charlotte who is in charge of her section as a friend and looks up to her. But she dosnt like Lauren who is in charge of the Company. She thinks shes rude and dosnt appreciate the staff.

Abi appreciates her job to much to make a fuss. Lauren gets very angry at Abi easily but she finds it easier to take it and ignore it rather than moan or answer back as this could loose her the job the means the world to her.

She is very relaxed and easy going until someone does something that will hurt her family. They mean a lot to her and she makes this clear by the effort she puts in to make sure they are happy.