Lesson 2

In this lesson we created a one minute version of the play to help us understand the structure of the play, there were four groups each did a different summary but there was one part that was in all the plays which was the plan that involved DNA this is what we all thought was the most important part. (The plot) 

Later on we discussed the role of the post man which was also in all the one minute plays as it was part of the DNA plan. He was important yet in the play we never see him or hear him speak, I think this is because the writer describes the post man so well that we don’t need to see him. Ms Goodall quoted “If we were to draw a picture of the post man we would all have more or less the same image” 

In a group of 4 we created 4 huge ROLE-ON-THE-WALLS for the characters: Phil, Leah, Brian and Adam. In my group we chose Phil. By doing this we were able to see exactly what our character was really like with each of us giving ideas and finding quotes about the character. I found out that Phil may look as if he does not care about anyone but on the inside he does.

Again in groups we created a back story for our character Phil, a back story  is the background of the character where he comes from what type of family does he have what role he play in the family. This is very important for an actor to know because it helps you understand the emotions that the character might have and how he might react in certain situations also if for example a character came from a rich background he would normally be well mannered depending on the situation and would use the his money to get out of trouble with the law, but if we understand his background we would understand why he gets himself into trouble and how he would react in such a situation.   

In our snapshot of our characters background we decided that because Phil would be silent most of the time and only talks when it is necessary he would probably come from a family that does not care much for him and are always blaming him for everything. We decided that it would be a good idea to show how Phil would only speak when needed by having Phil not speak throughout until the whole family starts shouting at him and he just explodes. 

In another group they created a back story for Leah, which I thought was really good and showed why she acts the way she does in the play. Leah is always tiring to get attention from her family but always ignore her and her “friends” avoid her because she can’t stop talking. I thought It was really effective when she just gave up at the end and sat in silence this showed the difference in the atmosphere and felt natural in a way.

We were asked if we thought that people are born evil or become evil I think both because sometimes there are just something that make a person do bad things for no reason even if they are brought up In a good family. Some of the serial killers that have been caught have actually been brought up in a good family and would be one of the last people you would think to go around killing people but if you think about it serial killers are usually smart and to most smart people would have attended good schools. On the other hand people can easily be manipulated especially when they are young and the way they are brought up can affect the way they act towards other people. Many criminals come from a ruff background. Therefore I cannot say for sure if you are born bad or raised bad.