Lighting Appropriate For The Mood example essay topic

Assignment #6 Lobster Alice Space 1. What type of theater was it? How large or small was it? How opulent or elaborate? How simple or modern? What type of stage did it have: proscenium, thrust, arena, or some other type?

How did the stage space relate to audience seating? A thrust type stage was used in the small and cozy Stages Repertory Theatre. The stage was rectangular in shape and was simple which allowed the actors to move about freely for everyone to see and hear. 2.

What was the size and shape of the playing space? The playing space was in the shape of a square, stretching from one corner of the seating arrangement to the other. The ceiling of the space was as high as the theatre's ceiling. 3. What sort of atmosphere did the space suggest? How was that atmosphere created?

The small space of the play area staged viewers for a play of small casting and technical acting. The maroon coloring of the theatre itself gave a warm welcome to the excellent performance. 4. Did the space seem to meet the needs of the play? Did it affect the production, and if so, how?

The playing space enhanced the personal connection between the actors and the viewers. The closeness of everyone in the theatre allowed for the viewer to see the actor's expressions that would normally not be seen while viewing from a larger theatre. Scenery 1. What information was conveyed by the scenery about time, place, characters, and situation? How was this information conveyed to you?

The scenery led me to think that the play would take place in some sort of a tax or legal office because of the work desks and typewriter. I thought the characters would be secretaries or pencil pushers. The title of the play told me that it would probably have something to do with Alice in Wonderland and Disney. 3. Did any colors dominate? How did colors affect your impression of the theater event?

The deep shades of red and maroon where used to warm the crowd and help twist the stories painted in Dali's mind. 4. Was the setting a specific place, or was it not recognizable or real locale? The play was set in a Disney office for drawing and conjuring ideas for a film. It was a real location that used desks and typewriters to set the mood.

5. If the setting was realistic, how effectively did it reproduce what the place would actually look like? The realistic setting imitated a "lockdown" facility very well using metal plumbing that can be seen. The bars on the windows looked very real as well.

6. Were there symbolic elements in the scenery? If so, what were they? How did they relate to the play?

A metal box at the base of the look out room represented the main power source or connections for the entire facility. The box was pulled out in the play to symbolize Bromden breaking free from the facility and Ratched's psychological control over him. Costumes 1. What information was conveyed by the costumes about time, place, characters, and situation?

The facility enforced discipline and uniformity by making the inmates wear scrubs. McMurphy never changed his original close in defiance to the rules that Ratched had set for him. 2. What was the period of the costumes? What was the style?

Were the costumes from a period other that the period in which the play was written or originally set? If so, how did this affect the production? Why do you think this choice was made? The old nurse's outfit looked like it was from the late 60's to early 70's. McMurphy looked like an "all-American" trucker form the 80's. Candy and Sandra were definitely dressed for the 80's.

The play was first performed in 1963. The play that performed in 2002 used the original set, same style facility, to ad to the frightening effects of the strict and disciplinary facility. Characters from later dates such as the 80's were used to assist the viewer in relating to the story. 3. How was color used to give you clues to the personalities of the characters? A burgundy robe was worn by Harding to give him a regal look.

Ruck ly wore a white muscle shirt that made him look dangerous. Nurse Ratchet wore white paint on her face and arms that added to her cold and cruel personality. 4. Did each character's costume or costumes seem appropriate for his or her personality, social status, occupation, etc.?

Why or why not? Yes. Nurse Ratchet costume suited her strict and disciplined personality because it was tidy, pressed, and made her appear attentive. McMurphy definitely dressed as the rebel he portrayed wearing faded Levis and big steel-toed boots. The guards appeared as having a lower and even a servant like status to that of the nurses. 5.

Did the costumes help you understand conflicts, differing social groups, and interpersonal relationships? If so, how? Yes. The security guards wore white shirts and black pants to show that they were of a lower white-collar working class. They were also working in a dangerous environment and they were black. All the inmates wore green scrubs to keep them disciplined and conformed but there conformity seemed to help them in uniting during rough times.

Lighting 1. What information was conveyed by the lighting about time, place, characters, and situation? The lights were turned on and off to give the inmates the command of time to awake and time to sleep. Bright white lights and no natural sunlight were used to maintain control of the inmates; it also made them feel captive. 2. Describe the mood of the lighting.

How was color and intensity used to affect mood? What other characteristics of light were used to affect mood? Was the lighting appropriate for the mood of each scene? Why or why not? Blue, cold, and dim lighting were used for serious parts like Bromden's thinking moments. Red flashing lights were used to make nurse Ratchet appear wicked.

Pink lights were used for drunken scenes. White bright lighting was very appropriate to give ideas of confinement and coldness for the inmates. 3. Was the lighting realistic or nonrealistic? What was the direction of the light?

Did it seem to come from a natural source, or was it artificial? Did this choice seem appropriate for the text? Light was realistic for a holding place. Lights came from the ceiling and pointed down from and artificial source. The naturalistic source of light coming through the fan, very high up, was used appropriately to signify freedom on the outside of the facility.

5. Were light changes made slowly or quickly? How did this affect the play? Did it seem right for the play? Light changes were mainly quick, simulating an artificial light source and switches appropriately used in this type of environment. Text 2.

What was the text about? What was the author or the text trying to communicate to the audience? Did the author try to communicate more than one message? Society isolating those that do not meet it's standards at that time and the inmate's struggle to regain their dignity or to keep what little they had left. 4. Did you agree with the point of view of the text?

Why or why not? Yes. More often than not society, or fate, brings people down to their lowest levels possible and only those very few strong willed people still find a way to break free from the demanded norms. 5.

What was the genre of the text? Was it comedy, tragedy, farce, melodrama, or tragicomedy? Was the text realistic or nonrealistic? Was it presentational or representational? The text was a realistic tragic comedy that was representational to many who struggle with everyday setback and unfair hardships.

To some it may have been presentational of those who defy or disobey the rules of society. 6. Using terms you have encountered in your theater course or textbook, describe the structure of he text. Was it climactic (intensive)? Was it episodic (extensive)? Was it some combination of the two?

This text definitely followed an episodic structure. The play covered a long period of time, months and weeks. The play had many fragmented scenes. The text had about 10 - 15 characters. There were several threads of action.

Characters 1. What were the major desires, goals, objectives, and motivations of the leading characters? How did these help you understand the meaning of the text? McMurphy desired to "crack" Ratchet. His goal was to get out of the ward. His objective was to help the inmates learn how to fend for themselves.

His motivation was the admiration of the inmates. Ratched desired to break McMurphy and her goal was to instill discipline in the inmates. Her objective was to maintain an orderly facility and the satisfaction of accomplishing that goal is what motivates her. Bromden desired to be with his father and his goal was to avenge his father's death.

His objective was to be "big again", and his motivation was McMurphy's courage and the memory of his father. 2. Were the characters realistic, symbolic, allegorical, totally divorced form reality, etc.? McMurphy reminded me of my best friend who never takes orders and stills seems to befriend everyone. Bromden represents those people that have gone through very tragic thing in life that divorce them from reality. Ratched represents people that are set on accomplishing their goals so much that they disregard the well being of others at times.

3. How did minor characters relate to major characters? For instance, were they contrasts or parallels? At first Harding contrasted McMurphy, but when McMurphy helped Harding to remember what it was like to be in control again Harding became a parallel to McMurphy. The guards contrasted to the inmates but paralleled the facility staff. The inmates at firs contrasted McMurphy's radical ideas but later began to live them and became paralleled to them.

4. Did you identify most with one of the characters? If so, describe this character and explain why you identified with him or her. I identified most with McMurphy because he portrayed and exact replica of my best friend. He is a testosterone driven, stocky, horny, always drinking guy with a "Big-Texas attitude.".