Reflection of the lesson on characterisation
In Wednesdays lesson we spoke about characterisation and how this can further develop and improve a performance of a song. The definition of characterisation that I wrote was 'When you convey and embody the characters personality and feelings in your performance'.
We then watched to contrasting performances of a song, this was 'something's coming' from 'West Side Story', one performed in the television show 'Glee' by the character 'Blaine' and one from the original movie of 'West Side Story' by the character 'Tony'. For each version I took notes on how they presented throughout their performance, for the Glee version I wrote that he was passionate and energetic throughout the song and that he presented the character as being excited and passionate, his performance was also interactive with the audience and since it was on stage had the 'performance' feel to it. For the Movie version I wrote that he performed the song more softer and calmer, this time presenting the character as hopeful and optimistic, the performance this time was for a camera and this enables the actor to use subtle characterisation on his face which conveyed the performance as more meaningful. A big difference I also picked up on was that in the Glee version the characters vocals were much louder and stronger, with a long belt at the end of the song, the Movie version was completely different and the vocals were much softer and quieter with more diction in the lyrics as they were sung, this time with no belt at the end instead the actors vocals slowly phase out as the camera pans away from him, this once again conveys the difference in stage and screen performances of the same song.
Characterisation in terms of my solo
It's not simple to say ➜ soft vocals
Most days I don't recognize me
These shoes and this apron
That place and its patrons
Have taken more than I gave 'em ➜ slight anger, strong vocals
It's not easy to know
I'm not anything like I used to be ➜ reminiscent of the old her
Although it's true
I was never attention sweet centre ➜ sorrowful
I still remember that girl ➜ strong, passionate
She's imperfect but she tries ➜ soft and lighter vocals
She is good but she lies ➜ thoughtful emotions
She is hard on herself ➜ realisation
She is broken and won't ask for help
She is messy but she's kind ➜ slight smile on 'kind'
She is lonely most of the time
She is all of this mixed up
And baked in a beautiful pie
She is gone but she used to be mine ➜ feeling stronger, passion in the vocals
It's not what I asked for ➜ shaking head
Sometimes life just slips in through a back door ➜ sorrowful
And carves out a person
And makes you believe it's all true ➜ passionate, slight anger
And now I've got you ➜ strong vocals
And you're not what I asked for ➜ anger
If I'm honest I know I would give it all back
For a chance to start over
And rewrite an ending or two
For the girl that I knew ➜ reminiscent
Who be reckless just enough ➜ much stronger and emotional
Who can hurt but
Who learns how to toughen up when she's bruised ➜ louder
And gets used by a man who can't love ➜ emphasise on 'gets used'
And then she'll get stuck and be scared
Of the life that's inside her
Growing stronger each day ➜ loud, passionate
'Til it finally reminds her
To fight just a little ➜ emphasis on 'fight'
To bring back the fire in her eyes
That's been gone but it used to be mine ➜ belt on 'mine', strong finish
Used to be mine ➜ strong belt, passionate
She is messy but she's kind ➜ strong contrast to previous vocals, back to softer and calmer
She is lonely most of the time
She is all of this mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie
She is gone but she used to be mine ➜ strong finish, emotional ending
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