Describe the Theater, sets, and costumes:
Drayton Hall is shares its walls with Wardlaw College, where the college of education is located. I honestly had no idea where I was going at first because I had no idea that the theater was located in the building. When I walked in, I noticed some really interesting art displaces. There was a usher in the doorway handing out brochures for the play. I sat towards the back of the theater and was immediately amazed by the set design and that the theater is a proscenium design with stadium seating that can house up to 440 people. The set was of the center of town with a restaurant a church and a couple of houses. Two of the houses had functioning balconies where the actors go stand and dance. The church was in the middle of the set. To the left of the stage was the restaurant. The characters costumes were very bright, and I though distracting. Each character had a color theme and dressed monochromatically. There were belly dancers clad in belly dancing outfits, a fat maid who dressed in the stereotypical maids outfit. The 4 main characters dressed the same

In what period does this play take place? Who is the author? What period did the play write live?
The Comedy of errors was written by Shakespeare wrote. The play was one of his earlier plays as well as his shortest in duration. Shakespeare wrote the play during the wars of succession in France during the late 1500’s. Many believe that Shakespeare based his play off the Roman playwright Plautus. The director of “The Comedy of Errors”, Robert Richmond, who directed the USC version, gave Shakespeare’s play an updated twist. The USC play had belly dancers and sang modern songs.
Discuss the plot:
The play is about two sets of identical twins that are accidentally separated at birth. The two twins live their lives not knowing about the other until they end up at the same place at the same time. One day Antipholus of Syracuse and his slave, Dromio of Syracuse, go to Ephesus. In Ephesus they they are mistaken for Antipholus of Ephesus and his slave Dromio of Ephesus who have the same names and same features. There is a big mix-up of who is who by the towns people, the twin’s family, and friends. Havoc arises while the towns people friends and family try ot figure out what is going on. Egeon, the dad of the Antipholus twins, comes to Ephesus to look for Antipholus of Ephesus. When he gets there, he is accused for entering enemy territory and is sentenced to death. When it is time for him to die, he sees Antipholus of Esphesus and yells to him. Antipholus, however, does not recognize him. Seconds later, the other twin enters the scene. There is great confusion, but after it all they realize that they are long lost twins. The father is then forgiven for entering Epheus and a party follows.

Phantom of the Opera

Describe. Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the Phantom of the Opera. The opera is full of It is an opera based on tension, drama, and romance. The movie is pretty long, running for over two hours. The movie is about an opera singer and a phantom who is obsessed with her. The phantom used to be Christine’s vocal coach. The phantom lives at the bottom of the opera house and writes due to his disfigured face. The phantom is obsessed with Christine since she was young. At one point in the movie, the phantom dresses Christine up in a white dress and simulates a wedding. Christine is however in love with her childhood friend Raoul. The two are reunited early on in the movie. After Christine is kidnapped by the phantom, Raoul comes to the rescue and saves her. Analyze. Since the day that Christine’s father died she has felt as though the angle of music was watching over her. She has never actually seen him, but she could always feel his presence and she could hear him. As the years went on, the angle became her vocal teacher. The angle taught her to sing beautifully. The phantom, after kidnapping Christine falls in love with her. The phantom sings to Christine which puts her under his spell so to speak. Christine angers her kidnapper after she takes off his mask and sees his diseased face. Christine tells her childhood friend and love interest, Raoul about the phantom. Raoul promises her that he will love and protect her, and even marry her. During the opera that Christine is performing in, the phantom kidnaps her and pulls her into his layer. The phantom requests that she marry him in order to save Raoul and the opera. Christine reluctantly agrees and kisses him. This kiss makes the phantom realize that Christine does not love him and never will. The phantom then disappears and leaves Christine in peace. Interpret This opera is all about lust, and wanting what you can’t have. In other words, it’s all about unrequited love. Its about the desire to want someone body so bad but get no love in return. It’s also about having to accept that the person you love may not love you in return, but regardless, you have to let that person go. Evaluate. I really enjoyed this movie. I had never seen it before and I found it very entertaining and thought provoking. I think it would be really cool to see this opera on Broadway.

Assignment 8

1. Describe the difference between opera, light opera, and musical theater Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians sing a dramatic work combining signing and musical scores. There is acting, scenery, costumes and sometimes dance. Many operas are performed in an opera house. The dist opera took place in Italy and then quickly spread through Europe. A light opera is still an opera, but rather than being of a serious nature, the story line is light heated or comic with a happy ending. These operas too began in Italy, but during the 17th century. Victor Herbert is a famous North American light opera composer who wrote Babes in Toy Land. Some other famous light operas are Candide and Sweeny Todd. Musical theater combines dance, music, songs and dialogue as well as a story line. There is an overlap between opera and musical theater, but the distinguishing fact is that there is much importance to dialogue in musical theater while music is the importance in an opera. 2. How long does it take for someone to have a fully trained operatic voice? It takes years of training and hard work in order to become an opera singer. Opera singers must be able to sing in multiple languages, how to fence, how to dance, and how to make their voices hit high notes and hold them. An opera singer must have a good teacher and years and years of practicing. Opera singing is definitely not just a thing to pick up. There is extensive training for many many years. Many opera singers go to music school and continue to develop their voices and train throughout their whole career. 3. Choose an Opera by Puccini? Describe and interpret. La bohème (1896) is often called one of the best works by Puccini as well as one of the most romantic. La bohème is still very popular even today. The play is based on the book Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger. The play is a story about young bohemians living in the Latin Quarter of Paris during the 1840’s. The play focuses on the relationship between Rodolfo and Mimi. Rudolfo is a poet and Mimi is a seamstress. The two meet, and fall in love. The two of them however soon fall out of love. The two are reunited once Rudolfo is told that Mimi is dying. Rudolfo, realizing that he has always loved Mimi is distraught. Interwoven in the Rudolfo- Mimi love story are brief stories of Rudolfo’s friends who try to being Mimi and Rudolfo back together. Rent is a rock opera that is a very popular rock opera based on this opera.

Assignment 7

1. Describe the difference between a thrust stage and proscenium stage. A thrust stage is also called a platform stage and an open stage. The stage goes into the audience and is connected to the backstage area by an up stage end. With the stage going into the audience the audience feels more evolved with the performers and the actors get to interact more with the audience. Many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed on a thrust stage at the globe theater. In a proscenium is a stage in which there is a frame or arch around the stage. In this theater the audience faces the stage that is usually raised a few feet off of the ground. These stages first began in Rome. The in a way is a window for the audience who is not as involved with the performance as with a thrust stage. 2. What is the fly gallery? A fly gallery is a narrow elevated platform at the side of the stage in a theater form which a stagehand work the ropes controlling equipment in the flies. This allows the crew to quickly and quietly fly lights scenery, and effects across the stage. The fly gallery is generally hid from the audience. 3. How does a scrim work? Scrims modify the properties of light. There are different types such as using natural light. Or a man made light source. No matter with use. The scrim reduced the intensity and harshness of the light.

Big Apple - Art Event

1.Even though the shag is danced to music that is 4/4 time, how does the dancer count when they are dancing the shag? The shag is a six count dance done with a partner. The male is usually the leader while his female partner follows. The dance is done to 6 counts and is counted like so: “1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6”. The male will sometimes spin his partner and will guide her in the dance. 2. Discuss the Big Apple building. Discuss its features architechtural feature of Columbia, and a brief history. What was the first name of the building The Big Apple is a historic building in Columbia, South Carolina. The Big Apple gets its name from the old religious dance that was founded by African Americans who were enslaved on plantations in the south. The Big Apple was a group dance, in which the dancers formed a huge circle and did arm movements that resembled the Big Apple. In the 1930s a group of African Americans started a Big Apple Night Club in the House of Peace Synagogue. The Big Apple can now be found on Park Street in Columbia, South Carolina. The Big Apple allowed both black people and white people to dance as well as student from USC.The building resembles Greek architectures and has the original dome ceiling of the synagogue. There are two doric columns on the front of the building, and inside as well. 3. Discuss the Shag. What is the history of the shag and what is its relevance to South Carolina The shag is the state dance of both North and South Carolina. Shagging began in the 1930’s in Myrtle Beach and became known as the swing dance of the south. The dance first began with club dancers dancing to black music. The danced quickly picked u a lot of southern followers, and by the 1940’s teenagers in the Carolinas were dancing the shag. As time passed, the dance loss its fast pace nature and was danced to songs with a more low beat rhythm. Some of the most famous shag dancers are Billy Jeffers and Maggie Lunn Foss.

Describe the photograph - how big is it, who owns it, who shot it, who is the photograph of and what year was the photo taken. Is black and white, color or some sort of special photographic process. If you don't know what this process is, look it up and describe it.
The photograph that I chose is of the Rolling Stones at the Australian Pub in London England. The photograph is shot by Phillip Townsend in 1963. This is the first ever photo shoot of the rolling stones. Their manger told Townsend that he wanted the rockers to look mean for this photo shoot. The picture is in black and white and is maybe one foot by one foot big.
Analyze the photograph - What is the photo about, what are/is the people/person doing in the photo, what is the setting, what are clothes like? What does the photograph reveal about the person in the picture?

This was the first photo shoot for the Rolling Stones and their Manager at the time wanted them to portray a new type of Image. An image that was different from that of the Beetles. Their Manager told Townsend that he wanted the boys at the time to look mean. This is quite ironic due once the picture is actually looked at. Mick Jagger in the back ground looks like he is laughing; the man next to him is smiling as well. The guy front and center looks like he is trying to act cool, but in reality, acting is all he is doing. The only band member succeeding in looking mean is the guy to the left. The mugs on the table look like they were placed there for purely image sake, and had never really had anything in them. All in all, these boys look like they are trying to play the part of big bad and mean, but in reality they are just the boy next door. The fact that this photo was taken at the Austrailan Pub in London seems to foreshadow the soon to be lifestyle of these boys. The Rolling Stones were such a successful band, and were flown across the world an uncountable number of times. The boys captured in this photo are young and naïve, but their lives are about to change drastically.

Dance

1. Describe the baroque period of dance.
Baroque dance is from the Baroque era in Europe. This is time period ranged from 1600 to 1750. Baroque was danced to Baroque music, theatre and opera. These dances are historical dance of the upper class. Dances were symmetrical and done with a partner. This dance would also take up the whole dance floor, not just a corner of the room. The Roman Catholic Church supported this dance because the dance showed religious themes. Many people have tried to replicate the dance, but it is very difficult to accomplish

2. Discuss why people dance?
People dance in order to feel good about themselves but to also express themselves. Some people dance as a job while others dance as a hobby or just because they like it. Some people dance at parties to celebrate a special occasion. Dance can also have a unifying feel, so some people dance in order to feel connected to another person or a group of people. some people dance in order to keep their culture alive and to share their heritage with others. Some people dance in order to lose weight, tone up, or get a good workout. Young kids have school dances in order to meet new kids their age and get out of their comfort zone. Some people have specific reasons to dance, while others just like the way it feels.




3. Describe on non western dance art form.
Belly dance is a Middle Eastern/ Egyptian dance of the 19th century, and the 20th century. Belly dance uses different regions, costumes and dance styles, and combines the aspects into one dance. Belly dancing uses different parts of the body whether its hips, shoulders, the belly or chest. Belly dance however, focuses mainly on the core muscles. Some important moves such as the shiver, shimmy, Hip hits, and Undulations

The King's Speech

Describe and interpret the Establishing Shot of the film you viewed at the Nickelodeon. How did this set the stage for your experience with the film?

The establishing shot of The King’s Speech begins with Bertie, later to be known as king George the 6th speaking at a horse race. The shot introduces the audience to Bertie, and also lets the viewer hear the kings stutter, see the kings frustration, see the audience’s reaction to his speak impediment, and also meet the kings wife Elizabeth.

Describe any interesting camera angles that were seen in the film.
The most interesting camera angle of the movie happens right after Bertie has been crowned King, and is moving into Buckingham palace. The family is packing up their home in York. The camera is situated on a balcony looking down on the children Queen Elizabeth packing. With this angle the viewer is able to see the beautiful architecture of the home, along with vibrant green walls.

Describe and interpret the story line of the film. What scenes moved you, drew you in, made you feel uncomfortable, etc? Did you view any Mise-en-Scene or staging in the film?

The movie is based on King George the sixth and his speech impediment. The story starts with him only being the Duke of York, his father is king of England, and his brother is next in line. Bertie, soon to become King George, must give a speech at a horse race, but is unable to actually speak when the microphone turns on. This is just so painful to watch because I too despise speaking in front of a crowd. His wife goes to a speech therapist to help him with his issues. During his therapy sessions the king dies, and Bertie’s brother takes the throne. He however decides to marry a divorced American and abdicates the throne, leaving Bertie as king. Bertie now must be the voice of a nation. The most moving scene is when Bertie is being coached on what to say during his initiation. Lionel is purposely pushing Bertie’s buttons in order to get Bertie to see that he can be King. Bertie ends up yelling “because I have a voice.” This is one of the underlying points of the movie, that everyone has a voice and can speak, no matter if you are the King of England or a no body. The movie ends with King George having to tell England that Germany has declared war on them.

Analyze the roles of the actors. Were they convincing in their depiction of the character they played? Why or why not?
These actors were unbelievable. All the actors are from England so there were no phony accents. Colin Firth is able to play both the part of being scared and timid with a stutter and then lashing out and speaking his mind in a fit of rage. Lionel is played by Geoffrey Rush and is great as well. Helen Bonham Carter plays a great queen and loving wife. Everyone in this movie did a great job.

How did the music or soundtrack of the film influence your interpretation and experience of the film?

While Lionel is with King George while he is addressing the nation about war with Germany, there is an orchestra playing in the background. I thought this was very interesting because while Lionel is helping King George he has him listen to music so he cannot hear his own voice. Lionel also has George sing whatever he has to say to whatever toon he likes. For the actual speech, Lionel breaks up the speech into pauses and conducts the king’s speech. I thought this was interesting because the director is clearly comparing the speech to a symphony.

Describe the genre of the film. (Refer to Chapter 10.)
The genre is historical drama. The movie is about England right before world war two when King Henry abdicates the throne and his younger brother who has difficulty speaking must take over as king. The costumes are not extravagant, but definitely represent the time


Describe, analyze and interpret the context of the film. What message or meaning did you derive from the film?
The context is historical since the movie portrays a significant event in England’s history point of the movie is to show how important communication is and that no matter who you are, you have a voice. Another underlying point is the importance of friendship, and that friendship can transcend anything including social class.

Music, Peter and the Wolf

Describe Jazz music. Where did it come from, and what makes it particularly unique to Americans?
When I think of Jazz music, I think of saxophones in the art deco era in New Orleans. Jazz was stated in the south by African Americans in the early 20th century. Common instruments incorporated into Jazz are the saxophone, clarinet, flute, vibraphone, trumpet, piano, banjo and the trombone.
In Peter and the Wolf, what instruments play Peter, the duck, the wolf, the bird, Grandfather and the Hunters?
String instruments played Peter, French Horns played the wolf, the grandfather is represented by the Bassoon, the duck by the oboe, and the hunters by the woodwind.
Discuss Classical music. Who are some of the composers that are considered classical musicians?
When I think of Classical music I think of very calm music from the 1800’s. Classical music started in the church in the 11th century and still continues today. The most famous classical music stems from the 1500’s to the 1900’s. Classical music uses typical orchestra instruments along with the piano, and organ. The most famous classical composers are Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Frédéric Chopin

Architecture

The South Caroliniana Library, can be found on the Horseshoe. The library was built before the Civil war and was designed by Robert Mills in 1838 after the Library of Congress. The Library was the nation's first free standing library. Like the Library of Congress, the Library has four large Greek looking columns. These columns are better known as Doric columns. There is no real decoration on the columns. Instead, they are simple and clean looking. The Library is made of bricks, which, at the time, was the most inexpensive material to build form. The Library served as USC’s main library until 1940.

Assignment #3

I pour the thick clear shampoo into my small cupped palm. The gel is cool, but I hardly notice due to the steamy heat of my shower. The fog hits the bottom of the shower and then bounces back up off the slippery aqua tile. I bend my elbow and place the goopy gel to the center my head. I begin to make tiny circles on my scalp s the gel changes into bubbly foam. As I continue to scrub my head the foam becomes larger and larger. The foam begins to slide down my forehead and into my eyes. The stinging burn I feel is quickly cooled by the water flowing from my shower head. Once the burn has ceased, I turn so the steamy water hits my back. I slowly tilt my head until the water rushes down my hair and relinquish the foam from head. The white foam is finally rinsed from my scalp, and my long shiny dark hair is clean.

2. Post your picture that you drew in class when we listened to "Nessum Dorma" and drew what Pavarotti might have been singing about. What were some of the feelings that you thought while he was singing.
I thought that there were three distinct tones of the singer. The man started off calm and collected. The music was mellow and easy going. I tried to describe this in my picture by the soft wavy lines. As the man continued singing he seemed to get a little more desperate and longing. He was getting a little angrier but had not yet reached his peak of anger/ desire. I depicted this phase of the music with medium sized peaks to display the heightened emotion. The final phase of the song is very dramatic and emotion filled. I tried to depict this phase of the song with steep peaks.

3. Describe the establishing shot in a movie. What is its purpose? What does it tell us as the viewers of a film? How important is the establishing shot in a movie?
The establishing shot in a movie sets up the context for a scene by showing things like who, what, when, where, why, and how. The shots will show prominent landmarks from where ever the setting is. The establishing shot could also just show some of the major characters from the movie. Basically, the establishing shot clues the viewer into what is happening and going on. Without an establishing shot, the viewer may not catch on to what is going on until it is too late.
The establishing shot of the little mermaid begins with birds flying in the sky, and the clouds behind them are dark, letting the viewer know a storm is brewing. The shot continues down to show the top of the ocean, and dolphins are swimming in the water, letting the viewer know that this movie takes place under the sea. The dolphins are then interrupted by a boat that is carrying Prince Eric, an important character in the movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxtL7zmBj58

Assignment #2

Fluency is being able to generate ideas. For an artist this is important because first of all, you have to be able to have an idea to go from in order to produce something. Another reason that fluency is important is if you have the same idea over and over again, your work will become predictable and boring, so being able to come up with new ideas is important. Flexibility is to be bendable: being able to move from one idea to another. It is vital for an artist to be flexible. An artist could possibly have multiple pieces of work going on at the same time, and must be able to switch from one piece to the other. Also a painter must be flexible because there could be limitations on what they had envisioned and what needs to be done in reality. Also the artist, while working on their current work, must be able to focus on one aspect of the work, but then be able to switch and think about another component. Originality, or being the first or new, is important because nobody wants to see something they have seen before. The point of art is to grow and push for new ideas or new thoughts. Doing something that someone has already done and has been seen before really has no purpose. Elaboration is having intricate, rich detail. Elaboration is also an important element to have. If a piece of art is not finished, and the fine detail has not been attended to, the work is just lacking. However, when every detail has been placed the art comes together.
Feldman’s method of art criticism begins with description. To describe something you must explain what was seen, felt, heard. Included in this could be the artist, the venue that work was at, and anything that could help a non viewer understand what it is was that you saw. The next element of the critique is to analyze. To analyze, you use the elements and principles of the work to further describe the work of art. In order to do this, you must dissect the work and try to understand why it was put in the work. The next step is to interpret. An interpretation explains what the work means, how the work works as a metaphor, what feelings does the work give you, and any overall meanings the work has. The step is to judge/ evaluate whether or not you like the work, why or why not.

BLOG ENTRY ASSIGNMENT #1: BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Have you ever made art? What kind of art do you like?
I have been in various art classes since elementary school through my senior year of high school. My favorite art class was during my junior year at Williston. The class was fundamentals of design. In this class we got to experience all kinds of things, and our teacher set guidelines for us, but as long as we met her criteria, we could do whatever we wanted. My favorite project was a sculpture that had to be made from our initials, and the piece had to represent you. I ended up making a guitar, with the strap in the shape of an "m", and then a cowboy boot with a stitched "e" on the front and a cowboy hat with the top portion being in the shape of an “m”.
I generally like visual art to be bold and bright. I don't know why, but I have always been drawn to loud things. I also rally like looking at pictures. My dad is a photographer, so I guess pictures have always been part of my life.
 Have you ever made a drawing? A painting? A sculpture?
I took a drawing class my senior year that I really enjoyed. One of our big projects was to draw our own hands, and by playing with contrast, make our hands look like they were real, and jumping off the page. I have painted in earlier art classes, but I was never too good at it. The project I described in the previous question was a sculpture. I really enjoyed making the sculpture out of paper mache, but the clay sculptures that I would have to make were never too good.
 When was the last time you went to a museum? Gallery? Artist studio?
The last museum I was in was the Charleston Children’s Museum while I was babysitting over the summer. The museum was actually pretty neat, and I definitely understand why the kids enjoy going there. I went to the national art gallery in DC when I was in 8th grade, unfortunately I do not remember it at all. My dad is a photographer whenever I step into our garage, I enter his studio.
 Have you ever been to a play? Opera? Art Film? Do you dance?
I really like Broadway musicals. I saw Mama Mia and Chicago a couple years ago. And of course, I've seen A Christmas Carol once or twice during the winter. In high school many of my friends were into performing, so I would always go see their plays. I may have seen an opera in middle school, but I don’t remember it. I don’t think that I have ever seen an art film. I have seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind which to some is considered an art film. I like to dance in the privacy of my own room, but I don’t dance in public
 Under what conditions do you learn the most?
I have found that I learn the most when I am actually interested in the subject. If I am interested in what I am learning about I can retain information very easily. When I am not interested, I tend to procrastinate and day dream when it comes time to actually learn
 Why are you taking this class?
This is a required class for Athletic training majors.
 Has any of the arts ever moved you in any way? How?
I have been known to cry in movies, so yeah, art has moved me. When something devastating happens to a character that I can relate too, I put myself in their position and it upsets me. Also, pictures can "take your breath away," or even make you feel sad, blessed, and many other emotions.
 What inspires you?
I am inspired by amazing true stories. The book "The Last Lecture" really inspired me. I think the most inspiration a quote from the book was when the author was talking about not feeling bad for himself after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and being told that he only had a few more months to live. His response to the diagnosis was not "poor me" or "why me" by any means. Instead his outlook was why not me. He viewed his limited time as a gift because he got to make sure that his family would be okay emotionally and financially, and he would be able to give all his loved ones a proper goodbye.
 What is art?
I don’t know if there is really a proper definition for art. To me art is a creative expression that appeals to another person’s senses.
 Do you consider movies art? Music? Video games? Comics? Television?
I consider some movies art. To me, dumb teen movies are not appealing and there is no creativity involved. However, movies like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind do seem like art to me. For movies like this there is some level of interpretation that takes place. Music is definitely an art. I think that video game creators are artists along with comics. I don’t really consider television an art.
 Who decided what is good art? How do they know?
If something seems beautiful, or amazing, or creative, or any other pronoun then I think it could be considered art. Not everybody has the same tastes, that is why there is discrepancy about what is and isn’t art. In other words, art is in the eye of the beholder
 When you debate music or movies with your friends, what critical elements or standards do you hold them to?
I don’t often debate music, but when there is a disagreement about music amongst my friend we usually argue about the beat, or temp of the music and whether or not the singer can actually sing in our opinion.
 What was the best movie of last year?
I actually haven’t seen too many movies in the past year. I saw Black Swan a couple weeks ago. It was good, but really disturbing at the same time. After the movie, I was still thinking about the movie and analyzed the movie probably a little too much. Easy A was also a surprisingly good/ funny movie
 What is an “Art Film”?
Wikipedia says that an art film is a serious film targeted at a specific group of people... so I guess this is an Indy film
 What CD or MP3 is in your player?
I hate to admit it, but I love Taylor Swift. I feel like she writes songs about my life.