Session 1
Introduction to Bertolt Brecht and some key terms
Verfrmdungseffekt – Strange making, distancing, defamiliarisation
Warm up - "Moody Objects"
Participants create inanimate objects physically then give these an attitude:
Angry - motorbike
Happy - bed
Depressed - chest of draws
Sad - chair
Proud - chair
When viewed by an audience why are these objects strange? - The audience see these as inanimate, therefore they may be confused as to why they are being associated with human properties.
What is the effect on the audience?- Observing the actor giving physical expression to these objects, initial response would be surprise, followed by confusion. However, once the actor starts to give 'life' and 'expression' to each object - it would become evident what was being demonstrated. For example, the motorbike roars loudly (just like shouting when you are angry). The chest of drawers groans as each draw is opened and closed, as if in pain. This would reflect a negative mood - a low moment.
Making a gesture strange
Simple Character creation
Building a character "outside in". Using opposing points of tension create simple characters.
The old man
The pregnant woman
The 'fat cat'
By using the clues of what we can 'see' of the character what can we tell about them and their social context.
What job might they have/had?
Have they have had and easy or hard life? Why?
Simple Character creation
Building a character "outside in". Using opposing points of tension create simple characters.
The old man
The pregnant woman
The 'fat cat'
By using the clues of what we can 'see' of the character what can we tell about them and their social context.
What job might they have/had?
Have they have had and easy or hard life? Why?
The 'pregnant woman' waddles around slowly, tentatively with disjointed movements. As if her body is no longer her own. She e is elegantly dressed - giving the impression of someone who has acquired wealth and status. A middle-class professional woman. She carries a designer handbag. She was a professional ballet dancer before she became pregnant. Whilst she walks upright, with light steps, she is frustrated, restricted in her movements because of her large belly.
