Spike Theatre Workshop 17/03/10

For this workshop, we created a concept for a show. I was in a group with Jas, Kia and Sian and we decided to do a comedy.
We thought of where we would show our show, our props we could use and how to use an object for different things or how objects could represent other things which would save money and would be easier to travel.

We wrote on two sides of sugar paper, one side a mind-map of our ideas - target audience, characters, where we would perform, scenes, etc. and on the other side we had decided how the stage would be layed out - we chose a split scene, showing three rooms of a house.

We then pitched our ideas to James and the rest of the class and he was really good as he acted like a tough client and I think I improvised well and spoke confidently. He said he was really pleased at our pitch and idea.

Stage 7 - Completion of Visual Arts Final piece

Safety

To prepare for our hand-over of our Orerry, we had to check that all small pieces were on securely - e.g the yellow stars were stuck on well enough when we hot-glued them on. This was because we didn't want any part of our visual arts piece to harm anyone, not just because it wouldn't look nice!

Another safety check we had to do was to check that there were no excess glue that may be toxic if picked off and put in child's mouth.

Furthermore, when we arrived, I reminded Miss Harrington - our client, of the possible hazards including the above and sharp edges, etc.

Hand-over

Jasmine and myself presented to the class first. We had a slideshow of phot's from start to finish of the project of which Jasmine changed and went through main photo's. I presented to the class and demonstrated how the orrery worked and answered questions that the children and the client asked. I feel the presentation went well, and I spoke quite confidently but to improve, I would try not to fidget as much! Also, the orrery seemed to go down very well, and our client and the pupils seemed pleased at the final product. Our client said that year 5 will be using it, as they do a project on the Solar System.

Materials, Equipment and Skills

Throughout the project, I have used; the scroll saw, drill, 2D Design for the laser cutter, acrylic, wood, araldite glue, hot glue-gun, double tape, non-toxic paint, wooden balls and 12mm dowels.

At first, I was scared of the Scroll saw, but now I am more confident and know how it works. I have perfected how to use the drill, and know more about pressure and timing. On Mr Coulson's laptop, I used 2d design which I have an aptitude for it, and increased my I.C.T skills more. Before this project, I had never used a hot glue gun but now I could easily use one and reassemble/refill one without thinking about it. Double tape can test your patience, but I have now mastered the skill of peeling off the side of tape now as well! Furthermore, with the patience improvement, when painting the planets and dowels, I had to use this new and improved skill of mine. My sanding skills were not very good at first, but now I believe they are quite good and this could also be linked into a patience thing, as before I just wanted to finish them.

Paperbirds Worskshop 03/03/10

In this workshop, we went into groups of 3 or 4 and designed 6 sets that could fold out of a suitcase. In our group we designed; a teenage girl's bedroom, a park bench, a train statin, a bowling party, hospital bed and the beach. Each set had a location, a character and an atmosphere.

We then presented to the rest of the class and the lady who organised the workshop seemed pleased with our results. Her job role is a set designer, and in the Paperbirds show we saw they were used, because of the small stage. This tool is really good to use in a small stage as it creates a different scene without waste time by changing set. This is ideal for a small company for travelling and small stages.