Drama: a warm-up routine  (Page 4/4)

What is Popular Art?

• Popular art in general tends to be narrative, to reinforce uncontroversial beliefs and sentiments, to support popular institutions, and to create identity in a social group.
• It is distinguished by the rapidity of its changes of style, by its revivals from earlier periods, and by its constant borrowings from elite art, folk art, foreign cultures, and modern technology for its song and lyrics, radio and television broadcasts, novels, dances and many other entertainments, objects, trends and fads.

Popular Theatre

• The term, ‘popular theatre’, denotes performances in the tradition of the music hall, vaudeville, burlesque, follies, revue, circus, and musical comedy, as distinguished from legitimate high or artistic theatre.
• The singers, dancers, comedians, clowns, puppeteers, jugglers, acrobats, conjurers and ventriloquists of popular theatre make up much of what is known as “show business”.
• Music, movement, and humour are all essential ingredients used by popular theatre throughout history.

Television

• Television itself is an aspect of popular culture.
• It has spawned the invention of video recorders (VCRs), DVD players and cameras.
• Much of its programming also falls into this category.
• Soap operas – the daytime serials – are one form; cleverly designed commercials are another.
• In the 21 ^st century, we have been introduced to the Reality TV concept, where actors are replaced by ‘real’ people in ‘real’ situations in order to win money or other elaborate prizes, e.g. “Big Brother”, “Survivor”, “The Bachelor”, “Coca Cola Popstars”, “Idols” and ‘’The Weakest Link’’.

• For the purpose of this module we shall be looking at and exploring Script Writing and devising a Reality TV programme.

The Theme: Popstar Idols – The Finals

• Make sure the learners are familiar with the reality shows “Coca Cola Popstars” and “Idols”.
• During a class discussion have the learners explore the themes concerning this concept.

• To plan, devise and produce this show, guidelines are provided for you to work with. You are free to use your imagination and guide the learners according to your creativity, initiative, resources, abilities of the learners, available technical equipment, available materials and funds. Video and sound equipment can be requisitioned from the Dept. of Education.

The Production

• The following are necessary for producing this programme:

• a script
• production team
• art department
• music department
• technical department

- marketing department

• The Script

• Have the learners discuss, compile, devise and write a script for the production as a collaborative exercise. Make sure you involve all the learners in the class.

- The script should contain the following:

• the running order of the show, e.g. what happens first, second, etc. to last
• dialogue for the presenters
• order of performances
• opening scene
• closing scene
• judging sections after each performance
• announcement of the winner

• Production Team

• Producers: people who are responsible for the production of the show and with whom the last decisions lie – all departments report back to the producer;
• The Director: person responsible for the practicalities of the show, e.g. management; making sure everybody attends the rehearsals; rehearsal times; directing the show; directing the presenters, contestants, judges; working out the camera shots and angles; approving the contestants and the music they are performing; approving the set; etc.
• Video camera operators: taping the show re the script and the director’s instructions.
• Sound technicians : in charge of microphones and overall sound for production and performances.
• Lighting designers: creating the lighting for the show.
• Stage managers: making sure the programme runs according to the script; ensuring that the contestants, presenters, judges, prop masters, etc. follow and obey their cues.

• Art Department

• Set designers: people responsible for designing the set for the production.
• Set builders: people who build the set according to the set designers’ specifications.
• Costume designers: designing or selecting costumes for the performers involved in the show, e.g. what the presenters and contestants will wear, etc.
• Dressers: making sure the performers are dressed in their designated costumes before the show starts and that all the accessories are in place.
• The Make-up department: creating and applying the make-up to the performers.
• Hairstylists: creating hairstyles for the performers.

• Music department

• Musical director: selecting the music to be used for the show; selecting the signature tune for the show; approving the music to be performed by the contestants; rehearsing the musicians and contestants.
• Vocal Coach: training and rehearsing the contestants for the show.
• Musicians: performing the music for the contestants; performing additional music for the show.
• Sound Operator: if backtracks or pre-recorded music is to be used, the operator will be working with the sound engineer making sure the correct music is being played.

• Technical Department

• video camera operators
• sound engineers and operators

- lighting operators

• Marketing Department

• This department is in charge of the promotion and marketing of the show.
• Advertisements, posters, programmes, tickets are to be designed, printed and distributed.

- This department is also responsible for devising the marketing strategy for the show.

• The Performers

• The presenters – not more than two.
• The contestants – not more than 10 finalists.

- The judges – not more than 4 (3 usually good to avoid a tie).