Devising Week 2:

Today we use drama conventions to show emotion.

The convention we used was a freeze-frame to show fear. We had two people standing up using a dominant stance, holding a bow and arrow to show power. The third person was crouching down on the ground, holding her hands to her face to show how scared she was. We held the freeze frame for more than three seconds so the audience we able to observe everything. This was also done to make the audience feel sad for the person being attacked.

E.g of freeze frames:

 

Devising: Week 1

Conventions: a way which something is usually done. In drama, these are specific actions or techniques used to create a dramatic effect and style.
e.g.

• tension
• emotions 
• space 
• focus
• action
• time 
• role 

This we used physical theatre, especially focusing on Anne Bogart's viewpoints.  

                   

Formal Writing

Is Technology Ruining The Younger Generation.

Technology is destroying the younger generation! Our minds have been infested with the constant need to be online. Technology affects our physical and mental health and although we may not realize it now, technology is slowly reducing our capability to interact with other human beings.

People these days use a variety of digital devices, such as phones, computers, ipads, tablets etc. Constant use of the devices can lead to physical health problems. For example listening  through headphones at a high volume for a long time may damage hearing. Along with the risk of damaging one’s hearing, technology can also affect the eyes. Too much screen time drains our eyes, causing our vision to become blurry and drying out our eyes. “Nearly 70% of american adults have experienced digital eye strain.”

Phones nowadays have become so addicting and such a big part of our lives that if we are detached from it, it is like we have lost a limb. In today's society human interaction has become less and less. It’s like this generation has lost their feelings and emotions to texts and emoticons because it is is portrayed as easier to communicate with people online. “Teens today spend more than 712 hours a day consuming media.” If this time was spent doing this more productive or just talking to people face to face, human interaction would be a whole lot easier.

The use of technology combined with the power of social media portraying the ideal standards of beauty can really mess with someone’s mind. The constant reminder through technology of the “perfect body” or “perfect face” on social media negatively affects one’s confidence level and can lead to mental illnesses. Studies have found that girls as young as eight that spend a lot of time on social media tend to have lower self-confidence and social skills. Because everything is so easy to access online makes it even worse for those who suffer from low self-esteem.

In conclusion technology is slowly but surely destroying people’s minds through physical and mental health. Also the lack of human interaction is negatively affecting this generation and the generations to come. It may be helpful in some ways but if not properly used it could demolish human lives before our very own eyes.

Reading Blog 6

Reading Blog 6
A Brighter Fear
Text Type: Extended written text


A Brighter Fear written by Kerry Drewery is a story about a girl named Lina who faces hardships during the 2003 Iraq bombing. An impossible love story, for a country and a person too.

I felt devastated when Lina had to choose between saving herself or her uncle. She did not know if her uncle Aziz would still be alive after the kidnappers received their money. I thought it was so courageous of her to save her uncle rather than using her fathers life savings for herself. The fact that she had the chance to save herself, move to Europe and get away from all the bloodshed but didn't, showed the love she had for her family.

Reading Blog 5

Reading Blog 5
Schindler's Ark
Text Type: Extended written text

‘Schindler’s Ark’ written by Thomas Kenelly is a historical fiction novel that is about a man named Oskar Schindler, a Nazi party member who throughout the book becomes an unlikely hero to 1,200 Jews. He is a self-made entrepreneur who finds himself saving the Jews from the Nazi death machine.

Knowing that the novel is based on a true story, restores my faith in humanity. Even though there were men like Hitler back then there were also men like Schindler who although was a Nazi still helped Jews from the kindness of his heart. Just because he was Nzai it didn’t mean that he had to follow the evil ways of their leader in the 20th century. Oskar saved 1,200 Jews and even though he thought it wasn’t enough it showed how big his heart was and how much he was willing to risk for the sake of others. “Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.” a quote engraved into a ring that was gifted to Schindler by Itzhak Stern on behalf of the Jews, as a small token of their appreciation, knowing that there is no way they could repay the gift of life. This shows us that change starts with one and something can be done even in the worst of times. The Jews want Schindler to know by saving them he has saved humanity.

Reading the book I find it so amazing what the power from one person can accomplish. Schindler used his power to save those in need, Jews. Whereas Amon Goeth used his power to kill Jews and shoot them from his balcony for no reason. Although Schindler could be as greedy and self-absorbed as Goeth he knew it wasn’t right to kill people just because of their religion. I felt disgusted by the amount of hate Goeth had towards the Jews and how he uses his power to kill them just because he can. Oskar explains to Goeth that “Power is when we have every justification to kill, and we don’t”. Goeth is drunk to try and Schindler is trying to make him understand that violence and power is not the same thing. Goeth tries to follow his advice the next day but finds himself failing, this showing the difference between the two men use their power.

Reading Blog 4

Reading Blog 4
Remember the Titans
Text Type: Visual Text

Remember the Titans

Remember The Titans directed by Boaz Yakin tells a story about a newly integrated school. At the start Herman Boone is asked to take the place of former coach Bill Yoast. Since the integration was fairly new no one wanted to accept the fact that blacks and whites would play together. As an African-American everyone seems to be against Coach Boone. It is up to him to pull the team together. As the movie progresses both coaches come to a compromise and all the hard work and friendship of the team shines through, which eventually helps change the view of all those who discriminated.

It enraged me to see both races not treat each other as equals. This is seen when Gerry says “I don’t want to play with any of these black animals”. It made me wonder why being different was such a big deal back then. Seeing this makes me feel glad that in 2017 everyone is treated as equals and are not being judged on where they came from.

I was delighted to see the team come together and not giving a damn about the colour of their skin even outside of camp. We see this when the team has practiced a dance routine for their warm up and performed it on the football field in front of everyone. This gave a sense of unity and a special bond no one can break. Many years later this bond the boys have is still not broken. This is proved when an older Sheryl says “People say that it can’t work, black and white. Here we make it work everyday. We still have our disagreements, of course, but before we reach for hate, always, always remember the Titans”.

In all I thought it was a great movie and the message of diversity was portrayed beautifully in the film ‘Remember The Titans’.

Reading Blog 3

Reading Blog 3
Go Ask Alice
Text Type: Extended written text

Go ask Alice, a tragic and deeply disturbing book that takes us on an emotional rollercoaster that is the life of an anonymous 15 year old girl, referred to as ‘Alice’. From doing drugs to running away, all being document of a horrifying reality.

I feel horrible and angry when Alice writes “I wish I were popular and beautiful and wealthy and talented.” seeing that the expectations of society were very similar in the late 1960s shows us that although our generation may have progressed with time there are still people out there who are insecure a feeling that will never leave this world no matter how many years pass. She states that “Sometimes I think we’re all trying to be shadows of each other, trying to buy the same records and everything even if we don’t like them.” I feel as though I can really relate to her when she writes this because I am constantly trying to fit in and like what other people like just because I don’t want to be seen differently but I don’t want to lose myself just to impress someone. Alice also feels this way when she continues on to say “...Kids are like robots, off an assembly line, and I don’t want to be a robot.”

I really like the way the author symbolizes the maggots and worms. “Gramps’ body all filled with maggots and worms.” I feel as those the corpse symbolizes the loneliness of her mind as it is being hid from others and the maggots being the society that is corrupting her mind. No one knows whats going on in her brain but somehow she was still pushed into doing illegal and  traumatizing things.