Character Development- Upgraded

I have been working on character for the role, of Killer Queen in the Musical We Will Rock You. 
The character that I am portraying in We Will Rock You is a fierce, strong women who has all the power on Planet Mall. Killer Queen is the villain of the musical, she rules over Planet Mall and intends to destroy all instruments and Rock and Roll music. The character's name is a reference to the Queen song ''Killer Queen''. 
Killer Queen is from a planet that was called Earth but it now called Planet Mall. Killer Queen lives a swerve, luxury lifestyle, in modern, style-to-match home. Her inclusive boudoir is smothered in leather- red leather, pink leather, black leather, purple and the pure leopard print, with sparkles, crystal and diamonds embroidered on everything you could imagine. 
Killer Queen met Khashoggi at school. They would planned what they wanted to do and capture all persons, musical instruments and banish all Rock and Roll music- with the brain of Khashoggi and the authority of Killer Queen they were determined to over come the world.  
Killer Queen was always an outcast, where-ever she went, but she never made it obvious that she was a sad individual.  She always had a sight for performing and always auditioned for the shows but she would always get rejections, and this is where it all began her complete decision of Planet Mall. 
Killer Queen came to her power, after she gain all authority at her most recent high school, with her right side wing man, Khashoggi, where they both brainwashed the students and teachers. 

Visual Aspects/Visual Characteristics
Posture is a great characteristic to determine what kind of mood a person was in or what authority figure they had. I think that Killer Queens posture would be loud and proud, for example she would have her legs wide apart to increase her body size and she would stand upright with shoulder very board. I think this because she is an extremely confident woman, who knows she has everything, power and control. This relate back to her earlier ages, where she would take all control and follow her own ways. Killer Queens body language would be the same as her posture, very big and defined so draw attention to her. 
Killer Queen is dominant character in the musical, and her relationship Khashoggi is to prove it. Killer Queen never wants to do anything herself, so she gets Khashoggi to do it so that if anything goes wrong, Queen has someone else to blame but herself. Khashoggi doesn't want to step on Killer Queens toes, so he does as she says as he is afraid of her. This also shows in her big, exaggerated movements, I shall be using this characteristic for my show. 
I have been watching clips on youtube for inspiration for my characteristics, and I have taken Brenda Edwards, who performed as Killer Queen on the West End. 

I have chosen to use an american accent, as that is what they do on the West End. I will use a powerful and loud projection voice to go with my body language and movements, to portray my character. I have been looking at videos on youtube, so that I can pronounce the words in an american accent so that I don't sound as if I am going in and out of english and american. 

For Scene 3- Killer Queens Pad I have decided to be on a high level of staging to the rest of the cast e.g the yuppies and Khashoggi, as this will show that I am a higher figure/character. 

Bikini Wax Scene- I have learnt all my lines for WWRY and am now off script. I have found learning my lines rather difficult as I have a bad memory but I have found new ways to how I learn things and remembering lines and cues. I have also been finding it hard to stay in my american accent as I keep going into my English fluent accent too. To improve this I am going to keep going over my lines and performing them, also look on youtube and the We Will Rock You Musical at Killer Queens Scene to see how she pronounces her words.  

Contributions and Reflections- Upgraded

Contributing to the Production Roles

Megan and I have been helping Amy, Danielle and Charlotte with their production roles. Mainly just giving then ideas and helping them out organising the programme. Me and I spoke to Amy about having the picture of us in the programme, so then we decided that it would be a good idea to take a photographs of the cast all in black t-shirts and vest. We organised this for a Wednesday at college, When we are all in as this would be a perfect time to take pictures. 

Megan organised for her to borrow the camera from the Media department in the college so that we could have high quality photographs. 

Amy did a great job in creating the programme. 

I have also contributed help with choreography- For this dance, I was able to choreograph a section of the song Radio GaGa from the musical We Will Rock You. For inspiration for choreography, I look at videos on  youtube of the WestEnd Radio Ga Ga performance. I used basic moves as this dance is supposed to be plain, basic and minimal. All the movements through my arms, I have choreographed are executed with either fist or flat palms. I have used travelling in my choreography. 

I found it hard to teach the class my choreography as it was very confusing, but luckily I had a help from others in my group and Sam too. I also found it hard to describe the routine, as I am a visual learner rather than an oral learner. Although with help with everyone I was successfully able to teach the dance routine. 

For the other sections of the dance, I just need to familairise myself with the routines, as I know it I just need to follow it through in my movements. 
My targets is to improve my posture and to learn routines in time for shows and performances. 

Reflections 

For the future, I think I will keep my issues to myself and try not to overload myself with so much worry as I think this is one of the causes for me not be able to be in the show. I am genuinely gutted I couldn't be in the show, and am very thankful Charlotte was there to support me and Lauren as she had to do 4 shows. Although I wasn't in the shows, I was extremely happy and excited about the outcome and being apart of putting this show on right till the end.

DFTA & WWRY Feedback

  Worthing Academy of Performing Arts

                       Milestone Assessment of Blog

COURSE: BTEC Level 3 Diploma in          

             Performing Arts (Musical Theatre)

UNIT/S:  Unit 1: Performance Workshop

Unit 5: Rehearsing for Performance

Unit 13: Contemporary Theatre Performance

Unit 14: Musical Theatre Performance

ASSESSOR: Rachel Maddix

Student Name:	Grace Springer
Assignment Title:	Showtime 2013

Criteria highlighted in green has been achieved. A criteria that needs more attention to achieve a pass or above. Details highlighted in yellow are particularly important to you!
Task 2   The Rehearsal Process & Performance Blog Milestone Grades - Read each description to understand the differences between each one.	You have achieved
You have achieved P1 of the Performance Workshop Unit ·       You have shown evidence that you have used research to identify possibilities for development. ·       You could have been more adventurous in your use of material. For M1 of the Performance Workshop Unit ·       You considered a number of possibilities for the development of your character based on the scripted dialogue and your own research and used an original creative approach. To achieve D1 of the Performance Workshop Unit ·       You explored in a detailed and insightful manner the development of your character based on the scripted dialogue and your own research source materials. ·       You have shown evidence in your blog of a number of possibilities/ideas and have included those you have not been afraid of rejecting some along the way. ·       You were also able to explain the thought processes behind your choices in a thorough manner.	Merit
For P1 of the Musical Theatre Unit ·       You have been able to discuss your roles but provided little explanation of how or why you arrived at these decisions. ·       You gave some explanation but it is not detailed enough or consistently maintained. For M1 of the Musical Theatre Unit ·       You have explained the reasons for the decisions you have made about your roles, based on the text, research and on the rehearsal process. ·       You have been able to explain how you have arrived at their decisions. ·       You have occasionally used research and some evidence of analysis. For D1 of the Musical Theatre Unit, ·       You have carried out relevant research into your roles both ‘on the text’ and ‘off the text’. ·       You have used secondary sources which have been analysed to support your interpretation. ·       You have demonstrated a consistently informed approach to your understanding. ·       Your artistic and intellectual decisions about the roles are fully supported by  reasoned arguments based on evidence from the text, the performer’s intuition and other sources. ·       You use appropriate language and terminology confidently and accurately.	Merit
For P3 of the Rehearsing Unit, ·       You have provided evidence that you have researched beyond the play script into relevant social, historical, cultural contexts and performance methods/techniques. ·       You have provided evidence of how you have developed your role using the research, in your blog and in rehearsal discussions. To achieve M3 of the Rehearsing Unit, ·       You have made effective use of your research findings into relevant social, historical, cultural contexts and performance methods/techniques. ·       You have provided evidence of how you were able to reach clear and valid conclusions about interpretation and the choices you made when developing your role and application of techniques, etc. in your blog and in rehearsal discussions. For D3 of the Rehearsing Unit, ·       In your blog you have shown strong awareness of how to use/apply research findings which are highly relevant to the role/production. ·       You have written clearly about your progression in both roles and the performance skills you used. ·       You have made clear references to research findings, both in physical rehearsal activities, and class discussions. You have supported your ideas with notes and analysis in your rehearsal blog. ·       You have shown imagination in your use and application of research, you have included less obvious forms of research or research findings, and/or provided additional insight or fresh and unusual interpretations for the performance.	Pass
To achieve P4 of the Performance Workshop Unit ·       You have identified what went well and less well and made some suggestions as to how the work might be further developed throughout your blog. ·       The suggestions however, could be more specific, detailed and include examples. For M4 of the Performance Workshop Unit ·       Your blog includes discussion on the potential of the work making reference to specific examples from the work produced. To achieve D4 of the Performance Workshop Unit ·       You really weigh up the potential of the work and make judgements about the feasibility of further development. ·       You use well-chosen examples from the work	Pass
Learners achieving P1 of the Contemporary Theatre Performance Unit, ·       You have have conducted some research into the two play texts, noting the main themes and style of the plays. ·       There is little evidence of any concerns over the relevance for interpretation for the audience. To achieve M1 of the Contemporary Theatre Performance Unit ·       You have included some evidence of practical research and understood the relevance of the themes of each of the plays to the audience. ·       You have included cultural, social and political content. ·       You have understood the style of the plays and the implications for acting style and design. To achieve D1of the Contemporary Theatre Performance Unit ·       You have shown full understanding of the social and/or political purpose embedded in the themes of the plays. ·       Your ideas for interpretation cover all aspects of the aesthetics of the work in great detail.	Pass