"Free" The Poem. World War 2.

Poem

In the last few weeks we have been working on poems. Every Thursday morning Rob gave us different poems so we could practice reading through them. For example, one morning I was in pair with Toya. We were working on the sad story poem and had to read it in a comic way. For the assignment I have chosen Free The Poem. I liked this poem because of it's simplicity that makes it beautiful. At first, it might look a bit silly because of it's content so you need to understand the actual meaning of it. Rob's feedback about my poem was positive. He agreed that I improved on articulation. Reading aloud books helps me a lot. I Pace, rhythm was good as well.

Story of World War 2

In Sharon`s class we were working on World War 2 stories. I was in group with Isabella, Mara and Odinelsa. Our story was based on Hitler the dictator of Germany,

Memories from World War 2

Me, Isabella and Mara were members of anti-Hitler youth center. Odinelsa published propaganda promoting everyone to join Hitler`s team because he is the best. Mara got very excited about it. Meanwhile me and Isabella started to think of escape. Mara promised us that she would help us to run away but she betrayed us. She has joined Hitler. Regardless, we were best friends she put me and Isabella in prison. By accident she pushed me, I felt down and broke my leg, Later on messenger of Hitler team (Mara) came and took Isabella away.

A lot of people joined the German`s army during WW2

I had no idea where she was taking her to. She left me in my cell because I couldn`t walk. My leg was swollen. After few minutes she came back again. Hitler ordered her to bring me in. Even though I was lying down on the floor without any power, she grabbed me under my arm picks and drag me away to the Hitler`s room. Moment I came into room I saw Isabella. She looked so tired and weak. I wanted to explain Mara that she`s going wrong way, to prove her that this is not right but she didn`t listen to me. And then I heard Hitler`s voice "kill her". These words shrilled through my ears. I knew this is the end. Though I was calling out "No! No! No! We were best friends!" she hit me. THE END.

Germany flag

It was 5 minutes long short piece based on real stories from World War 2. It was very believable. The story was clear as well as the characters.

However, later one as the role everyone was playing we wrote a letter to someone. My character was slave with broken leg writing a letter to her beloved fiance. My character was writing this letter while she was stuck in prison cell after Isabella was taken away. She is very scared, doesn``t know whats going to happen, where is her friend, what happened to Mara, why she is acting like this, this is wrong very wrong. Anyway, my letter is addressed to my beloved John. He was living in the USA at this time. In my letter I explain everything
what has happened recently and tell John how I love him.





By the way, everyone should watch Pearl Harbor the movie. It`s based on real story and is about love, war, lost, friends and betrayal. Starring Ben Affleck, It is one of my favorite movies. Amazing set, great actors and the story is just breathless.


All quiet on the Western front the book (Im Western nichts Neues) written by Erich Maria Remarque is true story of impact of social attitude to young adults before and after war.

 Xoxo, Amber

Original story of Anastasia vs Disney story of Anastasia.

Original story of Anastasia 

As I have chosen my favourite fairytale is Anastasia. It is one of the most beautiful cartoon movies I have ever seen. Sadly, it has a real cruel story. Even though cartoon seems nice story of Anastasia there is a real tragedy behind it. Story is completely changed but the main facts of it are left. It is rewritten and some cruel facts about political life have changed to magical and unforgettable world of ‘Anastasia’. However, this story is made for kids and some parents would not like their children watching tough cartoons on TV.

Everything has started in twentieth century only 100 years ago and still has not ended. Nicholas II Romanov had become Czar of Russia in 1896. He was the last autocratic ruler left in Europe, where Kings and Emperors ruled a continent. Russia was one of the biggest lands to rule by one person at this time. Many people have tried to ruin his reign and take over his position but they were unsuccessful. Some of European countries were already democratized so do Russians wanted democracy. Ones were unhappy about not moving towards democracy but majority were pleased with governance.

Anastasia in 1914

Nicholas family did not want a revolution, especially towards democracy. Economic growth was great during this time and people were happy about it.

However, he had a nice family. His wife Alexandra, who was living in Germany for a while, was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain. The Czar had four very beautiful daughters, Olga, Tatiana, Marie and Anastasia, and son Alexei. As he was the only boy child in family he was heir to the throne. But he was sick of haemophilia he needed some help. And then Rasputin showed up as a mysterious woodsman. He helped Alexei to calm down and recuperate. He was a friend of Romanov`s family. He was helping them out when Nicholas went to the army. Rumours about Rasputin and the Czar`s Wife spread around.

However, World War 1 was in progress. One thing followed to another even more sparking the war between Russia and Germany. Vladimir Lenin became a leader of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) by putting Romanovs in very bad situation. A few months later they all were killed. A secret police leader shot all family members one by one. After man years rumors of still alive Anastasia began circulating. Many women were claiming that they were Anastasia. One of them looked identically like Duchess. Regardless, there were not enough proofs that there was the Grand Duchess Anastasia even though the girl looked just like her. Many years later a mysterious girl Anna Anderson`s DNA proved that Anastasia was killed with other family members in 1918. All supposition was negated after 90 years of mystery. Anastasia 

Anyway, family`s eradication had a big impact to Russia and other countries. And then Communism totally conquers the country. It was the beginning of fascism and communism.

Disney Story of Anastasia

The Disney has picked up the main thing of original story. It`s a delightful animated musical. Anastasia was about 9 years old. There was a big ball at Winter Palace during the February revolution. Anastasia and her family run out of the palace. They were running very fast to the train station. Anastasia is about to get on the train but because of chaos she slips, falls down and forgets everything. When she turns 18 she comes back to St. Petersburg. Everyone rumoring that Anastasia is alive! 

Anastasia at Winter Palace

Two friends one of them named Dimitri decided to earn some money and collect the reward from Anastasia`s grandmother who hopelessly wants to find her. So he and his friends are holding 

Bartok

auditions at Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, looking for someone who looks like Anastasia. Accidentally they met Anya (Anastasia) there who looks most similar to tsarina but she doesn`t remember anything. However, Rasputin plays a villain`s role in the movie. He cursed the Romanov`s family because they betrayed him. He came to the ball at the beginning of the movie and destroyed everything but little girl who escaped-little Anastasia. By the way, he has funny little friend Russian bat named Bartok. 

Though Rasputin was weirdo he was very close to the family and helped to cure Alexi`s from hemophilia. Anyway, Anastasia and two guys travelling to Paris to collect the reward. Dimitri and Anya falls in love with each other. Secretly, he and his friend know that Anya somehow is a real tsarina that got lost many years ago. Dimtri feels bad because he`s about to betray her. They come to Paris and going to see grandmother. A boy admits that he doesn`t need a reward he just informs that they have found her real granddaughter. The moment Anya and grandmother meets they start singing a song that only two of them know. Both Dimitri and Anastasia destroys Rasputin and all his magical powers. In reward, grandmother lets her go and be with Dimitri even though he doesn`t have royal blood. They lived happily ever after.

Grandmother puts the crown on Anastasia 

Which techniques did I use to tell story of Anastasia in 1 minute? 

I can tell that it was very hard to choose main 3 scenes because all of them are so beautiful. The 3 main points I have chosen:

1. The beginning when she gets lost and forgets everything. 
2. Dimtri and his friend finds Anastasia and offers her go to Paris and get riches. 
3. Moment Anastasia and grandmother sees each other they remember everything. 

I was in pair with Jerome. He numbered 3 things I used most: 

• Characterization 
• Narration 
• Mimicking  

He said that I separated all characters: wizard Rasputin, Anastasia, Dimtri and his friend, grandmother by changing voices, using different body language, mimicking. My performance was only 1 minute long so I used narration to tell people what`s going on and monologue to show different characters. I started my story with "Long time ago Anastasia and her family had a big ball in St. Petersburg... And the bad wizard came and destroyed everything!" "Bang Bang Bang!!" "A little Anastasia got lost, fell down and forget everything..." The ending of first part of the story. Second part started with queen standing in the middle and telling everyone "Those who will find my lost granddaughter will get riches" "Two guys decided to earn some money and started looking for Anastasia. Accidentally they met a girl looking just like Anya." "Look! She looks just like the princess." ( Dimitri pointed to Anastasia) "Hid friend agreed." All 3 of them: Anya, Dimitri and his friend went to Paris. The moment Anastasia saw grandmother they recognized each other. In return, Dimitri got married with Anastasia (she called out "I DO!") and they lived happily ever after.

Anya and Dimitri

Working On Our Country's Good

At the beginning I would like to highlight my targets which is to improve my articulation and voice projection, get under the skin, correctly use Stanislavski`s methods to help me understand Duckling`s character.  My partner Matthew and I have been rehearsing for the last few weeks for Our Country's Good. We have tried different pace and pitch by doing voice exercises and repeating the same line for a few times, slowing down and speeding up.

Our Country`s Good in West End

About my character: Duckling Smith born and raised in London. She was a young prostitute and thief who was sentenced to death at only age of 16. Her childhood was severe. She was sold as a prostitute when she was 8. Later on was working as one of 'Goose's girls'. Because of lack of money she started stealing and got caught. She was accused of stealing silverware worth for 45 shillings at this time. Hanging as punishment was completely normal thing for that kind of offence. Stealing of things valued at £3.00 (equal to 60 shillings) thieves got hanged. Harry Brewer who is hopelessly in love with Duckling saved her life by writing her name on a list to transportation for 7 years. However, their relationship was quite hard. Harry goes great guns to get Duckling's attention while she tries to ignore him because she's afraid if he realises that she loves him he will become cruel. However, she knows exactly what he likes and what he doesn't. She plays with his feeling not realising it can end up tragically. For example, the scene that she goes down her knees and using sexy voice talks with Harry about intimate things. Nobody expected that I would do it but I know that my character would. To be honest, it's not my favourite scene but I can't imagine this scene without any body language. Because there is a reason why she says it, she's seducing Harry, so just saying the words out doesn't make any sense about the actual meaning of it.  

Our Country`s Good in West End

About the play: It was written in seventeenth century by playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker. This play is based on real story of convicts that was exiled to Australia. 

Our Country`s Good in West End

What barriers am I discovering? Firstly, I didn't know all the words are used in the play such as Mollie, and got confused how to pronounce lieutenant, Thames, gaoler but Rob and classmates helped me out. Rob said that my articulation gets better and better but the line "...and take my corpse with you. You could have kept that in chains" is a good tongue twister. At the end of the day, vocal and breathing exercises helps me a bit. I trying to do it every morning before college. Besides, we have vocal class every Thursday. Every Thursday morning in Rob's class we warm our bodies up, did OO-OH-OR and a few tongue twisters. Here is one I flew through the air without a care. 

After all, working on Stanislavski`s techniques was very helpful. I will adapt it while will be working on The Tempest  written by Shakespeare after Christmas holidays. I already used his methods to understand the poem Free. To be honest, it takes a while analyzing every single line or even a sentence. But I`m sure the time is well spent understanding the role I`m playing. 

P.S. I will upload a video soon.