Humorous Interpretation Chapter Study Guide Chapter One: The Nature of the Event
1. What are the two ways in which HI is a “funny” event? a. b. 2. Humorous is “easier” than Dramatic - true or false? 3. HI requires______for success. 4. Characterization is:
5. Focus is:
6. Humorous is:
7. Interpretation is:
8. Subtext is:
9. Teaser is:
10. Text is:
11. What are the two assumptions about the nature of the selection? a.
b.
12. Another standard assumption is that an interper is better off choosing a piece with ______rather than a ______.
13. What is said about the differences/similarities between acting and interpreting? 14. Basically, these differences only amount to ______, and that is easily acquired by the ______student.
15. The most visible difference to even the most casual viewer is the effect that interp has on ______.
16. Why is it necessary to restrict movement in HI?
17. How much movement is too much? What are 2 basic guidelines for movement?
18. Ultimately, what must dictate the amount of movement required to make the piece work?
19. What is the rule for Selections in HI? (basic summary)
20. What is the rule for the Cutting?
21. What is the rule for Focus?
22. What is the rule for Re-Use?
23. What is the National rule for Entry? (basic summary)
24. What is the National rule for the Source? (basic summary)
25. What is the time limit for HI? Humorous Interpretation Chapter Study Guide Chapter Two: Selecting a Piece for Interpretation
1. Basically, the piece has to be a ______, and practical considerations also dictate the importance of ______.
2. What is said about “older cuttings?”
3. What are the SIX criteria in selecting a script for HI, and what is said about each? (basic summary)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
4. What advice is given to Young Interpers about the number of characters to attempt in a script?
5. Name FIVE ways to locate potential scripts for HI?
a. b. c. d. e. Humorous Interpretation Chapter Study Guide Chapter Three: Cutting the Script
1. While some scripts may almost ______, others require ______, ______, and ______in order to come up with a script that combines the necessary plot elements in a scene that can be performed in 10 minutes or less.
2. The first step is to:
3. As you read, you should:
4. In evaluating scenes, what are the 7 most important story elements?
5. Perhaps the most important is identifying the ______and ______.
6. It is usually most effective for you to identify ______and work backwards from there.
7. What are the differences between the two story elements?
8. What is Exposition?
9. What is Complication?
10. What is Rising Action? 11. What is said about Gender in consideration of script cuttings?
12. What are the SIX approaches to Physically cutting the script?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
13. What is the basic rule for Connecting Scenes?
14. Why is it important to maintain the integrity of the original?
BE SURE YOU GO OVER THE SAMPLE CUTTING CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY, and follow this example for your own script when cutting. Make sure you understand the importance of the lines that were left in and the ones that were cut out. Humorous Interpretation Chapter Study Guide Chapter Four: Analyzing the Script
1. What are the dangers of “too shallow” a study of a piece?
2. What are the three basic essentials in making the characters in a cutting “come alive?”
3. The first, absolutely essential step is to ______preferably ______.
4. Why is this so important to your performance?
5. What should be done in the Second Reading of the script?
6. The next step is to ______.
7. Start by listing ______.
8. Just as important as the objectives are the ______.
9. It is also essential that the performer identifies ______and ______in the scene.
10. It is also important to find places where the emotion ______in a progression toward the ______.
11. Finally, if we ______as it relates to the ______, then we have an understanding of how the character might say the line. One way of dealing with this is to consider ______and ______.
12. One interesting way of dealing with script analysis is to ______.
13. Describe what happened in the example for this strategy.
14. Often it takes a great deal of ______to make a performance gel. Humorous Interpretation Chapter Study Guide Chapter Five: Creating Characters
1. What is the importance of Vocal Distinctions?
2. What is Quality?
3. Identify and describe each of the SIX basic vocal qualities:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
4. How can you create “new” vocal qualities?
5. What is Pitch?
6. How do you find your vocal Range?
7. How do you adopt this to your characters?
8. What is Volume? 9. What are the considerations for Volume for your characters?
10. What is Rate?
11. How can you adapt Rate to your characters?
12. What is Articulation?
13. How can you adapt Articulation to your characters?
14. What is Dialect?
15. How can you adapt Dialect to your characters?
16. What do you do once you have decided on all of the vocal qualities for your characters?
17. What are the two important divisions in making characters physically distinct?
18. How do you establish Focal Points? 19. What are the 3 elements of physicalization of a character?
20. In beginning with the legs, what are the two most important considerations?
21. What are the “typical” gender differences when considering placement of the Feet?
22. What are the character considerations when working on placement of the Knees?
23. What are the 4 choices when considering Hip Positions?
24. What are the meanings behind Shoulder placement?
25. What are the meanings behind Head and Neck placement?
26. What is Gesture?
27. What are the meanings behind Hand positions? 28. How do you consider the Mannerisms of your characters?
29. How do you determine appropriate Arm placement?
30. What are the basic rules for putting the physical character together?
31. What is meant by “establishing commitments?”
32. How do you view the importance and value of the “chart” method for planning your characterizations? Humorous Interpretation Chapter Study Guide Chapter Six: Introductions
1. A good introduction can be critical in ______and can get the performance off to a great start. A sloppy introduction can give a ______.
2. Identify and explain the 3 steps for an effective introduction:
a.
b.
c.
3. In using a Teaser Intro, you still need which two parts of the Intro?
4. Do Intros have to be long to be effective?
5. If an Intro does at least 3 things, it has accomplished all it needs to. What are the 3 things?
6. What is the last thing you should include in the Intro? Humorous Interpretation Chapter Study Guide Chapter Seven: Rehearsal
1. Most rehearsals begin with a ______.
2. Focus on ______.
3. After the initial ______, it is sometimes helpful to break a scene down into ______or ______.
4. Focus on working on ______first, as fine- tuning ______will have to wait until you have ______.
5. As you work with the vocal characterizations, begin ______.
6. If you have trouble memorizing, what are several things should you try?
7. Once you are “off script,” what should you do?
8. The “dress rehearsal” should occur AT LEAST ______to allow you to make further adjustments.
9. Rehearsal does not end when the piece has been taken to a tournament; really, it ______.
10. Why is it important to complete Ballot Analysis forms? Humorous Interpretation Chapter Study Guide Chapter Eight: Performance
1. A key component in any humorous performance is ______. Too many performers do not ______.
2. What happens if the audience’s laughter continues to be stepped on?
3. Pauses which allow for laughter may be filled with something. What is that something?
4. What is one of the things that makes interpretation an art rather than a science?
5. Describe “The Take.”
6. Pauses can also be used for ______.
7. Describe “Variety.”
8. What are some “Volume” considerations?
9. Describe the “Pacing” of the scene.
10. Describe “Building” a scene.