Fall 2012 Discipline: Drama SEMS 2500: Unique Genre of Physical Comedy Division: Lower Faculty Name: Barry Lubin
Pre-requisites: None
COURSE DESCRIPTION This course will embrace the world of physical comedy, differentiating it from the spoken word. From Charlie Chaplin to modern day film, television, and live physical comedians, we will study and analyze what is funny to the modern audience as compared to what was considered funny in the early days of silent films. Slapstick comedy technique, sketch comedy, creating new material together and in small groups, and discussing the process of creation of pieces without verbal language will all be covered. Discovery of the character which lies within you will be explored and improvisational techniques will be used to bring out the best in all of us within the classroom setting. The various roles played in successful physical comedy will be explored, and the best role each classmate is best suited for in this genre will be discovered. The class will have a final performance for the shipboard community in which various routines developed during the voyage as well as classic physical comedy routines from the silent film era will be performed. Classroom work will be supplemented, wherever possible, by films, attendance at live performances, and meetings with international physical comedy artists.
COURSE OBJECTIVES Students will: Learn about physical comedy characters and material from the past and realize the relevance of creating laughter through physical comedy for today’s audience. Learn various slapstick devices and techniques to help create tools for comedic expression using their own physicality and working within their strengths and limitations. Learn the nuances of creation of a character versus a characterization Gain insight into what is “funny” and why Find their “Inner Clown” character. Find your place in this unique art form from the straight man/woman to the clown. Have FUN!
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS Author: Steve Martin, "Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life"
TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE (Subject to Change)
Classes 1-3 Introduction to the Art of Physical Comedy: Video/Lecture/Workshops Classes 4-6 Development of Character using techniques of improvisation, music, and sketch comedy pieces. Trying on various characters, exploring the inner clown, using failure in order to realize success. Classes 7-10 Writing original comedy pieces: Exploring various ways to develop, write, flesh out, practice, and perfect new material in the ensemble setting, in duos, trios, and solo. Classes 11-14 Presenting in unfinished form in the classroom setting potential new material Classes 15-17 Watching Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin films and analyzing, them looking at character and content. Classes 18-21 Beginning to choose, hone, and rehearse physical comedy material for the final performance. Possible guerilla appearances on board to test character and interact in a fun way. with the students without being disruptive. Classes 22-23 Preparation, rehearsals, and performance for the shipboard community.
FIELD ASSIGNMENTS (Twenty percent of the contact hours for each course is provided by field work.) Each student is required to attend the field lab on Day 1 in Belgium. Students must also choose two from the voyage’s SAS Pre- Arranged Trips or self-design and obtain faculty approval for an Independent Study project. On the last day of classes students will submit a two to three page reaction paper discussing their three experiences (how they related to classroom studies, cultural and artistic similarities and differences, etc.) A list of appropriate port experiences and further information will be provided on the ship. Also, students will make frequent entries into their Physical Comedy Journals while in port observing and recording ideas for future comic material.
METHODS OF EVALUATION Attendance/Participation/Exercises (50%) Students are expected to attend class, actively participate in and contribute to classroom discussions on a regular basis and prepare and complete assignments and in class exercises with energy and focus and a sense of fun. Performances within the classroom will help enhance understanding of physical comedy during the course, and the final performance will be evaluated on several levels. Please note: This is not about whether you are personally funny or not. This is about applying yourself to the understanding of the unique art of physical comedy and finding a place in that world which is personally satisfying, effective, and successful.
Comedy Journal (10%) Students will maintain a journal used to record observations from shipboard life and port adventures in order to create material for physical comedy pieces based on real life, fantasy, and from the world of the absurd.
Field Assignment Reaction Paper (20%) Students will submit a two to three page reaction paper reflecting upon the three port experiences they attended in fulfillment of their Field Assignment requirement. These papers will discuss how the performances related to classroom studies, explore cultural and artistic similarities and differences, as well as include any other discoveries and/or insights.
Final Physical Comedy Project (10%) Grade based upon successful preparation for, participation in and completion of an in-class and/or public performance.
RESERVE LIBRARY LIST
Films: Any Chaplin, Keaton, Harold Lloyd, or Laurel and Hardy Film Big Apple Circus DVD: "Play On" - 31st season, 2008-9 Big Apple Circus DVD: "Celebrate!" 30th season, 2007-08 "Circus" PBS 6 hour miniseries produced by Show of Force about a year traveling with the Big Apple Circus Cirque Du Soleil - Varekai Cirque Du Soleil - Nouvelle Experience Cirque Du Soleil - La Magie Continue
ELECTRONIC COURSE MATERIALS
“The General” starring Buster Keaton. Chaplin short films. Rowan Atkinson’s primer on physical comedy.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
None