[U5&6]: Task 1 – Research

Revue Style Productions

According to thefreedictionary.com a revue style production would be a musical show consisting of skits, songs, and dances, often satirizing current events, trends, and personalities.

A revue style theatrical performance does not have a storyline to it but instead focuses on a general theme. This was a very popular type of theatre during the time after world war one; it was the perfect topical and sophisticated entertainment for the people of that time. The tickets were very expensive, “$5.00 for an opening night ticket ($106.22 in 2008 dollars)” which meant that only the higher class people could attend these performances. It proved great to introduce new talent into the theatre though, the performers were offered big amounts of money so it also attracted performers from every corner of the industry.

This type of theatre attracted high-class people as it satirised topical matters, famous people and primarily the display of the female body. Middle-class folk were patronised by the upper classes even more because this was something only they could attend due to high prices. In the later years, after world war two, the style changed to a light, charming and witty type of theatre. It is now a tradition to have medical institutions compete for the ‘Moira Stuart Cup’ with a display of the best revue style performances.

References

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/revue
This is where I found the definition of revue.

http://www.vplt-live.de/news/2016/1/swedish-revue-style-production-with-robe-lights
This website wasn’t relevant because it was partially in German and spoke about a Swedish revue production, which is completely irrelevant.

http://www.theatrecrafts.com/pages/home/topics/stage-management/theatrical-style/
I thought I would find some more information, but unfortunately nothing new was provided from this website.

https://archive.org/details/HarlemReview
Here is an interesting video of a revue, probably from the 1930’s. There’s not much information about it.

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/t/theatrical-revue/
Chronological development of revue style theatre and the most important people from that era who were part of revue theatre in some way.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revue
Simple explanations and summarisation of everything relevant.

Different types of film awards

BAFTA – British Academy of Film and Television Arts

Supports, promotes and develops the art forms of the moving image – film, television and video games – by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public.

It was founded in 1947 and had its first award in 1949, the awards are annual. It is served in U.S.A. and U.K. but for it to be awarded it must have had a theatrical release in the U.K. for at least 7 days.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Academy_of_Film_and_Television_Arts

Emmy Award

It is awarded annually for excellence in the television industry. First award was in 1949 and it is awarded nationally and regionally in the U.S.A.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmy_Award

 

The Academy Awards (Oscars)

They are awarded annually for excellence in cinematic achievements. Firstly awarded in 1929. It is served in the U.S.A. but if a film had a theatrical release in the Los Angeles County, California for at least 7 days it is elligible to be considered for an award.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Awards

Golden Globe Award

Awarded annually for excellence in film and television. First award presented was in 1944, it is served in the U.S.A.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Globe_Award

What can you be awarded for?

You can be awarded for different things in different awards but they all base it off of the same principle: Best [ – ]

The Golden Globe Award currently has these categories:

Motion Picture Awards:

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Best Director
Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama
Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama
Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
Best Screenplay
Best Original Score
Best Original Song
Best Foreign Language Film
Best Animated Feature Film (since 2006)
Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement in Motion Pictures

Television Awards:

Best Drama Series
Best Comedy Series
Best Actor in a Television Drama Series
Best Actor in a Television Comedy Series
Best Actress in a Television Drama Series
Best Actress in a Television Comedy Series
Best Limited Series or Motion Picture made for Television
Best Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture made for Television
Best Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture made for Television
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture made for Television
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture made for Television

Academy Awards has these categories:

Best Picture: since 1928
Best Director: since 1928
Best Actor in a Leading Role: since 1928
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: since 1936
Best Actress in a Leading Role: since 1928
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: since 1936
Best Animated Feature: since 2001
Best Animated Short Film: since 1931
Best Cinematography: since 1928
Best Costume Design: since 1948
Best Documentary Feature: since 1943
Best Documentary Short Subject: since 1941
Best Film Editing: since 1934
Best Foreign Language Film: since 1947
Best Live Action Short Film: since 1931
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: since 1981
Best Original Score: since 1934
Best Original Song: since 1934
Best Production Design: since 1928
Best Sound Editing: since 1963
Best Sound Mixing: since 1930
Best Visual Effects: since 1939
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay): since 1928
Best Writing (Original Screenplay): since 1940

There are more awards that can be found on the websites referenced before and multiple of them can be awarded to a single person or film.

Suitable films for inspiration

 

A solo performance

My choice:

Fight Club (1999) – Monologue – Re-enactment

Recreate this scene:

This scene could work extremely well as an opening because it starts by addressing the audience. Since it’s just a monologue it doesn’t need any props or anything at all except one person to speak to the audience as that character. I cannot see any downside to performing this. I wish I could be the one to perform this, but more than that I want to see it performed at all. It is very simple and efficient to attract audience and make them get engaged.

Awards:

N/A. (2016). Fight Club – Awards.Available: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137523/awards. Last accessed 12th Dec 2016.

Other options:

Jackie Chan’s normal life – N/A
Jackie Chan if he was fat – N/A

I had a few ideas for what if Jackie Chan was fat or how would he live normally but those weren’t developed because I didn’t have any specific movie in mind nor was I thinking of a specific Jackie Chan character. It was just a thought that went through my mind that I dismissed soon after.

Pirates of the Caribbean theme song – Swabbing the deck – Physical theatre/dance

This is such a fun one to perform. Swab the deck of a ship to the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song. A person could dance or swab in rythm to the music and all the props that would be needed is a mop and maybe a sailor/pirate costume but that isn’t necessary. The only reason I didn’t pick this one is because the Fight Club monologue is just too good to pass up.

The Cable Guy – Living his life as a cable guy

What happens to Ernie when he isn’t giving out free cable to Steven? Does he also act that way around other people or does he do his job and just leave? This could be played with by making him normal while around other people but be a creep when around Steven. This is an alright idea, but not on par with the other two because besides being more complicated to set up and act it isn’t as entertaining to watch.

A duo performance

My choice:

The Dark Knight (2008) – Imprisoned Joker – Spoof

In this scene:

Joker escapes but we don’t see him escape. The point of this scene is to create what his escape looks like. So it could be a serious fighting and dodging scene or it could be a spoof which is what I’d like it to be. Some funny over the top physical movements; cartoonish escape by him. So it would start with him talking about the reason why he uses a knife, being serious then comical fight would happen and then it would end with Joker holding the other person the way that it shows in the video, seriously again. Not many props would be required for this, a face painting for Joker would be nice but not necessary; he could have a clown nose for more comedic effect for the serious parts.

Awards:

N/A. (2016). The Dark Knight – Awards.Available: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/awards. Last accessed 12th Dec 2016.

Rush Hour – Re-enacting a scene – N/A

Since I had the idea of including Jackie Chan I immediately thought of the duo from Rush Hour but in the end I couldn’t think of a specific scene because I had already thought of other  better things.

Ratatouille – Controlling people – Spoof

This was actually one of the last ideas I had and it is an interesting thing that could be done in a funny manner by having one person control the other. No budget would be required, maybe some chef attire for one person or some other costume, it doesn’t have to be a chef. It could be anyone being controlled by another person who could or could not be an animal. It’s an interesting concept but I still prefer The Dark Knight idea because I think it’s funnier.

Dumb and Dumber – If they were scientists – Spoof

A parody movie could be made out of this and its potential is debatable but for a revue style production this doesn’t seem like it could work. I don’t see a way to perform a scene from the movie in any way that would make this funny. So I gave up on the idea.

Fast and Furious – Quick and angry – Spoof

As much as the title is a winner, the idea behind what it could mean isn’t coming to me. The best I have is that they could be driving invisible cars and having a conversation while speaking quickly and being angry at each other. I don’t know what the conversation would be a bout, this could work as an improvisation scene but not as a revue style performance; not the way I’m thinking of it at least.

A group performance

My choice:

John Wick (2014) – Fight scene in his house – Re-enactment/Physical theatre/dance

The scene that won a World Stunt Award for best fight:

This scene is not award winning for nothing. Out of my three suggestions this is the most challenging to perform. First of all I’m not sure how many props we would need for this; then there is the problem of choreographing all of it so that it looks at least half decent. However this would be a mesmerizing piece to watch if performed correctly. Dylan could do this well as he is a gymnastic person. This could also be done as a dance between the dancers. But it would need a lot of work and the last bit is very important for the finishing comedic effect. There is also two things after the fight scene which could be added: the policeman coming over and then exiting and John calls the clean up crew to get rid of the dead bodies. Actors and dancers can be mix and matched; many people can be included in this, easily at least 6. All this performance requires is good choreographing either from the acting point of view or dance.

Awards won:

N/A. (2016).John Wick – Awards.Available: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2911666/awards. Last accessed 12th Dec 2016.

Harry Potter – Harry, Hermione and Ron – N/A
Harry Potter – Dinner at the Great Hall – N/A

Harry Potter came up to my mind almost instantly when thinking of ideas but then I wasn’t able to think of any part of the films that could be done. There are definitely immense scenes to be recreated and altered from the movies but I just couldn’t see them being interesting to watch so I moved on to other ideas.

Saw – People getting tortured – Physical Theatre/dance

This is something that can also be performed as a dance of sorts. But a problem arises when thinking of how could the people be tortured? You would need props probably or a very good way to portray your torturing. This doesn’t work that well when there is a limit to a budget.

What can happen in the bistro?

A simple idea that I had that is just something that could be done in the bistro by having someone dressed up as close to Darth Vader as possible and killing someone in the bistro by suffocating them. It would be two actors and the person who ‘dies’ stays on the floor until all the people are in. This would happen as soon as someone called the people into the theatre; screaming would happen at first and then suffocating. It would draw attention but people would have started to go in, maybe they would walk faster?