Mask Theory and Meeting with Nate

Meeting with Nate:

Disappearing Bed

Why isn’t work done?

When can he get back? August 16

When can he start working on the set? August 16

Honors college funding?

Memorized?

Scale drawing for Patrick?

How do we contact you? kvjp @iup.edu

Mask Theory:

There were always going to be masks in the show. From the conception of the idea I wanted masks in the show. I think that the majority of my shows have had some kind of face alteration, whether it’s through mask, digitally in the video, or through “ clever” lighting.

Masks are interesting because they show that the wearer is hiding something, that they are holding something back. There are other purposes of course, but if you see a person in a mask there is a sense of wonderment.

Once Scott and I came to the conclusion that the set was actually an underground theater that gave us a logical reason to use the masks besides that they look cool. At first we went to the Commedia Dell Arte’ masks because of their connection to theater as well the introductory monologue that’s been added. Upon further research there really aren’t a lot of masks involved in Commedia. At least not enough for this show. The masks used for Commedia exaggerate the features of the wearer. For some characters I wanted the persons face to be completely covered to convey the magic of wonderland.

What I really wanted, but wasn’t aware of, was Venetian masks. We decided to combine the two, which seems to have happened to some extent already.

To logically place the masks within the Wonderland I needed to know how they got there. Yes, they exist within the theater that is the set as well as the actors that are wearing them, but they needed to exist in the show within a show. Why did the Red Queen wear a mask? Why did the Jabberwocky?

Even if the audience may never know that answer it seemed cheap to bank on that assumption.

It makes sense that these kids that exists within the Hierarchy of Wonderland would bastardize the way the Hierarchy used to be. These young adults were in power now that the adults had, for lack of a better word, dropped the ball. This is a reflection of how the real world, the coal mining town, had become. I’ve lived in coal mining towns, towns that used to be booming, but for one reason or another have dried up. I’ve observed how children in these areas develop a certain demeanor and attitude and a way of taking the old and making it their own, for better or worse. I this case the Commedia/ Venetian masks have been used in the same way there elders would have, but made grungy or mechanized.

There are two exceptions. The Jabberwocky is not a youth. His mask has been mechanized, but only out of necessity. The Caterpillar is an older character and his mask has not been altered in any way. Also, the Red Queen has very little differences between the traditional and the modern. That is because of the status and the attitude that the character holds.

Honors College Grant:

Wrote up the grant incentive business. I’m gonna go talk to Kevin Brazanski tomorrow, or at least set up a meeting while waiting for Nate’s half of the proposal. The more paperwork I do the more I feel like a lawyer. I thought I got into theatre to avoid paperwork. I think I’m starting to get good a this muckity muck chit chat. It makes me want to kill something cute however. Like a baby duck orphan house. Why is it that being this professional always feels like lying?

Anyway, I worked with Kevin on CSI:IUP . I liked him. His team sucked, but he was cool. And the experience was certainly interesting. Something that I will think of for years to come. Thanks Tim. (Tim Zeddies wrote the script.)

Scott Frank

Brian really wants me to enter Saving Alice in the NPP. I’m not really even sure why. All that I know is this; if I enter the play then Scott Frank will respond to it. This makes me nervous after all that I’ve heard about him. All I really know is that he likes to follow Fritag’s pyramid. So do I. But from what people have told me about him that is his life. He won’t pay attention to anything besides the script.

I wrote this with the mindset of directing it. So story wasn’t the only thing that I was focusing on. For the most part it was, but not all of it. And I know its not a perfect script. There are parts that are shaky and parts that I need to see live to get the pace right. I’m still tweaking it. But being that I’ve been writing so long I know that you can never completely satisfy a write with a written work unless they are the person that wrote it. That’s why I’m worried about Frank Scott. Because he didn’t write Saving Alice. Because I’m not writing his themes or with his voice or scene structure.

What makes me more nervous is that I over heard that Corey didn’t like the script. Why does this matter? Because he should like it. He is the “target audience”. Or something like it. And I should have grew a pair and asked for some feedback, but I didn’t. it the same reason that I don’t want Scott Frank to go ape shit on my play…because I’m still new at this writing thing and I;m still learning and if someone manages to tear me down just write it’s going to be a long time before I get around to writing another play. I know, grow a pair. I need them to be in this industry. But I’m not sure if any writer I’ve ever talked to has ever gotten to the point where harsh feedback doesn’t make them doubt.

So what can I do? Not enter it? What would it help if I didn’t submit. I fail by way of self execution.

I’m sitting down and getting truly intimate with the script. I don’t know this Scott Frank. So I have to do one better. In my mind I’ve brought the two writers that I respect most to respond to the show; Joss Whedon and Grant Morrison. If I can get the play to the point that I want those guys to see it then Scott Frank can blow it out his ass whether he likes it or not.

Power Point and Jabberwocky Design

Power Point:

I think that I've put way too much energy into this power point. i needed a way to communicate with the faculty just how seriously we're taking this production in order to receive respondents. Unfortunately it's taken a large amount of time to get through and I'm not a very good friend of technology.

But whatever. It's done now and I'll never have to see it again.

Masks:

Sent out the sketches i did of the Jabberwocky to Scott. Also developed his costume with Leslie through a series of e-mails. I really like the piper stick that we made for him. Sketches look great. Hope the real thing is twice as cool.

Leslie:

I'm finally starting to get Leslie. I've barely talked to her before the beginning of production. It definitely helps that she gets me info quickly. i hate waiting around for weeks for a response from a designer. I'm looking at you Addam.

Homework:

Abe is the only person who has not responded to me about homework. In fact i can't get him to respond period. I think if i sit him down and talk to him i may be able to fix this problem.

P.S.

These are the rough sketches of the Jabberwocky and his Plague Doctor stick. I plan to post other sketches after i get the permission of the other designers.

Saving Alice

It seems to make sense that a journal written with the purpose of telling how a production is coming together should be seen as it progresses rather than when the show is over. That is why I've decided that the journal that I'm writing for my Senior Thesis assignment will be presented here.