The all important scene...

Act Two- Scene Three

In Act Two Scene Three Emcee sings a solo about being in love with a Gorilla that no one else accepts, which I believe is a metaphor for the Nazis turning against the Jews. This allows the audience to remember what was actually going on in Germany during the 1930’s.In this scene Emcee is seen wearing a smart outfit, with a bow tie. He looks his most masculine because he trying to emphasise the complete opposite between him and the female Gorilla.

Sexuality was something that was most definitely something that was being explored during the time in Berlin so a man singing about being in love with a Gorilla wasn't as strange as you would think. The point that is trying to be made is that there needs to be no war between Nazis or Jews neither people who were homosexual and heterosexual. The Gorilla and Emcee establish really different characters but they both want the same thing... For the message of acceptance to be understood. 

The face is the canvas

The art culture was something that was prominent in Berlin in the 1920's and 30's. One artist that was very involved with the people that were relevant to the time. Otto Dix was a German painter and print maker that based his work in the Weimer movement. His paintings were usually to express the German society at the time. He painted a portrait of Anita Berber not long before she died. This particular painting is a self portrait.from 1913, he has made himself the focal point of the image by using a white background.

http://www.ottodix.org/index/catalog-item/122.001.html

Using this painting we experimented with using the actual face as a canvas. But there was one rule, we couldn't use our fingers. I know a lot of artists that love to use their fingers to create, I am one of them. So this was quite a challenge. In the painting your can see that the colours aren't all blended together, they are layered and textured across the face.

So using our Supracolour palettes and our brushes we got to work trying to re-create this painting on the face. The first problem I face was knowing where to start because you don't want the colour to all blend into each other so you had to build up the colours. For example in the centre of the face I used lots of yellow, green and orange. Whereas there was a lot more darker areas around the edges of the face which got quite messy.

I really enjoyed this experiment as it allowed me to get back to my painting roots. If I were to do it again I would try and mix some colours together to create a better colour match to the painting. I would although work a lot more on layering and texture because I feel that I could have created a more authentic look. Messy but fun!

Wigs Galore!

In the 1930's show business and Cabaret exceptionally high, one of the things that would have been essential to the cast were wigs! You had men dressed as women and of course lots of quick changes for the chorus which would have meant a range of wigs. Liza Minelli in Cabaret was known for her short black hair outside of the film, however to get that perfect consistent look everyday on set she would have needed a wig.

So today we got the chance to try different wigs with our partners. The importance of this task was to see how the colour and styles of the different wigs changed how the model looked.

To wear a wig you must first prepare the hair:

• Brush your model's hair until it is smooth.
• Use a pin tail comb to separate the hair down the centre of the head.
• French plait both sides of the hair making sure it is tight and neat all the way down.
• Once you reach the end of the hair on one side use a kirby grip to temporarily hold the plait into place.
• When both sides are plaited clip each plait to the other side of the head, if your model has long hair you can wrap the hair around the head, making sure it is pinned tightly into place.
• Ask your model to use both hands to create bunny ears at the front of her head.
• Then hook your wig cap over the fingers and pull onto the head.
• Now your hair is prepped you can choose a wig.
• Then make sure your chosen wig is the right way around.
• Repeat the bunny ears and hook the wig over the fingers and pull tightly to the head making sure it is pulled to the bottom of the head and that the wig cap isn't showing.
• Then you can brush the hair and adjust it whilst on the model.

This is a long blonde wig that I put on my model. She is a natural blonde so the colour was something that definitely suited her face. However, the length of the hair made her face look rounder. My model's hair is also normally short and a lot less light so this hair makes her look a lot pinker.

This was a black wig that I tried on my model and I immediately didn't like the colour of the hair on her head as I didn't think it suited her. I also think the style doesn't frame her face very well. But it makes her skin tone look more even.

This deep red wig was something completely different. The fringe isn't something I would give my model as it makes the face look smaller. The colour compliments her facial tone. 

This one was just a little bit of fun. Although I know her favourite colour is pink, so this definitely suits her. But I don't think the afro style is the one for her, despite the length being more fitting.

Who are they?

WHO IS EMCEE?

He is the master of ceremonies.

He is the character who brings the musical together.

Having read 'Goodbye to Berlin' by Christopher Isherwood and then reading the script of Cabaret, the adaptation of the novel there are some significant differences. For example the names of the characters have changed but throughout both you can tell which characters are similar or are a representative of the original characters. The character of Emcee could be likened to the character of Fritz as he seems very extravagant and exciting. 'Goodbye to Berlin' uses the character of Fritz to represent Sally Bowles exciting lifestyle and the party scene in Berlin. However in 'Cabaret' he is represents the downfall in Berlin. He intercepts the la-de-da parts of the script to remind the audience that money is a large part of what fuels the lifestyle in Berlin and it determines your status. He sings about greed, vanity and the war between Jews and Nazis. His characterisation emphasises the flaws within Berlin during the 1920's and 30's because he is a man wearing a lot of make-up and delivers his act in an ironic manner so that the audience laugh but never really think about what he is saying.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AdEuEAVn5yC8YOFeHECIRLGP55a5RX8-Un0813AX7bTmc-MQ1ZrIKkKOVdBlK-m2dKqlX4ZchWpCPu1BD776tzI4fC2DmzM4ia_9oTegnWQ1fT8uZUxEu2Peh_h0tnIY5RlaH0g264Wz/s1600/emcee+cabaret.jpg Blogger- Emcee- 12/10/14)

He flaunts and flirts with the girls he is performing with to put on a good show. I am torn between whether I think he is ignorant to how he behaves. Or whether he is so caught up in the Berlin lifestyle of drugs, alcohol and sex that he doesn't know how else to be. In many ways he could be seen as the narrator because he can take a step back from the Sally Bowles facade.
During the 1930's transgender was just beginning to thrive in the clubs of Berlin. This is why I think the characterisation of Emcee as a cross dresser is perfect for his role as it puts his character into context. At the time everyone was trying new things and it was accepted.
I found this website that explained the progression of transgender and its acceptance from the 1920s-1930s. It really shows how the idea of Cabaret really fits into the context of the time.

http://www.bilerico.com/2008/02/transgender_history_into_the_modern_age.php

...

Say Hello to Goodbye

To start off my second year we have gone straight to the streets of Berlin. Where the men want the women, the men want the men, the women want the women and the money. This unit is already moving so fast and the timeline of 'Goodbye to Berlin' is like trying to piece together a giant puzzle.

I have heard of 'Cabaret' the movie, as Liza Minnelli is best known for her role as Sally Bowles. However, I have not seen the 1972 film 'Cabaret', based on the novel 'Goodbye to Berlin' by Christopher Isherwood.  Cabaret as a concept is something I am familiar with as it has featured in more modern day films such as 'Burlesque' and 'Moulin Rouge'. From what I have gathered Berlin in the 1920's and 30's was a visually and physically exciting place to be. It was full of scandal, sex, drugs, alcohol and show business. "A playground for adults" taken from the 'Berlin- Metropolis of Vice' documentary, a perfect explanation for the Berlin antics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLHPMIpXaAk

The largest part of this unit is to use practitioner Stanislavski's technique to bring a character life. So we will use this method to contextualise our chosen characters from 'Cabaret' and then create a whole background for them and then style them as we have interpreted. The fun twist is that one will be a period design and the other a contemporary... Just to make sure we are still awake.

As a post drama student I am fimiliar with the Stanislavski technique, however I am used to adapting this approach from an acting perspective whereas in this unit I will be a designer. I am looking forward to delving into the characters backgrounds and create scene linking scenarios and then developing those characters. So far the most intriguing character is Emcee as I think his character is very open to interpretation. I am apprehensive about having to create a contemporary version of a character as I have a habit of getting caught up in the period research that I forget to research how the particular topic has affected a modern day society. 

I am going to focus on perfecting my characterisation as well making sure my designs are fitting for both time periods. I want to use my research that I collected over the summer of the colour palette and incorporate that into my designs. I will focus on what colours are relevant to the character as well as their surroundings. I really want to have a solid storyline for the characters I choose as it will help bring my character to life as well as give my model a better understanding of how I want my characters to be perceived.

Stay tuned... 

Colourful Beginnings

This is the project I completed over the Summer that allowed to me to explore the realms of colour within different cultures. It also opened my eyes into the many connotations that each and every colour have. It was more than eye opening and I'm ready to use my new colour palette.

http://alibarbsfindandseek.blogspot.co.uk/