Higher Drama
Study of a Text in its Theatrical Context:
Write in planners:
“Understanding the Dramatic Commentary”
Today’s tasks:
•Learn what a dramatic commentary is and what it involves.
• Understand your role and responsibilities as a director.
Dramatic Commentary
• Designed to assess your skill as a director
and your knowledge of the theatre.
• Tests your knowledge, understanding and
interpretation of the text.
Dramatic Commentary
• Is part of the set-text assessment
This includes:
a ground plan
a dramatic commentary
an essay
a performance
The performance takes place on a separate day.
Set - Text
• There should be a clear through line with the essay and
dramatic commentary.
ESSAY
GROUND PLAN
DRAMATIC COMMENTARY
• They should all have the same DIRECTORIAL CONCEPTS.
Dramatic Commentary
It will be...
• an extract from The Crucible
• approximately 3 pages in length
• laid out as follows...
Dramatic Commentary
Moves &
Interpretive
notes
Proctor: The child?
Elizabeth: It grows
Proctor: There is no word of the boys?
Elizabeth: They’re well. Rebecca Samuel keeps
them.
Proctor:
You have not seen them?
Justification
Technical
Effects
Dramatic Commentary
You have to...
• write in MOVES and INTERPRETIVE NOTES for actors
• give JUSTIFICATION for these moves
• outline any TECHNICAL EFFECTS you wish to use
• write an average of 12-15 moves per page of text
(approx. 25 in total)
THERE IS A PENALTY FOR UNFINISHED COMMENTARIES
Dramatic Commentary: Moves & Interpretive Notes
This is where you...
• direct your actors.
• tell them what to say and how to say it.
• tell them when, where and how to move.
• explain fully and clearly what you want them to do.
It should be very clear.
Dramatic Commentary: Moves & Interpretive Notes
This column should...
• be clearly numbered and should match the text.
• reference voice (if not, it will be marked out of 4)
e.g. “in a low-pitched growl”
• include stage terminology (if not, it will be marked out of 4)
e.g. “crosses to DSL”
If the scene is static use facial expressions, body language and
gesture.
Interpretive notes – use adverbs, adjectives to describe
Dramatic Commentary: Justification
In this section you should...
• explain WHY a character is reacting in a certain way
• give detail
• should demonstrate your knowledge of the text.
• NOT repeat yourself.
If you don’t know your stuff...you WILL be found out here!
You can’t wing it....and no, that’s not a challenge
Dramatic Commentary: Technical Effects
• marked out of 2
• refers to lighting, sound, special effects.
In this section you should...
• describe and justify the opening lighting state
“the stage is lit with a dim blue wash to show that it is late at night”
You MUST give an indication of intensity e.g. lights at 70%
• give at least one more justified effect to gain the marks
Dramatic Commentary
To pass this element you must...
• know the text EXTREMELY well
• have a clear interpretation of the text
• understand the writer’s intention (social, historical)
• decide your purpose and what you want to achieve in YOUR
presentation of The Crucible
-What is your focus?
-What are you trying to say?
- What themes/issues are you highlighting?
- What impact do you wish to create?
- How will you do this?
Dramatic Commentary - HOMEWORK
Using the handout to help complete a
Dramatic Commentary for your acting extract.
Divide the extract between members of your
group. You should have appx 2 pages each.
Week 5
Write in planners:
“Understanding the Dramatic Commentary”
Today’s tasks:
•Learn what a dramatic commentary is and what it involves.
• Understand your role and responsibilities as a director.