G.C.S.E. DRAMA.

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION.

Information, Hints and Advice

Read this document carefully. You may well improve your chances of obtaining a better grade.

What will the examiner be looking for ?

The examiner has to award you marks for the following aspects of performance:-

1. Characterisation, involving Speech and Movement.
2. Use of space (linked to movement).
3. Response and interaction with others.
4. Concentration and involvement.
5. Co-operation, team work - listening, picking up cues.

1. CHARACTERISATION.

a) Speech - clarity of speech is vital ! Do not rush your lines, gabble, or try to get it over with as quickly as possible. Relax - breath properly, pause where necessary. If you feel nervous take long deep breaths down to your stomach and breath out slowly.

• You should speak loudly enough to be heard, without having to strain. Remember to use a range of volume in relation to the script.
• Pace (speed) of lines is important. Some will be delivered quite slowly, others quicker.
• Take care with timing and pace - pauses can be very effective dramatically.
• If you speak with an accent make sure your accent is not too strong, i.e. the examiner can clearly understand what you are saying. Remember not to drop your accent at all.
• If you know that a character should interrupt one of your lines and they don't come in quickly enough, be prepared to continue with that line - make up something. Remember timing !
• Remember "stage whispers" should be loud enough for everyone to hear clearly what you are saying.
• Remember to LISTEN to what other characters are saying and respond facially, physically and by the TONE of your voice !
• Always try to show a range of tone, pace and volume of speech in your play. The examiner will mark you down if you speak in the same way for the whole piece, i.e. boring and monotonous !

b) Movement - together with speech, makes up your full character. The examiner will be assessing HOW and WHEN you move.

• How old are you ? How lively are you ? How ill are you ? Are you posh, in pain, nervous, depressed, aggressive, dominant, shy, etc etc ? Your body language, gestures and moves should indicate both your mood and your character.
• How do you walk ? How do you sit down ? What mannerisms do you have ? Remember to keep in character ALL the time, even when you are not speaking or moving.
• Breathing may be regarded as a kind of movement and can give a good indication of your emotions - think about any times in your play where this may be appropriate.
• Your movement within the acting area is very important. Some of you move about a lot, others not so much, but even if you are sitting in a chair you can still show reactions and responses by how you use the chair. Use your body even more here - be aware of your restricted movement and pay more attention to your face and hands.
• ALL movements should appear natural and spontaneous - NOT pre-planned and rigidly worked out.

2. USE OF SPACE.

• We shall have to resort to the actors themselves helping their crew to set things up ! As an actor, you know where things should be and what space you need for your movements. This is NOT an ideal situation, but it can't be helped ! You should walk around your set and check everything before starting to perform your exam. Then, if anything IS wrong, you , yourself are ultimately responsible, and you can't blame anyone else !
• Remember not to "block" others on stage - be aware of your own position in relation to others at all times.
• Always, as far as possible, perform OUT to the audience. Try not to face in or upstage if you can help it. The examiner will be watching your body position throughout the piece, i.e. no backs to the audience, unless of course you have deliberately blocked it in this way for effect.

3. RESPONSE & INTERACTION WITH OTHERS.

• Always listen to what others say in the piece. Show that your response is a result of a thought, not just a line of written dialogue.
• Always work as a team with others, pulling together to perform the piece.
• If someone forgets a line try and help them out by "feeding" them an idea or inserting an improvised line. Help each other ! REMEMBER, if it is obvious to the examiner that you have forgotten your lines, you will automatically fail ! Keep the scene going - help each other to cover up any hitches.
• React physically and facially as well as verbally - even though you may not have any lines to say at any one time, you should still be reacting and very likely the examiner will be watching you during this time.

4. CONCENTRATION & INVOLVEMENT.

• Needless to say, if you lose your concentration and giggle or laugh, you have no chance !
• Never, ever, during your performance look directly at any member of the audience. There should be NO eye contact between you and the examiner, a teacher or pupils. This would indicate lack of TOTAL INVOLVEMENT and you would lose marks. If you need to look outwards towards the audience, then concentrate on something above their heads, e.g. a picture on the wall , or something similar.
• If, by any chance, something does go wrong during the course of your piece, keep going, carry on and do not lose your concentration - you only have one chance !

5. CO-OPERATION.

• The examiner's report requires that he/she includes how far the candidates co-operate with each other and give support to others. Remember this - a favourable overall report may result in a slight upgrading of marks for everyone.
• We need to give the impression that we are highly organised and that we have worked out all scene changes etc well in advance. If there is a problem, ask others for help, do NOT panic and run around making a lot of noise. Try not to bother the teacher, who will be "buttering up" the examiner !

SO, BREAK A LEG, AND MAKE SURE YOU DO YOURSELF JUSTICE BY BEING VERY ORGANISED AND THIS IN TURN WILL GIVE YOU THE CONFIDENCE TO DO YOUR VERY BEST !

SOME EXTRA INFORMATION (TAKE NOTE !)

A. ON EXAM DAY the costume rack will be positioned in the Dance Studio. You will change and prepare make-up etc in the Dance changing rooms. YOU SHOULD BE SILENT AT ALL TIMES, as candidates will be performing their exam pieces next door while you are getting ready.

If you are performing in the morning, then you will be the audience or stage crew for the afternoon. If you are performing in the afternoon, then you will be the audience or stage crew for the morning. *

Do not change into costume more than ONE hour before your exam is due.

Entry to the Dance Studio will be via the BACK door of the new block. The Drama Studio door will be locked all day in order to avoid any interruptions.

The timetable for the day will correspond to the normal school timetable as far as break and lunch are concerned.

Three "prop tables" are available backstage for you to lay things out. You may like to bring a small torch to see better.

B. WARMING UP - It's a good idea to warm up by going through lines and moves before you perform. By doing this you will be "in character" for the exam. Do not do this in an area where you will disturb candidates i.e. near the Drama Studio - best place is probably the House Hall. I know you will be in costume but make sure you do not walk around school more than is necessary. During break and lunchtime you should not be seen outside the Drama Studio in anything other than correct school uniform.

C. THE EXAMINER may want to talk to you after you have performed, in order to qualify one or two points. You may gain an extra few marks here so answer sensibly and intelligently - never say "I don't know". Give the impression that you have worked everything out and that you are very keen and interested.

* Remember you probably know more about your character and your piece than the examiner.

  So impress her !

D. COSTUMES ETC - should be hanging up, clean, pressed with your names on them on the rack. All costumes should be carefully chosen and prepared.

SHOES - think carefully about these - shoes say a lot about a person. Don't just wear "anything".

TIGHTS - SOCKS - take care with these two.

JEWELLERY - what would YOUR character wear?

HAIR - in what style does your character wear his/her hair? What changes do you need to make to your hair? Is it grey? Is it greasy? Is it scruffy or sophisticated? Remember GIRLS ESPECIALLY, keep your hair off your face - you don't want to be continually pushing it back. Bring in hair clips, hair bands, hair spray etc.

MAKE-UP - what make-up would your character need? Do you need to look older? Think about a few lines/wrinkles. Do you need stubble or a moustache? Do you wear glasses? PLEASE DO NOT MAKE A MESS WITH MAKE-UP. Put everything away neatly and do not leave things out.

PROPS - should be kept in the prop basket until performance day and then brought out and put in position on prop tables at 9.10. am, or break time, or lunch time, whichever time is just before your exam. Always remember to clear your stuff out of the way at break time , or lunch time, or after school, whichever time is after your exam.

The Drama Studio as a whole, especially backstage, MUST be kept clear of coats, school bags, carrier bags and rubbish - keep your personal things in the Dance area only.

KEEP BACKSTAGE AREA CLEAR OF FURNITURE AND LARGE PROPS. When clearing away after a scene take care where you put things. There should be a clear thoroughfare around the backstage area. Enclosed is a plan showing where things should be positioned when not in use - PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

SO SOME FINAL ADVICE !

Relax, keep calm, enjoy the day.

If you know that you have done everything to the best of your ability, then this should give you a great deal of confidence for the final performance.

Go for it, show what you can do !!

Make the day a success by treating it in a sensible, mature and organised way.

Cheers everyone !!

Mrs. B.

For other notes which may be of use to you, see my Home Page.