When you are dragged down into the murky depths of exam season, it can be difficult to keep track of the 'little' things: like food, sleep, exercise, when you feel under pressure to devour four books a day for sustenance, fall asleep while listening to foreign language podcasts in the hope that it'll all sink in by the time the oral exam comes around, and the only exercise you can make time for is lugging a rucksack full of textbooks up and down the library stairs.
We've all been there before, and the thing is, unless you are in your finals (good luck!), you will likely be there again. When the fog clears and you reintroduce yourself to normality, you might look back and wish you had put yourself, your health, your sanity, first a little more. So, here's some advice from BACP therapist Dawn Hastings to keep you afloat the next time the pressure's on.
Inspired by the book Amazon Beaming by Petru Popescu.
In 1969 Loren McIntyre, a National Geographic photographer, found himself lost among the people of the remote Javari Valley in Brazil. It was an encounter that was to change his life, bringing the limits of human consciousness into startling focus.
Simon McBurney traces McIntyre's journey into the depths of the Amazon rainforest, incorporating innovative technology into his solo performance to build a shifting world of sound.
Visit our resource website for more information on the making of The Encounter.
Benedict Cumberbatch on The Encounter | Complicite
Exams are coming and how you do in your exams will help to define your next steps - I watched the video below and it really made me think about what I do and what I want to do - I hope it does the same for you!
With just two weeks to go until your public performance, what else do you need to do?
Costume - your should be rehearsing with costume and thinking carefully about what you costume adds to your performance and whether it is in line with Berkoffs style. Do your research
Make Up - Are you using make up? Why does berkoff use make up? How long will it take to apply? Make sure you have practiced a few times before the exam
Hair - Your hair must be tied back and not in your face
Set - Make sure you are practicing with your set in The Stage as much as possible - Two groups can comfortably rehearse in The Stage together
Tech - Have any changes to your technical requirements been sent to Graeme. You must run through you piece with all tech before the public performance. Be clear when music should start and stop, if you have lighting changes, when slides need to change on your Powerpoint presentations - remember if you are using a Powerpoint the screen should never be blank.
Spacing - You must rehearse in The Stage or length ways across The Space to be sure that your spacing is right and you are not cramped or blocking one another.
Voice - make sure you have a clear voice (different from your own) for all characters you play. Practice at home whenever you can
Physicality - Your physicality for each character you play must be exaggerated and clear express your characters physical appearance and personality. Multi role changes should be clear
Ensemble and Chorus work- This should be tightly choreographed and you must know exactly what you are doing and when. Work to clear timings even counting your way through movement sequences.
Rehearsals - make sure your rehearsals are productive by setting clear goals for every rehearsal. Make sure you are fed and watered, your phones and other distractions are out of sight and that you are as ready to work
