THIS WEEK IN BOONSBORO HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA

Well, we turned over a new semester, and as usual, it was a little slow. It was particularly slow for me because of my wretched health, but I did make the week. By Friday though, it felt like all of us were starting to find that new rhythm that occurs after a week of being together. There are changes on the horizon, some of which will be discussed her, but some of which will have to wait until final details have been actualized.
DRAMA II: For me, the biggest adjustment here was to stop calling them Drama I’s! Oy vey! The week was spent defining the difference between the two. Then, we prepared and performed a short scene from “Oh Dad….” and “Oedipus Rex” to see how rusty everyone was. We also began the Drama “I Spy” project to assist individuals in identifying those typical behaviors of which he/she is unaware of.
From there, we segued to the always popular Drama Mask Activity. After exploring the historical meaning and uses of magic, we began the process of creating the Drama Masks for presentation. Those will occur on Monday, which is when the mask is due…hint…hint…. We also have a short writing to complete on it.
All in all, it was a good week, and the room does have a different feel from last semester. I didn’t say that was good or bad. It was just different. We voted on some tough decisions, and it’s looking like this group will be forging their own path in the very near future.

CINEMATOGRAPHY II: Knowing that the first week would be a large amount of review, I chose to create assignments that would force you to recall concepts learned in Cinematography I. I know…I know…the class is called Digital Photography II, but that’s only because the BOE doesn’t have a course entitled “Cinematography.” Regardless, I was more than pleasantly surprised when it appeared that even the most rusty were quickly recalling the major concepts learned.
I would like to thank all of you who took Cinematography last semester for your patience and help this week. It was a large amount of material that you had just experienced, but instead of whining, you helped those who needed a refresher course. I could be wrong, but it did look like you enjoyed yourself too! Who would have thunk it! Coming right up….new material on Monday.

DRAMA IV: Well…I go out of my way to make the first day of Drama a fun and motivating experience. I failed miserably this year. OK….it wasn’t fun, but perhaps it was motivational. We completed an activity on Tuesday whereby we visualized where everyone’s mindsets were concerning the state of the Drama nation. No…not the State of the Drama Nation, but the state of the Drama nation.
On Tuesday, we defined some terms that define the Drama experience, and we did some soul-searching about where we’re failing as a group and where we’re succeeding. We then constructed twenty some statements of what we “MUST” do to right this ship. While the two days could not be called “fun” by a standard definition, I honestly thought they were critical to the program being able to move forward. From my perspective, a large amount of the “weight on my shoulders” felt lifted. Everyone else will need to chime in to determine the accuracy or inaccuracy of that. Anyone have a thought?

By Thursday, we were establishing our Drama homes, and we began working on some advanced scenes that came with very little background. We will perform those on Monday, and we’ll see where we’re heading from there. Like Drama II, I sensed a better routine and flow by the end of the week. Ultimately, I think this will be a great class once we “clear the air” completely.
NOTES OF RELEVANCE:
1. Drama I masks are due Monday.
2. Independent Study Contracts are due Monday.
3. All class contracts are long past due.
4. If you haven’t completed a Facebook form yet, you need one.
5. I ordered thumb drives on Friday, and depending which one you bought, you owe me $21, $14, or $12. Please give me cash, not a check. If you give me a check, have it made out to Michael J. Bair, not BHS. I paid for them out of my checking account.
6. The photographs from Cinematography II are due on Monday, and that is a grade.
7. The prints from last semesters Best of Shows have arrived and will be posted Monday.
8. Some of you STILL owe me work from LAST SEMESTER. If you had an INCOMPLETE on your report card, all work is DUE by THIS WEDNESDAY, FEB 1st.
More to follow….

MjB

THIS WEEK IN BOONSBORO HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA

We’re back! Like it or not, we’re back. In reality, it’s the process of “coming back” that causes all the stress. Once you’re back a couple of days, the rhythm of education takes over, and that comfy old blanket of Drama swarms your heart again. OK…enough with the metaphors….

DRAMA I: We are very near the end of our academic portion of the program. We are within ten minutes of finishing “Oh Dad….”, and as always, it has been a crowd favorite. We have a couple of quick assessments, and then, it’s on to the music video.
For once, this group will actually have the time to finish their project with limited stress. Honestly, I’m guessing that most of these young ones would tell you that they can’t believe their Drama I experience is down to nine days. It is.


DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Well, we watched two of the super hero flicks, and we’re still waiting for the others. We have experienced the usual technical issues that plague the inexperienced when they tackle a real film project. All that I have taught on the technical end has come into play in some sort this week. You should never question me….
We did move forward with our education though. This week, we learned the PAN, CROP, and EDIT windows, and we also covered MASKING and COOKIE CUTTING. We have a bunch of class assignments dangling in the wind, and they will have one more major film project before this class ends and DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY II is unveiled. I am very excited about that.


DRAMA III. The week started with a bunch of ????....what the????....where are you going with this???? type of reactions. (Remember, it’s hard to keep a class focused the first day after a break. I had to start with shock and awe.) However, as the week progressed, it became clear that we were on the road to understanding communication in a much better way. We covered the rarely covered “subliminal” unit of Drama, and there was a large amount of psychological theory and facts associated with communication and the brain this week.
Now….don’t be too blinded by this week’s material. Any time I cover this material, it’s a precursor for some serious Drama building behind the scenes. It’s coming. Be patient. In the meantime, we will attempt to complete two quick video projects by the end of the semester. That’s what’s next on your horizon.


As for the world, you’ll catch wind of our upcoming plans very soon. My class rosters for next semester are changing daily, so my plans cannot be etched in stone at this point. That will change shortly. Word up to you and yours.

MjB