Justice is love on legs, spilling over into the public sphere. (Cornel West)

 What does that quote mean?

This is your fourth journal.  (If you haven't done three already, you need to look above for the topics and complete them.)

We have been talking about issues revolving around race.  Ethan Bear, an Edmonton Oilers hockey player, was the target of hate when he made a mistake in a hockey game.  People sent him messages attacking his race (he is a First Nations man).   Selwyn Romilly, a retired judge who happens to be black, was stopped and handcuffed in Stanley Park by five police officers, in a case of apparent "mistaken identity".  There has been a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in the last year.  Are things getting worse?  Think about that and explain your answer.  In February, we observed Black History Month, and this month was Asian Heritage Month.  Do observations like this promote better understanding of Canada's diversity?  

There are lots of plays that have race as a theme.  Of course, Shakespeare wrote two remarkable plays on the subject -- "Othello" and "The Merchant of Venice".  Modern Canadian plays that look at race include "Banana Boys" by Terry Woo, "Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing" by Thompson Highway and "Calpurnia" by Audrey Dwyer.  You might have seen a production of the classic Canadian play -- "New Canadian Kid" (by Dennis Foon) which explores immigration to Canada in a very creative way.

How could we approach a play that deals with racism as an issue?  Remember, that in the theatre, a personal story is the vehicle for your point of view.

A Galaxy Far Far Away!

 No journals this week, since we will miss Friday and Monday -- enjoy your long weekend.

You should be practicing "Friends, Romans, countrymen. . . "  Perhaps we should see performances of the monologue beginning on May 31.  Remember to speak clearly, plant your feet and only move intentionally and use some expression in your voice.  You should understand what Marc Antony is saying -- if you don't the speech won't make sense.  In Shakespeare, the punctuation is your friend.  If you pay attention to the punctuation, the speech will make more sense.

We are working on our Star Wars spoof, which we hope to film around the school!  

Directors/Scriptwriters:

If you haven't handed in your "Wag Rules" script (you know who you are), you need to do that.

You should finish writing the piece of the script that you and your group plotted out.  Remember my suggestions.

Make a list of which actors you picture in the different roles (even the ones that you didn't write).  I will provide you with a list of the actors from the other half of the class.

Theatre Production:

Remember to design a logo for the WAG Film Festival.  Next year will be the 4th year we have done the festival.  You can think of the phrase Williams at Gilbert (which is where the name "WAG" came from).  You can also think of the awards we give out -- the papier mache animals.   The films are expected to be short -- 10 minutes or less.  The theme and elements to be included change each year, so don't focus on that.  The logo can be on paper, or online -- whichever is easiest for you.

Also, think of how we can create a starfighter space ship for Ensign Pullover and Marwigo to ride in.  You probably want to see what the ship looks like in Star Wars and then think of something that could be a reasonable facsimile.  In the theatre, we don't have to be too careful about making something solid, since it only needs to operate as long as the scene lasts!

Actors:

Which part would you like to play in "A Galaxy Far Away"?  Why would you be good in that role?

Memorize the scene below to "audition" for the directors.  Think of how and where you would stage it.

Librarian Kardashian:  That idiotic crewman from the SLYSS empire is running roughshod over the galaxy.  They must be stopped.  They don't appreciate that we rule this part of the universe.  I have a plan.

Kringe Kardashian:  What is it, esteemed Librarian Kardashian?

LK:  They are using a starship to try to acquire more Xnard Cola and Shark-sized doughnuts for their recruitment drive!  The weasel, Pullover, and the droid.  But here, we have all the knowledge of the universe -- gathered in these volumes and devices!  The brains of the entire universe!  (LK laughs.)

Kringe:  But what is your plan?

LK:  (thinking)  We must use this knowledge!  (thinking more) . . . but . . . how?

Kringe Kardashian:  Why don't I try this ancient computer?  (Kringe types into the computer.)  How do we foil the weasel, Pullover and the droid?

(They both read what the computer says.)

LK:  That's it!  There's the plan.

KK:  We have them, Librarian Kardashian.  Right where we want them!

It's Waggie Time!

 If you are interested in seeing the WAGGIE awards, or seeing your own performance in the awards show, here is the Zoom invitation to the event!

Topic: 3rd Annual WAG (Virtual) Gala ceremony

Time: May 18, 2021 06:00 PM US/Pacific

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87842191163?pwd=d2hIK0RneHNEajh4SFlJbkt1NjZVdz09

Meeting ID: 878 4219 1163

Passcode: 5XrDEp

Hope to see many of you there for this fun event!

Where Shall We Go on Wednesday?

 A1 Students:  We will meet in the Williams Lounge on Wednesday morning and we also have the use of Room 103, so we will not be in the theatre at all -- the painters can have the room to themselves.

WAG Awards Show!

 Journal (for everyone):

What did you contribute to the WAG Awards show?  List the things you did and assess how well you accomplished what you needed to do.  Here are some questions to ask yourself:  Did you have to be told what to do?  Did you do what you were told without being reminded?  Did you use initiative (thinking of jobs that needed to be done and then doing them?  making up characters to play?  volunteering to do tasks?  asking questions?  answering questions?)

Give yourself a mark for your contribution.  Give yourself a comment that says why you received the mark you did.  (An A means excellent, B - very good, C+ - above average, C - average, C- -- below average.)

WAG AWARDS GALA SCRIPT!

ACTORS!  LEARN YOUR LINES.  PLAN WHAT YOU WILL WEAR!

THEATRE PRODUCTION!  CREATE A LOGO FOR THE WAGGIES!

HERE IS THE SCRIPT FOR THE SHOW:

WAG AWARDS SHOW

WAG POEM (A1)

TICK TOCK SCENE (A1)

 

 AWARDS (A2)

Cora-lynne:  Wow!  What a night, Keith!  So many great films to choose from.  I certainly don’t envy the judges.

 

Keith:  No, me either, Cora-lynne.  I have enough trouble choosing which tie to wear!

 

Cora-lynne:  Maybe because you have four hundred of them!

 

Keith:  All perfectly arranged in my walk-in closet in order of darkness to lightness.

 

Cora-lynne:  What do you do with the striped ones?

 

Keith:  (thinks, uncomfortably long)  Well . . . I . . . don’t really like stripes.

(Cora-lynne’s dress is striped.)

 

Cora-lynne:  All righty, then.  Moving along.  In these COVID times, we’re all feeling quite cut off and many people are feeling trapped, like the girl in “Day Zero”.

 

Keith:  No wonder!  She got the same lunch every day!

 

Cora-lynne:  Or poor Adrian – who feels so disconnected from his old friends.

 

Keith:  That’s why I don’t have any!

 

Cora-lynne:  That might not be the only reason.

 

Keith:  Marissa said the cookies she gave him weren’t that good, but they looked delicious to me – is there an award for Best Baker in a Film?

 

Cora-lynne:  No, but I think Daniel, from “Presque CBC”, might give her a run for her money.  That was quite a cooking demo!  If only cooking was that easy!

 

Keith:  I depend on DoorDash for all my meals, but the delivery scene in “Presque CBC” made me wonder about my delivery man’s secret agenda.

 

Cora-lynne:  It’s just a story, Keith.

 

Keith:  Where there’s smoke, there’s trouble.  That’s what I always say.

 

Cora-lynne:  Speaking of what you always say, what’s your favourite line from each movie?

 

Keith:  I’m tenacious . . . like a goose!

 

Cora-lynne:  Invigilation . . . that’s such a long word.

 

Keith:  I’m pregnant!  (Cora-lynne joins in.)  And you’re the father.

 

Theme music.

 

Cora-lynne:  It sounds like our almighty director, Narin Malhotra, is telling us to move things along.  Since this is a virtual gala, we won’t have to listen to long speeches from the winners, but we still want to keep things moving along.

 

Keith:  So let’s call Oscar winners, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lawrence to present the acting awards!

 

(Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lawrence enter.  Jennifer trips on the stairs.)

 

Jennifer:  Whoops!  That was embarrassing.  You wonder how many times that can happen?

 

Brad:  That’s why I always wear pants.

 

Jennifer:  But you look good in everything, Brad.

 

Brad:  Thanks, you too.

 

Jennifer:  Okay, let’s get down to business.  It is important to note that there are two great performances by alumni in the films, but they are not eligible to receive a WAGGIE.    The nominees for Best Actor are:

 

Dina Bounine – Presque CBC

Samantha Cheng – Day Zero

And Wesley Yiu – Presque CBC

 

Brad:  And the winner is:

 

Film of winner accepting WAGGIE.

 

Jennifer:  And now, the best supporting actor award.

 

Brad:  These are actors that were deemed to be holding up the previous nominees.

 

Jennifer:  The way you held me up when I fell!  Thanks, again, Brad.

 

Brad:  Don’t mention it.  The nominees for Best Supporting Actor are:

 

 

Bella Yin – “Loneliness is Contagious”

Narin Malhotra – “Loneliness is Contagious”

And Tyler Haworth in “Presque CBC”

 

And the winner is: 

 

Film of winner accepting WAGGIE.

 

Jennifer:  And now, to present the award for best song performance – Miley Cyrus and Nikki Minaj

 

Song:  Wrecking Ball as Miley and Nikki enter, Nikki twerking.

Miley:  My hair got so messed up from that wrecking ball.

Nikki:  What’s your excuse every other day?

Miley:  Anyway, the best song performance nominees are:

 

Best Song Performance:

Nominees: 

Vik Anandkumar, “Presque CBC”                   

Bella Yin, “Loneliness is Contagious”

 

NIKKI:  And the winner is . . .

 

MILEY:  Now, to present the WAGGIE for best editing – Danny de Vito and JK Rowling

 

DANNY:  (raspy)  Hello everyone, welcome!

JK:  Gosh, Danny, your voice!  What happened?

DANNY:  Don’t smoke!

JK:  You can say that again.

DANNY:  Don’t smoke!  The nominees for Best Editing are:

 

Samantha Cheng – “Day Zero”                      

Bella Yin – “Loneliness is Contagious”

Colin Yang – “Presque CBC”

JK:  The best cinematography award will be presented by Leonardo deCaprio and Kate Winslett.

BENSON:  The Heart Will Go ON

 

Leo and Kate stare at him until he slinks off.

 

LEO:  And the nominees for best cinematography are—

KATE: (Grabbing envelope)  Let go, Jack!  Let go!

 

Best Cinematography Nominees:

Samantha Cheng – “Day Zero”                      

Bella Yin – “Loneliness is Contagious”

 

LEO:  And the winner is . . .   

 

LEO:  Now, to present the best screenplay award – Dr. Seuss and Jeff Kinney!

 

JEFF: 

The nominees for Best Screenplay are:

Colin Yang – “Presque CBC”

Viaan Wu and Samantha Cheng – “Day Zero”

           

Dr. Seuss:  In this special envelope me and Jeff have today

We’ll announce the award for the very best screenplay!

 

JEFF:  And the winner is . . .

 

JEFF:  And now to present the best director WAGGIE, Quentin Tarantino and Bong Joon Ho!

 

BONG:  What a good idea that flame thrower was!

QT:  Says you.  I get zero respect in Hollywood.  Everyone assumes I’m violent!

Bong pulls out a gun.

BONG:  Hand over the envelope.  You can’t read!  And the nominees for best director are:

 

Colin Yang – “Presque CBC”

Samantha Cheng – “Day Zero”

 

QT:  And the winner is . . .                 

 

QT:  And now to present the best shot award, Kevin Hart and Dwayne the Rock Johnston!

Best Shot:

KH:  Give me 20 pushups.

The Rock:  NO!

KH:  You can’t do 20 pushups?  You’re built like a firetruck and you can’t do a pushup?

The Rock:  Shut up!

KH:  You’re the host of X Games and you’re not fit.

The Rock:  You’re the most famous comedian in the world, and you’re not even funny.

KH:  Let’s get to the awards.

The nominees for Best Shot are:

Cooking segment – starring Vik Anandkumar as Daniel

Adrian and Adrian’s father – featuring James Wen             

Final scene – Day Zero (featuring girl’s back)

 

THE ROCK:  And the winner is . . .

 

And now, to present the Film-maker Emeritus award, Ms. Jean Kosar!

 

Special acknowledgement to Film-maker Emeritus:            Jean Kosar

James Wen

 

James created the well-loved film, “Schmuley, the Alien Cop” last year and has followed that memorable work with his post-graduate offering, “Loneliness is Contagious”.  Because he is no longer eligible for regular waggies, we have decided to award him a film-maker emeritus award to honour his continued devotion and contribution to Steveston-London’s film festival program.  Our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to James Wen, film-maker emeritus.

 

KOSAR:  And now, the Best Film award will be presented by Mr. Rogers and Barney, the purple dinosaur!

 

 

Mr. Rogers:  Barney, long time no sing.  How are the kids?

BARNEY:  They’re all extinct.

(Silence)

Mr. Rogers:  Sorry to hear about that.  And now to present the award for best film:

 

The winner is!

 

Together:  And now, presenting the People’s Choice award:                        Bill and Melinda Gates!

 

BILL:  Melinda, lovely to see you!

Melinda:  Bill, you aren’t being an apple today!

BILL:  Very funny, we’re still getting divorced.

 

The People’s Choice for Best Film is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Heat is On!

 We want to prepare the WAG Gala (virtual) and film our scenes on Friday and Monday!  The school district wants to paint the floor in the theatre for the upcoming Graduation Ceremony next week and need the theatre for 24 hours without us in it AT ALL.  I think we will hold the gala on Tuesday but it will be virtual, of course.

A2 CLASS --  We will meet in the Gilbert Lounge for the beginning of class tomorrow (May 12).  A2 Theatre Production -- be prepared to paint the boxes gold tomorrow.  Wear clothes that you don't care about getting dirty or have clothes that you can wear for class.  

Actors!  Learn your lines for your scene or scenes!

THE HEAT IS ON!

Journal Numero Deux! (Multilingual topic)

 All:  Sharks Minds Matter asked us all last year to make a short video about what we were doing to keep going and be productive at the beginning of the pandemic.  Who would have thought that we would still be asking that question over a year later.  Of course, circumstances are different, but Sharks Minds Matter want us to ask ourselves, "What are we doing to remain busy and keep positive these days?"  Last year, I filmed myself sitting in my backyard reading Shakespeare!  This year, I will film myself in the theatre, working on "After Liverpool", (the play the Drama Club is working on now).  Making theatre is how I keep engaged with the world.  What would you do in your video?  (It would be nice if you made one -- it doesn't have to be long, just a clip of you doing something you like to do.)  Write a couple of sentences about what you would put in your video.

Theatre Production:  You need to draw a detailed sketch of what you think the set should be like for the WAG Gala.  It needs to have colour.  It needs to be detailed enough so that we can recreate it on our stage. Label your sketch.  DON'T SAY YOU CAN'T DRAW!

"After Liverpool" is a play about relationships.  The first scene is a cocktail party.  I want the actors to be dressed in black and white.  There are fourteen couples in the play.  Many scenes feature an apple.  Draw a second sketch that shows what the stage should look like.

Directing/Scriptwriting:

Make sure you hand in your two-page scene based on the rules for the WAG films.

You have seen all the films -- write in detail about one performance from one of the films.  What did the actor wear?  What did they do to create the character they played?  What did their voice sound like?  You can choose a performance you liked or did not like.  Make sure you say the name of the actor, the character they played, and provide detail about their performance.

Actors:

Write a description of a great performance by an actor (it can be in a play, movie or tv show).  I would probably choose the great Marlon Brando in "On The Waterfront".  He plays Terry Molloy, a young man struggling with the idea of right and wrong, with his family relationships and with his feelings for a young woman he just met.  Marlon Brando is one of the greatest American actors, and he really revolutionized acting for our present generation of performers.  I would talk about his facial expressions and how he uses little touches (like putting on Edie's glove as he talks to her in the part) to make us believe that he is Terry and not Marlon Brando.

Meet the Teacher!

 Today in A1, we recorded our version of "What's So Great About Drama?" which will be available to parents as part of my youtube "Meet the Teacher" video.  A2 will also record this little advertisement for Drama, and I will post the information about how to access it tomorrow after we film it and I post it on You-tube.  I have sent all your parents and guardians the link to my video and also the handout I gave you on the first day.  In the video, I explain how our class works and what we will be doing this quarter.

We are working on the WAG Gala, so you should all be thinking of how to accomplish it as a partially live, partially recorded event.  Would we "screen-share" the parts we record and then have the actual awards live?  Since no one is allowed to gather in the theatre, it does present a quandary -- you guys are more technological than I am, so I'd appreciate your suggestions.

I have also been given the chance to see some of your capstone projects and to comment on some.  I am finding them very interesting.  Our SLSS students have such diverse interests!  If you haven't handed in your capstone project yet, get on it!  You need it to graduate!  It doesn't have to be terrifying.  Just talk about something you're interested in and it should be easy.  Think about how long I could talk about theatre.

This is mental health week.  Yesterday's theme was Kindness and today's was Resilience.  If you would like to draw or write on one of the masks that Sharks Minds Matter gave us today, I still have some on my desk and you can do one tomorrow, if you are in A2.

Senior Drama update!

 Both A1 and A2 -- make sure you do the journal from the previous post!  They are due on Tuesday (or Wednesday).  (Write about both topics -- a special day we could commemorate and the best film of the three WAG entrants.)

Practice "Friends, Romans, Countrymen".  You need to memorize it and recite it with expression sometime during the quarter.

We are going to look at how we can manage the WAG (Williams at Gilbert) Film Festival gala.  Theatre Production -- think about how we can set up the stage.  Directing and Scriptwriting -- write a 2 page scene exploring the requirements of the entries -- 10 minutes long (all the films broke this rule!), the theme "it's contagious", the quote "no man is an island", and a toilet roll.  They also had to use the song "Are You Lonesome Tonight?"  Do not use a recording of the song -- that breaks copyright!  Actors -- you will be the presenters.

Here is a lame poem I wrote, in honour of the WAG:

It’s that time of year;

It’s WAGGIE time,

No need to fear,

That hill we’ll climb!

 

You made your flick,

Let’s see it play –

Your work is slick –

Now it’s the day!

 

Though someone wins

And it’s not you

Your film begins

And whoop de doo!

 

The people cry

And then they clap

They laugh and sigh

Your back they slap.

 

You did your best

And now next year

You’ll hit the crest –

Let’s hear a cheer.

 

The waggies happen every year

Let’s hear some claps, let’s hear a cheer!

Your movies live forever now

So let’s sit back – enjoy the show!

If you can write music, it would be great if you could think of a tune for this!