jennieTalia
Member
Yep. We all have to fill them up. They don't HAVE TO BE the bane of your drama existence. Look at as many logbooks as you can as they all give you ideas. This is for all IP's and group, although some parts relate more to some than others.
Here are simple ways for how to do it.
Firstly. Date them, give them headings, keep them neat. Don't leave masses of white space. Cite as much as possible your sources.
A lot of space should be research.
Remember your playbuilding process: Decide on a Topic, Brainstorm, Improvise, Character/Role, Script, Edit, Perform, Rehearse, Evaluate.
Explain why you chose the project/topic you did.
~Lessonly Log:
Basically you have to write a log a lesson. Write what you did, what you thought about it, what you acheived, what you want to do next lesson, what you were unhappy about in this lesson, if you were productive etc.
Other logs: Problems you are having, Obstacles, New Ideas, Progression, if stuck for ideas etc.-- Often known as REFLECTIONS. And can be titled as such.
~Brainstorms:
Random words on a page.
Stick a picture relating to a topic in the middle, jot things around it.
A word in the middle, jot around that.
A character, jot around that.
ALWAYS COME BACK TO BRAINSTORMING every now and again, it is useful and easy.
Other similar ideas: Listing, mindmapping (using the lines, and connecting ideas), dot points, numbered lists, top tens (top ten ideas, genres etc).
~Inspiration pages:
You can get away with a TONNE of these. Stick on costume ideas, pictures you like, quotes, labels, posters. Anything really. And then discuss it on the page next to it. You can annotate these, and write things over them, write around them and use them later on to come back to when your stuck and need a creativity boost.
Other similar ideas: Collages, Brainstorming with pictures, loads of different pictures of the same thing that each give a different idea.
~Photo log:
Take photos of what you have been doing. If it is a costume laid out, the stage space with arrows on it from where you have decided to move, your own photographs of things that inspire you, or photos of you and your group/individual practicing (make sure to cover faces).
Other similar ideas: Pictures of you learning the script.
~Drawings/artworks:
If you can draw, then have a go at sketching the different parts of your piece. This relates to all, you can storyboard on for pages and pages. Draw your stage and so forth. Even paint a picture to express the emotions you wish to draw out through your piece. Just remember to explain it!
Other similar ideas: Not so arty? Use tables, graphs, diagrams or just random doodles. You could even try using the computer to make some graphics. Or you could use charcoal, pencils, finger paint, do some vector art etc.
~Newspaper/Magazine articles:
Keep a folder and store away everything you think may be useful. Cut everything you can get your hands on. Local newspapers, print outs from the web, magazines, old books that will be thrown out, manuals, knick knacks, old invites and cards, brochures, leaflets, receipts and vouchers. All of these may become treasure later on depending on what you are going to do.
Other similar ideas: Print out articles from the web. Print out research pages, even from wikipedia. Cut out advertisements, screen shots from youtube vids. Pretty much, see anything that relates to your idea or see something that may develop into a good one then snatch it up.
~Get out:
Go to shows and performances and use the tickets in your book, discuss how it gave you an idea if it did. OnSTAGE brochures can be put in along with an analysis of techniques you could use.
Other similar ideas: interview people, listen to things on the radio and quote and discuss in your logbook, watch things on the television.
~Drafts:
Keep copies of drafts in logbook to show progress. Be ruthless with them, switch them around and change parts explaining why in the process. Put on drafts with stage directions for yourself. Editing is highly important.
Other similar ideas: Use Stanislavski's Who am I etc questions, character analysis', put in a final draft.
~Use the processes:
Playbuilding process, elements of drama etc. Write about each bit in your logbook.
Other similar ideas: look online for guides on how to do your IP, and print them off and stick them in. There are some on the Boardofstudies, and some just on teacher help pages. Google it. Google everything.
~Get other scripts/monologues/films/programs etc:
Stick other scripts into your logbook and discuss what is good/bad about them, why they worked/didn't.
Other similar ideas: explain the motivations in your own piece and then decide what is good/bad about it so far, be honest.
~Scan and Copy:
See a line you like? Jot it down. Scan in textbook pages that explain a really good theme or idea. Don't worry about going into too much detail, as long as you make some progress it is ok. You can even put in things like ribbon, different materials, paint swatches, cloth and so forth.
~Schedule:
Plan yourself a schedule into your logbook that allows you to keep on time. It also allows you to get everything done and to show progress.
Other similar ideas: Make a contract (particularly useful for group) that says how often you will work at it etc, To-Do lists, To-Bring in lists etc.
~Stimulus materials:
Other than the things already mentioned you can include: Short stories, poems, song lyrics, comic strips, cartoons, art, foreign stamps, post cards, stickers, rub on tattoos (costume ideas?), product box labels, band-aids (if for example you were going to be a child with band-aided knees), latex gloves etc, glitter, pogs, cigarette box lid, iron on patches, sequins, parables, bible passages, things translated into other languages, guides to accents, how-to's for fake blood/bruising etc, editorials and basically anything that helps with your character/storyline/film etc etc.
Don't forget to write about what you observe and think about.
Remember, use highlighter on everything. Tab your pages so you can come back to them if you see anything you like. Arrange it how you want, but be neat. You can always go back to pages and finish them off, but don't forget to.
Have the synopsis thing on the back typed and double spaced.
Student number on the front.
Have fun
Here are simple ways for how to do it.
Firstly. Date them, give them headings, keep them neat. Don't leave masses of white space. Cite as much as possible your sources.
A lot of space should be research.
Remember your playbuilding process: Decide on a Topic, Brainstorm, Improvise, Character/Role, Script, Edit, Perform, Rehearse, Evaluate.
Explain why you chose the project/topic you did.
~Lessonly Log:
Basically you have to write a log a lesson. Write what you did, what you thought about it, what you acheived, what you want to do next lesson, what you were unhappy about in this lesson, if you were productive etc.
Other logs: Problems you are having, Obstacles, New Ideas, Progression, if stuck for ideas etc.-- Often known as REFLECTIONS. And can be titled as such.
~Brainstorms:
Random words on a page.
Stick a picture relating to a topic in the middle, jot things around it.
A word in the middle, jot around that.
A character, jot around that.
ALWAYS COME BACK TO BRAINSTORMING every now and again, it is useful and easy.
Other similar ideas: Listing, mindmapping (using the lines, and connecting ideas), dot points, numbered lists, top tens (top ten ideas, genres etc).
~Inspiration pages:
You can get away with a TONNE of these. Stick on costume ideas, pictures you like, quotes, labels, posters. Anything really. And then discuss it on the page next to it. You can annotate these, and write things over them, write around them and use them later on to come back to when your stuck and need a creativity boost.
Other similar ideas: Collages, Brainstorming with pictures, loads of different pictures of the same thing that each give a different idea.
~Photo log:
Take photos of what you have been doing. If it is a costume laid out, the stage space with arrows on it from where you have decided to move, your own photographs of things that inspire you, or photos of you and your group/individual practicing (make sure to cover faces).
Other similar ideas: Pictures of you learning the script.
~Drawings/artworks:
If you can draw, then have a go at sketching the different parts of your piece. This relates to all, you can storyboard on for pages and pages. Draw your stage and so forth. Even paint a picture to express the emotions you wish to draw out through your piece. Just remember to explain it!
Other similar ideas: Not so arty? Use tables, graphs, diagrams or just random doodles. You could even try using the computer to make some graphics. Or you could use charcoal, pencils, finger paint, do some vector art etc.
~Newspaper/Magazine articles:
Keep a folder and store away everything you think may be useful. Cut everything you can get your hands on. Local newspapers, print outs from the web, magazines, old books that will be thrown out, manuals, knick knacks, old invites and cards, brochures, leaflets, receipts and vouchers. All of these may become treasure later on depending on what you are going to do.
Other similar ideas: Print out articles from the web. Print out research pages, even from wikipedia. Cut out advertisements, screen shots from youtube vids. Pretty much, see anything that relates to your idea or see something that may develop into a good one then snatch it up.
~Get out:
Go to shows and performances and use the tickets in your book, discuss how it gave you an idea if it did. OnSTAGE brochures can be put in along with an analysis of techniques you could use.
Other similar ideas: interview people, listen to things on the radio and quote and discuss in your logbook, watch things on the television.
~Drafts:
Keep copies of drafts in logbook to show progress. Be ruthless with them, switch them around and change parts explaining why in the process. Put on drafts with stage directions for yourself. Editing is highly important.
Other similar ideas: Use Stanislavski's Who am I etc questions, character analysis', put in a final draft.
~Use the processes:
Playbuilding process, elements of drama etc. Write about each bit in your logbook.
Other similar ideas: look online for guides on how to do your IP, and print them off and stick them in. There are some on the Boardofstudies, and some just on teacher help pages. Google it. Google everything.
~Get other scripts/monologues/films/programs etc:
Stick other scripts into your logbook and discuss what is good/bad about them, why they worked/didn't.
Other similar ideas: explain the motivations in your own piece and then decide what is good/bad about it so far, be honest.
~Scan and Copy:
See a line you like? Jot it down. Scan in textbook pages that explain a really good theme or idea. Don't worry about going into too much detail, as long as you make some progress it is ok. You can even put in things like ribbon, different materials, paint swatches, cloth and so forth.
~Schedule:
Plan yourself a schedule into your logbook that allows you to keep on time. It also allows you to get everything done and to show progress.
Other similar ideas: Make a contract (particularly useful for group) that says how often you will work at it etc, To-Do lists, To-Bring in lists etc.
~Stimulus materials:
Other than the things already mentioned you can include: Short stories, poems, song lyrics, comic strips, cartoons, art, foreign stamps, post cards, stickers, rub on tattoos (costume ideas?), product box labels, band-aids (if for example you were going to be a child with band-aided knees), latex gloves etc, glitter, pogs, cigarette box lid, iron on patches, sequins, parables, bible passages, things translated into other languages, guides to accents, how-to's for fake blood/bruising etc, editorials and basically anything that helps with your character/storyline/film etc etc.
Don't forget to write about what you observe and think about.
Remember, use highlighter on everything. Tab your pages so you can come back to them if you see anything you like. Arrange it how you want, but be neat. You can always go back to pages and finish them off, but don't forget to.
Have the synopsis thing on the back typed and double spaced.
Student number on the front.
Have fun