Hi Global Operation,
I encountered the same kind of problems when I did my performance for the HSC. I wasn't sure whether I should use a SFX (Voice Over) during the first 20 seconds of the piece...It too, like yours was my thoughts. Also questions from another character in the same room.
Honestly, examiners are very sketchy when it comes to performance and using V.O.
Firstly, several questions need to be addressed...and not so much answered by yourself but also your teacher/peers:
- Does it add to the dramatic tension or meaning on the piece?
If so, I think you should re look at the piece. The performer on stage is supposed to address these two crutial aspects, and even if it is our own voice recorded, I can't see this working favourably towards your marks. They are concentrating on you! Not how theatrically spectacular your piece is.
- Are you using a SFX because you think that it gives your piece a more 'professional edge'?
In this case, I reccommend that you do not use a SFX. The examiners are told not to regard the SFX as an SFX...I know that doesn't make sense, but I can't think of an eloquent way of putting it. They won't think of it the same way you do, some examiners ignore Voice Overs and they believe that if the performer on stage can't drive the performance without an intruding V.O., then it is a weaker performance. We are encouraged not to rely (or use in my case) technical assistance other than lights up, lights down. You have to remember that most (I cannot say all) examiners will be marking your piece as if you were in a tin shed without any LX or SFX.
So the bottom line is, they are marking your performance. For me, during the HSC this was really hard for me as I am a theatre technician. Originally I thought that I would be able to show off my design skills by making all these fancy additions. The only thing I used on a blue spot at the beginning of my piece, then 10seconds in, a bright wash over the stage...then at the end lights snapped to black. I didn't use my SFX on advice from teachers and I believe this to be a good decision. I re-worked the lines so I was telling the story from my mouth, rather than have to rely on the voiceover.
I have seen one school use some pretty fancy lighting and music in their pieces, and that was last year. The pieces were generally pretty poor, and the lighting just looked odd. Not to mention there were a few errors with the CD deck during the performance. This is another factor to consider.
But, Ultimately, it is your decision.
However, I encourage not to get all excited and mixed up in the tech stuff...because they don't even consider it, they are there for your performance and nothing else.
