I take it, most theatres will stop playing Paranorman about the day (or possibly one week) before Frankweenie hits the theatres. October 5th. I mean, it's not like LAIKA would stand a chance against Disney in the box office, anyway. Would you rather see a well-known Disney movie, directed by uber-famous Tim Burton, in black-and-white 3D stopmotion animation... OR some not-very-well-known LAIKA movie, directed by a guy that no one really knows at all, in amazing colors, but not as interesting as grayscale (which is typically unheard of, but helped make The Artist win an Oscar), also in stopmotion animation, but with not nearly as much skill as Tim Burton's guys?

Exactly.

With no reason for competition, they'll take Paranorman out of the theatres because kids will be wanting to see Frankenweenie... and eventually, Hotel Translyvania, as well. 

It's sad, but very true. So, just remember that there IS a deadline if you still want to see Paranorman in your local movie theatre! Not much time is left! Less than TWO WEEKS!!! GO SEE IT RIGHT NOW!

gonna go see a play at the Rose tomorrow. :3

I'm supposed to see one for my theatre class, and then quickly say what it's about for about ten seconds... and now that there's only 2 weeks left of classes, I figured I'd better get on it.

And it turns out James and the Giant Peach will be playing at the Rose Theatre! And I haven't gone to the Rose in YEARS...

The only downside is... the place will be flooded with little kids from school field trips or Girl Scouts or whatever. ...because that's the only reason people typically ever GO to the Rose... I mean, expect for me, but that's different.

AND THEY HAVE PUPPETS. I like puppets. <3

And...here's the costume design for the character Mike. I finally decided to just wing the casting idea and go with Jay Baruchel, so that's how the decision was made. :P

The costume is very drab and boring, but still classy, in its own way. The guy's past help me create how he should look today. I can't help but think that he has some shred of artistic talent, but he's also gotta look good... for reason mentioned in the play...

This whole thing is odd, but I feel like this design definitely works for the character.

"Visiting Dad" Set Design Project

So, my little project in my theatre class is a bit bigger than I think my teacher realizes... we basically have to draw up the set design and the costume designs, write or draw the lighting design, and write out the sound design for a short, 10-minute play. We only had three choices, and I went with my favorite one that we read aloud in class.... here's a good, short summary:

It's rather good, but if I'm going to draw out a set design and costumes, I feel like I need to do a little directing, as well. First of all, I'm pulling out the "imaginary bowling" in the opening scene and replacing it with Wii bowling, that way there are at least PROPS! And then I'm going to just have the "Father" be a voice, not a ghost that actually appears on stage. 

The teacher said we could write up, if we want, who we would have cast in certain roles. That was easy enough for this play. There's only three characters, Lauren, Mike, and Lauren's father. While reading, I instantly imagined Lauren as Zooey Deschanel, because the character type is one that she does SO WELL. After that, I struggled to think of who could play Mike, but I knew that I'd love to have Tommy Lee Jones' voice for the Father's part. The dialogue for the father is very "I know everything, so spill it all to my daughter now, or you die!" and he really came to mind in that part, because he does that type of character rather well.

I'm still struggling on the part of Mike. In the story, he just some regular guy. He's a nice guy, kind of laid-back. They're out on a date at a bowling alley, so they obviously aren't going overboard, but they're still enjoying themselves, right? But then, his past is revealed because of the father, and how he knows everything he's ever done since he's a ghost, and it makes him much more... I'm not even sure how to describe him after that. He's definitely got some issues. He's definitely had problems in the past, but nothing really terrible that would make him a bad guy. The whole thing about the rope and the tree in a cemetery was odd, to say the least...but he wasn't in his right mind at the time, anyway. 

I'm not sure what actor I can think to play that part... my mind keeps shouting, "just pick somebody you've seen in a movie or TV show recently", but I watch so much TV, and most of the movies I watch are puppets and animation...

So I went to my IMDB app and looked at the last few people I've looked at on there. The last five male names listed were: Tom Hiddleston, Jay Baruchel, David Spade, Jason Segel, and Ed Helms.

David Spade is definitely out, just because I imagined the character to be taller and definitely younger. Tom Hiddleston just doesn't really suit the part, sadly. So that leaves Ed Helms, Jason Segel, and Jay Baruchel. Ed Helms seems a bit old, but I could see him fulfilling the part, if anything. Jason has done that type of character dozens of times, so he'd probably be just fine...maybe not serious enough, though. And Jay Baruchel... I'm not the biggest fan of his voice... but he has the appearance that I imagined for the part of Mike. He has the skill to become that character, as well as be funny and serious when necessary. The only reason he came to mind was likely because of his voice... thanks to having been watching How to Train Your Dragon, and all the shorts that came after it, as well as having been reading this WONDERFUL HTTYD fanfic the past two days (Talking in Her Sleep by Determamfidd on ff.net--it's rated M, just fyi). 

Anyway, I still don't know for sure who to pick. I'd really appreciate some help with that... I mean, I'm probably not going to use full body reference shots of those actors for the costume designs... even though that may be a good idea... but having the "fantasy cast" done and written down in the notes would make things go by much faster, I'm sure.

So, who would you vote for?

1.) Ed Helms

2.) Jason Segel

3.) Jay Baruchel

How about I let you decide?

So, we watched Angels in America in my theatre class

...I've read the play, but... Wow. I have never seen the movie. The acting was incredible, though! Meryl Streep and Al Pacino, and just... My god, the girl who played Harper was exactly what I imagined when reading it. Just, WOW. I mean, I'd recommend it, but it is very, very long and it's about homosexuality. In the 80s. And the hallucinating and craziness... Ah, it was better than I ever imagined...

I've got marshmallows, goldfish, zebra cakes, nutter butters, and ramune drinks. I'm ready to sit through a 3 1/2 hr play in my theatre class. ^^

I would give so much just to see this production. But it's not playing anywhere I'm not (honestly) afraid of visiting, nor in the US during available times...

My teacher marked down my Once-ler sonnet because I used the word "biggering". APPARENTLY, that's not a REAL WORD. >.>

There it is. I have my own interpretations, but I'd love to hear someone else's...

So, yeah. My theatre class just gets better and better. Today, we went over theatricalism... my God, I love Robert Wilson so much. And who DOESN'T love "Waiting for Godot"??

We even watched the Sesame Street version of "Waiting for Godot", which was odd, but funny. ^^

And we watched a few Brecht productions. I got laughed at in class for actually understanding it. O.O I don't see what was so hard to get. The whole thing was talking about death versus not really living at all, or living a fake life. I don't understand why no one else got that...

Maybe I'll post the video from youtube, if I can find it...most people wouldn't get it, because not a lot of people understand thing like Alien Theatre, let alone Epic Theatre or the Theatre of the Absurd. There are just certain forms that people don't understand, especially these days, because we like to go sit there and just WATCH, not think and do all the work, rather than the other way around.

That may be why it's not as popular today, either...

Now I really want to find that video...hmm...

Maybe I can find a link...

AHA! Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2H-eJWW3ps&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL9843EDF37A64A197

Anyway, that's all I really have to say for now. We have to do our midterm over either Joe Turner's Come and Gone or Yamauchi's The Soul Shall Dance, OR we can do an argument essay, saying whether Realism or Theatricalism is better, OR we can write an essay, or interview, about a certain type of theatre... We can do Epic Theatre, Theatre of the Absurd, Gay/Lesbian Theatre, African-American Theatre....the list just goes on. I'm thinking I might do a paper over Theatre of the Absurd. I happen to have a soft spot for the belief that human existence is completely pointless. ;)

That, or I might do something over Robert Wilson's epic theatre production, Einstein on a Beach... I honestly wish I could have gone and seen that sometime. It'd be incredible...

I'm so afraid of what my future holds. I mean, look at what is required for a Theatre major! I just want to write scripts, hopefully TV show scripts someday, and I have to take Acting classes and Voice classes and even Directing classes! I don't want to be IN FRONT of a camera/audience! I just want to sit in the back, without ever even getting credit, and just watch the magic unfold. That's how it's always been. I want to write a script, have someone say "Hey, I like this! Here, take my money!" and then have them make it into some amazing movie or show, and my name will just show up in the credits sometime. That's all I want. THAT'S ALL.

But, no, because I want to be a WRITER, that's considered part of the PERFORMANCE track of a theatre major, not the TECHNICAL track. So I have to go do acting classes and those improv courses where they make you do trust exercises and perform in front of people! I CAN'T DO THAT. 

The most I've ever performed in front of others is THROUGH PUPPETS. And you can't see me when I'm doing puppetry! I'M BEHIND A CURTAIN!

WHY CAN'T COLLEGE JUST GIVE ME WHAT I WANT: TO BE ALONE, GET AN AWESOME CAREER, AND NEVER HAVE TO BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT. EVER?!

Once-ler Sonnet

After all this pain and loss, he’s alive.

He still remembers biggering and greed,

And how it all died after that big dive.

But now he’s turned it all in for one seed.

He just stands there, waiting, hoping, praying.

Will he ever find a true friend again?

He didn’t have one from the beginning.

He just had his guitar, his dreams, one pen.

After days and nights of searching nonstop,

He finally found the luscious forest.

That’s when he pulled that old axe out to chop,

And found a creature telling him “Get Lost”.

The Lorax annoyed The Once-ler daily,

But he never bothered to leave the trees.

He then brought down his family to see,

Trouble began; The Lorax was displeased.

Oncie broke his promise to please his mom,

And down the trees went, day by day.

At first, everything was perfectly calm,

But now, it no longer felt quite that way.

The small business grew, and their pockets, too.

The sky grew dark; the air was hard to breathe.

Once-ler could care less, he had work to do,

And now he was taken over by greed…

His fam’ly loved him, just like he wanted.

Customers would just buy more and more thneeds.

He was unaware; his future, haunted.

He would soon face the wreckage of his deeds.

Then the last Truffula tree was chopped down,

No trees left, no thneeds left, no money left.

The Lorax said goodbye and just left town.

His family left, the animals left.

And then he was alone. So very alone.

He lost everything and his self-esteem.

He was nothing, just like his mom had known.

That’s what he gets for being so extreme.

Now he kneels, he just sits there by that stone.

“Unless”, it says. Unless what? He will think.

How can he fix all of what he has done?

Is it even possible anymore?

-Brianna Wagoner

Theatre 1000

March 28, 2012

So...to write an original, 12-line sonnet that actually rhymes...

or to re-write a Shakespearean sonnet into "today's common language", but still make it rhyme?

...

...but...but I suck at rhyming...

WHO WANTS 9THS?

So, yes, I went to see The Lorax for the 9th time today.

The Once-ler: WHO WANTS 9THS?

Me: OOH! OOH! ME!

Yeah, anyway...I was completely alone in the theatre. HECK YES. The noises I made during "How Bad Can I Be?" were NOT HUMAN. WOW. I had so much fun. I was running around and crawling all over the seats...I had so much fun. lol

Anyway, I sat there with a notebook and asked them to keep the lights up so I could write during the movie. Yeah, I'M COOL. ;) Anyway, I was writing notes and making some backdrop sketches for the 3 set changes I plan to have in Once-ler: The Musical.

Here are some notes from my iPod that I took during the movie:

*Most of these are just observations that may or may not have already been mentioned*

-"Oh, he's REAL, alright" -Grammy Norma

-In old age, even after all this time, The Once-ler still invents. 

-Once-ler's nose got bigger in flashback transition??

-Oncie's girlish scream! (2)

-Chopped tree is nearly clean-cut. Once-ler has practice cutting down trees? (His brothers also have this skill. He also had many tools for the job.)

-"You don't have what it takes" -The Once-ler, implying that others may have actually gone to The Once-ler before?

-Tea kettle implies The Once-ler drinks tea.

-You know what they say about guys with big feet. ;)

-Oncie riskfully saves Pipsqueak while his own life is in danger??

-Makes the promise to The Lorax likely because The Lorax saved his life. (But he still finds him annoying.)

-Greenville (has truffula trees IN TOWN)

-Oncie's hat falls forward on his head a lot. This implies it's a hand-me-down or was bought second-hand, because it doesn't actually fit him right.

-Uncle, Aunt, Brett & Chet, and Mom are not appreciative of The Once-ler's talents. (This is likely been true forever.)

-There's a padlock on the aunt's purse. Does she not trust her own family with her money and personal belongings??

-The Once-ler goes back on his promise to win his mother's approval, falsely believing that it is likely the right decision and that he has officially gained her acceptance.

-The ground in front of the "Unless" stone is indented and extremely faded. This implies someone was kneeling, or sitting, right in front of the this stone FOR YEARS.

-Calendar in Ted's room is open to the month of OCTOBER.

-Grammy Norma is very short, compared to the rest of her family.

-Ted's family home has 3 soccer balls, and several photos of Ted, holding trophies in a soccer uniform.

-Newspapers are produced in Thneedville, yet there are no trees??

-"I'm afraid of bees!" lol

-There is a large drawing board inside The Once-ler's home, implying he's still drawing and inventing at his old age.

Should I see The Lorax in 3D?

Honestly considering seeing The Lorax in 3D...

I mean, it seems so stupid. I've seen it 8 times in theatres already...and I have eye problems, so if I went to see it in 3D, it would just look like I had triple-vision...

But everyone keeps talking about that part...where Oncie is crawling towards you...

And I want to experience that, too, you guys!

WHY DID I HAVE TO BE BORN WITH TWO LAZY EYES AND THEN ONLY HAVE ONE OF THEM SURGICALLY-CORRECTED?! WHY? 

lol... Maybe I could practice crossing my eyes...that might help, but...I've never been able to do it before. It seems so stupid. I CAN'T CROSS MY EYES, people. I HAD THE WORST CHILDHOOD. GAWD.

Yeah, no...maybe I'll go. It just doesn't seem worth the money if I don't enjoy the experience. I tried to go see Alice in Wonderland (the Tim Burton one from a few years ago) in 3D, because my boyfriend wanted to see it, but I ended up just taking the stupid goggle-things off because it was the same either way.

IMAX is fun. DP is fun. Being alone in the theatre and having once-ler-gasms is fun. But 3D has never been worth it. I'm so glad it's just a phase. You may think it's NOT, but it is. There are too many people in this world that are like me and can't see 3D crap without a headache or triple-vision. It'll be available, sure. But there will always be the other options...

So, should I even bother? 

Saw The Lorax AGAIN

So, I have now officially gone to a movie theatre, purchased tickets, and sat in the theatre to watch the wonderful movie currently known as The Lorax a total of.... Drumroll, please... 8 times. Now, you may think to yourself, "Gee, that seems like a lot," but it really isn't. Actually, I bet most of you thought, "I wish I could even afford to that!" Anyway, when I say I've seen it 8 times, you think that's some great accomplishment, but it's not. I mean, I saw Horton Hears a Who 23 times in theatres! By my standards, I have a LONG way to go before I have satisfied my viewing pleasure... Or, at least, my once-ler-y needs... So, tonight, I focused on just voice acting, Oncie, flaws/hiccups/easily-missed oddities, Oncie, and how certain parts may have been storyboarded. I mean, as opposed to the usual: Oncie, Oncie, Oncie's butt, storyline, adaptation/differences from book-to-screen, Oncie, character backgrounds and personalities, Oncie's eyes, etc. My observations tonight? EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER HAS FRECKLES. The only freckle-less ones are the cute animals, The Lorax, and O'Hare... Except, back as a brace-face, he had a butt-load of freckles. I'm thinking... Plastic surgery, perhaps?? Also, there was a lot of homage, to people and places. The sign/building Studio 57 is shown 4 times. There are WAY more than just 3 colors of truffula trees! I saw bright pink, a darker magenta pink, a light orange, normal orange, yellow, beige, creamy-white, lilac, light purple, dark purple, and a few more that I can't identify without a box of crayons... But that was about it. Oh! And the part where Ted can't get out of town the third time and goes OVER the wall instead of THROUGH it? All I could think was, "I would do all that, too, just to see The Once-ler..." I mean, wouldn't you??

Did I seriously just think up a word?

Has anyone ever used the word "once-ler-gasm" before? I was...daydreaming about how I wish I could just go to the theatre and be the only one there (that actually DOES happen in Iowa, folks) and then thinking "oh, wait, there's always that ONE PERSON that shows up and ruins your fun". Them being there means either one of two things: 1) You sit quietly and respectively watch the show and keep to yourself... OR 2) You stand up, turn to the person *sometime before the previews start* and inform them that you cannot watch The Lorax without having a Once-ler-gasm, and that there may be multiple 'gasms', so you feel they should be warned.

(also, there might be some seating climbing, 'cause I kinda do that when Oncie's on screen, though I have no idea why...I guess I just wanna be closer to him)

;)

But, seriously! Is this already a word? Or did I really just invent it???