Unit 2

Task 1:

I have written blogs on my productions and projects that we have completed thus far! Below are the Production Diaries that I have completed on our 'The Wizard of Oz' production:

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7332563736841736639/7712281394402716886

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7332563736841736639/5296364188199273575

Task 2:

I have completed a diary style entry of my time on stage during our 'The Wizard of Oz' production! As well as how I feel about each individual show in the blog below: 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7332563736841736639/5296364188199273575

Task 3:

The Wizard of Oz, written by L. Frank Baum and first published in 1900, has been a beloved classic for over a century. While it is often thought of as a simple children's story about a young girl's journey through a magical land, there is much more to the story than meets the eye. In fact, many believe that The Wizard of Oz is full of hidden meanings and symbolism.

One of the most popular interpretations of The Wizard of Oz is that it is an allegory for the political, social, and economic climate of the late 19th century. The yellow brick road, for example, is often seen as a symbol for the gold standard, which was a major issue at the time. The wicked witch of the east is sometimes interpreted as representing big business, while the wizard himself is thought to represent the government, who promised much but delivered little. Another interpretation of The Wizard of Oz is that it is a commentary on the women's suffrage movement. This is seen in the character of Dorothy, who is a strong, independent young woman who sets out on her own to achieve her goals. Her journey is one of self-discovery and personal growth, and she learns that she has the power within herself to overcome any obstacle. This is seen as a metaphor for the struggle for women's rights, as well as a message of empowerment for women everywhere.

A third interpretation of The Wizard of Oz is that it is a story about the human psyche. The characters in the story represent different parts of the human mind, with Dorothy representing the conscious mind, the scarecrow representing the intellect, the tin man representing the emotions, and the cowardly lion representing the courage. Together, they journey through the land of Oz, representing the journey of the human mind as it searches for understanding and meaning.

Regardless of which interpretation you believe, it is clear that The Wizard of Oz is much more than just a simple children's story. It is a rich tapestry of symbolism and meaning, filled with messages about politics, women's rights, and the human psyche. Whether you are a child or an adult, there is something in The Wizard of Oz for everyone, and its timeless message of hope and empowerment continues to resonate with readers to this day.

In conclusion, the secret meaning of The Wizard of Oz is a topic that has been debated for many years, with many different interpretations and theories about what Baum was really trying to say. However, one thing is certain – the story of Dorothy and her friends is much more than just a whimsical tale about a magical land. It is a powerful allegory that speaks to the human experience and offers a message of hope and empowerment to all who read it.

Task 4:

The film of The Wizard of Oz follows the journey of young Dorothy Gale and her three companions, the scarecrow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion, as they travel to the Land of Oz to seek the assistance of the mysterious wizard. The wizard is one of the most intriguing and memorable characters in the film, and has been the subject of much debate and analysis over the years. He is first introduced as a powerful and mysterious figure, who is rumoured to have the ability to grant the wishes of those who seek his help. He is portrayed as a larger-than-life character, with a booming voice and an imposing presence that commands attention. Throughout the film, the wizard is depicted as a bumbling and somewhat incompetent figure, who uses a variety of tricks and illusions to maintain the illusion of his power and wisdom.

When researching the wizard and rewatching the movie, I saw it all come together in a perfect symphony, I tried my best to think of these subtle things while auditioning and revising my character. One of the most interesting aspects of the wizard is the way that he is depicted as a symbol of government and authority. Throughout the film, the wizard is depicted as a distant and unapproachable figure, who is surrounded by a sense of mystery and power. This is seen as a commentary on the role of government and its relationship with the people it governs, and is a reflection of the political and social climate of the time .Another interpretation of the wizard is that he represents the American Dream, and the idea that anyone can achieve success and wealth if they work hard enough. The wizard is portrayed as a self-made man who has achieved great things, despite his humble beginnings. This interpretation is seen as a message of hope and empowerment to all who watch the film, and a reminder that anything is possible if you believe in yourself . 

To conclude, the wizard from The Wizard of Oz is a complex and multi-layered character, who has been the subject of much debate and analysis over the years. Whether he is seen as a symbol of government and authority, or a representation of the American Dream, the wizard remains one of the most intriguing and memorable characters in the history of American cinema. To be given the opportunity to portray him in my own way is amazing and I cannot wait to play him my own way.

Task 5

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7332563736841736639/4381352130850412498?hl=en-GB

Task 6:

I was overjoyed when I learned that I had been selected to play the Wizard in our production of "The Wizard of Oz." It was a role that I hadn't really considered, but thought it would be interesting to challenge myself! Nonetheless I was eager to use this opportunity to learn and grow as an actor. The first thing I learned was the importance of preparation. I spent countless hours studying the script, learning my lines, and developing my character. I also researched the background and history of the Wizard, trying to understand his motivations and personality.

Working with Kelly and my classmates was another valuable learning experience. I learned so much from watching and observing their performances, and I was able to incorporate some of their techniques into my own performance. I also learned the importance of teamwork and collaboration, as we all worked together to bring the play to life. One of the most challenging aspects of playing the Wizard was finding the right balance between humour and gravitas. The Wizard is a complex character who must be both comedic and serious, and it was a challenge to find the right tone and demeanour. But with the help of Kelly and my fellow actors, I was able to find my footing and deliver a performance that I was proud of. Finally, performing on stage was a truly exhilarating experience. 

The adrenaline rush of being in front of a live audience, combined with the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, was something that I will never forget. I learned the importance of taking risks and stepping out of my comfort zone, and I was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful production! Being selected to play the Wizard was a journey of learning and growth that I will always treasure. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented and dedicated people, and I am proud of the performance that we all worked so hard to deliver. I will always look back on this experience with fond memories, and I am confident that the skills and lessons I learned will serve me well in future productions and beyond.

After asking one of my classmates about my performance, I was given feedback such as:

"I feel like your Wizard was incredible, since of course we were all learning together and after our first show we kind of felt down from our performance. But luckily we were all ready to get back on the horse for the second one and it was amazing to be a part of. Specifically i think you really improved from the first two shows where we were all really nervous! Im glad you could find your character and you played it well!"