Brechtian Techniques

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  • Created by: mlydnsdn
  • Created on: 16-04-21 11:18
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  • Brechtian Techniques
    • The 'v' effect
      • distancing the audience from the action
      • Brecht wanted his audience to be engaged to learn the message, he just didn't want them emotionally invested in the characters
    • Breaking the fourth wall
      • keeps the audience as observers and keeps them thinking throughout the play
    • Narration
      • reminds the audience that they are watching a presentation of a story.
      • If we already know the outcome then we can't become emotionally involved
    • Speaking the stage directions
      • used frequently in rehersal
      • helps to distance the actor from the character they are playing
    • Direct address
      • destroys any illusion of reality
    • Placards
      • a sign or additional piece of written information that gets presented on stage
      • could be as simple as a sign or banner or something more complex like a PowerPoint
      • information on the placard should comment on the action and also deepen our understanding of it
    • Multi-roling
      • When an actor plays more than one character onstage
      • differences are marked by changing voice, movement, gesture and body
      • the audience becomes aware that they are watching a presentation of events
    • Split-role
      • more than one actor plays the same role
      • keeps the character representational and inhibits emotional attachment and audience involvement
    • Minimal set/costume/props
      • prevents the sense of theatre from getting lost
      • any props that there was were symbolic and can be used in a variety of ways
    • Lighting
      • kept the lighting simple as he didn't want the production values to overshadow the message
      • often  used harsh white lighting to 'illuminate the truth'
      • if lighting effects are used it is important for the audience to see the theatre so the production people may be seen as well
    • Song and Dance
      • ensures the audience sees the theatre
      • the music and lyrics would often jar and didn't seem to fit together, this further distanced the audience
    • Montage
      • a series of short, self-contained scenes grouped immediately after each other, their juxtaposition highlights the important issues with clarity
    • Spass
      • literally translates as 'fun'
      • a way of breaking the tension and stopping the audience from following the characters on their emotional journey
      • might be used in the form of slapstick or physical comedy, perhaps a comic song and dance
    • Gestus
      • a clear character gesture or movement that captures a moment or attitude rather than developing and emotion
      • a gesture with social comment
    • Technology
      • encourages the audience to analyse more throuroghly

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adamusa

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I believe that with the information you share, it will bring a lot of value to the readers and I hope that they will absorb the good and useful things. retro bowl

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