End of unit reflection

If I were to ask you what comedy was, your general answer would be something that makes me laugh. But what is that something that makes you laughs? People around the world, you and I have both different opinion about what makes us laugh. In this unit I learnt a lot about comedy and how it affects us in many ways.

In my opinion this unit was quite difficult for me in some ways and in other ways it wasn’t bad. When I first heard of the unit I was quite scared and I was really worried about my grade. But then I realized that if I can’t do well in this unit then I will work hard on the things I am pretty good at and improve my skills in the things I’m not. We discussed about what makes us laugh and what does not make us laugh. Here are something that make me laugh, I love when I see an unexpected twist, Over exaggeration, the use of body and language ( the way they say it and show it) , inappropriate stuff and also the initial reaction of the character in a situation. The things I find funny may not be funny to others because they have a different view or taste in comedy. For instance if I was to make up a joke about the black/white people, I might find it funny but others might be really offended by it. This is what we did for our next bit based on this unit. We were watched this video about Tracy Morgan who had offended some crowd when he made fun of a pregnant lady (most likely) and we were taught that “if you are too close to home” then people are really offended. After the video we had to stand according to whether we agree or not. I was in the middle because to me it depends on the person and also how he or she takes the joke so you can’t really judge.

After this we were told to share a video or a vine that made us laugh and I posted a vine video on the google doc that was set up for us and, When I first watched the video I laughed but then it got boring because repeating a 7 second video 10 times would definitely me boring for you. But when they showed my video, no one laughed including me ( since I watched it too many times) which was a slight disappointment, but everyone has a different taste, But when I saw sunaira’s one we all laughed and the video was about an invisible drive thru and it had the highest rating, even I laughed. As for the rest of the videos we watched, it was okay. This is how the other task comes in place. We were given a reflection to write about why we found sunaira’s Invisible drive thru funny and why we did not find Umar’s Japanese Ghost prank funny. Basically I wrote that I found sunaira’s one funny was because of the reactions and even though in the Japanese Ghost Prank is kind of similar when it came to reactions. But the main aspect of the “Japanese one” was because we can’t understand Japanese, although umar found this funny; I am not the one to judge him for having a different taste in comedy. After this we did theatre sport and I learned to play some improv games such as party quirk, hitch – hiker, Scene replay, props, foreign film dub, ABC etc. and we basically we were given a game to practice and we had to pair up with a person, so I paired up with Vanessa, Later we were told to join another group and we all had to perform it. After this bit of theater sports we were asked to write about our own opinion and to rate the games ranging from the best to the worst and I wrote what I might have been good at and what found the most difficult. I don’t quite remember the exactly what had happened afterward but I do remember that we were given the opinion like stand – up, prepared sketch and coming up with our own sketch. Honestly at first I picked stand up and then I chickened out because I love being a risk taker but I don’t want to risk my grades ( I really care about drama). Then Mifrah asked me to do a prepared sketch with her and I said yes. Both of us watched couple of videos and then we finally came to a close that we would act this out.

My blackberry isn’t working

When we agreed on this, we were told to write a list of things that we need like props and other things after that I had to write down the script for this sketch (basically write down the dialogues the costumer and the shopkeeper are saying) After that we were given time to practice our scenes for the final performance. Since there were a lot of hartals in the past few weeks, we had a lot of our classes interrupted so I couldn’t really practice our performance (as well as the others who were missing group members). Later we were told to make a blogger and pinterest account and we had to write our first blog about why we liked and enjoyed drama. After this we were given a research task about a community theater group and this was kind of difficult to pick because I wasn’t really clear on what a community theater was, But with the help of my teacher she suggested that I do “ cardboard citizen” and I said yes, so that is my research topic.

As for the final performance, Mifrah and I haven’t had the chance to perform therefore we were given another option which was to pick someone else’s sketch and critique it and this is what I personally have chosen to critique.

Annoying eye witness

The performance was brief and I liked it. The title of this sketch says " annoying eye witness" and it has really showed me that. I enjoyed this performance because they had energy and that even though the eyewitness was talking at quite a fast pace, I was able to catch what he was saying which is a really good thing. They didn't use much space because they did not need it and also because of the scene itself. The thing about this sketch is that if it went on for 3 minutes or more than it would bore the audience. I like their acting, body language, use of words, use of space and they were so confident and I appreciate that.

When we did our rough draft we weren't properly prepared and we were given only 15 minutes from preparation. Mifrah and I forgot our lines and we had no other way but we had an option which was to improvise and just be confident in what we say. During our rough sketch performance I paused for a long time and because of that our grades dropped. For feedback we were told to improve on our timing and not be late with our lines, To make sure what our lines are and to know them well enough to deliver them and we have to make sure that we don't show our backs to the audience. If we can improve on this then we are good to go for the final sketches

This unit was a journey for me and I somewhat enjoyed it because at times I would feel like I don't know a lot about the subject I love and the fact that I found out what my strength and weaknesses.and I could take in so much from this unit and life lessons as well, like at times that jokes can be funny to someone but for others, they might be offended and I must say I actually liked the unit even after I'm not really good at making people laugh 

Videos taken from YouTube
My Blackberry is not working: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAG39jKi0lI
Annoying eye witness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqOC_knfvqw

Why do I love Drama?

There are varies reasons as to why I love and enjoy drama, Mostly because I think I am really good at acting as my classmates would say. I always loved and enjoyed drama ever since I was small but I don't really remember from when exactly, probably grade 4 or 5. This was before I was in ISD, whenever we had drama classes I would always volunteer and people would always choose me to be a part of their small little act. And honestly since I really look forward to drama classes I intend to work hard and if I get a bad grade in drama I would be really annoyed and sad, because drama is my thing. Anyway in Grade 6 and 7, I had this teacher who loved me a lot, the only female he loved because rest of the girls were too shy. Then I changed school and came to ISD. Grade 8 was my first year, so I was a bit shy and then I got used to it. Since I like this subject so much I wasn't as shy as I thought and I had Ms. Jen like me. My favorite unit was commedia dell'arte, which is also the only unit I remember. This is probably the funny bit, in grade 8 we had to take both visual art and drama, so I took Visual art as my high school subject since I was equally good at both of these subjects, but instead of art I got drama and If I look back, do I regret that change? no - not at all. Grade 9 I had Dr. grey take my drama classes and this is where it took a huge turn in my life. I decided to do the middle school play and I got the leading role. the play has helped me to bond with new people, to work collaboratively with them, to be committed, to memorize my lines and I pushed my limits. At times I would feel like quitting the play but then again I would say to myself. " last year you chickened out, this time you can't" and this helped a lot. The leading roles are always hard because you have to memorize a lot of lines and basically everyone is counting on you and you have to carry the entire play, It is not an easy job. But after the final production, I felt infinite and I never felt so achieved in my life and I promised myself that no matter what I will be a part of a high school play every year and I am committed and  I will do this, This is probably one of my high school dream that I really want to achieve. Drama is demanding and is hard and sometimes you have to push the limits and I love doing that or else I wouldn't have made this promise. This is how much I really love this subject. And even next year I really want to take HL drama and I think I can because last year I got a  7 and this year, I really want to get 7. But I have a feeling I can't because I am not good at comedy or making people laugh on my own. There are a few type of people. those who can easily make people laugh but can't remain composed in a drama act and there are those who can't make people laugh but can remain composed, this is me. And lastly someone who is good at almost everything, which is technically shubham. But I love drama and I always try to make it real as possible.