LABAN EFFORTS

As shown in the diagram there are 8 different Laban forces that can be used to create develop and discover more about your characters through applying a force to your characters physicality and voice.

 

As I am playing a male character that is of high status and contextually being masculine was key to power I felt that physically I would be more solid and heavy with weight. When exploring the Laban efforts having a more solid movement about my character and more weight within his walk felt strong within my body. For my character it provided control within my self and this portrayed an air of self confidence resulting in power being emitted from him. I think that this feel of power is really important for my character as his scenes take part in a male dominated, testosterone area where each man is trying to get his voice hear and assert their power, consequently I think that my character having a strong sense of himself and his physicality gives him power over others in those opinionated scenes. It is also a way of not being considered weak in front of the other male characters.  

Contrastingly to this masculinity and strength in my character, he isn’t threatening or frightening – maybe because he doesn’t have to scare the convicts as he doesn’t spend a lot of time with them but he isn’t an overly sinister or forceful character. As a result of this I don’t feel that he is a punch or a press as he doesn’t have to push or force characters through threats. When exploring this character I felt that he was more controlled and calmer character and that he is more focused on the legal side and the logical solution so he is often collected in his thoughts and as person rather than having the tendency to loose the control. This could mean that he is more of a Dab or a Slash than a Punch.  

I think that my character is a mixed of different Laban efforts as most people are, making him more natural and human as a character for the audience to believe in. For example I think that the strength could be shown in his physicality as a lot of masculinity can be communicated through movement and physical presents. Then I could contrast this with a calmer more controlled voice that is more like glide.

Actioning Script

Approaching the Script

What does my character say about him?

• “I’m a Kemble man myself” –pg5

What does my character say about other people?

• “You have been made Governor-in-Chief of a paradise of birds, Arthur” – pg2
• “John Arscott has already been sentenced to 150 lashes for assault.” –pg 3
• “I’m surprised he wasn’t hanged in England” – pg 4 – About James Freeman
• “he pleads that it was wrong to put the convicts and the marines on the same rations and that he could not work on so little food. He almost swayed us.” – pg 4 – about Handy Baker
• “Our Governor-in-Chief would say it is justice,” –pg4
• “Your wife excepted, Reverend.” –pg17
• “He was Swiss actually” –pg18 – about Rousseau
• “We know about you compassion, not to say, passion, for the women convicts, George.” –pg19
• “Actually, they seem happy enough as they are. They do not want to build canoes or houses, nor do they suffer from greed and ambition.” –pg19 – about the convicts
• “The devious ways he used to serve his Captain” –pg20 – about Sergeant Kite (in a play)
• “The Reverend, our moral guide, has no objections.” –pg24
• “She refused to defend herself at the trial. She didn’t say a word…she was condemned to be hanged.” –pg79 – about Liz
• “She was seen by a drunken soldier in the dark.” –pg79 – about Liz
• “She won’t speak, she won’t say where she was” –pg79- about Liz
• “She may have refused to speak because she no longer believes in the process of justice.” –pg80 – about Liz
• “Freemans evidence wasn’t very clear and as Liz Morden wouldn’t confirm what he said, it was dismissed.”- pg80

What do other people say about my character?

• “He finds time for Davey Collins” –pg8 – said by Ralph
• “That’s because Captain Collins is going to write about the customs of the Indians here” –pg8 – said by Harry

CHARACTER QUESIONS

Who am I?

Captain David Collins- Colonial Judge and advocate General.

I’m Captain David Collins, aged 50 and of high ranking within the camp. Unlike many others I feel that my personality enhances my job and personally I feel that it makes more suited and better at my performance rate. I’m clam, quite maybe to some, but collected most certainly, ruled by my head I try to understand all that I can and am constantly aware of consequences. Legal is my passion, not to use a rash word, but I see the importance and the need for such a social construction to keep all under Gods view and love. I’m soft hearted but alone, on this island, I find comfort within my books and feel transported, almost as if I can smell and taste home within that book. Solitude comes from shooting, able to take a moment away from work and just to focus on one thing as I time.

Where am I?

It’s nothing like England. My room; comfort is far from my mind, I can’t tell if it’s the conditions that surround me or the mere face that I am so far from home that all comfort is gone. I’ve tried to make a home; I’ve covered this god-forsaken place with my books, globes, and writing, anything that could send me back to where I wish I could be. After being out in that dirty, rat-ridden, dusty hovel, all I want is to be at home, in England where I can relax and not be concerned with Australia, just being happy in my own place. But the smell, the taste, the feel of this place just clings to me, I try to wash, to cover myself in other smells, anything to feel like home when I close my eyes and sleep, but its as if it follows me as soon as I forget where I am, a fresh whiff comes and I’m reminded of my reality.

What do I want?

Most of all I want home, I want my bed, my house, my life. I’m existing here in Australia but not living. I want to be comfortable in the world that I know and love not in this place that I can’t comprehend. If I have to stay in this place I want to be able to create a place where I can find some comfort, some tiny piece of home to feel safe again and not an outsider. However while I am here I want to do my job and to do it well and successfully. I want to do what’s right, I’m in a position of power and I want to be able to make changes that will benefit those and will actually change lives. I want to do what’s right, that’s all; I want to be able to say that I did the right thing in the eyes of the lord and the government.