scholarly journals Actress training by Michael Saint-Denis: improvisation in a mask

Author(s):  
Valeria Shtefyuk

The purpose of the article is to analyze the features of the theatrical and pedagogical activity of M. Saint-Denis and to reveal the specifics of the acting training "Improvisation in a mask" in the context of students' work with a neutral and characteristic mask. Methodology. The biographical method was applied (to cover the director's and pedagogical activity of M. Saint-Denis); the typological method (for identifying and determining the main features of the theatrical pedagogy of M. Saint-Denis in general and the methods of teaching the actor developed by him in particular); the method of comparative analysis (for the study of the training "Improvisation in a mask" with neutral and characteristic masks), etc. Scientific novelty. Studied the actor's training "Improvisation in the mask" of the leading theater director and teacher of the twentieth century. M. Saint-Denis and revealed the features of the work of student actors with a neutral and characteristic mask; analyzed the theatrical and pedagogical activities of M. Saint-Denis as a standardizer of theatrical practice in the context of the developed and implemented curricula for acting in drama schools founded with his assistance (London Theater Studio, Old Vic School, Strasbourg Higher School of Dramatic Art, Canadian National Theater School and the Juilliard Drama Department). Conclusions. M. Saint-Denis's holistic model of acting training is formed on the basis of an organic combination of a physical approach, in which the body learns to turn into an absolute expressive instrument, an internal approach, the so-called realistic characterization, and a comprehensive understanding of the style in the context of mastering physical, vocal, intellectual, creative and emotional skills, allows student actors to master all kinds of drama. The study revealed that the mask was considered by M. Saint-Denis as a temporary working tool that helps to reduce feelings of insecurity and awkwardness, enhance the ability of internal self-awareness, enhance expression and experimental activity, develop concentration of attention, self-control of a student-actor and a harmonious path from the inception of physical qualities. character to their external dramatic expression. The student's task is to fill the mask, to give it life and feelings. If the actor who animates the mask is convincing and sincere, it feels like he has his own facial expression. The aim of the training is: to eradicate cliché-manners; teach students to develop and release creative impulses; to teach students to work on classical roles or roles of the "big style" (according to M. Saint-Denis).

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Rial

This article is about the relationship between football and religion. It focuses on the recent proliferation of neo-Pentecostalism among Brazilian football players living abroad and the importance of religion in their daily lives. Serving as a civilizing device that promotes better insertion of individuals in modern institutions, neo-Pentecostalism promotes voluntary obedience, self-control, self-awareness and reflexivity, by encouraging the conscious and constant monitoring of the individual over the body and emotions. This self-discipline has a limit, and the Theology of Prosperity offers conciliation between asceticism and material consumption. Football provides religion a large stage for its preaching, allowing it to reach billions of homes. The athletes become "selfless soldiers of the Word," who demonstrate the faith globally and disseminate banal religion through the mediascape.


Author(s):  
Evi Zohar

Continuing the workshop I've given in the WPC Paris (2017), this article elaborates my discussion of the way I interlace Focusing with Differentiation Based Couples Therapy (Megged, 2017) under the systemic view, in order to facilitate processes of change and healing in working with intimate couples. This article presents the theory and rationale of integrating Differentiation (Bowen, 1978; Schnarch, 2009; Megged, 2017) and Focusing (Gendlin, 1981) approaches, and its therapeutic potential in couple's therapy. It is written from the point of view of a practicing professional in order to illustrate the experiential nature and dynamics of the suggested therapeutic path. Differentiation is a key to mutuality. It offers a solution to the central struggle of any long term intimate relationship: balancing two basic life forces - the drive for individuality and the drive for togetherness (Schnarch, 2009). Focusing is a body-oriented process of self-awareness and emotional healing, in which one learns to pay attention to the body and the ‘Felt Sense’, in order to unfold the implicit, keep it in motion at the precise pace it needs for carrying the next step forward (Gendlin, 1996). Combining Focusing and Differentiation perspectives can cultivate the kind of relationship where a conflict can be constructively and successfully held in the inner world of each partner, while taking into consideration the others' well-being. This creates the possibility for two people to build a mutual emotional field, open to changes, permeable and resilient.


2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Brytek-Matera ◽  
Anna Kozieł

Abstract The purposes of the present study were to explore the relationship between body awareness and negative body attitude, interoceptive body awareness and physical self in women practicing fitness as well as to analyze the determinants of body awareness. The Body Awareness Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire and the Body Attitude Test were applied to 43 women practicing fitness and 32 non-fitness practitioners. Bodily self-awareness was connected with greater fitness practitioners’ interoceptive body awareness and greater physical self. Noticing and global esteem predicted body awareness in women practicing fitness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-205
Author(s):  
Dharmalingam T.S ◽  
Balachandran P

In the modern world, the yoga plays a vital role in human life. To realise the truth and meaning of life, one has to practice yogic discipline in everyday living. The human body is made up of five elements such as akash, air, fire, water and earth. An air plays a very important role to survive by providing life energy. Everyday practice of pranayama would help in regulating respiratory system (Breathing exercise) as well as circulatory system. The physical exercises regulate the circulation of blood, heat, air in the body. The practice of asana would help in bringing flexibility in our muscular system so as to enhance the meditation process. The practice of meditation gives peace of mind and improves integirity. The practice of yoga will improve self-confidence, self-control, speaking truth, tolerance and social virtues. Each and every individual should practice yoga, asanas, meditation and do self-analysis exercises such as analysis of thoughts, moralisation of desires, nutralisation of anger and eradication of worries. This would help to bring hormoney between body and mind, habit and wisdom, self and society. Purpose and method and will and nature.


Humaniora ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1093
Author(s):  
Nikodemus Thomas Martoredjo

To be successful in a particular field, someone does not only rely on academic ability or technical skills. There is another ability that has big contribution to determine the success, which is the ability to manage emotions well or emotional intelligence. It was found many cases which people have failed not because they lack of the potential for mastery of academic or technical skills but they lack of the skills to manage their emotions. Speaking about emotional intelligence, there are five things to consider: self-awareness, self control, motivation, empathy, and social skills. These five things work together in developing emotional intelligence. If emotional intelligence can be realized and well developed, it can be a benefit for students who are studying in universities. The hope is the systematic development of emotional intelligence will best promote student achievement in learning.  


1998 ◽  
Vol 353 (1377) ◽  
pp. 1903-1909 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
K. M. Heilman ◽  
A. M. Barrett ◽  
J. C. Adair

Anosognosia of hemiplegia is of interest for both pragmatic and theoretical reasons. We discuss several neuropsychological theories that have been proposed to explain this deficit. Although for psychological reasons people might deny deficits, the denial hypothesis cannot account for the hemispheric asymmetries associated with this disorder and cannot explain why some patients might deny one deficit and recognize another equally disabling deficit. There is some evidence that faulty feedback from sensory deficits, spatial neglect and asomatognosia might be responsible for anosognosia in some patients. However, these feedback hypotheses cannot account for anosognosia in all patients. Although the hemispheric disconnection hypothesis is appealing, disconnection is probably only a rare cause of this disorder. The feedforward intentional theory of anosognosia suggests that the discovery of weakness is dependent on attempted action and some patients might have anosognosia because they do not attempt to move. We present evidence that supports this theory. The presence of one mechanism of anosognosia, however, does not preclude the possibility that other mechanisms might also be working to produce this disorder. Although a large population study needs to be performed, we suspect that anosognosia might be caused by several of the mechanisms that we have discussed. On the basis of the studies of impaired corporeal self–awareness that we have reviewed, we can infer that normal self–awareness is dependent on several parallel processes. One must have sensory feedback and the ability to attend to both one's body and the space where parts of the body may be positioned or acting. One must develop a representation of the body, and this representation must be continuously modified by expectations (feedforward) and knowledge of results (feedback).


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Shtefyuk ◽  

The article examines the features of intercultural polylogue of modern acting training; identified and analyzed ways to unleash the potential of cultural diversity of theatrical, physical and spiritual practices, as well as identified strategies for the most effective exchange of methods and techniques of training actors between different cultural groups. It is revealed that modern world theatrical culture is characterized by increasing interest in methods of acting training, which, despite their diversity, combines not only the idea of the importance of the actor's training method and the need to develop his psychophysical apparatus, but also specific principles of training as a unique research method. helps to achieve a harmonious interaction of soul and body. Modern acting training in many countries is becoming increasingly intercultural: crossing borders, intercultural exchange in modern theatrical practice and the growing interculturality of the actor mean that at the present stage acting training is determined by many ways of learning and different worldviews. It is stated that the intercultural polylogue in the globalization period is becoming more intense, due to the rapid development of information technology, and this, in particular, applies to modern acting training. The phenomenon of acting training is that, differing in its unique intercultural principles, it becomes a kind of point of intersection, which marks a qualitatively new era in theatrical culture. It was found that the result of intercultural polylogue of different methods and techniques of acting skills was the formation of a unique approach to training as the most important condition of the creative process in the context of understanding the value system of another culture, the development of universal values


Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 5968
Author(s):  
Miquel Alfaras ◽  
William Primett ◽  
Muhammad Umair ◽  
Charles Windlin ◽  
Pavel Karpashevich ◽  
...  

Research in the use of ubiquitous technologies, tracking systems and wearables within mental health domains is on the rise. In recent years, affective technologies have gained traction and garnered the interest of interdisciplinary fields as the research on such technologies matured. However, while the role of movement and bodily experience to affective experience is well-established, how to best address movement and engagement beyond measuring cues and signals in technology-driven interactions has been unclear. In a joint industry-academia effort, we aim to remodel how affective technologies can help address body and emotional self-awareness. We present an overview of biosignals that have become standard in low-cost physiological monitoring and show how these can be matched with methods and engagements used by interaction designers skilled in designing for bodily engagement and aesthetic experiences. Taking both strands of work together offers unprecedented design opportunities that inspire further research. Through first-person soma design, an approach that draws upon the designer’s felt experience and puts the sentient body at the forefront, we outline a comprehensive work for the creation of novel interactions in the form of couplings that combine biosensing and body feedback modalities of relevance to affective health. These couplings lie within the creation of design toolkits that have the potential to render rich embodied interactions to the designer/user. As a result we introduce the concept of “orchestration”. By orchestration, we refer to the design of the overall interaction: coupling sensors to actuation of relevance to the affective experience; initiating and closing the interaction; habituating; helping improve on the users’ body awareness and engagement with emotional experiences; soothing, calming, or energising, depending on the affective health condition and the intentions of the designer. Through the creation of a range of prototypes and couplings we elicited requirements on broader orchestration mechanisms. First-person soma design lets researchers look afresh at biosignals that, when experienced through the body, are called to reshape affective technologies with novel ways to interpret biodata, feel it, understand it and reflect upon our bodies.


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