Costume Ideas

Costume ideas

I want the character to look as natural as possible because i don't want the audience to instantly connect the character with having a mental illness. However, there are certain things i should consider e.g:

• Long sleeves/ trousers to cover scars/ marks from self harm.

• Wristbands or chunky bracelets that hide marks.

I have also been considering the idea of writing a message on the palms of my hands that will not be revealed until the end. Obviously, i will than have to make sure i don't make this visible throughout the performance. This could be possible as i could add this as one of the traits of the character. Refer back to the 'hands' task completed previously.

I like this idea as the hands in themsleves are a form of communication. We use are hands when we can't speak or when it is hard to hear. The character will feel like there is no communication between themselves and others. Also, with the constant voices and hallucinations it could appear to be extremely loud for the individual, which is why i think using the hands at the end will highlight the destress.

Special Effects

Special Effects:

I don't want to feel like i have to tip toe around the subject area in my performance. I want to be sensitive towards it but not so much that it limits my performance. An idea i have been considering is exploring ways of portraying self-harm. I would like to physically show this during the performance.

I don't however want this to be cheesy or unrealistic. i feel that if i can't display it in such a way then maybe i shouldn't use it. I am going to start some trials instantly so i have time to practise and make a decision.

In terms of costume i will also need to have some existing scars as the characters is not self harming for the first time.

Staging Ideas

The key element for my staging will be the large birdcage situated in the centre of the stage.

The cage needs to be big enough for me to fit inside and have some space for slight movement. I also want the bars to be made of a stretchy material possible something like tights so that i can manipulate the cage to demonstrate the characters struggle and highlight the idea of being trapped inside your own head.

I want the audience to be very close to the actions almost making them feel claustrophobic and this is why i have chosen to use the Alan Space. I want the audeince to feel tight and almost as if they are trapped within the perfromance. This feeling will then hopefully help them to relate to the character more.

Character Ideas

Character Ideas:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schizophrenia

Characteristics:

• Thought disorder/ Strange Thinking
• Belief that people are reading mind
• Think people are plotting to harm them
• hear/ see/ smell/ feel things others can't
• hallucinations, delusions, psychotic symptoms

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borderline Personality Disorder

Characteristics:

• Takes risks without thinking
• emotions go up and down rapidly
• difficulty making/ maintaing realtionships
• unstable sense of identity
• self harm
• fear of rejection
• delusions/ hallucinations
• suicidal thoughts