nicoleriekenfinalproject-blog

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Building the Barricade

In one rehearsal, the group decided to focus on building the barricade with any items we could find in the room that would be in a classroom/school. We used benches, chairs, tables etc... We want the Barricade to bigger and more full than the picture above. we found that the items we use throughout the piece can be taken from the barricade. Our props basically come from the barricade which seemed more logical than just having them placed  randomly around the sides. The barricade is introduced right at the beginning and we build this at the start as the song Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People plays ( A song about a school shooting).

We then go on to reading text from various school shooting a mix of news reports and quotes from victims/survivors of the incidents.

Barricade Text

Daisy|: The shooting appears to have stopped, the police dispatcher radioed at 9.38, There is silence at this time. The school is in lockdown

Gav: Newtown 911, whats your emergency?

Dan: He killed 20 first grade children aged 6 and 7 during an attack on a school, along with 6 adults including 4 teachers, the principal and the school psychologist

Ash: It was like pop pop pop

Laura: He came into the school and pulled out a gun and he looked all confused

Nicole: The state police is here

Marcus: Okay, are you able to tell me where the gunman is right now? Is he inside or outside?

Daisy: A rear door swung open and a former classmate burst through - one arm clamped around the school's receptionist, the other clutching a pistol

Gav: She'd be shot once in the foot

Dan: Before being fatally wounded in an exchange of gun fire with responding police officers

Ash: Bullets don't have eyes

Laura: Pow, pow, man down, he forgot to take a shot gun

Nicole: Keep everybody calm, keep everybody down, keep everybody away from the windows, okay?

Marcus: Alright kids! Heads under the tables now!

Daisy: 23-year old began a killing spree at his home. After killing his father and brother, he set the house ablaze. Dressed all in black with body armour and wielding an AR-15 type semi-automatic rifle

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Research in to Dunblane/ Santa Barbara shooting reactions.

We looked in to two main reactions from the victims parents. One being Elliot Rodger's Dad ( Elliot Rodgers who carried out the Santa Barbara shooting) and Andy Murray's Mother ( Andy Murray who was part of the Dunblane School shooting). We looked in to an article that gave an interview of two talking about their experiences. We found that although both were in different situation they speak of similar things.

 Judy Murray's Full Interview -> https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jun/17/judy-murray-dunblane-massacre-just-left-car-and-ran

Peter Rodger's Full Interview -> https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/27/elliot-rodger-father-shooting-california

From Looking at the two text we devised a CrossCutting Scene, we took significant text from each interview and put them together, we have Gavin and Daisy at the front saying each line one as Judy and one as Peter. We decided not to mention the names of the shootings within the text as we felt that what they say applies to all shooting or to anyone that was in a similar situation.

CROSS CUT - DUNBLANE/ELLIOT RODGERS

Judy Murray

1 )"The girl sharing my chair said 'That's my daughter's class.' I don't know if I have survivor's guilt, but I had an awful moment then when I was so relieved it wasn't my kids, and then felt terrible. She lost her daughter."

2) "I was driving there thinking I might not see my children again. There were too many cars on the road – everyone was trying to get there. I got angry, shouting 'Get out of the way!' About a quarter of a mile away I just got out and ran. People weren't frantic. They were shocked, quiet. It was before mobile phones. Nobody knew anything."

3) "I knew him too – I'd given him lifts from the boys' clubs to the station. He was a bit of an odd bod, but I wouldn't have thought he was dangerous. So he'd been in my car."

Peter Rodger

1) "Every night I go to sleep, I wake up and I think of those young men and young women that have died and are injured and were terrorised and my son did that,"

2) "My son caused so much pain and suffering for so many families."

3) "Now, I go to sleep, I might have a nice dream and then I wake up and slowly the truth of what happened dawns on me, and, you know, that is that my son was a mass murderer. There is no way that I thought this boy could hurt a flea. What I don't get is … we did not see this coming, at all. This is the American horror story, or the world's horror story, is when you have somebody who, on the outside, is one thing and, on the inside, is something different. And you don't see it.

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Us/Them

Us/Them is  performance based on an incident that occurred on September 2004. A group of terrorists stormed a school in Beslan taking hundreds of children hostage. The ensuing siege lasted three days and left many dead. Us/Them is not a straightforward account of this terrible tragedy, but an exploration of the entirely individual way children cope with traumatic situations.

Elements of this piece linked with our piece very well for example there is a part where the male performer is marking out something on the floor with chalk which resembles the marking of a sports hall or school gym.We found this very relevant to our piece as the majority of it is set in a school gym. What we didd was instead of using chalk to mark out the floor we use white tape, which acted as an outline for a car ( for the Elliot Rodgers scene) and later on is described as sports marking on the floor.

I also liked how Us/Them used reactions from the kids as one of their main stimulus. The Female performer Gytha Parmentier described their approach as ‘...we approach it in a way that we heard children talk about it, children that went through this experience. The way they talk about it right now, which is really dry and very theoretical.’

We used a very similar technique in the way we described the classroom in one scene. We would describe the room as a normal room with normal objects but then go on to describe where the horrible things happened as if they were the norm, Much like how Us/Them demonstrated. It gives a sense of shock when you hear those kind of things happening in the same room and by saying it with such normality it desensitizes the meaning.

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PUSH Physical Theatre

What we created during rehearsals was achieved through the use of our phone torches to create a bright light in the middle, and by placing our thumbs over the light it created a red light, which resembles a sniper guns target.

We got the inspiration for this was when watched one clip of PUSH physical theatres rehearsal named ‘0’s & 1’s Rehearsal’. We found the use of light very effective so we tried to recreate what they did but a simpler version.

The video and images below is what PUSH physical theatre rehearsal video and the images above is what we came up with in rehearsal.

[PUSH physical theatre- 0’s & 1’s] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaLtYaWD0MY

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Use of Live Feed - Elliot Rodger’s Video, Hetain Patel, SheShe Pop

Evident in our material, we have started to use live feed within the performance. We initially researched a video made by Elliot Rodgers.

He created a video prior to when he went on a shooting rampage. He films himself in the car and we thought we could somewhat re –created that video through the use of live feed and by using his actual words [Elliot Rodger’s Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu6NKHtLzks

Other works that have incorporated the use of live feed was as previously mentioned;

-         SheShe Pop – The Rite of Spring

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy92BecM_Pw]

-         Hetain Patel – American Boy

Both performances have elements of live feed or video projection used within their performances.

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Part of our process is looking at music that are related to or is about school shootings. We came across a song by The Boomtown Rats called I don’t like Mondays. The song was written by Bob Geldof after finding out about the shooting that occurred at the Grover Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego. The shooter was identified as 16- year-old Brenda Ann Spencer. Spencer’s full explanation for actions simply ‘I don’t like Mondays. This livens up the day.’

[The Boomtown Rats- I don’t like Mondays] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Kobdb37Cwc

This sort of material is very similar to Hetain Patel’s work. Where he uses lip sync within his pieces such as American Boy. The use of lip sync gives a comedic element that we wanted to incorporate within our piece. Although we have taken the exact configuration of the boomtown rats from their music video. We can also see the configuration of the SheShe pop’s The Rite of Spring as very similar.

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Third Angel - Popcorn

Through the process of researching transcribed reaction from survivors of shootings. I came across a particular phrase that one survivor said; she described as ' It was like , pop, pop, pop, pop, pop... ' and then I came across another phrase that a survivor from the sandy hook shooting. One young survivor described the sound of gunshots sounding like pots and pans.

These two phrases reminded me of Third Angel's Popcorn. There was a particular part of the piece where the female performer demonstrates a pan and then start to cook popcorn on stage. The sound of the popcorn popping on stage resembles a gunshot sound.

We could use this idea and within the piece by having that element of popping corn on stage to represent the sound of gunshots.

https://vimeo.com/191536549 ( Link to Third Angel - Popcorn)

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Procedure during a shooting attack...

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It was like, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop...I thought it was fire crackers

Miss Thomas. Shooting Witness

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One young survivor said the gunshots sounded like pots and pans

Sandy Hook Shooting Survivor

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Sandy Hook 911 Transcript

CALL 1, 9:35:39, 24 seconds 

OPERATOR: Newtown 911. What's the location of your emergency? 

CALLER: Hi, Sandy Hook School. I think there is somebody shooting in here, in Sandy Hook School. 

OPERATOR: O.K. What makes you think that? 

CALLER: Because somebody's got a gun. I caught a glimpse of someone, they're running down the hallway. 

OPERATOR: Okay. 

CALLER: They are still running. They're still shooting. 

CALLER: Sandy Hook School, please. 

CALL 2 released on the recording is a duplicate of Call 1. 

CALL 3, 9:36:13 a.m., Rick Thorne, acting head custodian, 3 minutes & 52 seconds 

OPERATOR 1: You've dialed 911. What's the location of your emergency? 

CALLER: Sandy Hook Elementary School, 12 Dickenson Drive. 

OPERATOR: O.K. I've got that. What's going on down there? 

CALLER: Inside. I believe they are shooting at the front, at the front glass. 

OPERATOR 1: O.K.  

CALLER: Something's going on. 

OPERATOR 1: Alright.  

OPERATOR 1: I've got all, I want you to stay on the line with me. Where are you in the school? 

CALLER: I'm down the corridor. 

OPERATOR 1: Alright. I want you to take cover.. . . Jen, get the sergeant. Alright. Get everybody you can going down there. Alright. Let me get some information. What makes you think that? 

CALLER: The front glass is all shot out. It kept, it kept going on. 

OPERATOR 1: O.K. 

(Voice OFF PHONE: I'm on the line with a 911 caller, there's a shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School) 

CALLER: It's still happening. 

OPERATOR 1: Alright, what about the students in the front of the building. 

CALLER: Everything is locked up, as far as I know. I'm right in front. 

OPERATOR :1 Alright. You're in lock down? 

OPERATOR 1: Did you see anything out the window? 

CALLER: No it's still going on. I can't get over there. 

OPERATOR 1: Ok. I don't want you to go over there. I want to know what's happening with the students though along the front corridor. This is in the front parking lot? 

CALLER: Yes. I'm not, I'm not in the front. I'm actually down the other part. But I'm close. 

OPERATOR 1: O.K. Do you see anything or hear anything more? 

CALLER: I keep hearing shooting. I keep. . . 

OPERATOR 1: O.K. 

CALLER: I keep hearing popping.  

(Voice OFF PHONE: Guys, we've got a shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, that's what 911 is ringing off the hook for) 

OPERATOR 1: All right Jen, let's get one, let's get one caller, I'll take my caller, you . . . 

OPERATOR 2 background: Calling all cars Calling all cars. Be advised . . . 

OPERATOR 1: All right. Now who am I talking with right now? 

CALLER: Unintelligible 

OPERATOR 1: Pardon Me? What's your name? 

CALLER: Rick Thorne. 

OPERATOR 1: Rick Storm. Alright. Rick, what is your position with the school? 

CALLER: I'm the . . .I'm acting head custodian today. 

OPERATOR 1: O.K. 

OPERATOR 2: Newtown. What's the address of the school? 

CALLER: 12 Dickenson Drive 

OPERATOR 2: O.K. 

CALLER: Something's happening. 

OPERATOR 1: O.K. . . .  

Jen, hang up. I need you to get off that phone. Alright Rick? . . . Rick? 

CALLER: Yes. 

OPERATOR 1: Hi, what are you hearing now ? 

CALLER It's, now it's silent. 

Operator 1: O.K. 

(Voice Phone: Riverside Road) 

OPERATOR 1 : Alright. Now, when you say the school is in lockdown... 

CALLER: All the doors are locked. Kids are in classrooms. 

OPERATOR 1: O.K. So at this time you are defending in place. 

CALLER: Excuse me? 

OPERATOR 1: O.K., So at this time all the rooms are locked? 

CALLER: Yes. 

OPERATOR 1: O.K., Did you see anything out front before this started? 

CALLER: No. And I was out all morning. 

OPERATOR 1: Where are you in the¦ 

CALLER O.K. The gym teacher is telling me they saw (unintelligible) going past the gym. 

OPERATOR 1: Just now? 

CALLER: Yes. 

OPERATOR 1: Alright. Now are they running on the outside or the inside? 

CALLER: I would say that was the outside. (Pause) There is still shooting going on. Please. 

OPERATOR 1: Alright. What about injuries at this time? 

CALLER: Excuse me? 

OPERATOR 1: What about injuries at this time? 

CALLER: I don't know of any injuries right now. 

OPERATOR 1: O.K.  

(man screaming in background -- ". . . coming at me . . ." unintelligible) 

OPERATOR 1: John, I need you to call the state police. Just,.. 

OPERATOR 3: The state police is there. 

CALLER: It's still. It's still going on. 

CALL 4, 9:37:06, 42 seconds 

OPERATOR: Newtown 911. What's the location of your emergency? 

CALLER: It's 10 Dickenson Drive in Sandy Hook, Newtown, Connecticut. 

OPERATOR: Okay. What's going on at 10 Dickinson Drive? 

CALLER: It sounds like there are gunshots in the hallway. I'm a teacher in the school. 

OPERATOR: Okay, where are you? Are you in the school right now? 

CALLER: I am in the school. I'm in a classroom. 

OPERATOR: Okay, do you have everyone in the classroom and the door locked? 

CALLER: All of my students. The door is not locked yet. I have to go . . . 

OPERATOR: Okay, lock the door. 

CALLER: I have to go lock the door. 

OPERATOR: Keep everybody calm. Keep everybody down. Get everybody away from the windows, okay? 

CALLER: Yes, okay. 

OPERATOR: Where are you in the school? 

CALLER: I'm in the hallway when you walk in the front entrance, if you take a left. 

OPERATOR: Okay, try to lock down the school, okay? 

CALLER: We're trying. Okay. 

OPERATOR: All right. ye-bye. 

CALLER: Bye. 

CALL 5, 9:40:02 a.m., 5 minutes & 22 seconds 

OPERATOR NEWTOWN: Newtown 911? What's the address of the emergency? 

OPERATOR STATE POLICE: This is the state police. I got a victim of the shooter here. 

OPERATOR NEWTOWN: Yup. 

OPERATOR STATE POLICE: She's been shot once in the foot. 

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Map of America- areas where mass shootings have occurred.

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Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting.

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Connecticut School Shooting

Why do we have to worry or live in constant fear, As our children attend school year after year. Who can be so heartless,to play out such a murderous roll? Creating such tragedy, these school shootings are out of control. Connecticut took a hard hit this morning, straight to the heart. As twenty-seven loved ones died, from this world, they depart. A deranged, lost soul, arriving today, with deadly ammunition. Senselessly taking innocent lives,with a coldhearted, selfish ambition. Another catastrophe is done, screams haunts another schools hall, Innocent lives being taken, young and old, one by one they fall. Parents of these students receive the news and was called to convene, Waiting to have their children in their arms, after this horrific scene. Some receive their children, while others worry, as they have to wait. Overwhelmed with this alarming tragedy, and their childs undetermined fate. Taken from this world by a gunman, with no reasoning or explanation. While children obey the law and attend school,for their expected education. Terror will haunt the memories of those, who experienced the unexpected. By the taker of lives, who walked the halls, armed and undetected.