LIGHTS, MICS, AND ACTION!!!

For the school's production of Bugsy Malone I'll be working backstage doing either lights or sound. This week we looked over the different types of lights and we finally went up onto the catwalk. 

Fresnel Light 

Fresnel light with barn doors attached

Fresnel lights are the most common and most used type of light in theatre as it floods the stage with light in a controlled way. You can also attach barn doors to the front Fresnel lights which allow you to make the light not spill over the stage or onto the projected background if there is one. Fresnel lights are best for the front and middle of the stage. The difference between Fresnel lights and other lights is the fact the Fresnel lights have stepped lens which spreads the light while preventing the light from heating up more than other lights.

PC (pebble convex) Lamp

A PC lamp is similar to the Fresnel Light. The difference between the two is the fact that the PC lamp is able to define an area slightly more as it's edges are a little bit harder compared to the Fresnel light.  It can also have colors and barn doors attached to the outside of the light.

 

Parcan

The Parcan creates an intense beam of light that is difficult to contain compared to the Fresnel and PC. Parcan's are most commonly used for side lighting (profile lighting) due to

the intensity of the beam. It's also common to use parcans for color lighting as the beam creates bright colors. Parcans have a round bottom and usually have a frame on the front that allows colored gels to be slipped in.

Follow Spot

A follow spot is used as a spotlight and is usually manually done. The follow spot has a

handle, sights, and controls which allow whoever is controlling it on the bridge to do their job with ease. Follow spots are quite large and come with a built in color changer and iris which controls the size of the beam.

Flood Lights

 Flood lights are lights that are able to completely flood the stage with light. Flood lights are difficult to control and have aren't as popular as they used to be as many people are using lights with beams that can be controlled.  

Profile Lights

Profile lights are a smaller, non-movable version of a follow spot. Profile lights are also called mini spots and things such as a iris and focusing nob can be fitted. Unlike the follow

spot, mini spots are used for fixed spots such as a lectern.

Birdie Lamps

5 inch long birdie

Birdie lamps (also known as bubba lights) are small lights used to light such as back of stage and back corners. Birdie lamps can easily be attached to the side of the stage and even in the set. Birdie lamps produce a soft pool of light. Birdie lamps aren't all 5 inches as you can also get what are kinda known as teenage birdies. These are fairly big but are still light and easy to rig.  

Gobos

Gobos aren't necessarily a type of light but more a attachment to the light. Gobos are usually a metal pattern, usually made of aluminium, or metal etched glass. Gobos usually project things such as windows, trees, words, or just cool designs. An example is a production of 1776 which was used to project the deceleration of independence as it was being written and signed.

   

The golden age of the 19th century

The 1920's, also known as the roaring 20's, was known as the glamorous decade filled with fringe dresses, champagne, and female liberation but there was much more to it than what you've read in the Great Gatsby.

The fashion: 

Although the 1920's are known for their high hemlines not all dresses had them. Dresses

had more variety and designers catered to people who loved to show leg and those who didn't. Loose fabrics and straight silhouettes were also hugely popular as it allowed the wearer to move freely without any constrictions on the arms, legs, or torso. Dresses were commonly made of materials such as silk which was then decorated with sparkling patterns inspired by the art deco movement.

Although women were experiencing much Independence and freedom it was quite the opposite for men. Not much had changed for men other than the rise of a well-fitted suit. If a man's suit was too big, long, sort, or loose they would be looked down upon. As fast fashion had yet to become a thing men would almost always be wearing a tailor-made suit and, if they brought a shirt, would have everything they owned hemmed as to ensure the perfect fit.                                                        

Society

Society in the 1920's changed majorly as not only were women more involved in the workforce farms were becoming less common. Cities and apartment buildings become normal and living on a farm was starting to be seen as strange. Not only this but there was also recovery from war and the lead up to the great depression which lasted from 1929 - 1935. Technology was also becoming the norm as items such as radios and telephones were used more often and washing machines meant that a housewife could spend less time on cleaning. Societal roles hadn't changed much at all as women were still expected to eventually settle down and start a family, this role wouldn't change until the beginning of the 60's.


Dance and music
Dances such as the Charleston and the Lindy hop offered more freedom had over taken the dances of the 1910's. The dances of the 20's had a lot of movement with legs constantly moving all other the place. These dances were often accompanied by jazz, the new music craze. Jazz originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans. Jazz is a combination of  blues and ragtime music.  Although Jazz became extremely popular in the 20's it actually began in the 1910's and the jazz craze lasted until the 50's.

TV and radio

Although "TV" did exist in the 1920's they were more like prototypes, radio however was widely popular.  With the popularity of the radio came the radio dramas. If you're a fan of flight of the conchords or a hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy you may have heard of their radio counterparts. These versions of the two shows/movies are known as radio drama or radio theater. These types of radio were hugely popular during the 1920's and the radio craze lasted till the end of the 50's.

Movies
The rise of the moving picture began in the 1920's with it's black and white, silent films. The moving picture also brought about the modern day celebrity with people such as Charlie Chaplin and Clara Bow.  Some of the most popular films of the 20's involved The passion of Joan of arc, Metropolis (pictured above), The Phantom of the opera, the last laugh, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, among other other films. The 20's is also the decade in which Disney studio began to form. Disney's first animation, Alice's Wonderland, was released and was soon followed by the release of Oswald, the first Disney original character. A year later Mickey Mouse debut in steamboat willy and the first silly symphony (video below) was released. Silly Symphonies were a collection of animations that were animated to the music with very little dialogue. You can find thousands of these on YouTube.

Metal Technology

I began Metal Tech in term 3 and it lasted for roughly 10 weeks. We were creating balancing
toys and were encouraged to work independently and to ask for help from others within the class.

Did I finish?

Yes I managed to finish my balancing toy but it did take me a while. The problem is I accidentally created a design flaw in the weight by adding too much weight at the top. This caused my toy to be unable to balance.  

What did I enjoy?

I enjoyed learning new skills and improving already learnt skills. I also enjoyed looking at my progress from week 1 to present, it satisfied me to look at a finished product that I put time and effort into. Welding was also extremely enjoyable.

                                                                                                                                                              

What did I learn?

 I learnt many useful skills such as using the countersink, engineer's blue. I also learnt how to use a file effectively and proper names for various sizes of metal ((flat bar, wide flat bar, round bar, etc) and that addressing them as such makes it far more easier to find than just asking for "that metal bar that we're using". I also learnt about PPE so that's pretty useful.

What was a challenge for me?

 Not being so anxious about welding was a bit of a challenge. Welding made me very nervous as I couldn't stop thinking about everything that could possibly go wrong (clothes catching fire, something wooden catching fire, etc). Now that I've done it I would gladly do welding again. Unfortunately I don't have any photos or videos of me welding put I do have photos of the metal I had welded (I already started filing it so that's why one side looks nice).

What did I think of welding?
Surprisingly I found it quite easy and enjoyable. I was nervous at first but I overcame those nerves and figured that I might as well just get it done and over with.

What am I better at now?

I'm better at welding and I'd probably say filing as well. I wouldn't say I was terrible at filing before but now I can do it more efficiently and quicker. I've also become more confident and willing to try new things 

What would I do better next time?

Next time I'd probably think more thoroughly about my design as to not end up with any design flaws. I'd also file around the areas where I welded so it would look a but more smoother and cleaner looking. It would also allow the spray paint to actually stay in the  areas where I welded.

Sappho - The great poetess

Malnutrition and types of Malnutrition

Malnutrition - What is it?
Malnutrition is when your body is lacking nutrition. The symptoms of malnutrition vary due to the fact that there are different types of malnutrition.

Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor (the disease of the displaced child) which refers to a deficiency of protein usually found in children living in poverty. Symptoms include a swollen abdomen, diarrhea, failure to gain weight, vitiligo, and irritability. Kwashiorkor can be treated by giving the patient carbohydrates and proceeding to slowly introduce protein into the child's diet.
Source: Silver back academic media's year 9 sciPAD

Beriberi
Beriberi (also known as thiamine deficiency) is when your body hasn't had enough B-1 vitamins. There are two types of beriberi, wet beriberi, and dry beriberi. Wet beriberi affects your circulatory system, heart, and in extreme causes heart failure. Symptom includes waking up short breath, swollen lower legs, shortness of breath during physical activity, and rapid heart rate. Dry beriberi affects the nerves and possibly lead to a decrease in muscle strength, this can lead to muscle paralysis. Symptoms include decreased muscle function, pain, difficulty speaking, involuntary eye movement, paralysis, vomiting, mental confusion, and tingling or loss of feeling in feet and hands. Beriberi is treated with thiamine supplements prescribed by a doctor. Preventing beriberi is fairly simple, making sure you're eating a balanced diet and limiting your alcohol consumption.
Source: www.healthline.com

Goiter
Goiters are the enlargement of the thyroid which is located below your Adam's apple. A common cause of goiter is lack of iodine in your diet or over/underproduction of thyroid hormones. Goiters isn't life-threatening but it can cause irritation and constant coughing. Symptoms include swelling in the neck area, tight feeling in your throat, hoarseness, coughing, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. Treatments vary depending on size, smaller goiters will be approached with a wait and see method while larger ones will be seen with medication. If your goiter is causing quite a bit of irritation and has amassed to quite a large size, you may go into surgery. Another treatment that is used very rarely is radioactive iodine but this treatment could cause an underactive thyroid gland. To prevent attaining goiters you simply need to make sure you're having enough iodine but not too much.
Source: www.mayoclinic.org

Goiters

Marasmus
Maramus is a severe form of malnutrition of vitamins and is commonly found in children living in poverty. Symptoms of marasmus is a loss of muscle mass, subcutaneous fat (a layer of fat under the skin), dry skin, brittle hair, chronic diarrhea, respiratory infections, intellectual disability, and stunted growth. Marasmus is life threating and treatment is a slow process, usually beginning with skim milk powder mixed with boiling water. Slowly vegetable oils will be added and the child will eventually be introduced to a balanced diet.     Source: www.healthline.com

Credit: My Mobil Doc

Scurvy

Scurvy is cause by a lack of vitamin C in the body and can happen to anyone. There are many symptoms throughout the stages of scurvy and because of this I'll only list ones that occur 1 - 3 months. The reason is because these symptoms are much more easier to notice rather than something that could occur for any reason. So, anyway symptoms include anamia (when the blood lacks red blood cells), gingivitis (red, soft, and tender gums that bleed easily), bleeding under the skin, bruise-like bumps around hair follicles with hairs (usually on shins) that appear cork screwed and break easily, tooth decay, tender swollen joints,  shortness of breath, chest pains, eye dryness, reduced wound healing, light sensitivity, blurred vision, mood swings, gastrointestinal bleeding, and headaches. Treatment varies but people taking treatment for scurvy recover fairly quickly. 

   

Flight of the conchords is really good band A+ great band