For those of you new to DDF there may be some terms or words used in this blog that you are unfamiliar with. So, here is a list that may help you out. A term on this list you want defined? Just post a comment below and the list will be updated quickily!
Blocking: the staged movement within a performance. (Ex: "That solo had terrible blocking! He just sat in a chair the entire time!")
Off-Stage Acting: Performers do not touch or make eye contact in the performance. Rather than looking at each other, the two actors look stragiht forward at the audience. (Ex: Jack is mad at Jill so 'slaps' the air in front of him. Jill, standing to the side of him, reacts as though she had been slapped, although now physical contact was made.)
Cutting: the selected pieces of a play or book from which you create your performance. (Ex: You want to perform 'Charolette's Web'. Rather than performing every word and including every character in the book, you choose certain important sections and put them together in a flowing format.)
National Forensic League: Has actually exsisted longer than the other NFL. Here is a link to their site: http://www.nflonline.org/AboutNFL.AboutNFL
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
DDF: A Rainbow of Events!
DDF can be broken down into three categories and twelve events.
DRAMA
Unlike debate and forensics, no events in the drama category can qualify for national competition. Nor can sutdents earn points for the National Forensics League.
Solo Acting
Eight (8) minutes maximum. It must be a cutting from a play or screen play. Blocking is necessary. A minimum of props is allowed, but no costumes or makeup may be used. One table and one chair must be provided for the actor. Each performer in an acting event must maintain portrayal of only one character, who may suggest other characters within the narrative.
Duet Acting
Ten (10) minutes maximum. Two people only. It must be a cutting from a play or screen play. Blocking is necessary. A minimum of props is allowed, but no costumes or makeup may be used. One table and two chairs must be provided for the actors. Each performer in an acting event must maintain portrayal of only one character, who may suggest other characters within the narrative.
Pantomime
Eight (8) minutes maximum. Prepared presentation may include recorded instrumental music but no other sound effects or vocalization. Must not be an impersonation. Makeup and costuming are allowed, but not required. One chair per performer is the only prop allowed.
Readers Theatre
Twelve (12) minutes maximum. A group presentation in which an open script must be used, either in hand or on a lectern. Selections used in the contests chall be cuttings from published, printed novels, short stories, plays, screen plays, or poetry. Recorded material that is not printed and published is not an acceptable source. Adaptations may be for the purpose of continuity only. During the presentation the group must name the author, book, or magazine from which the cutting was made.
Only tournament attire is allowed. Different styles exist for Reader's Theater. Do not penalize competitors for their choice of presentation style. Readers may move no further that three (3) feet from their original position. Readers may not touch each other. Sound effects are limited to those sounds that performers may make with their own bodies, scripts or stands. No props may be used.
DEBATE
Of all the events, debate is the one which students have most potential to earn points for the National Forensics League. In Southeast Alaska only one type of debate is offered, Public Forum. However, at the state competition (being held in Sitka this year) Policy and Licoln-Douglas formats will also be offered.
Public Forum
The Ted Turner Public Forum Debate format includes four 4-minute constructives, three 3-minute crossfires, two 2-minute summaries, and two 1-minute final focuses. A different topic will be selected for each meet and competitors are expected to prepare arguments for both sides of the topic.
FORENSICS
When we say 'forensics' in DDF, we aren't referring to the type concerning dead bodies and crime scenes. Forensic means 'investigative', so events in this category are investigations of literature. This is also the category with the most events so can be broken down in 'subcategories' (speeches, interprations, and impromptu speaking).
-Speechs-
Original Oration
Eight (8) to ten (10) minutes. The content of the speech must be original. The thesis should advocate a change from the status quo. The current debate subject may not be used. No audio-visual aids will be allowed. A manuscript must be given to the tournament director before competition. A different oration is required at each state competition. NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED. Not more than 150 words of the oration may be direct quotation from any other speech or writing and such quotations shall be identified in a typewritten copy of the oration supplied at registration. Extensive paraphrasing from other sources is prohibited.
Expository Speaking
Six (6) to eight (8) minutes. This category requires an original, factual speech fulfilling the general end of informing the audience. Visual aids and audio clips, not to exceed 30 seconds of the total speech, may or may not be used to supplement or reinforce the message. NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED. The speech must be the original work of the student. The speech must not have been used in competition prior to the current year. A manuscript must be submitted to the tournament director before competition begins.
-Interpretations-
Humorous Interpretation of Literature
Ten (10) minutes maximum. Single person event. Selections used in the contests shall be cuttings from published, printed novels, short stories, plays or poetry. Recorded material that is not printed and published is not an acceptable source. Adaptations may be for the purpose of continuity only. Monologues are acceptable. A cutting must be from a single source. During the presentation the contestant must name the author and book or magazine from which the cutting was made.
The presentation is memorized and no book or manuscript may be read in performance. No physical objects or costumes may be used. This is not solo acting and there is no blocking. Very limited movement is allowed.
Dramatic Interpretation of Literature
Identical to Humorous Interp. in nearly all ways except that its usually not as funny and sometimes quite sad.
Duo Interpretation of Literature
Ten (10) minutes maximum. Two (2) person performance. Selections used in the contest shall be cuttings from published, printed novels, short stories, plays, screen plays or poetry. Recorded material that is not printed and published is not an acceptable source. Adaptations may be for the purpose of continuity only. A cutting must be from a single source. During the presentation the contestants must name the author and book or magazine from which the cutting was made.
The presentaion is memorized and no book or manuscript may be read in the performance. No physical objects or costumes may be used. This is a contest in interpretation.
Performers will use off-stage focus. Full blocking, as is required in acting events, is prohibited.
-Impromptu Speaking-
Extemporaneous Commentary
Two (2) to five (5) minutes. Current national and international topics are selected. Current national an international topics are selected. The Contestant draws three (3) topics, selects one and has twenty (20) minutes to prepare in a monitored area. Only contestants are permitted in the area and contestants may not go elsewhere to prepare, nor talk to each other during the preparation time. The commentary must be delivered seated behind a table or desk. NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED.
Extemporaneous Speaking- Foreign and Domestic
Five (5) to seven (7) minutes. Current national and international topics are selected. The contestant draws three (3) topics, selects one (1), and has thrity (30) minutes to prepare in a monitored area. Only contestant are permitted in the area and contestants may not go elsewhere to prepare, nor talk to each other during the preparation time. NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED. No magazines may be carried to the lectern.
DRAMA
Unlike debate and forensics, no events in the drama category can qualify for national competition. Nor can sutdents earn points for the National Forensics League.
Solo Acting
Eight (8) minutes maximum. It must be a cutting from a play or screen play. Blocking is necessary. A minimum of props is allowed, but no costumes or makeup may be used. One table and one chair must be provided for the actor. Each performer in an acting event must maintain portrayal of only one character, who may suggest other characters within the narrative.
Duet Acting
Ten (10) minutes maximum. Two people only. It must be a cutting from a play or screen play. Blocking is necessary. A minimum of props is allowed, but no costumes or makeup may be used. One table and two chairs must be provided for the actors. Each performer in an acting event must maintain portrayal of only one character, who may suggest other characters within the narrative.
Pantomime
Eight (8) minutes maximum. Prepared presentation may include recorded instrumental music but no other sound effects or vocalization. Must not be an impersonation. Makeup and costuming are allowed, but not required. One chair per performer is the only prop allowed.
Readers Theatre
Twelve (12) minutes maximum. A group presentation in which an open script must be used, either in hand or on a lectern. Selections used in the contests chall be cuttings from published, printed novels, short stories, plays, screen plays, or poetry. Recorded material that is not printed and published is not an acceptable source. Adaptations may be for the purpose of continuity only. During the presentation the group must name the author, book, or magazine from which the cutting was made.
Only tournament attire is allowed. Different styles exist for Reader's Theater. Do not penalize competitors for their choice of presentation style. Readers may move no further that three (3) feet from their original position. Readers may not touch each other. Sound effects are limited to those sounds that performers may make with their own bodies, scripts or stands. No props may be used.
DEBATE
Of all the events, debate is the one which students have most potential to earn points for the National Forensics League. In Southeast Alaska only one type of debate is offered, Public Forum. However, at the state competition (being held in Sitka this year) Policy and Licoln-Douglas formats will also be offered.
Public Forum
The Ted Turner Public Forum Debate format includes four 4-minute constructives, three 3-minute crossfires, two 2-minute summaries, and two 1-minute final focuses. A different topic will be selected for each meet and competitors are expected to prepare arguments for both sides of the topic.
FORENSICS
When we say 'forensics' in DDF, we aren't referring to the type concerning dead bodies and crime scenes. Forensic means 'investigative', so events in this category are investigations of literature. This is also the category with the most events so can be broken down in 'subcategories' (speeches, interprations, and impromptu speaking).
-Speechs-
Original Oration
Eight (8) to ten (10) minutes. The content of the speech must be original. The thesis should advocate a change from the status quo. The current debate subject may not be used. No audio-visual aids will be allowed. A manuscript must be given to the tournament director before competition. A different oration is required at each state competition. NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED. Not more than 150 words of the oration may be direct quotation from any other speech or writing and such quotations shall be identified in a typewritten copy of the oration supplied at registration. Extensive paraphrasing from other sources is prohibited.
Expository Speaking
Six (6) to eight (8) minutes. This category requires an original, factual speech fulfilling the general end of informing the audience. Visual aids and audio clips, not to exceed 30 seconds of the total speech, may or may not be used to supplement or reinforce the message. NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED. The speech must be the original work of the student. The speech must not have been used in competition prior to the current year. A manuscript must be submitted to the tournament director before competition begins.
-Interpretations-
Humorous Interpretation of Literature
Ten (10) minutes maximum. Single person event. Selections used in the contests shall be cuttings from published, printed novels, short stories, plays or poetry. Recorded material that is not printed and published is not an acceptable source. Adaptations may be for the purpose of continuity only. Monologues are acceptable. A cutting must be from a single source. During the presentation the contestant must name the author and book or magazine from which the cutting was made.
The presentation is memorized and no book or manuscript may be read in performance. No physical objects or costumes may be used. This is not solo acting and there is no blocking. Very limited movement is allowed.
Dramatic Interpretation of Literature
Identical to Humorous Interp. in nearly all ways except that its usually not as funny and sometimes quite sad.
Duo Interpretation of Literature
Ten (10) minutes maximum. Two (2) person performance. Selections used in the contest shall be cuttings from published, printed novels, short stories, plays, screen plays or poetry. Recorded material that is not printed and published is not an acceptable source. Adaptations may be for the purpose of continuity only. A cutting must be from a single source. During the presentation the contestants must name the author and book or magazine from which the cutting was made.
The presentaion is memorized and no book or manuscript may be read in the performance. No physical objects or costumes may be used. This is a contest in interpretation.
Performers will use off-stage focus. Full blocking, as is required in acting events, is prohibited.
-Impromptu Speaking-
Extemporaneous Commentary
Two (2) to five (5) minutes. Current national and international topics are selected. Current national an international topics are selected. The Contestant draws three (3) topics, selects one and has twenty (20) minutes to prepare in a monitored area. Only contestants are permitted in the area and contestants may not go elsewhere to prepare, nor talk to each other during the preparation time. The commentary must be delivered seated behind a table or desk. NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED.
Extemporaneous Speaking- Foreign and Domestic
Five (5) to seven (7) minutes. Current national and international topics are selected. The contestant draws three (3) topics, selects one (1), and has thrity (30) minutes to prepare in a monitored area. Only contestant are permitted in the area and contestants may not go elsewhere to prepare, nor talk to each other during the preparation time. NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED. No magazines may be carried to the lectern.
DDF in Skagway
Drama, Debate, and Forensics is an activity unique to Alaska. Because of our small population, Alaska has combined three types of public presentation, that are normally kept seperate. This means that teams are made up of organized debaters, and theatrical actors. The variety of students who are drawn to and excell at DDF is simply amazing. At meets, you will see some students in full business suits, and others in hot-pink vests and purple tights.This program first came to Skagway in 2005, when the new English teacher, Mr. Fielding, offered to coach the event. Three years later, Skagway hold's multiple first place and other medals from state competitions.
In order to help community members better understand the activity, keep updated on events and meet results, and prepare for the regional meet being hosted by Skagway in February, this blog has been created.
Sorts of things to be published on this blog:
- Information about DDF and the National Forensic League
- Practice Schedules
- Information on student's pieces
- Meet dates and results
- Photos and videos of students
- Events or fundraisers hosted by the DDF team
- Anything else you would ever want to know about DDF!
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