Macbeth Director’s
Notebook…
Here’s your task in a nutshell: you’ll be making all of the production and
directorial decisions needed to stage one scene from the play. You’ve already
watched three versions of Macbeth, so
in a way you’ve been able to look into the thoughts of three directors. These
thoughts don’t belong to you. You’re only an observer. You can’t steal them for
your own, but unfortunately that will be the temptation. One objective in
watching several was to help you see the range of creative interpretation
available to you, not to put specific ideas of how to do it into your heads.
The challenge here will be to think originally and to put on a new version of Macbeth.
Over the next few days you will be building a
director’s notebook for one scene in
Macbeth. Your notebook must include each of the following pieces:
1. Interpretive analysis [25 points] (200+ words). Discuss how you’re interpreting the play. The PBS folks did it
through setting and costuming that suggested the Stalin-era Soviet Union. The
James McAvoy version had a fancy restaurant be the context. So imagine you are
producing the entire play. What is an interesting setting/context that could be
used to tell the story? Be creative. Start with the big ideas—you have an
ambitious leader who takes control of things in a violent way. Could your
Duncan and Macbeth be something other than kings? Where else in life do we have
people with authority over other people? Your
interpretation must be suitable for presentation on a stage!
2. Theme analysis [25 points]: (300+ words). In a carefully proofed article, explain how the theme of Fair is foul, and foul is fair gets
treated in this scene. How does the theme develop further? Is the theme stated,
but in different words? But remember, the majority of the theme’s expressions
throughout the play are NOT in words but in situations and in the characters’
actions. How are good things made bad or bad thing made to appear good? How do
good and bad, natural and unnatural get flipped around or mixed up?
3. Character analysis [25 points]: (300+ words). In a carefully proofed article, discuss where either Macbeth or
Lady Macbeth is at in terms of their fall. For this analysis you may refer to
what happens before or after your scene, but the focus (most of your writing)
should discuss the point your character is at in THIS scene.
4. Script with stage directions (& footnotes) [25 points]. Type your
scene [cut and paste from the internet; just make sure it’s an accurate
version] and insert 12 stage directions. Be sure to mix it up: include voice
(inflection, tone, pause or stress on a significant word), physical movement
(as in a threatening movement across the stage to intimidate the boy
messenger), and meaningful activity (what does LM do to show her washing her
hands?). You don’t have to follow the book’s format, but it must be in script
format (speaker is clearly named, followed by spoken part; ITALICIZE all stage
directions. Bracket them if they’re embedded within a spoken line). You must have explanations/rationale for
each direction. Include them with the direction itself, NOT
footnoted or listed at the end.
5. Detailed drawing of your stage. [25
points] Include any unusual structures, furniture,
doorways, etc. If your drawing is…iffy, you may need to depend on labels and
explanations. Be sure to choose your stage type (you may need to look up stage
types and terms such as thrust, arena, and proscenium). This choice will determine what your set looks like. This
is not an art class. I won’t grade you on ability, but I will grade you on
effort. Attempt it in 3D if you can. If not (if you’re just giving me a bird’s
eye view, for example), fill it in with a lot of detail. Remember: effort! IMPORTANT: I should be able to recognize your
interpretation (what you wrote about in your interpretive analysis) in your
stage drawing.
DUE DATE:
Monday 1/20
