Multiple

[justine]

We have it here in MA, does anyone else?

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, here is the event description from massforensics.org:

This event requires the use of a manuscript. A group of 3-8 students will present a scene or scenes from published material (play(s), work(s) of prose, and/or work(s) of poetry. The material may be either serious or humorous in nature. The students may use vocal skills, facial expressions, and/or hand gestures to develop a narrator and character/s; however, the focus of the performers should be off-stage. The students may only touch and make eye contact during their own written introduction. If lines from the selection are used in the introduction, the contestants must adhere to the rules of the event. The presentation should include an introduction that cites the name(s) of the piece(s) and the author(s). The cutting should provide a cohesive scene or storyline (containing a definite beginning, middle and end). The material must be found in printed literature. Props, costumes, and other theatrical devices are prohibited; however, reader?s stands or stools may be used.

Time: 12 minute maximum, including introduction (30 second grace); no minimum.

[xxLusciousZechxx]

Now this just sounds absolutely ridiculous.

I think the idea of performing with a script in-hand is childish, regardless of whether you have the selection memorized or not.

It's a safety net.

[Broskis09]

Yeah.

I agree with zech.

I wouldn't be able to take a group of people seriously while they are trying to act with a script in their hands.

dumb.

sounds like something a group of people would do just to **** around.

[justine]

Yeah.

I agree with zech.

I wouldn't be able to take a group of people seriously while they are trying to act with a script in their hands.

dumb.

sounds like something a group of people would do just to **** around.

Have you never competed in Prose or Poetry? Do you consider those events jokes too? I think you should realize that this is speech, not theatre. The people that created this event (the Massachusetts forensics league board) obviously wanted to set it apart from theatre. It's almost the exact same thing as duo except with binders, and even so, if it is a good multiple, the binders won't be the focus at all.

[Broskis09]

that's pretty tight how you called me out and not zech, its whatever.

sorry for giving my opinion, or offending you and your massachusetts forensics league board.

but it sounds dumb, but then again i havnt seen it done so i wouldn't really know.

and if it is this great event, like prose, poetry, and duo then why isnt it done at nationals.

i guess the massachusetts forensics league board needs to fight harder to get it up there to join those other great events.

[TheModernEgg]

Yeah.

I agree with zech.

I wouldn't be able to take a group of people seriously while they are trying to act with a script in their hands.

dumb.

sounds like something a group of people would do just to **** around.

Have you never competed in Prose or Poetry? Do you consider those events jokes too? I think you should realize that this is speech, not theatre. The people that created this event (the Massachusetts forensics league board) obviously wanted to set it apart from theatre. It's almost the exact same thing as duo except with binders, and even so, if it is a good multiple, the binders won't be the focus at all.

Yeah... wow. Not only was this really defensive... it was just an opinion. Calm down. And personally, I find prose and poetry much more entertaining and effective when the performer does not read directly out of the book and actually... I don't know... acts. It is also called Interpretation for a reason. Not only interpreting the piece of literature, but the event itself. I hate it when proses sound like an old man reading (and having trouble with) a bedtime story. Let's just try to keep this civil and respect each other's comments and opinions. Rockin'.

[Chewie]

Now this just sounds absolutely ridiculous.

I think the idea of performing with a script in-hand is childish, regardless of whether you have the selection memorized or not.

It's a safety net.

From a competitive standpoint, all that may be true. But remember, the vast majority of people competing in forensics are children. We have poetry and prose here which allow for a script in-hand, and it's a hotly-contested consolation event at nats. Even though there is the safety net factor, we have to remember that the primary aspect of forensics is to teach, not to compete.

A lot of kids would never get into interp if they didn't have a starting place like this to jump from, and a lot of kids just would not compete period. Performing in front of people is scary stuff, and having a safety net may be the difference between performing and not.

Back on topic: Justine, we have something similar to that (One Act Theatre) for state, but I don't know if scripts are allowed or not.

[justine]

Yeah.

I agree with zech.

I wouldn't be able to take a group of people seriously while they are trying to act with a script in their hands.

dumb.

sounds like something a group of people would do just to **** around.

Have you never competed in Prose or Poetry? Do you consider those events jokes too? I think you should realize that this is speech, not theatre. The people that created this event (the Massachusetts forensics league board) obviously wanted to set it apart from theatre. It's almost the exact same thing as duo except with binders, and even so, if it is a good multiple, the binders won't be the focus at all.

Yeah... wow. Not only was this really defensive... it was just an opinion. Calm down. And personally, I find prose and poetry much more entertaining and effective when the performer does not read directly out of the book and actually... I don't know... acts. It is also called Interpretation for a reason. Not only interpreting the piece of literature, but the event itself. I hate it when proses sound like an old man reading (and having trouble with) a bedtime story. Let's just try to keep this civil and respect each other's comments and opinions. Rockin'.

Okay, I realize my post came off as kind of *****y, (and by the way Broskis, it was directed at both you AND Zech - you guys pretty much just said the same thing and I quoted the one furthest down) but I was sort of annoyed at how hypocritical it is to say that you couldn't take someone seriously if it's a binder event. I know from reading other forums that at least Zech has competed in Prose and Poetry, two binder events. So I don't understand why he said that.

Modern Egg- I completely agree with you, and, in a good multiple, the competitors won't be staring at the book the whole time, it will be mostly memorized.

Chewie- I think we have One Act too, but ours aren't involved in forensics at all, it's a whole separate league. How does your One Act work?

[xxLusciousZechxx]

Even though I competed in Prose and Poetry, they were always a joke to me.

I never took them seriously for the reason that they were so ridiculously easy.

[xxLusciousZechxx]

Look, I don't want to offend anyone here, but if you're holding a manuscript while performing, I just won't take you as seriously as I would if you were without one.

Regardless of what everyone else says about high school performances compared to collegiate performances, it doesn't really matter.

I mean, the whole of it is pretty ridiculous as it is.

Any way you look at it, it's just speech.

And I'm sorry, but your "you've never done it, you just don't know" logic doesn't work for me.

I don't have to have sucked a dick to know I'm not gay.

There's just some things I know.

I don't like the manuscript, that's that.

I wasn't attacking you or your way of life, bro, no need to get so defensive.

I'm sure you can give a **** of a performance while holding a book.