Differences of Viewing a Live Performance To Film

I find there are many differences between viewing a live performance and watching a film. During a live performance, I admire the actors' bravery to perform on stage in front of a judging audience. In a live performance, an actor has to think and act quickly to improvise a situation should something go wrong. Of course the actor still has to remember his/her lines as well. An experienced actor can improvise to where we, the audience, would never even know anything happened. With film, if a mishap occurs, they can edit or do a retake of that scene. Actors in film improvise as well, but it isn't the same as live because of the security of editing. With a play, or any live performance, the audience is able to watch the other things that are going onstage or backstage or be able to just view the play from a different angle depending on their seating. Viewing a live play, the audience is forced to use their imagination sometimes, for some of the props or scenes can not be performed on stage. Sometimes we draw our own conclusion because of this. In films, we are dazzled with elaborate settings and sound effects, and use of computer generated images. The audience of a live performance can also make the event better or worse as well. When you have a lively audience, the actors seem to be more relaxed and enjoying their own performance, where as a not so lively audience can have the complete opposite effect.The actors feel like they may not be performing well enough and begin to try harder, almost forcing the acting. The atmosphere of a live play is nice with the audience dressed in their finer attire, enjoying the evening out. I do favor live performances over viewing films, but don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching a well made movie. If I have to see a movie, I definitely prefer to view it on the "big screen". At the movie theater, you can enjoy the earth rattling vibrations of the speakers from the massive sound system. Feeling the blast from the explosives or gun fire and watching the car or bad guy fly through the air, are some of the advantages of viewing films. Another advantage is to be able to see the action on a screen large enough to see from a city block away. I can't say enough for the audio equipment with the surround sound and the booming subwoofers. Plus, we can't forget about the delicious, expensive popcorn and snacks at the concession stands. Attending a movie at a theater is a litttle different than attending a live performance, where the people at the movie theater seem to have less respect. People talking, feet on the back of your seat from the people a row back, etc. There are pros and cons to both events, but in my opinion, I would rather attend a live performance.

INDIAN SANSKRIT THEATRE

The beginng of Indian Sanskrit Theatre is heavily argued with many believing that the earliest days began in the last days of the B.C. era and into the early 1st century A.D. Literature of Sanskrit Theatre is broken into two parts: Vedic (1500-200 B.C.) and Sanskrit (200 B.C.-1100A.D.) Everything is traced back to god Brahma, who played a major role in the four Hindu Vedas.

GOD BRAHMA

God Brahma is believed, by the Hindu, to be the creator of the universe. God Brahma is recognized as the Supreme being, god of gods. God Brahma is a four-faced, four-armed, bearded being. He holds a book and a rose with his upper hands, and a water pot in one of the lower hands. One hand is free to bestow grace. The four faces represent the four Vedas. God Brahma combined the four Vedas to create a fifth Veda called "Natya" or theatre.

NATYA/NATYASASTRA

The Natya was available for everyone and contained all kinds of knowledge and art. The "Natyasastra" was later formed from the Natya. The Natyasastra, "authoritive text on the theatre", is a manuscript made up of performance codes believed to be written around 200 B.C. This manuscript outlines how actors should perform, what kinds of costumes and make up to wear, and what kind of theatre space is appropriate for the performance.

THEORY OF RASA

In the Natyasastra writings, the theory of Rasa is introdced. Rasa is tastes or flavors that compliment each other. There are 8 Rasas which are; love, mirth, sadness, wrath, vigor, disgust, the terrible, and the marvellous. Sanskrit plays should include all eight Rasas in the performance.

PERFORMANCE CONVENTIONS

Although Sanskrit performances contained simple stage props, the costumes, make up, and the performance was the important thing. In the Natyasastra, the different stages are mentioned, square, triangular, and rectangular. The Natyasastra recommeneds the rectangular stage because of the better view.

SANSKRIT PLAYS

The main goal of a Sanskrit play is for the hero's struggle to attain an object of desire. The hero is faced with obstacles along the way making it harder for the hero, but in Sanskrit , the hero is successful in the end. The hero achieves one or more of the three ends of Hindu life; "dharma" or duty, "kama" or controlled sensual pleasure, or "artha" the wealth that allows one to provide for others.

Geoff, i am still working on this blog...having trouble arranging pics and videos. Still have to cite my work. I know it was due already, so if you have to dock me, i understand...