Samantha Terzis CI/CT
TOPICS
TOPICS
PERFORMANCE PREPARATION
So you get the call to interpret for a concert. Now what? How do you prepare? What do you ask for? Who do you call? How much do you negotiate? You hear about a "set list". "What is a ‘Set List’?” How do you dress? What and when is sound check? There are a million details to work through in preparation and this class will help you understand the process of prepping for your concert from start to finish and doing it like a pro.
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
You love attending concerts? Why? We could pay up to $200 (and potentially more) for a single concert. Why would anyone spend so much money to be entertained? The Performance Analysis class will dig through the reasons people attend concerts, how those expectations are fulfilled in everything from performance styles to dress to the tiniest details such as eye contact and miniscule body movements. Attendees will learn to apply their expectations of artists directly to their personal choices as Performance Interpreters, thereby giving the Deaf a more consistent and equivalent interpretation. Have no fear! Students will learn to compare their new found truths to the Code of Professional Conduct and will have a stunning example of why strong performances are supported by RID.
STAGE TERMINOLOGY & TECH PREP
A Promoter, an Artist Manager, a Road Manager, a Spot Op… a Set List, a Wedge, a Leko, a Teaser… AV, LD, TD, and SM… It’s all “Greek” to most people, but it doesn’t need to be confusing to you! The Stage Terminology & Tech Prep class will teach students how to manage working with the crew and concert administrators leaving the attendees with a head full of tech savvy knowledge. The result? Instead of just being frustrated that you can't hear, you now have the ability to ask for In Ear Monitors since no Wedge was listed on the plot... and bam! You get what you need to pull off a great interpreting gig. Anyone who has worked a concert stage knows the crew and administration can make or break any interpreter’s success. It’s an often overlooked key to great achievement on stage.
PERFORMANCE SKILLS TECHNIQUES
No, interpreting for Michael Jackson is not like interpreting for Rascall Flatts. Steven Curtis Chapman isn't similar to Phantom of the Opera. There is a lot to learn in how to control your body in order to put out the most accurate image of the artist! Think about it! Sign masculine, Sign feminine, Sign boldly, softly, show transitions, and express those emotions. More on your face, more on your body… move those hips, need to see the beat… where’s the facial expression? Show the passion, show the… wait! Some people think you shouldn’t show passion or emotion… "What DO I DO?" The Performance Skills Techniques class will discuss several perspectives on performance interpreting and will land smack dab in the middle of a the critical techniques needed to create a snazzy and attractive presentation. Plus... you will learn how to keep your Carrie Underwood from resembling the Galinda in Wicked.
GLOSSING
Have you ever sat down, looked at lyrics to a song and thought “what are they talking about?” Or... has a friend asked you to help gloss a song, to which you of course answer, "Sure! No Problem" and are then faced with phrases like "Hit me baby one more time." (hmm... is she talking about a left hook to the jaw?) English Imagery is incredibly difficult to translate. Then, if that isn’t hard enough the Performance Interpreter has to add ASL imagery and Idioms while sticking it in an attractive and clear gloss? That’s insane! Or is it? It can be done and we are going to show you how. This workshop encourages team work so the instructor and the students will work on glossing techniques to make eye catching and emotionally stirring interpretations.
PERSONAL ANALYSIS
A great stage interpreter can look at their interpretation and self analyze, modify, and improve on the intended interpretation. There is no room for being self conscious here, we are going to SIGN, SIGN, SIGN and then ANALYZE, ANALYZE, AND ANALYZE. We will analyze ourselves, analyze each other and walk away with new goals and ideas on our own strengths and weaknesses. This part of the workshop prepares you to keep the skills going for years to come. To make it more fun, on the full workshops if time allows, we will even work on a mini concert to end the weekend with a bang and probably a few more laughs.
Just for fun...
Let's test what you know.
Watch the video below without reading the questions which appear below. How would you interpret for THIS artist at THIS concert? First develop your own philosophies, then read the questions and rewatch the video considering those answers. Finally, see our brief thoughts on this video below to get an idea of what we will discuss at the workshop.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
STEP 1: Watch the video (no peeking below)
STEP 2: QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1) Who will you talk to when you arrive on site?
2) What will you say when you arrive?
3) Where will you stand?
4) What will you wear?
5) What will your hair and make-up look like?
6) How will you move your body?
7) What facial expressions will you have?
8) What kind of eye contact will you have?
9) How will you interact with the audience?
10) How will you translate this song?
STEP 3: OUR THOUGHTS?
1) You will speak to the Road Manager and the Board Ops
2) We have a speech prepared in the book!
3) The RM/TM will want you off stage. We always push for on stage when possible. We will discuss all the options and how to get there.
4) She is wearing something extremely shiny, tight, small, and sassy. Interpreters can't wear outfits which are too shiny but BSL is all about matching. We would suggest something like this:
It has a slight sheen, it is sassy, it has the coverage needed to see your signs and it looks like Taylor. The goal of BSL is to match the artist as much as possible. This is a great start. Don't have the body for this? We have plenty of suggestions in keeping with her style.
5) Attempt to match Taylor's as much as possible. The Deaf aren't there to see you, but rather to see Taylor. You are just a necessary addition, so give them as much TAYLOR as you can which creates a seamless environment for the consumers when taking in the concert as a whole.
6) Match Taylor's unique head tilts, hip pops, gesturing etc.
7) Taylor has a signature look when talking to an audience. Again match that as much as possible so the Deaf see Taylor in you, and you disappear.
8) Taylor is locked in to individuals in the audience. She doesn't let her eyes wander much. You should as well.
9) Taylor points to the audience and connects with them a great deal. Some artists are very detached, she is not. You should mimick that.
10) This is a loaded question. We will talk about prepping for varying types of consumers, but we will hit on making sure in this case you choose very feminine signs, very delicate finger based signs, signs fitting of a young woman, etc. ASL/PSE is important to consider when glossing but that is just the beginning if you want the Deaf to leave with the full knowledge of who that artist was.
THERE IS SO MUCH TO LEARN! This just touches the surface of what we will cover. So come on out and join us! You will laugh, you will grow, and you will leave a new member of the BSL Family.