Higher Drama
Dramatic Commentary
Revision
Created by L Purvis
Dramatic Commentary
• A Dramatic Commentary is basically your written direction and
justification of an extract.
• In the exam you will be asked to respond to an extract from your Set Text.
• Each extract is approximately 2 pages in length and has no stage directions
included.
• You will need to mark the script at appropriate points for moves and other
directorial actions – these may include notes for actors on movement,
voice and technical effects which would enhance the presentation of the
extract.
• To help you to do this the Answer Book has pages divided into 3 columns
which are headed:
• "Moves and Interpretative Notes for Actors"
• "Justification"
• "Technical Effects"
Created by L Purvis
Dramatic Commentary
The allocation of marks for each column is as follows:
• Moves etc. - 7 marks
• Justification - 7 marks
• Technical Effects - 2 marks
• You must also draw a ground plan of the set relating to the extract. This
should contain the following information:
• A plan view of the set.
• An indication of exits and entrances for the actors.
• The starting positions of the actors at the commencement of the extract.
• The position of the audience in relation to the stage or acting area.
• A suitable key relating to the above.
• The total for the Ground Plan is 4 marks.
• The total for the Section B task is 20 marks.
Created by L Purvis
Dramatic Commentary
• The ‘moves’ column should include blocking using appropriate terminology e.g. up stage,
stage left, crosses etc.
• Where a candidate fails to do this a maximum of 4 marks should be awarded for this column.
• Equally, where a candidate does not provide notes for voice or gesture or details of mood the
maximum award for this column should be 4 marks.
• For justification, you should offer reasons for movement, voice, mood, gesture etc. These
reasons should fit the extract but should also show a wider knowledge of the text and how
the actions in the extract relate to the plot and characterisation.
• For technical effects, you should describe the lighting state at the start of the extract and
provide one other technical effect for the extract. Both these effects should be justified.
• Where a candidate suggests "lights up" at the beginning of the extract and "lights fade to
blackout" at the end of the extract when it is part of a larger scene or act, they should receive
a maximum of 1 mark for this column.
• The candidates must finish the commentary.
Created by L Purvis
Beginning your commentary:
Moves and interpretive notes column
•Number your script first, and then begin your directorial notes, that way you won’t have to rub
things out if you don’t have enough points.
•Your ‘Moves and interpretative notes’ should be numbered and then correspond to your
justification for the move (in the justification column).
•Take a new column for each page, it will help you to follow your directorial notes and make it
easier to read.
• As you answer you need to think in detail, think exactly what you would get the actors to do.
Remember if you give a technical effect, you must highlight when this has to stop.
• You must use voice, movement and blocking terminology.
• Your first direction should always be the opening positions of the characters.
• Your first justification should set the scene and establish your understanding of the mood and
situation.
• Make sure that your last moves note is at the very end of the extract, to show you have finished.
SEE AN EXAMPLE OF A COMPLETED MOVES COLUMN ON THE NEXT SLIDE
Created by L Purvis
Moves and interpretative notes Justification Technical effects
for actors
1) Mag and Joe are C.S on
Ardnageeha (rostrum). Mag is
sitting smoking, with a quizzical
expression. Joe is sitting,
surrounded by books, studying for
his exams.
2) Mag speaks in a questioning
tone, leaning in towards Joe. Joe
rolls his eyes, pushes her off and
sighs in annoyance at her
disturbing him once again. He
speaks to her in a stern tone.
3) Mag squeals in ‘pretend’ agony.
Volume is deafening. She grabs her
stomach and has a painful
expression. Joe turns initially
disinterested. Then he jumps to
his feet and moves C.S.R. to C.S.L.
He is pacing, eyes wide, anxious
tone, loud volume.
Created by L Purvis
Beginning your commentary:
Justifying your direction
•In your justification, try to think along the lines of ‘what is this showing?’ State how
your directorial moves highlight the themes of the play, the characters relationships
and the situation they find themselves in.
•What do your directorial moves tell us about the characters thoughts, feelings and
attitudes?
•Mention if your direction is used to highlight humour in the play.
• Do not just repeat your directorial move, try to show a wider understanding of the
play, plot and characters.
•You need to have around 20 - 30 points.
SEE AN EXAMPLE OF JUSTIFICATION ON THE NEXT SLIDE
Created by L Purvis
Moves and interpretative notes Justification Technical effects
for actors
1) Mag and Joe are C.S on 1) This opening position
Ardnageeha (rostrum). Mag is establishes the difference in the
sitting smoking, with a quizzical couple’s personalities. Mag is a
expression. Joe is sitting, dreamer, Joe is a pragmatist. The
surrounded by books, studying for mood is relaxed at this point.
his exams.
2) Mag speaks in a questioning 2) This further establishes the
tone, leaning in towards Joe. Joe relationship between the
rolls his eyes, pushes her off and characters. Mag is very talkative
sighs in annoyance at her and finds it difficult to
disturbing once again. He speaks concentrate. She likes attention
to her in a stern tone. from Joe. Joe shows signs of
frustration with Mag here as he
lacks interest in her conversation.
3) Mag squeals in ‘pretend’ agony. 3) One of the play’s themes
Volume is deafening. She grabs ‘Frustrated Love’ is conveyed here
her stomach and has a painful as Mag pretends to go into labour
expression. Joe turns initially to get some attention from Joe. It
disinterested. He then jumps to conveys a very insecure side to
his feet and moves C.S.R. to C.S.L. Mag, but also shows the naivety
He is pacing, eyes wide, anxious of Joe in not quite understanding
tone, loud volume. how to cope with the ‘fake
labour’. They are two very scared
individuals, essentially struggling
to cope with this responsibility.
Created by L Purvis
Beginning your commentary:
Technical effects column
• Although only worth two marks, a lot of candidates lose these
by not identifying the correct technical effects for the extract
given.
• Your technical effects should be given letters. These should
also be marked clearly on the script and should correspond to
your justification (in the justification column).
• Remember the commentary is just an extract from the play, it
can come from any point. Your technical effects have to show
your understanding of where in the play the extract is.
Created by L Purvis
Beginning your commentary:
Technical effects column
• If the extract is at the very start of the play then the technical effect would be:
A) Lights up, Fresnel Lantern, amber gels, 75% intensity, C.S.
A) Justification: It is the beginning of the play. It is also a warm summers day and the
young couple are outside. The mood is relaxed and playful.
If the extract is during the play, then the technical effect would be:
A) Lighting state is amber gels on Fresnel Lanterns, 75% intensity, C.S.
A) Justification: The couple are outside on the hill of Ardnageeha. It is a warm
summers day and the mood is relaxed.
•The Commentators will also have to be mentioned and justified in your first technical
effect. You have to decide whether to only light them when they speak (which might
not happen in your extract) or to have a constant dim 30% Profile Spotlight D.S.R AND
D.S.L on them to highlight the symbolic juxtaposition of them in contrast to Mag and
Joe.
Created by L Purvis
Beginning your commentary:
Technical effects column
• Your final technical effect has to be marked on the script and
again if it was the very end of the play, the technical effect
would be:
B) Lights fade to blackout.
B) Justification: It is the end of the play.
•If it was not the end of the play, then the technical effect
should read:
B) Lighting state remains the same.
B) Justification: The play continues.
SEE JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF COMPLETING A TECHNICAL
EFFECT COLUMN ON THE NEXT SLIDE
Created by L Purvis
Moves and interpretative notes for Justification Technical effects
actors
1) Mag and Joe are C.S on 1) This opening position establishes A) Lighting state is at 75%
Ardnageeha (rostrum). Mag is sitting the difference between the couple. intensity with amber gels on
smoking, with a quizzical expression. Mag is a dreamer, Joe is a Fresnel Lanterns C.S. on Rostrum.
Joe is sitting, surrounded by books, pragmatist. The mood is relaxed at Two Profile Spotlights are lit at
studying for his exams. this point. 30% intensity D.S.R and D.S.L on
Man and Woman’s seats.
A) This is to show that it is a warm
summers day and the couple are
outside on the hill of Ardnageeha.
The Commentators are lit at this low
intensity to show there deliberate
presence on stage. They are used to
reflect the dramatic irony in the play
and create a stark contrast and
reminder of the fate of Mag and Joe.
B) The play continues. B) Lighting state remains the
same.
Created by L Purvis
Beginning your commentary:
Technical effects column
• Technical effects will change depending on which
extract from the play you are given.
• ‘Winners’ is straightforward as you just need to identify
correctly the lighting state and show an understanding
of the setting of the play (as this does not change
throughout this section).
• ‘Losers’ is more complicated as the setting can change
depending on the extract e.g. it could take place on the
couch, in the backyard, in Mrs Wilson’s bedroom, even
off stage (when Andy comes home drunk).
Created by L Purvis
Beginning your commentary:
Technical effects column
• With ‘Losers’ you need to also consider whether to light Mrs Wilson
at all times or just when the scenes take place in her room.
• A low intensity Profile Spotlight on Mrs Wilson at all times, could
symbolically represent her constant presence.
• The mood is also different in ‘Losers’ so your technical effect if it
was in the living room could be:
A) Lighting state is at 60% intensity, Fresnel Lanterns, amber gels, C.S.
There is also a 30% Profile spot U.S.C on Mrs Wilson.
A) Justification: This is to show that the extract is set indoors. The
Profile Spotlight on Mrs Wilson reflects her constant presence and
status in the house.
Created by L Purvis
Beginning your commentary:
Technical effects column
• The other technical effect element that you have to consider if
the extract given is from ‘Losers’ is if there is a SFX of the bell.
•This would just be added as another letter in your technical
effects column:
B) SFX of a loud, clanging bell.
B) Justification: The bell is used by Mrs Wilson to summon Hanna.
More symbolically it is her control over the couple and she uses
this to stop them having time together.
SEE AN EXAMPLE OF ADDING A LFX AND SFX INTO THE
TECHNICAL EFFECTS COLUMN ON THE NEXT SLIDE
Created by L Purvis
Moves and interpretative notes for Justification Technical effects
actors
1) Andy and Hanna are C.S on the 1) These opening positions reflect the
living room couch. They are mood in the house as a total contrast.
cuddling and kissing. They are in a Mrs Wilson is alone while Hanna and
romantic relationship. Mrs Wilson Andy are in love and courting. It appears
is U.S.C on the rostrum. a relaxed atmosphere at first.
A) This is to show that they are indoors A) C.S is lit at 60% intensity, with
and it is a warm relaxed atmosphere in amber gels on Fresnel Lanterns. U.S.C
the living room. The Profile Spot is used is lit at 30% intensity using a Profile
to draw some attention to the presence Spotlight.
of Mrs Wilson and her behaviour in
response to the noise downstairs.
2)They speak in a quick pace and with 2) This conveys the strict environment
mumbled clarity throughout, but with a that the couple are in. They feel a sense
loud volume. Mrs Wilson is creaking her of guilt at wanting to be ‘romantic’
neck, trying to listen to what is together and have to speak throughout
happening downstairs. She has a their embrace. This also conveys the
disgruntled expression, then a shocked themes of ‘imposed divisions’ and
expression as she hears silence. Andy ‘restrictive environment’ enforced by
and Hanna are overcome and stop Mrs Wilson as she will stop at no lengths
speaking. to avoid their relationship developing.
B) The bell is used as a control B) SFX of a huge clanging bell.
mechanism by the bed ridden Mrs
Wilson as she summons Hanna to her
room.
3) Hanna jumps up, with rage in her 3) The theme of ‘Frustrated Love’ is
expression. Her tone is furious as she conveyed here as Hanna demonstrates a
moves U.S.C to her mother’s room. true anger towards her mother for
interrupting her time with Andy.
Created by L Purvis
Technical Effects
Tasks
•Draw a ‘Technical effects’ and ‘Justification’
column onto a piece of paper and work on
correctly identifying the effects and justification
for the moments from the play on the next slide.
• Remember to look at the text carefully,
considering any change to the setting which
would effect your lighting. Also remember to
look out for SFX in ‘Losers’.
Created by L Purvis
Technical Effects
Tasks
‘Winners’
1) Starts: Pg. 13.
‘Woman: They stayed on top of Ardnageeha…’
Ends: Pg. 15.
‘Mag: What are you starting with?’
2) Starts: Pg. 32.
‘Woman: The months of June and July 1966 were the warmist …’
Ends: Pg. 34.
‘Joe: So sorry, Joseph, but my Phil’e’s not at ‘ome at present.’
3) Starts: Pg. 47.
‘Mag: The past’s over! And I hate this waiting time!’
Ends: Pg. 49.
‘Man: As if nothing ever happened.’
Created by L Purvis
Technical Effects
Tasks
‘Losers’
1) Starts: Pg. 53.
‘Andy: By God, we were lively enough, too.’
Ends: Pg. 55.
‘Hanna: We’re early at it the night! There’s the paper. Have a look at it.’
2) Starts: Pg. 64.
‘Hanna: Christ!’
Ends: Pg. 66.
‘Mrs Wilson: Thank you Andrew. As Father Peyton says: the family that prays together…’
3) Starts: Pg. 71.
‘Mrs Wilson: I promise you, dear: he’s all right. I know he is.’
Ends: Pg. 73
‘Andy: (To statue) You and me – both sacked.’
4) Starts: Pg. 75.
‘Andy: I don’t think I told you about the tenant I have over in Riverview.’
Ends: Pg. 77.
‘Andy: She could handle a regiment.’
Created by L Purvis
Dramatic Commentary
Tasks
Task One
Click HERE to follow a link to SQA: Understanding Standards site.
This enables you to look at examples of commentaries and the
marks awarded. They are all useful just to see the format, but
Example two in particular is a Lovers extract.
Task Two
• Complete the ‘Peer Dramatic Commentary’ booklet in class.
Task Three
• Choose a commentary from the booklet given and complete
this and hand it to your teacher.
Created by L Purvis
Well Done!
You have completed revision on Dramatic
Commentaries!
Now just keep revising and working on these to
improve your technique.
Created by L Purvis