Talking Pantomime

A strange result of my beginning the Masters course is that I have ended up writing a seminar presentation and essay on Pantomime in the middle of Spring!

This is how it came about. We are able to choose two co-validated modules for the whole course - and one of the modules that I selected was "Fairytale and Gothic Horror" in the School of Film Studies. I chose this because I am interested in Narrative Therapy and the use of Storytelling in Therapy. I thought it would also broaden the course that I am Majoring in - leavening pure Death Studies with something a little lighter (though having studied Fairytale and Gothic for three months, I'm not too sure about that - it can sometimes be pretty gruesome...the fairytales, as well as the Horror!)

We are able to choose the topic which we write about within the module - and as my father was caught up in the world of Pantomime for many years, when it was given as a suggestion in relation to the segment on "fairytale in popular culture", it seemed a natural choice for me.

Because Pantomime is so visual, I feel it is important for my seminar audience to also experience my talk visually, so I am including a number of film clips and images - and phew, have they taken some time! Because of problems with the video card on my main computer, I was not able to use my normal Pinnacle video editing suite, so ended up editing in Windows Movie Maker on my laptop. Much simpler - and I have been very grateful indeed to be able to use it - better than nothing at all.

I've researched the origins of Panto right back to pagan ritual, and have just learned so much in the whole experience - about video editing and scheduling study as much as the topic in hand. Even if I fall at the first fence as far as my module is concerned, the time will not have been wasted.

I have a few more images to scan and a little more text to add - and then it will be ready to present in a little over a week's time. But for today - I am doing nothing at all to it (that's another thing I am learning on this course - its easy to "max out" on study and neglect other things, like sleeping and gardening and cooking and stuff - doesn't time fly when you are having fun!).

Instead, I will play with Lissie and maybe even give her a bath - now that IS bordering on the reckless, don't you think?

Comments

[jill]

If the cat gets a bath, I want to see the panomine of it! Or at least one digital photo of the end results.

[Britt-Arnhild]

Oh, Roz, I so much hope to be able to actually watch your presentation one day. Or read about it. You should write a book you know......

[sheila]

I have often felt that Panto, despite being superfiacially amusing was quite dark.Perhaps because a lot of them are based on fairy tales?
This is something I would find very interesting. Britt-Arnhild has a point, perhaps one day a book could be 'in the wings'...?

[DebbyT]

Fascinating photos and topic! It will be exciting and educational to follow this with you--vicariously.

[plumbum]

It takes a brave woman to bath a cat...

Good luck with the presentation. I know that you will do brilliantly, Roz.

[Darla]

Enjoyed the illustrations that accompany this post. What a lot of hard work you have done. I'm sure your efforts will be recognized.

Like others here, I look forward to seeing/reading the final product at some point.

Darla

[Britt-Arnhild]

I have a link to you as one of five favorites in my blog today ;-)

[Terri]

How is the garden coming along? Any new pictures? Maybe a front house view?

[caroline]

Hi Roz,
You seem like such an interesting person! Your topic is well chosen, and your approach appeals on many levels. There is much to be said for returning to school at mid-life.

I studied "Commedia dell'Arte" for a graduate-level presentation on Moliere. The notion of some sort of visual, gesticular (?) shorthand fascinated me. I now understand that I put some of that knowledge to work in my naive images that tell stories.

When I come back to blogging I will visit you again.

[manifest more money]

What can I say about your writing but “wow” – you really know your subject and put your points across well. I can’t wait for your next post. I’ve found a guy who is good to read too will pass the details on when I find them.