Category: How to Prepare

Character Development

Posted on by Heather Neumann

How well do you really know someone?  What’s their story? What’s their background? We are midway through the season… And I want to see competitors fully engaged to their characters in their Interpretive Speeches (this includes Biblical Presentation). At this point competitors should have a sense of who their characters really are. I can tell when one is performing a memorized speech and when one is truly visualizing and understanding each and every character. I want every competitor to bring it to the next level. This is the difference between performing and acting.

Kristi and I have developed a resource to bring your Interp to the next level! Our Character Analysis and Worksheets help competitors really process who their characters are. Warning- research and actual thought process may have to be done.

Let me give you some examples- If you are playing the part of a child with cancer- you may want to visit a hospital with cancer patients. Are you connected and understand what they are going through? If you want a character to have a German accent, you may need to go on YouTube to learn how. If you are trying to develop your character of Wilber, in Charolette’s Web, you may need to dig deep to understand loneliness and what a friend would really mean to you. This may sound over the top, but really understanding and developing your characters is pivotal for a well-rounded piece. For my students, this is what I want them to achieve, I want them to understand what they are trying to represent. This is part of the lesson of being in Speech- understanding people or characters in a whole new way.

Our worksheets bring you through the process of developing YOUR characters. The reason I stress your is because, I should not see the same Interpretation twice. Your development of characters should be unique. If you don’t know who your character is or who they are trying to represent- you need to go through the process of figuring it out. The worksheets will help you with…

Emotional Development

Character Analysis

Background

Physical Development

and more!

Here’s what people have said about our worksheets…

“WOW – The Character Analysis and Worksheets is a super helpful document! I was familiar with the concept of character development, but this fleshed it out so thoroughly! It really does separate those performers who have done the work and those who haven’t. It takes the character from two dimensions to three!” -Parent

“These worksheets helped me develop my characters, so I could really visualize who I wanted them to be.” -Student

“I wish I had these when I started Speech years ago!” -Student

My hope is that at the end of the season, students will have more than just “a Speech”. That they will have accomplished more than just memorizing a piece of literature, a play, script, or section of the bible. My hope is for students to have a deeper understanding of characters and people. That this experience in Speech will impact them, as well their audience, for the rest of their lives.

 

Duo Champions Interview- Heady/Jackson (part 1)

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Kristi and I had the honor of interviewing Jackson/Heady- the 2016 Duo Champions of NCFCA, shortly after their win. Kristi and I loved getting to know them more via SKYPE, and recorded our time together. But due to “technical difficulties” putting the video up for you all to view, wasn’t going to be an option. However, Jathan Jackson and Ashley had so many great things to say and lessons to be learned, I decided to transcribe it for you all!

Continue reading “Duo Champions Interview- Heady/Jackson (part 1)” →

More thoughts on Biblical Presentation

Posted on by Heather Neumann

It's Thursday and so far I have coached SEVEN Biblical Presentations this week! It's going to be a great year! God is revealing some great stuff to these kids! Biblical Presentation is in it's second year with NCFCA. Let me remind my readers with a short recap of what a Biblical Presentation is...

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Creating Unforgettable Characters

Posted on by Heather Neumann

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If you are competing in any Interpretive Speech, creating believable characters is fundamental. Characterization is the vessel for demonstrating your interpretive skills. Our Character Worksheet can help you analyze each individual character. As you create your characters, there are a few specific aspects you should develop. Remember, although there may be a whole book written on your character, you have a time limit. Also, your creativity in the development of characters is ultimately up to you! Have fun! Get to know these people… You're going to spending a lot of time with them! Remember the goal is to make your characters memorable so your judges can tell them apart, as well remember them. Here are some things to consider...

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Digging Deeper in Rules

Posted on by Heather Neumann

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How well do you know the rules? When you see a speed limit sign that states 25 mph- does that mean you need to start driving 25 mph before or after you reach the sign? I think speech rules are often read, but I wonder how many students are  actually understanding them. Today I am going to break down a couple of my favorite NCFCA Interp Rules... (Of course this is only my interpretation)...

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Find Your Interp Style!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

It's that time in the "pre-season", where some students are starting to feel panicked. "I haven't found my epic piece!" "My research is going no where!" "I hate my topic already!" Or my favorite, "We were supposed to have a piece picked by now?!" I know Practice Tournaments are starting... But take a deep breath... You still have time- plenty of time!

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Creating Goals and Goal Setting

Posted on by Heather Neumann

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I am always amazed every year when I talk to a speech camp or club about goals. It’s strange to me to think that so many students are in speech competitions without goals! For me, creating a goal is one of the first steps toward the path of success….

The simple definition of goal from Merriam Webster is- something that you are trying to do or achieve. However, I think most students need to start with setting a goal. The definition of goal setting according to mindtools.com is “a process that starts with careful consideration of what you want to achieve, and ends with a lot of hard work to actually do it.”

How is one supposed to know what they want to achieve with out thinking about it and making a plan? If my goal is to make it to The National Championship, but I don’t plan on putting much time into my speech…  How is that going to work? Or worse, I want to go to Regionals, but I haven’t told my parents and they are planning a vacation that weekend. Goal setting will help you in the long run create those tasks that need to get done in order to achieve the grand prize.

So why do I think goal setting is so important? Reasons to create goals…

1. Creating a goal allows you to be the best you possible.

Sometimes I find kids go into “I don’t care” mode. This is usually a coping-mechanism. Students feel like if they don’t put forth effort, it won’t matter as much- if they don’t do well. However, by creating goals they own what they are doing. They become accountable to their dreams.

APPLICATION- Try choosing a goal to stretch yourself.  By getting out of your comfort zone, you will grow, and potentially become better. Don’t stay safe!

2. Making a goal keeps you focused.

By creating goals you are more likely to keep your eye on the prize. Imagine being a soccer player with out a soccer goal, a basketball player without a hoop? Speech should have similar goals. The goal to break or advance to Regionals or Nationals will drive you, because you will continue to strive toward that goal. By setting goals it allows you to stay focused and gives you a target to shoot for.

3. Sharing your goals keeps you accountable.

Goals are meant to be shared. So many kids I coach don’t tell their parents or peers their goals! What?! Who is going to keep you accountable? If I really don’t want to eat that last piece of chocolate cake, the more family members I tell, the more likely they will help me not eat the cake! Your support system (mainly your parents) want to help you succeed. Be sure to include them on the path. Whether the path leads to success or not, it is always nice to have someone cheering you on, or waiting to give you that hug!!

4. Goal setting keeps you motivated.

Having goals gives you something to focus your energy, your mind, and your emotions on. Setting goals gives students the drive sometimes they will need when things don’t go their way. Having something to strive toward can be just the motivation to make sure what needs to be done.

5. Goals keep you on track.

When you measure your goals progress, you don’t have to start with ultimate goals. You can create small goals to keep you on track. Early in the season you can create target dates and experience the excitement of achievement with each mini goal that will propel you to reach your larger goals.