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    Digital Media and Design overview


    Cambridge International AS & A Level Drama 9482 (for examination from 2021)
    Example 3


  • Now that you have read the assessment criteria, you may want to practise marking the performances. Watch the videos below, make a note of the strengths and weaknesses of the candidate and give a mark, before you read the moderator comments and marks below.



    • Part 1 Devised piece (30 marks)

      • Devised piece - 'Dollhouse'


    • Commentary on devised piece

    • The piece lasts for approximately 19’ 00”

      Length: the piece lasts for just under 19 minutes, which is longer than the syllabus requires.

      Structure: the piece has a good structure with a range of dramatic devices.

      Pacing and contrast: a good variety of pacing. A good balance between moments of calm and points of high intensity.

      Roles: these are well crafted and developed.

      Dialogue: this is very well crafted and offers many dramatic possibilities.

      00:00  Opening tableau with all candidates on stage. From left to right: Candidate 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

      01:05 Immediate transition into new scene with the female actors and voice over.

      02:21 Candidate 2's monologue leading into scene about a dating app.

      04:21 Candidate 4 enters in the role of Zachary.

      05:01 Candidate 3 and 4 in a car, he tricks her into taking her somewhere unknown.

      05:25 Reprise of music box theme with full ensemble on stage. Candidate 4 plays the role of a puppeteer and control the three girls.

      06:07 Candidate 1 delivers her monologue about her time in a club and being picked up by Candidate 4. Underscored by operating singing.

      08:48 Candidates 1 and 3 duologue.

      10:05 Candidate 4 enters and there is an interesting use of split state and direct access.

      12:09 Sudden transition into new scene and girls multi-role in white coats.

      13:30 Transition and black-out for 17 seconds.

      13:51 Candidate 4's monologue about his troubled childhood, effectively staged.

      16:03 Change of lighting and new music introduced.  Candidate 1 plays the role of Candidate 4's mother from 16:23.

      17:04 Transition and blackout with heartbeat moving into a new lighting state. Increase in intensity with repeated words and phrases. Culminating at 17:48 with red light and quick blackout.

      17:51 Return to music box as Candidate 4 exerts complete control of the three girls.
    • Candidates

    • Candidates in the order they present themselves


      Candidates in order of merit

      Candidate

      A Response to stimulus

      (5 marks)

      B Ensemble, structure, role

      (15 marks)

      C Quality of analysis and evaluation

      (10 marks)

      Total mark awarded

      (30 marks)

      Candidate 1

      5

      13

      9

      27

      Candidate 3

      5

      14

      8

      27

      Candidate 2

      4

      13

      8

      25

      Candidate 4

      4

      10

      7

      21


    • Devised piece: Candidate 1

      Devised piece: Candidate 2

      Devised piece: Candidate 3

      Click here for moderator comments and marks awarded
      • Candidate 3 - Evaluation
      Devised piece: Candidate 4 

    • Part 2 Scripted performance (30 marks)

      Scripted performance - 'Frozen'


    • Commentary on scripted performance

    • Bryony Lavery’s play, Frozen, is set in present-day England.  It explores the disappearance and murder of ten-year old Rhona Shirley by Ralph Wantage, a serial killer, the reaction of her mother Rhona Shirley, and the intervention of New York psychiatrist Agnetha Gottmundsdottir who travels to England to examine Ralph to see what has made him commit these crimes. During the play, the characters become ‘unfrozen’ as they have to confront the idea of forgiveness.

      The extracts are taken from the following scenes and edited heavily:

      Act 1 scene 3 – A bad patch Ralph, opening monologue

      Act 1 scene 4 – Nature table, Nancy monologue

      Act 1 scene 9 – Chickens coming home, Nancy monolgue

      Act 1 scene 10 - Sweating, Ralph monolgue

      Act 1 scene 12 – Lovely to be here, Agnetha short monologue and dialogue with Ralph

      Act 1 scene 13 - Suffer, Nancy monolgue

      Act 1 scene 17 – A line of washing, Ralph and Agnetha interview

      Act 1 scene 19 – The bones of it, Nancy monolgue

      Act 2 scene 21 – Two caring women meet, Nancy monolgue

      Act 2 scene 24 – Concluding my address, Agnetha monologue

      Act 2 scene 25 – The visit, Nancy and Ralph meet

      Act 2 scene 26 – Letter writing, All characters read the lines of the letter Ralph writes

      Act 2 scene 28 – Quiet and silent, Agnetha and Ralph

      Act 2 scene 30 - Graveside, Agnetha and Nancy

      The piece lasts for just under 23' 00''.

      00:00 Underscoring beings to set the mood and opening monologue delivered by Ralph.

      03:02 Nancy's monologue

      03:57 Agnetha enters on the phone.

      05:11 Nancy'2 monologue

      06:04 Ralph monologue

      06:38 Agnetha's monologue

      07:03 Agnetha interviews Ralph.

      09:56 Nancy's monologue

      13:10 Nancy's monologue finishes at the end of Act 1. A lighting change signifies the start of Act 2.

      14:10 Agnetha's monologue

      16:05 Black-out

      16:19 Nancy and Ralph meet

      18:09 Nancy exits and leaves Ralph upset and angry. He writes a letter.

      20:13 This runs into next scene where Agnetha tells Ralph she is leaving.

      21:40 Agnetha and Nancy are at the graveside with Ralph standing in the background.

      22:48 Music starts and piece finishes.

    • Candidates
    • Candidates in the order they present themselves


      Candidates in order of merit

      Candidate

      A Interpretation and Performance Skills

      (15 marks)

      B Communication

      (15 marks)

      Total mark awarded

      (30 marks)

      Candidate 3

      15

      15

      30

      Candidate 2

      14

      14

      28

      Candidate 1

      11

      11

      22

    • Scripted performance: Candidate 1