Character Reaserch

Ferdinand

(Prince of Naples)

In our version of the tempest I am playing Ferdinand the prince of Nepal, as he is a prince and next in line for the thrown he has a slight spark of arrogance about him, during the storm he is on the boat with his farther when it wrecks, to then find himself all alone on a mystical island thinking that the wrest of the crew are dead.

He is then  comforted by spirits on the island that lead him to see Miranda who he quickly falls in love with. thinking his farther is dead he See's himself as a king and decides to wed Miranda finding a new home and comfort with her and Prospero who throughout tests  his devotion to Miranda.

Costume

This is a picture of me (left) and jack (right) who is playing Prospero, 

As you can see my costume is all in black and white its interesting as my top is in fact a leotard which I wasn't expecting, also on the arms of my shirt they are very baggy much like those that princes wore in the Elizabethan time period making our production almost seem less contemporary and more real to the time of performance.  

Character influences

As Ferdinand has an argent and smooth talk persona i have decided to study similar people in the public eye that carry the same traits. The clip below is from made in Chelsea following a conversation between Andy (man walking out of pool) and Spencer both of them carry the same persona's i hope to carry out in my character.

ARGENT/DEFENCIVE 

Looking at Spencer his tone and speech pattern which is lower and assertive also to the point makes me think it will apply well to my relationship and communication with Prospero in my first scene. A line that would fit this well would be:

"A single thing that I am now that to hear thee speak of Naples he does hear me; and that he does i weep, myself am Naples..."

FLIRTATIOUS

In terms of Ferdinand relationship to Miranda Andy the key male in the clip bellow taken from made in Chelsea shows a good example of the flirtatious charm that Ferdinand uses, knowing how and when to say the right words in terms of attracting Miranda or in this case Louise (girl in chair). This clip has also helped me recognise the correct tone to use; this being lower and in conjunction with a slower rhythm when he is complimenting Louise brings on and creates this flirtatious charm. Therefore this would work especially well on my first line to Miranda in scene 2:

"Most sure the goddess on whom these airs attend! vouch safe my prayer may know if you remain upon this island and that you will some good instruction give how I may bear me here: my prime request, which i do last pronounce, is, oh you wonder! if you be maid or no?" 

The text/phrases in bold above are the complementing words used in which to woo Miranda which as with Andy's speech pattern stresses the complimenting words meaning his diction and words have more meaning.

 

 Nervous/not thinking 

(Ollie Locke)

 

This clip is focusing on two characters from again Made in Chelsea, Ollie Locke and Hugo Taylor .

Looking at how Ollie talks it gives me ideas to my character's occasional fast passed talking especially in a stressful situation, Ive noticed the obvious fast passed rhythm and pase along side his disjointed flow of his speak but also his tone and pitch vary. these mannerisms and idiolect would work perfectly with my line: 

"as i hope for quiet days fair issues and long life, with such love as tis now the murkiest den the most opportune place the strongest suggestion..."

As this line shows a heightened stress and rapid response my character panics and thus the rhythm would fit and thus the presentation of Ferdinand's quick think stress is presented this also shows him as being almost childlike due to his no think approach.

Confident/Relaxed

(Hugo Taylor)

 

In terms of Ferdinand's confidence and relaxed state the clip above shows this through my analysis of Hugo Taylor Ive focused more on his body language this being very relaxed which again works with this high ego and again confidence that will reflect well in my first opening speech with Miranda showing him to be doing a standard approach to women in terms of his princely background.  

Therefore the key focus on his stature is again postuire that being always reflected to the female in the room, also along side this my attention should always be around Miranda as that is therefore my key focus on my objectives.