Sense Memory 02: Mirror

The Stanislavski Method

MIRROR Name: ________________________________ Date: ____________________ Period: ______

Objective • Assess your progress with your relaxation efforts • Assess your progress with your ability to concentrate • Recreate the sensory experience of looking in the mirror and completing a task (shaving, applying makeup, etc.). Preparation You will need some privacy in your bathroom or bedroom to complete this assignment. First begin by relaxing your body and quieting your mind through the relaxation techniques we have learned in class. Take as much time as you need. Then look at yourself in the mirror. Slowly proceed to engage in some sort of daily activity, such as shaving, applying makeup, washing your face, brushing your teeth, etc. Do not rush through this activity—nor the time you spend looking at yourself before beginning the activity. Carefully observe all the sensations that accompany this task. Observation Record Your responses to the prompts below MUST be almost ridiculously specific. Use comparisons (metaphors and similes) to accurately conjure up the sensation. Be specific about how the sensation physically affects you. 1)

Look at yourself in the mirror.

2)

Describe the shape, size and other visual features of your head: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

3)

Describe the shape, size and other visual features of your neck: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

4)

Describe the shape, size, color(s) and other visual features of your hair: _______________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

5)

Describe your hairline: ____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

6)

Describe the shape, size and other visual features of your face: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

7)

Describe any facial blemishes: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

8)

Describe your forehead: ___________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

9)

Describe your eyebrows: __________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

10)

Describe your eyes: ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

11)

Describe your nose: ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

12)

Describe your mouth: _____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

13)

Describe your chin: ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

14)

Describe your cheeks: _____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

15)

Describe your jawline: ____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

16)

Assemble the materials for your activity (makeup kit, shaving kit, etc.).

17)

List each object being used in the activity (including water if applicable): ______________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

18)

Describe in excessive detail the physical sensations of each object: ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

19)

Complete you activity.

20)

Describe in excessive detail the physical sensations of engaging in the activity: __________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ The Exercise Now, go to another location. Spend at least 10 minutes relaxing in a chair—as you have been taught. Repeat the process above without the mirror, sink, and hygiene materials. You are not doing this exercise in order to learn to pantomime. Work on reliving each of the specific sensations you recorded above. Do not move on to the next step until you fully recreate each sensation fully and vividly and specifically. Work on this several times for roughly ten-minute intervals. You will be completing this exercise in class, and will be expected to have worked on this significantly at home. You will be guided through each step, and you will be asked to recreate and describe each sensation. Due Date: ________________________________ Reflection [To Be Completed After Your In-Class Performance] Respond to the following prompts sincerely and with specific detail. Keep in mind that sense memory work is intended to be a continual process. You are not learning your times tables; these are exercises not unlike sit-ups or yoga. You continue to develop your ability with no end zone in sight. To achieve any kind of success you must commit yourself to continually working on it. 1)

How did you feel working on this exercise? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

2)

Which specific sensations gave you the most trouble? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 3)

What specific goals do you have for yourself as you continue to work? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

Assessment [for teacher use only] PREPARATION

5

4

3

2

1

RELAXATION

5

4

3

2

1

CONCENTRATION

5

4

3

2

1

DETAIL OF WORK

5

4

3

2

1

ABILITY TO SUSTAIN

5

4

3

2

1

SELF-EVALUATION

5

4

3

2

1

Total ________ out of 30