A Simple Guide To Making Online Drama Work

Putting on a virtual drama production might seem overwhelming at first, but with the right approach, a little bit of technical know-how and creativity, it can become much easier. During the numerous lockdowns in the pandemic, creative people had to adapt or perish. Many companies and institutions did not pull through, but those that did, had the foresight to adapt and learn to conquer this brave new world of technology and reach out to new audiences. Zoom became an essential tool for virtual drama, teaching us valuable lessons about digital performances, what worked and what didn’t. This simple guide will help you understand the basic so that you can make your online drama work, whether it’s an online class, an audition or a performance.

Lessons from Zoom

One major takeaway from the pandemic was the importance of clear audio and video quality so that the action, whatever it is, can be seen and heard. It’s one thing to be constantly asking your family, “Can you hear me?” but actors needed good lighting and microphones to make their performances stand out. We also learned that virtual backgrounds and filters could be creatively used to enhance storytelling, for comic effect, or very annoyingly depending on the context they were used in. A soliloquy from Macbeth is perhaps not best done with a fake beard of a flowery shower cap on your head, but it might do very well in other situations.

Additionally, managing lag and delays required patience and practice, emphasising the need for structured rehearsals, although some ‘off the cuff’ performances were engaging for all the wrong reasons! And here in the UK, there were a few performances which although not intended to be drama in any way, shape or form, ended up with lots of dramatic content to rival the best Eastenders script! Who can forget the infamous Handforth Parish Council meeting debacle?!

Putting frivolity aside, and most importantly, Zoom showed us that drama could still thrive online, proving that connection and creativity could overcome physical distance. People followed Joe Wickes to do his online workouts, they did yoga, ran pub quizzes and created entertainment, proving that creativity will not be stifled by a tiny virus!

The benefits of online drama

Virtual performances offer unique advantages:

• Lower production costs without the need for a physical venue or stage equipment
• A global audience, allowing people from anywhere to watch and participate
• The chance to explore creative storytelling methods that are not possible on a physical stage
• You can be more inclusive and give opportunities to more people or those with SEND

By embracing these benefits, drama productions can reach new heights and bring performances to a wider, more diverse audience. This can be a bonus and is often a requirement when applying for grants, so learning these techniques now could help save the arts in the future.

Understanding the technology

The digital world offers exciting opportunities, but it also brings many technical challenges. Getting comfortable with digital tools is essential and nowadays, we have a host of platforms to choose from like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, and specialized software like OBS Studio which can offer some unique features. Taking the time to explore the available platforms and seeing their pros and cons will help you make the right decision. Cost will always be a factor but you can get some good results without spending a lot of money.

Technical issues such as poor internet connection, lagging video, or audio glitches can happen unexpectedly and are very distressing to your audience. To minimise disruptions, ensure you have a stable internet connection with enough bandwidth for your needs. Check your equipment in advance, and conduct a full tech rehearsal. This is good advice if you are broadcasting a production, holding a class or running an online interview – check your equipment in advance! Having a tech-savvy team member can be a game-changer as they can handle the technical aspects, allowing you to focus on the artistic side of the production.

Engaging virtual audiences

Keeping an online audience captivated by your performance requires creativity. Without a physical stage, you may need to think outside the box to enhance the audience’s experience. This could include things like:

• Using creative camera angles and backgrounds to enhance your storytelling
• Using real-time captions to help understanding
• Incorporating multimedia elements like animations, music, or virtual reality to create a richer experience
• Introduce interactive moments, such as live polls or audience participation, to make viewers feel involved (If the BBC can do it with Eastenders at 40, so can you)
• Research and learn from successful virtual performances and apply their innovative strategies to your own production

Be open to experimenting with new ideas—the digital space allows for fresh storytelling techniques that go beyond traditional theatre so don’t be stuck thinking in a theatrical box – get outside and really be creative!

Creating emotional connections through the screen

Connecting with an audience virtually can be challenging, but it is possible with the right techniques. We engage with our small and large-screen entertainment all the time. However, acting and performances need to be adapted for virtual performances as you will know if you have ever watched back a static-camera recording of any performance. Here are some things to think about:

• Use expressive facial movements and close-ups to convey emotions effectively, however, if you overdo these on a close-up, you can look like the worst type of ham actor since the silent film era!
• Keep scenes short and vary the pacing to keep your audience engaged
• Encourage real-time audience interaction, such as comments or live discussions if possible
• Remember that you have the power to direct an audience’s focus using a camera and make use of this – in a stage play, the audience can look at who and whatever they want on stage – in a virtual performance, you can choose what you want them to see
• Use lighting, costumes, and sound to enhance the emotional depth of performances as you would in a normal performance
• Use split-screen opportunities if available to vary the shots
• Use emotional integrity in your acting

• Close-ups require more subtle expressions compared to stage acting
• Clear audio is just as important as visuals, so invest in a good microphone setup
• Plan remote rehearsals carefully and use online tools for script-sharing and feedback
• Consider reimagining classic plays for digital formats by changing the settings, characters, or plot elements. Think Bridget Jones’s Diary and Pride and Prejudice

The key is to bring the same energy and sincerity as a live performance while making the most of the digital tools you have access to. By understanding the limitations and possibilities of virtual platforms, you can create an engaging and memorable experience for cast and audiences alike.

Teaching online drama classes

Moving drama classes online may feel uncomfortable at first, but it also provides new learning opportunities for both you as the teacher and for the students. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – you may find that your students can show you a thing or two when it comes to modern technology:

• Address the challenges head-on, and encourage open discussions about any concerns that students have about being seen online
• Make use of online workshops, courses, and tutorials to develop digital performance skills in your students – many auditions and job interviews are done initially in virtual environments nowadays
• Build a supportive community where teachers and students can share experiences and solutions, sharing best practice and helping each other out
• Adapt traditional drama techniques to fit virtual formats, making lessons more engaging and interactive
• Use the online chat facility available on some platforms – or turn it off if you feel it will be distracting. Remember, that you have control…
• Stay positive and flexible even in the face of technological failure! Sometimes, these things happen, but a positive mindset and adaptability can make the transition to virtual drama a rewarding experience for everyone involved

Learning from others

Looking at past successes can provide you with some inspiration and ideas to help with your own performances:

• Look at the success of things such as the screenings from The National Theatre, or The Royal Opera House
• Classic plays have been adapted for digital formats with innovative effects and interactive elements
• Original screenplays have combined live-action with animations and audience participation
• Hybrid performances have merged live theatre with digital streaming to engage both in-person and online viewers
• Many installations combine elements of live and recorded performances to enhance the user experience

By studying these examples, you can develop fresh ideas and push the boundaries of what’s possible in online drama. The key to success is staying open to change, learning from others, and continuously experimenting with new techniques. In the same way that you can develop an acting technique or an improvisation skill, allow yourself time to experiment with this new medium so you can use it creatively.

With the right approach, online drama can be just as impactful and engaging as traditional theatre – or possibly, even more so!

Here are some examples of successful online drama productions:

1. National Theatre at Home: The National Theatre in London streamed several of its productions online during the pandemic, including “Frankenstein” and “Jane Eyre,” which received widespread acclaim
2. The Show Must Go Online: A project that performed Shakespeare’s plays in the order they were written, using actors from around the world, all performing from their homes
3. Zoom Shakespeare: Various theatre companies and educational institutions used Zoom to perform Shakespearean plays, bringing together actors and audiences virtually
4. The Old Vic: In Camera: The Old Vic theatre in London streamed live performances of plays like “Lungs” and “Three Kings,” performed on stage but without an audience, and broadcast online
5. Drama Online: A digital library offering access to a wide range of playtexts, video performances, and audio dramas, used extensively in educational settings

These examples showcase the creativity and adaptability of the theatre community in bringing drama to audiences online.

Related posts

Basic acting techniques for beginners

Why drama should be included in school curriculums