U.S.A. 60’s Julius Caesar

CHIDIOGO NWOKIKE, NATHALIE ABOU-KHALI, AKINWUMIOSANYINTOLU, ANDRES RUSIC

Director

Cast List

•Julius Caesar: Leonardo Dicaprio•Brutus: Jon Hamm•Antony: Jason O'Mara•Cassius: Kevin Spacey

Cast List (Continued)

•Octavius: Jack Ryan•Casca: Daniel Day Lewis•Cicero: Ian Mckellen•Portia: Mila Kunis

Cast List (Continued)

•Calpurnia: Olivia Wilde•Flavius: Joseph Gordon Levitt•Lepidus: Jake Gyllenhaal•Murellus: Josh Hartnett

Cast List (Continued)

•Decius: Denzel Washington•Soothsayer: Tommy Chong

Style and Theme

I picked the style of the play to be set in a JFK presidential atmosphere in 1963. This way the audience can still see the preserved Shakespearean original whilst connecting with another piece of history regarding a famously assassinated political figure. Julius Caesar Parallels with John F Kennedy and that creates a analogous topic between two separate time periods. I chose the theme to be Public Self Vs. Private Self because it is a lesser known theme within this play that correlates well with the new setting and style. This theme shows the internal conflict within the characters and how they act for the public and for their country/government as opposed as how they actually feel in their private lives. This goes in conjunction well with John F Kennedy because he was constantly having to place aside what he actually wanted to do in order to please the other sections of the government, such as the military, with what they wanted to do right up until he was assassinated.

Cast List in Relation to Theme

I picked this cast because even though most of these actors are film based, I have seen them in enough of their works to know that they will portray their characters well and that they will convey the theme well to the audience because they know how to show that kind of emotional range.

ACT I, SCENE I

- ACT I, SCENE I begins with Flavius and Murellus moving through the set and meeting a regular office worker with the intentions of seeing Julius Caesar in his inagural address. They begin arguring over the role of power regarding the actions of Caesar. This begins to show the seeds of a civil conflict between the supporters of Caesar and his opposition. This reflects the theme by showing what the people think and how Caesars (JFK’s) Policies are either very popular or unpopular causing the start of a conspiracy. Flavius and Murellus’ plan to begin ruining the reputation of Caesar is only the beginning stages in a plot to undermine and eventually overthrow a political figure.

ACT I, SCENE II

- ACT 1, SCENE II focuses on establishing the relationships between the different factions between the Government. On one end we see caesar that is beloved by most people and that he is backed by his friend antony and Brutus is having trouble as Cassius is attempting to manipulate him. In this scene there is the inner cabinet members of the executive government (I.e Julius, Brutus, Cassius, and Antony) picking sides and we see the first clash of protagonist and antagonist of the two political parties, Julius and Cassius. These fit into the theme by showing how Cassius is attempting to pursuede the inner self of Brutus and his loyalties and publically make him change his outlook towards Caesar.

ACT I, SCENE III

- Cicero and Casca discuss the forwarning omens that are to come with them moving across the scene enacting large gestures to portray to the audience an actually intimidating forboding. Cassius then comes in and continues to talk in his sinister manner against ceasar.

ACT II, SCENE I

- Brutus begins to show his internal conflict as Jon Hamm paces nervously through the scene. His monologue and dialogues are indicative of his struggles as he uses his surrounding environment such as with the set and lighting to begin preparing the playfor its spine.

ACT II, SCENE II - IV

- Ceasar begins to grow weary as his wife warns him on the events that are to come. We see in

this scene, through the dialogue and Leonardo Dicaprios voice inflections, that Ceasar is having

an internal struggle with his personal identity and private identity. It shows how this is skewing

his actions and thoughts because he completely dissmisses his wifes warning. He wants to

continue portraying his internal identity but everyone that wants to take him out of office is

throwing in the pressure to make him change his ways.

ACT III, SCENE I

- Antony as the speaker of the house should be prepared to address the senate as if he were addressing congress. He is preparing the tension that is to come with the death of Ceasar.

- This is the spine of the play, all of the moments of tension and intense emotion from the chosen cast should culminate here at this moment because it validates the theme of the play.

- Caesar is stabbed outside the capitol building by the oppositional leaders and has been betrayed by his vice president. This canonly mean that the struggle between the private life and personal life has failed as he could not find a way to portray one through the other so he has been killed, and the men who wished to see his policy change have won.

ACT III, SCENE II - III

- Antony’s speech should be filled with emotion signifying the coming of a new age within the roman government, which sparks both fear and joy amongst the senate and the plebians. This new government shall be centered around the Public Life that Ceasar should have attested to and followed but instead refused to change those policies.

ACT IV, SCENE I - II

- War is drawing near as the actors prepare themselves to portray a violent war scene. It is seen through their emotions that blood will be spilled and that this is all because of another rift within the faction, further proving that there is now way to escape the theme and that if your personal view points don’t match that of the ones that politics chooses for your public views then there will be conflict.

ACT V, SCENE I - III

- In this scene the actors should be preparing for the conflict and emphasize the obvious power vaccum that has been created by Julius Ceasars death. This should forshadow a terrible conflict all because of their incompetence to let someone else rule then have them killed because they disagreed with the. This portrayal to the audience will let them know that there is a terrible war to come, and then the conflict begins.

ACT V, SCENE IV - V

- Finally the play is concluded when Brutus takes his own life and regresses into a state of lament over his betrayal and then reconfirms the theme by showing how his manipulation was part of his Public display and not his Private one.

Costume Design

60’s StyleThe costumes in the play reflect the 60’s theme and consist mostly of suits representing each character’s ranking and position, as well as accessories such as ties and handkerchiefs. Color plays a major role in distinguishing between alliances and emphasizing contrast between characters.

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar is the man of the people. His country loves him and admires his accomplishments. His look is charismatic, classic and relates to his beloved country’s red white and blue colors. In fact, while his suit is a classic navy blue, his tied and handkerchief are red, white, and blue. The pin represents his leadership.

Brutus

Brutus, the protagonist of the play, finds himself torn between his loyalty to his friend Caesar and his loyalty for his country. The gray color of his suit and hat represents his torment between the two sides. The white color of his tie and handkerchief represent his desire for harmony and tranquility.

Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna the Conspirator, Flavius, and Murellus

Cassius, Casca, and Cinna all manipulate Brutus in order to convince him to murder Julius Caesar. Decius, Flavius and Murellus are also conspirators. These characters’ identical attire suggests their identical selfish desires and their coalition. Their red ties and handkerchiefs represent the side on which they are. These characters also wear a blazer under their jackets, which marks a significant difference between their ranking and that of Caesar, Brutus, and Antony.

Marc Antony

Marc Antony is the antagonist of the play, and his character is associated with selfishness and treachery. He serves as a foil to Brutus. Thus, his attire consists of a black suit, a black tie, and a black hat. His handkerchief is blue because it represents his coalition with Lepidus and Octavius.

Octavius and Lepidus

These characters’ black suits and blue ties and handkerchiefs represent their alliance with Marc Antony and their opposition to the Conspirators, who wear red. These characters also wear a blazer to distinguish them from the main characters.

Caesar and CalpurniaIn Act II Scene II, Caesar wanders around in his dressing gown while his wife, Calpurnia, has bad dreams about her husband dying and is wearing a nightgown.

Portia

Portia, Brutus’ wife, is portrayed as a devoted wife and an elegant woman who, although she admires her husband, seeks his attention and wants him to confide in her. Her white outfit consists of a graceful silver dress, white hat, white scarf, and white gloves. The white theme represents her association with her husband, her innocence, and her sincere desire for an intimate relationship with him.

Soothsayer The soothsayer, who has the most important line in the play, when he warns Caesar, is dressed like a hippie, which reflects the 60’s style.

Set Design!!

EnvironmentWhite House / Washington, D.C

Impressive white structures

Very formal/pristine establishment

◦ Manicured Lawns

◦ Active/purposeful movement of characters

Mood and StyleSerious mood with 1960’s style

◦ Powerful figures everywhere (White House is national seat of power)

◦ Feverish love for J.C in public

◦ Disdain for J.C among Senators (Tribunes)

◦ Black and white structures for 1960’s cinema feel

◦ Red, white, and blue kept vibrant due to setting in the nations capitol

Realistic SceneryStrong resemblance to White House

Noticeable differences to evoke ‘Roman’ feel

◦ Strong purple imagery

◦ Material representations of power (ties, pins, rings)

Locale and PeriodLocale is Washington, D.C

1960’s time period and associated appliances/accessories of the era

◦ Largely formally dressed characters

Design Concept

1960’s feel, as if watching a really old movie

◦ Suits and Dresses are the attire of the era

◦ Minor technology

◦ Muted colors with the exception of red, white and blue

Central Image/ Metaphor

Based on our decided central theme

◦ Flag with a single star representing Caesar as the center of power contrary to the Democratic Republic structure of government.

Set of Act I

◦ Cast enter from the street via cars

◦ Set composes of a podium facing the audience (who are the crowd) while people behind him consists of the tribunes/cast.

◦ The background set is the interior of the capitol building where the characters will speak and interact

White House – Set of Act IIEntirely takes place in the Oval Office

◦ Where Brutus will have his soliloquy and later Caesar will talk with his wife

Streets of D.C – Set of Act IIICaesar is in a parade following successful mitigation of the Cuban Missile Crisis

Brutus will assassinate Caesar off stage

Time lapse ensues showing the nation fall into disarray as riots occur

Pentagon – Set of Acts IV & VThe set is of a room where the cast are coordinating the war efforts from the safety of the pentagon

Mostly discussion around a round tables

Culminates with the suicide of Brutus in the aftermath of the civil war

Lighting!

ACT I, SCENE I

- The lighting of ACT I, SCENE I at the beginning is of bright colors and bright lighting as Julius Caesar (JFK) is parading through the city after his Inaugural Address".

- Lighting of ACT I, SCENE I at the end decreases as the two tribunes (house members), Flavius and Murellus plot to destroy the popularity of the heroic ruler of Rome, Julius Caesar (JFK). The decreased lighting contributes to the unjust deeds that Flavius and Murellus are about to commit.

ACT I, SCENE II

- Lighting will start off bright and colorful (fireworks in the sky) in ACT 1, SCENE II for the celebration of Julius Caesar. Later on though it would dim significantly because of the Soothsayer’s warning against Caesar.

- After on, the lighting would be normally set for ACT 1, SCENE II due the calm nature of the rest of the scene.

ACT I, SCENE III

- Lighting starts off pitch black, than when Casca and Cicero (Senate Member) enter, the lighting is only enough to see them never brighter as the storm of ACT I, SCENE III is of godly strengths. Throughout this whole scene the lights will be needed to beflickering to mock the lightning of the storm.

ACT II, SCENE I

- The lighting for the new act will start of bright to showcase the set of the garden, but would then would focus on Brutus (Vice President) (as a spotlight) as he begins to speak, being that ACT II, SCENE I showcases his inner conflict with his true feeling toward Caesar. When others enter, the lighting is than based on the everything again and not only Brutus.

ACT II, SCENE II - IV

- Lighting will be only provided by the lights from the set, considering in the beginning of ACT II,

SCENE II the setting is located in Caesar's bedroom. Later on the lighting will be normal, which

lights up the stage with no real focus on any of the characters for the remainder of the the

scene.

- For ACT II, SCENE III the lighting will be a spotlight on Artemidorus (Senate Member) as he is the

only character in this scene

- For ACT II, SCENE IV the lighting will be completely normal as nothing too tragic is happening in

this short scene. All that will change is a difference from lights in the senate chamber, to outdoor

lights in the streets.

EXAMPLE LIGHTING FOR PREVIOUS SLIDE

ACT III, SCENE I

- The lighting for ACT III, SCENE I should be dimmed, as Caesar's downfall will take place very soon. During the murder of Ceasar, the lighting should be dimmed to an appropriate level, in order to display the despair of this scene.

- The lights should stay dim up to when Antony (Speaker of the House) is alone on the stage. The lighting should be focused solely on him.

ACT III, SCENE II - III

- The lighting in ACT III, SCENE II should start off bright as “the coming of a new leader” is among the people of America.

- Towards the end of Antony's speech dimming of the lights will add to the chaos and havoc the plebeians (House Members) are about to bring upon the city - (same style of lighting will be in ACT III, SCENE III)

ACT IV, SCENE I - II

- In ACT IV, SCENE I, the lighting (coming from lamps) should be dimmed just a bit as nothing positive (planning for murder, building an army, etc) is coming from this scene.

- For ACT IV, SCENE II the lighting should be darker as it is night time around the camp site. The darker lighting contributes to the mood of what is to come.

ACT V, SCENE I - III

- In ACT V, SCENE I, because of the upcoming battle, the lights should be dimmed to contribute to mood of the mass death that will occur. And during the meeting of Brutus, Antony, and others, the lighting should come from a lamp in their meeting place.

- For ACT V, SCENE II the lighting should be dimmed, mixed with smoke because of the battle occurring in this act

- (the same is for ACT V, SCENE III).

ACT V, SCENE IV - V

- Finally for ACT V, SCENE IV the lighting is almost the same as the previous acts (but dimmer), but for ACT V SCENE V it is different. The lighting should be a dimmer spotlight on Brutus and more ominous as Brutus meets his tragic end by suicide.

Picture Bibliography

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