Aitken Theatre Studies ‘07

I don’t want to put this back any further but do want to respond to this week’s journals, despite still missing two of them.  This week, instead of responding individually, I want to add some general comments, statements, observations and questions, relating to the eight blogs I have already read.

Can I begin by impressing upon you the need for everyone’s full attention in each class?  There will be times when you need to discuss your stagecraft areas or jot down ideas and show them to each other….I am a little shocked to hear a Yr 12 write in their blog that they spent the first couple of classes this week ”writing notes or doing work from other classes”.  Especially when this came from one of the actors.  All of the discussions we have in class can help develop ideas in all stagecraft areas, whether you are directly involved in the discussion or not.  In the first two weeks we have seen examples of discussions about set design, raising ideas and issues for costume and lighting, or discussions about one character having an impact upon another.  If this play is going to work, we need everyone’s full and undivided attention, working cohesively as a team, supporting each other every step of the way.

The depth of thought that many of the actors are putting into their characters is astounding.  I could not be happier with this effort and this is part of the reason that blocking seems to be going so slowly.  However, in the long run, it will lead to a far better product.  Added to this is the way in which each person is willing to add their thoughts to areas other than their own stagecraft.

“Farmhouse Productions” has been born.  I notice in one other school, a student has even created a logo for their production company.  Perhaps that should be the first major task of the promotions/publicity people?

Organisation of Blog entries has also developed very nicely this week.  It is a great idea to organise your comments into your two stagecraft areas and then some general notes.  This will also assist with using this information for your folio construction later in the semester.

On the comments about set, there is a valuable lesson.  Don’t ever discount your ideas, on any stagecraft areas, but share them openly (no matter how silly or unrealistic you think they may be) as one idea can often set off another and then grow into something even better.  The photos provide on one blog (such as the example below) give some fantastic variations on the themes and ideas we have already been developing and much more food for thought for the set design group.

                                    

I’d like to reiterate some comments I have made, both in class and to individuals.  The genre/style of ‘100′ requires a great deal of research, exploration and experimentation.  We are dealing with many naturalistic conventions within a non-naturalistic setting.  Added to this, the concepts we are dealing with in this story are also outside the realm of our experience or that of many of our audience.  We are also a relatively new ‘company’.  The initial work will be slow going and it is important that we take the time and don’t rush things, just because we feel we are slipping behind the schedule.  When we get to the memories, we then shift into a more naturalistic style.  Get the ‘void’ scenes right initially and they will become easier to block in the future. If we need to extend into lunchtimes we can.

Many people offered fantastic observations on the way characters are developing and the efforts being made by the actors.  For those who haven’t been blocked into scenes yet, don’t feel like you won’t match up, but instead, take the opportunity of watching those who are blocking at the moment, to help prepare your own characters.

There were also some very welcomed frank and honest observations about MIPAC.  I cannot stress enough, the importance of keeping the dialogue open and honest.  If something happens in production meetings or rehearsals that peeves you off, then speak up and let others know.  I’d like to think that this type of journal-blogging is a non-threatening and safe way to express opinions and concerns, without seeking to hurt the feelings of others.  Word of warning though, there is no need to necessarily mention names.  Those of us who are part of the ‘circle of trust’ will know who/what is being discussed.  It is not necessary for that person to be shamed to the outside world. 

The comments and discussions about accents are fantastic.  Each of you makes valid points, but I also tend to agree that there is a danger that we will become hung up on them.  They won’t necessarily add anything to the final production, nor will their absence take anything away from the story which is being told.  I think the degree of accent used should be left up to the individual actor’s choice.

With a week still to go before our first official production meeting, I’d like to impress upon you the need to keep up with the work.  A lot is riding on this project and all it takes is for one individual to let the team down and then everyone else will find themselves picking up the pieces.  At next week’s production meeting, look back at what you will be expected to present.  I’m looking forward to set, lighting and costume design ideas and to hearing some audio samples.  Promotion and publicity, although co-ordinated by two students, will become the responsibility of ‘Farmhouse Productions’, so those handling this stagecraft should come with some definite plans and just how each one of us will be able to contribute.

Time for a scary word - - - AUDIT.  In the coming week and a half, I need to meet with each of you individually to discuss your work and complete an in-progress assessment.  Your blog journals will play a big part in this as will any notes, research and self-evaluation you have collected/completed.  Each of you needs to set up a 20-minute meeting time with me before Friday, March 2nd and be prepared to bring along everything you’ve got, whether you feel it is relevant or not.  It doesn’t need to be nicely presented; however, it should demonstrate that you have put some thought into organisation.

Finally, I really want to let you all know how thrilled I am with the work being undertaken.  The excitement you are showing, the anticipation which is building, the belief in the project you are all expressing and the passion for this task so many of you are exhibiting - - - makes it all worthwhile.

Keep it up.

Coops

This entry was posted on Monday, February 19th, 2007 at 10:53 pm and is filed under Performance. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.