Start of Analogue residency in the New Studio. It's a start which in its way is surprisingly controversial. Hannah Barker and Liam Jarvis begin by telling the assembled company something about their work and show a promotional DVD of 'Mile End' to give an idea of the work. They talk about their most recent show ' Beachy Head' and the work they are currently making. It's around this - the involvement of the participants in the work they are making - that the issue arises. We have briefed the companies involved in this Unit to see these workshops as opportunities, where possible, to share with the students the research and development they are currently undertaking - rather than simply running a straightforward workshop in the more conventional way. Hannah and Liam have entered into the spirit of this idea in a very positive manner and spent a good deal of time creating an exercise or brief - which could conceivably help them in the development of their next piece of work. Obviously the contribution which anyone else is likely to be able to make to this development is likely to be quite marginal - a greater understanding of a particular part of the work, perhaps, and the possibilities which exist around it - but I would like to think that the student group could contribute in some small way to Hannah and Liam's thinking and make a modest contribution to the work they are making. But apparently some of the participants have voiced a concern about this - that their ideas may be taken and used, in this way - and feel some sense of grievance around this. Well, I must say I feel quite shocked and surprised to hear this objection - which in a way undermines the whole idea of the Unit (that companies will be willing to come and share their ideas with the participants and invite the participants in some small way to share their ideas with them). I feel quite shocked and surprised to find that this issue has arisen - and so not surprisingly does Liam, who calls me later and leaves a couple of messages on my phone. Although he doesn't spell this out, in so many words, I can tell that he's concerned now about the ideas he is bringing to the workshop - if this is the way the participants are thinking. If the participants are concerned about their ideas being 'taken', it somehow suggests that this is their frame of mind - and they would have fewer qualms about 'taking' Liam and Hannah's. Feels like a bit of a breakdown of trust, quite frankly, or is that being melodramatic? So what's to be done? Talk about it tomorrow I guess. Please post your comments.
I do think that a break down in trust is perhaps a little too extreme a notion but think that the issue is one of great interest to some in the group generally.
ReplyDeleteI think that with collaborative ensemble work, especially with devising, the strength of the company builds trust and here perhaps, with Analogue, we haven't yet integrated Liam and Hannah into our already strong ensemble.
We have seen a third type of "research" in the workshop this week, that of an acutal work in progress (as opposed to Hannah's interst in one performer and audience and Ross's pre existing research derived from his book).
I personally agree that it is not possible for us to (in a week) really contribute a finished product for Analogue to "steal" and this is not the problem at all.
It does feed back into our discussions on blogging I suppose and the currency of ideas on any group / collaborative / devised platform. It does sadden me that Liam is voicing concerns because after only one afternoon it is not possible surely to build then lose trust.
I think that the proposition given to us is fascinating and rich and will result in a lot of interesting work. Perhaps the concern is that the exchange of ideas is a little unbalanced (or so we presume at this stage having just started work?!)...We are engaging practically with the starting points of the new Analogue work and in turn our work will perhaps feed into new starting points for the company.
What could balance this exchange is more insight into the Analogue process (even if it is variable to each new work developed). With more guidance towards how to make work in the Analogue "way", there will be more balance to the exchange which could restore any perceived loss of trust.
I for one and speak for myself here, do believe that this workshop has been set up in the most exciting way and with a clear purpose and am willing to utterly commit to the work. It is perhaps always great to remember that making a "knee jerk" reaction / observation is a little dangerous at the beginning of a project as it is quite possible that by Friday, such a reaction may seem slightly ridiculous.
I'm very excited about the workshop and look forward to a great week making work.
ReplyDeleteIf you have an idea that's good enough to steal, consider yourself lucky.
If you have an idea that you like and don't want to share - don't share it.
If Analogue takes an idea of yours and its included in the finished show, consider yourself flattered.
If they fail to give credit where credit is due, you can bring it up then, but to bring that level of anxiety into the rehearsal room is antithesis to the object of the workshop.
These workshops are rare opportunities for us.
Its my great hope that Hannah and Liam can be shown that we can be counted on as active and professional collaborators.
This workshop is, in a sense, a way for us to be transported out of school and into a professional rehearsal room. I believe we should be jumping at the chance...
Jamie, that summary is brilliant and exactly right from my point of view too. I think that Liam and Hannah really handled the discussion well and by bringing any perceived issues into the rehearsal room this afternoon I found that the work today was rewarding and indeed for me at least gave strong answers to the questions facing devising processes.
ReplyDeleteSo much to reflect upon already and it is only our second day.