Hey everyone,
just wanted to put down in writing a few things I've been thinking about, a few things I would love to have some feedback on, and some things I would love for everyone to think about.
the first is this idea of magic. I love love love the idea of creating a world that surprises and intrigues us with the 'magic of the theater' over 'magic for magic'. I think the 'magic of theater' (ex: using a coat stand and some everyday stuff to create the tree for the amazons) is a better direction to go than 'magic for magic' (a real tree gets pulled from a carpet bag Marry Poppins style). This also tied into what Bri and I have been talking about in terms of pieces that will be in the space.
We discussed for a bit the idea of pieces looking like they are melting or half-way through the floor, but as I keep thinking about the 'rules' of this space, melting of half-in pieces seems odd- Where are they coming from? where are they going to?
I think, and let me know if I am missing something we've talked about or something you think I need to look at again, some rules for this 'space' would be close to:
1. Everything in the space has been part of some actress of the stage at some point. (nothing that wouldn't have been seen/ used by an actress)
2. There is no specific time the space lives in (and Bri, I know we mentioned the actresses listening to a CD player, but I would prefer if we didn't see it. (They can be listening to contemporary music, but I feel that as soon as we see a CD player, we will be placed in the 1990's. We can talk))
3. Everything that is in the space can be activated/ used.
4. The magic-of-the-theater exists (but no Copperfield. . )
5. The 'stage' area is always the 'stage' area- Specific and special
I think that is it.. let me know what you think.
Questions for everyone-
1) Do we think the 'stage' can/should be able to grow/ shrink?
2) If so, does the surface of the stage need to be smooth/ consistent for the actresses to walk on? (Ex- an old piece of wooden fence VS a flat piece of ply wood)
3) How physical can the ladies be when moving things, picking up things, shifting things around? (Ex. could they pick up and carry a stack of logs? - I don't really know the limitations of corsets and whatever shoes they'll be wearing)
That's all I've got for now- just thinking and sketching right now. . .
Hope everyone is having a great break!!!
Let me think and digest on some of these things. The one thing I'm sure about is the way you view magic: I agree. I do want "stage magic," but while we are impressed/fascinated/thrilled by what we see, it is not an illusion or a "magic trick" (a la Copperfield). The mechanics of what we're seeing should be just as fascinating as the original act itself. Unlike a Copperfieldian (can I go there?) magic trick, we should know and see how it works. I think we're definitely on the same page there...
ReplyDeleteYour Magic of Theater definition is how I would describe the type of "costumes" they would typically have worn in 1660s. Another way is perhaps Amateur Theatre. The actressses wore whatever suited their fancy. With the contemporary dress as a foundation, they would "splash" on feathers and various trimmings to convey their characters, but the audience sees their contemporary dress at all times.
ReplyDeleteI love that we are all going in the direction of there are the "basics"/ what is known and seen, yet as the story unfolds, we get those "splashes" and fancy add-ons that enhance yet don't change the foundation/ core structures...
ReplyDeleteLove it!!!