Last week I spent the day at a series of workshops organised by the Young Vic. In the morning Justin Audibert and Lily Arnold spoke about the relationship between the designer and director, using their experiences working together over the last few years they outlined their most valuable tips. Below are a list of some of their most useful reflections.
Justin told us this quote, which someone had once told him, as in practice he had found this to be highly valuable. The people you work with are your source of creativity; they are the project. He advised to choose these people wisely and when you find ones that you like, make sure you keep hold of them.
They both mentioned the British tendency to not speak when we probably should. They both spoke of the others value in terms of their ability to oppose their ideas. They didn't want all their wild ideas to be agreed with, they needed a sounding board, another eye, to open them up to new ways of thinking and to make sure that their unfeasible ideas get called out.
As an extra clause I would also add 'Do not under estimate the value of a good production manager.'
Lily confessed there were occasions that she either misinterpreted the play or missed its value because she had avoided speaking to the playwright.
It may work in the box, but once you get the actors in there, it can all fall apart very quickly if you haven't considered them.
Lily quoted her mentor Sutra Gilmore, and said that she always remember Gilmore's quote when she was meeting herself up about an unsatisfactory design.
8. 'A weeks Research and Development is more valuable than a weeks extra rehearsal.'
Justin gave a recent production of Hamlet as an example, he had a concept which he had chosen for the play, and realised in the first week that it wasn't going to work. A weeks R & D would have given him the opportunity to test these ideas before starting rehearsals. Justin also spoke about the importance of a production meeting in the earliest stages of the process as it makes it possible to get everyones input at an early stage and start the ball rolling on the logistics of your more ambitious ideas.
Both Justin and Lily spoke of trying to find space away from the laptop and away from work. Justin said he had begun to take on more workshops and direct less plays in order to give himself more headspace. Spend time together as a director and designer away from rehearsals, give each other homework, share visual experiences. Give yourself a common ground.
Justin and Lily both spoke about asking yourself 'What do you bring?' They spoke about all members of a collaborative team doing each others jobs a little bit. Directors should get involved with the visual process. Bring something with you to the first meeting that helps all those involved; material, sounds, music, sketches.
1. 'Policy is the people you work with.'
Justin told us this quote, which someone had once told him, as in practice he had found this to be highly valuable. The people you work with are your source of creativity; they are the project. He advised to choose these people wisely and when you find ones that you like, make sure you keep hold of them.
2. 'You need to be able to argue things out'
They both mentioned the British tendency to not speak when we probably should. They both spoke of the others value in terms of their ability to oppose their ideas. They didn't want all their wild ideas to be agreed with, they needed a sounding board, another eye, to open them up to new ways of thinking and to make sure that their unfeasible ideas get called out.
3. 'Start with a problem to solve.'
Seek the problem within a piece. Ask yourselves a question and try to set out to solve it.
4. 'You are only as strong as the weakest link in your team.'
As an extra clause I would also add 'Do not under estimate the value of a good production manager.'
5. 'Don't be afraid to speak to the playwright to iron out your ideas.'
Lily confessed there were occasions that she either misinterpreted the play or missed its value because she had avoided speaking to the playwright.
6. 'Beware the dangers of a concept.'
It may work in the box, but once you get the actors in there, it can all fall apart very quickly if you haven't considered them.
7. 'You can't always make your best work.'
Lily quoted her mentor Sutra Gilmore, and said that she always remember Gilmore's quote when she was meeting herself up about an unsatisfactory design.
8. 'A weeks Research and Development is more valuable than a weeks extra rehearsal.'
Justin gave a recent production of Hamlet as an example, he had a concept which he had chosen for the play, and realised in the first week that it wasn't going to work. A weeks R & D would have given him the opportunity to test these ideas before starting rehearsals. Justin also spoke about the importance of a production meeting in the earliest stages of the process as it makes it possible to get everyones input at an early stage and start the ball rolling on the logistics of your more ambitious ideas.
9. ' Give your brain space and remember to feed it.'
Both Justin and Lily spoke of trying to find space away from the laptop and away from work. Justin said he had begun to take on more workshops and direct less plays in order to give himself more headspace. Spend time together as a director and designer away from rehearsals, give each other homework, share visual experiences. Give yourself a common ground.
10. 'Think of yourself as a practitioner.'
Justin and Lily both spoke about asking yourself 'What do you bring?' They spoke about all members of a collaborative team doing each others jobs a little bit. Directors should get involved with the visual process. Bring something with you to the first meeting that helps all those involved; material, sounds, music, sketches.
No comments:
Post a Comment