I think I can
Gosh. When was the last time I did an honest to god update?
This year is flying. T-stone is a production and a half into the year already. I'm in this remarkably unfamiliar world right now where, for the most part, I actually feel like I kind of know what I'm doing and can do my job well. Obviously, there are good days and bad, as with anything, but I'm kind of dumbstruck by how often I feel like I'm actually competent at my job. I like racking my brain over making a lighting design out of ancient equipment with limited hang space (even though I hate shlepping the ladder around). I like turning a script into a stage manager's book (even when I don't totally dig the script). I like writing press releases, putting together an email newsletter, understanding office/administrative logistics when they've only been halfway explained to me. I know I have a ways to go yet, before I'm in a really, solidly comfortable professional place, but I keep getting this sense that I'm heading in the right direction.
I'm also just lucky to be making a living doing theatre. I get paid to do this thing I love.
Another weird aspect of this is that I'm feeling partially confident enough to, like... try and guide, advise. "Mentor" is too strong a word, but I'm really looking back fondly on this year's Fresh Voices, because it felt like I could make a difference. I'm not trying to swoop in and claim credit for anything here, but it felt like even though I basically just jump on board for the last week and a half, I was contributing more than a tech brain and button pushing. I was proud to be part of the process.
The Shakespeare, a tour now two-thirds of the way finished, is a constant joy, struggle, terror, and learning experience. I went picking through my Myers notes for light reading the other day, and I always like being able to turn to a colleague and pull out the occasional, "Well actually, in addition to the literal tempest to which the title refers, there's also the thematic factor of tempus, time, which is important throughout the play," to be followed by a "ohhh, no way... dude, in practically every Ariel conversation, he says something about the time..."
...yes, dorksign. I know I don't have the focus to be just a Shakespeare actor/director/dramaturg/nerd, but I like having that to pull out of my bag on occasion.
Other things, aside from blathering on about official work...
We have this cadre of people who just didn't like Black Swan all that much, and it's generated some really interesting conversations about art, convention, what defines great acting, and soforth. I feel sort of invalidated by the fact that it's won so many big-name awards and been nominated for dozens more, but the conclusions that we've sort of drawn (T-stone folk in general, but especially the Shakespeare cast) were that it just could have been so much better. It could have been better if a real, skilled ballerina had been in the lead, so we could have seen her metamorphosis into greatness through more than just sweeping music and close-ups over her CGI'd face, the camerawork actively hiding anything that happens below chest height. This is my main quibble with the movie - yes, Natalie Portman used to do some ballet, and she undeniably did her homework and got herself into the best ballet shape she could with a yearish of intensive training, but she is not a professional dancer, and it shows, in how much of the movie's visuals are not allowed to be about the dancing. In a movie where dance is the central conceit, I would rather have had mediocre acting and great dancing than the other way around.
It could have been better if it had decided on one or two genres to focus on, instead of trying to be a dance movie/backstage drama and a psychological thriller and an intense horror movie and softcore lesbian porn and a morality tale and an "art" film with gorgeous, stylized moments and really good camera work. It could have been better if there had been any consistency about when the audience is and isn't allowed to know that something is all in Nina's head. It could have been better if more work had been done throwing in some realistically technical dance terms and backstage dialogue. It could have been better if the plot/thematic parallels to Swan Lake weren't so in-your-face and obvious (and don't even get me started on the white/black imagery that was smacking the audience in the face from, like, five minutes in and onward). I mean, I didn't hate it - it was atmospheric and immersive enough that the horror moments really made my skin crawl, and the visual throwaways to dancer stuff were appreciated, and the acting was mostly pretty good - but I just couldn't take it seriously.
(/rant) Right. Where was I?
On the topic of movies of the last year, I was appalled that True Grit was so totally snubbed at the Oscars. I loved that movie - beautiful, subtle atmosphere; smart, snappy writing; some of the most brilliantly deadpan performances I've ever seen in a motion picture; and this underlying sweetness that I can't even try to describe. Strongly recommend, if you haven't seen it yet.
Other randomness: I treated myself to this kick-ass skirt from J. Peterman, because my tax refund was more than I expected. It is cute and River-esque
Cheri gave us a freezer's worth of steaks, chicken, burgers, &c for Christmas, and it's really helped me get less terrified of cooking. I've whipped up some pretty good marinades out of whatever I happened to have in the house at the time. To steal a phrase from jadealiya - "Take that cooking. We will never be friends, but I am pleased with our current tasty alliance."
The Game of Thrones series on HBO approaches, and it looks so pretty. Also obviously psyched about the hopefully final date we have for Dance With Dragons. And to round out nerdy things for the near future, DA2 comes out next week. Eee!
Going down to Maryland next weekend, and I can't wait; it's been far too long.
I need to schedule more time with my sister, on account of she's an awesome person.
The ongoing courtship of a certain Frenchie and a certain DK is a constant delight for me. *waves the 'shippy flag*
I love my boyfriend, who is currently asleep and cute.
Inch by inch, I think I'm becoming an adult, and that prospect is not as stupid and scary as it used to be.
This year is flying. T-stone is a production and a half into the year already. I'm in this remarkably unfamiliar world right now where, for the most part, I actually feel like I kind of know what I'm doing and can do my job well. Obviously, there are good days and bad, as with anything, but I'm kind of dumbstruck by how often I feel like I'm actually competent at my job. I like racking my brain over making a lighting design out of ancient equipment with limited hang space (even though I hate shlepping the ladder around). I like turning a script into a stage manager's book (even when I don't totally dig the script). I like writing press releases, putting together an email newsletter, understanding office/administrative logistics when they've only been halfway explained to me. I know I have a ways to go yet, before I'm in a really, solidly comfortable professional place, but I keep getting this sense that I'm heading in the right direction.
I'm also just lucky to be making a living doing theatre. I get paid to do this thing I love.
Another weird aspect of this is that I'm feeling partially confident enough to, like... try and guide, advise. "Mentor" is too strong a word, but I'm really looking back fondly on this year's Fresh Voices, because it felt like I could make a difference. I'm not trying to swoop in and claim credit for anything here, but it felt like even though I basically just jump on board for the last week and a half, I was contributing more than a tech brain and button pushing. I was proud to be part of the process.
The Shakespeare, a tour now two-thirds of the way finished, is a constant joy, struggle, terror, and learning experience. I went picking through my Myers notes for light reading the other day, and I always like being able to turn to a colleague and pull out the occasional, "Well actually, in addition to the literal tempest to which the title refers, there's also the thematic factor of tempus, time, which is important throughout the play," to be followed by a "ohhh, no way... dude, in practically every Ariel conversation, he says something about the time..."
...yes, dorksign. I know I don't have the focus to be just a Shakespeare actor/director/dramaturg/nerd, but I like having that to pull out of my bag on occasion.
Other things, aside from blathering on about official work...
We have this cadre of people who just didn't like Black Swan all that much, and it's generated some really interesting conversations about art, convention, what defines great acting, and soforth. I feel sort of invalidated by the fact that it's won so many big-name awards and been nominated for dozens more, but the conclusions that we've sort of drawn (T-stone folk in general, but especially the Shakespeare cast) were that it just could have been so much better. It could have been better if a real, skilled ballerina had been in the lead, so we could have seen her metamorphosis into greatness through more than just sweeping music and close-ups over her CGI'd face, the camerawork actively hiding anything that happens below chest height. This is my main quibble with the movie - yes, Natalie Portman used to do some ballet, and she undeniably did her homework and got herself into the best ballet shape she could with a yearish of intensive training, but she is not a professional dancer, and it shows, in how much of the movie's visuals are not allowed to be about the dancing. In a movie where dance is the central conceit, I would rather have had mediocre acting and great dancing than the other way around.
It could have been better if it had decided on one or two genres to focus on, instead of trying to be a dance movie/backstage drama and a psychological thriller and an intense horror movie and softcore lesbian porn and a morality tale and an "art" film with gorgeous, stylized moments and really good camera work. It could have been better if there had been any consistency about when the audience is and isn't allowed to know that something is all in Nina's head. It could have been better if more work had been done throwing in some realistically technical dance terms and backstage dialogue. It could have been better if the plot/thematic parallels to Swan Lake weren't so in-your-face and obvious (and don't even get me started on the white/black imagery that was smacking the audience in the face from, like, five minutes in and onward). I mean, I didn't hate it - it was atmospheric and immersive enough that the horror moments really made my skin crawl, and the visual throwaways to dancer stuff were appreciated, and the acting was mostly pretty good - but I just couldn't take it seriously.
(/rant) Right. Where was I?
On the topic of movies of the last year, I was appalled that True Grit was so totally snubbed at the Oscars. I loved that movie - beautiful, subtle atmosphere; smart, snappy writing; some of the most brilliantly deadpan performances I've ever seen in a motion picture; and this underlying sweetness that I can't even try to describe. Strongly recommend, if you haven't seen it yet.
Other randomness: I treated myself to this kick-ass skirt from J. Peterman, because my tax refund was more than I expected. It is cute and River-esque
Cheri gave us a freezer's worth of steaks, chicken, burgers, &c for Christmas, and it's really helped me get less terrified of cooking. I've whipped up some pretty good marinades out of whatever I happened to have in the house at the time. To steal a phrase from jadealiya - "Take that cooking. We will never be friends, but I am pleased with our current tasty alliance."
The Game of Thrones series on HBO approaches, and it looks so pretty. Also obviously psyched about the hopefully final date we have for Dance With Dragons. And to round out nerdy things for the near future, DA2 comes out next week. Eee!
Going down to Maryland next weekend, and I can't wait; it's been far too long.
I need to schedule more time with my sister, on account of she's an awesome person.
The ongoing courtship of a certain Frenchie and a certain DK is a constant delight for me. *waves the 'shippy flag*
I love my boyfriend, who is currently asleep and cute.
Inch by inch, I think I'm becoming an adult, and that prospect is not as stupid and scary as it used to be.