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Current Activity 2/11- Readings at The Swedenborg Library We have had a few reading sessions that went very well, but I found that the notes have been causing people to pause to 1) read the notes and 2) try to find the next line of text. So I am removing all the notes from this version so that there are no instructions whatsoever in the script. It seems strange to me because there is no point of reference to understand what is going on, but then the version of the script with the notes can be referenced in that instance.
1/11- Submission to The Public Theatre: One more rejection slip although this time they said they enjoyed reading the work, which seems to indicate that they may actually have done so. You'd be surprised how may people can't get thru this play, myself included at times. What can I say, it's a big play with religious subject matter. I have found that the biggest hindrance to reading the play are the staging notes which I have been spending time removing for an actors version.
(2010) ;
11/10- Objective for the Reading Workshops- The latest workshop will begin on Wednesday, December 10th at
The Swedenborg Library on the campus of Bryn Athyn College. Times are
from 7 pm to 9 pm in the AV Room.
The show has been work-shopped four times before, during the writing process and this is intended to be the last time this will take place. The goal for this workshop is to prepare the play to be presented before the World Assembly in June. Confirmation of the use of the Pendelton Hall Chapel in the main college building has not been given and will likely be contingent upon the success we achieve with these workshops.
Film & Video- The larger goal is to shoot the film version of this play at Cairnwood, as it is a nice location which represents the atmosphere of the play quite well and it just happens to be across the street from everybody, the campus, the theatre, and the church.
But in the mean time, it was suggested that we might just shoot some snippets of the play as a test. Well, that sounds like a great idea. That will require less memorizing the lines of the play than a stage show and I have the equipment we need to do tests. It would be better to have higher quality equipment than I have, but for now we can move forward with my equipment.
I have S-VHS equipment that I use for documenting various activities, so we can us that for now. My 16mm film equipment (Beaulieu) is not really appropriate for this because of aspect ratio issues, because I don't really trust the mechanical stability of the cameras, there are issues with sync sound & camera noise and it is very costly to produce the desired results. Not to mention the cost of servicing the cameras, lenses and sound recorder before we engage in a serious shoot. If the opportunity to buy, use, or rent better equipment comes up then we will explore that when the time comes. But for now samples using S-VHS will have to do. I'm working to acquire two Canon XL-HD cameras, but my editing systems are not yet set up for HD.
Of course there are numerous production issues that need to be addressed if we are to proceed with shooting some scenes. We could do it in contemporary garb, but I'd rather do it in period costumes, so we will need a costumer who can coordinate that. Then we have to determine the locations for the scenes. If we do it in a contemporary format, then we can shoot it anywhere, but how boring is that? I'm really very less inclined to desire any contemporization of this work, but we'll do what we have to to advance the cause.
A Staged Reading- The least of the goals we have is for a presentation at the Assembly as a staged reading, script in hand. Since this appears a first glance to be a rather long and complicated play, that might be the best we can hope for. I say appears to be, because in reality- the play is much easier and shorter, if the technical notes and directions are removed from the text. I have attempted to do this, unsuccessfully, numerous times. They are just too integrated into my thinking on the material. Someone else might be able to do that, but I can't seem to. I will make one more attempt at it, as painful as that might be.
If the participants in the workshop are willing to work at getting off-script, then that will go a long way for a larger more detailed presentation. But if we find that the lines are too voluminous or difficult for the actors to memorize then we will need to rethink how we will approach this project. I am not expecting to edit the play down, as I have been refining it for the past twenty-five years trying to make it easier to deliver and understand. Chopping it up is not a good idea, not a good idea at all. But if it has to be cut, I am the only one to make that decision (of course I will accept suggestions, I may not listen to them, but I will accept them).
I have tried to break up the dialogue into smaller manageable segments for the sake of the actors. I know that the material has a certain philosophical complexity to it and so for both the sake of delivery and comprehension I have broken the thoughts into a more conversation style. I hope that this will prove to make the play flow more easily. As I have mentioned before elsewhere, the sub-plot and non-verbal expression in the play are- as, if not more, important to the success of the play. Much of that sub-plot has to be extrapolated by the actors who will portray the role, because only so much has been conveyed in the script and support materials. I apologize to the secondary characters who are left to their own devices to fill their space on the stage at times.
A Full Stage Production- Although I hope for a full stage production at some point, I am not expecting to see this happen for June- unless there are logistical folks who sign on to help make that happen. Yes, I am working toward that ultimate goal, but the reality is that the budget for a full production needs to be determined, the necessary funding acquired and many other details implemented. It is all I can do to think about the core material and to document the process of refining the material, so that it becomes a workable stage presentation which the audience will accept and enjoy.
So this is some preparatory material for the Script Reading Workshop which will begin on the 10th of December. Hopefully we will have a reasonable group of people who will assist us in these goals and we will determine what it is that we can in reality achieve when we find out who is willing to join the effort.
"When Preparation meets Opportunity, Success occurs"
contact Arthur Greisiger at: imagemindag@verizon.net
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