Hey All,
Remember when Shortland Street had Tina Cross singing in the titles? I do. I've been watching that show for the majority of my life. On and off. I remember when Mckenzie burnt the hospital down, Chris and Rachel were together the first time and when Caro ran away with Greg.
It was quite surreal being where this show is made! I spent one week with the casting director Andrea Kelland. I was really keen to find out how it works, TV and film still remains a mystery to me. I've done shorts and commercial stuff but nothing like this.
This is a very very busy place. They are months ahead of themselves and film the equivalent of one episode a day. Thirty minutes of material. Just to put this in perspective I believe that Out rageous fortune did about 3-5 minutes a day. S.S is super super fast turn around T.V. I was told that other countries look to Shorty as a model. (If they can do it that fast- SO CAN WE!!).
So the biggest thing that struck me is TIME- there basically is no time for preparation. Its in and out, lines being down is even a struggle at times. Its just so fast.
It was great to see the EXTREME opposite of what I experience in theatre. The process is such a huge part of creating a theatre show and using time to dig into the text and really sink your teeth into it. The problem then becomes the ability to keep it fresh, how do we experience it anew each night? How can we discover AND not pattern (Say it the exact same way). After all if we wanted to see robots we would go see transformers not a live show.
When I see a show I love seeing the performers enjoying themselves! This is one of the hugest things I am noticing. Whether its a comedy or a tragedy if a performer is really investing in the text, enjoying the language and entire experience. This is watchable. I cant take my eyes off them!
I was away from MASSIVE COMPANY for a few days as I had a few bits and pieces to do in Wellington. Including a reshoot of scenes for a short film, we had originally done 6 months ago.
At first I thought "Oh sweet as, I did it then Im sure it will be easy". It wasnt. The difference being I hadnt immediately done the other scenes, or the text work, or reminded myself of who this character is.
CONTINUITY!!===== Another intricate part of screen acting. As Rob Hartley made me see (for those of you that saw 2010 toi research conference) with examples from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Elijah Wood was jumping from film to film, utterly out of chronological order beacuse this isnt efficient for filming and just isnt possible. So one day he may have met Gandalf and then the next he was throwing the ring into a volcano, then back to the start again. How does an actor keep up?
-What has just happened?
-What has changed?
-What do they want?
Youd have to be aware of what hasnt actually occured yet so your not pre-empting.
So in fast turn around TV there is no time, Film time is screwed round, and theatre there is loads of time- but you have to be invested in it to make it worthwhile.
PHEW!
Im back at MASSIVE COMPANY now and will be till they open on March 2nd at the Herald. Make sure you get your tickets!!!!! its honestly going to be amazing. I am really proud to be a part of it, even in the small way I am.
Its crunch time in rehearsals as the final weeks to opening are edging forward. It gets really tricky at this point! But I know it will all be good, because of these amazing peoples strength ,energy,talent and manaakitanga!!!
ALSO: Welcome to Leroy from my class who joinged last week!
MASSIVE IS THA BOMB DIGGITY!! ALL DAY ERR DAY!!
Tee Boz ox
No comments:
Post a Comment