Artists in a Brave New World
For those not in the know, Devilvet recently directed, starring Don Hall, Dave Goss, and Jen Ellison. Unfortunately, due to a combination of factors, including the recession, high gas prices, rising unemployment (particularly on my part) and a sad-faced clown in a giant mushroom car who assaulted me on the streets of Atlanta with a giant rubber dong, I was unable to attend this most excellent production.
Fortunately, dv is creating an excellent webcomic, which you can check out at The Mammals, for those of us who were unable to attend.
No, this is not just a plug for dv’s webcomic (it’s great, though, check it out here!) You see, Devilvet and I were Twittering about artists and our relationship with multimedia. For those of you who missed it, it was a rather nice conversation. DV and I Tweet often, so if you’d like to follow along, go visit Twitter’s webpage and sign in, then visit the Director and Devilvet’s twitter pages and click on the “Follow” button to follow us. I’ll write another post on Twitter, if you need help finding a decent client. Or you could just use the website itself.
Where was I? Oh, right, Elvis.. no, wait, artists. Artists and penguins. Multimedia. Whatever.
So dv and I were discussing this issue and he asked:
what are the possiblities if we as theatre artists get over it and become narrative artists using multi-medium approaches?
To clarify, he’s referring not only to use in live productions but in ADDITION to our live performances. His webcomic (i’m not plugging this webcomic. dude, seriously.) is a great example of what he’s talking about. Recently, I wrote a post regarding “While You Sleep” activities that theatres can do to boost revenue. What Devilvet is doing with The Mammals is the same thing. It may not be bringing in revenue, but it’s surely bringing in an audience.
So we chit-chatted about artists and media approaches and ultimately, we (by “we” I mean “I”) decided that this was too good of an idea to let up. Why let audiences see our art in only one medium? Why not branch out? Here’s our conversation:
directorsector @devilvet Yes, technology does aid in that example. I’m pretty good at Photoshop/Illustrator, for instance. Let me put it this way, though
directorsector How many of your theatre friends are good at math? Most think the complicated computer stuff like Photoshop et al at least as tough to learn
devilvet well i think people have to learn skills to survive. Math and Photoshop included.
devilvet anyone who doesnt acquire these skills opens themselves to well being a victim
devilvet I increasing think that the future means that specialization in the arts must end. The truly exceptional artist in the future has to be able to utilize much more than an theatrical talent that comes naturally to them. Working hard at things outside your comfort zone that’s not art. thats life. we need a world with les actors waiting to be cast, and rather more collaborators ready willing and excited to share and participate in narrative storytelling. it wont be about pointing actors to their marks. it will be more involving than that
directorsector @devilvet You’re exactly right. Cant do it alone. So how do we go about cultivating artists who explore the realm outside their comfort zone?
So there we are. How do we, as artists who want to inspire, create and share, expand our grasp of other media using modern technology (or even older techniques)? And once we’ve learned to do that, to reach out beyond just live theatre, how do we reach out and cultivate other artists to explore other media as well?
I may not be able to draw worth a shit, as I mentioned to devilvet, but I’m pretty damn good with computers. How can I utilize that expertise to share my art or expand my artistic influence?
What are you good at, besides performances/directing/playwriting? And how can you tie the two passions together and share your art in other ways?
Tags: devilvet, dude seriously, multimedia, technology, the mammals, theatre, twitter
June 20th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I’m very good with animals, especially dogs. Does your theater have a kennel?
Joking aside, the main thing I’m good at is writing and editing. I’m also interested in copywriting.
To be honest, I’d like to learn more mechanical stuff. Although I’m mechanically inclined, I never had the opportunity to develop this interest.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Why joke about it? It’s a good idea, why not run with it? If you’re good with animals, especially dogs, why don’t you incorporate them somehow? Teach them tricks and do street theatre with your dog, much like the shows do at theme parks.
Mechanical stuff — like building a set or prop-making or hanging lights? Make friends with a tech and shadow them for an hour or two per week. Then once you’ve learned how to do that, expand your artistic talent into that area.
You’re a sound designer and computer guy, so take the new mechanical skills you’ve learned, like building a set, and find some way to incorporate your computer ideas and sound ideas into a mechanical set.
A good example is that NYC-to-London telescope. It’s not really a telescope, it’s two cameras filming both locations, so when you look through, you’re really seeing a screen that’s showing what’s happening on the other side. Someone combined their fascination with science (actually, their grandfather’s project) and their knowledge of technology to create an masterpiece.
You could run with that idea. Learn some carpentry or sculpting, build a small structure resembling a dog and place some sound equipment in it, and have the dogs recite a dog version of Shakespeare in a gruff voice (”But soft, what bark through yonder metal grate? It is the east, and that poodle is the moon! Arise, fair moon and bark til the sun turns green!”) Or something. The sky’s the limit.
June 21st, 2008 at 11:08 am
I think I’ll shadow the stage hands instead.
I’ve seen enough of Animal Planet to not want to do pet tricks.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Now that I had time to consider it, I’m actually pretty good at copywriting. If there’s a group that could use some marketing, let me know and I might do direct mail or short copy for them.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Dude, just saw this. Awesome and thanks. It is definately time to continue and amplify this conversation. Maybe now I can start a little more blogging again.