Paola
Murmuration_Creative Diary
On 23rd March we received the brief for Murmuration. From that moment, we started having weekly meetings to chat about first ideas. Personally, the brief represented an opportunity to explore roles, materials and the space.
During this time, we focused on trying to combine the various ideas until we realised it was conditioning the development of our individual iterations. Therefore, we decided to keep them separately and find a link/transition later in the process.
The abstraction and different nature of the brief challenged us to stay open, be flexible and to experiment during the whole process.
WEEK 5
Strings
Layers
Gauze/Cloth
Materiality
Performers/Bodies
Maps/Connections
Facets/Shadows
Interaction/Audience participation
Experimental piece
Non-conventional use of the space
Cycle/No end, no begging
Intersection of individual fragments
Early experiments
at home with ligh
First production meeting in which we shared reference images and expanded on individual iterations. Afterwards we continued brainstorming concept ideas and the format of the performance.
Moodboard
WEEK 6
First sketches (Manuela & Paola)
Layers
Light
Projection
Strings
Adding/building
Perspectives
Intersection
Story?
Link?
Main message
- Interconnectedness
- Intersectionality
- Layers
- Adaptation
- Impact and influence (ourselves and others) (positive and negative)
CONCEPT MEETING
Where are we at?
- Main message
- Common materials
- Performers
- Sketches
- Roles
Each of us created a playlist that encompassed the mood for our individual iterations and sent it to Victoria
Since Paris and I were both interested in experimenting with coloured shadows, I decided to support her in the process and to explore another medium such as projection for my individual iteration
I started documenting the different places that I visit and the people that I encounter on a daily basis. I recorded the view from a car, train and I also tried holding the camera while walking
From my experience of moving country many times, I connected with the idea of traveling as an important factor that determines our belonging to a group. Whether they are long or short trips, the time we spend with other people in a specific place makes us part of that group
Time / Space / People
[Three variables from my experience of being part of a group]
WEEK 7
DESIGN MEETING
Gauze samples, stock and prices (McDougall)
Small model box
Front of the proscenium for the strings
Recorded voices (distortion)
Projection - Light - Movement - Bodies
Experimenting in the Tec Lab had a playfulness character that allowed us to develop our iterations in a very experiential way. We tried different materials (cloth, gauze, voil), colours and angles of light, the relationship between lighting and projection, and finally the interaction and movement of bodies in the space
WEEK 8
We continued experimenting lighting and projection in the Tec Lab and movement in the TV studio
When testing in the Tec Lab, we realised the importance of the relationship between the movement of Manuela, Rebecca and I and the flying cloth. Therefore, we decided to live operate the lighting for Manuela's iteration when pulling the strings attached to the cloth.
Laura's poem for her iteration overlayed with some music and sound design produced by Victoria
Paris tested the ink dropping video with food dye
Projection - Lighting
Video - Movement- Body
Station seatings (costings and transportation)
Costume store and tested colours with lighting and projection
Fabric ordered
WEEK 9
We made a sequence breakdown of the performance indicating set changes, people on stage, lighting, AV and automation operators. We also planned a change in stage manager (Rebecca - Paris) and lighting operator (Laura - Paola) during the show
Rebecca designed a poster for each iteration
Trailer for Murmuration
Video editing for my iteration
Distortion / Speed / Colours
I worked on the initial lighting rig with Laura based on the equipment we had available and some lighting scenarios we wanted to create. This included the coloured shadows, the interaction between light and projection, various angles to live operate Manuela's iteration, sidelight to provide sufficient visibility for Rebecca and Manuela mimicking each other, Laura and Victoria's train station atmosphere
WEEK 10
Movement
Impro
Choreography
Victoria composed the music for Rebecca's iteration during movement sessions responding to Manuela and Rebecca's interaction. Those sessions also made me realise the need for good lighting for them to be able to see each other and connect
Paola, Paris and Rebecca's movement sessions and music by Victoria
I blocked my iteration using a small projector in a rehearsal room with Rebecca and Manuela as the two bodies interacting in the space
Lighting colour palette
Trailer was uploaded on social media and posters were printed and posted around the school
Eventbrite and tickets
In this stage of the process, the Tec Lab wasn't available to continue experimenting. It was an interesting process translating our progress and ideas into paper.
WEEK 11
During this week, we had allocated some time in the theatre during the evening. We focused mainly in blocking the iterations, hanging the voiles and gauzes, making changes in the automation storyboard, building booms and rigging FOH
At the end of the week, we rigged, cabled and patched the lighting over the stage
Counted LX inventory
Getting gels
Rigging and patching
Lighting cue sheet
Updated automation
storyboard
Blocking of Paris, Rebecca, Manuela and my iteration in the space
After hanging and untangling the 'spaghetti', we decided to make some changes in the order in which the gauzes and voiles were hanging and therefore adapted the lighting rig also
The time we had allocated in the space and my level of experience in terms of lighting represented a challenge for myself. I had to find a balance between learning things very quick and seeking support from other members of the team and external people in order to meet the deadline
Testing projection in the space and video maping
The last day of the week was planned to be quiet time for a sound check, however since Victoria finished early we had the opportunity to focus FOH and booms. This allowed me to try different lighting states that then made plotting easier and faster the following week
WEEK 12
We spent some time rehearsing the transitions, the changes in costume and the switch between stage managers and lighting operators
Musicians played live during the first two iterations of the performance
Blocked Victoria's iteration in the space
Aware of the time we spent rigging, cabling, patching and focusing the lights, I tried to make plotting as smooth as possible by making quick decisions taking into account everyone's opinions.
The idea was to build a basic lighting layout and if time would allow, go back to make changes and add more detail
LX plotting
We realised that Manuela didn't have enough time during the transitions to manipulate the bungee cord as we planed so we make the decision of presetting them as part of the aesthetic of the piece
2 tech
2 dress
2 performances
Murmuration represented a challenge since the beginning but also the possibility to try new things.
Executing many production roles at the same time in addition to being a performer was such an interesting experience. However, I think it affected the energy levels of the whole team and made it difficult to refine all areas of the performance without some sacrifices.
Performing also influenced our perception of the piece since most of us were not able to watch all of it. In addition, not having much audience nor a form to get feedback from the few people that attended made it harder to evaluate our work.
Being a small team of 6 individuals has its benefits and disadvantages. On one hand, it's so enriching because we get to work really close and learn so much from each other. In addition, the need of carrying out many roles demands good time-management. However, I think that bigger spaces such as the Milton Court Theatre and the time allocated require a larger production team.
I am very grateful to all the people who supported us during the process, members of staff, student, tutors, and I am really proud not only of the work that we produced but the risks we took, the challenges we faced and the dynamic that helped us overcome them as a team.
MA CTPD 20/21 cohort
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