Oscar Night

Well, tonight is the big night in Hollywood. The Academy Awards excitement is on! Alas, I will not stay up to watch this year as the awards are on in the middle of the night here in the UK. I will have to catch up with the results tomorrow morning.

I have always enjoyed awards shows. Even though the nominees only represent a small fraction of the amazing work and talented artists producing incredible material, it is lovely to celebrate the industry and the art. Many of the speeches are inspirational and can give a nice boost to those of us watching at home, hoping one day to be a part of a successful and recognized body of work.

I think it is safe to say that most of us don't go into this field for the fame, but if our work is recognized and successful it means we can reach more people with our stories and messages, and ultimately that is what we want to do. We want to reach people. We want to connect. We want to be a part of a greater communication and hopefully, evolution.

So to all those attending the Oscars, all those tuning in, and all those who dream, I wish you a very good night!

Until next week...
Take care!
-m

Class in Session

This week we had a class! Well, technically the first year MA/MFAs had a class and the second years were invited to crash. It was a session on starting a production company. I have taken workshops like this a couple of times before, but this time there was a slightly different angle. In the past, I have learned about all the laws and official procedures and requirements of setting a company but Friday's session spoke to why we would want to set up a company. This was a great way to really ponder what drives us as producers. What is it that attracts us and what are we passionate about? We also looked at what we need to learn before we are ready to start a company. Where are the gaps in our knowledge? What resources are available to help us fill those gaps? This way of thinking was fantastic. We often get so busy in the doing of things, we can forget the why. And we often skip the strategy that can ultimately make us a success. I enjoyed the session and it was wonderful to see some old classmates and spend some time with the new producer class.

The rest of the week was taken up by meetings and research. I'm discussing my next case study and looking into viable topics. I also had the course committee meeting. I am my class representative for the committee that discusses the pros and cons of the courses and the school as a whole.  It is always interesting to go to these meetings and hear what is going on with other courses and what students from all departments would like to see happen at Central.

This week I expect more meetings and more research! After all, I am in school.
I'll keep you posted!

Take care!
-m

Art

Art. That is the name of this past week's theatre offering. I was able to catch the Wednesday matinee of this modern masterpiece at the Old Vic Theatre. Art by French playwright Yasmina Reza first opened in Paris in 1994. A couple of years, later playwright Christopher Hampton adapted the text into an English language version and the paly was a hit both on Broadway and in the West End. The revival at the Old Vic is directed by Matthew Warchus and stars Tim Key, Paul Ritter and Rufus Sewell. 

I was thrilled to get to see Art on stage after hearing about it for the past couple of decades. The play is a comedy with some moving moments sprinkled in. It centers on three men who have been friends for about fifteen years. Indeed, friendship is the theme and I think particularly male friendship. It is called Art because one character buys a piece of modern art that he adores and the other two don't feel the same. The art is the catalyst that opens up truths about their friendships and what they really think of each other and why they have been friends for so long.

The chemistry between the three actors was excellent. The actors played well together, volleying back and forth with perfect timing. The design was simple and neutral, suggesting the starkness of an art gallery and allowing the action to move between locations with ease. Three chairs graced the set, each in a different style to represent the three characters. Very smart choices by the design team and the director. 

I was also happy to finally get to the Old Vic. The Old Vic is one of London premier theatres, first opening in 1818. Many of the world's most famous actors have trod the boards at the Old Vic. It is a beautiful space. 

This coming week I have work to do on some of my assignments for school and maybe another trip to the theatre. I'll keep you posted.

Take care!

-m

Back to the Theatre

Amongst some relaxation and rebooting as I prepare for the next case study and other projects, I did manage to catch a show this past week. My friend and collaborator Diana and I headed off to Trafalgar Studios on Thursday to catch Buried Child by Sam Shepard. Buried Child is a modern American classic that premiered in 1978 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1979.
The production we saw was imported from America and stars Ed Harris as Dodge and Amy Madigan as his wife, Halie. Harris and Madigan are a real life couple as well, having met on the film set of Places in the Heart and then marrying in 1983.

Dodge and Halie live in the corn belt of Illinois in the late 70s. They have suffered the loss of a son and have two others of questionable mental stability. Dodge was a farmer but his health is in decline and he doesn't move from the sofa. Halie is still active and much of her dialogue is focused on being a good Christian and concerns about her sons, including the deceased one. Reputation seems to be of great importance to her. After Halie heads out for the day, Dodge gets a surprise visit from his grandson Vince and his girlfriend, Shelly. And this is where the mystery really kicks in. Dodge doesn't seem to recognize Vince and neither does Vince's now mentally damaged father, Tilden. It is all extremely frustrating for young Vince and very uneasy for Shelly. During the course of the play, the history of the family starts to unravel. Secrets come out and old wounds reopened.

Buried Child is in every sense a drama and Shepard wrote the play to illustrate the demise of this kind American family. The kind of American family depicted by Norman Rockwell. The vision of the American family that is associated with middle-class white America during the 50s and 60s. Major socio-economic and political shifts came about in the late 60s and 70s that had a major impact on people like Dodge and Halie and their world was greatly changed. Shepard captures the sense of this in his play as a backdrop but the family's story is also its own. The play is about these particular people and their strained relationships with each other and themselves.

Diana and I were left with a lot to talk about at our post-show coffee chat. Frankly, I feel I need to study the play in more depth. Another watch or a read would be good because the material is very rich and dense. I'm sure I didn't get it all the first time around. It was wonderful to see the play on stage and with such an accomplished cast. I have long admired Ed Harris in his film and television work. It was a treat to see him on stage. The rest of the cast also did a fantastic job. There was a true sense of ensemble amongst them.

I hope to catch another show this week. Perhaps a comedy next time around. I'll keep you posted!
Take care!
-m