Day 10 & Day 11: To lie or not to lie...

This post isn't going to be an easy one. My issue right now is whether to give an idealistic documentation of the last 2 days or to admit that they were complete hell.

1.My idealistic version goes something like this:

The last two days were fun, creative, inspiring and productive. Although tensions mounted at times, the atmosphere of comradery here in the Olde Vechte never faltered. Over the last 48 hours, the only faces here were happy faces.

 

Yesterday, it was an exciting experience to visit the space in which we would be performing:








(Although this unfortunately wasn't the space.)



Absolutely there was occasional moments of stress over the last few days but the most important thing was that people focused on communication and teamwork.With a few minor glitches along the way the group succeeded in creating a piece of art that we were all proud of. Roll on Amsterdam!!

2.My honest version goes something like this:

The last two days were stressful, frustrating, soul-destroying and exhausting. It's tough to create something with such a large, diverse group of people, in less then 2 days. With contrasting opinions, different visions and constant time restrictions, creating a full production including all the art forms was never going to be an easy task. The last two days proved that perhaps it is impossible.

It was a...surprising experience to visit the space in which we would be performing:

 (I really do wish I was joking...)

I believe that the last 48 hours may have slightly impacted the mental state of myself and the other members of the group:

It's disappointing to acknowledge the fact that something you created has a much lower standard then you had anticipated. I was unsure whether to admit the fact that our performance today was a complete mess but I've decided on the basis of honesty, and also fearing that a Youtube video may be leaked, I am going to be honest and admit that I was very disappointed. With a group of such talented people, who have succeeded in creating such fantastic works over the last 2 weeks, it was a shame that our final performance did not do us justice in any way.

I'm also admitting this because I am going to continue being optimistic and have faith in the group for the last 3 days. Tomorrow,we have a full day to improve or change the piece,before the performance in Amsterdam on Wednesday. I'm physically and emotionally tired, but I am willing to work hard in order to create something that I can be prouder of and that will give me some sort of feeling when I'm on stage. The quote "Fail better" comes to mind.

On a positive note, I would like to add that although the last 48 hours haven't been so fantastic, I got to meet Madonna's soul-mate which lifted my mood considerably. It would take hours to list the series of coincidences that connect these two human beings but I think that even the fact that both Meadhbh and Madonna like to wear hats says a lot:

I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring, but one can only hope...

Fin x

Day 9: FML

Stressss. I'm going to keep this short and sweet because I think  the title is pretty self-explanatory.

Today was a Production Day, so we focused fully on our 20 pieces for the final performance.
We brainstormed ,planned, attended 2 production meetings, did voice-overs ,filmed, rehearsed and edited.

I'm worried. Two days to plan an entire production just doesn't seem like enough time for me. However, I'm willing to stay positive and keep working so hopefully everything will come together.


My favourite quote of the day was Andrew, the Director:
 "So what is happening is that we're suddenly performing in a church." Yeah, a church.


It's all part of the adventure I suppose, and who doesn't want to perform in a church!??



Tomorrow is going to be so much fun. I'm glad we're so on top of things....

#"@~??!--AGHH#~!?~!#

Fin x

Day 8: We're coming closer...

Today is February 17th.

On February 20th we will have our first performance. 

It's scary...

Today was another Workshop day. While I sincerely enjoyed the workshops, I couldn't help but feel on edge because I am now focusing largely on what we are actually going to put on stage in 3 days. Saying that, Jasmine's movement workshop made me aware of a lot of possibilities for the final production. She is also the coolest person ever and a dream to watch when she moves:

 

There is something really powerful about movement, both watching and taking part in it. When people let themselves really feel the music or the rhythm, they forget everything else around them and that's beautiful to watch. 

I also took part in a Documentary Theatre workshop with Eszter. During this workshop we broke into groups of 3 and for a certain amount of time one person asks questions, another answers and another writes down what the answerer says. The questions range from:

Do you like texting?       to      Have you ever felt like dying?


The aim of the exercise is to get Stories from people and turn them into theatre.


This evening we were put in our groups for the final performance. Relief Relief RELIEF. I am with:

 Lenka

 Ilias

 Oana

 Donara

Good group, good idea.  Tomorrow the ball starts rolling...

Fin x

Day 7: Workshops and Tensions...

Today we reached a new point in the programme. For the last 6 days, we've been in the Research process. Today, we began the Workshop process.

After hours of deliberation I decided to do:

•  "How to crack Hollywood", and I've already landed a film role, so that was useful.
• The Basics of Acting
• Movement Research with Random Collision Dance Company.
• Voice Workshop

The movement workshop was really inspiring. We were in a large open space, with the freedom to move and express ourselves without judgement. It was also intriguing to watch how people can communicate so much through their body. We also did a really interesting secret-sharing exercise in the "Hollywood" session that I will definitely use again.

Today, the fact that we're performing in Amsterdam in 6 days became a reality. We began questioning. 

 What's our Vision?                     How are we going to perform? 

How can we combine all the art forms?          What's our theme?

What's our concept?                                                                   What's going to happen?  

So these are our questions and our challenge for the next few days is to try and find collaborative answers to these questions. Tensions are high. Our job now is to use this energy in a productive way and create something amazing.

I want to produce something we can be proud of. It's not going to be easy but I hope and believe we can do it.

Fin x

Day 6: I think they're trying to kill me.

Today, I walked 25km. Yes,TWENTY FIVE km. The real theme of the day was Visions. I'm not too sure what else but I can safely say that I saw a vision of my blistered-covered feet by the end of the day!

At 12pm we were split into groups, given a map, a task, some high- vis jackets and a video camera. Our assignment was to reach our destination and make a video to our great, great grandchildren, telling them something form the training that we would like to share with them and what we would like to create with it. Before we were sent off on our merry way, Andrew asked, "What is your intention for the day?."
My reply was that I wanted to have an adventure. Lord, did I have an adventure...

It was a long day. Incredibly long day. We walked, pretty much non stop, for over 8 hours. In other circumstances, this would be hell. Although I couldn't move when I eventually arrived back at the Olde Vechte at 9 o'clock, it was a fantastic day. 

I got to explore the beautiful countryside:

When you spend 8 hours walking with the same people, you really get to know them. I'm glad that I had the experience and really got to know people on a deeper level then I had.

We eventually arrived at Marienberg:

 Celebrations!!!!!!!!

The adventure began on our return to the Olde Vechte. Myself, Donara and Oana thought it would be a fantastic idea to walk the 12.5km back home, instead of getting a train, because we're hardcore like that. 

3 foreign girls, walking in pitch darkness through woods for 3 and a half hours, sounds safe. To be honest, it was pretty terrifying! I couldn't help by thinking we were being the typical stereotype from a horror movie and that a figure was going to drag us into the woods at any moment.

We were supposed to arrive home at 7pm with our assignment done. We arrived home at 9pm without our assignment done. Productive! 

However, when we eventually trudged through the doors we were greeted like celebrities. The reality was that I think people were relieved that we were still alive...

So, today was another experience, another journey. Tomorrow is workshop days and I am excited!

Fin x

Day 6- Creativity

Happy Valentines Day! I hope everyone's day was as full with lovin' as mine. In the spirit of being romantic, we spent 20 minutes decorating the house.

Today we turned negatives in to positives. Complaints here are inescapable. People have opinions on everything and aren't afraid to share them. Today, our assignment was to choose 14 complaints as a group and think of a visual image for every complaint. Then we had 2 hours to create a video based on this. There was great variety in the videos and I was disappointed with myself that I hadn't challenged myself more with my own video. Anyway, live and learn.

As well as the group film assignment today we also had to do an individual performance in the evening for the whole group. The theme was Appreciation. Watching 30 other people performing really opened my eyes to the endless possibilities when creating . I learn something new here everyday and continue being amazed everything around me.

As you may be able to tell, today I am exhausted. I can't write anymore. 

Until tomorrow,

Fin x

Day 5- Intentions

Our intentions change all the time. My intention today was to write this blog earlier in the day but once again I'm here writing at half 3 in the morning. Other nights, it was because I was up for hours working. Tonight, I stayed up partying. Yes, I actually do have a life! Sometimes...

Mulled wine in tea cups and Romanian dancing, why don't I don't do this more often?

Every night we are given group assignments to fulfil for the following evening. It's intense and there are mixed opinions on the time restraints we are given. Putting all of that aside, today as I watched each of the performances, I got a feeling in my tummy telling me, "This is special." 

It excited me. The videos that were made were quirky, creative, powerful, evocative and touching. They made me believe in the potential of the group and our ability to create something fresh and inventive for our final performance.

It's wonderful to work outside my comfort zone. Not that I was thrown completely into the wilderness, but today for the first time in years I was given an art pack and told to create a piece of art in 20 minutes. We also had a feedback session where people tried to explain how they had created their piece and what they had got out from the experience. Many admitted it was like returning to their childhood. With motivation music playing throughout the creation process, it was no wonder that I created a masterpiece like this:

Success and Failure: Our task this evening was to create a presentation by asking people outside the Olde Vechte, "What is your biggest success in life?" and "What is your biggest failure in life?". 

These are two massive questions that I would find difficult answering myself. Therefore, I was pleasantly shocked and pleased when many unexpected people shared their answers with me over Facebook. I really did find it touching that people were willing to trust me and be open and honest about the questions, so sincerest thank you for that!

I think I laughed more today then I have for a long time. Hyperness can get the better of people when they are enclosed in such a confined environment. In the last session today we laughed and laughed throughout the entire thing. I still don't know what any of us were laughing at, but it was great!

I'm going to be a true theatre-wanker and leave you with one of the quotes hung on the wall here:

"If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe." 

 I hope this makes you question yourself, your purpose in life and the true question: What is life?!

(In case of any confusion, that was a joke. Well, most of it anyway..."

Fin x