Yes Eric.
I foward the message above because I think it can be usefull to sign on how
a collection of spontaneous action in the frame of (improvisational)
theatrical activity can be goal-oriented.
> -----Mensagem original-----
> De: Gary Schwartz <ils@centurytel.net>
> Para: GiveandTake@yahoogroups.com
> <GiveandTake@yahoogroups.com>
> Data: Quarta-feira, 5 de Junho de 2002 15:39
> Assunto: [GiveandTake] Spolin and TheaterSports
>
>
> Prior to my theories on Improv Comedy I was asked to
> speculate about TheaterSports and Spolin Games
> differences.
> I wrote:
> Maybe even more discussion will ensue. I think it's
> valuable to see how and why these approaches emerged,
> diverged and where they converge as well.
>
> Hi Leigh,
> I hesitate to make too many comparisons and point out
> divergences. Viola's
> work relies more on who/what and where with an applied
> focus to 'catalyze'
> the intuitive response to the theatrical demands of the
> situation. What
> occurs (if the focus is complete) is a process that is
> theatrical to watch,
> the scene is the by-product of the process.
>
> The players are so involved in the focus that the work
> will automatically (ideally) come out as a whole.
> Playing this way manifests the elements that Johnstone
> breaks down (status
> and narrative) and seeks to accomplish, intuitively
> without involving them
> in the intellectualization of narrative, blocking or
> accepting all offers or
> interrupting the routine, etc. (These, methods by the
> way, are sometime
> focus and sometimes intellectualizations. When they are
> used as a focus,
> wonderful work is produced.)
> Johnstone's message to the actor is to become aware of
> narrative form,
> judging good ideas and characterizations within the
> scene themselves and
> balancing these concepts, [while performing], to create
> a 'scene'. Many
> intuitive people have this ability already; some need
> sidecoaching to achieve it.
>
> Spolin's work brings out the intuitive of all players.
> Her method is to get
> them to a high level of stageworthy performance through
> sidecoaching and
> heightening focus, rather than relying on players to
> come to this on their
> own or in rehearsal.
> The theatersports groups I've seen use judges to
> moderate and evaluate if
> these elements are present in a scene. If they are not,
> the judges stop the
> scene and 'grade' it or let the audience know that it
> was lacking Narrative,
> creativity or originality, etc.
>
> Spolin's work does not concern itself with these things.
> Spolin's work
> relies on the sidecoach (and fellow players as
> sidecoach) to diagnose what
> about a scene isn't working and then offer sidecoaching
> to either change the
> focus or intensify the focus in order for the players to
> come to a level of
> playing that allows the game to work. ('help your fellow
> player' is a good
> sidecoach to players whose focus is working to help get
> a fellow player's
> focus back) When the game works, it has inherent in it
> all the elements
> Johnstone looks at. They are arrived at by a different
> process.
> Spolin used to say "one good focus is all focuses". The
> game works when
> players are encouraged to play and apply themselves
> fully to the focus.
>
> Now I'm told Johnstone does not like the judging aspect
> of TheaterSports. I
> don't know this first hand.
> I don't want to discuss his work further, because I'm
> not an expert in his
> methodology, but from my experience in playing
> theatersports and watching
> it, this is what I derive.
> I hope this helps. It's a bit intellectual and I don't
> feel expresses the
> differences well. After all they (Spolin and Johnstone)
> are both after
> spontaneous theater.
> In a nutshell, Spolin's X-area/intuitive, non-analytical
> approach to playing
> is the main difference. Johnstone's approach is more
> intellectual,
> analytical and critical.
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> ADVERTISEMENT
>
>
>
>
> To Subscribe to GiveandTake:
> GiveandTake-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> -------
> To unsubscribe from GiveandTake:
> GiveandTake-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms
> of Service.
>
>
>
> Ricardo Ottoni Vaz Japiassu
> Universidade do Estado da Bahia-Uneb
> Cond. Aldeia de Trobogy, rua B1, Bl. 49C/301
> Patamares - Salvador
> 41680-140 BAHIA
> Fone: (071)3660923 E-mail: rjapias@uol.com.br
>
>
>
> __________________________________________________________________________
> Quer ter seu próprio endereço na Internet?
> Garanta já o seu e ainda ganhe cinco e-mails personalizados.
> DomíniosBOL - http://dominios.bol.com.br
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Jul 01 2002 - 01:00:07 PDT