Still with the lovely Ana Diaz directing and as with last week the focus has been ironing out (and sometimes bashing out until we get the idea) the small problems. One of the games which we all seem to have gone the hang of is to die in 30 seconds. Exactly. This has given us all a sense of time, for some being too quick but mainly a certain tendency to drag things out has been noted. Unfortunately this came into this weeks game of 5,4,3,2,1 where we used half of our time limit in the first round, but we certainly picked up the pace after that.
Some further exploration of the perception idea and the start of the show has led to the possibility of opening with a combined drawing from all of us of an ideal object (probably one suggested from the audience) such as ideal women, car, home, and then a discussion around this. Then we hope to incorporate some of our perception based questions to the audience as well to allow us plenty of material and spontaneous ideas to work with.
However, at this stage there seems to be a drop in energy levels, we seem to go from highs to lows, and there is a need to revitalise our improvisation skills by pushing into new boundaries, new situations and new risks. The known and comfortable are dull; the risky and spontaneous is compelling.
- Charlie Hammond
Showing posts with label games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label games. Show all posts
Monday, 23 May 2011
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Mouse That Soared
The article was in the Daily Mirror on Friday 12th November 2010. There I was sat in Chapter Arts looking for a interesting article. What I saw from this mouse was delightful. The article explained that the mouse was after food. This 'little fella' is just like an improvisation player, or improviser, as us little fellas are also after our food. Food being something we need and like.
Our little fella in this article was keeping his eye on the food and climbed up an axe handle and soared through the air for the delicious reward. His leap was not based on the possibility that he (or she) may fail. The little fella didn't calculate or hesitate about how he (or she) may get to the other side. Therefore, our little fella risked without pause for what he (or she) desired.
Each time us little fellas climb up our axe handle onto the stage we do so by hurling ourselves into the unknown. If its just for a grain of corn that is enough. We risk failure and we do not hesitate and certainly we cannot calculate. (There has been times were we end up in a mathematical problem and then we quickly work it out and say it, but this is not what I mean). By all means there is no hurry, the little fella didn't rush up the axe and dive dive dive. Alike us we keep our eye on the food and steadily explore and soar. The air is our ground. The heights are the wonder. The sensation is our stimulus. The snapper (photographer) for the little fella that made it all happen for the mouse, he is our watcher too. They snap us every moments we offer. Our snappers make the show.
Our audiences like to see our risk. That's what they snap up. The offer, the building something together, the unknowing and risk. The photo caught a mouse soaring, This is just as delightful as if we saw it in person. This, thus, means that no matter how rapid fire the manoeuvre is there will still be pleasure from it. Same risk, same goodness. The snapper was Scott, 33 year old. He had taken other brilliant photographs too. The main reason he is worthwhile mentioning further is because he said, "it was a challenge." Risk is a challenge, we indulge it.
Young Spontaneity
It is human nature to be spontaneous. When we are young toddlers we are intrigued by a lot. This state of being is useful. We learn we discover and we don't hold any prejudice over what we discover or see. As adults it is remarkably the opposite. However we still have no choice to be spontaneous.
What changes the inquisitive nature of the child as we grow up? Keith Johnstone blames the education system. This could well be true, but what I see is more than that. Its the social implications of being seen as a bit too risky, a bit too wild. A person that can and will do anything at any point is too much to comprehend. In a romantic relationship its a common request that, I want my partner to be more spontaneous. Why is this a request? You play too safe and we get bored. What life can be when we are more spontaneous is therefore not boring.
Even as an audience in watching an improv show, if the players keep doing the safe games in the same roles in a classic format, then it does become more tedious and too safe. (Short-form improvisational comedy shows are classically formatted by various games played which have players in certain roles in the game the scenes that are created are never the same; however the format can be).
We do not like feeling safe: What is a mid-life crisis? Is it someone who has lived their life without risk and change? If this is an agreeable statement, then perhaps our young community needs more spontaneity to allow this to continue through their lives. If its not an agreeable statement, then we can further the connection, but lets leave that to another time.
The reason that this article is written is due to Ludus Ludius Youth having been run for awhile now and the experience of the young improvisational players having sporadic imaginations or the polar opposite. We are in fact aiming for the more difficult task not because of a personal choice, but as its the more suitable option for the players. Tight, restrictive rules are seemingly always too much. Freer scene work is preferable. Personally, every time that we explore something new, be it a new group or age range then we all learn and discover something new.
Young spontaneity in these days is highly interesting. Do you want to watch? Do you want to participate? Do you think we should keep spontaneity flowing through all our life, not just the very young?
Its easy to share your thoughts and get involved with this, email nathan@ludusludius.co.uk and join our mailing list or share thoughts and ask to part-take.
What changes the inquisitive nature of the child as we grow up? Keith Johnstone blames the education system. This could well be true, but what I see is more than that. Its the social implications of being seen as a bit too risky, a bit too wild. A person that can and will do anything at any point is too much to comprehend. In a romantic relationship its a common request that, I want my partner to be more spontaneous. Why is this a request? You play too safe and we get bored. What life can be when we are more spontaneous is therefore not boring.
Even as an audience in watching an improv show, if the players keep doing the safe games in the same roles in a classic format, then it does become more tedious and too safe. (Short-form improvisational comedy shows are classically formatted by various games played which have players in certain roles in the game the scenes that are created are never the same; however the format can be).
We do not like feeling safe: What is a mid-life crisis? Is it someone who has lived their life without risk and change? If this is an agreeable statement, then perhaps our young community needs more spontaneity to allow this to continue through their lives. If its not an agreeable statement, then we can further the connection, but lets leave that to another time.
The reason that this article is written is due to Ludus Ludius Youth having been run for awhile now and the experience of the young improvisational players having sporadic imaginations or the polar opposite. We are in fact aiming for the more difficult task not because of a personal choice, but as its the more suitable option for the players. Tight, restrictive rules are seemingly always too much. Freer scene work is preferable. Personally, every time that we explore something new, be it a new group or age range then we all learn and discover something new.Young spontaneity in these days is highly interesting. Do you want to watch? Do you want to participate? Do you think we should keep spontaneity flowing through all our life, not just the very young?
Its easy to share your thoughts and get involved with this, email nathan@ludusludius.co.uk and join our mailing list or share thoughts and ask to part-take.
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Weekly Wednesday Workshops - Improvisation
Ludus Ludius Improvisation Theatre co has a new syllabus.
Running workshops and productions amongst other improvised activities.
The Ludus Ludius weekly workshops are suitable for beginners to improvisation and performance.The journey to the unknown starts off the discovery and exploration of improvisation with Ludus Ludius' focus of play and playfulness. Throughout the weekly wednesday workshops we get to know the players and discover the unknown together and exploring what improv is about and playing with the art form. With our new syllabus we can work with whom attends instead of having a set procedure - thus more in the spirit of improv. We begin with the basics of improv through fun and playful games and exercises. We then move to Johnstone and Spolin approaches in a mix of others. Ludus Ludius puts emphasis on play and playfulness in improv and we discover and explore through these means. Every workshop is different, because every player is different.
To book onto these workshops email Nathan on nathan@ludusludius.co.uk
Weekly on Wednesday
7pm - 10pm
Location: Chapter Arts Centre, Market Road, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF5 1QE
Creating Theatre through improvised playfulness
www.ludusludius.co.uk
SIDETRACK: Worskhops for Glamorgan Improvisation Troupe are held at your university (to book on or show interest email glamorganimprovisationtroupe@gmail.com) SIDETRACK ENDS.
Running workshops and productions amongst other improvised activities.
The Ludus Ludius weekly workshops are suitable for beginners to improvisation and performance.The journey to the unknown starts off the discovery and exploration of improvisation with Ludus Ludius' focus of play and playfulness. Throughout the weekly wednesday workshops we get to know the players and discover the unknown together and exploring what improv is about and playing with the art form. With our new syllabus we can work with whom attends instead of having a set procedure - thus more in the spirit of improv. We begin with the basics of improv through fun and playful games and exercises. We then move to Johnstone and Spolin approaches in a mix of others. Ludus Ludius puts emphasis on play and playfulness in improv and we discover and explore through these means. Every workshop is different, because every player is different.
To book onto these workshops email Nathan on nathan@ludusludius.co.uk
Weekly on Wednesday
7pm - 10pm
Location: Chapter Arts Centre, Market Road, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF5 1QE
Creating Theatre through improvised playfulness
www.ludusludius.co.uk
SIDETRACK: Worskhops for Glamorgan Improvisation Troupe are held at your university (to book on or show interest email glamorganimprovisationtroupe@gmail.com) SIDETRACK ENDS.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Free Improv Workshops Deal
Refer a Friend and get a free improv workshop with Ludus Ludius.
New promotion especially for you and your friends. Start improvising playfulness and have a great time with your pals.
Book your workshops now to get this offer. Wednesdays at 7PM in Cardiff, we shall improvise!
For more information visit: www.ludusludius.co.uk
Alternatively email nathan@ludusludius.co.uk
New promotion especially for you and your friends. Start improvising playfulness and have a great time with your pals.
Book your workshops now to get this offer. Wednesdays at 7PM in Cardiff, we shall improvise!
For more information visit: www.ludusludius.co.uk
Alternatively email nathan@ludusludius.co.uk
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