I cross posted this because it relates to both ideas and productions. Can't
keep my thoughts separate...oh well.
Video:
It would be nice to use video conferencing for the performance. The visual
element is very important so I think this may be one of the things that
could be applied for by all the members together. An international effort to
get top quality video conferencing may succeed. Obviously there's much
better equipment than CU-SEEME. Gertrude Stein Theatre had some good
equipment for video and they had success. If a proposal for high quality
video equipment doesn't work then Monika's suggestion seems like the best
way. Use video to capture moments of the performance from the other stages
and moments from the audiences around the world. Seeing is so important.
Consider it.
Specialists:
Monika, you definitely are the project specialist. Sorry, I should have made
myself clearer. I was thinking of getting someone as the literary
specialist. I know you all have a lot of work to do so it may make things
easier and strengthen the project to have a professor who specializes in
Homer to join the team. This way you can have someone who has been studying
Homer for years on the team. Then, this will free you to work on the
artistic aspect of the project - shaping the text for the performance and
working on the artistic vision and artistic elements of the project. The
literary specialist then can answer detailed questions about Homer, Greece,
the text, interpretations and its history. Farley Richmond had a critique of
another international project that was doing something on Asia. He wondered
why the team didn't get help from a specialist on Asian theatre. He said
that there were plenty online. Something to consider. Makes your life easier
and adds credibility to the project. I think many professors would be
honored and excited to work on Oudeis.
Thoughts about the Demo:
As if I don't have enough ideas here's a few more that may make things
easier for you:
For the demo you may think about doing the whole thing in Vienna. This way
you won't have to worry about finding some other the country that's
available and working out all the communications and technical problems. You
could simply have two groups in Vienna. One group in one building and
another somewhere else. This will help you also because you can visit both
places and see how things are going. Have two audiences. Have friends come
to one or the other performance. After the show you can ask them how things
went. I know that this won't be the same as a different country but it may
be easier. This makes it simpler and gives you time to work on promotion,
the proposal, invitations and other things you may need to prepare for
before the demo. You might also want to do the episode that will happen in
Vienna for the demo (the beginning of Oudeis?). This way you do some work
on this part of the performance ahead of time.
What's happening with my side:
In January I will present a proposal for Oudeis to my board of directors.
After the meeting I will let you know immediately if the Studio will be
involved. Before I talk with my board I will show you my proposal. This way
I'll make sure I have correctly stated all the details. You can also let me
know if there's any extra information I should include.
All the best and long live Oudeis!!!
Dan