Disgruntlemungus
Was chatting the other day with a disgruntled member of our group on this whole issue of finding directors.
We both felt there was something a bit unsettling about the process of having scripts passed around and often rejected. (God knows it must be doubly difficult for Rage...they're out there hustling for us). But we also agreed that this rejection is part of the process. The 'real world' part. The bit where we grow up and stop being creative flower children in a hothouse with mummy phyllida and daddy carl.
And as Harriet very sensibly pointed out in one of her posts: if everybody in the world loved your play, chances are it would be a very boring play indeed!
But here disgruntled writer #1 and disgruntled writer #2 parted ways. Because I believe, quite strongly, that it isn't enough to find just any director. It has to be the right director. Right in that he or she feels right to you, seems to share your sensibilities, 'gets' the play. If this animal never turns up, then you don't go to festival. Simple.
The other view, equally passionately held, was that you go to festival any which way you can. Make the best of what you get. Even if it's just loose end director being tied up with loose end script (yours). Just get it out there. That's the whole point.
I don't buy this argument one bit. But I can see that it would make sense from a 'career in writing' point of view.
What do you guys think?
We both felt there was something a bit unsettling about the process of having scripts passed around and often rejected. (God knows it must be doubly difficult for Rage...they're out there hustling for us). But we also agreed that this rejection is part of the process. The 'real world' part. The bit where we grow up and stop being creative flower children in a hothouse with mummy phyllida and daddy carl.
And as Harriet very sensibly pointed out in one of her posts: if everybody in the world loved your play, chances are it would be a very boring play indeed!
But here disgruntled writer #1 and disgruntled writer #2 parted ways. Because I believe, quite strongly, that it isn't enough to find just any director. It has to be the right director. Right in that he or she feels right to you, seems to share your sensibilities, 'gets' the play. If this animal never turns up, then you don't go to festival. Simple.
The other view, equally passionately held, was that you go to festival any which way you can. Make the best of what you get. Even if it's just loose end director being tied up with loose end script (yours). Just get it out there. That's the whole point.
I don't buy this argument one bit. But I can see that it would make sense from a 'career in writing' point of view.
What do you guys think?
posted by Anonymous at 6:34 pm
5 Comments:
i also strongly believe that at this point if the director i happen to get (through luck or genuine appreciation) is someone i can connect with, then i will work with him/her. else, i would happily decide to be out of the festival and usher (and also sell vada pav to pay my rent). getting the job done just for the heck of it is not my cup of tea. but yes, the two workshops have been immensely helpful and i am glad i was there. and those uno games.
I like what Vijay says (e) about getting new directors and I know Shernaz is keen to move in that direction too. I agree about bad direction, as well -- that you can always see the spark of the play there even if the direction is not wonderful. So I am with Maia here rather than with Swar, though Swar I honour your point of view. But I shall be REALLY sad if I don't see your play at the festival!
well guys there are lots of valid points in there, except i have a huge big doubt in my mind. sorry if i sound stupid, but, how do you know, for sure, that the play you have in mind, will be best done if its done the way you imagine it?
i don't have much confidence in myself, its true, but i do genuinely believe that there is much to be gained in experimenting with a mind which works in a way totally different from yours. it opens up possibilities in your script which you may not have seen yourself.
what think you all?
okie. i just got the confirmation that sunil shanbag would be directing my play. which means more work now.
come on, maia girl, we're all rooting for you! whatever's on with asif and rajeev, bu the way? especially rajeev...seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth, wot? anyone got any news of him? hope he's managed to get off the island for good.
good for you, likla! why did sunil take so long to make up his mind? good for you, too, vijay. hope you're happy about mr. ramanathan. have heard of him, but must confess i don't know anything about his work.
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