Writing a review - the Gathering 09 session
On the Friday morning Helen facilitated a workshop: Writing and reading feedback. We talked about reviews and what they can add to a performer's journey. Or take away. We discussed what a review could be 'for' And who is currently creating reviews that are published for public viewing.
We then thought about writing critically about our own and others' work. Where to begin?
Helen suggested starting with capturing on paper:
** Details: title of the piece, who wrote, performed, acted, tecked it, choreographed etc, where it was and when.
** The context: was I feeling expectant because of something I read ahead of time, uncertain, tired, not sure if I wanted to see yet another version of this? Was I squashed into a rickety seat, outside in light rain at dawn, too far away from the sound to hear properly? Who else was there, children, no one, lots of people who came late...?
** The content: general consensus round this bit was "Don't tell the tale", don't take the reader through the whole plot. We discussed that this can be a way of avoiding saying anything much else about the piece. But you can talk generally on "what is was about' from your perspective.
** The elements: the space, the lighting, the sound, set and costume. Did they help or hinder? Did they take over your attention or meld into the whole? How did they work for your experience?
Also, I think writing this, we need to think about what the review publication context is: student magazine? literary mag? this blog? local newspaper? Who are the readers?
So then we all had a go at writing a review. For example, Jess wrote about the inaugural inter-church Good Friday “Way of the Cross” pilgrimage to Newtown which she had attended just that morning. Adele wrote about the Rodwell Monologues and you can read that review on our Gathering blog.
We listened to some and talked about how a review could be seen as being your own story about going to a performance.
I am keen to use this blog space to keep thinking about this.
on the receiving end - part two
so I watched the dvd of my performance and the feedback. well, not all of it, found watching myself pretty tricky. so more of that will have to be done another time. Such perceptive and authentic responses (as Moira said audiences often clap clap clap and then leave and you never quite know...) and much for me to process in the feedback. Excellent to have it to re-partake of.
It's compelling too to observe us working through ideas about further developing the responding process. Helen makes a comment about this in her note on the Gathering feedback. We framed more the role of the responders and shaped the What next sessions idea up some, and then we did those the next day which is cool to reflect on.
I think it'll help if the performer clarifies what sort of response they would like from the responders. I didn't do that too well I realise in retrospect. I was more thinking of what they had to bring in terms of skills and experience. So I would do that better another time.
What a good good idea to have a dvd for the performers. Thanks for the idea and the execution. It's a treasure.
Ok, so now to do and then tick off more of the commitments on that wonderfully rolled scroll of recording.
on the receiving end - part one
I find it amazing how many tv programmes involve people being judged - as part of the overall entertainment. I am steeling myself to watch the DVD of my performance and the responding, one of the commitments I made to me when we did the What next session.
I can remember snatches of the feedback, but never never that sense of anyone making entertainment for others with their comments at my expense. I do recall also, and will be interested to view, how we talked around having specific responders and how their contribution might be scheduled earlier and different in content.
yours, dvd control poised for action... Judith
Writing a review
Sounds like a great session. I would be very keen to hear if others who were present found value in this session. We all have opinions and thoughts about shows we see but it can be hard to formulate these opinions in a way that lets others engage. 'I enjoyed it' or 'It was ok' doesn't give others much - and having to say more makes the experience more real in my experience. I like waht Helen has said about considering the audience too.
blogging & forum-ing
at the Gathering, we spent a bit of time learning about how the blogs function on this web site, but we didn't get time to look at the forums. judith intended to post the above as a forum, so i've reposted it here from her blog. the difference with the forums is that you can have themed threads of discussion, so this can be a thread of discussion about writing & reviewing. let's see if it works ... helen : )
Yes let's
I'd be keen to see any of the other reviews people wrote at the Gathering or have done since as part of this Forum discussion thread
pens poised?
I am thinking about writing for the newsletter - thinking everyone else may be thinking about this also. Shall we all get pens to paper? I love reading the newsletter, have always found it nourishing, exciting, thought-provoking. Let's all build on that heritage of generous time and thought offerings. Tonight's the night for me... cheers - Judith