The Year Of The Seagull - 09.11.- 30.11.2015 - Berlin

„THE YEAR OF THE SEAGULL“ is a TOURING INTERNATIONAL MASTERCLASS for encouraging high degree research and artistic exchange between professional stage and screen actors as well as film and theatre directors.

By working on Checkov´s play we celebrate the 120th anniversary of "The Seagull" as well as the 120 years of the "young" art form of filmmaking. After starting in Berlin in March 2015, it recently returned from Copenhagen to be continued in Berlin and further collaborating cities in 2016.

WORKSHOP CONTENTS:

Under the artistic direction of lecturer Greta Amend, this European laboratory follows the two previous acclaimed masterclasses she conducted earlier this year in Berlin and Copenhagen, after which a superb group of actresses, actors and film directors strongly expressed their will to continue this work to gain access to innovative forms of expression, learning and working methods, which could provide fresh impulses to their own work.

We now want to continue the analysis of modern forms and possibilities to encourage new film and theatre creations. In exchange between the creative poles of director, actor and author we strive to dissolve the separation between the two fields of film and theatre. Where are the similarities, where the differences in the work flow, where are the limits and the liberties? Especially the process of "editing", mostly used for film, will be researched and adapted for the stage.

We invite actors and directors to capture real authentic moments within their adaption of the scenes, according to their own genre and style, preferences and prowess, by looking for the right register of emotion, gesture and dialogue in a free atmosphere. Through the energy, the melancholy and the humor of the characters Chekhov’s play is perfectly suitable for camera work. The intimate interplay between the characters, their pursuit for the beautiful things in life develops into a poetic atmosphere. The different rhythm of each actors imagination we are striving to explore, while filling the gesture with meaning.

We will carve out the differences of the picture and sound aestethics of stage and screen. Is it true that the language of film only tolerates text in little increments? While big gestures are required for the stage? What is meant by "big gestures"? What means "theatric acting" or so called "over acting"? We will work on the refinement of the actors and the directors ability to move through different domains and learn to assess themselves.

The group will focus on the core principals of a successful interaction on set, on stage and in rehearsals with the aim to explore new aesthetic possibilities, as Checkhov said in his own writing: „We have to find new forms“ (Kostya).

The practical/hands-on-scenework encompasses research, ensembletraining, improvisation and scene-analysis and will be partially accompanied by the camera-work under direction of Greta Amend. Greta has been working with Chekhov´s texts in her classes for years and her aim is to enfold new impressions of Anton Chekhov´s 120-year-old play „The Seagull“ by delivering it from the page to the stage combined with short extracts of (pre-produced) film. She will play with Chekhov´s essential themes, his lyricism and his subtlety to measure our artistic position with one of the greatest creator of characters in the history of dramatic writing.

FURTHER IMPACT of the project: „The Year of the Seagull“ is aimed to be developed into a series of collaboration, readings, rehearsals, investigations, roundtable discussions and showcases to provide working professionals with an intensive study of their craft, while fostering further collaborative relationships among a peer community of artists. This course provides them with the possibility of building up an advantageous infrastructure with organizational and artistic competence, and the potential to work on a common mindset and artistic vocabulary for future mutual projects.

ABOUT GRETA AMEND:

Greta has been working in the entertainment industry for 30 years: As an actress, film and theatre director, lecturer for actors and directors, script-doctor and casting director. Throughout her career she has compiled a vast understanding of the different disciplines and by that created set of exercises designed to prepare the modern media artist for the work on set and stage. These exercises have become the cornerstone of her method, which she teaches throughout Europe, and are reflected in her practice-oriented work.This series of exercises focuses on refining already existing acting techniques and optimizing the actors’ and directors´ artistic abilities beyond classical techniques and terms.

https://www.energizingtheactor.com/greta-amend/about-greta-amend/

DATES, FEE, APPLICATION:

Working language german and english as appropriate, on stage mothertongue welcome
Dates: Mondays 09.11., 09.11., 16.11., 23.11., 30.11., from 5.30pm to 9.30pm + 2 days filming on weekend 28.11. + 29.11.2015 (whole day disposition).
Seats limited to 10, first come first serve principle.
Price 430 Euro. GVL-Funding possible, after consultation in advance: www.gvl.de

Our WORKSPACE with its stage in Berlin Schöneberg, offers participants the opportunity to work at their artistic ability in expressing themselves within film and theatre. Location adress will be announced after confirmation of registration.

Please visit our WEBSITE to APPLY:

https://www.energizingtheactor.com/tuition-classes

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/internationalseagullbycheckhov