Thank you for stopping by if you were one of the generous people to engage in conversation with me last week. I had a delightful time sharing stories and perspective from the experiences I have had so far. I am summarizing a few of the answers to some questions below:
Is this yoga? Quick answer: No, not really. After some thought: Yoga means “union”. What I do is absolutely yoga–the union of film and dance, life and art. In the introduction video on monitor 1, I am wearing clothes that I have worn practicing and teaching yoga (I have taken for granted these outward markers of yoga practice). Process is about union. It is also about discernment and cutting that which does not serve the project. Many of my experiences with process begin by uniting influences and ideas.
What are the key parts of my process? Answer: The process is a little different per project, but I have noticed some patterns. I usually discern the mode of presentation and then begin working simultaneously thinking about content (movement) and visual style with camera. Much of my process is determined by outside factors like who is involved in front of and behind the camera. Casting is an important early part of the process. It helps me to imagine how the performers will move and imagine the piece with their limitations and strengths in mind. I also learn the vocabularies that are needed to communicate once I get to know the performers for the project. There are different approaches I take based on what I am trying to achieve. I ask many questions of myself and of the moment: Do I speak to the performer based on past shared experience or point of reference? Do I request a purely physical activity to get at an outward emotional performance? How do I structure rehearsal to invite improvisation and freedom to discover and contribute as a performer? People respond to different approaches and vocabularies. Each process is an opportunity to meet people and learn how best to communicate with them. Each process is a welcome challenge to unite visions to create one project.
Do you like to be in front of the camera? Answer: I am used to performing. There is a quickness to the process when I do not need to articulate the performance aspects of the project, but the technical visual aspects alone. I step outside of myself when viewing the footage but I prefer seeing someone else do the movement. I like to operate the camera and it is impossible when appearing in front of it. I like to know what the footage looks like as I am filming so that I can design new shots in the moment and make creative choices that might be the answer to the question I have raised in rehearsal. Sometimes all questions have not been answered even though it is time to film. I just have to move forward anyway.
I look forward to more questions and conversations this week!
H.C. Hawkins 