[rocky] Professionalism killed the Rocky star

[jrising]

There was a fantastic discussion at the Rocky party about the state of the cast. The vocal consensus was this:

There's an undercurrent of over-professionalism at the show. In small but definite ways, the drive for professionalism stifles some of the fun of the show and makes working at it a chore. Because the show isn't as much fun, it isn't as good, and the audience has noticed. Both directors, theater 3, and Acid's absence were blamed for these problems.

It's so tough to disentangle real harmful effects from nostalgia. So, tell me: do you agree? Have we gained the world and lost our soul (or raised the bar and broken our backs)? The drive for screen accuracy can push us to do better, but if it drives out jokes and connecting with the audience-- if our performance just duplicates the film-- do we want it? The cast members used to work up the audience waiting outside before the show. Does anyone do that now? We have such a great group, and we can fix these problems, but maybe not without big changes.

Feel free to post anonymously or email me separately.

Comments

[jrising.livejournal.com]

Lots of people do. I'm sure he doesn't mean to have that effect... but if it is him, then we just need a new director.

[d-day.livejournal.com]

I think holding Gary up as a screen accuracy nazi is seriously misinformed.

[d-day.livejournal.com]

Well, then I guess it's good I wasn't replying to you specifically.

[jrising.livejournal.com]

I don't think that he wants to be a screen accuracy nazi, or that he's anti-jokes, or that he's the sole source of anything off at FBC. But I do think the he has effects he doesn't realize. Just because he's always watching and judging, people start to sensor themselves, even more than he would.

A props person said that before if he messed up, he had to face his crew head; now he has to worry about being yelled at by the director. I think holding ourselves to a high standard is great, but I think our highest priority should be to have fun, and the high standards help make the game worth playing.

[d-day.livejournal.com]

That is a good point. It's funny, when I was first on stage it bothered me that Alex didn't give me enough notes. Some people like feedback, some don't, I guess.

I'll ponder on this

[grypes.livejournal.com]

Gary and I constantly fail to see eye to eye.

That being said a very wise man once had a actor say "If you're stupid you should surround yourself with smart people and if you're smart you should surround yourself with smart people who disagree with you."

Gary spent forever editing the april fools "reel". I'm pretty certain that classifies him as being pro comedy. As for always watching... that's what directors do. They watch and note and then provide feedback.

Yes it's a volunteer job. It's still a job however. You're still accountable. The point of the show isn't to have fun. The point of the show is THE SHOW.

Any and every job expects that you should work before you play. This one is no different.

The only real difference is that we all choose to do this for no compensation other than the social interaction it gives us. We all get something out of this or we wouldn't show up.

If we are showing up and not getting anything out of it... then leave. That's what "volunteer" means.

If you plan on being part of the show they you have to answer to someone. If you screw up and the head of tech or director chews you out it's not because they enjoy it. It's to stem the issue before it becomes a pattern. That's the logical approach to anything.

Having fun is a side effect of being around the people who participate. It is not a prerequisite.

[d-day.livejournal.com]

I wasn't putting words into your mouth, and the reason I didn't reply to your original comment is because I WASN'T REPLYING TO YOUR ORIGINAL COMMENT. I was replying to a trend I saw in all the comments and since Jimmy's response to you seemed like the best place to put it... that's where it went.

Sorry you misunderstood me. I hope this helps clear things up :)

[d-day.livejournal.com]

Jimmy mentioned Directors in his original post and since Gary gives notes more often than I do, I applied the screen accuracy comments to him.

I think the Nazi part was stuck in my brain from Jonathan's post.

That all.