Frantic Assembly are a modern devising company that are mainly focused on working with young men to devise unique physical dance like performances. I had briefly explored Frantic assembly during my research and also used a Frantic Assemblies touch exercises in my own workshop.
We explored an exercise that was involved response to stimuli, synchronicity and tempo. Responsiveness is very important to an actor as it is the ability to respond to stimuli is important for devising performances. Tempo and time keeping is important for rhythm and dancelike movement. Time keeping allows performers to work in sync from rehearsed performances.
The grid forced the actors to stay in an imagined grid. Each turn would be sharp. The exercise was set to a tempo. We would need to keep in time with the metronome. This exercise builds on time keeping and synchronicity. Whilst within the grid, we were also asked to simulated scenarios such as walking a tight rope or on hot coals.
The actors are required to work in pairs and mimic each others movements. The movements are fine and should form a repeatable pattern. This exercise was useful for building chemistry with the other actor. It also required study of each others movement in order to replicate the movement.
The flying workshop involve different forms of lifting exercises that are use to simulate flying or defying gravity. The workshops are also used to build confidence of the performers.
Superman style: An actor is lifted into a horizontal position. Each other member needs to lock out their arms and keep the lifted actor upright. The flying actor then uses their body to steer the other actors.
Jet chair: The flying actor locks their arms in a seated like position. Each arm is supported and another lifts from behind. The flying actor then steers with body movements.
The wall walk is another flying exercise. The flying actor pushes their leg against the wall. They are then lifted into a horizontal position. Any unnecessary actors step away and then the flying actors 'walks' against the wall. It is important that their is pressure against the wall at all times to avoid falling.
The flying exercises were fun and I was able to attempt each of the exercise with some results. The exercises are physically intensive and require stamina and core strength. Upper body strength is also helpful for lifting. The group was not quite strong enough to perform the exercise for long periods but worked very hard. Ironically, I seemed to be the heaviest but most capable of holding myself in the lift position. However, I tired quickly and would need to work more on my overall body strength via weight training and other exercises in order to be able to perform these exercises for extended periods.
The chair duets exercise involved working with a partner to create a choreographed performance based on responsiveness to each others movements. We spent time working on the various movements we would use for the style and each time a new movement was created. We were then able to create a repeatable performance that would link with the other actors performances. With Connor our performance was like two friends who are conflicted in their emotions. Its a love hate relationship.
Our individual routines were then combined into a performance that was set with music. We devised linking movements between each partners and also a beginning/end sequence. The performance combines with the music to create a fluid movement that represents a park bench like scenes, where as time passes, different people come to the bench. The friends interact until one leaves the scene, a new partner creates a canon which forces out another. The music and movements represent the passing of time and some form of interaction between the partners. They are playing out their impulses, or playing on emotions to pass time.
I enjoyed exploring the Frantic Assembly practices. I would like to be able to use these techniques in future to develop performances.
Comments